Page:The Novels and Tales of Henry James, Volume 2 (New York, Charles Scribner's Sons, 1907).djvu/385

THE AMERICAN into the box? M. Kapp wished to provoke me; he was awaiting his chance. In such a case—that is, when he has been, so to speak, notified—a man must be on hand to receive the provocation. My not returning would simply have been tantamount to my saying to M. Stanislas Kapp: 'Oh, if you're going to be offensive!—!

You must manage it by yourself; damned if I 'll help you!' That would have been a thoroughly sensible thing to say. The only attraction for you seems to have been the idea that you could help him," Newman went on. "You told me you were not going back for that minx herself."

"Oh, don't mention her ever, ever any more!" Valentin almost plaintively sighed. "She's really quite a bad bore."

"With all my heart. But if that's the way you feel about her, why could n't you let her alone?"

Valentin shook his head with a fine smile. "I don't think you quite understand, and I don't believe I can make you. She understood the situation; she knew what was in the air; she was watching us."

"Then you are doing it for her?" Newman railed.

"I'm doing it for myself, and you must leave me judge of what concerns my honour."

"Well, I 'll leave you judge if you 'll leave me to, quite impartially, kick somebody!"

"It's vain talking," Valentin replied to this. "Words have passed and the thing's settled."

Newman turned away, taking his hat. Then pausing as if with interest, his hand on the door: "You're going to use knives?" 355