know; I
felt it in the air for a fortnight before it came. When I saw you at
my mother-in-law's ball, taking it all so easily, I felt as if you were
dancing on your grave. But what could I do? I wish you all the good I
can think of. You will say that isn't much! Yes; they have been very
shabby; I am not a bit afraid to say it; I assure you every one thinks
so. We are not all like that. I am sorry I am not going to see you
again; you know I think you very good company. I would prove it by
asking you to get into the carriage and drive with me for a quarter
of an hour, while I wait for my mother-in-law. Only if we were
seen--considering what has passed, and every one knows you have been
turned away--it might be thought I was going a little too far, even for
me. But I shall see you sometimes--somewhere, eh? You know"--this was
said in English--"we have a plan for a little amusement."

Newman stood there with his hand on the carriage-door listening to this
consolatory murmur with an unlighted eye. He hardly knew what Madame
de Bellegarde was saying; he was only conscious that she was chattering
ineffectively. But suddenly it occurred to him that, with her pretty
professions, there was a way of making her effective; she might help
him to get at the old woman and the marquis. "They are coming back
soon--your companions?" he said. "You are waiting for them?"

"They will hear the mass out; there is nothing to keep them longer.
Claire has refused to see them."

"I want to speak to them," said Newman; "and you can help me, you can do
me a favor. Delay your return for five minutes and give me a chance at
them. I will wait for them here."

Madame de Bellegarde clasped her hands with a tender grimace. "My poor
friend, what do you want to do to them? To beg them to come back to you?
It will be wasted words. They will never come back!"

"I want to speak to them, all the same. Pray do what I ask you. Stay
away and leave them to me for five minutes; you needn't be afraid; I
shall not be violent; I am very quiet."

"Yes, you look very quiet! If they had le coeur tendre you would move
them. But they haven't! However, I will do better for you than what you
propose. The understanding is not that I shall come back for them. I am
going into the Parc Monceau with my little girl to give her a walk, and
my mother-in-law, who comes so rarely into this quarter, is to profit
by the same opportunity to take the air. We are to wait for her in th