Page:The Novels and Tales of Henry James, Volume 1 (New York, Charles Scribner's Sons, 1907).djvu/276

 for endless generations have sought brides only with some correspondence of name and condition. But he 's—what do you call it?—very hard hit, and he would certainly stretch the point for Christina."

"Then it's she who won't stretch her point?"

"Ah, she's very proud too!" The Cavaliere was silent a moment, as if he were measuring the propriety of freedom. He seemed to have formed a high opinion of Rowland's discretion, for he presently continued: "It would be a great match, for she brings him neither a name nor a fortune—nothing but her wit and her beauty. But questa ragazza will receive no favours; I know her too well. She would rather have her beauty blasted than seem to care about the marriage, and if she ever accepts the Prince it will be only after she has kept him for months on his knees."

"But she does care about it," said Rowland, "and to bring him to his knees she 's working upon his jealousy by pretending to be interested in my friend Hudson. If you said more you would say that, eh?"

The Cavaliere's sagacity exchanged a glance with Rowland's. "By no means. Christina 's a drôle de fille. She has many romantic ideas. She would be quite capable of interesting herself seriously in a remarkable young man like your friend and doing her utmost to discourage a splendid suitor like the Prince. She would act sincerely and she would go very far. But it would be unfortunate for the remarkable young man," he added after a pause, "for at the last she 'd go back!"

"A drôle de fille indeed." 242