Sheclosedhereyesasshesatinoneoftheduskycornersofthequietparlour。butitwasnotwithadesirefordozingforgetfulness。Itwasonthecontrarybecauseshefelttoowide-eyedandwishedtocheckthesenseofseeingtoomanythingsatonce。Herimaginationwasbyhabitridiculouslyactive。whenthedoorwasnotopenitjumpedoutofthewindow。Shewasnotaccustomedindeedtokeepitbehindbolts。andatimportantmoments，whenshewouldhavebeenthankfultomakeuseofherjudgementalone，shepaidthepenaltyofhavinggivenundueencouragementtothefacultyofseeingwithoutjudging。Atpresent，withhersensethatthenoteofchangehadbeenstruck，camegraduallyahostofimagesofthethingsshewasleavingbehindher。Theyearsandhoursofherlifecamebacktoher，andforalongtime，inastillnessbrokenonlybythetickingofthebigbronzeclock，shepassedtheminreview。Ithadbeenaveryhappylifeandshehadbeenaveryfortunateperson-thiswasthetruththatseemedtoemergemostvividly。Shehadhadthebestofeverything，andinaworldinwhichthecircumstancesofsomanypeoplemadethemunenviableitwasanadvantagenevertohaveknownanythingparticularlyunpleasant。ItappearedtoIsabelthattheunpleasanthadbeeneventooabsentfromherknowledge，forshehadgatheredfromheracquaintancewithliteraturethatitwasoftenasourceofinterestandevenofinstruction。Herfatherhadkeptitawayfromher-herhandsome，much-lovedfather，whoalwayshadsuchanaversiontoit。Itwasagreatfelicitytohavebeenhisdaughter。
Isabelroseeventoprideinherparentage。Sincehisdeathshehadseemedtoseehimasturninghisbraversidetohischildrenandasnothavingmanagedtoignoretheuglyquitesomuchinpracticeasinaspiration。Butthisonlymadehertendernessforhimgreater。itwasscarcelyevenpainfultohavetosupposehimtoogenerous，toogood-natured，tooindifferenttosordidconsiderations。Manypersonshadheldthathecarriedthisindifferencetoofar，especiallythelargenumberofthosetowhomheowedmoney。OftheiropinionsIsabelwasneververydefinitelyinformed。butitmayinterestthereadertoknowthat，whiletheyhadrecognizedinthelateMr。
Archeraremarkablyhandsomeheadandaverytakingmannerindeed，asoneofthemhadsaid，hewasalwaystakingsomething，theyhaddeclaredthathewasmakingaverypooruseofhislife。Hehadsquanderedasubstantialfortune，hehadbeendeplorablyconvivial，hewasknowntohavegambledfreely。Afewveryharshcriticswentsofarastosaythathehadnotevenbroughtuphisdaughters。Theyhadhadnoregulareducationandnopermanenthome。theyhadbeenatoncespoiledandneglected。theyhadlivedwithnursemaidsandgovernessesusuallyverybadonesorhadbeensenttosuperficialschools，keptbytheFrench，fromwhich，attheendofamonth，theyhadbeenremovedintears。ThisviewofthematterwouldhaveexcitedIsabel’sindignation，fortoherownsenseheropportunitieshadbeenlarge。EvenwhenherfatherhadlefthisdaughtersforthreemonthsatNeufchatelwithaFrenchbonnewhohadelopedwithaRussiannoblemanstayingatthesamehotel-eveninthisirregularsituationanincidentofthegirl’seleventhyearshehadbeenneitherfrightenednorashamed，buthadthoughtitaromanticepisodeinaliberaleducation。Herfatherhadalargewayoflookingatlife，ofwhichhisrestlessnessandevenhisoccasionalincoherencyofconducthadbeenonlyaproof。Hewishedhisdaughters，evenaschildren，toseeasmuchoftheworldaspossible。anditwasforthispurposethat，beforeIsabelwasfourteen，hehadtransportedthemthreetimesacrosstheAtlantic，givingthemoneachoccasion，however，butafewmonths’viewofthesubjectproposed：acoursewhichhadwhettedourheroine’scuriositywithoutenablinghertosatisfyit。Sheoughttohavebeenapartisanofherfather，forshewasthememberofhistriowhomostmadeuptohimforthedisagreeableshedidn’tmention。Inhislastdayshisgeneralwillingnesstotakeleaveofaworldinwhichthedifficultyofdoingasonelikedappearedtoincreaseasonegrewolderhadbeensensiblymodifiedbythepainofseparationfromhisclever，hissuperior，hisremarkablegirl。Later，whenthejourneystoEuropeceased，hestillhadshownhischildrenallsortsofindulgence，andifhehadbeentroubledaboutmoney-mattersnothingeverdisturbedtheirirreflectiveconsciousnessofmanypossessions。
Isabel，thoughshedancedverywell，hadnottherecollectionofhavingbeeninNewYorkasuccessfulmemberofthechoregraphiccircle。hersisterEdithwas，aseveryonesaid，soverymuchmorefetching。EdithwassostrikinganexampleofsuccessthatIsabelcouldhavenoillusionsastowhatconstitutedthisadvantage，orastothelimitsofherownpowertofriskandjumpandshriek-aboveallwithrightnessofeffect。NineteenpersonsoutoftwentyincludingtheyoungersisterherselfpronouncedEdithinfinitelytheprettierofthetwo。butthetwentieth，besidesreversingthisjudgement，hadtheentertainmentofthinkingalltheothersaestheticvulgarians。
IsabelhadinthedepthsofhernatureanevenmoreunquenchabledesiretopleasethanEdith。butthedepthsofthisyounglady’snaturewereaveryout-of-the-wayplace，betweenwhichandthesurfacecommunicationwasinterruptedbyadozencapriciousforces。Shesawtheyoungmenwhocameinlargenumberstoseehersister。butasageneralthingtheywereafraidofher。theyhadabeliefthatsomespecialpreparationwasrequiredfortalkingwithher。Herreputationofreadingagreatdealhungaboutherlikethecloudyenvelopeofagoddessinanepic。itwassupposedtoengenderdifficultquestionsandtokeeptheconversationatalowtemperature。
Thepoorgirllikedtobethoughtclever，butshehatedtobethoughtbookish。sheusedtoreadinsecretand，thoughhermemorywasexcellent，toabstainfromshowyreference。Shehadagreatdesireforknowledge，butshereallypreferredalmostanysourceofinformationtotheprintedpage。shehadanimmensecuriosityaboutlifeandwasconstantlystaringandwondering。Shecarriedwithinherselfagreatfundoflife，andherdeepestenjoymentwastofeelthecontinuitybetweenthemovementsofherownsoulandtheagitationsoftheworld。
Forthisreasonshewasfondofseeinggreatcrowdsandlargestretchesofcountry，ofreadingaboutrevolutionsandwars，oflookingathistoricalpictures-aclassofeffortsastowhichshehadoftencommittedtheconscioussolecismofforgivingthemmuchbadpaintingforthesakeofthesubject。WhiletheCivilWarwentonshewasstillaveryyounggirl。butshepassedmonthsofthislongperiodinastateofalmostpassionateexcitement，inwhichshefeltherselfattimestoherextremeconfusionstirredalmostindiscriminatelybythevalourofeitherarmy。Ofcoursethecircumspectionofsuspiciousswainshadnevergonethelengthofmakingherasocialproscript。forthenumberofthosewhosehearts，astheyapproachedher，beatonlyjustfastenoughtoremindthemtheyhadheadsaswell，hadkeptherunacquaintedwiththesupremedisciplineofhersexandage。Shehadhadeverythingagirlcouldhave：kindness，admiration，bonbons，bouquets，thesenseofexclusionfromnoneoftheprivilegesoftheworldshelivedin，abundantopportunityfordancing，plentyofnewdresses，theLondonSpectator，thelatestpublications，themusicofGounod，thepoetryofBrowning，theproseofGeorgeEliot。
Thesethingsnow，asmemoryplayedoverthem，resolvedthemselvesintoamultitudeofscenesandfigures。Forgottenthingscamebacktoher。manyothers，whichshehadlatelythoughtofgreatmoment，droppedoutofsight。Theresultwaskaleidoscopic，butthemovementoftheinstrumentwascheckedatlastbytheservant’scominginwiththenameofagentleman。ThenameofthegentlemanwasCasparGoodwood。hewasastraightyoungmanfromBoston，whohadknownMissArcherforthelasttwelvemonthandwho，thinkingherthemostbeautifulyoungwomanofhertime，hadpronouncedthetime，accordingtotheruleIhavehintedat，afoolishperiodofhistory。
