at her full in the face, for she stood a moment in the
centre of the room, hesitating, apparently, what she should do, without
meeting his eyes. Then she went up to her mother, who sat in her deep
chair by the fire, looking at Madame de Cintre almost fiercely. With her
back turned to the others, Madame de Cintre held her cloak apart to show
her dress.

"What do you think of me?" she asked.

"I think you are audacious," said the marquise. "It was but three days
ago, when I asked you, as a particular favor to myself, to go to the
Duchess de Lusignan's, that you told me you were going nowhere and
that one must be consistent. Is this your consistency? Why should you
distinguish Madame Robineau? Who is it you wish to please to-night?"

"I wish to please myself, dear mother," said Madame de Cintre. And she
bent over and kissed the old lady.

"I don't like surprises, my sister," said Urbain de Bellegarde;
"especially when one is on the point of entering a drawing-room."

Newman at this juncture felt inspired to speak. "Oh, if you are going
into a room with Madame de Cintre, you needn't be afraid of being
noticed yourself!"

M. de Bellegarde turned to his sister with a smile too intense to be
easy. "I hope you appreciate a compliment that is paid you at your
brother's expense," he said. "Come, come, madame." And offering Madame
de Cintre his arm he led her rapidly out of the room. Valentin rendered
the same service to young Madame de Bellegarde, who had apparently been
reflecting on the fact that the ball dress of her sister-in-law was
much less brilliant than her own, and yet had failed to derive absolute
comfort from the reflection. With a farewell smile she sought the
complement of her consolation in the eyes of the American visitor, and
perceiving in them a certain mysterious brilliancy, it is not improbable
that she may have flattered herself she had found it.

Newman, left alone with old Madame de Bellegarde, stood before her a few
moments in silence. "Your daughter is very beautiful," he said at last.

"She is very strange," said Madame de Bellegarde.

"I am glad to hear it," Newman rejoined, smiling. "It makes me hope."

"Hope what?"

"That she will consent, some day, to marry me."

The old lady slowly rose to her feet. "That really is your project,
then?"

"Yes; will you favor it?"

"Favor it?" Madame de Bellegarde looked at him a moment and then shook
her head. "No!" she said, softly.

"Will you suf