Though it is easy, I admit--it's quite beautiful," he benevolently added, "when you do want to." Strether looked at him with an indulgence that matched his intelligence.

"Is that the deep reasoning on which--about these ladies--you've been yourself so silent ?" Little Bilham considered the depth of his reasoning.

"I haven't been silent.

I spoke of them to you the other day, the day we sat together after Chad's tea-party." Strether came round to it.

"They then are the virtuous attachment ?" "I can only tell you that it's what they pass for.