HesometimeswrotetoherandhadwithinaweekortwowrittenfromNewYork。Shehadthoughtitverypossiblehewouldcomein-hadindeedalltherainydaybeenvaguelyexpectinghim。Nowthatshelearnedhewasthere，nevertheless，shefeltnoeagernesstoreceivehim。Hewasthefinestyoungmanshehadeverseen，wasindeedquiteasplendidyoungman。heinspiredherwithasentimentofhigh，ofrarerespect。Shehadneverfeltequallymovedtoitbyanyotherperson。Hewassupposedbytheworldingeneraltowishtomarryher，butthisofcoursewasbetweenthemselves。ItatleastmaybeaffirmedthathehadtravelledfromNewYorktoAlbanyexpresslytoseeher。havinglearnedintheformercity，wherehewasspendingafewdaysandwherehehadhopedtofindher，thatshewasstillattheStatecapital。Isabeldelayedforsomeminutestogotohim。shemovedabouttheroomwithanewsenseofcomplications。Butatlastshepresentedherselfandfoundhimstandingnearthelamp。Hewastall，strongandsomewhatstiff。hewasalsoleanandbrown。Hewasnotromantically，hewasmuchratherobscurely，handsome。buthisphysiognomyhadanairofrequestingyourattention，whichitrewardedaccordingtothecharmyoufoundinblueeyesofremarkablefixedness，theeyesofacomplexionotherthanhisown，andajawofthesomewhatangularmouldwhichissupposedtobespeakresolution。Isabelsaidtoherselfthatitbespokeresolutionto-night。inspiteofwhich，inhalfanhour，CasparGoodwood，whohadarrivedhopefulaswellasresolute，tookhiswaybacktohislodgingwiththefeelingofamandefeated。Hewasnot，itmaybeadded，amanweaklytoacceptdefeat。
CHAPTER5
RalphTouchettwasaphilosopher，butneverthelessheknockedathismother’sdoorataquartertosevenwithagooddealofeagerness。
Evenphilosophershavetheirpreferences，anditmustbeadmittedthatofhisprogenitorshisfatherministeredmosttohissenseofthesweetnessoffilialdependence。Hisfather，ashehadoftensaidtohimself，wasthemoremotherly。hismother，ontheotherhand，waspaternal，andeven，accordingtotheslangoftheday，gubernatorial。Shewasneverthelessveryfondofheronlychildandhadalwaysinsistedonhisspendingthreemonthsoftheyearwithher。
Ralphrenderedperfectjusticetoheraffectionandknewthatinherthoughtsandherthoroughlyarrangedandservantedlifehisturnalwayscameaftertheothernearestsubjectsofhersolicitude，thevariouspunctualitiesofperformanceoftheworkersofherwill。Hefoundhercompletelydressedfordinner，butsheembracedherboywithherglovedhandsandmadehimsitonthesofabesideher。Sheenquiredscrupulouslyaboutherhusband’shealthandabouttheyoungman’sown，and，receivingnoverybrilliantaccountofeither，remarkedthatshewasmorethaneverconvincedofherwisdominnotexposingherselftotheEnglishclimate。Inthiscaseshealsomighthavegivenway。
Ralphsmiledattheideaofhismother’sgivingway，butmadenopointofremindingherthathisowninfirmitywasnottheresultoftheEnglishclimate，fromwhichheabsentedhimselfforaconsiderablepartofeachyear。
Hehadbeenaverysmallboywhenhisfather，DanielTracyTouchett，anativeofRutland，intheStateofVermont，cametoEnglandassubordinatepartnerinabanking-housewheresometenyearslaterhegainedpreponderantcontrol。DanielTouchettsawbeforehimalife-longresidenceinhisadoptedcountry，ofwhich，fromthefirst，hetookasimple，saneandaccommodatingview。But，ashesaidtohimself，hehadnointentionofdis-americanizing，norhadheadesiretoteachhisonlysonanysuchsubtleart。IthadbeenforhimselfsoverysolubleaproblemtoliveinEnglandassimilatedyetunconvertedthatitseemedtohimequallysimplehislawfulheirshouldafterhisdeathcarryonthegreyoldbankinthewhiteAmericanlight。Hewasatpainstointensifythislight，however，bysendingtheboyhomeforhiseducation。RalphspentseveraltermsatanAmericanschoolandtookadegreeatanAmericanuniversity，afterwhich，ashestruckhisfatheronhisreturnasevenredundantlynative，hewasplacedforsomethreeyearsinresidenceatOxford。
OxfordswallowedupHarvard，andRalphbecameatlastEnglishenough。Hisoutwardconformitytothemannersthatsurroundedhimwasnonethelessthemaskofamindthatgreatlyenjoyeditsindependence，onwhichnothinglongimposeditself，andwhich，naturallyinclinedtoadventureandirony，indulgedinaboundlesslibertyofappreciation。Hebeganwithbeingayoungmanofpromise。
atOxfordhedistinguishedhimself，tohisfather’sineffablesatisfaction，andthepeopleabouthimsaiditwasathousandpitiessocleverafellowshouldbeshutoutfromacareer。HemighthavehadacareerbyreturningtohisowncountrythoughthispointisshroudedinuncertaintyandevenifMr。Touchetthadbeenwillingtopartwithhimwhichwasnotthecaseitwouldhavegonehardwithhimtoputawaterywastepermanentlybetweenhimselfandtheoldmanwhomheregardedashisbestfriend。Ralphwasnotonlyfondofhisfather，headmiredhim-heenjoyedtheopportunityofobservinghim。DanielTouchett，tohisperception，wasamanofgenius，andthoughhehimselfhadnoaptitudeforthebankingmysteryhemadeapointoflearningenoughofittomeasurethegreatfigurehisfatherhadplayed。Itwasnotthis，however，hemainlyrelished。itwasthefineivorysurface，polishedasbytheEnglishair，thattheoldmanhadopposedtopossibilitiesofpenetration。DanielTouchetthadbeenneitheratHarvardnoratOxford，anditwashisownfaultifhehadplacedinhisson’shandsthekeytomoderncriticism。Ralph，whoseheadwasfullofideaswhichhisfatherhadneverguessed，hadahighesteemforthelatter’soriginality。Americans，rightlyorwrongly，arecommendedfortheeasewithwhichtheyadaptthemselvestoforeignconditions。butMr。Touchetthadmadeoftheverylimitsofhispliancyhalfthegroundofhisgeneralsuccess。Hehadretainedintheirfreshnessmostofhismarksofprimarypressure。histone，ashissonalwaysnotedwithpleasure，wasthatofthemoreluxuriantpartsofNewEngland。Attheendofhislifehehadbecome，onhisownground，asmellowashewasrich。hecombinedconsummateshrewdnesswiththedispositionsuperficiallytofraternize，andhissocialposition，onwhichhehadneverwastedacare，hadthefirmperfectionofanunthumbedfruit。Itwasperhapshiswantofimaginationandofwhatiscalledthehistoricconsciousness。buttomanyoftheimpressionsusuallymadebyEnglishlifeuponthecultivatedstrangerhissensewascompletelyclosed。Therewerecertaindifferenceshehadneverperceived，certainhabitshehadneverformed，certainobscuritieshehadneversounded。Asregardstheselatter，onthedayhehadsoundedthemhissonwouldhavethoughtlesswellofhim。
Ralph，onleavingOxford，hadspentacoupleofyearsintravelling。
afterwhichhehadfoundhimselfperchedonahighstoolinhisfather’sbank。Theresponsibilityandhonourofsuchpositionsisnot，Ibelieve，measuredbytheheightofthestool，whichdependsuponotherconsiderations：Ralph，indeed，whohadverylonglegs，wasfondofstanding，andevenofwalkingabout，athiswork。Tothisexercise，however，hewasobligedtodevotebutalimitedperiod，forattheendofsomeeighteenmonthshehadbecomeawareofhisbeingseriouslyoutofhealth。Hehadcaughtaviolentcold，whichfixeditselfonhislungsandthrewthemintodireconfusion。Hehadtogiveupworkandapply，totheletter，thesorryinjunctiontotakecareofhimself。Atfirstheslightedthetask。itappearedtohimitwasnothimselfintheleasthewastakingcareof，butanuninterestinganduninterestedpersonwithwhomhehadnothingincommon。Thisperson，however，improvedonacquaintance，andRalphgrewatlasttohaveacertaingrudgingtolerance，evenanundemonstrativerespect，forhim。Misfortunemakesstrangebedfellows，andouryoungman，feelingthathehadsomethingatstakeinthematter-itusuallystruckhimashisreputationforordinarywit-
