How much?« - Chad seemed to find it in fact difficult to say.
    »How much.«
    »Why as much as you've made me. I'd give anything to see her. And you've
left me,« Chad went on, »in little enough doubt as to how much she wants it.«
    Strether thought a minute. »Well then if those things are really your motive
catch the French steamer and sail to-morrow. Of course, when it comes to that,
you're absolutely free to do as you choose. From the moment you can't hold
yourself I can only accept your flight.«
    »I'll fly in a minute then,« said Chad, »if you'll stay here.«
    »I'll stay here till the next steamer - then I'll follow you.«
    »And do you call that,« Chad asked, »accepting my flight?«
    »Certainly - it's the only thing to call it. The only way to keep me here,
accordingly,« Strether explained, »is by staying yourself.«
    Chad took it in. »All the more that I've really dished you, eh?«
    »Dished me?« Strether echoed as inexpressively as possible.
    »Why if she sends out the Pococks it will be that she doesn't trust you, and
if she doesn't trust you, that bears upon - well, you know what.«
    Strether decided after a moment that he did know what, and in consonance
with this he spoke. »You see then all the more what you owe me.«
    »Well, if I do see, how can I pay?«
    »By not deserting me. By standing by me.«
    »Oh I say -!« But Chad, as they went downstairs, clapped a firm hand, in the
manner of a pledge, upon his shoulder. They descended slowly together and had,
in the court of the hotel, some further talk, of which the upshot was that they
presently separated. Chad Newsome departed, and Strether, left alone, looked
about, superficially, for Waymarsh. But Waymarsh hadn't yet, it appeared, come
down, and our friend finally went forth without sight of him.

                                      III

 
At four o'clock that afternoon he had still not seen him, but he was then, as to
make up for this, engaged in talk about him with Miss Gostrey. Strether had kept
away from home all day, given himself up
