"I don't mean anything against the house or the family, sir.

But I think a great change would do the poor countess good.

It is very sad here." "Yes, it's not very lively," said Newman.

"But Madame de Cintre is gay herself." "She is everything that is good.

You will not be vexed to hear that she has been gayer for a couple of months past than she had been in many a day before." Newman was delighted to gather this testimony to the prosperity of his suit, but he repressed all violent marks of elation.