La Poule Noire (The Black Pullet)

closed it with care, and having crossed an immense hall, we entered another room; a lamp was suspended from the vaulted ceiling; there was a table covered with books, several oriental-style seats Likely referring to low cushions or divans, reflecting the 18th-century European fascination with "Oriental" luxury and comfort., and a daybed original: lit de repos; a type of upholstered sofa or chaise longue intended for resting during the day.; the good old man led me there, made me sit down, and placing his lantern on the table, he opened a kind of cabinet from which he took several vessels original: vases; in the context of 18th-century occultism, these are often understood as alchemical jars or apothecary containers..

He approached me, invited me to remove my clothing with a care and kindness of which one would hardly find a second model, and after having examined my wounds, he applied a first dressing with several balms contained in those vessels I have already mentioned. Scarcely were they applied to my arms and my head than the pains subsided. He invited me to stretch out on the daybed, and soon a beneficial and restorative sleep weighed down my eyelids, and I tasted all its sweetness.

When I woke up, I looked around me, and I saw the good old man seated at my side; he had not wanted to take any rest while I slept, so much did he fear that I might need help. I expressed to him all my gratitu- The text ends mid-word (French: reconnaissance), reflecting the original page break.