Page:The Novels and Tales of Henry James, Volume 2 (New York, Charles Scribner's Sons, 1907).djvu/568

THE AMERICAN She dropped her work with a reproachful moan. "Ah, why did n't you show it to me?"

"I thought of showing it to you—I thought of showing it to every one. I thought of paying my debt to them that way. So I told them, and I guess I made them squirm. If they've been lying low it's because they have n't known what may happen. But, as I say, I've given up my idea."

Mrs. Tristram began to take slow stitches again. "Wholly renounced it?"

"Wholly renounced it."

"But your 'proof,'" she went on after a moment, "what was it a proof of?"

"Oh, of an abomination not otherwise known."

"An abomination?"

"An abomination."

She hesitated but briefly. "Something too bad to tell me?"

He considered. "Yes, not good enough now."

"Well," she said, "I'm sorry to have lost it. Your document," she smiled, "did n't look like much, but I should have liked immensely to see it. They've wronged me too, you know, as your sponsor and guarantee, and it would have served my revenge as well! How did you come," she then asked, "into possession of your knowledge?"

"It's a long story. But honestly at any rate."

"And they knew you were master of it?"

"Oh, but rather!"

"Dear me, how interesting!" cried Mrs. Tristram. "And you humbled them at your feet?"

Newman was silent a little. "No, not at all. They 538