In short his hostess's news, though he couldn't have explained why, was a sensible shock, and his oppression a weight he felt he must somehow or other immediately get rid of.

There were too many connexions missing to make it tolerable he should do anything else.

He was prepared to suffer--before his own inner tribunal--for Chad; he was prepared to suffer even for Madame de Vionnet.

But he wasn't prepared to suffer for the little girl So now having said the proper thing, he wanted to get away.

She held him an instant, however, with another appeal.
"Do I seem to you very awful ?" "Awful?
Why so ?" But he called it to himself, even as he spoke, his biggest insincerity yet.
"Our arrangements are so different from yours." "Mine ?" Oh he could dismiss that too! "I haven't any arrangements." "Then you must accept mine; all the more that they're excellent.
They're founded on a vieille sagesse.