Page:The Novels and Tales of Henry James, Volume 2 (New York, Charles Scribner's Sons, 1907).djvu/403

THE AMERICAN "I'm not intemperate," Newman answered; "it's you who are intemperate. You stab me in the back and I turn on you; is it I who am offensive? But I don't know that I've much more to say to you. What you expect of me, apparently, is to go on my way—in the manner most convenient to you—thanking you for favours received and promising never to trouble you again."

"We expect of you to act like an homme d' esprit," said Madame de Bellegarde. "You 've shown yourself remarkably that, already, and what we 've done is altogether based upon your being so. When one must recognise a situation—well, one must. That's all that we've done. Since my daughter absolutely withdraws, what do you gain by making a noise under our windows? You proclaim, at the best, your discomfiture."

"It remains to be seen if your daughter absolutely withdraws. Your daughter and I are still very good friends; nothing's changed in that. As I say, there has been that between us that must make her recognise at least my claim to some light of mercy from her."

"I recommend you in your own interest not to expect more than you 'll get," the Marquis returned with firmness. "I know her well enough to know that a meaning signified as she just now signified hers to you is final. Besides, she has given me her word."

"I've no doubt her word's worth a great deal more than your own," said Newman. "Nevertheless I don't give her up." 373