Then
she gave a little push to the puff that stood near her, and by a glance
at Newman seemed to indicate that she had placed it in position for him.
He went and took possession of it; the marquis's wife amused and puzzled
him.
"I know your secret," she said, in her bad but charming English; "you
need make no mystery of it. You wish to marry my sister-in-law. C'est un
beau choix. A man like you ought to marry a tall, thin woman. You must
know that I have spoken in your favor; you owe me a famous taper!"
"You have spoken to Madame de Cintre?" said Newman.
"Oh no, not that. You may think it strange, but my sister-in-law and
I are not so intimate as that. No; I spoke to my husband and my
mother-in-law; I said I was sure we could do what we chose with you."
"I am much, obliged to you," said Newman, laughing; "but you can't."
"I know that very well; I didn't believe a word of it. But I wanted you
to come into the house; I thought we should be friends."
"I am very sure of it," said Newman.
"Don't be too sure. If you like Madame de Cintre so much, perhaps you
will not like me. We are as different as blue and pink. But you and I
have something in common. I have come into this family by marriage; you
want to come into it in the same way."
"Oh no, I don't!" interrupted Newman.
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