Page:The Novels and Tales of Henry James, Volume 2 (New York, Charles Scribner's Sons, 1907).djvu/308

THE AMERICAN "I feel no emotion that I was not perfectly prepared for," his mother, upon this, remarked.

"I can't say that for myself," said Newman, who felt in his face a different light from that of the Marquis. "I'm distinctly happier than I expected to be. I suppose it's the sight of all your happiness!"

"Don't exaggerate that," said Madame de Bellegarde as she got up and laid her hand on her daughter's arm. "You can't expect an honest old woman to thank you for taking away her beautiful only daughter."

"You forget me, dear madame," the young Marquise demurely interposed.

"Yes, she's very, very beautiful," Newman agreed while he covered Claire with his bright still protection.

"And when is the wedding, pray?" asked young Madame de Bellegarde. "I must have a month to think over the question of my falbalas."

"Ah, the time must be particularly discussed," said the Marquise.

"Oh, we 'll discuss it thoroughly, and we'll promptly let you know!" Newman gaily declared.

"I make very little doubt we shall agree," said Urbain.

"If you don't agree with Madame de Cintré you 'll be very unreasonable," his visitor went on.

"Come, come, Urbain," said young Madame de Bellegarde, "I must go straight to my tailor's."

The old lady had been standing with her hand on her daughter's arm and her eyes on her face. Madame de Cintré had got up; she seemed inscrutably to 278