Suggestions
Use up and down arrows to review and enter to select.Please wait while we process your payment
If you don't see it, please check your spam folder. Sometimes it can end up there.
If you don't see it, please check your spam folder. Sometimes it can end up there.
Please wait while we process your payment
By signing up you agree to our terms and privacy policy.
Don’t have an account? Subscribe now
Create Your Account
Sign up for your FREE 7-day trial
Already have an account? Log in
Your Email
Choose Your Plan
Save over 50% with a SparkNotes PLUS Annual Plan!
Purchasing SparkNotes PLUS for a group?
Get Annual Plans at a discount when you buy 2 or more!
Price
$24.99 $18.74 /subscription + tax
Subtotal $37.48 + tax
Save 25% on 2-49 accounts
Save 30% on 50-99 accounts
Want 100 or more? Contact us for a customized plan.
Your Plan
Payment Details
Payment Summary
SparkNotes Plus
You'll be billed after your free trial ends.
7-Day Free Trial
Not Applicable
Renews June 11, 2023 June 4, 2023
Discounts (applied to next billing)
DUE NOW
US $0.00
SNPLUSROCKS20 | 20% Discount
This is not a valid promo code.
Discount Code (one code per order)
SparkNotes Plus subscription is $4.99/month or $24.99/year as selected above. The free trial period is the first 7 days of your subscription. TO CANCEL YOUR SUBSCRIPTION AND AVOID BEING CHARGED, YOU MUST CANCEL BEFORE THE END OF THE FREE TRIAL PERIOD. You may cancel your subscription on your Subscription and Billing page or contact Customer Support at custserv@bn.com. Your subscription will continue automatically once the free trial period is over. Free trial is available to new customers only.
Choose Your Plan
For the next 7 days, you'll have access to awesome PLUS stuff like AP English test prep, No Fear Shakespeare translations and audio, a note-taking tool, personalized dashboard, & much more!
You’ve successfully purchased a group discount. Your group members can use the joining link below to redeem their group membership. You'll also receive an email with the link.
Members will be prompted to log in or create an account to redeem their group membership.
Thanks for creating a SparkNotes account! Continue to start your free trial.
Please wait while we process your payment
Your PLUS subscription has expired
Please wait while we process your payment
Please wait while we process your payment
Newman continues his regular visits to Mrs. Tristram to apprise her of the situation with Claire. Mrs. Tristram, who is well aware of what Newman is up against, is astonished and impressed by his success. Though Newman has never doubted himself, the world's astonishment only adds to the value of the prize.
Shortly thereafter, Valentin makes good on his promise to introduce Newman to the Bellegardes, explaining that he has mentioned Newman as a fabulously wealthy American and a wonderful fellow who is looking for a superior wife. Valentin and Newman find the dowager Marquise in her salon, a perfectly dim, candlelit room. The dignified Madame de Bellegarde looks hard at Newman but does not offer her hand. The daughter of an English aristocrat who married a French Marquis, the Marquise has clear blue eyes, a high forehead, and a delicate face. Newman tries to take the Marquise's measure as an adversary, but finds her formidable and inscrutable. He sees that she, unlike her daughter, is perfectly at home in her world of exquisite order.
The young Marquise comes rustling over to talk to them, and Newman realizes that she is exactly the kind of woman Noémie Nioche would like to be. Conversation is dry, with Madame de Bellegarde evidently wondering what the right way is to talk to an American. When she admits that she does not see much of Paris, Newman tells her she is missing a great deal. The Marquise stares, as this is perhaps the only time she has ever been consoled on her losses.
Urbain, the young Marquis, enters. Middle-aged, distinguished, and majestic, Urbain is a carbon copy of his mother the Marquise, whereas Newman imagines Valentin and Claire taking after their late father, the Marquis. Though Urbain is preparing to leave for a ball with his wife, he pauses to speak with Newman about Newman's business ventures, noting that Paris is a very good place to spend a fortune. Watching Urbain put on his gloves, Newman begins to understand Valentin's hints of what he is up against.
Taken by the sudden urge to say something on his own terms, Newman breaks into a long and extremely direct speech about his poor adolescence, his family, and his inclination towards work. This outburst is followed by a profound silence. Urbain, with vague benevolence, says Newman must not be too discouraged. Newman replies that he intends to marry remarkably well.
Valentin appears with a message that Claire is coming to the ball as well. The Marquise is shocked, but just then Claire appears in a long white gown with a cloak of deep blue and diamonds glinting in her hair. Newman thinks her the most beautiful woman he has ever seen. Valentin, Claire, Urbain, and his wife leave for the ball. Left alone with the Marquise, Newman reveals that he hopes Claire will marry him. Icily, the Marquise says he cannot know what he asks. Newman replies that he is quite rich and, when prompted, details his wealth bluntly and impressively. The Marquise returns his candor, saying that she would like to get what she can from him, but that to do it her way will be easier. Newman replies that he is thankful for any terms at all, and radiantly, rapidly leaves.
Please wait while we process your payment