"I wonder whether your brother-in-law made them."
"Very likely," said Newman; "if he did, you may be very sure they are
well made."
"Well, you must not be discouraged," said M. de Bellegarde, with vague
urbanity.
"Oh, I don't mean to be. I have a project which gives me plenty to think
about, and that is an occupation." And then Newman was silent a moment,
hesitating, yet thinking rapidly; he wished to make his point, and yet
to do so forced him to speak out in a way that was disagreeable to
him. Nevertheless he continued, addressing himself to old Madame de
Bellegarde, "I will tell you my project; perhaps you can help me. I want
to take a wife."
"It is a very good project, but I am no matchmaker," said the old lady.
Newman looked at her an instant, and then, with perfect sincerity, "I
should have thought you were," he declared.
Madame de Bellegarde appeared to think him too sincere. She murmured
something sharply in French, and fixed her eyes on her son. At this
moment the door of the room was thrown open, and with a rapid step
Valentin reappeared.
"I have a message for you," he said to his sister-in-law. "Claire bids
me to request you not to start for your ball. She will go with you."
"Claire will go with us!" cried the young marquise. "En voila, du
nouveau!"
"She has changed her mind; she decided half an hour ago, and she is
sticking the last diamond into her hair," said Valentin.
Pages:
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213