Undercertaincircumstancestherearefewhoursinlifemoreagreeablethanthehourdedicatedtotheceremonyknownasafternoontea。Therearecircumstancesinwhich，whetheryoupartakeoftheteaornot-somepeopleofcourseneverdo-thesituationisinitselfdelightful。ThosethatIhaveinmindinbeginningtounfoldthissimplehistoryofferedanadmirablesettingtoaninnocentpastime。
　　TheimplementsofthelittlefeasthadbeendisposeduponthelawnofanoldEnglishcountry-house，inwhatIshouldcalltheperfectmiddleofasplendidsummerafternoon。Partoftheafternoonhadwaned，butmuchofitwasleft，andwhatwasleftwasofthefinestandrarestquality。Realduskwouldnotarriveformanyhours。butthefloodofsummerlighthadbeguntoebb，theairhadgrownmellow，theshadowswerelonguponthesmooth，denseturf。Theylengthenedslowly，however，andthesceneexpressedthatsenseofleisurestilltocomewhichisperhapsthechiefsourceofone’senjoymentofsuchasceneatsuchanhour。Fromfiveo’clocktoeightisoncertainoccasionsalittleeternity。butonsuchanoccasionasthistheintervalcouldbeonlyaneternityofpleasure。Thepersonsconcernedinitweretakingtheirpleasurequietly，andtheywerenotofthesexwhichissupposedtofurnishtheregularvotariesoftheceremonyIhavementioned。Theshadowsontheperfectlawnwerestraightandangular。theyweretheshadowsofanoldmansittinginadeepwicker-chairnearthelowtableonwhichtheteahadbeenserved，andoftwoyoungermenstrollingtoandfro，indesultorytalk，infrontofhim。Theoldmanhadhiscupinhishand。itwasanunusuallylargecup，ofadifferentpatternfromtherestofthesetandpaintedinbrilliantcolours。Hedisposedofitscontentswithmuchcircumspection，holdingitforalongtimeclosetohischin，withhisfaceturnedtothehouse。Hiscompanionshadeitherfinishedtheirteaorwereindifferenttotheirprivilege。theysmokedcigarettesastheycontinuedtostroll。Oneofthem，fromtimetotime，ashepassed，lookedwithacertainattentionattheelderman，who，unconsciousofobservation，restedhiseyesupontherichredfrontofhisdwelling。ThehousethatrosebeyondthelawnwasastructuretorepaysuchconsiderationandwasthemostcharacteristicobjectinthepeculiarlyEnglishpictureIhaveattemptedtosketch。
　　Itstooduponalowhill，abovetheriver-theriverbeingtheThamesatsomefortymilesfromLondon。Alonggabledfrontofredbrick，withthecomplexionofwhichtimeandtheweatherhadplayedallsortsofpictorialtricks，only，however，toimproveandrefineit，presentedtothelawnitspatchesofivy，itsclusteredchimneys，itswindowssmotheredincreepers。Thehousehadanameandahistory。theoldgentlemantakinghisteawouldhavebeendelightedtotellyouthesethings：howithadbeenbuiltunderEdwardtheSixth，hadofferedanight’shospitalitytothegreatElizabethwhoseaugustpersonhadextendeditselfuponahuge，magnificent，andterriblyangularbedwhichstillformedtheprincipalhonourofthesleepingapartments，hadbeenagooddealbruisedanddefacedinCromwell’swars，andthen，undertheRestoration，repairedandmuchenlarged。andhow，finally，afterhavingbeenremodelledanddisfiguredintheeighteenthcentury，ithadpassedintothecarefulkeepingofashrewdAmericanbanker，whohadboughtitoriginallybecauseowingtocircumstancestoocomplicatedtosetforthitwasofferedatagreatbargain：boughtitwithmuchgrumblingatitsugliness，itsantiquity，itsincommodity，andwhonow，attheendoftwentyyears，hadbecomeconsciousofarealaestheticpassionforit，sothatheknewallitspointsandwouldtellyoujustwheretostandtoseethemincombinationandjustthehourwhentheshadowsofitsvariousprotuberances-whichfellsosoftlyuponthewarm，wearybrickwork-wereoftherightmeasure。Besidesthis，asIhavesaid，hecouldhavecountedoffmostofthesuccessiveownersandoccupants，severalofwhomwereknowntogeneralfame。doingso，however，withanundemonstrativeconvictionthatthelatestphaseofitsdestinywasnottheleasthonourable。Thefrontofthehouseoverlookingthatportionofthelawnwithwhichweareconcernedwasnottheentrance-front。thiswasinquiteanotherquarter。Privacyherereignedsupreme，andthewidecarpetofturfthatcoveredthelevelhill-topseemedbuttheextensionofaluxuriousinterior。Thegreatstilloaksandbeechesflungdownashadeasdenseasthatofvelvetcurtains。andtheplacewasfurnished，likearoom，withcushionedseats，withrich-colouredrugs，withthebooksandpapersthatlayuponthegrass。Theriverwasatsomedistance。wherethegroundbegantoslope，thelawn，properlyspeaking，ceased。Butitwasnonethelessacharmingwalkdowntothewater。
　　Theoldgentlemanatthetea-table，whohadcomefromAmericathirtyyearsbefore，hadbroughtwithhim，atthetopofhisbaggage，hisAmericanphysiognomy。andhehadnotonlybroughtitwithhim，buthehadkeptitinthebestorder，sothat，ifnecessary，hemighthavetakenitbacktohisowncountrywithperfectconfidence。Atpresent，obviously，nevertheless，hewasnotlikelytodisplacehimself。hisjourneyswereover，andhewastakingtherestthatprecedesthegreatrest。Hehadanarrow，clean-shavenface，withfeaturesevenlydistributedandanexpressionofplacidacuteness。
　　Itwasevidentlyafaceinwhichtherangeofrepresentationwasnotlarge，sothattheairofcontentedshrewdnesswasallthemoreofamerit。Itseemedtotellthathehadbeensuccessfulinlife，yetitseemedtotellalsothathissuccesshadnotbeenexclusiveandinvidious，buthadhadmuchoftheinoffensivenessoffailure。Hehadcertainlyhadagreatexperienceofmen，buttherewasanalmostrusticsimplicityinthefaintsmilethatplayeduponhislean，spaciouscheekandlighteduphishumorouseyeasheatlastslowlyandcarefullydepositedhisbigtea-cupuponthetable。Hewasneatlydressed，inwell-brushedblack。butashawlwasfoldeduponhisknees，andhisfeetwereencasedinthick，embroideredslippers。A
　　beautifulcolliedoglayuponthegrassnearhischair，watchingthemaster’sfacealmostastenderlyasthemastertookinthestillmoremagisterialphysiognomyofthehouse。andalittlebristling，bustlingterrierbestowedadesultoryattendanceupontheothergentlemen。
　　Oneofthesewasaremarkablywell-mademanoffive-and-thirty，withafaceasEnglishasthatoftheoldgentlemanIhavejustsketchedwassomethingelse。anoticeablyhandsomeface，fresh-coloured，fairandfrank，withfirm，straightfeatures，alivelygreyeyeandtherichadornmentofachestnutbeard。Thispersonhadacertainfortunate，brilliantexceptionallook-theairofahappytemperamentfertilizedbyahighcivilization-whichwouldhavemadealmostanyobserverenvyhimataventure。Hewasbootedandspurred，asifhehaddismountedfromalongride。heworeawhitehat，whichlookedtoolargeforhim。heheldhistwohandsbehindhim，andinoneofthem-alarge，white，well-shapedfist-wascrumpledapairofsoileddog-skingloves。
