A Conspiracy, Indeed: Maria Gostrey's Double Agency in Henry James's The Ambassadors

Is it possible that, from the outset of the The Ambassadors, Maria Gostrey is in collusion with Chad and Vionnet to subvert Strether's mission of returning Chad to Woollett? I argue that Gostrey is a member of a genteel but exploitative cabal, consistently aiding Chad and Vionnet in their orchestration of schemes of deception. Gostrey's double agency helps to render Strether a chump rather than a hero when he sets out, empty-handed, for Woollett. At issue is whether James was artistically sophisticated enough to fashion a character who elicits the admiration and empathy of readers while inviting skeptical speculation about her.