Mary Shelley

The-Dream Annotated Mary Shelley

In "The Dream," Countess Constance de Villaineuve is in love with a man named Gaspar, but since he is the son of her father's enemy, she is not sure if she should marry him. In order to make a decision, she takes advantage of the supernatural properties of St. Catherine's Couch, a rocky ledge on a cliff where lovers can gain wisdom from St. Catherine in their sleep. When Gaspar learns that Constance is sleeping in such a dangerous spot, he rushes to save her, and embraces her just as she is about to fall off the ledge. With such positive signs, Constance decides to marry Gaspar, and they get married the next day.