　　Hiscompanion，measuringthelengthofthelawnbesidehim，wasapersonofquiteadifferentpattern，who，althoughhemighthaveexcitedgravecuriosity，wouldnot，liketheother，haveprovokedyoutowishyourself，almostblindly，inhisplace。Tall，lean，looselyandfeeblyputtogether，hehadanugly，sickly，witty，charmingface，furnished，butbynomeansdecorated，withastragglingmoustacheandwhisker。Helookedcleverandill-acombinationbynomeansfelicitous。andheworeabrownvelvetjacket。Hecarriedhishandsinhispockets，andtherewassomethinginthewayhediditthatshowedthehabitwasinveterate。Hisgaithadashambling，wanderingquality。hewasnotveryfirmonhislegs。AsIhavesaid，wheneverhepassedtheoldmaninthechairherestedhiseyesuponhim。andatthismoment，withtheirfacesbroughtintorelation，youwouldeasilyhaveseentheywerefatherandson。Thefathercaughthisson’seyeatlastandgavehimamild，responsivesmile。
　　I’mgettingonverywell，hesaid。
　　Haveyoudrunkyourtea？askedtheson。
　　Yes，andenjoyedit。
　　ShallIgiveyousomemore？
　　Theoldmanconsidered，placidly。Well，IguessI’llwaitandsee。
　　Hehad，inspeaking，theAmericantone。
　　Areyoucold？thesonenquired。
　　Thefatherslowlyrubbedhislegs。Well，Idon’tknow。Ican’ttelltillIfeel。
　　Perhapssomeonemightfeelforyou，saidtheyoungerman，laughing。
　　Oh，Ihopesomeonewillalwaysfeelforme！Don’tyoufeelforme，LordWarburton？
　　Ohyes，immensely，saidthegentlemanaddressedasLordWarburton，promptly。I’mboundtosayyoulookwonderfullycomfortable。
　　Well，IsupposeIam，inmostrespects。Andtheoldmanlookeddownathisgreenshawlandsmootheditoverhisknees。ThefactisI’vebeencomfortablesomanyyearsthatIsupposeI’vegotsousedtoitIdon’tknowit。
　　Yes，that’stheboreofcomfort，saidLordWarburton。Weonlyknowwhenwe’reuncomfortable。
　　Itstrikesmewe’reratherparticular，hiscompanionremarked。
　　Ohyes，there’snodoubtwe’reparticular，LordWarburtonmurmured。Andthenthethreemenremainedsilentawhile。thetwoyoungeronesstandinglookingdownattheother，whopresentlyaskedformoretea。Ishouldthinkyouwouldbeveryunhappywiththatshawl，LordWarburtonresumedwhilehiscompanionfilledtheoldman’scupagain。
　　Ohno，hemusthavetheshawl！criedthegentlemaninthevelvetcoat。Don’tputsuchideasasthatintohishead。
　　Itbelongstomywife，saidtheoldmansimply。
　　Oh，ifit’sforsentimentalreasons-AndLordWarburtonmadeagestureofapology。
　　IsupposeImustgiveittoherwhenshecomes，theoldmanwenton。
　　You’llpleasetodonothingofthekind。You’llkeepittocoveryourpooroldlegs。
　　Well，youmustn’tabusemylegs，saidtheoldman。Iguesstheyareasgoodasyours。
　　Oh，you’reperfectlyfreetoabusemine，hissonreplied，givinghimhistea。
　　Well，we’retwolameducks。Idon’tthinkthere’smuchdifference。
　　I’mmuchobligedtoyouforcallingmeaduck。How’syourtea？
　　Well，it’sratherhot。
　　That’sintendedtobeamerit。
　　Ah，there’sagreatdealofmerit，murmuredtheoldman，kindly。
　　He’saverygoodnurse，LordWarburton。
　　Isn’theabitclumsy？askedhislordship。
　　Ohno，he’snotclumsy-consideringthathe’saninvalidhimself。
　　He’saverygoodnurse-forasick-nurse。Icallhimmysick-nursebecausehe’ssickhimself。
　　Oh，come，daddy！theuglyyoungmanexclaimed。
　　Well，youare。Iwishyouweren’t。ButIsupposeyoucan’thelpit。
　　Imighttry：that’sanidea，saidtheyoungman。
　　Wereyoueversick，LordWarburton？hisfatherasked。
　　LordWarburtonconsideredamoment。Yes，sir，once，inthePersianGulf。
　　He’smakinglightofyou，daddy，saidtheotheryoungman。
　　That’sasortofjoke。
　　Well，thereseemtobesomanysortsnow，daddyreplied，serenely。
　　Youdon’tlookasifyouhadbeensick，anyway，LordWarburton。
　　He’ssickoflife。hewasjusttellingmeso。goingonfearfullyaboutit，saidLordWarburton’sfriend。
　　Isthattrue，sir？askedtheoldmangravely。
　　Ifitis，yoursongavemenoconsolation。He’sawretchedfellowtotalkto-aregularcynic。Hedoesn’tseemtobelieveinanything。
　　That’sanothersortofjoke，saidthepersonaccusedofcynicism。
　　It’sbecausehishealthissopoor，hisfatherexplainedtoLordWarburton。Itaffectshismindandcolourshiswayoflookingatthings。heseemstofeelasifhehadneverhadachance。Butit’salmostentirelytheoretical，youknow。itdoesn’tseemtoaffecthisspirits。I’vehardlyeverseenhimwhenhewasn’tcheerful-aboutasheisatpresent。Heoftencheersmeup。
　　TheyoungmansodescribedlookedatLordWarburtonandlaughed。Isitaglowingeulogyoranaccusationoflevity？Shouldyoulikemetocarryoutmytheories，daddy？
　　ByJove，weshouldseesomequeerthings！criedLordWarburton。
　　Ihopeyouhaven’ttakenupthatsortoftone，saidtheoldman。
　　Warburton’stoneisworsethanmine。hepretendstobebored。I’mnotintheleastbored。Ifindlifeonlytoointeresting。
　　Ah，toointeresting。youshouldn’tallowittobethat，youknow！
　　I’mneverboredwhenIcomehere，saidLordWarburton。Onegetssuchuncommonlygoodtalk。
　　Isthatanothersortofjoke？askedtheoldman。You’venoexcuseforbeingboredanywhere。WhenIwasyourageIhadneverheardofsuchathing。
　　Youmusthavedevelopedverylate。
　　No，Idevelopedveryquick。thatwasjustthereason。WhenIwastwentyyearsoldIwasveryhighlydevelopedindeed。Iwasworkingtoothandnail。Youwouldn’tbeboredifyouhadsomethingtodo。
　　butallyouyoungmenaretooidle。Youthinktoomuchofyourpleasure。You’retoofastidious，andtooindolent，andtoorich。
　　Oh，Isay，criedLordWarburton，you’rehardlythepersontoaccuseafellow-creatureofbeingtoorich！
　　DoyoumeanbecauseI’mabanker？askedtheoldman。
　　Becauseofthat，ifyoulike。andbecauseyouhave-haven’tyou？-
　　suchunlimitedmeans。
　　Heisn’tveryrich，theotheryoungmanmercifullypleaded。Hehasgivenawayanimmensedealofmoney。
　　Well，Isupposeitwashisown，saidLordWarburton。andinthatcasecouldtherebeabetterproofofwealth？Letnotapublicbenefactortalkofone’sbeingtoofondofpleasure。
　　Daddy’sveryfondofpleasure-ofotherpeople’s。
　　Theoldmanshookhishead。Idon’tpretendtohavecontributedanythingtotheamusementofmycontemporaries。
　　Mydearfather，you’retoomodest！
　　That’sakindofjoke，sir，saidLordWarburton。
　　Youyoungmenhavetoomanyjokes。Whentherearenojokesyou’venothingleft。
　　Fortunatelytherearealwaysmorejokes，theuglyyoungmanremarked。
　　Idon’tbelieveit-Ibelievethingsaregettingmoreserious。
　　Youyoungmenwillfindthatout。
　　Theincreasingseriousnessofthings，then-that’sthegreatopportunityofjokes。
