She hesitated. “Who are they—first?”
“Why little Bilham to begin with.” He kept back for the moment Miss Barrace. “And Chad—when he comes—you must absolutely see.”
“When then does he come?”
“When Bilham has had time to write him, and hear from him about me. Bilham, however,” he pursued, “will report favourably—favourably for Chad. That will make him not afraid to come. I want you the more therefore, you see, for my bluff.”
“Oh you’ll do yourself for your bluff.” She was perfectly easy. “At the rate you’ve gone I’m quiet.”
“Ah but I haven’t,” said Strether, “made one protest.”
She turned it over. “Haven’t you been seeing what there’s to protest about?”
He let her, with this, however ruefully, have the whole truth. “I haven’t yet found a single thing.”
“Isn’t there any one with him then?”
“Of the sort I came out about?” Strether took a moment. “How do I know? And what do I care?”