who has lived a sheltered life under the care of his uncle, a country priest. The text highlights Valreg's timidity and introspective nature as he grapples with feelings of insignificance and a lack of direction. He expresses a desire for a purpose in life, which he is uncertain of achieving. Through his conversation with the narrator, Valreg reveals his past and the emotional turmoil stemming from personal losses, including the death of his sister. He ultimately resolves to explore his artistic ambitions by seeking to become a painter, a decision that signals his aspiration to embrace life fully, contrasting with his earlier resignation and melancholic disposition. (This is an automatically generated summary.)