As I had the honor to tell you, I am shut up here by my uncle, Monsieur Monetti, stove-maker and chimney doctor, whose secretary I am now." "You shall dine with me for all that," replied Sidonia.

"Listen, I shall re-enter my room, and tap on the ceiling.

Look where I strike and you will find the traces of a trap which used to be there, and has since been fastened up.

Find the means of removing the piece of wood which closes the hole, and then, although we are each in our own room, we shall be as good as together." Rodolphe went to work at once.

In five minutes a communication was established between the two rooms.
"It is a very little hole," said he, "but there will always be room enough to pass you my heart." "Now," said Sidonia, "we will go to dinner.