 gravel, the click of hoofs,
the crack of whips, things that suggested some parade of the circus. »I think it
probable,« said Mrs. Pocock, »that I shall have the opportunity of going to my
brother's. I've no doubt it's very pleasant indeed.« She spoke as to Strether,
but her face was turned with an intensity of brightness to Madame de Vionnet,
and there was a moment during which, while she thus fronted her, our friend
expected to hear her add: »I'm much obliged to you, I'm sure, for inviting me
there.« He guessed that for five seconds these words were on the point of
coming; he heard them as clearly as if they had been spoken; but he presently
knew they had just failed - knew it by a glance, quick and fine, from Madame de
Vionnet, which told him that she too had felt them in the air, but that the
point had luckily not been made in any manner requiring notice. This left her
free to reply only to what had been said.
    »That the Boulevard Malesherbes may be common ground for us offers me the
best prospect I see for the pleasure of meeting you again.«
    »Oh I shall come to see you, since you've been so good«: and Mrs. Pocock
looked her invader well in the eyes. The flush in Sarah's cheeks had by this
time settled to a small definite crimson spot that was not without its own
bravery; she held her head a good deal up, and it came to Strether that of the
two, at this moment, she was the one who most carried out the idea of a
Countess. He quite took in, however, that she would really return her visitor's
civility: she wouldn't report again at Woollett without at least so much
producible history as that in her pocket.
    »I want extremely to be able to show you my little daughter.« Madame de
Vionnet went on; »and I should have brought her with me if I hadn't wished first
to ask your leave. I was in hopes I should perhaps find Miss Pocock, of whose
being with you I've heard from Mr. Newsome and whose acquaintance I should so
much like my child to make. If I have the pleasure of seeing her and you do
permit it I shall venture to ask her to be kind to Jeanne. Mr. Strether will
tell you« - she beautifully kept it up - »that my poor girl is gentle
