Instead, I bade her show herself in the second section of the southern gallery, every Tuesday and Friday at the exact hour of noon.

If at the moment the two hands of the clock came together, she saw me on the lower step of the main staircase, she was to know that I was free to talk and would soon join her.

If she did not see me there, she was to return home and come another day.

She answered that she would come but once, and set the day.

This was startling to my pride, but in a way it brought me a sense of relief.