　　They’llhavetobegrimjokes，saidtheoldman。I’mconvincedtherewillbegreatchanges。andnotallforthebetter。
　　Iquiteagreewithyou，sir，LordWarburtondeclared。I’mverysuretherewillbegreatchanges，andthatallsortsofqueerthingswillhappen。That’swhyIfindsomuchdifficultyinapplyingyouradvice。youknowyoutoldmetheotherdaythatIoughtto’takehold’
　　ofsomething。Onehesitatestotakeholdofathingthatmaythenextmomentbeknockedsky-high。
　　Yououghttotakeholdofaprettywoman，saidhiscompanion。
　　He’stryinghardtofallinlove，headded，bywayofexplanation，tohisfather。
　　Theprettywomenthemselvesmaybesentflying！LordWarburtonexclaimed。
　　No，no，they’llbefirm，theoldmanrejoined。they’llnotbeaffectedbythesocialandpoliticalchangesIjustreferredto。
　　Youmeantheywon’tbeabolished？Verywell，then，I’lllaymyhandsononeassoonaspossibleandtieherroundmyneckasalife-preserver。
　　Theladieswillsaveus，saidtheoldman。thatisthebestofthemwill-forImakeadifferencebetweenthem。Makeuptoagoodoneandmarryher，andyourlifewillbecomemuchmoreinteresting。
　　Amomentarysilencemarkedperhapsonthepartofhisauditorsasenseofthemagnanimityofthisspeech，foritwasasecretneitherforhissonnorforhisvisitorthathisownexperimentinmatrimonyhadnotbeenahappyone。Ashesaid，however，hemadeadifference。
　　andthesewordsmayhavebeenintendedasaconfessionofpersonalerror。thoughofcourseitwasnotinplaceforeitherofhiscompanionstoremarkthatapparentlytheladyofhischoicehadnotbeenoneofthebest。
　　IfImarryaninterestingwomanIshallbeinterested：isthatwhatyousay？LordWarburtonasked。I’mnotatallkeenaboutmarrying-
　　yoursonmisrepresentedme。butthere’snoknowingwhataninterestingwomanmightdowithme。
　　Ishouldliketoseeyourideaofaninterestingwoman，saidhisfriend。
　　Mydearfellow，youcan’tseeideas-especiallysuchhighlyetherealonesasmine。IfIcouldonlyseemyself-thatwouldbeagreatstepinadvance。
　　Well，youmayfallinlovewithwhomsoeveryouplease。butyoumustn’tfallinlovewithmyniece，saidtheoldman。
　　Hissonbrokeintoalaugh。He’llthinkyoumeanthatasaprovocation！Mydearfather，you’velivedwiththeEnglishforthirtyyears，andyou’vepickedupagoodmanyofthethingstheysay。
　　Butyou’veneverlearnedthethingstheydon’tsay！
　　IsaywhatIplease，theoldmanreturnedwithallhisserenity。
　　Ihaven’tthehonourofknowingyourniece，LordWarburtonsaid。
　　Ithinkit’sthefirsttimeI’veheardofher。
　　She’sanieceofmywife’s。Mrs。TouchettbringshertoEngland。
　　ThenyoungMr。Touchettexplained。Mymother，youknow，hasbeenspendingthewinterinAmerica，andwe’reexpectingherback。Shewritesthatshehasdiscoveredanieceandthatshehasinvitedhertocomeoutwithher。
　　Isee-verykindofher，saidLordWarburton。Istheyoungladyinteresting？
　　Wehardlyknowmoreaboutherthanyou。mymotherhasnotgoneintodetails。Shechieflycommunicateswithusbymeansoftelegrams，andhertelegramsareratherinscrutable。Theysaywomendon’tknowhowtowritethem，butmymotherhasthoroughlymasteredtheartofcondensation。’TiredAmerica，hotweatherawful，returnEnglandwithniece，firststeamerdecentcabin。’That’sthesortofmessagewegetfromher-thatwasthelastthatcame。Buttherehadbeenanotherbefore，whichIthinkcontainedthefirstmentionoftheniece。’Changedhotel，verybad，impudentclerk，addresshere。Takensister’sgirl，diedlastyear，gotoEurope，twosisters，quiteindependent。’OverthatmyfatherandIhavescarcelystoppedpuzzling。itseemstoadmitofsomanyinterpretations。
　　There’sonethingveryclearinit，saidtheoldman。shehasgiventhehotel-clerkadressing。
　　I’mnotsureevenofthat，sincehehasdrivenherfromthefield。Wethoughtatfirstthatthesistermentionedmightbethesisteroftheclerk。butthesubsequentmentionofanieceseemstoprovethattheallusionistooneofmyaunts。Theretherewasaquestionastowhosethetwoothersisterswere。theyareprobablytwoofmylateaunt’sdaughters。Butwho’s’quiteindependent，’andinwhatsenseisthetermused？-thatpoint’snotyetsettled。Doestheexpressionapplymoreparticularlytotheyoungladymymotherhasadopted，ordoesitcharacterizehersistersequally？-andisitusedinamoralorinafinancialsense？Doesitmeanthatthey’vebeenleftwelloff，orthattheywishtobeundernoobligations？ordoesitsimplymeanthatthey’refondoftheirownway？
　　Whateverelseitmeans，it’sprettysuretomeanthat，Mr。
　　Touchettremarked。
　　You’llseeforyourself，saidLordWarburton。WhendoesMrs。
　　Touchettarrive？
　　We’requiteinthedark。assoonasshecanfindadecentcabin。
　　Shemaybewaitingforityet。ontheotherhandshemayalreadyhavedisembarkedinEngland。
　　Inthatcaseshewouldprobablyhavetelegraphedtoyou。
　　Shenevertelegraphswhenyouwouldexpectit-onlywhenyoudon’t，saidtheoldman。Shelikestodropinonmesuddenly。shethinksshe’llfindmedoingsomethingwrong。Shehasneverdonesoyet，butshe’snotdiscouraged。
　　It’shershareinthefamilytrait，theindependenceshespeaksof。Herson’sappreciationofthematterwasmorefavourable。
　　Whateverthehighspiritofthoseyoungladiesmaybe，herownisamatchforit。Shelikestodoeverythingforherselfandhasnobeliefinanyone’spowertohelpher。Shethinksmeofnomoreusethanapostage-stampwithoutgum，andshewouldneverforgivemeifI
　　shouldpresumetogotoLiverpooltomeether。
　　Willyouatleastletmeknowwhenyourcousinarrives？LordWarburtonasked。
　　OnlyontheconditionI’vementioned-thatyoudon’tfallinlovewithher！Mr。Touchettreplied。
　　Thatstrikesmeashard。Don’tyouthinkmegoodenough？
　　Ithinkyoutoogood-becauseIshouldn’tlikehertomarryyou。
　　Shehasn’tcomeheretolookforahusband，Ihope。somanyyoungladiesaredoingthat，asiftherewerenogoodonesathome。Thenshe’sprobablyengaged。Americangirlsareusuallyengaged，Ibelieve。
　　MoreoverI’mnotsure，afterall，thatyou’dbearemarkablehusband。
　　Verylikelyshe’sengaged。I’veknownagoodmanyAmericangirls，andtheyalwayswere。butIcouldneverseethatitmadeanydifference，uponmyword！Asformybeingagoodhusband，Mr。
　　Touchett’svisitorpursued，I’mnotsureofthateither。Onecanbuttry！
　　Tryasmuchasyouplease，butdon’ttryonmyniece，smiledtheoldman，whoseoppositiontotheideawasbroadlyhumorous。
　　Ah，well，saidLordWarburtonwithahumourbroaderstill，perhapsafterall，she’snotworthtryingon！
　　CHAPTER2
