“I should have been most happy,” said Madame de Cintre.  “Unfortunately, as I have been telling Mrs. Tristram, I go on Monday to the country.”

Newman had made a solemn bow.  “I am very sorry,” he said.

“Paris is getting too warm,” Madame de Cintre added, taking her friend’s hand again in farewell.

Mrs. Tristram seemed to have formed a sudden and somewhat venturesome resolution, and she smiled more intensely, as women do when they take such resolution.  “I want Mr. Newman to know you,” she said, dropping her head on one side and looking at Madame de Cintre’s bonnet ribbons.

Christopher Newman stood gravely silent, while his native penetration admonished him.  Mrs. Tristram was determined to force her friend to address him a word of encouragement which should be more than one of the common formulas of politeness; and if she was prompted by charity, it was by the charity that begins at home.  Madame de Cintre was her dearest Claire, and her especial admiration but Madame de Cintre had found it impossible to dine with her and Madame de Cintre should for once be forced gently to render tribute to Mrs. Tristram.

“It would give me great pleasure,” she said, looking at Mrs. Tristram.

“That’s a great deal,” cried the latter, “for Madame de Cintre to say!”

“I am very much obliged to you,” said Newman.  “Mrs. Tristram can speak better for me than I can speak for myself.”

Madame de Cintre looked at him again, with the same soft brightness.  “Are you to be long in Paris?” she asked.

“We shall keep him,” said Mrs. Tristram.

“But you are keeping me!” and Madame de Cintre shook her friend’s hand.

“A moment longer,” said Mrs. Tristram.

Madame de Cintre looked at Newman again; this time without her smile.  Her eyes lingered a moment.  “Will you come and see me?” she asked.

Mrs. Tristram kissed her.  Newman expressed his thanks, and she took her leave.  Her hostess went with her to the door, and left Newman alone a moment.  Presently she returned, rubbing her hands.  “It was a fortunate chance,” she said.  “She had come to decline my invitation.  You triumphed on the spot, making her ask you, at the end of three minutes, to her house.”

“It was you who triumphed,” said Newman.  “You must not be too hard upon her.”

Mrs. Tristram stared.  “What do you mean?”

“She did not strike me as so proud.  I should say she was shy.”

“You are very discriminating.  And what do you think of her face?”

“It’s handsome!” said Newman.

“I should think it was!  Of course you will go and see her.”

“To-morrow!” cried Newman.

“No, not to-morrow; the next day.  That will be Sunday; she leaves Paris on Monday.  If you don’t see her; it will at least be a beginning.”  And she gave him Madame de Cintre’s address.