I deplored his attitude, and as I had on that night when we parted in sorrow, I longed to have our affair concluded. But such thoughts were futile. Never had there been a briefer night—more fleeting, it seemed, than a sunbeam shining on a drop of dew. We parted at daybreak wondering if we would ever meet again, for it seemed a remote chance.

Once with bitterness I parted
From him whose image now
Lingers in quite different tears. [3.14]