to know every one and to be glad to see every one. The marquis has
made me acquainted with ever so many people, and I feel quite like
one of the family. It's an occasion," Newman continued, wanting to
say something thoroughly kind and comfortable, "that I shall always
remember, and remember very pleasantly."

"I think it is an occasion that we shall none of us forget," said the
marquise, with her pure, neat enunciation.

People made way for her as she passed, others turned round and looked at
her, and she received a great many greetings and pressings of the hand,
all of which she accepted with the most delicate dignity. But though she
smiled upon every one, she said nothing until she reached the last of
the rooms, where she found her elder son. Then, "This is enough,
sir," she declared with measured softness to Newman, and turned to the
marquis. He put out both his hands and took both hers, drawing her to a
seat with an air of the tenderest veneration. It was a most harmonious
family group, and Newman discreetly retired. He moved through the rooms
for some time longer, circulating freely, overtopping most people by
his great height, renewing acquaintance with some of the groups to which
Urbain de Bellegarde had presented him, and expending generally the
surplus of his equanimity. He continued to find it all extremely
agreeable; but the most agreeable things have an end, and the revelry
on this occasion began to deepen to a close. The music was sounding its
ultimate strains and people were looking for the marquise, to make their
farewells. There seemed to be some difficulty in finding her, and Newman
heard a report that she had left the ball, feeling faint. "She has
succumbed to the emotions of the evening," he heard a lady say. "Poor,
dear marquise; I can imagine all that they may have been for her!" But
he learned immediately afterwards that she had recovered herself and was
seated in an armchair near the doorway, receiving parting compliments
from great ladies who insisted upon her not rising. He himself set out
in quest of Madame de Cintre. He had seen her move past him many times
in the rapid circles of a waltz, but in accordance with her explicit
instructions he had exchanged no words with her since the beginning of
the evening. The whole house having been thrown open, the apartments
of the rez-de-chaussee were also accessible, though a smaller number of
persons had gathered there. Newman wandered through them, obs