I spoke the truth. I went to Marcoline, and while she was putting on her disguise I wrote on a sheet of white paper, in large and odd-looking letters, the following sentences, using, instead of ink, rock-alum:
“I am dumb but not deaf. I am come from the Rhone to bathe you. The hour of Oromasis has begun.”
“This is the note you are to give to the marchioness,” I said, “when you appear before her.”
After supper we walked to the hotel and got in without anyone seeing us. I hid Marcoline in a large cupboard, and then putting on my dressing-gown I went to the marchioness to inform her that Selenis had fixed the next day for the hour of regeneration, and that we must be careful to finish before the hour of the moon began, as otherwise the operation would be annulled or at least greatly enfeebled.
“You must take care,” I added, “that the bath be here beside your bed, and that Brougnole does not interrupt us.”
“I will tell her to go out. But Selenis promised to send an Undine.”
“True, but I have not yet seen such a being.”
“Ask the oracle.”
“Willingly.”
She herself asked the question imploring Paralis not to delay the time of her regeneration, even though the Undine were lacking, since she could very well bathe herself.