"Come now, doctor, why always the twentieth of November?"
"That is for me a prophetic day, and more, it is the anniversary of my birth, my dear abbé, so give me your evening on that day and you will not regret having come."
"Very well, then, the twentieth of November, if my health—"
"Permits you,—well understood, my dear abbé; but my experience tells me that you will be able to drag yourself to see me on that day."
"What a man. He is capable of giving me a perfect example, in his big own damned person, of the seven capital sins."
At this moment the door opened.
It was on this door, more than once, that the glances of Abbé Ledoux had been turned with secret and growing impatience, during his conversation with the doctor.
CHAPTER V.
The abbé's housekeeper, having entered the chamber, handed a letter to her master, and, exchanging with him a look of intelligence, said:
"It is very urgent, M. abbé."