"I sincerely hope you will pardon me for having made such poor use of the last few minutes of the interview you have been kind enough to grant me, but I yielded almost unconsciously to the influence of certain memories. You will not refuse, I trust, to indemnify me by permitting me to see you again, and to have the honour of calling on you at your own home."
"What you ask, monsieur, is impossible for quite a number of reasons."
"Do not refuse my request, I beg of you. There seem to be so many points of similarity in our lot; besides, there are still many things I would like to tell you in relation to my South American journey, and the cause of it. Our meeting, too, has been so extraordinary, that I feel sure all these reasons will decide you to grant the favour I ask, though I should not dare to insist in the name of the very slight service which I was so fortunate as to be able to render you, and which you are extremely kind to even remember."
"I am not ungrateful, believe me, monsieur. I admit, too, that it would give me great pleasure to see you again, and yet, I shall probably be obliged to renounce this hope."
"Ah, madame—"
"Well, I will propose this, monsieur. To-day is Monday—"
"Yes, madame."
"Be here under the arcade at noon on Thursday."
"I will, madame, I will."
"If I am not here at the end of an hour,—which is more than probable,—we shall never see each other again, monsieur."