He went into the outer room and called:
"Who's there?"
"Someone who wishes to consult monsieur le médécin," replied a soft, female voice.
"I will leave you," I said, taking my hat; but Balloquet detained me.
"Do stay," he said. "Thus far you have seen nothing but the unpleasant features of my position as a debtor; it is only fair that you should be a witness also of the advantages we owe to our profession. This is some girl to consult me. It is sometimes quite amusing to listen. They conceal nothing from their doctor; they tell him some things that they certainly wouldn't tell their lovers."
"But she won't dare to say anything before a witness, will she?"
"It will be enough to tell her that you're a confrère; then she'll look on you as another myself. If there were ten of us here, and I should say they were all doctors, she'd take them all for her confidants."
"In that case, I will stay and listen to the consultation."
I resumed my seat, while Balloquet donned his dressing gown, and opened the door himself.
The doctor was not mistaken; it was a young girl, with a costume halfway between that of a grisette and a nursery maid. Light hair, an attractive face, eyes cast down like an innocent schoolgirl, but with a certain twist in her gait which bore no trace of innocence.