ctly so dazzled? and
in not having too, as he almost believed, wholly hidden from his host
that he felt the latter's plummet? Suddenly, across the garden, he saw
little Bilham approach, and it was a part of the fit that was on him
that as their eyes met he guessed also HIS knowledge. If he had said to
him on the instant what was uppermost he would have said: "HAVE I
passed?--for of course I know one has to pass here." Little Bilham
would have reassured him, have told him that he exaggerated, and have
adduced happily enough the argument of little Bilham's own very
presence; which, in truth, he could see, was as easy a one as
Gloriani's own or as Chad's. He himself would perhaps then after a
while cease to be frightened, would get the point of view for some of
the faces--types tremendously alien, alien to Woollett--that he had
already begun to take in. Who were they all, the dispersed groups and
couples, the ladies even more unlike those of Woollett than the
gentlemen?--this was the enquiry that, when his young friend had
greeted him, he did find himself making.

"Oh they're every one--all sorts and sizes; of course I mean within
limits, though limits down perhaps rather more than limits up. There
are always artists--he's beautiful and inimitable to the cher confrere;
and then gros bonnets of many kinds--ambassadors, cabinet ministers,
bankers, generals, what do I know? even Jews. Above all always some
awfully nice women--and not too many; sometimes an actress, an artist,
a great performer--but only when they're not monsters; and in
particular the right femmes du monde. You can fancy his history on that
side--I believe it's fabulous: they NEVER give him up. Yet he keeps
them down: no one knows how he manages; it's too beautiful and bland.
Never too many--and a mighty good thing too; just a perfect choice. But
there are not in any way many bores; it has always been so; he has some
secret. It's extraordinary. And you don't find it out. He's the same
to every one. He doesn't ask questions.'

"Ah doesn't he?" Strether laughed.

Bilham met it with all his candour. "How then should I be here?

"Oh for what you tell me. You're part of the perfect choice."

Well, the young man took in the scene. "It seems rather good to-day."

Strether followed the direction of his eyes. "Are they all, this time,
femmes du monde?"

Little Bilham showed his competence. "Pretty well."

This was a category our friend had a fe