devotedtohisgracelesschargeanamountofattentionofwhichnotewasdulytakenandwhichhadatleasttheeffectofkeepingthepoorfellowalive。Oneofhislungsbegantoheal，theotherpromisedtofollowitsexample，andhewasassuredhemightoutweatheradozenwintersifhewouldbetakehimselftothoseclimatesinwhichconsumptiveschieflycongregate。AshehadgrownextremelyfondofLondon，hecursedtheflatnessofexile：butatthesametimethathecursedheconformed，andgradually，whenhefoundhissensitiveorgangratefulevenforgrimfavours，heconferredthemwithalighterhand。Hewinteredabroad，asthephraseis。baskedinthesun，stoppedathomewhenthewindblew，wenttobedwhenitrained，andonceortwice，whenithadsnowedovernight，almostnevergotupagain。
Asecrethoardofindifference-likeathickcakeafondoldnursemighthaveslippedintohisfirstschooloutfit-cametohisaidandhelpedtoreconcilehimtosacrifice。sinceatthebesthewastooillforaughtbutthatarduousgame。Ashesaidtohimself，therewasreallynothinghehadwantedverymuchtodo，sothathehadatleastnotrenouncedthefieldofvalour。Atpresent，however，thefragranceofforbiddenfruitseemedoccasionallytofloatpasthimandremindhimthatthefinestofpleasuresistherushofaction。
Livingashenowlivedwaslikereadingagoodbookinapoortranslation-ameagreentertainmentforayoungmanwhofeltthathemighthavebeenanexcellentlinguist。Hehadgoodwintersandpoorwinters，andwhiletheformerlastedhewassometimesthesportofavisionofvirtualrecovery。Butthisvisionwasdispelledsomethreeyearsbeforetheoccurrenceoftheincidentswithwhichthishistoryopens：hehadonthatoccasionremainedlaterthanusualinEnglandandhadbeenovertakenbybadweatherbeforereachingAlgiers。Hearrivedmoredeadthanaliveandlaythereforseveralweeksbetweenlifeanddeath。Hisconvalescencewasamiracle，butthefirstusehemadeofitwastoassurehimselfthatsuchmiracleshappenbutonce。Hesaidtohimselfthathishourwasinsightandthatitbehovedhimtokeephiseyesuponit，yetthatitwasalsoopentohimtospendtheintervalasagreeablyasmightbeconsistentwithsuchapreoccupation。Withtheprospectoflosingthemthesimpleuseofhisfacultiesbecameanexquisitepleasure。itseemedtohimthejoysofcontemplationhadneverbeensounded。Hewasfarfromthetimewhenhehadfoundithardthatheshouldbeobligedtogiveuptheideaofdistinguishinghimself。anideanonethelessimportunateforbeingvagueandnonethelessdelightfulforhavinghadtostruggleinthesamebreastwithburstsofinspiringself-criticism。
Hisfriendsatpresentjudgedhimmorecheerful，andattributedittoatheory，overwhichtheyshooktheirheadsknowingly，thathewouldrecoverhishealth。Hisserenitywasbutthearrayofwildflowersnichedinhisruin。
Itwasveryprobablythissweet-tastingpropertyoftheobservedthinginitselfthatwasmainlyconcernedinRalph’squickly-stirredinterestintheadventofayoungladywhowasevidentlynotinsipid。Ifhewasconsideringlydisposed，somethingtoldhim，herewasoccupationenoughforasuccessionofdays。Itmaybeadded，insummaryfashion，thattheimaginationofloving-asdistinguishedfromthatofbeingloved-hadstillaplaceinhisreducedsketch。Hehadonlyforbiddenhimselftheriotofexpression。However，heshouldn’tinspirehiscousinwithapassion，norwouldshebeable，evenshouldshetry，tohelphimtoone。Andnowtellmeabouttheyounglady，hesaidtohismother。Whatdoyoumeantodowithher？
Mrs。Touchettwasprompt。ImeantoaskyourfathertoinvitehertostaythreeorfourweeksatGardencourt。
Youneedn’tstandonanysuchceremonyasthat，saidRalph。Myfatherwillaskherasamatterofcourse。
Idon’tknowaboutthat。She’smyniece。she’snothis。
GoodLord，dearmother。whatasenseofproperty！That’sallthemorereasonforhisaskingher。Butafterthat-Imeanafterthreemonthsforit’sabsurdaskingthepoorgirltoremainbutforthreeorfourpaltryweeks-whatdoyoumeantodowithher？
ImeantotakehertoParis。Imeantogetherclothing。
Ahyes，that’sofcourse。Butindependentlyofthat？
IshallinvitehertospendtheautumnwithmeinFlorence。
Youdon’triseabovedetail，dearmother，saidRalph。Ishouldliketoknowwhatyoumeantodowithherinageneralway。
Myduty！Mrs。Touchettdeclared。Isupposeyoupityherverymuch，sheadded。
No，Idon’tthinkIpityher。Shedoesn’tstrikemeasinvitingcompassion。IthinkIenvyher。Beforebeingsure，however，givemeahintofwhereyouseeyourduty。
InshowingherfourEuropeancountries-Ishallleaveherthechoiceoftwoofthem-andingivinghertheopportunityofperfectingherselfinFrench，whichshealreadyknowsverywell。
Ralphfrownedalittle。Thatsoundsratherdry-evenallowingherthechoiceoftwoofthecountries。
Ifit’sdry，saidhismotherwithalaugh，youcanleaveIsabelalonetowaterit！Sheisasgoodasasummerrain，anyday。
Doyoumeanshe’sagiftedbeing？
Idon’tknowwhethershe’sagiftedbeing，butshe’saclevergirl-
withastrongwillandahightemper。Shehasnoideaofbeingbored。
Icanimaginethat，saidRalph。andthenheaddedabruptly：Howdoyoutwogeton？
DoyoumeanbythatthatI’mabore？Idon’tthinkshefindsmeone。Somegirlsmight，Iknow。butIsabel’stoocleverforthat。I
thinkIgreatlyamuseher。WegetonbecauseIunderstandher。I
knowthesortofgirlsheis。She’sveryfrank，andI’mveryfrank：weknowjustwhattoexpectofeachother。
Ah，dearmother，Ralphexclaimed，onealwaysknowswhattoexpectofyou！You’veneversurprisedmebutonce，andthat’sto-day-inpresentingmewithaprettycousinwhoseexistenceIhadneversuspected。
Doyouthinkhersoverypretty？
Veryprettyindeed。butIdon’tinsistuponthat。It’shergeneralairofbeingsomeoneinparticularthatstrikesme。Whoisthisrarecreature，andwhatisshe？Wheredidyoufindher，andhowdidyoumakeheracquaintance？
IfoundherinanoldhouseatAlbany，sittinginadrearyroomonarainyday，readingaheavybookandboringherselftodeath。
Shedidn’tknowshewasbored，butwhenIlefthernodoubtofitsheseemedverygratefulfortheservice。YoumaysayIshouldn’thaveenlightenedher-Ishouldhaveletheralone。There’sagooddealinthat，butIactedconscientiously。Ithoughtshewasmeantforsomethingbetter。Itoccurredtomethatitwouldbeakindnesstotakeheraboutandintroducehertotheworld。Shethinkssheknowsagreatdealofit-likemostAmericangirls。butlikemostAmericangirlsshe’sridiculouslymistaken。Ifyouwanttoknow，Ithoughtshewoulddomecredit。Iliketobewellthoughtof，andforawomanofmyagethere’snogreaterconvenience，insomeways，thananattractiveniece。YouknowIhadseennothingofmysister’schildrenforyears。Idisapprovedentirelyofthefather。ButIalwaysmeanttodosomethingforthemwhenheshouldhavegonetohisreward。
Iascertainedwheretheyweretobefoundand，withoutanypreliminaries，wentandintroducedmyself。Therearetwoothersofthem，bothofwhomaremarried。butIsawonlytheelder，whohas，bytheway，averyuncivilhusband。Thewife，whosenameisLily，jumpedattheideaofmytakinganinterestinIsabel。shesaiditwasjustwhathersisterneeded-thatsomeoneshouldtakeaninterestinher。Shespokeofherasyoumightspeakofsomeyoungpersonofgenius-inwantofencouragementandpatronage。ItmaybethatIsabel’sagenius。butinthatcaseI’venotyetlearnedherspecialline。Mrs。LudlowwasespeciallykeenaboutmytakinghertoEurope。
theyallregardEuropeoverthereasalandofemigration，ofrescue，arefugefortheirsuperfluouspopulation。Isabelherselfseemedverygladtocome，andthethingwaseasilyarranged。Therewasalittledifficultyaboutthemoney-question，assheseemedaversetobeingunderpecuniaryobligations。Butshehasasmallincomeandshesupposesherselftobetravellingatherownexpense。
Ralphhadlistenedattentivelytothisjudiciousreport，bywhichhisinterestinthesubjectofitwasnotimpaired。Ah，ifshe’sagenius，hesaid，wemustfindoutherspecialline。Isitbychanceforflirting？
Idon’tthinkso。Youmaysuspectthatatfirst，butyou’llbewrong。Youwon’t，Ithink，inanyway，beeasilyrightabouther。