　　WhilethisexchangeofpleasantriestookplacebetweenthetwoRalphTouchettwanderedawayalittle，withhisusualslouchinggait，hishandsinhispocketsandhislittlerowdyishterrierathisheels。Hisfacewasturnedtowardthehouse，buthiseyeswerebentmusinglyonthelawn。sothathehadbeenanobjectofobservationtoapersonwhohadjustmadeherappearanceintheampledoorwayforsomemomentsbeforeheperceivedher。Hisattentionwascalledtoherbytheconductofhisdog，whohadsuddenlydartedforwardwithalittlevolleyofshrillbarks，inwhichthenoteofwelcome，however，wasmoresensiblethanthatofdefiance。Thepersoninquestionwasayounglady，whoseemedimmediatelytointerpretthegreetingofthesmallbeast。Headvancedwithgreatrapidityandstoodatherfeet，lookingupandbarkinghard。whereupon，withouthesitation，shestoopedandcaughthiminherhands，holdinghimfacetofacewhilehecontinuedhisquickchatter。HismasternowhadhadtimetofollowandtoseethatBunchie’snewfriendwasatallgirlinablackdress，whoatfirstsightlookedpretty。Shewasbareheaded，asifshewerestayinginthehouse-afactwhichconveyedperplexitytothesonofitsmaster，consciousofthatimmunityfromvisitorswhichhadforsometimebeenrenderednecessarybythelatter’sill-health。Meantimethetwoothergentlemenhadalsotakennoteofthenew-comer。
　　Dearme，who’sthatstrangewoman？Mr。Touchetthadasked。
　　Perhapsit’sMrs。Touchett’sniece-theindependentyounglady，
　　LordWarburtonsuggested。Ithinkshemustbe，fromthewayshehandlesthedog。
　　Thecollie，too，hadnowallowedhisattentiontobediverted，andhetrottedtowardtheyoungladyinthedoorway，slowlysettinghistailinmotionashewent。
　　Butwhere’smywifethen？murmuredtheoldman。
　　Isupposetheyoungladyhaslefthersomewhere：that’sapartoftheindependence。
　　ThegirlspoketoRalph，smiling，whileshestillhelduptheterrier。Isthisyourlittledog，sir？
　　Hewasmineamomentago。butyou’vesuddenlyacquiredaremarkableairofpropertyinhim。
　　Couldn’twesharehim？askedthegirl。He’ssuchaperfectlittledarling。
　　Ralphlookedatheramoment。shewasunexpectedlypretty。Youmayhavehimaltogether，hethenreplied。
　　Theyoungladyseemedtohaveagreatdealofconfidence，bothinherselfandinothers。butthisabruptgenerositymadeherblush。I
　　oughttotellyouthatI’mprobablyyourcousin，shebroughtout，puttingdownthedog。Andhere’sanother！sheaddedquickly，asthecolliecameup。
　　Probably？theyoungmanexclaimed，laughing。Isupposeditwasquitesettled！Haveyouarrivedwithmymother？
　　Yes，halfanhourago。
　　Andhasshedepositedyouanddepartedagain？
　　No，shewentstraighttoherroom，andshetoldmethat，ifI
　　shouldseeyou，Iwastosaytoyouthatyoumustcometoherthereataquartertoseven。
　　Theyoungmanlookedathiswatch。Thankyouverymuch。Ishallbepunctual。Andthenhelookedathiscousin。You’reverywelcomehere。I’mdelightedtoseeyou。
　　Shewaslookingateverything，withaneyethatdenotedclearperception-athercompanion，atthetwodogs，atthetwogentlemenunderthetrees，atthebeautifulscenethatsurroundedher。I’veneverseenanythingsolovelyasthisplace。I’vebeenalloverthehouse。it’stooenchanting。
　　Imsorryyoushouldhavebeenheresolongwithoutourknowingit。
　　YourmothertoldmethatinEnglandpeoplearrivedveryquietly。soIthoughtitwasallright。Isoneofthosegentlemenyourfather？
　　Yes，theelderone-theonesittingdown，saidRalph。
　　Thegirlgavealaugh。Idon’tsupposeit’stheother。Who’stheother？
　　He’safriendofours-LordWarburton。
　　Oh，Ihopedtherewouldbealord。it’sjustlikeanovel！Andthen，Ohyouadorablecreature！shesuddenlycried，stoopingdownandpickingupthesmalldogagain。
　　Sheremainedstandingwheretheyhadmet，makingnooffertoadvanceortospeaktoMr。Touchett，andwhileshelingeredsonearthethreshold，slimandcharming，herinterlocutorwonderedifsheexpectedtheoldmantocomeandpayherhisrespects。Americangirlswereusedtoagreatdealofdeference，andithadbeenintimatedthatthisonehadahighspirit。Indeed，Ralphcouldseethatinherface。
　　Won’tyoucomeandmakeacquaintancewithmyfather？heneverthelessventuredtoask。He’soldandinfirm-hedoesn’tleavehischair。
　　Ah，poorman，I’mverysorry！thegirlexclaimed，immediatelymovingforward。Igottheimpressionfromyourmotherthathewasrather-ratherintenselyactive。
　　RalphTouchettwassilentamoment。Shehasn’tseenhimforayear。
　　Well，hehasalovelyplacetosit。Comealong，littlehound。
　　It’sadearoldplace，saidtheyoungman，lookingsidewiseathisneighbour。
　　What’shisname？sheasked，herattentionhavingagainrevertedtotheterrier。
　　Myfather’sname？
　　Yes，saidtheyoungladywithamusement。butdon’ttellhimI
　　askedyou。
　　TheyhadcomebythistimetowhereoldMr。Touchettwassitting，andheslowlygotupfromhischairtointroducehimself。
　　Mymotherhasarrived，saidRalph，andthisisMissArcher。
　　Theoldmanplacedhistwohandsonhershoulders，lookedatheramomentwithextremebenevolenceandthengallantlykissedher。It’sagreatpleasuretometoseeyouhere。butIwishyouhadgivenusachancetoreceiveyou。
　　Oh，wewerereceived，saidthegirl。Therewereaboutadozenservantsinthehall。Andtherewasanoldwomancurtseyingatthegate。
　　Wecandobetterthanthat-ifwehavenotice！Andtheoldmanstoodtheresmiling，rubbinghishandsandslowlyshakinghisheadather。ButMrs。Touchettdoesn’tlikereceptions。
　　Shewentstraighttoherroom。
　　Yes-andlockedherselfin。Shealwaysdoesthat。Well，IsupposeI
　　shallseehernextweek。AndMrs。Touchett’shusbandslowlyresumedhisformerposture。
　　Beforethat，saidMissArcher。She’scomingdowntodinner-ateighto’clock。Don’tyouforgetaquartertoseven，sheadded，turningwithasmiletoRalph。
　　What’stohappenataquartertoseven？
　　I’mtoseemymother，saidRalph。
　　Ah，happyboy！theoldmancommented。Youmustsitdown-youmusthavesometea，heobservedtohiswife’sniece。
　　TheygavemesometeainmyroomthemomentIgotthere，thisyoungladyanswered。I’msorryyou’reoutofhealth，sheadded，restinghereyesuponhervenerablehost。
　　Oh，I’manoldman，mydear。it’stimeformetobeold。ButI
　　shallbethebetterforhavingyouhere。
　　Shehadbeenlookingallroundheragain-atthelawn，thegreattrees，thereedy，silveryThames，thebeautifuloldhouse。andwhileengagedinthissurveyshehadmaderoominitforhercompanions。acomprehensivenessofobservationeasilyconceivableonthepartofayoungwomanwhowasevidentlybothintelligentandexcited。Shehadseatedherselfandhadputawaythelittledog。herwhitehands，inherlap，werefoldeduponherblackdress。herheadwaserect，hereyelighted，herflexiblefigureturneditselfeasilythiswayandthat，insympathywiththealertnesswithwhichsheevidentlycaughtimpressions。Herimpressionswerenumerous，andtheywereallreflectedinaclear，stillsmile。I’veneverseenanythingsobeautifulasthis。
