Page:The Novels and Tales of Henry James, Volume 2 (New York, Charles Scribner's Sons, 1907).djvu/109

 about her. At last she came back. It must be charming to be able to order pictures at such a rate. Venetian portraits as large as life! You go at it en prince. And you're going to travel about Europe that way?"

"Yes, I intend to travel," said Newman.

"Ordering, buying, spending money?"

"Of course I shall spend a certain amount of money."

"You're very happy to have it. And you're perfectly free?"

"How do you mean, free?"

"You have nothing to embêter you—no father, no family, no wife, no fiancée?"

"Yes, I'm tolerably free."

"You're very very happy," said Mademoiselle Noémie gravely.

"Je le veux bien!" said Newman, proving that he had learned more French than he admitted.

"And how long shall you stay in Paris?" the girl went on.

"Only a few days more."

"Why do you go away?"

"It's getting hot, and I must go to Switzerland."

"To Switzerland? That's a fine country. I would give the clothes on my back to see it! Lakes and mountains, deep green valleys, ranz-des-vaches! Oh I congratulate you! Meanwhile I shall sit here through all the hot summer daubing at your pictures.

"Ah, take your time about it," Newman urged. "Do them at your convenience." 79