"Open, if you please, Mademoiselle Georgette; it is someone who wishes to speak to you."
"I don't receive visits at night. Come back to-morrow morning."
"I am your opposite neighbor, mademoiselle—Monsieur de Mardeille; I sent my servant to you this morning. You know what it is that brings me; so be kind enough to open the door, I beg."
"I am very sorry, monsieur; but I never let anybody in at night. Come back to-morrow. It will be light then."
"What, mademoiselle! you leave me outside your door—me, Monsieur de Mardeille! You are quite certain, I presume, that I am not a robber?"
"Perhaps you might be a more dangerous character! Good-night, monsieur! Until to-morrow, by daylight!"
"It's because she considers me too dangerous that she won't let me in now!" said Monsieur de Mardeille to himself, as he returned to his own lodgings.
That idea, by flattering his self-esteem, consoled him a little for having put himself out to no purpose.
"It's plain," he thought, "that she wants the whole house to know that I am paying court to her.—Well! since it must be, mademoiselle, you shall receive a visit from me at midday."
And the next day, after passing more than an hour at his toilet, because he was determined to be irresistible, Monsieur de Mardeille decided to defy the prying glances of the neighbors. He went downstairs as if he were going out; but as he passed the concierge, who was standing at his door, he said: