 that more than
ever yet he might have been on the very point of asking her for some more
detailed account of the whole business than he had yet received from her. The
occasion almost forced upon him some question as to how she had managed and as
to the appearance such miracles presented from her own singularly close place of
survey. The moment in fact however passed, giving way to more present history,
and he continued simply to mark his appreciation of the happy truth. »It's a
tremendous comfort to feel how one can trust him.« And then again while for a
little she said nothing - as if after all to her trust there might be a special
limit: »I mean for making a good show to them.«
    »Yes,« she thoughtfully returned - »but if they shut their eyes to it!«
    Strether for an instant had his own thought. »Well perhaps that won't
matter!«
    »You mean because he probably - do what they will - won't like them?«
    »Oh 'do what they will' -! They won't do much; especially if Sarah hasn't
more - well, more than one has yet made out - to give.«
    Madame de Vionnet weighed it. »Ah she has all her grace!« It was a statement
over which, for a little, they could look at each other sufficiently straight,
and though it produced no protest from Strether the effect was somehow as if he
had treated it as a joke. »She may be persuasive and caressing with him; she may
be eloquent beyond words. She may get hold of him,« she wound up - »well, as
neither you nor I have.«
    »Yes, she may« - and now Strether smiled. »But he has spent all his time
each day with Jim. He's still showing Jim round.«
    She visibly wondered. »Then how about Jim?«
    Strether took a turn before he answered. »Hasn't he given you Jim? Hasn't he
before this 'done' him for you?« He was a little at a loss. »Doesn't he tell you
things?«
    She hesitated. »No« - and their eyes once more gave and took. »Not as you
do. You somehow make me see them - or at least feel them. And I haven't asked
too much,« she added; »I've of late wanted so not to worry him.«
    »Ah for that, so have
