They are wrong who say that love is blind.  On the contrary, nothing—­not the smallest detail—­escapes its eyes; it sees everything in the beloved being, notices everything; but melts it all in one flame in the great and simple “I love.”  When I came close to Aniela, I noticed that her eyes were brilliant as if from recent slumber; that on her face and the light print dress fell the golden rays of the morning sun filtering through the young leaves; her hair was tied in a loose knot, and the flowing morning dress showed the outline of her shoulders and supple waist, and in its very carelessness had a certain freshness, which enhanced a thousandfold her charm.  It did not escape my notice how much smaller than usual she looked among the tall elm trees of the avenue,—­almost a child; in brief, nothing escaped me, but all my observations changed into the rapture of one who loves deliriously.  She returned my morning greeting with some confusion.  For the last few days she seems afraid of me, for I hypnotize her with every glance and word.  Her peace of thought is already disturbed, and the ferment has entered her soul.  She cannot help seeing I love her, but does not own it, not even to herself.  Sometimes I have a sensation as if I were holding a bird in my hand, and heard its heart palpitating under my fingers.  We walked together in embarrassed silence, which I did not care to interrupt.  I know this uneasiness is oppressive to her; but it renders her my accomplice, and brings me nearer to the end.  In the silence which surrounded us not a sound was audible but the crunching of the gravel under our feet, and the whistling of the golden orioles, which are plentiful in the park.  I started at last a conversation.  I directed it to suit my plans, for however much my mind is closed against influences that have no bearing upon my feeling, within their sphere I have a well-nigh redoubled presence of mind,—­an acuteness of perception, as have those plunged into a hypnotic trance, and in a given direction see more clearly than people in their normal state.  We passed speedily on to personal topics.  I spoke about myself in the confidential tone in which one speaks to those nearest, who alone have the right to know everything.  There sprung up between us a whole world of mutual understanding and thoughts, common to us both.  Since such a bond ought to exist by virtue of marriage,—­between her and her husband,—­I was leading her towards spiritual faithlessness by such gradual steps that she scarcely could be aware of it.

Nevertheless, the subtle nature perceived the drift.  But I had taken her by the hand, and led her; yet while leading, I felt a moral resistance.  I was fully aware the resistance would grow stronger if I pushed much farther, and she perceived the danger.  But I saw too that I was gaining ground, and that step by step I could lead her where I wanted.

In the meantime I spoke on purpose about the past.