Page:The Novels and Tales of Henry James, Volume 2 (New York, Charles Scribner's Sons, 1907).djvu/285

THE AMERICAN to the progress of his suit, but he kept his expression within bounds. "Had she been very long as you did n't want to see her?"

"Well, sir, she had good reason not to be gay. The Count was no natural husband for a young lady like that. And it is n't as if, in this house, there were other great pleasures—to make up, I mean, for anything so sad. It's better, in my humble opinion, that she should leave it altogether. So if you 'll pardon my saying such a thing, I hope very much she'll see her blessed way—!"

"You can't hope it as much as I do!" Newman returned.

"But you must n't lose courage, sir, if she does n't make up her mind at once. That's what I wanted to beg of you," his friend proceeded. "Don't give it up, sir. You 'll not take it ill if I say it's a great risk for any lady at any time; all the more when she has got rid of one bad bargain. But if she can take advantage of a good, kind, respectable gentleman I think she had better make up her mind. They speak very well of you, sir, in the house—I mean in my part of it; and, if you 'll allow me to say so, there's everything in your appearance—! You've a very different one to the late Count; he was n't, really sir, much more than five feet high. And they say your fortune's beyond everything. There's no harm in that. So I entreat you to be patient, sir, and to bide your time. If I don't say it to you perhaps no one will. Of course it's not for me to make any promises. I can answer for nothing. But I believe in your chance because I believe in your spirit. I'm 255