"I am sure of it."
"I hope so, for I have a letter."
"Yes, he will give you a kindly reception, I have no doubt, because of your letter; but above all he will receive you well for your father's sake, although he did not know him personally. Now, will you dine with me? We will talk of Egypt. It was hot there!"
"Willingly, General. At what hour do you dine?"
"At six o'clock.... Now go and take a turn on the boulevards, whilst I finish my Cossack, and return at six."
I took leave of General Verdier, and descended from the fourth floor, I must confess, with a lighter heart than I had ascended to it.