she took it for granted,
at least, as any woman in her position would. But after that she changed her
mind; she believed you believed -«
    »Well?« - he was curious.
    »Why in her sublimity. And that belief had remained with her, I make out,
till the accident of the other day opened your eyes. For that it did,« said
Maria, »open them -«
    »She can't help« - he had taken it up - »being aware? No,« he mused; »I
suppose she thinks of that even yet.«
    »Then they were closed? There you are! However, if you see her as the most
charming woman in the world it comes to the same thing. And if you'd like me to
tell her that you do still so see her -!« Miss Gostrey, in short, offered
herself for service to the end.
    It was an offer he could temporarily entertain; but he decided. »She knows
perfectly how I see her.«
    »Not favourably enough, she mentioned to me, to wish ever to see her again.
She told me you had taken a final leave of her. She says you've done with her.«
    »So I have.«
    Maria had a pause; then she spoke as if for conscience. »She wouldn't have
done with you. She feels she has lost you - yet that she might have been better
for you.«
    »Oh she has been quite good enough!« Strether laughed.
    »She thinks you and she might at any rate have been friends.«
    »We might certainly. That's just« - he continued to laugh - »why I'm going.«
    It was as if Maria could feel with this then at last that she had done her
best for each. But she had still an idea. »Shall I tell her that?«
    »No. Tell her nothing.«
    »Very well then.« To which in the next breath Miss Gostrey added: »Poor dear
thing!«
    Her friend wondered; then with raised eyebrows: »Me?«
    »Oh no. Marie de Vionnet.«
    He accepted the correction, but he wondered still. »Are you so sorry for her
as that?«
    It made her think a moment - made her even speak with a smile. But she
didn't really retract. »I'm sorry for us all!«

                                       IV

 
He was to delay no longer to re-establish communication with
