Small？Shemadeitsoundimmense。
　　Ithinkhe’snarrow，selfish。Hetakeshimselfsoseriously！
　　Hehasagreatrespectforhimself。Idon’tblamehimforthat，
　　saidIsabel。Itmakesonemoresuretorespectothers。
　　Ralphforamomentfeltalmostreassuredbyherreasonabletone。
　　Yes，buteverythingisrelative。oneoughttofeelone’srelationtothings-toothers。Idon’tthinkMr。Osmonddoesthat。
　　I’vechieflytodowithhisrelationtome。Inthathe’sexcellent。
　　He’stheincarnationoftaste，Ralphwenton，thinkinghardhowhecouldbestexpressGilbertOsmond’ssinisterattributeswithoutputtinghimselfinthewrongbyseemingtodescribehimcoarsely。Hewishedtodescribehimimpersonally，scientifically。Hejudgesandmeasures，approvesandcondemns，altogetherbythat。
　　It’sahappythingthenthathistasteshouldbeexquisite。
　　It’sexquisite，indeed，sinceithasledhimtoselectyouashisbride。Buthaveyoueverseensuchataste-areallyexquisiteone-ruffled？
　　Ihopeitmayneverbemyfortunetofailtogratifymyhusband’s。
　　AtthesewordsasuddenpassionleapedtoRalph’slips。Ah，that’swilful，that’sunworthyofyou！Youwerenotmeanttobemeasuredinthatway-youweremeantforsomethingbetterthantokeepguardoverthesensibilitiesofasteriledilettante！
　　Isabelrosequicklyandhedidthesame，sothattheystoodforamomentlookingateachotherasifhehadflungdownadefianceoraninsult。ButYougotoofar，shesimplybreathed。
　　I’vesaidwhatIhadonmymind-andI’vesaiditbecauseIloveyou！
　　Isabelturnedpale：washetooonthattiresomelist？Shehadasuddenwishtostrikehimoff。Ahthen，you’renotdisinterested！
　　Iloveyou，butIlovewithouthope，saidRalphquickly，forcingasmileandfeelingthatinthatlastdeclarationhehadexpressedmorethanheintended。
　　Isabelmovedawayandstoodlookingintothesunnystillnessofthegarden。butafteralittlesheturnedbacktohim。I’mafraidyourtalkthenisthewildnessofdespair！Idon’tunderstandit-butitdoesn’tmatter。I’mnotarguingwithyou。it’simpossibleIshould。
　　I’veonlytriedtolistentoyou。I’mmuchobligedtoyouforattemptingtoexplain，shesaidgently，asiftheangerwithwhichshehadjustsprunguphadalreadysubsided。It’sverygoodofyoutotrytowarnme，ifyou’rereallyalarmed。butIwon’tpromisetothinkofwhatyou’vesaid：Ishallforgetitassoonaspossible。Tryandforgetityourself。you’vedoneyourduty，andnomancandomore。I
　　can’texplaintoyouwhatIfeel，whatIbelieve，andIwouldn’tifIcould。ShepausedamomentandthenwentonwithaninconsequencethatRalphobservedeveninthemidstofhiseagernesstodiscoversomesymptomofconcession。Ican’tenterintoyourideaofMr。
　　Osmond。Ican’tdoitjustice，becauseIseehiminquiteanotherway。
　　He’snotimportant-no，he’snotimportant。he’samantowhomimportanceissupremelyindifferent。Ifthat’swhatyoumeanwhenyoucallhim’small，’thenhe’sassmallasyouplease。Icallthatlarge-it’sthelargestthingIknow。Iwon’tpretendtoarguewithyouaboutapersonI’mgoingtomarry，Isabelrepeated。I’mnotintheleastconcernedtodefendMr。Osmond。he’snotsoweakastoneedmydefence。IshouldthinkitwouldseemstrangeeventoyourselfthatIshouldtalkofhimsoquietlyandcoldly，asifhewereanyoneelse。Iwouldn’ttalkofhimatalltoanyonebutyou。andyou，afterwhatyou’vesaid-Imayjustansweryouonceforall。Pray，wouldyouwishmetomakeamercenarymarriage-whattheycallamarriageofambition？I’veonlyoneambition-tobefreetofollowoutagoodfeeling。Ihadothersonce，butthey’vepassedaway。DoyoucomplainofMr。Osmondbecausehe’snotrich？That’sjustwhatIlikehimfor。I’vefortunatelymoneyenough。I’veneverfeltsothankfulforitasto-day。TherehavebeenmomentswhenIshouldliketogoandkneeldownbyyourfather’sgrave：hedidperhapsabetterthingthanheknewwhenheputitintomypowertomarryapoorman-amanwhohasbornehispovertywithsuchdignity，withsuchindifference。
　　Mr。Osmondhasneverscramblednorstruggledhehascaredfornoworldlyprize。Ifthat’stobenarrow，ifthat’stobeselfish，thenit’sverywell。I’mnotfrightenedbysuchwords，I’mnotevendispleased。I’monlysorrythatyoushouldmakeamistake。Othersmighthavedoneso，butI’msurprisedthatyoushould。Youmightknowagentlemanwhenyouseeone-youmightknowafinemind。Mr。
