Stretched out in a chair, he was looking at it lovingly, when Valentin de Bellegarde was shown into the room.

Valentin's glance presently followed the direction of Newman's, and he perceived his mother's invitation.
"And what have they put into the corner ?" he asked.

"Not the customary 'music,' 'dancing,' or 'tableaux vivants'?
They ought at least to put 'An American.'" "Oh, there are to be several of us," said Newman.

"Mrs.Tristram told me to-day that she had received a card and sent an acceptance." "Ah, then, with Mrs.Tristram and her husband you will have support.

My mother might have put on her card 'Three Americans.' But I suspect you will not lack amusement.