She gave me her fingers, which I raised to my lips.
"Mademoiselle," I said, "I owe you a thousand apologies.

I can assure you, however, that I have come at the earliest possible moment." She motioned me to sit down upon the lounge by her side.
"Monsieur had a more interesting engagement, perhaps ?" she murmured.
"Impossible!" I answered.
Now I had come here with no idea whatever of making love to this young lady.

My chief interest in her was because she, too, was an habitue of this mysterious cafe; and because, from the first, I felt that she had some other than the obvious reason for sending me that little note.
Nevertheless, it was for me to conceal these things, and I did not hesitate to take her hand in mine as we sat side by side.

She did not draw it away, and she did not encourage me.
"Monsieur," she said, "do not, I beg of you, be rash.

It was foolish of me, perhaps, to meet you here.