　　Osmondmakesnomistakes！Heknowseverything，heunderstandseverything，hehasthekindest，gentlest，highestspirit。You’vegotholdofsomefalseidea。It’sapity，butIcan’thelpit。itregardsyoumorethanme。Isabelpausedamoment，lookingathercousinwithaneyeilluminedbyasentimentwhichcontradictedthecarefulcalmnessofhermanner-amingledsentiment，towhichtheangrypainexcitedbyhiswordsandthewoundedprideofhavingneededtojustifyachoiceofwhichshefeltonlythenoblenessandpurity，equallycontributed。ThoughshepausedRalphsaidnothing。hesawshehadmoretosay。Shewasgrand，butshewashighlysolicitous。shewasindifferent，butshewasallinapassion。Whatsortofapersonshouldyouhavelikedmetomarry？sheaskedsuddenly。Youtalkaboutone’ssoaringandsailing，butifonemarriesatallonetouchestheearth。Onehashumanfeelingsandneeds，onehasaheartinone’sbosom，andonemustmarryaparticularindividual。YourmotherhasneverforgivenmefornothavingcometoabetterunderstandingwithLordWarburton，andshe’shorrifiedatmycontentingmyselfwithapersonwhohasnoneofhisgreatadvantages-noproperty，notitle，nohonours，nohouses，norlands，norposition，norreputation，norbrilliantbelongingsofanysort。
　　It’sthetotalabsenceofallthesethingsthatpleasesme。Mr。
　　Osmond’ssimplyaverylonely，averycultivatedandaveryhonestman-he’snotaprodigiousproprietor。
　　Ralphhadlistenedwithgreatattention，asifeverythingshesaidmeriteddeepconsideration。butintruthhewasonlyhalfthinkingofthethingsshesaid，hewasfortherestsimplyaccommodatinghimselftotheweightofhistotalimpression-theimpressionofherardentgoodfaith。Shewaswrong，butshebelieved。shewasdeluded，butshewasdismallyconsistent。Itwaswonderfullycharacteristicofherthat，havinginventedafinetheoryaboutGilbertOsmond，shelovedhimnotforwhathereallypossessed，butforhisverypovertiesdressedoutashonours。Ralphrememberedwhatbehadsaidtohisfatheraboutwishingtoputitintoherpowertomeettherequirementsofherimagination。Hehaddoneso，andthegirlhadtakenfulladvantageofluxury。PoorRalphfeltsick。hefeltashamed。Isabelhadutteredherlastwordswithalowsolemnityofconvictionwhichvirtuallyterminatedthediscussion，andshecloseditformallybyturningawayandwalkingbacktothehouse。Ralphwalkedbesideher，andtheypassedintothecourttogetherandreachedthebigstaircase。
　　HerehestoppedandIsabelpaused，turningonhimafaceofelation-absolutelyandperverselyofgratitude。Hisoppositionhadmadeherownconceptionofherconductclearertoher。Shallyounotcomeuptobreakfast？sheasked。
　　No。Iwantnobreakfast。I’mnothungry。
　　Yououghttoeat，saidthegirl。youliveonair。
　　Ido，verymuch，andIshallgobackintothegardenandtakeanothermouthful。Icamethusfarsimplytosaythis。ItoldyoulastyearthatifyouweretogetintotroubleIshouldfeelterriblysold。That’showIfeelto-day。
　　DoyouthinkI’mintrouble？
　　One’sintroublewhenone’sinerror。
　　Verywell，saidIsabel。Ishallnevercomplainofmytroubletoyou！
　　Andshemovedupthestaircase。
　　Ralph，standingtherewithhishandsinhispocketsfollowedherwithhiseyes。thenthelurkingchillofthehigh-walledcourtstruckhimandmadehimshiver，sothathereturnedtothegardentobreakfastontheFlorentinesunshine。
　　CHAPTER35
　　Isabel，whenshestrolledintheCascinewithherlover，feltnoimpulsetotellhimhowlittlehewasapprovedatPalazzoCrescentini。
　　Thediscreetoppositionofferedtohermarriagebyherauntandhercousinmadeonthewholenogreatimpressionuponher。themoralofitwassimplythattheydislikedGilbertOsmond。ThisdislikewasnotalarmingtoIsabel。shescarcelyevenregrettedit。foritservedmainlytothrowintohigherreliefthefact，ineverywaysohonourable，thatshemarriedtopleaseherself。Onedidotherthingstopleaseotherpeople。onedidthisforamorepersonalsatisfaction。
