"I listen."
"You will see if it is like yours."
"Oh! monsieur, I have no rendezvous—no note."
Ernanton then drew out a little paper. "Here is the note, monsieur," said he; "it would be difficult to read it to you by this obscure light: but it is short, and I know it by heart, if you will trust to me."
"Oh! entirely."
"This is it, then: 'M. Ernanton, my secretary is charged by me to tell you that I have a great desire to talk with you for an hour; your merit has touched me.' I pass over another phrase still more flattering."
"Then you are waited for?"
"No; I wait, as you see."
"Are they to open the door to you?"
"No; to whistle three times from the window."