Page:The Wings of the Dove (New York, Charles Scribners Sons, 1902), Volume 2.djvu/109

, as an English girl—and yet advanced in a high degree. However—though this didn't straighten it out—Kate was, of course, two or three years older; which at their time of life considerably counted.

Thus ingeniously discriminating, Densher continued slowly to wander; yet without keeping at bay for long the sense again that his corner was turned. It was so turned that he felt himself to have lost even the option of taking advantage of Milly's absence to retrace his steps. If he might have turned tail, vulgarly speaking, five minutes before, he couldn't turn tail now; he must simply wait there with his consciousness charged to the brim. Quickly enough, moreover, that issue was closed from without; in the course of three minutes more Miss Theale's servant had returned. He preceded a visitor, whom he had met, obviously, at the foot of the stairs, and whom, throwing open the door, he loudly announced as Miss Croy. Kate, on following him in, stopped short at sight of Densher—only after an instant, as the young man saw, with free amusement, not from surprise, and still less from discomfiture. Densher immediately gave his explanation—Miss Theale had gone to prepare to drive—on receipt of which the servant effaced himself.

"And you're going with her?" Kate asked.

"Yes—with your approval; which I've taken, as you see, for granted."

"Oh," she laughed, "my approval is complete!" 99