"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.