Page:The Novels and Tales of Henry James, Volume 2 (New York, Charles Scribner's Sons, 1907).djvu/465

THE AMERICAN sister up? Talk it over with your mother; let her judge what weight she attaches. She's constitutionally less accessible to pressure than you, I think; but enfin, as you say, you'll see. I'll go and wait in the village, at the inn, where I beg you to let me know as soon as possible. Say by three o'clock. A simple Yes or No on paper will do. That will refer to your attaching or not attaching what we call weight; or better still, to your consenting or refusing to take your hands off Madame de Cintré. Only you understand that if you do engage again I shall expect you this time to stick to your bargain." And with this Newman opened the door to let himself out. The Marquis made no motion, and his guest paused but for a last emphasis. "I can give you, let me add, no more than the time." Then Newman turned away altogether and passed out of the house.

He felt greatly uplifted by what he had been doing, as it was inevitable some emotion should proceed for him from the evocation of the spectre of dishonour for a family a thousand years old. But he went back to the inn and contrived to wait there, deliberately, for the next two hours. He thought it more than probable Urbain would give no sign; since an answer to his challenge, in either case, would be a recognition of his reference. What he most expected was silence—in other words defiance. He prayed, however, that, as he imaged it, his shot might bring them down. It did bring, by three o clock, a note, delivered by a footman; a note addressed in Urbain's handsome English hand.

"I cannot deny myself the satisfaction of letting 435