Page:The Ambassadors (London, Methuen & Co., 1903).djvu/270

264 he felt for the moment as if it were the preposterous end of his mission.

It ministered furthermore to that temporary effect that Chad made no rejoinder. But he spoke again as they came in sight of the station. "Do you mean to introduce her to Miss Gostrey?"

As to this Strether was ready. "No."

"But haven't you told me they know about her?"

"I think I've told you your mother knows."

"And won't she have told Sally?"

"That's one of the things I want to see."

"And if you find she has?"

"Will I then, you mean, bring them together?"

"Yes," said Chad with his pleasant promptness; "to show her there's nothing in it."

Strether hesitated. "I don't think that I care very much what she may think there's in it."

"Not if it represents what mother thinks?"

"Ah, what does your mother think?" There was in this some sound of bewilderment.

But they were just driving up, and help of a sort might, after all, well be at hand. "Isn't that, my dear man, what we're both just going to make out?"