Warburton’swrongthen！Ralphrejoicinglyexclaimed。Heflattershimselfhehasmadethatdiscovery。
Hismothershookherhead。LordWarburtonwon’tunderstandher。
Heneedn’ttry。
He’sveryintelligent，saidRalph。butit’srightheshouldbepuzzledonceinawhile。
Isabelwillenjoypuzzlingalord，Mrs。Touchettremarked。
Hersonfrownedalittle。Whatdoessheknowaboutlords？
Nothingatall：thatwillpuzzlehimallthemore。
Ralphgreetedthesewordswithalaughandlookedoutofthewindow。
Then，Areyounotgoingdowntoseemyfather？heasked。
Ataquartertoeight，saidMrs。Touchett。
Hersonlookedathiswatch。You’veanotherquarterofanhourthen。TellmesomemoreaboutIsabel。Afterwhich，asMrs。Touchettdeclinedhisinvitation，declaringthathemustfindoutforhimself，Well，hepursued，she’llcertainlydoyoucredit。Butwon’tshealsogiveyoutrouble？
Ihopenot。butifshedoesIshallnotshrinkfromit。Ineverdothat。
Shestrikesmeasverynatural，saidRalph。
Naturalpeoplearenotthemosttrouble。
No，saidRalph。youyourselfareaproofofthat。You’reextremelynatural，andI’msureyouhavenevertroubledanyone。Ittakestroubletodothat。Buttellmethis。itjustoccurstome。IsIsabelcapableofmakingherselfdisagreeable？
Ah，criedhismother，youasktoomanyquestions！Findthatoutforyourself。
Hisquestions，however，werenotexhausted。Allthistime，hesaid，you’venottoldmewhatyouintendtodowithher。
Dowithher？Youtalkasifshewereayardofcalico。Ishalldoabsolutelynothingwithher，andsheherselfwilldoeverythingshechooses。Shegavemenoticeofthat。
Whatyoumeantthen，inyourtelegram，wasthathercharacter’sindependent。
IneverknowwhatImeaninmytelegrams-especiallythoseIsendfromAmerica。Clearnessistooexpensive。Comedowntoyourfather。
It’snotyetaquartertoeight，saidRalph。
Imustallowforhisimpatience，Mrs。Touchettanswered。
Ralphknewwhattothinkofhisfather’simpatience。but，makingnorejoinder，heofferedhismotherhisarm。Thisputitinhispower，astheydescendedtogether，tostopheramomentonthemiddlelandingofthestaircase-thebroad，low，wide-armedstaircaseoftime-blackenedoakwhichwasoneofthemoststrikingfeaturesofGardencourt。You’venoplanofmarryingher？hesmiled。
Marryingher？Ishouldbesorrytoplayhersuchatrick！Butapartfromthat，she’sperfectlyabletomarryherself。Shehaseveryfacility。
Doyoumeantosayshehasahusbandpickedout？
Idon’tknowaboutahusband，butthere’sayoungmaninBoston-！
Ralphwenton。hehadnodesiretohearabouttheyoungmaninBoston。Asmyfathersays，they’realwaysengaged！
Hismotherhadtoldhimthathemustsatisfyhiscuriosityatthesource，anditsoonbecameevidentheshouldnotwantforoccasion。Hehadagooddealoftalkwithhisyoungkinswomanwhenthetwohadbeenlefttogetherinthedrawing-room。LordWarburton，whohadriddenoverfromhisownhouse，sometenmilesdistant，remountedandtookhisdeparturebeforedinner。andanhourafterthismealwasendedMr。andMrs。Touchett，whoappearedtohavequiteemptiedthemeasureoftheirforms，withdrew，underthevalidpretextoffatigue，totheirrespectiveapartments。Theyoungmanspentanhourwithhiscousin。
thoughshehadbeentravellinghalfthedaysheappearedinnodegreespent。Shewasreallytired。sheknewit，andknewsheshouldpayforitonthemorrow。butitwasherhabitatthisperiodtocarryexhaustiontothefurtherestpointandconfesstoitonlywhendissimulationbrokedown。Afinehypocrisywasforthepresentpossible。shewasinterested。shewas，asshesaidtoherself，floated。SheaskedRalphtoshowherthepictures。therewereagreatmanyinthehouse，mostofthemofhisownchoosing。Thebestwerearrangedinanoakengallery，ofcharmingproportions，whichhadasitting-roomateitherendofitandwhichintheeveningwasusuallylighted。Thelightwasinsufficienttoshowthepicturestoadvantage，andthevisitmighthavestoodovertothemorrow。ThissuggestionRalphhadventuredtomake。butIsabellookeddisappointed-
smilingstill，however-andsaid：IfyoupleaseIshouldliketoseethemjustalittle。Shewaseager，sheknewshewaseagerandnowseemedso。shecouldn’thelpit。Shedoesn’ttakesuggestions，Ralphsaidtohimself。buthesaiditwithoutirritation。herpressureamusedandevenpleasedhim。Thelampswereonbrackets，atintervals，andifthelightwasimperfectitwasgenial。Itfelluponthevaguesquaresofrichcolourandonthefadedgildingofheavyframes。itmadeasheenonthepolishedfloorofthegallery。Ralphtookacandlestickandmovedabout，pointingoutthethingsheliked。Isabel，incliningtoonepictureafteranother，indulgedinlittleexclamationsandmurmurs。Shewasevidentlyajudge。shehadanaturaltaste。hewasstruckwiththat。Shetookacandlestickherselfandhelditslowlyhereandthere。sheliftedithigh，andasshedidsohefoundhimselfpausinginthemiddleoftheplaceandbendinghiseyesmuchlessuponthepicturesthanonherpresence。Helostnothing，intruth，bythesewanderingglances，forshewasbetterworthlookingatthanmostworksofart。Shewasundeniablyspare，andponderablylight，andproveablytall。whenpeoplehadwishedtodistinguishherfromtheothertwoMissArcherstheyhadalwayscalledherthewillowyone。Herhair，whichwasdarkeventoblackness，hadbeenanobjectofenvytomanywomen。herlightgreyeyes，alittletoofirmperhapsinhergravermoments，hadanenchantingrangeofconcession。Theywalkedslowlyuponesideofthegalleryanddowntheother，andthenshesaid：
Well，nowIknowmorethanIdidwhenIbegan！
Youapparentlyhaveagreatpassionforknowledge，hercousinreturned。
IthinkIhave。mostgirlsarehorridlyignorant。
Youstrikemeasdifferentfrommostgirls。
Ah，someofthemwould-butthewaythey’retalkedto！murmuredIsabel，whopreferrednottodilatejustyetonherself。Theninamoment，tochangethesubject，Pleasetellme-isn’tthereaghost？shewenton。
Aghost？
Acastle-spectre，athingthatappears。WecallthemghostsinAmerica。
Sowedohere，whenweseethem。
Youdoseethemthen？Yououghtto，inthisromanticoldhouse。
It’snotaromanticoldhouse，saidRalph。You’llbedisappointedifyoucountonthat。It’sadismallyprosaicone。there’snoromanceherebutwhatyoumayhavebroughtwithyou。
I’vebroughtagreatdeal。butitseemstomeI’vebroughtittotherightplace。
Tokeepitoutofharm，certainly。nothingwilleverhappentoithere，betweenmyfatherandme。
Isabellookedathimamoment。Isthereneveranyoneherebutyourfatherandyou？
Mymother，ofcourse。
Oh，Iknowyourmother。she’snotromantic。Haven’tyouotherpeople？
Veryfew。
I’msorryforthat。Ilikesomuchtoseepeople。
Oh，we’llinviteallthecountytoamuseyou，saidRalph。
Nowyou’remakingfunofme，thegirlansweredrathergravely。
WhowasthegentlemanonthelawnwhenIarrived？
Acountyneighbour。hedoesn’tcomeveryoften。
I’msorryforthat。Ilikedhim，saidIsabel。
Why，itseemedtomethatyoubarelyspoketohim，Ralphobjected。
Nevermind，Ilikehimallthesame。Ilikeyourfathertoo，immensely。
Youcan’tdobetterthanthat。He’sthedearestofthedear。
I’msosorryheisill，saidIsabel。
Youmusthelpmetonursehim。yououghttobeagoodnurse。
Idon’tthinkIam。I’vebeentoldI’mnot。I’msaidtohavetoomanytheories。Butyouhaven’ttoldmeabouttheghost，sheadded。
Ralph，however，gavenoheedtothisobservation。YoulikemyfatherandyoulikeLordWarburton。Iinferalsothatyoulikemymother。
Ilikeyourmotherverymuch，because-because-AndIsabelfoundherselfattemptingtoassignareasonforheraffectionforMrs。
Touchett。
Ah，weneverknowwhy！saidhercompanion，laughing。
Ialwaysknowwhy，thegirlanswered。It’sbecauseshedoesn’texpectonetolikeher。Shedoesn’tcarewhetheronedoesornot。
Soyouadoreher-outofperversity？Well，Itakegreatlyaftermymother，saidRalph。
Idon’tbelieveyoudoatall。Youwishpeopletolikeyou，andyoutrytomakethemdoit。
Goodheavens，howyouseethroughone！hecriedwithadismaythatwasnotaltogetherjocular。
