Page:The Novels and Tales of Henry James, Volume 2 (New York, Charles Scribner's Sons, 1907).djvu/414

THE AMERICAN who had known it hitherto awake to its finger-tips. M. de Grosjoyaux's colleague pointed to an open door beyond and whispered that the doctor was within, where he kept guard. So long as Valentin slept, or seemed to sleep, of course he was not to be approached; so our hero withdrew for the present, committing himself to the care of the half-waked bonne. She took him to a room above-stairs and introduced him to a bed on which a magnified bolster, in yellow calico, figured as a counterpane. He lay down and, in spite of his counterpane and most other things, slept for three or four hours. When he awoke the morning was advanced and the sun filling his window, outside of which he heard the clucking of hens.

While he was dressing there came to his door a message from M. de Grosjoyaux and his companion, who amiably proposed he should breakfast with them. Presently he went downstairs to the little stone-paved dining-room, where the maid-servant, who had taken off her nightcap, was serving the repast. M. de Grosjoyaux was there, surprisingly fresh for a gentleman who had been playing sick-nurse half the night; he now rubbed his hands very constantly and very hard and watched the breakfast-table attentively. Newman renewed acquaintance with him and learned that Valentin was still in a doze; the doctor, who had had a fairly tranquil night, was at present sitting with him. Before M. de Grosjoyaux's associate reappeared Newman learned that his name was M. Ledoux and that Bellegarde's acquaintance with him dated from the days when 384