　　It’slookingverywell，saidMr。Touchett。Iknowthewayitstrikesyou。I’vebeenthroughallthat。Butyou’reverybeautifulyourself，headdedwithapolitenessbynomeanscrudelyjocularandwiththehappyconsciousnessthathisadvancedagegavehimtheprivilegeofsayingsuchthings-eventoyoungpersonswhomightpossiblytakealarmatthem。
　　Whatdegreeofalarmthisyoungpersontookneednotbeexactlymeasured。sheinstantlyrose，however，withablushwhichwasnotarefutation。Ohyes，ofcourseI’mlovely！shereturnedwithaquicklaugh。Howoldisyourhouse？IsitElizabethan？
　　It’searlyTudor，saidRalphTouchett。
　　Sheturnedtowardhim，watchinghisface。EarlyTudor？Howverydelightful！AndIsupposethereareagreatmanyothers。
　　Therearemanymuchbetterones。
　　Don’tsaythat，myson！theoldmanprotested。There’snothingbetterthanthis。
　　I’vegotaverygoodone。Ithinkinsomerespectsit’sratherbetter，saidLordWarburton，whoasyethadnotspoken，butwhohadkeptanattentiveeyeuponMissArcher。Heslightlyinclinedhimself，smiling。hehadanexcellentmannerwithwomen。Thegirlappreciateditinaninstant。shehadnotforgottenthatthiswasLordWarburton。Ishouldlikeverymuchtoshowittoyou，headded。
　　Don’tbelievehim，criedtheoldman。don’tlookatit！It’sawretchedoldbarrack-nottobecomparedwiththis。
　　Idon’tknow-Ican’tjudge，saidthegirl，smilingatLordWarburton。
　　InthisdiscussionRalphTouchetttooknointerestwhatever。hestoodwithhishandsinhispockets，lookinggreatlyasifheshouldliketorenewhisconversationwithhisnew-foundcousin。Areyouveryfondofdogs？heenquiredbywayofbeginning。Heseemedtorecognizethatitwasanawkwardbeginningforacleverman。
　　Veryfondofthemindeed。
　　Youmustkeeptheterrier，youknow，hewenton，stillawkwardly。
　　I’llkeephimwhileI’mhere，withpleasure。
　　Thatwillbeforalongtime，Ihope。
　　You’reverykind。Ihardlyknow。Myauntmustsettlethat。
　　I’llsettleitwithher-ataquartertoseven。AndRalphlookedathiswatchagain。
　　I’mgladtobehereatall，saidthegirl。
　　Idon’tbelieveyouallowthingstobesettledforyou。
　　Ohyes。ifthey’resettledasIlikethem。
　　IshallsettlethisasIlikeit，saidRalph。It’smostunaccountablethatweshouldneverhaveknownyou。
　　Iwasthere-youhadonlytocomeandseeme。
　　There？Wheredoyoumean？
　　IntheUnitedStates：inNewYorkandAlbanyandotherAmericanplaces。
　　I’vebeenthere-allover，butIneversawyou。Ican’tmakeitout。
　　MissArcherjusthesitated。Itwasbecausetherehadbeensomedisagreementbetweenyourmotherandmyfather，aftermymother’sdeath，whichtookplacewhenIwasachild。Inconsequenceofitweneverexpectedtoseeyou。
　　Ah，butIdon’tembraceallmymother’squarrels-heavenforbid！
　　theyoungmancried。You’velatelylostyourfather？hewentonmoregravely。
　　Yes，morethanayearago。Afterthatmyauntwasverykindtome。shecametoseemeandproposedthatIshouldcomewithhertoEurope。
　　Isee，saidRalph。Shehasadoptedyou。
　　Adoptedme？Thegirlstared，andherblushcamebacktoher，togetherwithamomentarylookofpainwhichgaveherinterlocutorsomealarm。Hehadunderestimatedtheeffectofhiswords。LordWarburton，whoappearedconstantlydesirousofanearerviewofMissArcher，strolledtowardthetwocousinsatthemoment，andashedidsosherestedherwidereyesonhim。Ohno。shehasnotadoptedme。
　　I’mnotacandidateforadoption。
　　Ibegathousandpardons，Ralphmurmured。Imeant-Imeant-Hehardlyknewwhathemeant。
　　Youmeantshehastakenmeup。Yes。shelikestotakepeopleup。
　　Shehasbeenverykindtome。but，sheaddedwithacertainvisibleeagernessofdesiretobeexplicit，I’mveryfondofmyliberty。
　　AreyoutalkingaboutMrs。Touchett？theoldmancalledoutfromhischair。Comehere，mydear，andtellmeabouther。I’malwaysthankfulforinformation。
　　Thegirlhesitatedagain，smiling。She’sreallyverybenevolent，
　　sheanswered。afterwhichshewentovertoheruncle，whosemirthwasexcitedbyherwords。
　　LordWarburtonwasleftstandingwithRalphTouchett，towhominamomenthesaid：Youwishedawhileagotoseemyideaofaninterestingwoman。Thereitis！
　　CHAPTER3
　　Mrs。Touchettwascertainlyapersonofmanyoddities，ofwhichherbehaviouronreturningtoherhusband’shouseaftermanymonthswasanoticeablespecimen。Shehadherownwayofdoingallthatshedid，andthisisthesimplestdescriptionofacharacterwhich，althoughbynomeanswithoutliberalmotions，rarelysucceededingivinganimpressionofsuavity。Mrs。Touchettmightdoagreatdealofgood，butsheneverpleased。Thiswayofherown，ofwhichshewassofond，wasnotintrinsicallyoffensive-itwasjustunmistakeablydistinguishedfromthewaysofothers。Theedgesofherconductweresoveryclear-cutthatforsusceptiblepersonsitsometimeshadaknife-likeeffect。ThathardfinenesscameoutinherdeportmentduringthefirsthoursofherreturnfromAmerica，undercircumstancesinwhichitmighthaveseemedthatherfirstactwouldhavebeentoexchangegreetingswithherhusbandandson。Mrs。
　　Touchett，forreasonswhichshedeemedexcellent，alwaysretiredonsuchoccasionsintoimpenetrableseclusion，postponingthemoresentimentalceremonyuntilshehadrepairedthedisorderofdresswithacompletenesswhichhadthelessreasontobeofhighimportanceasneitherbeautynorvanitywereconcernedinit。Shewasaplain-facedoldwoman，withoutgracesandwithoutanygreatelegance，butwithanextremerespectforherownmotives。Shewasusuallypreparedtoexplainthese-whentheexplanationwasaskedasafavour。andinsuchacasetheyprovedtotallydifferentfromthosethathadbeenattributedtoher。Shewasvirtuallyseparatedfromherhusband，butsheappearedtoperceivenothingirregularinthesituation。Ithadbecomeclear，atanearlystageoftheircommunity，thattheyshouldneverdesirethesamethingatthesamemoment，andthisappearancehadpromptedhertorescuedisagreementfromthevulgarrealmofaccident。Shedidwhatshecouldtoerectitintoalaw-amuchmoreedifyingaspectofit-bygoingtoliveinFlorence，wheresheboughtahouseandestablishedherself。andbyleavingherhusbandtotakecareoftheEnglishbranchofhisbank。
　　Thisarrangementgreatlypleasedher。itwassofelicitouslydefinite。
　　Itstruckherhusbandinthesamelight，inafoggysquareinLondon，whereitwasattimesthemostdefinitefacthediscerned。buthewouldhavepreferredthatsuchunnaturalthingsshouldhaveagreatervagueness。Toagreetodisagreehadcosthimaneffort。hewasreadytoagreetoalmostanythingbutthat，andsawnoreasonwhyeitherassentordissentshouldbesoterriblyconsistent。Mrs。
