Trying to find a Henry James quote

At least I think it's Henry James. Would be more helpful if I knew for certain, wouldn't it?

In my Women's Lit course I remember the professor talking about how a lady was having trouble following James' work and long sentences, so he gave her advice on how to read his work. He talked about "keeping the thread" on a particular subject, that understanding literature is all about keeping track of a thread.

I know that's vague, especially if I'm recalling wrongly that James was the author in question. Does anyone have any idea what I'm talking about, by chance? x) Thanks so much!

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EDIT: I found the answer! :) (Thanks to Bill Hammack on Goodreads, who quoted it in his review of The Ambassadors.)

Quote:

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"Take...The Ambassadors very easily and gently: read five pages a day -- be even as deliberate as that -- but don't break the thread. The thread is really stretched quite scientifically tight. Keep along with it step by step -- and then the full charm will come out."

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I'd wanted to know because I thought it'd be neat to know such a preeminent writer's tips on reading his own work. Interesting, eh?