"Madame, it is a matter of a parcel of real estate--a house that belonged to a second cousin on your mother's side; the said cousin having deceased without issue, and the estate descending to her collateral heirs----" "Enough, enough, monsieur, I beg you! I understand nothing about inheritances, and I do not care to have my brain confused with all these details, which I find horribly wearisome. Come to the point. What am I to sign? a power of attorney?--Come, tell me quickly!" "I was coming to the point, madame. Yes, I have a document in my pocket, which you will be good enough to sign, perhaps; but not until you have first read it carefully, for one should never sign anything without reading it." Bahuchet accompanied his words with such an expressive pantomime, that it was impossible for Valentine not to understand that the little clerk had another message for her, which he dared not deliver before a third person. Her face brightened at once, and she said to the girl: "Miretta, keep a close watch, be on your guard; and if you hear Monsieur de Santoval coming, move a chair.--And now, Monsieur Bahuchet, explain yourself; no more grimaces. What have you to say to me?" "Does madame wish that I--before her femme de chambre?" "I have no secrets from her. Speak at once." After casting a glance about the room, Bahuchet took from his pocket the letter he had concealed there. "Madame, the document to be signed was only a pretext to gain access to you. But here is a note which a young and handsome cavalier bade me hand you in secret.--Please to read it; he is waiting for me close by, and hopes for an answer." Valentine took the letter and read it at once. An expression of joy, of triumph, lighted up her face. The little clerk had respectfully walked away, and could not hear the words which the marchioness, after reading the note, muttered between her teeth: "Aha! monsieur le comte! you ask for a rendezvous! You are very impatient, now! But you go too fast!" She beckoned Bahuchet to her side. "Where was this note given to you?" "Near by--at a wine shop." "Do you know the person who gave it to you?" "No, madame; but it was easy to guess that he was a nobleman." "And he is waiting for you now?" "Yes, madame; at the same place where he gave me his letter. What reply shall I take to him?" "None." "What, madame! no letter, and no word?" "You will simply tell him that I smiled when I read his letter, and that I placed it--here." Valentine, as she spoke, slipped the letter into her bosom. At that moment, Miretta hurriedly moved a chair. "My husband is coming--let me have the paper--quickly!" "Here it is, madame; also a quill and an inkhorn; we always have them about us.--Omit one of your baptismal names," he added, in an undertone; "that will give me a pretext for coming again, and I fancy that it may be necessary."