"Request him to wait a moment," said Canolles, "and I will be at his service."
The officer left the room to perform his errand, and Canolles was preparing to follow him, when a door opened, and Nanon, pale and trembling, but with an affectionate smile upon her lips, made her appearance.
"A flag of truce, my dear," she said, grasping the young man's hand. "What does it mean?"
"It means, dear Nanon, that the good people of Bordeaux propose either to frighten me or seduce me."
"What have you decided?"
"To receive him."
"Is there no way to avoid it?"
"Impossible. It is one of the customs which must be followed."
"Oh! mon Dieu!"
"What's the matter, Nanon?"