t and
refreshment; I've had, as we say at Woollett, a lovely time. Nothing
in it has been more lovely than this happy meeting with you--in these
fantastic conditions to which you've so delightfully consented. I've a
sense of success. It's what I wanted. My getting all this good is
what Chad has waited for, and I gather that if I'm ready to go he's the
same."

She shook her head with a finer deeper wisdom. "You're not ready. If
you're ready why did you write to Mrs. Newsome in the sense you've
mentioned to me?"

Strether considered. "I shan't go before I hear from her. You're too
much afraid of her," he added.

It produced between them a long look from which neither shrank. "I
don't think you believe that--believe I've not really reason to fear
her."

"She's capable of great generosity," Strether presently stated.

"Well then let her trust me a little. That's all I ask. Let her
recognise in spite of everything what I've done."

"Ah remember," our friend replied, "that she can't effectually
recognise it without seeing it for herself. Let Chad go over and show
her what you've done, and let him plead with her there for it and, as
it were, for YOU."

She measured the depth of this suggestion. "Do you give me your word
of honour that if she once has him there she won't do her best to marry
him?"

It made her companion, this enquiry, look again a while out at the
view; after which he spoke without sharpness. "When she sees for
herself what he is--"

But she had already broken in. "It's when she sees for herself what he
is that she'll want to marry him most."

Strether's attitude, that of due deference to what she said, permitted
him to attend for a minute to his luncheon. "I doubt if that will come
off. It won't be easy to make it."

"It will be easy if he remains there--and he'll remain for the money.
The money appears to be, as a probability, so hideously much."

"Well," Strether presently concluded, "nothing COULD really hurt you
but his marrying."

She gave a strange light laugh. "Putting aside what may really hurt
HIM."

But her friend looked at her as if he had thought of that too. "The
question will come up, of course, of the future that you yourself offer
him."

She was leaning back now, but she fully faced him. "Well, let it come
up!"

"The point is that it's for Chad to make of it what he can. His being
proof against marriage will show what he does make."

"If he IS proof,