　　Touchettindulgedinnoregretsnorspeculations，andusuallycameonceayeartospendamonthwithherhusband，aperiodduringwhichsheapparentlytookpainstoconvincehimthatshehadadoptedtherightsystem。ShewasnotfondoftheEnglishstyleoflife，andhadthreeorfourreasonsforittowhichshecurrentlyalluded。theyboreuponminorpointsofthatancientorder，butforMrs。Touchetttheyamplyjustifiednon-residence。Shedetestedbread-sauce，which，asshesaid，lookedlikeapoulticeandtastedlikesoap。sheobjectedtotheconsumptionofbeerbyhermaid-servants。andsheaffirmedthattheBritishlaundressMrs。Touchettwasveryparticularabouttheappearanceofherlinenwasnotamistressofherart。Atfixedintervalsshepaidavisittoherowncountry。butthislasthadbeenlongerthananyofitspredecessors。
　　Shehadtakenupherniece-therewaslittledoubtofthat。Onewetafternoon，somefourmonthsearlierthantheoccurrencelatelynarrated，thisyoungladyhadbeenseatedalonewithabook。Tosayshewassooccupiedistosaythathersolitudedidnotpressuponher。forherloveofknowledgehadafertilizingqualityandherimaginationwasstrong。Therewasatthistime，however，awantoffreshtasteinhersituationwhichthearrivalofanunexpectedvisitordidmuchtocorrect。Thevisitorhadnotbeenannounced。thegirlheardheratlastwalkingabouttheadjoiningroom。ItwasinanoldhouseatAlbany，alarge，square，doublehouse，withanoticeofsaleinthewindowsofoneofthelowerapartments。Thereweretwoentrances，oneofwhichhadlongbeenoutofusebuthadneverbeenremoved。Theywereexactlyalike-largewhitedoors，withanarchedframeandwideside-lights，percheduponlittlestoopsofredstone，whichdescendedsidewisetothebrickpavementofthestreet。
　　Thetwohousestogetherformedasingledwelling，theparty-wallhavingbeenremovedandtheroomsplacedincommunication。Theserooms，above-stairs，wereextremelynumerous，andwerepaintedalloverexactlyalike，inayellowishwhitewhichhadgrownsallowwithtime。Onthethirdfloortherewasasortofarchedpassage，connectingthetwosidesofthehouse，whichIsabelandhersistersusedintheirchildhoodtocallthetunnelandwhich，thoughitwasshortandwell-lighted，alwaysseemedtothegirltobestrangeandlonely，especiallyonwinterafternoons。Shehadbeeninthehouse，atdifferentperiods，asachild。inthosedayshergrandmotherlivedthere。Thentherehadbeenanabsenceoftenyears，followedbyareturntoAlbanybeforeherfather’sdeath。Hergrandmother，oldMrs。Archer，hadexercised，chieflywithinthelimitsofthefamily，alargehospitalityintheearlyperiod，andthelittlegirlsoftenspentweeksunderherroof-weeksofwhichIsabelhadthehappiestmemory。Themanneroflifewasdifferentfromthatofherownhome-
　　larger，moreplentiful，practicallymorefestal。thedisciplineofthenurserywasdelightfullyvagueandtheopportunityoflisteningtotheconversationofone’selderswhichwithIsabelwasahighly-valuedpleasurealmostunbounded。Therewasaconstantcomingandgoing。hergrandmother’ssonsanddaughtersandtheirchildrenappearedtobeintheenjoymentofstandinginvitationstoarriveandremain，sothatthehouseofferedtoacertainextenttheappearanceofabustlingprovincialinnkeptbyagentleoldlandladywhosighedagreatdealandneverpresentedabill。
　　Isabelofcourseknewnothingaboutbills。butevenasachildshethoughthergrandmother’shomeromantic。Therewasacoveredpiazzabehindit，furnishedwithaswingwhichwasasourceoftremulousinterest。andbeyondthiswasalonggarden，slopingdowntothestableandcontainingpeach-treesofbarelycrediblefamiliarity。
　　Isabelhadstayedwithhergrandmotheratvariousseasons，butsomehowallhervisitshadaflavourofpeaches。Ontheotherside，acrossthestreet，wasanoldhousethatwascalledtheDutchHouse-apeculiarstructuredatingfromtheearliestcolonialtime，composedofbricksthathadbeenpaintedyellow，crownedwithagablethatwaspointedouttostrangers，defendedbyaricketywoodenpalingandstandingsidewisetothestreet。Itwasoccupiedbyaprimaryschoolforchildrenofbothsexes，keptorratherletgo，byademonstrativeladyofwhomIsabel’schiefrecollectionwasthatherhairwasfastenedwithstrangebedroomycombsatthetemplesandthatshewasthewidowofsomeoneofconsequence。Thelittlegirlhadbeenofferedtheopportunityoflayingafoundationofknowledgeinthisestablishment。
　　buthavingspentasingledayinit，shehadprotestedagainstitslawsandhadbeenallowedtostayathome，where，intheSeptemberdays，whenthewindowsoftheDutchHousewereopen，sheusedtohearthehumofchildishvoicesrepeatingthemultiplication-table-anincidentinwhichtheelationoflibertyandthepainofexclusionwereindistinguishablymingled。Thefoundationofherknowledgewasreallylaidintheidlenessofhergrandmother’shouse，where，asmostoftheotherinmateswerenotreadingpeople，shehaduncontrolleduseofalibraryfullofbookswithfrontispieces，whichsheusedtoclimbuponachairtotakedown。Whenshehadfoundonetohertaste-shewasguidedintheselectionchieflybythefrontispiece-shecarrieditintoamysteriousapartmentwhichlaybeyondthelibraryandwhichwascalled，traditionally，nooneknewwhy，theoffice。Whoseofficeithadbeenandatwhatperiodithadflourished，sheneverlearned。itwasenoughforherthatitcontainedanechoandapleasantmustysmellandthatitwasachamberofdisgraceforoldpiecesoffurniturewhoseinfirmitieswerenotalwaysapparentsothatthedisgraceseemedunmeritedandrenderedthemvictimsofinjusticeandwithwhich，inthemannerofchildren，shehadestablishedrelationsalmosthuman，certainlydramatic。Therewasanoldhairclothsofainespecial，towhichshehadconfidedahundredchildishsorrows。Theplaceowedmuchofitsmysteriousmelancholytothefactthatitwasproperlyenteredfromtheseconddoorofthehouse，thedoorthathadbeencondemned，andthatitwassecuredbyboltswhichaparticularlyslenderlittlegirlfounditimpossibletoslide。Sheknewthatthissilent，motionlessportalopenedintothestreet。ifthesidelightshadnotbeenfilledwithgreenpapershemighthavelookedoutuponthelittlebrownstoopandthewell-wornbrickpavement。Butshehadnowishtolookout，forthiswouldhaveinterferedwithhertheorythattherewasastrange，unseenplaceontheotherside-aplacewhichbecametothechild’simagination，accordingtoitsdifferentmoods，aregionofdelightofterror。
　　ItwasintheofficestillthatIsabelwassittingonthatmelancholyafternoonofearlyspringwhichIhavejustmentioned。Atthistimeshemighthavehadthewholehousetochoosefrom，andtheroomshehadselectedwasthemostdepressedofitsscenes。Shehadneveropenedthebolteddoornorremovedthegreenpaperrenewedbyotherhandsfromitssidelights。shehadneverassuredherselfthatthevulgarstreetlaybeyond。Acrude，coldrainfellheavily。thespring-timewasindeedanappeal-anditseemedacynical，insincereappeal-topatience。Isabel，however，gaveaslittleheedaspossibletocosmictreacheries。shekepthereyesonherbookandtriedtofixhermind。Ithadlatelyoccurredtoherthathermindwasagooddealofavagabond，andshehadspentmuchingenuityintrainingittoamilitarystepandteachingittoadvance，tohalt，toretreat，toperformevenmorecomplicatedmanoeuvres，atthewordofcommand。JustnowshehadgivenitmarchingordersandithadbeentrudgingoverthesandyplainsofahistoryofGermanThought。
