Page:The Novels and Tales of Henry James, Volume 2 (New York, Charles Scribner's Sons, 1907).djvu/287

THE AMERICAN noticed the gesture. "Ah, thank God I'm not a mercenary French person! If I were I would tell you with a brazen simper, old as I am, that if you please, monsieur, my information is worth something. Yet let me tell you so after all in my own decent English way. It is worth something."

"How much, please?"

"Simply this, sir: your solemn promise not to hint by a single word to the Countess that I've gone so far."

"Oh, I promise all right," said Newman. "And when I promise—!"

"I do believe you keep, sir! That's all, sir. Thank you, sir. Good-day, sir." And having once more slid down telescope-wise into her scant petticoats, his visitor departed. At the same moment Madame de Cintré came in by an opposite door. She noticed the movement of the other portière and asked Newman who had been entertaining him.

"The British female—in her most venerable form. An old lady in a black dress and a cap, who bobs up and down and expresses herself ever so well."

"An old lady who bobs and expresses herself? Ah, you mean poor Mrs. Bread. I happen to know you've made a conquest of her."

"Mrs. Cake, she ought to be called," Newman declared. "She's very sweet. She's a delicious old woman."

His friend looked at him a moment. "What can she have said to you? She's an excellent creature, but we think her rather dismal." 257