Page:The Ambassadors (London, Methuen & Co., 1903).djvu/267

Rh he hadn't then, for his companion's sensibility, appeared to give Mrs. Newsome away; and it facilitated our friend's presently asking him if it were his idea that Mrs. Pocock and Mme. de Vionnet should become acquainted. Strether was still more sharply struck hereupon with Chad's lucidity. "Why, isn't that exactly—to get a sight of the company I keep—what she has come out for?"

"Yes, I'm afraid it is," Strether unguardedly replied.

Chad's quick rejoinder lighted his precipitation. "Why do you say you're afraid?"

"Well, because I feel a certain responsibility. It's my testimony, I imagine, that will have been at the bottom of Mrs. Pocock's curiosity. My letters, as I've supposed you from the beginning to understand, have spoken freely. I've certainly said my little say about Mme. de Vionnet."

All this for Chad was beautifully obvious. "Yes, but you've only spoken handsomely."

"Never more handsomely of any woman. But it's just that tone"

"That tone," said Chad, "that has fetched her? I dare say, but I've no quarrel with you about it; and no more has Mme. de Vionnet. Don't you know by this time that she likes you?"

"Oh!" and Strether had with his groan a real pang of melancholy. "For all I've done for her!"

"Ah, you've done a great deal."

Chad's urbanity fairly shamed him, and he was at this moment absolutely impatient to see the face Sarah Pocock would present to a force as to which certainly, despite his own admonitions, she would arrive with no adequate forecast. "I've done this!"

"Well, this is all right. She likes," Chad comfortably remarked, "to be liked."

It gave his companion a moment's thought. "And she's sure Mrs. Pocock will?"

"No, I say that for you. She likes your liking her; it's so much, as it were," Chad laughed, "to the good. How ever, she doesn't despair of Sarah either, and is prepared, on her own side, to go all lengths."

"In the way of appreciation?"

"Yes, and of everything else. In the way of general