ButIlikeyouallthesame，hiscousinwenton。Thewaytoclinchthematterwillbetoshowmetheghost。
Ralphshookhisheadsadly。Imightshowittoyou，butyou’dneverseeit。Theprivilegeisn’tgiventoeveryone。it’snotenviable。
Ithasneverbeenseenbyayoung，happy，innocentpersonlikeyou。
Youmusthavesufferedfirst，havesufferedgreatly，havegainedsomemiserableknowledge。Inthatwayyoureyesareopenedtoit。I
sawitlongago，saidRalph。
ItoldyoujustnowI’mveryfondofknowledge，Isabelanswered。
Yes，ofhappyknowledge-ofpleasantknowledge。Butyouhaven’tsuffered，andyou’renotmadetosuffer。Ihopeyou’llneverseetheghost！
Shehadlistenedtohimattentively，withasmileonherlips，butwithacertaingravityinhereyes。Charmingashefoundher，shehadstruckhimasratherpresumptuous-indeeditwasapartofhercharm。andhewonderedwhatshewouldsay。I’mnotafraid，youknow，
shesaid：whichseemedquitepresumptuousenough。
You’renotafraidofsuffering？
Yes，I’mafraidofsuffering。ButI’mnotafraidofghosts。AndI
thinkpeoplesuffertooeasily，sheadded。
Idon’tbelieveyoudo，saidRalph，lookingatherwithhishandsinhispockets。
Idon’tthinkthat’safault，sheanswered。It’snotabsolutelynecessarytosuffer。wewerenotmadeforthat。
Youwerenot，certainly。
I’mnotspeakingofmyself。Andshewanderedoffalittle。
No，itisn’tafault，saidhercousin。It’samerittobestrong。
Only，ifyoudon’tsuffertheycallyouhard，Isabelremarked。
Theypassedoutofthesmallerdrawing-room，intowhichtheyhadreturnedfromthegallery，andpausedinthehall，atthefootofthestaircase。HereRalphpresentedhiscompanionwithherbedroomcandle，whichhehadtakenfromaniche。Nevermindwhattheycallyou。Whenyoudosuffertheycallyouanidiot。Thegreatpoint’stobeashappyaspossible。
Shelookedathimalittle。shehadtakenhercandleandplacedherfootontheoakenstair。Well，shesaid，that’swhatIcametoEuropefor，tobeashappyaspossible。Good-night。
Good-night！Iwishyouallsuccess，andshallbeverygladtocontributetoit！
Sheturnedaway，andhewatchedherassheslowlyascended。Then，withhishandsalwaysinhispockets，hewentbacktotheemptydrawing-room。
CHAPTER6
IsabelArcherwasayoungpersonofmanytheories。herimaginationwasremarkablyactive。Ithadbeenherfortunetopossessafinermindthanmostofthepersonsamongwhomherlotwascast。tohavealargerperceptionofsurroundingfactsandtocareforknowledgethatwastingedwiththeunfamiliar。Itistruethatamonghercontemporariesshepassedforayoungwomanofextraordinaryprofundity。fortheseexcellentpeopleneverwithheldtheiradmirationfromareachofintellectofwhichtheythemselveswerenotconscious，andspokeofIsabelasaprodigyoflearning，acreaturereportedtohavereadtheclassicauthors-intranslations。Herpaternalaunt，Mrs。
Varian，oncespreadtherumourthatIsabelwaswritingabook-Mrs。
Varianhavingareverenceforbooks，andaverredthatthegirlwoulddistinguishherselfinprint。Mrs。Varianthoughthighlyofliterature，forwhichsheentertainedthatesteemthatisconnectedwithasenseofprivation。Herownlargehouse，remarkableforitsassortmentofmosaictablesanddecoratedceilings，wasunfurnishedwithalibrary，andinthewayofprintedvolumescontainednothingbuthalfadozennovelsinpaperonashelfintheapartmentofoneoftheMissVarians。Practically，Mrs。Varian’sacquaintancewithliteraturewasconfinedtoTheNewYorkInterviewer。assheveryjustlysaid，afteryouhadreadtheIntervieweryouhadlostallfaithinculture。Hertendency，withthis，wasrathertokeeptheIntervieweroutofthewayofherdaughters。shewasdeterminedtobringthemupproperly，andtheyreadnothingatall。HerimpressionwithregardtoIsabel’slabourswasquiteillusory。thegirlhadneverattemptedtowriteabookandhadnodesireforthelaurelsofauthorship。Shehadnotalentforexpressionandtoolittleoftheconsciousnessofgenius。sheonlyhadageneralideathatpeoplewererightwhentheytreatedherasifshewererathersuperior。
Whetherornosheweresuperior，peoplewererightinadmiringheriftheythoughtherso。foritseemedtoheroftenthathermindmovedmorequicklythantheirs，andthisencouragedanimpatiencethatmighteasilybeconfoundedwithsuperiority。ItmaybeaffirmedwithoutdelaythatIsabelwasprobablyveryliabletothesinofself-esteem。sheoftensurveyedwithcomplacencythefieldofherownnature。shewasinthehabitoftakingforgranted，onscantyevidence，thatshewasright。shetreatedherselftooccasionsofhomage。Meanwhilehererrorsanddelusionswerefrequentlysuchasabiographerinterestedinpreservingthedignityofhissubjectmustshrinkfromspecifying。Herthoughtswereatangleofvagueoutlineswhichhadneverbeencorrectedbythejudgementofpeoplespeakingwithauthority。Inmattersofopinionshehadhadherownway，andithadledherintoathousandridiculouszigzags。Atmomentsshediscoveredshewasgrotesquelywrong，andthenshetreatedherselftoaweekofpassionatehumility。Afterthissheheldherheadhigherthaneveragain。foritwasofnouse，shehadanunquenchabledesiretothinkwellofherself。Shehadatheorythatitwasonlyunderthisprovisionlifewasworthliving。thatoneshouldbeoneofthebest，shouldbeconsciousofafineorganizationshecouldn’thelpknowingherorganizationwasfine，shouldmoveinarealmoflight，ofnaturalwisdom，ofhappyimpulse，ofinspirationgracefullychronic。Itwasalmostasunnecessarytocultivatedoubtofone’sselfastocultivatedoubtofone’sbestfriend：oneshouldtrytobeone’sownbestfriendandtogiveone’sself，inthismanner，distinguishedcompany。Thegirlhadacertainnoblenessofimaginationwhichrenderedheragoodmanyservicesandplayedheragreatmanytricks。Shespenthalfhertimeinthinkingofbeautyandbraveryandmagnanimity。shehadafixeddeterminationtoregardtheworldasaplaceofbrightness，offreeexpansion，ofirresistibleaction：shehelditmustbedetestabletobeafraidorashamed。Shehadaninfinitehopethatsheshouldneverdoanythingwrong。Shehadresentedsostrongly，afterdiscoveringthem，hermereerrorsoffeelingthediscoveryalwaysmadehertrembleasifshehadescapedfromatrapwhichmighthavecaughtherandsmotheredherthatthechanceofinflictingasensibleinjuryuponanotherperson，presentedonlyasacontingency，causedheratmomentstoholdherbreath。Thatalwaysstruckherastheworstthingthatcouldhappentoher。Onthewhole，reflectively，shewasinnouncertaintyaboutthethingsthatwerewrong。Shehadnoloveoftheirlook，butwhenshefixedthemhardsherecognizedthem。Itwaswrongtobemean，tobejealous，tobefalse，tobecruel。shehadseenverylittleoftheeviloftheworld，butshehadseenwomenwholiedandwhotriedtohurteachother。Seeingsuchthingshadquickenedherhighspirit。
itseemedindecentnottoscornthem。Ofcoursethedangerofahighspiritwasthedangerofinconsistency-thedangerofkeepinguptheflagaftertheplacehassurrendered。asortofbehavioursocrookedastobealmostadishonourtotheflag。ButIsabel，whoknewlittleofthesortsofartillerytowhichyoungwomenareexposed，flatteredherselfthatsuchcontradictionswouldneverbenotedinherownconduct。Herlifeshouldalwaysbeinharmonywiththemostpleasingimpressionsheshouldproduce。shewouldbewhatsheappeared，andshewouldappearwhatshewas。Sometimesshewentsofarastowishthatshemightfindherselfsomedayinadifficultposition，sothatsheshouldhavethepleasureofbeingasheroicastheoccasiondemanded。Altogether，withhermeagreknowledge，herinflatedideals，herconfidenceatonceinnocentanddogmatic，hertemperatonceexactingandindulgent，hermixtureofcuriosityandfastidiousness，ofvivacityandindifference，herdesiretolookverywellandtobeifpossibleevenbetter，herdeterminationtosee，totry，toknow，hercombinationofthedelicate，desultory，flame-likespiritandtheeagerandpersonalcreatureofconditions：
