Page:The Ambassadors (London, Methuen & Co., 1903).djvu/457

Rh as the young man's fixed smile seemed to shine out more strange: "Shall you give her up for the money in it?"

Chad preserved his handsome grimace as well as the rest of his attitude. "You're not altogether kind. What have I done, what am I doing, but cleave to her? The only thing is," he good-humouredly explained, "that I like to 'size-up'—it's pleasant to a fellow's feelings—the bribe I apply my foot to."

"Oh then, if all you want's a kickable surface, the bribe's enormous."

"Good. Then there it goes!" He administered his kick with fantastic force and sent an imaginary object flying. It was accordingly as if they were once more rid of the question and could come back to what really concerned them. "Of course I shall see you to-morrow."

But Strether scarce heeded the plan proposed for this; he had still the impression—not the slighter for the simulated kick—of an irrelevant hornpipe or jig. "You're restless."

"Ah," returned Chad as they parted, "you're exciting."