Finally, about the middle of September, Dupont received a letter thus conceived:
"If you desire to see Mademoiselle Georgette again, whose acquaintance you made during your stay in Paris last spring, monsieur, be good enough to be at the Jardin des Plantes, on the path facing the monkey house, about two o'clock in the afternoon of the 25th of this month; she will join you there. You will confer a great favor by bringing with you the little striped petticoat that Mademoiselle Georgette left in your hands."
Dupont quivered with joy when he read this letter:
"The charming girl wants to see me again!" he thought "The petticoat is only a pretext; she regrets her ill treatment of me and means to reward my love at last. Yes, indeed; I will certainly keep the appointment she gives me."
He went to his wife, and said to her:
"My dear love, I must make another little trip to Paris. It is necessary for me to see Jolibois, and I believe that it will be good for my health too. I could hardly wake up this morning."
"Yes, my dear, yes, go to Paris," replied madame; "it can't help doing you good; but don't stay so long as you did the last time."
That is why our old acquaintance was walking in the Jardin des Plantes, on the designated avenue, on the 25th of September, feeling from time to time in the pocket of his full-skirted coat, in which he had bestowed the little striped petticoat he was requested to return.
Ere long Dupont noticed that he kept passing a person of mature years, but dressed with much elegance; this was no other than Monsieur de Mardeille, who had received the following note a few days before:
"If Monsieur de Mardeille will take the trouble to be at the Jardin des Plantes, on the path in front of the monkey house, on the 25th of this month, about two o'clock in the afternoon, he will find there Mademoiselle Georgette, who will explain her conduct toward him. It would be very obliging on his part if he would bring with him her little black petticoat."