"You shall hear only if your smash takes place.

As that's really out of the question, I won't expose myself"-- a point at which, for reasons of his own, Strether ceased to press.
He came round, for publicity--it was the easiest thing--to the idea that his smash WAS out of the question, and this rendered idle the discussion of what might follow it.

He attached an added importance, as the days elapsed, to the arrival of the Pococks; he had even a shameful sense of waiting for it insincerely and incorrectly.

He accused himself of making believe to his own mind that Sarah's presence, her impression, her judgement would simplify and harmonise, he accused himself of being so afraid of what they MIGHT do that he sought refuge, to beg the whole question, in a vain fury.

He had abundantly seen at home what they were in the habit of doing, and he had not at present the smallest ground.