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to the test, to see whether he was willing to have no secrets
from Mme. Verdurin, whether he was susceptible of being
enrolled in the ‘little clan.’ If he failed to pass, the faithful
one who had introduced him would be taken on one side,
and would be tactfully assisted to quarrel with the friend or
mistress. But if the test proved satisfactory, the newcomer
would in turn be numbered among the ‘faithful.’ And so
when, in the course of this same year, the courtesan told
M. Verdurin that she had made the acquaintance of such a
charming gentleman, M. Swann, and hinted that he would
very much like to be allowed to come, M. Verdurin carried
the request at once to his wife. He never formed an opinion
on any subject until she had formed hers, his special duty
being to carry out her wishes and those of the ‘faithful’ gen-
erally, which he did with boundless ingenuity.
‘My dear, Mme. de Crécy has something to say to you.
She would like to bring one of her friends here, a M. Swann.
What do you say?’
‘Why, as if anybody could refuse anything to a little piece
of perfection like that. Be quiet; no one asked your opinion.
I tell you that you are a piece of perfection.’
‘Just as you like,’ replied Odette, in an affected tone, and
then went on: ‘You know I’m not fishing for compliments.’
‘Very well; bring your friend, if he’s nice.’
Now there was no connection whatsoever between the
‘little nucleus’ and the society which Swann frequented, and
a purely worldly man would have thought it hardly worth
his while, when occupying so exceptional a position in the
world, to seek an introduction to the Verdurins. But Swann

294 Swann’s Way