Softly lighted, the whole colour of the place, with its vague values, was in cool fusion--an effect that made the visitor stand for a little agaze.

It was as if in doing so now he had felt a recent presence--his recognition of the passage of which his hostess in turn divined.

She had scarcely to say it--"Yes, she has been here, and this time I received her." It wasn't till a minute later that she added: "There being, as I understand you, no reason NOW--!" "None for your refusing ?" "No--if you've done what you've had to do." "I've certainly so far done it," Strether said, "as that you needn't fear the effect, or the appearance of coming between us.

There's nothing between us now but what we ourselves have put there, and not an inch of room for anything else whatever.

Therefore you're only beautifully WITH us as always--though doubtless now, if she has talked to you, rather more with us than less.