How we cite our quotes: (Book.Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
The young man seemed to consider. 'Oh I haven't put you through much—yet.' (4.1.12)
When Strether tells Chad that he's been through a lot, Chad replies that there's still much more to come. Ominous. But still, once again we have a character saying something without saying anything at the same time. Chad's words point to something, but we have no clue what it is.
Quote #2
'But how can I face [the facts] till I know what they are? Do you want [Chad],' he then braced himself to ask, 'to marry your daughter?'
She gave a headshake as noble as it was prompt. 'No—not that […] He likes her too much.' (6.1.58-61)
Strether tries his darnedest to get the truth out of Madame de Vionnet about her relationship with Chad. But Madame's language is just as evasive as Bilham's and Maria's. She knows full well what Strether is trying to ask her, but insists on hiding the truth without exactly having to lie. If Strether were able to ask her, "Are you having sex with Chad?" she'd be forced to lie. But instead, she just keeps angling Strether away from the truth.
Quote #3
He heard himself use the exorbitant word, the very sound of which helped to determined his flight. 'I'll save you if I can.' (6.1.77)
Now it's Strether's turn to be vague. After his first private meeting with Madame de Vionnet, he promises her that he'll try to "save her." Strether himself has no clue of what he means by this. The only purpose this claim serves is to put him in the driver's seat and give him power, even though he's the only person in this book who doesn't know what's going on with Chad and Madame de Vionnet.