She hadn't dined with him, and it was characteristic of their relation that she had made him embrace her refusal without in the least understanding it.

She ever caused her rearrangements to affect him as her tenderest touches.

It was on that principle for instance that, giving him the opportunity to be amiable again to little Bilham, she had suggested his offering the young man a seat in their box.

Strether had dispatched for this purpose a small blue missive to the Boulevard Malesherbes, but up to the moment of their passing into the theatre he had received no response to his message.

He held, however, even after they had been for some time conveniently seated, that their friend, who knew his way about, would come in at his own right moment.