　　Suddenlyshebecameawareofastepverydifferentfromherownintellectualpace。shelistenedalittleandperceivedthatsomeonewasmovinginthelibrary，whichcommunicatedwiththeoffice。Itstruckherfirstasthestepofapersonfromwhomshewaslookingforavisit，thenalmostimmediatelyannounceditselfasthetreadofawomanandastranger-herpossiblevisitorbeingneither。Ithadaninquisitive，experimentalqualitywhichsuggestedthatitwouldnotstopshortofthethresholdoftheoffice。andinfactthedoorwayofthisapartmentwaspresentlyoccupiedbyaladywhopausedthereandlookedveryhardatourheroine。Shewasaplain，elderlywoman，dressedinacomprehensivewaterproofmantle。shehadafacewithagooddealofratherviolentpoint。
　　Oh，shebegan，isthatwhereyouusuallysit？Shelookedaboutattheheterogeneouschairsandtables。
　　NotwhenIhavevisitors，saidIsabel，gettinguptoreceivetheintruder。
　　Shedirectedtheircoursebacktothelibrarywhilethevisitorcontinuedtolookabouther。Youseemtohaveplentyofotherrooms。they’reinratherbettercondition。Buteverything’simmenselyworn。
　　Haveyoucometolookatthehouse？Isabelasked。Theservantwillshowittoyou。
　　Sendheraway。Idon’twanttobuyit。Shehasprobablygonetolookforyouandiswanderingaboutupstairs。shedidn’tseematallintelligent。Youhadbettertellherit’snomatter。Andthen，sincethegirlstoodtherehesitatingandwondering，thisunexpectedcriticsaidtoherabruptly：Isupposeyou’reoneofthedaughters？
　　Isabelthoughtshehadverystrangemanners。Itdependsuponwhosedaughtersyoumean。
　　ThelateMr。Archer’s-andmypoorsister’s。
　　Ah，saidIsabelslowly，youmustbeourcrazyAuntLydia！
　　Isthatwhatyourfathertoldyoutocallme？I’myourAuntLydia，butI’mnotatallcrazy：Ihaven’tadelusion！Andwhichofthedaughtersareyou？
　　I’mtheyoungestofthethree，andmyname’sIsabel。
　　Yes。theothersareLilianandEdith。Andareyoutheprettiest？
　　Ihaven’ttheleastidea，saidthegirl。
　　Ithinkyoumustbe。Andinthiswaytheauntandtheniecemadefriends。Theaunthadquarrelledyearsbeforewithherbrother-in-law，afterthedeathofhersister，takinghimtotaskforthemannerinwhichhebroughtuphisthreegirls。Beingahigh-temperedmanhehadrequestedhertomindherownbusiness，andshehadtakenhimathisword。Formanyyearssheheldnocommunicationwithhimandafterhisdeathhadaddressednotawordtohisdaughters，whohadbeenbredinthatdisrespectfulviewofherwhichwehavejustseenIsabelbetray。Mrs。Touchett’sbehaviourwas，asusual，perfectlydeliberate。SheintendedtogotoAmericatolookafterherinvestmentswithwhichherhusband，inspiteofhisgreatfinancialposition，hadnothingtodoandwouldtakeadvantageofthisopportunitytoenquireintotheconditionofhernieces。Therewasnoneedofwriting，forsheshouldattachnoimportancetoanyaccountofthemsheshouldelicitbyletter。shebelieved，always，inseeingforone’sself。Isabelfound，however，thatsheknewagooddealaboutthem，andknewaboutthemarriageofthetwoeldergirls。knewthattheirpoorfatherhadleftverylittlemoney，butthatthehouseinAlbany，whichhadpassedintohishands，wastobesoldfortheirbenefit。knew，finally，thatEdmundLudlow，Lilian’shusband，hadtakenuponhimselftoattendtothismatter，inconsiderationofwhichtheyoungcouple，whohadcometoAlbanyduringMr。Archer’sillness，wereremainingthereforthepresentand，aswellasIsabelherself，occupyingtheoldplace。
　　Howmuchmoneydoyouexpectforit？Mrs。Touchettaskedofhercompanion，whohadbroughthertositinthefrontparlour，whichshehadinspectedwithoutenthusiasm。
　　Ihaven’ttheleastidea，saidthegirl。
　　That’sthesecondtimeyouhavesaidthattome，herauntrejoined。Andyetyoudon’tlookatallstupid。
　　I’mnotstupid。butIdon’tknowanythingaboutmoney。
　　Yes，that’sthewayyouwerebroughtup-asifyouweretoinheritamillion。Whathaveyouinpointoffactinherited？
　　Ireallycan’ttellyou。YoumustaskEdmundandLilian。they’llbebackinhalfanhour。
　　InFlorenceweshouldcallitaverybadhouse，saidMrs。
　　Touchett。buthere，Idaresay，itwillbringahighprice。Itoughttomakeaconsiderablesumforeachofyou。Inadditiontothatyoumusthavesomethingelse。it’smostextraordinaryyournotknowing。Theposition’sofvalue，andthey’llprobablypullitdownandmakearowofshops。Iwonderyoudon’tdothatyourself。youmightlettheshopstogreatadvantage。
　　Isabelstared。theideaoflettingshopswasnewtoher。Ihopetheywon’tpullitdown，shesaid。I’mextremelyfondofit。
　　Idon’tseewhatmakesyoufondofit。yourfatherdiedhere。
　　Yes，butIdon’tdislikeitforthat，thegirlratherstrangelyreturned。Ilikeplacesinwhichthingshavehappened-evenifthey’resadthings。Agreatmanypeoplehavediedhere。theplacehasbeenfulloflife。
　　Isthatwhatyoucallbeingfulloflife？
　　Imeanfullofexperience-ofpeople’sfeelingsandsorrows。Andnotoftheirsorrowsonly，forI’vebeenveryhappyhereasachild。
　　YoushouldgotoFlorenceifyoulikehousesinwhichthingshavehappened-especiallydeaths。Iliveinanoldpalaceinwhichthreepeoplehavebeenmurdered。threethatwereknownandIdon’tknowhowmanymorebesides。
　　Inanoldpalace？Isabelrepeated。
　　Yes，mydear。averydifferentaffairfromthis。Thisisverybourgeois。
　　Isabelfeltsomeemotion，forshehadalwaysthoughthighlyofhergrandmother’shouse。Buttheemotionwasofakindwhichledhertosay：IshouldlikeverymuchtogotoFlorence。
　　Well，ifyou’llbeverygood，anddoeverythingItellyouI’lltakeyouthere，Mrs。Touchettdeclared。
　　Ouryoungwoman’semotiondeepened。sheflushedalittleandsmiledatherauntinsilence。Doeverythingyoutellme？Idon’tthinkIcanpromisethat。
　　No，youdon’tlooklikeapersonofthatsort。You’refondofyourownway。butit’snotformetoblameyou。
　　Andyet，togotoFlorence，thegirlexclaimedinamoment，I’dpromisealmostanything！
