Enjolras, in the library, is somewhat bemused when a rat scurries up onto the table and deposits a note upon his commonplace book. He marks his place with a scrap; he reads the note; and, pulled more thoroughly from his thoughts now, he smiles down at it, entirely involuntarily.

Is it lunchtime? It might be, he supposes. (Watches are not overly useful at Milliways.) Well, all right.

"Ah -- thank you. No reply."




A short while later, there's a familiar knock at the door of Citizens Joly and Lègle (de Meaux).