instinctive movement to gather his wits together.
Through the slight preoccupation that it produced he had a sense of a
long, fair face, and of two eyes that were both brilliant and mild.

"I should have been most happy," said Madame de Cintre. "Unfortunately,
as I have been telling Mrs. Tristram, I go on Monday to the country."

Newman had made a solemn bow. "I am very sorry," he said.

"Paris is getting too warm," Madame de Cintre added, taking her friend's
hand again in farewell.

Mrs. Tristram seemed to have formed a sudden and somewhat venturesome
resolution, and she smiled more intensely, as women do when they take
such resolution. "I want Mr. Newman to know you," she said, dropping her
head on one side and looking at Madame de Cintre's bonnet ribbons.

Christopher Newman stood gravely silent, while his native penetration
admonished him. Mrs. Tristram was determined to force her friend to
address him a word of encouragement which should be more than one of the
common formulas of politeness; and if she was prompted by charity, it
was by the charity that begins at home. Madame de Cintre was her dearest
Claire, and her especial admiration but Madame de Cintre had found it
impossible to dine with her and Madame de Cintre should for once be
forced gently to render tribute to Mrs. Tristram.

"It would give me great pleasure," she said, looking at Mrs. Tristram.

"That's a great deal," cried the latter, "for Madame de Cintre to say!"

"I am very much obliged to you," said Newman. "Mrs. Tristram can speak
better for me than I can speak for myself."

Madame de Cintre looked at him again, with the same soft brightness.
"Are you to be long in Paris?" she asked.

"We shall keep him," said Mrs. Tristram.

"But you are keeping ME!" and Madame de Cintre shook her friend's hand.

"A moment longer," said Mrs. Tristram.

Madame de Cintre looked at Newman again; this time without her smile.
Her eyes lingered a moment. "Will you come and see me?" she asked.

Mrs. Tristram kissed her. Newman expressed his thanks, and she took her
leave. Her hostess went with her to the door, and left Newman alone a
moment. Presently she returned, rubbing her hands. "It was a fortunate
chance," she said. "She had come to decline my invitation. You triumphed
on the spot, making her ask you, at the end of three minutes, to her
house."

"It was you who triumphed," said Newman. "You must not be too hard upon
her."

Mrs. Tristram stared. "