　　andIsabel’ssatisfactionwasconfirmedbyherlover’sadmirablegoodconduct。GilbertOsmondwasinlove，andhehadneverdeservedlessthanduringthesestill，brightdays，eachofthemnumbered，whichprecededthefulfilmentofhishopes，theharshcriticismpasseduponhimbyRalphTouchett。ThechiefimpressionproducedonIsabel’sspiritbythiscriticismwasthatthepassionofloveseparateditsvictimterriblyfromeveryonebutthelovedobject。Shefeltherselfdisjoinedfromeveryoneshehadeverknownbefore-fromhertwosisters，whowrotetoexpressadutifulhopethatshewouldbehappy，andasurprise，somewhatmorevague，athernothavingchosenaconsortwhowastheheroofaricheraccumulationofanecdote。fromHenrietta，who，shewassure，wouldcomeout，toolate，onpurposetoremonstrate。fromLordWarburton，whowouldcertainlyconsolehimself，andfromCasparGoodwood，whoperhapswouldnot。fromheraunt，whohadcold，shallowideasaboutmarriage，forwhichshewasnotsorrytodisplayhercontempt。andfromRalph，whosetalkabouthavinggreatviewsforherwassurelybutawhimsicalcoverforapersonaldisappointment。Ralphapparentlywishedhernottomarryatall-thatwaswhatitreallymeant-becausehewasamusedwiththespectacleofheradventuresasasinglewoman。Hisdisappointmentmadehimsayangrythingsaboutthemanshehadpreferredeventohim：
　　IsabelflatteredherselfthatshebelievedRalphhadbeenangry。Itwasthemoreeasyforhertobelievethisbecause，asIsay，shehadnowlittlefreeorunemployedemotionforminorneeds，andacceptedasanincident，infactquiteasanornament，ofherlottheideathattopreferGilbertOsmondasshepreferredhimwasperforcetobreakallotherties。Shetastedofthesweetsofthispreference，andtheymadeherconscious，almostwithawe，oftheinvidiousandremorselesstideofthecharmedandpossessedcondition，greataswasthetraditionalhonourandimputedvirtueofbeinginlove。Itwasthetragicpartofhappiness。one’srightwasalwaysmadeofthewrongofsomeoneelse。
　　Theelationofsuccess，whichsurelynowflamedhighinOsmond，emittedmeanwhileverylittlesmokeforsobrilliantablaze。
　　Contentment，onhispart，tooknovulgarform。excitement，inthemostself-consciousofmen，wasakindofecstasyofself-control。Thisdisposition，however，madehimanadmirablelover。itgavehimaconstantviewofthesmittenanddedicatedstate。Heneverforgothimself，asIsay。andsoheneverforgottobegracefulandtender，toweartheappearance-whichpresentedindeednodifficulty-ofstirredsensesanddeepintentions。Hewasimmenselypleasedwithhisyounglady。MadameMerlehadmadehimapresentofincalculablevalue。
　　Whatcouldbeafinerthingtolivewiththanahighspiritattunedtosoftness？Forwouldnotthesoftnessbeallforone’sself，andthestrenuousnessforsociety，whichadmiredtheairofsuperiority？
　　Whatcouldbeahappiergiftinacompanionthanaquick，fancifulmindwhichsavedonerepetitionsandreflectedone’sthoughtonapolished，elegantsurface？Osmondhatedtoseehisthoughtreproducedliterally-thatmadeitlookstaleandstupid。hepreferredittobefreshenedinthereproductionevenaswordsbymusic。Hisegotismhadnevertakenthecrudeformofdesiringadullwife。thislady’sintelligencewastobeasilverplate，notanearthenone-aplatethathemightheapupwithripefruits，towhichitwouldgiveadecorativevalue，sothattalkmightbecomeforhimasortofserveddessert。HefoundthesilverqualityinthisperfectioninIsabel。hecouldtapherimaginationwithhisknuckleandmakeitring。Heknewperfectly，thoughhehadnotbeentold，thattheirunionenjoyedlittlefavourwiththegirl’srelations。buthehadalwaystreatedhersocompletelyasanindependentpersonthatithardlyseemednecessarytoexpressregretfortheattitudeofherfamily。Nevertheless，onemorning，hemadeanabruptallusiontoit。
　　It’sthedifferenceinourfortunetheydon’tlike，hesaid。TheythinkI’minlovewithyourmoney。
　　Areyouspeakingofmyaunt-ofmycousin？Isabelasked。Howdoyouknowwhattheythink？
　　You’venottoldmethey’repleased，andwhenIwrotetoMrs。
　　Touchetttheotherdaysheneveransweredmynote。IftheyhadbeendelightedIshouldhavehadsomesignofit，andthefactofmybeingpoorandyourichisthemostobviousexplanationoftheirreserve。Butofcoursewhenapoormanmarriesarichgirlhemustbepreparedforimputations。Idon’tmindthem。Ionlycareforonething-foryournothavingtheshadowofadoubt。Idon’tcarewhatpeopleofwhomIasknothingthink-I’mnotevencapableperhapsofwantingtoknow。I’veneversoconcernedmyself，Godforgiveme，andwhyshouldIbeginto-day，whenIhavetakentomyselfacompensationforeverything？Iwon’tpretendI’msorryyou’rerich。
　　I’mdelighted。Idelightineverythingthat’syours-whetheritbemoneyorvirtue。Money’sahorridthingtofollow，butacharmingthingtomeet。Itseemstome，however，thatI’vesufficientlyprovedthelimitsofmyitchforit：Ineverinmylifetriedtoearnapenny，andIoughttobelesssubjecttosuspicionthanmostofthepeopleoneseesgrubbingandgrabbing。Isupposeit’stheirbusinesstosuspect-thatofyourfamily。it’sproperonthewholetheyshould。They’lllikemebettersomeday。sowillyou，forthatmatter。
　　Meanwhilemybusinessisnottomakemyselfbadblood，butsimplytobethankfulforlifeandlove。Ithasmademebetter，lovingyou，
　　hesaidonanotheroccasion。ithasmademewiserandeasierandI
　　won’tpretendtodeny-brighterandnicerandevenstronger。IusedtowantagreatmanythingsbeforeandtobeangryIdidn’thavethem。
　　TheoreticallyIwassatisfied，asIoncetoldyou。IflatteredmyselfIhadlimitedmywants。ButIwassubjecttoirritation。Iusedtohavemorbid，sterile，hatefulfitsofhunger，ofdesire。NowI’mreallysatisfied，becauseIcan’tthinkofanythingbetter。It’sjustaswhenonehasbeentryingtospelloutabookinthetwilightandsuddenlythelampcomesin。Ihadbeenputtingoutmyeyesoverthebookoflifeandfindingnothingtorewardmeformypains。butnowthatIcanreaditproperlyIseeit’sadelightfulstory。Mydeargirl，Ican’ttellyouhowlifeseemstostretchtherebeforeus-whatalongsummerafternoonawaitsus。It’sthelatterhalfofanItalianday-withagoldenhaze，andtheshadowsjustlengthening，andthatdivinedelicacyinthelight，theair，thelandscape，whichI
　　havelovedallmylifeandwhichyouloveto-day。Uponmyhonour，I
　　don’tseewhyweshouldn’tgeton。We’vegotwhatwelike-tosaynothingofhavingeachother。We’vethefacultyofadmirationandseveralcapitalconvictions。We’renotstupid，we’renotmean，we’renotunderbondstoanykindofignoranceordreariness。You’reremarkablyfresh，andI’mremarkablywell-seasoned。We’vemypoorchildtoamuseus。we’lltryandmakeupsomelittlelifeforher。
　　It’sallsoftandmellow-ithastheItaliancolouring。
　　Theymadeagoodmanyplans，buttheyleftthemselvesalsoagooddealoflatitude。itwasamatterofcourse，however，thattheyshouldliveforthepresentinItaly。ItwasinItalythattheyhadmet，Italyhadbeenapartytotheirfirstimpressionsofeachother，andItalyshouldbeapartytotheirhappiness。OsmondhadtheattachmentofoldacquaintanceandIsabelthestimulusofnew，whichseemedtoassureherafutureatahighlevelofconsciousnessofthebeautiful。Thedesireforunlimitedexpansionhadbeensucceededinhersoulbythesensethatlifewasvacantwithoutsomeprivatedutythatmightgatherone’senergiestoapoint。ShehadtoldRalphshehadseenlifeinayearortwoandthatshewasalreadytired，notoftheactofliving，butofthatofobserving。Whathadbecomeofallherardours，heraspirations，hertheories，herhighestimateofherindependenceandherincipientconvictionthatsheshouldnevermarry？Thesethingshadbeenabsorbedinamoreprimitiveneed-aneedtheanswertowhichbrushedawaynumberlessquestions，yetgratifiedinfinitedesires。Itsimplifiedthesituationatastroke，itcamedownfromabovelikethelightofthestars，anditneedednoexplanation。Therewasexplanationenoughinthefactthathewasherlover，herown，andthatsheshouldbeabletobeofusetohim。
　　Shecouldsurrendertohimwithakindofhumility，shecouldmarryhimwithakindofpride。shewasnotonlytaking，shewasgiving。
　　HebroughtPansywithhimtwoorthreetimestotheCascine-Pansywhowasverylittletallerthanayearbefore，andnotmucholder。
　　Thatshewouldalwaysbeachildwastheconvictionexpressedbyherfather，whoheldherbythehandwhenshewasinhersixteenthyearandtoldhertogoandplaywhilehesatdownalittlewiththeprettylady。Pansyworeashortdressandalongcoat。herhatalwaysseemedtoobigforher。Shefoundpleasureinwalkingoff，withquick，shortsteps，totheendofthealley，andtheninwalkingbackwithasmilethatseemedanappealforapprobation。Isabelapprovedinabundance，andtheabundancehadthepersonaltouchthatthechild’saffectionatenaturecraved。Shewatchedherindicationsasifforherselfalsomuchdependedonthem-Pansyalreadysorepresentedpartoftheserviceshecouldrender，partoftheresponsibilityshecouldface。HerfathertooksothechildishviewofherthathehadnotyetexplainedtoherthenewrelationinwhichhestoodtotheelegantMissArcher。Shedoesn’tknow，hesaidtoIsabel。shedoesn’tguess。shethinksitperfectlynaturalthatyouandIshouldcomeandwalkheretogethersimplyasgoodfriends。Thereseemstomesomethingenchantinglyinnocentinthat。it’sthewayIlikehertobe。No，I’mnotafailure，asIusedtothink。I’vesucceededintwothings。I’mtomarrythewomanIadore，andI’vebroughtupmychild，asIwished，intheoldway。
　　Hewasveryfond，inallthings，oftheoldway。thathadstruckIsabelasoneofhisfine，quiet，sincerenotes。Itoccurstomethatyou’llnotknowwhetheryou’vesucceededuntilyou’vetoldher，shesaid。Youmustseehowshetakesyournews。Shemaybehorrified-shemaybejealous。
　　I’mnotafraidofthat。she’stoofondofyouonherownaccount。I
　　shouldliketoleaveherinthedarkalittlelonger-toseeifitwillcomeintoherheadthatifwe’renotengagedweoughttobe。
　　IsabelwasimpressedbyOsmond’sartistic，theplasticview，asitsomehowappeared，ofPansy’sinnocence-herownappreciationofitbeingmoreanxiouslymoral。Shewasperhapsnotthelesspleasedwhenhetoldherafewdayslaterthathehadcommunicatedthefacttohisdaughter，whohadmadesuchaprettylittlespeech-Oh，thenI
　　shallhaveabeautifulsister！
　　Shewasneithersurprisednoralarmed。shehadnotcried，asheexpected。
　　Perhapsshehadguessedit，saidIsabel。
　　Don’tsaythat。IshouldbedisgustedifIbelievedthat。Ithoughtitwouldbejustalittleshock。butthewayshetookitprovesthathergoodmannersareparamount。That’salsowhatIwished。Youshallseeforyourself。to-morrowsheshallmakeyouhercongratulationsinperson。
　　Themeeting，onthemorrow，tookplaceattheCountessGemini’s，whitherPansyhadbeenconductedbyherfather，whoknewthatIsabelwastocomeintheafternoontoreturnavisitmadeherbytheCountessonlearningthattheyweretobecomesisters-in-law。
　　CallingatCasaTouchettthevisitorhadnotfoundIsabelathome。butafterouryoungwomanhadbeenusheredintotheCountess’sdrawing-roomPansyarrivedtosaythatherauntwouldpresentlyappear。Pansywasspendingthedaywiththatlady，whothoughtherofanagetobegintolearnhowtocarryherselfincompany。ItwasIsabel’sviewthatthelittlegirlmighthavegivenlessonsindeportmenttoherrelative，andnothingcouldhavejustifiedthisconvictionmorethanthemannerinwhichPansyacquittedherselfwhiletheywaitedtogetherfortheCountess。Herfather’sdecision，theyearbefore，hadfinallybeentosendherbacktotheconventtoreceivethelastgraces，andMadameCatherinehadevidentlycarriedouthertheorythatPansywastobefittedforthegreatworld。
　　Papahastoldmethatyou’vekindlyconsentedtomarryhim，saidthisexcellentwoman’spupil。It’sverydelightful。Ithinkyou’llsuitverywell。
　　YouthinkIshallsuityou？
　　You’llsuitmebeautifully。butwhatImeanisthatyouandpapawillsuiteachother。You’rebothsoquietandsoserious。You’renotsoquietashe-orevenasMadameMerle。butyou’remorequietthanmanyothers。Heshouldnotforinstancehaveawifelikemyaunt。
　　She’salwaysinmotion，inagitation-to-dayespecially。you’llseewhenshecomesin。Theytoldusattheconventitwaswrongtojudgeourelders，butIsupposethere’snoharmifwejudgethemfavourably。
　　You’llbeadelightfulcompanionforpapa。
　　Foryoutoo，Ihope，Isabelsaid。
　　Ispeakfirstofhimonpurpose。I’vetoldyoualreadywhatI
　　myselfthinkofyou。Ilikedyoufromthefirst。IadmireyousomuchthatIthinkitwillbeagoodfortunetohaveyoualwaysbeforeme。You’llbemymodel。IshalltrytoimitateyouthoughI’mafraiditwillbeveryfeeble。I’mverygladforpapa-heneededsomethingmorethanme。WithoutyouIdon’tseehowhecouldhavegotit。You’llbemystepmother，butwemustn’tusethatword。They’realwayssaidtobecruel。butIdon’tthinkyou’lleversomuchaspinchorevenpushme。I’mnotafraidatall。
　　MygoodlittlePansy，saidIsabelgently，Ishallbeeversokindtoyou。Avague，inconsequentvisionofhercominginsomeoddwaytoneedithadintervenedwiththeeffectofachill。
　　Verywellthen，I’venothingtofear，thechildreturnedwithhernoteofpreparedpromptitude。Whatteachingshehadhad，itseemedtosuggest-orwhatpenaltiesfornon-performanceshedreaded！
　　Herdescriptionofheraunthadnotbeenincorrect。theCountessGeminiwasfurtherthaneverfromhavingfoldedherwings。SheenteredtheroomwithaflutterthroughtheairandkissedIsabelfirstontheforeheadandthenoneachcheekasifaccordingtosomeancientprescribedrite。Shedrewthevisitortoasofaand，lookingatherwithavarietyofturnsofthehead，begantotalkverymuchasif，seatedbrushinhandbeforeaneasel，shewereapplyingaseriesofconsideredtouchestoacompositionoffiguresalreadysketchedin。
　　IfyouexpectmetocongratulateyouImustbegyoutoexcuseme。I
　　don’tsupposeyoucareifIdoornot。Ibelieveyou’resupposednottocare-throughbeingsoclever-forallsortsofordinarythings。
　　ButIcaremyselfifItellfibs。Inevertellthemunlessthere’ssomethingrathergoodtobegained。Idon’tseewhat’stobegainedwithyou-especiallyasyouwouldn’tbelieveme。Idon’tmakeprofessionsanymorethanImakepaperflowersorflounceylampshades-Idon’tknowhow。Mylampshadeswouldbesuretotakefire，myrosesandmyfibstobelargerthanlife。I’mverygladformyownsakethatyou’retomarryOsmond。butIwon’tpretendI’mgladforyours。You’reverybrilliant-youknowthat’sthewayyou’realwaysspokenof。you’reanheiressandverygood-lookingandoriginal，notbanal。soit’sagoodthingtohaveyouinthefamily。Ourfamily’sverygood，youknow。Osmondwillhavetoldyouthat。andmymotherwasratherdistinguished-shewascalledtheAmericanCorinne。Butwe’redreadfullyfallen，Ithink，andperhapsyou’llpickusup。I’vegreatconfidenceinyou。thereareeversomanythingsIwanttotalktoyouabout。Inevercongratulateanygirlonmarrying。I
　　thinktheyoughttomakeitsomehownotquitesoawfulasteeltrap。I
　　supposePansyoughtn’ttohearallthis。butthat’swhatshehascometomefor-toacquirethetoneofsociety。There’snoharminherknowingwhathorrorsshemaybeinfor。WhenfirstIgotanideathatmybrotherhaddesignsonyouIthoughtofwritingtoyou，torecommendyou，inthestrongestterms，nottolistentohim。ThenI
　　thoughtitwouldbedisloyal，andIhateanythingofthatkind。
　　Besides，asIsay，Iwasenchantedformyself。andafterallI’mveryselfish。Bytheway，youwon’trespectme，notonelittlemite，andweshallneverbeintimate。Ishouldlikeit，butyouwon’t。
　　Someday，allthesame，weshallbebetterfriendsthanyouwillbelieveatfirst。Myhusbandwillcomeandseeyou，though，asyouprobablyknow，he’sonnosortoftermswithOsmond。He’sveryfondofgoingtoseeprettywomen，butI’mnotafraidofyou。InthefirstplaceIdon’tcarewhathedoes。Inthesecond，youwon’tcareastrawforhim。hewon’tbeabit，atanytime，youraffair，and，stupidasheis，he’llseeyou’renothis。Someday，ifyoucanstandit，I’lltellyouallabouthim。Doyouthinkmynieceoughttogooutoftheroom？Pansy，goandpractisealittleinmyboudoir。
　　Letherstay，please，saidIsabel。IwouldratherhearnothingthatPansymaynot！
　　CHAPTER36
　　Oneafternoonoftheautumnof1876，towarddusk，ayoungmanofpleasingappearancerangatthedoorofasmallapartmentonthethirdfloorofanoldRomanhouse。OnitsbeingopenedheenquiredforMadameMerle。whereupontheservant，aneat，plainwoman，withaFrenchfaceandalady’smaid’smanner，usheredhimintoadiminutivedrawing-roomandrequestedthefavourofhisname。Mr。
　　EdwardRosier，saidtheyoungman，whosatdowntowaittillhishostessshouldappear。
　　ThereaderwillperhapsnothaveforgottenthatMr。RosierwasanornamentoftheAmericancircleinParis，butitmayalsoberememberedthathesometimesvanishedfromitshorizon。HehadspentaportionofseveralwintersatPau，andashewasagentlemanofconstitutedhabitshemighthavecontinuedforyearstopayhisannualvisittothischarmingresort。Inthesummerof1876，however，anincidentbefellhimwhichchangedthecurrentnotonlyofhisthoughts，butofhiscustomarysequences。HepassedamonthintheUpperEngadineandencounteredatSaintMoritzacharmingyounggirl。Tothislittlepersonhebegantopay，onthespot，particularattention：shestruckhimasexactlythehouseholdangelhehadlongbeenlookingfor。Hewasneverprecipitate，hewasnothingifnotdiscreet，soheforboreforthepresenttodeclarehispassion。butitseemedtohimwhentheyparted-theyoungladytogodownintoItalyandheradmirertoproceedtoGeneva，wherehewasunderbondstojoinotherfriendsthatheshouldberomanticallywretchedifhewerenottoseeheragain。ThesimplestwaytodosowastogointheautumntoRome，whereMissOsmondwasdomiciledwithherfamily。Mr。RosierstartedonhispilgrimagetotheItaliancapitalandreacheditonthefirstofNovember。Itwasapleasantthingtodo，butfortheyoungmantherewasastrainoftheheroicintheenterprise。Hemightexposehimself，unseasoned，tothepoisonoftheRomanair，whichinNovemberlay，notoriously，muchinwait。Fortune，however，favoursthebrave。andthisadventurer，whotookthreegrainsofquinineaday，hadattheendofamonthnocausetodeplorehistemerity。Hehadmadetoacertainextentgooduseofhistime。hehaddevoteditinvaintofindingaflawinPansyOsmond’scomposition。Shewasadmirablyfinished。shehadhadthelasttouch。shewasreallyaconsummatepiece。HethoughtofherinamorousmeditationagooddealashemighthavethoughtofaDresden-chinashepherdess。MissOsmond，indeed，inthebloomofherjuvenility，hadahintoftherococowhichRosier，whosetastewaspredominantlyforthatmanner，couldnotfailtoappreciate。ThatheesteemedtheproductionsofcomparativelyfrivolousperiodswouldhavebeenapparentfromtheattentionhebestoweduponMadameMerle’sdrawing-room，which，althoughfurnishedwithspecimensofeverystyle，wasespeciallyrichinarticlesofthelasttwocenturies。Hehadimmediatelyputaglassintooneeyeandlookedround。andthenByJove，shehassomejollygoodthings！hehadyearninglymurmured。Theroomwassmallanddenselyfilledwithfurniture。itgaveanimpressionoffadedsilkandlittlestatuetteswhichmighttotterifonemoved。Rosiergotupandwanderedaboutwithhiscarefultread，bendingoverthetableschargedwithknick-knacksandthecushionsembossedwithprincelyarms。WhenMadameMerlecameinshefoundhimstandingbeforethefireplacewithhisnoseveryclosetothegreatlaceflounceattachedtothedamaskcoverofthemantel。Hehadlifteditdelicately，asifheweresmellingit。
　　It’soldVenetian，shesaid。it’srathergood。
　　It’stoogoodforthis。yououghttowearit。
　　TheytellmeyouhavesomebetterinParis，inthesamesituation。
　　Ah，butIcan’twearmine，smiledthevisitor。
　　Idon’tseewhyyoushouldn’t！I’vebetterlacethanthattowear。
　　Hiseyeswandered，lingeringly，roundtheroomagain。You’vesomeverygoodthings。
　　Yes，butIhatethem。
　　Doyouwanttogetridofthem？theyoungmanquicklyasked。
　　No，it’sgoodtohavesomethingtohate：oneworksitoff！
　　Ilovemythings，saidMr。Rosierashesatthereflushedwithallhisrecognitions。Butit’snotaboutthem，noraboutyours，thatI
　　cametotalktoyou。
　　Hepausedamomentandthen，withgreatersoftness：IcaremoreforMissOsmondthanforallthebibelotsinEurope！
　　MadameMerleopenedwideeyes。Didyoucometotellmethat？
　　Icametoaskyouradvice。
　　Shelookedathimwithafriendlyfrown，strokingherchinwithherlargewhitehand。Amaninlove，youknow，doesn’taskadvice。
　　Whynot，ifhe’sinadifficultposition？That’softenthecasewithamaninlove。I’vebeeninlovebefore，andIknow。Butneversomuchasthistime-reallyneversomuch。Ishouldlikeparticularlytoknowwhatyouthinkofmyprospects。I’mafraidthatforMr。OsmondI’mnot-well，arealcollector’spiece。
　　Doyouwishmetointercede？MadameMerleaskedwithherfinearmsfoldedandherhandsomemouthdrawnuptotheleft。
　　IfyoucouldsayagoodwordformeIshouldbegreatlyobliged。
　　TherewillbenouseinmytroublingMissOsmondunlessIhavegoodreasontobelieveherfatherwillconsent。
