Page:The Novels and Tales of Henry James, Volume 2 (New York, Charles Scribner's Sons, 1907).djvu/381

THE AMERICAN. When they reached the box Valentin, over whom he towered, made with an emphasised bow way for him to pass in first. Newman touched his friend's arm as a sign he wished to speak with him, and Valentin answered that he would be with him in an instant. Valentin entered the box after the robust young man, but a couple of minutes later reappeared in a state of aggravated gaiety. "She's immensely set up—she says we 'll make her fortune. I don't want to be fatuous, but I think it very possible."

"So you 're going to fight?" Newman asked.

"My dear fellow, don't look at me as if I had told you I'm not! It was not my own choice. The thing's perfectly settled."

"I told you so!" groaned Newman.

"I told him so," smiled Valentin.

"What the hell did he ever do to you?"

"My good friend, it does n't matter what. It seems to me you don't understand these things. He used an expression—I took it up."

"But I insist on knowing; I can't, as your elder brother, let you give way to public tantrums—!"

"I'm, as your younger brother, very much obliged to you," said Valentin. "I've nothing to conceal, but I can't go into particulars now and here."

"We 'll leave this place then. You can tell me outside."

"Oh no, I can't leave this place; why should I hurry away? I 'll go to my stall and sit out the opera."

"You 'll not enjoy it."

Valentin looked at him a moment, coloured a little, 351