　　EdmundandLilianwereslowtoreturn，andMrs。Touchetthadanhour’suninterruptedtalkwithherniece，whofoundherastrangeandinterestingfigure：afigureessentially-almostthefirstshehadevermet。ShewasaseccentricasIsabelhadalwayssupposed。andhitherto，wheneverthegirlhadheardpeopledescribedaseccentric，shehadthoughtofthemasoffensiveoralarming。Thetermhadalwayssuggestedtohersomethinggrotesqueandevensinister。Butherauntmadeitamatterofhighbuteasyirony，orcomedy，andledhertoaskherselfifthecommontone，whichwasallshehadknown，hadeverbeenasinteresting。Noonecertainlyhadonanyoccasionsoheldherasthislittlethin-lipped，bright-eyed，foreign-lookingwoman，whoretrievedaninsignificantappearancebyadistinguishedmannerand，sittingthereinawell-wornwaterproof，talkedwithstrikingfamiliarityofthecourtsofEurope。TherewasnothingflightyaboutMrs。Touchett，butsherecognizednosocialsuperiors，and，judgingthegreatonesoftheearthinawaythatspokeofthis，enjoyedtheconsciousnessofmakinganimpressiononacandidandsusceptiblemind。Isabelatfirsthadansweredagoodmanyquestions，anditwasfromheranswersapparentlythatMrs。Touchettderivedahighopinionofherintelligence。Butafterthisshehadaskedagoodmany，andheraunt’sanswers，whateverturntheytook，struckherasfoodfordeepreflexion。Mrs。Touchettwaitedforthereturnofherothernieceaslongasshethoughtreasonable，butasatsixo’clockMrs。
　　Ludlowbadnotcomeinshepreparedtotakeherdeparture。
　　Yoursistermustbeagreatgossip。Issheaccustomedtostayingoutsomanyhours？
　　You’vebeenoutalmostaslongasshe，Isabelreplied。shecanhaveleftthehousebutashorttimebeforeyoucamein。
　　Mrs。Touchettlookedatthegirlwithoutresentment。sheappearedtoenjoyaboldretortandtobedisposedtobegracious。Perhapsshehasn’thadsogoodanexcuseasI。Tellheratanyratethatshemustcomeandseemethiseveningatthathorridhotel。Shemaybringherhusbandifshelikes，butsheneedn’tbringyou。Ishallseeplentyofyoulater。
　　CHAPTER4
　　Mrs。Ludlowwastheeldestofthethreesisters，andwasusuallythoughtthemostsensible。theclassificationbeingingeneralthatLilianwasthepracticalone，EdiththebeautyandIsabeltheintellectualsuperior。Mrs。Keyes，thesecondofthegroup，wasthewifeofanofficeroftheUnitedStatesEngineers，andasourhistoryisnotfurtherconcernedwithheritwillsufficethatshewasindeedveryprettyandthatsheformedtheornamentofthosevariousmilitarystations，chieflyintheunfashionableWest，towhich，toherdeepchagrin，herhusbandwassuccessivelyrelegated。LilianhadmarriedaNewYorklawyer，ayoungmanwithaloudvoiceandanenthusiasmforhisprofession。thematchwasnotbrilliant，anymorethanEdith’s，butLilianhadoccasionallybeenspokenofasayoungwomanwhomightbethankfultomarryatall-shewassomuchplainerthanhersisters。Shewas，however，veryhappy，andnow，asthemotheroftwoperemptorylittleboysandthemistressofawedgeofbrownstoneviolentlydrivenintoFifty-thirdStreet，seemedtoexultinherconditionasinaboldescape。Shewasshortandsolid，andherclaimtofigurewasquestioned，butshewasconcededpresence，thoughnotmajesty。shehadmoreover，aspeoplesaid，improvedsincehermarriage，andthetwothingsinlifeofwhichshewasmostdistinctlyconsciouswereherhusband’sforceinargumentandhersisterIsabel’soriginality。I’veneverkeptupwithIsabel-itwouldhavetakenallmytime，shehadoftenremarked。inspiteofwhich，however，sheheldherratherwistfullyinsight。watchingherasamotherlyspanielmightwatchafreegreyhound。Iwanttoseehersafelymarried-that’swhatIwanttosee，shefrequentlynotedtoherhusband。
　　Well，ImustsayIshouldhavenoparticulardesiretomarryher，EdmundLudlowwasaccustomedtoanswerinanextremelyaudibletone。
　　Iknowyousaythatforargument。youalwaystaketheoppositeground。Idon’tseewhatyou’veagainstherexceptthatshe’ssooriginal。
　　Well，Idon’tlikeoriginals。Iliketranslations，Mr。Ludlowhadmorethanoncereplied。Isabel’swritteninaforeigntongue。I
　　can’tmakeherout。SheoughttomarryanArmenianoraPortuguese。
　　That’sjustwhatI’mafraidshe’lldo！criedLilian，whothoughtIsabelcapableofanything。
　　Shelistenedwithgreatinteresttothegirl’saccountofMrs。
　　Touchett’sappearanceandintheeveningpreparedtocomplywiththeiraunt’scommands。OfwhatIsabelthensaidnoreporthasremained，buthersister’swordshaddoubtlesspromptedawordspokentoherhusbandasthetwoweremakingreadyfortheirvisit。Idohopeimmenselyshe’lldosomethinghandsomeforIsabel。shehasevidentlytakenagreatfancytoher。
　　Whatisityouwishhertodo？EdmundLudlowasked。Makeherabigpresent？
　　Noindeed。nothingofthesort。Buttakeaninterestinher-
　　sympathizewithher。She’sevidentlyjustthesortofpersontoappreciateher。Shehaslivedsomuchinforeignsociety。shetoldIsabelallaboutit。Youknowyou’vealwaysthoughtIsabelratherforeign。
　　Youwanthertogiveheralittleforeignsympathy，eh？Don’tyouthinkshegetsenoughathome？
　　Well，sheoughttogoabroad，saidMrs。Ludlow。She’sjustthepersontogoabroad。
　　Andyouwanttheoldladytotakeher，isthatit？
　　Shehasofferedtotakeher-she’sdyingtohaveIsabelgo。ButwhatIwanthertodowhenshegetsherthereistogiveheralltheadvantages。I’msureallwe’vegottodo，saidMrs。Ludlow，istogiveherachance。
　　Achanceforwhat？
　　Achancetodevelop。
　　Oh，Moses！EdmundLudlowexclaimed。Ihopesheisn’tgoingtodevelopanymore！
　　IfIwerenotsureyouonlysaidthatforargumentIshouldfeelverybadly，hiswifereplied。Butyouknowyouloveher。
　　DoyouknowIloveyou？theyoungmansaid，jocosely，toIsabelalittlelater，whilehebrushedhishat。
　　I’msureIdon’tcarewhetheryoudoornot！exclaimedthegirl。
　　whosevoiceandsmile，however，werelesshaughtythanherwords。
　　Oh，shefeelssograndsinceMrs。Touchett’svisit，saidhersister。
　　ButIsabelchallengedthisassertionwithagooddealofseriousness。Youmustnotsaythat，Lily。Idon’tfeelgrandatall。
　　I’msurethere’snoharm，saidtheconciliatoryLily。
　　Ah，butthere’snothinginMrs。Touchett’svisittomakeonefeelgrand。
　　Oh，exclaimedLudlow，she’sgranderthanever！
　　WheneverIfeelgrand，saidthegirl，itwillbeforabetterreason。
　　Whethershefeltgrandorno，sheatanyratefeltdifferent，feltasifsomethinghadhappenedtoher。Lefttoherselffortheeveningshesatawhileunderthelamp，herhandsempty，herusualavocationsunheeded。Thensheroseandmovedabouttheroom，andfromoneroomtoanother，preferringtheplaceswherethevaguelamplightexpired。Shewasrestlessandevenagitated。atmomentsshetrembledalittle。Theimportanceofwhathadhappenedwasoutofproportiontoitsappearance。therehadreallybeenachangeinherlife。Whatitwouldbringwithitwasasyetextremelyindefinite。butIsabelwasinasituationthatgaveavaluetoanychange。Shehadadesiretoleavethepastbehindherand，asshesaidtoherself，tobeginafresh。Thisdesireindeedwasnotabirthofthepresentoccasion。itwasasfamiliarasthesoundoftherainuponthewindowandithadledtoherbeginningafreshagreatmanytimes。