shewouldbeaneasyvictimofscientificcriticismifshewerenotintendedtoawakenonthereader’spartanimpulsemoretenderandmorepurelyexpectant。
ItwasoneofhertheoriesthatIsabelArcherwasveryfortunateinbeingindependent，andthatsheoughttomakesomeveryenlighteneduseofthatstate。Shenevercalleditthestateofsolitude，muchlessofsingleness。shethoughtsuchdescriptionsweak，and，besides，hersisterLilyconstantlyurgedhertocomeandabide。Shehadafriendwhoseacquaintanceshehadmadeshortlybeforeherfather’sdeath，whoofferedsohighanexampleofusefulactivitythatIsabelalwaysthoughtofherasamodel。HenriettaStackpolehadtheadvantageofanadmiredability。shewasthoroughlylaunchedinjournalism，andherletterstotheInterviewer，fromWashington，Newport，theWhiteMountainsandotherplaces，wereuniversallyquoted。Isabelpronouncedthemwithconfidenceephemeral，butsheesteemedthecourage，energyandgood-humourofthewriter，who，withoutparentsandwithoutproperty，hadadoptedthreeofthechildrenofaninfirmandwidowedsisterandwaspayingtheirschool-billsoutoftheproceedsofherliterarylabour。Henriettawasinthevanofprogressandhadclear-cutviewsonmostsubjects。hercherisheddesirehadlongbeentocometoEuropeandwriteaseriesofletterstotheInterviewerfromtheradicalpointofview-anenterprisethelessdifficultassheknewperfectlyinadvancewhatheropinionswouldbeandtohowmanyobjectionsmostEuropeaninstitutionslayopen。WhensheheardthatIsabelwascomingshewishedtostartatonce。thinking，naturally，thatitwouldbedelightfulthetwoshouldtraveltogether。Shehadbeenobliged，however，topostponethisenterprise。ShethoughtIsabelagloriouscreature，andhadspokenofhercovertlyinsomeofherletters，thoughshenevermentionedthefacttoherfriend，whowouldnothavetakenpleasureinitandwasnotaregularstudentoftheInterviewer。Henrietta，forIsabel，waschieflyaproofthatawomanmightsufficetoherselfandbehappy。Herresourceswereoftheobviouskind。butevenifonehadnotthejournalistictalentandageniusforguessing，asHenriettasaid，whatthepublicwasgoingtowant，onewasnotthereforetoconcludethatonehadnovocation，nobeneficentaptitudeofanysort，andresignone’sselftobeingfrivolousandhollow。Isabelwasstoutlydeterminednottobehollow。Ifoneshouldwaitwiththerightpatienceonewouldfindsomehappyworktoone’shand。Ofcourse，amonghertheories，thisyoungladywasnotwithoutacollectionofviewsonthesubjectofmarriage。
Thefirstonthelistwasaconvictionofthevulgarityofthinkingtoomuchofit。Fromlapsingintoeagernessonthispointsheearnestlyprayedshemightbedelivered。sheheldthatawomanoughttobeabletolivetoherself，intheabsenceofexceptionalflimsiness，andthatitwasperfectlypossibletobehappywithoutthesocietyofamoreorlesscoarse-mindedpersonofanothersex。Thegirl’sprayerwasverysufficientlyanswered。somethingpureandproudthattherewasinher-somethingcoldanddryanunappreciatedsuitorwithatasteforanalysismighthavecalledit-hadhithertokeptherfromanygreatvanityofconjectureonthearticleofpossiblehusbands。Fewofthemenshesawseemedwortharuinousexpenditure，anditmadehersmiletothinkthatoneofthemshouldpresenthimselfasanincentivetohopeandarewardofpatience。Deepinhersoul-itwasthedeepestthingthere-layabeliefthatifacertainlightshoulddawnshecouldgiveherselfcompletely。butthisimage，onthewhole，wastooformidabletobeattractive。
Isabel’sthoughtshoveredaboutit，buttheyseldomrestedonitlong。
afteralittleitendedinalarms。Itoftenseemedtoherthatshethoughttoomuchaboutherself。youcouldhavemadehercolour，anydayintheyear，bycallingherarankegoist。Shewasalwaysplanningoutherdevelopment，desiringherperfection，observingherprogress。Hernaturehad，inherconceit，acertaingarden-likequality，asuggestionofperfumeandmurmuringboughs，ofshadybowersandlengtheningvistas，whichmadeherfeelthatintrospectionwas，afterall，anexerciseintheopenair，andthatavisittotherecessesofone’sspiritwasharmlesswhenonereturnedfromitwithalapfulofroses。Butshewasoftenremindedthattherewereothergardensintheworldthanthoseofherremarkablesoul，andthatthereweremoreoveragreatmanyplaceswhichwerenotgardensatall-
onlyduskypestiferoustracts，plantedthickwithuglinessandmisery。
Inthecurrentofthatrepaidepisodeoncuriosityonwhichshehadlatelybeenfloating，whichhadconveyedhertothisbeautifuloldEnglandandmightcarryhermuchfurtherstill，sheoftencheckedherselfwiththethoughtofthethousandsofpeoplewhowerelesshappythanherself-athoughtwhichforthemomentmadeherfine，fullconsciousnessappearakindofimmodesty。Whatshouldonedowiththemiseryoftheworldinaschemeoftheagreeableforone’sself？
Itmustbeconfessedthatthisquestionneverheldherlong。Shewastooyoung，tooimpatienttolive，toounacquaintedwithpain。Shealwaysreturnedtohertheorythatayoungwomanwhomafteralleveryonethoughtclevershouldbeginbygettingageneralimpressionoflife。Thisimpressionwasnecessarytopreventmistakes，andafteritshouldbesecuredshemightmaketheunfortunateconditionofothersasubjectofspecialattention。
Englandwasarevelationtoher，andshefoundherselfasdivertedasachildatapantomime。InherinfantineexcursionstoEuropeshehadseenonlytheContinent，andseenitfromthenurserywindow。
Paris，notLondon，washerfather’sMecca，andintomanyofhisintereststherehischildrenhadnaturallynotentered。Theimagesofthattimemoreoverhadgrownfaintandremote，andtheold-worldqualityineverythingthatshenowsawhadallthecharmofstrangeness。Heruncle’shouseseemedapicturemadereal。norefinementoftheagreeablewaslostuponIsabel。therichperfectionofGardencourtatoncerevealedaworldandgratifiedaneed。Thelarge，lowrooms，withbrownceilingsandduskycorners，thedeepembrasuresandcuriouscasements，thequietlightondark，polishedpanels，thedeepgreennessoutside，thatseemedalwayspeepingin，thesenseofwell-orderedprivacyinthecentreofaproperty-aplacewheresoundswerefelicitouslyaccidental，wherethetreadwasmuffledbytheearthitselfandinthethickmildairallfrictiondroppedoutofcontactandallshrillnessoutoftalk-
thesethingsweremuchtothetasteofouryounglady，whosetasteplayedaconsiderablepartinheremotions。Sheformedafastfriendshipwithheruncle，andoftensatbyhischairwhenhehadhaditmovedouttothelawn。Hepassedhoursintheopenair，sittingwithfoldedhandslikeaplacid，homelyhouseholdgod，agodofservice，whohaddonehisworkandreceivedhiswagesandwastryingtogrowusedtoweeksandmonthsmadeuponlyofoff-days。Isabelamusedhimmorethanshesuspected-theeffectsheproduceduponpeoplewasoftendifferentfromwhatshesupposed-andhefrequentlygavehimselfthepleasureofmakingherchatter。Itwasbythistermthathequalifiedherconversation，whichhadmuchofthepoint
observableinthatoftheyoungladiesofhercountry，towhomtheearoftheworldismoredirectlypresentedthantotheirsistersinotherlands。LikethemassofAmericangirlsIsabelhadbeenencouragedtoexpressherself。herremarkshadbeenattendedto。shehadbeenexpectedtohaveemotionsandopinions。Manyofheropinionshaddoubtlessbutaslendervalue，manyofheremotionspassedawayintheutterance。buttheyhadleftatraceingivingherthehabitofseemingatleasttofeelandthink，andinimpartingmoreovertoherwordswhenshewasreallymovedthatpromptvividnesswhichsomanypeoplehadregardedasasignofsuperiority。Mr。Touchettusedtothinkthatsheremindedhimofhiswifewhenhiswifewasinherteens。Itwasbecauseshewasfreshandnaturalandquicktounderstand，tospeak-somanycharacteristicsofherniece-thathehadfalleninlovewithMrs。Touchett。Heneverexpressedthisanalogytothegirlherself，however。forifMrs。TouchetthadoncebeenlikeIsabel，IsabelwasnotatalllikeMrs。Touchett。Theoldmanwasfullofkindnessforher。itwasalongtime，ashesaid，sincetheyhadhadanyyounglifeinthehouse。andourrustling，quickly-moving，clear-voicedheroinewasasagreeabletohissenseasthesoundofflowingwater。Hewantedtodosomethingforherandwishedshewouldaskitofhim。Shewouldasknothingbutquestions。itistruethatofthesesheaskedaquantity。Herunclehadagreatfundofanswers，thoughherpressuresometimescameinformsthatpuzzledhim。
