The Ambassadors Book Seventh Chapter 1

In which Mr. Strether finds solace in the majestic quiet of Notre Dame, encountering there a lady whose serene presence and subtle claims upon him gently disturb his contemplations; and over an intimate déjeuner by the Seine, they engage in a conversation charged with delicate understandings of obligation, support, and the intricate ties that bind their mutual acquaintance. The hour they share reveals for Strether a profound impression of seriousness and resolve in his companion, enveloping their discourse with an exquisite gravity that seems to both console and compel him.