Page:The Novels and Tales of Henry James, Volume 2 (New York, Charles Scribner's Sons, 1907).djvu/186

THE AMERICAN pursued, "don't be afraid to tell me, for I'll be hanged if I won't get on without you."

"Let me hear it again distinctly, the service you ask. It's very important, you know," Valentin went on. "I'm to plead your cause with my sister because you want—you want to marry her? That's it, eh?"

"Oh, I don't say plead my cause exactly; I shall try and do that myself. But say a good word for me now and then—let her know at least what you take me for."

This was, visibly, for the young man, a droll simplification. "I shall have first, my dear fellow, to know myself!"

But Newman went on unheeding. "What I want chiefly, after all, is just to make you aware of what I have in mind. I suppose that's what you all expect, making you formally aware, is n't it? I want always to do, over here, what's customary, what you've been used to. You seem more lost without what you've been used to than we are. If there's anything particular to be done let me know and I'll make it right. I would n't for the world approach Madame de Cintré save by schedule. I 'd go in to her on all-fours if that's what's required. If I ought to speak to your mother first why I 'll speak to her. If I ought to speak even to your brother I'll speak to him. I'll speak to any one you like, to the porter in his lodge or the policeman on his beat. As I don't know any one else I begin by speaking to you. But that, if it's a social obligation, is a pleasure as well."

"Yes, I see—I see," said Valentin, lightly 156