Page:The Novels and Tales of Henry James, Volume 2 (New York, Charles Scribner's Sons, 1907).djvu/190

THE AMERICAN of the room and again he came back and stationed himself in front of Newman. "All this is very interesting and very curious. In what I said just now I was speaking not for myself, but for my traditions and my superstitions. For myself really your idea stirs me up. It startled me at first, but the more I think of it the more I see in it. It's no use attempting to explain anything; you would n't, I think, follow me. After all, I don't see why you need; it's no great loss."

"Oh, if there's anything more to explain try me with it. I guess I've had to understand some queerer things than any you're likely to tell."

"No," said Valentin, "we'll do without them; we'll let them go. I took you for somebody—God knows whom or what—the first time I saw you, and I 'll abide by that. It would be quite odious for me to come talking to you as if I could patronise you. I've told you before that I envy you; vous m'imposez, as we say—I did n't know you much till these last five minutes. So we'll let things go, and I'll say nothing to you that, with our positions reversed, you would n't say to me."

I know not whether in renouncing the mysterious opportunity to which he alluded Valentin felt himself do something very generous. If so he was not rewarded; his generosity was not appreciated. Newman failed to recognise any power to disconcert or to wound him, and he had now no sense of coming off easily. He had not at his command the gratitude even of a glance; and he was in truth occupied with a particular fear, which he presently expressed. "Do 160