Now that they were in the room both men became conscious of another sound besides the ladies' voices--a very peculiar sound.

It also came from behind the screen.

They both heard it, and showed, by the puzzled looks they cast at one another, that neither could make out what on earth it was.

It consisted of a succession of little rustles, followed by little thumps on the floor.
But what was curious, too, this rustle, thump--rustle, thump--fell exactly into the time of the music; so that, clearly, either the rustle thump was being played to the tune, or the tune sung to the rustle thump.
This last touch of mystery inflamed Edouard's impatience beyond bearing: he pointed eagerly and merrily to the corner of the screen.

Raynal obeyed, and stepped very slowly and cautiously towards it.
Rustle, thump! rustle, thump! rustle, thump! with the rhythm of harmonious voices.
Edouard got his head and foot into the room without taking his eye off Raynal.
Rustle, thump! rustle, thump! rustle, thump! Raynal was now at the screen, and quietly put his head round it, and his hand upon it.
Edouard was bursting with expectation.
No result.