I have undertaken to play
valet de place this afternoon. They were to have met me here at two
o'clock, and I have been waiting for them twenty minutes. Why doesn't
she arrive? She has at least a pair of feet to carry her. I don't know
whether to be furious at their playing me false, or delighted to have
escaped them."
"I think in your place I would be furious," said Newman, "because they
may arrive yet, and then your fury will still be of use to you. Whereas
if you were delighted and they were afterwards to turn up, you might not
know what to do with your delight."
"You give me excellent advice, and I already feel better. I will be
furious; I will let them go to the deuce and I myself will go with
you--unless by chance you too have a rendezvous."
"It is not exactly a rendezvous," said Newman. "But I have in fact come
to see a person, not a picture."
"A woman, presumably?"
"A young lady."
"Well," said Valentin, "I hope for you with all my heart that she is not
clothed in green tulle and that her feet are not too much out of focus."
"I don't know much about her feet, but she has very pretty hands."
Valentin gave a sigh. "And on that assurance I must part with you?"
"I am not certain of finding my young lady," said Newman, "and I am not
quite prepared to lose your company on the chance.
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