Page:The Novels and Tales of Henry James, Volume 2 (New York, Charles Scribner's Sons, 1907).djvu/177

THE AMERICAN "If she's going to throw herself away," Newman had said, "you ought to stop her."

"Stop her? How stop her?"

"Talk to her; give her some good advice."

At which the young man laughed. "'Some?' How much? Heaven deliver us both! Imagine the situation. Try giving her yourself exactly the right amount."

After which it was that Newman had gone with him to see Madame Dandelard. When they came away Valentin reproached his companion. "Where was your famous advice? I did n't hear a word of it."

"Oh, I give it up," Newman simply answered.

"Then you're as bad as I!"

"No, because I don't find it a pleasure of the mind to watch her prospective adventures. I don't in the least want to see her going down hill. I had rather look the other way. But why," our friend asked in a moment, "don't you get your sister to go and see her?"

His companion stared. "Go and see Madame Dandelard—my sister?"

"She might talk to her to very good purpose."

Valentin shook his head with sudden gravity. "My sister does n't have relations with that sort of person. Madame Dandelard's nothing at all; they d never meet."

"I should think," Newman returned, "that Madame de Cintré might see whom she pleased." And he privately resolved that, after he should know her a little better, he would ask her to go and pick up, 147