I made up my mind, and I am sure that no one could have come to a more heroic decision.
To give myself courage, during the first night I thought out the scene which should take place the following Sunday without fail. I did not sleep all night; in the intense darkness I saw the garden, I saw Irinel, I heard myself, I heard her.
The cocks crew. I was lying at full length, my face uppermost, my eyes shut. I was perspiring from the boldness which I had shown during the scene which was running in my mind.
"Irinel, will you come and walk in the garden?"
"That will not do, we must go for a walk."
She understood that I had decided to say something important to her. Such courage impressed and compelled.
The cocks crew. It was midnight. It was pouring; flashes of lightning, like serpents of light, shone for a second through my curtains.
"Irinel, you must come with me. Don't you see what a beautiful day it is? I have discovered a bunch of ripe grapes which I have kept for you all the week."
"It is impossible for you not to come. I have made up my mind to tell you something----"
"What?" replied Irinel, and turned her eyes upon me.
Who could bear such a bright light? I looked down, but revolted by such cowardice I felt the courage of a hero, and lifting my head I replied to her:
In all my life I had never commanded anyone. I was ordering her!
It was pitch dark; it was raining outside. I turned towards the wall. I closed my eyes. It was light. It was a beautiful Sunday. And still full of that courage I said to her once more:
And I took her by the hand. From now on my heart almost ceased to beat. I told her all I had wanted to say to her for two years.
"Irinel, Irinel, I love you! Do you love me? Why are you silent? Why do you look down? Tell me, shall I leave the house where I have watched you growing up under my eyes, or----"
We embraced each other; we kissed each other. It was over.
Lord! How brave men are when they are in love!
I grew cold all over when I reflected that this scene had not yet taken place, but was still to come. I sank down under my quilt afraid of such courage.
It began to grow light. I went off to sleep gradually, rehearsing this heroic scene:
The next day I woke up about ten o'clock. My uncle asked me in his kind, calm voice: