Wishing to make Mr.Newman known to those who are dear to us, I could not possibly fail to begin with you." "Charmed, dear friend; charmed, monsieur," said the duchess in a voice which, though small and shrill, was not disagreeable, while Newman executed his obeisance.

"I came on purpose to see monsieur.

I hope he appreciates the compliment.

You have only to look at me to do so, sir," she continued, sweeping her person with a much-encompassing glance.
Newman hardly knew what to say, though it seemed that to a duchess who joked about her corpulence one might say almost anything.

On hearing that the duchess had come on purpose to see Newman, the gentlemen who surrounded her turned a little and looked at him with sympathetic curiosity.