He ought, obviously, to have answered that the contentment of his
hostess was quite natural--she had a great deal; but the idea did not
occur to him during the pause of some moments which followed.
"Well, my dear mother," said Valentin, coming and leaning against the
chimney-piece, "what do you think of my dear friend Newman? Is he not
the excellent fellow I told you?"
"My acquaintance with Mr. Newman has not gone very far," said Madame de
Bellegarde. "I can as yet only appreciate his great politeness."
"My mother is a great judge of these matters," said Valentin to Newman.
"If you have satisfied her, it is a triumph."
"I hope I shall satisfy you, some day," said Newman, looking at the old
lady. "I have done nothing yet."
"You must not listen to my son; he will bring you into trouble. He is a
sad scatterbrain."
"Oh, I like him--I like him," said Newman, genially.
"He amuses you, eh?"
"Yes, perfectly."
"Do you hear that, Valentin?" said Madame de Bellegarde. "You amuse Mr.
Newman."
"Perhaps we shall all come to that!" Valentin exclaimed.
"You must see my other son," said Madame de Bellegarde. "He is much
better than this one. But he will not amuse you."
"I don't know--I don't know!" murmured Valentin, reflectively. "But we
shall very soon see. Here comes Monsieur mon frere.
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