ShequestionedhimimmenselyaboutEngland，abouttheBritishconstitution，theEnglishcharacter，thestateofpolitics，themannersandcustomsoftheroyalfamily，thepeculiaritiesofthearistocracy，thewayoflivingandthinkingofhisneighbours。andinbeggingtobeenlightenedonthesepointssheusuallyenquiredwhethertheycorrespondedwiththedescriptionsinthebooks。Theoldmanalwayslookedatheralittlewithhisfinedrysmilewhilehesmootheddowntheshawlspreadacrosshislegs。
Thebooks？heoncesaid。well，Idon’tknowmuchaboutthebooks。
YoumustaskRalphaboutthat。I’vealwaysascertainedformyself-gotmyinformationinthenaturalform。Ineveraskedmanyquestionseven。
Ijustkeptquietandtooknotice。OfcourseI’vehadverygoodopportunities-betterthanwhatayoungladywouldnaturallyhave。I’mofaninquisitivedisposition，thoughyoumightn’tthinkitifyouweretowatchme：howevermuchyoumightwatchmeIshouldbewatchingyoumore。I’vebeenwatchingthesepeopleforupwardsofthirty-fiveyears，andIdon’thesitatetosaythatI’veacquiredconsiderableinformation。It’saveryfinecountryonthewhole-finerperhapsthanwhatwegiveitcreditforontheotherside。ThereareseveralimprovementsIshouldliketoseeintroduced。butthenecessityofthemdoesn’tseemtobegenerallyfeltasyet。Whenthenecessityofathingisgenerallyfelttheyusuallymanagetoaccomplishit。buttheyseemtofeelprettycomfortableaboutwaitingtillthen。IcertainlyfeelmoreathomeamongthemthanIexpectedtowhenIfirstcameover。Isupposeit’sbecauseI’vehadaconsiderabledegreeofsuccess。Whenyou’resuccessfulyounaturallyfeelmoreathome。
DoyousupposethatifI’msuccessfulIshallfeelathome？Isabelasked。
Ishouldthinkitveryprobable，andyoucertainlywillbesuccessful。TheylikeAmericanyoungladiesverymuchoverhere。
theyshowthemagreatdealofkindness。Butyoumustn’tfeeltoomuchathome，youknow。
Oh，I’mbynomeanssureitwillsatisfyme，Isabeljudiciallyemphasized。Iliketheplaceverymuch，butI’mnotsureIshalllikethepeople。
Thepeopleareverygoodpeople。especiallyifyoulikethem。
I’venodoubtthey’regood，Isabelrejoined。butaretheypleasantinsociety？Theywon’trobmenorbeatme。butwilltheymakethemselvesagreeabletome？That’swhatIlikepeopletodo。Idon’thesitatetosayso，becauseIalwaysappreciateit。Idon’tbelievethey’reverynicetogirls。they’renotnicetotheminthenovels。
Idon’tknowaboutthenovels，saidMr。Touchett。Ibelievethenovelshaveagreatdealofability，butIdon’tsupposethey’reveryaccurate。Weoncehadaladywhowrotenovelsstayinghere。shewasafriendofRalph’sandheaskedherdown。Shewasverypositive，quiteuptoeverything。butshewasnotthesortofpersonyoucoulddependonforevidence。Toofreeafancy-Isupposethatwasit。Sheafterwardspublishedaworkoffictioninwhichshewasunderstoodtohavegivenarepresentation-somethinginthenatureofacaricature，asyoumightsay-ofmyunworthyself。Ididn’treadit，butRalphjusthandedmethebookwiththeprincipalpassagesmarked。Itwasunderstoodtobeadescriptionofmyconversation。
Americanpeculiarities，nasaltwang，Yankeenotions，starsandstripes。Well，itwasnotatallaccurate。shecouldn’thavelistenedveryattentively。Ihadnoobjectiontohergivingareportofmyconversation，ifsheliked。butIdidn’tliketheideathatshehadn’ttakenthetroubletolistentoit。OfcourseItalklikeanAmerican-Ican’ttalklikeaHottentot。HoweverItalk，I’vemadethemunderstandmeprettywelloverhere。ButIdon’ttalkliketheoldgentlemaninthatlady’snovel。Hewasn’tanAmerican。wewouldn’thavehimoverthereatanyprice。Ijustmentionthatfacttoshowyouthatthey’renotalwaysaccurate。Ofcourse，asI’venodaughters，andasMrs。TouchettresidesinFlorence，Ihaven’thadmuchchancetonoticeabouttheyoungladies。Itsometimesappearsasiftheyoungwomeninthelowerclasswerenotverywelltreated。butIguesstheirpositionisbetterintheupperandeventosomeextentinthemiddle。
Gracious，Isabelexclaimed。howmanyclasseshavethey？Aboutfifty，Isuppose。
Well，Idon’tknowthatIevercountedthem。Inevertookmuchnoticeoftheclasses。That’stheadvantageofbeinganAmericanhere。
youdon’tbelongtoanyclass。
Ihopeso，saidIsabel。Imagineone’sbelongingtoanEnglishclass！
Well，Iguesssomeofthemareprettycomfortable-especiallytowardsthetop。Butformethereareonlytwoclasses：thepeopleI
trustandthepeopleIdon’t。Ofthosetwo，mydearIsabel，youbelongtothefirst。
I’mmuchobligedtoyou，saidthegirlquickly。Herwayoftakingcomplimentsseemedsometimesratherdry。shegotridofthemasrapidlyaspossible。Butasregardsthisshewassometimesmisjudged，shewasthoughtinsensibletothem，whereasinfactshewassimplyunwillingtoshowhowinfinitelytheypleasedher。Toshowthatwastoshowtoomuch。I’msuretheEnglishareveryconventional，
sheadded。
They’vegoteverythingprettywellfixed，Mr。Touchettadmitted。
It’sallsettledbeforehand-theydon’tleaveittothelastmoment。
Idon’tliketohaveeverythingsettledbeforehand，saidthegirl。
Ilikemoreunexpectedness。
Heruncleseemedamusedatherdistinctnessofpreference。Well，it’ssettledbeforehandthatyou’llhavegreatsuccess，herejoined。Isupposeyou’lllikethat。
Ishallnothavesuccessifthey’retoostupidlyconventional。
I’mnotintheleaststupidlyconventional。I’mjustthecontrary。
That’swhattheywon’tlike。
No，no，you’reallwrong，saidtheoldman。Youcan’ttellwhatthey’lllike。They’reveryinconsistent。that’stheirprincipalinterest。
Ahwell，saidIsabel，standingbeforeherunclewithherhandsclaspedaboutthebeltofherblackdressandlookingupanddownthelawn-thatwillsuitmeperfectly！
CHAPTER7
Thetwoamusedthemselves，timeandagain，withtalkingoftheattitudeoftheBritishpublicasiftheyoungladyhadbeeninapositiontoappealtoit。butinfacttheBritishpublicremainedforthepresentprofoundlyindifferenttoMissIsabelArcher，whosefortunehaddroppedher，ashercousinsaid，intothedullesthouseinEngland。Hergoutyunclereceivedverylittlecompany，andMrs。
Touchett，nothavingcultivatedrelationswithherhusband’sneighbours，wasnotwarrantedinexpectingvisitsfromthem。Shehad，however，apeculiartaste。shelikedtoreceivecards。Forwhatisusuallycalledsocialintercourseshehadverylittlerelish。butnothingpleasedhermorethantofindherhall-tablewhitenedwithoblongmorselsofsymbolicpasteboard。Sheflatteredherselfthatshewasaveryjustwoman，andhadmasteredthesovereigntruththatnothinginthisworldisgotfornothing。ShehadplayednosocialpartasmistressofGardencourt，anditwasnottobesupposedthat，inthesurroundingcountry，aminuteaccountshouldbekeptofhercomingsandgoings。Butitisbynomeanscertainthatshedidnotfeelittobewrongthatsolittlenoticewastakenofthemandthatherfailurereallyverygratuitoustomakeherselfimportantintheneighbourhoodhad，notmuchtodowiththeacrimonyofherallusionstoherhusband’sadoptedcountry。IsabelpresentlyfoundherselfinthesingularsituationofdefendingtheBritishconstitutionagainstheraunt。Mrs。Touchetthavingformedthehabitofstickingpinsintothisvenerableinstrument。Isabelalwaysfeltanimpulsetopulloutthepins。notthatsheimaginedtheyinflictedanydamageonthetougholdparchment，butbecauseitseemedtoherauntmightmakebetteruseofhersharpness。Shewasverycriticalherself-
