her eyes showed, upon a dimly desperate little community
with Madame de Vionnet. "But I hope I shan't miss her too much."

Madame de Vionnet instantly rallied. "And you know--though it might
occur to one--it isn't in the least that he's ashamed of her. She's
really--in a way--extremely good-looking."

"Ah but extremely!" Strether laughed while he wondered at the odd part
he found thus imposed on him.

It continued to be so by every touch from Madame de Vionnet. "Well, as
I say, you know, I wish you would keep ME a little more to yourself.
Couldn't you name some day for me, some hour--and better soon than
late? I'll be at home whenever it best suits you. There--I can't say
fairer."

Strether thought a moment while Waymarsh and Mrs. Pocock affected him
as standing attentive. "I did lately call on you. Last week--while
Chad was out of town."

"Yes--and I was away, as it happened, too. You choose your moments
well. But don't wait for my next absence, for I shan't make another,"
Madame de Vionnet declared, "while Mrs. Pocock's here."

"That vow needn't keep you long, fortunately," Sarah observed with
reasserted suavity. "I shall be at present but a short time in Paris.
I have my plans for other countries. I meet a number of charming
friends"--and her voice seemed to caress that description of these
persons.

"Ah then," her visitor cheerfully replied, "all the more reason!
To-morrow, for instance, or next day?" she continued to Strether.
"Tuesday would do for me beautifully."

"Tuesday then with pleasure."

"And at half-past five?--or at six?"

It was ridiculous, but Mrs. Pocock and Waymarsh struck him as fairly
waiting for his answer. It was indeed as if they were arranged,
gathered for a performance, the performance of "Europe" by his
confederate and himself. Well, the performance could only go on. "Say
five forty-five."

"Five forty-five--good." And now at last Madame de Vionnet must leave
them, though it carried, for herself, the performance a little further.
"I DID hope so much also to see Miss Pocock. Mayn't I still?"

Sarah hesitated, but she rose equal. "She'll return your visit with
me. She's at present out with Mr. Pocock and my brother."

"I see--of course Mr. Newsome has everything to show them. He has told
me so much about her. My great desire's to give my daughter the
opportunity of making her acquaintance. I'm always on the lookout for
such chances for her. If I didn't bring