DEAR MADAME,--About a hundred yards from your door, if nature had endowed your lovely eyes with the power to see in the dark, you could descry in a clump of trees Monsieur le Duc d'Épernon, who is awaiting my coming to have me shot, and compromise you wofully as a consequence. But I am by no means anxious to lose my life or to cause you to lose your peace of mind. Have no fear, therefore, in that direction. For my own part I propose to make use of the leave of absence which you procured for me the other day that I might take advantage of my freedom to come and see you. Where I am going, I have no idea; indeed, I am not sure that I shall go anywhere. However that may be, recall your fugitive adorer when the storm has passed. They will tell you at the Golden Calf in which direction I have gone. You will give me due credit, I trust, for my self-sacrifice. But your interests are dearer to me than my own enjoyment. I say my own enjoyment because I should have enjoyed pommelling Monsieur d'Épernon and his minions under their disguise. Believe me, dear lady, your most devoted and most faithful servant. Canolles signed this effusion, overflowing with Gascon magniloquence, knowing the effect it would have upon the Gascon Nanon. Then he summoned his servant. "Come hither, Master Castorin," said he, "and tell me frankly on what terms you are with Mademoiselle Francinette." "But, monsieur," replied Castorin, wondering much at the question, "I don't know if I ought--" "Have no fear, master idiot; I have no designs upon her, and you haven't the honor of being my rival. I ask the question simply for information." "Ah! that's a different matter, monsieur, and I may say that Mademoiselle Francinette has deigned to appreciate my good qualities." "Then you are on the best of terms with her, aren't you, monsieur puppy? Very good. Take this letter and go around by the fields." "I know the road, monsieur," said Castorin, with a self-satisfied expression. "'T is well. Knock at the back door. No doubt you know that door, too?" "Perfectly well." "Better and better. Take that road, knock at that door, and hand this letter to Mademoiselle Francinette." "Then, monsieur," said Castorin, joyfully, "I may--" "You may start instantly; you have ten minutes to go and come. This letter must be delivered to Mademoiselle Nanon de Lartigues at the earliest possible moment." "But suppose they don't open the door, monsieur?" queried Castorin, suspecting that something had gone wrong. "Why, you must be a fool in that case, for you should have some particular way of knocking, which makes it certain that a brave fellow like you won't be left outside; if that's not the case, I am much to be pitied for having such a dolt in my service." "I have a private knock, monsieur," said Castorin, with his most conquering air; "first I knock twice softly, then a third--"