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And then all my friends, without exception: Miss Kitty Upjohn, Miss Dora Finch, General Packard, C. P Hatch, and all the rest. And every one shall know what it is about, that is, to celebrate my engagement to the Countess de Cintre. What do you think of the idea?" "I think it is odious!" said Mrs. Tristram. And then in a moment: "I think it is delicious!"
She kept her hand on his arm, and turned to Newman with a smile. "Don't let him take you," she said; "you will not find it amusing. It is a musty old house, like any other." "It is full of curious things," said the count, resisting. "Besides, I want to do it; it is a rare chance." "You are very wicked, brother," Madame de Cintre answered. "Nothing venture, nothing have!" cried the young man.
"Are you interested in architecture?" asked the young man at the chimney-piece. "Well, I took the trouble, this summer," said Newman, "to examine as well as I can calculate some four hundred and seventy churches. Do you call that interested?" "Perhaps you are interested in theology," said the young man. "Not particularly. Are you a Roman Catholic, madam?" And he turned to Madame de Cintre.
"I have made up my mind, after all," said Madame de Bellegarde, "that the great point is how do you call it? to come out square. I am on my knees to money; I don't deny it. If you have it, I ask no questions. For that I am a real democrat like you, monsieur. Madame de Cintre is very proud; but I find that one gets much more pleasure in this sad life if one doesn't look too close."
Madame de Cintre started slightly, and raised her eyebrows; she had evidently not expected so fervid a compliment. "Oh, in that case," she said with a laugh, "your finding me alone is not good luck for me. I hope some one will come in quickly." "I hope not," said Newman. "I have something particular to say to you. Have you seen your brother?" "Yes, I saw him an hour ago."
Two persons stood there now, a lady and a gentleman; the lady Newman, from within the room and although she had turned her back to it, immediately recognized as Madame de Cintre. He hesitated as to whether he would advance, but as he did so she looked round, feeling apparently that he was there. She rested her eyes on him a moment and then turned again to her companion.
"You have never shown it." "So much the better." "Yes, so much the better. They think they have treated you very well." "I have no doubt they might have handled me much more roughly," said Newman. "I am much obliged to them. Honestly." "You are generous," said Madame de Cintre. "It's a disagreeable position." "For them, you mean. Not for me." "For me," said Madame de Cintre.
Newman got up. "Well, we shall see," he said smoothing his hat with his coat-cuff. "Brother," said Madame de Cintre, "invite Mr. Newman to come again." The Count Valentin looked at our hero from head to foot with his peculiar smile, in which impudence and urbanity seemed perplexingly commingled. "Are you a brave man?" he asked, eying him askance. "Well, I hope so," said Newman.
Tristram a while, stroking his mustache. "Is she a beauty?" he demanded. "No." "Oh, then it's no use " "She is not a beauty, but she is beautiful, two very different things. A beauty has no faults in her face, the face of a beautiful woman may have faults that only deepen its charm." "I remember Madame de Cintre, now," said Tristram. "She is as plain as a pike-staff.
"Whatever way you feel toward them is the right way, and anything that you should wish me to do to make myself agreeable to them I will do as well as I know how. Depend upon that!" Madame de Cintre rose again and came toward the fireplace, near which Newman was standing.