Losing my hold of Otomie, I fell back upon the bed and groaned aloud, and as I fell I saw the flush of shame upon her brow and breast.

For this woman loved me, and thus my act and words were an insult to her, who could guess well what prompted them.

Still she spoke gently.
'Pardon me, Teule, I came but to watch and not to waken you.

I came also that I may see you alone before the daybreak, hoping that I might be of service, or at the least, of comfort to you, for the end draws near.

Say then, in your sleep did you mistake me for some other woman dearer and fairer than I am, that you would have embraced me ?' 'I dreamed that you were my betrothed whom I love, and who is far away across the sea,' I answered heavily.