How we cite our quotes: (Book.Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #10
Well, it was right, Strether slipped smoothly enough into the cheerfulness of saying: granted that a community might be best represented by a young lady of twenty-two, Mamie perfectly played the part, played it as if she were used to it, and looked and spoke and dressed the character. (8.2.5)
Strether has spent the first half of this book talking about how Chad's family plans to lure him (Chad) back to Woollett by marrying him off to Mamie Pocock. Mamie, you see, is the most beautiful girl in town. The problem is that while she might be the most beautiful girl in the small town of Woollett, there are many women in Paris who are every bit as beautiful.