itwasincidentaltoherage，hersexandhernationality。butshewasverysentimentalaswell，andtherewassomethinginMrs。Touchett’sdrynessthatsetherownmoralfountainsflowing。
Nowwhat’syourpointofview？sheaskedofheraunt。Whenyoucriticizeeverythinghereyoushouldhaveapointofview。Yoursdoesn’tseemtobeAmerican-youthoughteverythingovertheresodisagreeable。WhenIcriticizeIhavemine。it’sthoroughlyAmerican！
Mydearyounglady，saidMrs。Touchett，thereareasmanypointsofviewintheworldastherearepeopleofsensetotakethem。
Youmaysaythatdoesn’tmakethemverynumerous！American？Neverintheworld。that’sshockinglynarrow。Mypointofview，thankGod，ispersonal！
Isabelthoughtthisabetteranswerthansheadmitted。itwasatolerabledescriptionofherownmannerofjudging，butitwouldnothavesoundedwellforhertosayso。OnthelipsofapersonlessadvancedinlifeandlessenlightenedbyexperiencethanMrs。Touchettsuchadeclarationwouldsavourofimmodesty，evenofarrogance。SheriskeditneverthelessintalkingwithRalph，withwhomshetalkedagreatdealandwithwhomherconversationwasofasortthatgavealargelicensetoextravagance。Hercousinused，asthephraseis，tochaffher。heverysoonestablishedwithherareputationfortreatingeverythingasajoke，andhewasnotamantoneglecttheprivilegessuchareputationconferred。Sheaccusedhimofanodiouswantofseriousness，oflaughingatallthings，beginningwithhimself。Suchslenderfacultyofreverenceashepossessedcentredwhollyuponhisfather。fortherest，heexercisedhiswitindifferentlyuponhisfather’sson，thisgentleman’sweaklungs，hisuselesslife，hisfantasticmother，hisfriendsLordWarburtoninespecial，hisadopted，andhisnativecountry，hischarmingnew-foundcousin。I
keepabandofmusicinmyante-room，hesaidoncetoher。Ithasorderstoplaywithoutstopping。itrendersmetwoexcellentservices。
Itkeepsthesoundsoftheworldfromreachingtheprivateapartments，anditmakestheworldthinkthatdancing’sgoingonwithin。Itwasdance-musicindeedthatyouusuallyheardwhenyoucamewithinear-shotofRalph’sband。theliveliestwaltzesseemedtofloatupontheair。Isabeloftenfoundherselfirritatedbythisperpetualfiddling。shewouldhavelikedtopassthroughtheante-room，ashercousincalledit，andentertheprivateapartments。Itmatteredlittlethathehadassuredhertheywereaverydismalplace。shewouldhavebeengladtoundertaketosweepthemandsettheminorder。Itwasbuthalf-hospitalitytoletherremainoutside。topunishhimforwhichIsabeladministeredinnumerabletapswiththeferuleofherstraightyoungwit。Itmustbesaidthatherwitwasexercisedtoalargeextentinself-defence，forhercousinamusedhimselfwithcallingherColumbiaandaccusingherofapatriotismsoheatedthatitscorched。Hedrewacaricatureofherinwhichshewasrepresentedasaveryprettyyoungwomandressed，onthelinesoftheprevailingfashion，inthefoldsofthenationalbanner。
Isabel’schiefdreadinlifeatthisperiodofherdevelopmentwasthatsheshouldappearnarrow-minded。whatshefearednextafterwardswasthatsheshouldreallybeso。Butsheneverthelessmadenoscrupleofaboundinginhercousin’ssenseandpretendingtosighforthecharmsofhernativeland。ShewouldbeasAmericanasitpleasedhimtoregardher，andifhechosetolaughathershewouldgivehimplentyofoccupation。ShedefendedEnglandagainsthismother，butwhenRalphsangitspraisesonpurpose，asshesaid，toworkherup，shefoundherselfabletodifferfromhimonavarietyofpoints。Infact，thequalityofthissmallripecountryseemedassweettoherasthetasteofanOctoberpear。andhersatisfactionwasattherootofthegoodspiritswhichenabledhertotakehercousin’schaffandreturnitinkind。Ifhergood-humourflaggedatmomentsitwasnotbecauseshethoughtherselfill-used，butbecauseshesuddenlyfeltsorryforRalph。Itseemedtoherhewastalkingasablindandhadlittleheartinwhathesaid。
Idon’tknowwhat’sthematterwithyou，sheobservedtohimonce。
butIsuspectyou’reagreathumbug。
That’syourprivilege，Ralphanswered，whohadnotbeenusedtobeingsocrudelyaddressed。
Idon’tknowwhatyoucarefor。Idon’tthinkyoucareforanything。Youdon’treallycareforEnglandwhenyoupraiseit。youdon’tcareforAmericaevenwhenyoupretendtoabuseit。
Icarefornothingbutyou，dearcousin，saidRalph。
IfIcouldbelieveeventhat，Ishouldbeveryglad。
Ahwell，Ishouldhopeso！theyoungmanexclaimed。
Isabelmighthavebelieveditandnothavebeenfarfromthetruth。Hethoughtagreatdealabouther。shewasconstantlypresenttohismind。Atatimewhenhisthoughtshadbeenagooddealofaburdentohimhersuddenarrival，whichpromisednothingandwasanopen-handedgiftoffate，hadrefreshedandquickenedthem，giventhemwingsandsomethingtoflyfor。PoorRalphhadbeenformanyweekssteepedinmelancholy。hisoutlook，habituallysombre，layundertheshadowofadeepercloud。Hehadgrownanxiousabouthisfather，whosegout，hithertoconfinedtohislegs，hadbeguntoascendintoregionsmorevital。Theoldmanhadbeengravelyillinthespring，andthedoctorshadwhisperedtoRalphthatanotherattackwouldbelesseasytodealwith。Justnowheappeareddisburdenedofpain，butRalphcouldnotridhimselfofasuspicionthatthiswasasubterfugeoftheenemy，whowaswaitingtotakehimoffhisguard。Ifthemanoeuvreshouldsucceedtherewouldbelittlehopeofanygreatresistance。Ralphhadalwaystakenforgrantedthathisfatherwouldsurvivehim-thathisownnamewouldbethefirstgrimlycalled。Thefatherandsonhadbeenclosecompanions，andtheideaofbeingleftalonewiththeremnantofatastelesslifeonhishandswasnotgratifyingtotheyoungman，whohadalwaysandtacitlycounteduponhiselder’shelpinmakingthebestofapoorbusiness。AttheprospectoflosinghisgreatmotiveRalphlostindeedhisoneinspiration。Iftheymightdieatthesametimeitwouldbeallverywell。butwithouttheencouragementofhisfather’ssocietyheshouldbarelyhavepatiencetoawaithisownturn。Hehadnottheincentiveoffeelingthathewasindispensabletohismother。itwasarulewithhismothertohavenoregrets。Hebethoughthimselfofcoursethatithadbeenasmallkindnesstohisfathertowishthat，ofthetwo，theactiveratherthanthepassivepartyshouldknowthefeltwound。herememberedthattheoldmanhadalwaystreatedhisownforecastofanearlyendasacleverfallacy，whichheshouldbedelightedtodiscreditsofarashemightbydyingfirst。Butofthetwotriumphs，thatofrefutingasophisticalsonandthatofholdingonawhilelongertoastateofbeingwhich，withallabatements，heenjoyed，RalphdeemeditnosintohopethelattermightbevouchsafedtoMr。Touchett。
Thesewerenicequestions，butIsabel’sarrivalputastoptohispuzzlingoverthem。Itevensuggestedtheremightbeacompensationfortheintolerableennuiofsurvivinghisgenialsire。HewonderedwhetherhewereharbouringloveforthisspontaneousyoungwomanfromAlbany。buthejudgedthatonthewholehewasnot。Afterhehadknownherforaweekhequitemadeuphismindtothis，andeverydayhefeltalittlemoresure。LordWarburtonhadbeenrightabouther。shewasareallyinterestinglittlefigure。Ralphwonderedhowtheirneighbourhadfounditoutsosoon。andthenhesaiditwasonlyanotherproofofhisfriend’shighabilities，whichhehadalwaysgreatlyadmired。Ifhiscousinweretobenothingmorethananentertainmenttohim，Ralphwasconsciousshewasanentertainmentofahighorder。Acharacterlikethat，hesaidtohimself，-areallittlepassionateforcetoseeatplayisthefinestthinginnature。It’sfinerthanthefinestworkofart-thanaGreekbas-relief，thanagreatTitian，thanaGothiccathedral。It’sverypleasanttobesowelltreatedwhereonehadleastlookedforit。I
hadneverbeenmoreblue，morebored，thanforaweekbeforeshecame。
Ihadneverexpectedlessthatanythingpleasantwouldhappen。