Page:The Novels and Tales of Henry James, Volume 2 (New York, Charles Scribner's Sons, 1907).djvu/307

THE AMERICAN hat in hand and irreproachably gloved, and was followed by his brother Valentin, who appeared to have just entered the house. The Marquis looked round the circle and administered to Newman his due little measure of recognition. Valentin saluted his mother and sisters and, as he shook hands with his friend, appeared to put him a sharp mute question.

"Arrivez donc, messieurs!" cried the young Marquise. "We've great news for you."

"Speak to your brother, my daughter," said the old woman to Claire.

Madame de Cintré had been looking at her tapestry, but on this she raised her eyes. "I've accepted Mr. Newman, Urbain."

"Yes, sir, your sister has nobly consented," said Newman. "You see after all I knew what I was about."

"I beg you to believe I'm charmed!" M. de Bellegarde replied with superior benignity.

"So am I, my dear man," said Valentin to Newman. "The Marquis and I are charmed. I can't marry myself, but I can understand it in others when the inducements to it are overwhelming. I can't stand on my head, but I can applaud a clever acrobat when he brings down the house. My dear sister, I bless your union with this delightful gentleman."

The Marquis stood looking for a while into the crown of his hat. "We've been prepared," he said at last, "but it's inevitable that in the face of the event we should éprouver a certain emotion." And he gave the oddest smile his visitor had ever beheld. 277