I owe her so much." It was beautiful, the way Chad said these things, and his plea was now confessedly--oh quite flagrantly and publicly--interesting.

The moment really took on for Strether an intensity.

Chad owed Madame de Vionnet so much?
What DID that do then but clear up the whole mystery?
He was indebted for alterations, and she was thereby in a position to have sent in her bill for expenses incurred in reconstruction.

What was this at bottom but what had been to be arrived at?
Strether sat there arriving at it while he munched toast and stirred his second cup.

To do this with the aid of Chad's pleasant earnest face was also to do more besides.