Her daughter-in-law stopped playing and gave him an agreeable smile.

Newman sat down and looked about him, while Valentin went and kissed the hand of the young marquise.
"I ought to have seen you before," said Madame de Bellegarde.

"You have paid several visits to my daughter." "Oh, yes," said Newman, smiling; "Madame de Cintre and I are old friends by this time." "You have gone fast," said Madame de Bellegarde.
"Not so fast as I should like," said Newman, bravely.
"Oh, you are very ambitious," answered the old lady.
"Yes, I confess I am," said Newman, smiling.
Madame de Bellegarde looked at him with her cold fine eyes, and he returned her gaze, reflecting that she was a possible adversary and trying to take her measure.

Their eyes remained in contact for some moments.

Then Madame de Bellegarde looked away, and without smiling, "I am very ambitious, too," she said.
Newman felt that taking her measure was not easy; she was a formidable, inscrutable little woman.