Page:The Novels and Tales of Henry James, Volume 2 (New York, Charles Scribner's Sons, 1907).djvu/244

THE AMERICAN to recognise it, and I only ask you to let me know, in all honesty, when you've done so."

"So that you, in all honesty—?"

"Well, call it in all delicacy!" Valentin suggested.

Newman continued to wonder. "May have a free hand?"

"Without your being shocked," the young man gracefully said.

But it only made our friend rather quaintly groan. "I think it's your delicacies, all round, that shock me most!"

"Ah, don't say," Valentin pleaded, "that I'm not at the worst a man of duty! See for yourself!" His English cousins had come into view, and he advanced gallantly to meet the lady in the green crape bonnet.