THE AMERICAN
man, of a fine presence, habited in evening-dress. He looked hard at Newman and Newman met his examination. "Madame de Cintré," the younger man repeated as an introduction of the visitor. The other took the card from his hand, read it in a sustained stare, looked again at Newman from head to foot, hesitated a moment and then said, gravely but urbanely: "Madame de Cintré is not at home."
The younger man made a gesture and turned to Newman. "I'm very sorry, sir."
Newman gave a friendly nod, to show that he bore him no malice, and retraced his steps. At the porter's lodge he stopped; the two men were still standing on the portico. "Who may the gentleman with the dog be?" he asked of the old woman who reappeared. He had begun to learn French.
"That's Monsieur le Comte."
"And the other?"
"That's Monsieur le Marquis."
"A marquis?" said Christopher in English, which the old woman fortunately did not understand. "Oh then he's not the major-domo!"
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