He's an old friend." At
which Strether had a slow amused significant headshake that made
her go on: "You mean that for HER at least he's a new person--
that she sees him as different?"
"She sees him as different."
"And how does she see him?"
Strether gave it up. "How can one tell how a deep little girl sees
a deep young man?"
"Is every one so deep? Is she too?"
"So it strikes me deeper than I thought. But wait a little--between
us we'll make it out. You'll judge for that matter yourself."
Madame de Vionnet looked for the moment fairly bent on the chance.
"Then she WILL come with her?--I mean Mamie with Mrs. Pocock?"
"Certainly. Her curiosity, if nothing else, will in any case work
that. But leave it all to Chad."
"Ah," wailed Madame de Vionnet, turning away a little wearily, "the
things I leave to Chad!"
The tone of it made him look at her with a kindness that showed his
vision of her suspense. But he fell back on his confidence.
"Oh well--trust him. Trust him all the way." He had indeed no sooner
so spoken than the queer displacement of his point of view appeared
again to come up for him in the very sound, which drew from him a
short laugh, immediately checked. He became still more advisory.
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