Page:The Novels and Tales of Henry James, Volume 2 (New York, Charles Scribner's Sons, 1907).djvu/379

THE AMERICAN "The nature of the article—if you mean of the young lady has nothing to do with it, and I've no intention of picking a quarrel. I'm not a bully nor a fire-eater, I simply wish to make a point that a gentleman must."

"Oh, damn your point!" Newman impatiently returned. "That's the trouble with you Frenchmen; you must be always making points. Well," he added, "be lively, or I shall pack you off first to a country where you 'll find half your points already made and the other half quite unnoticed."

"Very good," Valentin answered, "whenever you like. But if I go to America I must n't let the fellow suppose it's to run away from him."

And they separated. At the end of the act Newman observed that Valentin was still in the baignoire. He strolled into the corridor again, expecting to meet him, and when he was within a few yards of Noémie's retreat saw his friend pass out accompanied by the young man who had been seated beside its more interesting occupant. The two walked with some quickness of step to a distant part of the lobby, where Newman perceived them stop and stand talking. The manner of each was quiet enough, but the stranger, who was strikingly flushed, had begun to wipe his face very emphatically with his pocket-handkerchief. By this time Newman was abreast of the baignoire; the door had been left ajar and he could see a pink dress inside. He immediately went in. Noémie turned on him a glitter of interest.

"Ah, if you've at last decided to come and see me you but just save your politeness. You find me in 349