　　You’reveryconsiderate。that’sinyourfavour。Butyouassumeinratheranoff-handwaythatIthinkyouaprize。
　　You’vebeenverykindtome，saidtheyoungman。That’swhyI
　　came。
　　I’malwayskindtopeoplewhohavegoodLouisQuatorze。It’sveryrarenow，andthere’snotellingwhatonemaygetbyit。Withwhichtheleft-handcornerofMadameMerle’smouthgaveexpressiontothejoke。
　　Buthelooked，inspiteofit，literallyapprehensiveandconsistentlystrenuous。Ah，Ithoughtyoulikedmeformyself！
　　Ilikeyouverymuch。but，ifyouplease，wewon’tanalyze。
　　PardonmeifIseempatronizing，butIthinkyouaperfectlittlegentleman。Imusttellyou，however，thatI’venotthemarryingofPansyOsmond。
　　Ididn’tsupposethat。Butyou’veseemedtomeintimatewithherfamily，andIthoughtyoumighthaveinfluence。
　　MadameMerleconsidered。Whomdoyoucallherfamily？
　　Why，herfather。and-howdoyousayitinEnglish？-herbellemere。
　　Mr。Osmond’sherfather，certainly。buthiswifecanscarcelybetermedamemberofherfamily。Mrs。Osmondhasnothingtodowithmarryingher。I’msorryforthat，saidRosierwithanamiablesighofgoodfaith。IthinkMrs。Osmondwouldfavourme。
　　Verylikely-ifherhusbanddoesn’t。
　　Heraisedhiseyebrows。Doesshetaketheoppositelinefromhim？
　　Ineverything。Theythinkquitedifferently。
　　Well，saidRosier，I’msorryforthat。butit’snoneofmybusiness。
　　She’sveryfondofPansy。
　　Yes，she’sveryfondofPansy。
　　AndPansyhasagreataffectionforher。Shehastoldmehowshelovesherasifshewereherownmother。
　　Youmust，afterall，havehadsomeveryintimatetalkwiththepoorchild，saidMadameMerle。Haveyoudeclaredyoursentiments？
　　Never！criedRosier，liftinghisneatly-glovedhand。NevertillI’veassuredmyselfofthoseoftheparents。
　　Youalwayswaitforthat？You’veexcellentprinciples。youobservetheproprieties。
　　Ithinkyou’relaughingatme，theyoungmanmurmured，droppingbackinhischairandfeelinghissmallmoustache。Ididn’texpectthatofyou，MadameMerle。
　　Sheshookherheadcalmly，likeapersonwhosawthingsasshesawthem。Youdon’tdomejustice。Ithinkyourconductinexcellenttasteandthebestyoucouldadopt。Yes，that’swhatIthink。
　　Iwouldn’tagitateher-onlytoagitateher。Ilovehertoomuchforthat，saidNedRosier。
　　I’mglad，afterall，thatyou’vetoldme，MadameMerlewenton。
　　Leaveittomealittle。IthinkIcanhelpyou。
　　Isaidyouwerethepersontocometo！hervisitorcriedwithpromptelation。
　　Youwereveryclever，MadameMerlereturnedmoredryly。WhenI
　　sayIcanhelpyouImeanonceassumingyourcausetobegood。Letusthinkalittleifitis。
　　I’mawfullydecent，youknow，saidRosierearnestly。Iwon’tsayI’venofaults，butI’llsayI’venovices。
　　Allthat’snegative，anditalwaysdepends，also，onwhatpeoplecallvices。What’sthepositiveside？What’sthevirtuous？WhathaveyougotbesidesyourSpanishlaceandyourDresdenteacups？
　　I’veacomfortablelittlefortune-aboutfortythousandfrancsayear。WiththetalentIhaveforarranging，wecanlivebeautifullyonsuchanincome。
　　Beautifully，no。Sufficiently，yes。Eventhatdependsonwhereyoulive。
　　Well，inParis。IwouldundertakeitinParis。
　　MadameMerle’smouthrosetotheleft。Itwouldn’tbefamous。you’dhavetomakeuseoftheteacups，andthey’dgetbroken。
　　Wedon’twanttobefamous。IfMissOsmondshouldhaveeverythingprettyitwouldbeenough。Whenone’sasprettyassheonecanafford-well，quitecheapfaience。Sheoughtnevertowearanythingbutmuslin-withoutthesprig，saidRosierreflectively。
　　Wouldn’tyouevenallowherthesprig？She’dbemuchobligedtoyouatanyrateforthattheory。
　　It’sthecorrectone，Iassureyou。andI’msureshe’denterintoit。Sheunderstandsallthat。that’swhyIloveher。
　　She’saverygoodlittlegirl，andmosttidy-alsoextremelygraceful。
　　Butherfather，tothebestofmybelief，cangivehernothing。
　　Rosierscarcedemurred。Idon’tintheleastdesirethatheshould。
　　ButImayremark，allthesame，thatheliveslikearichman。
　　Themoney’shiswife’s。shebroughthimalargefortune。
　　Mrs。Osmondthenisveryfondofherstepdaughter。shemaydosomething。
　　Foralove-sickswainyouhaveyoureyesaboutyou！MadameMerleexclaimedwithalaugh。
　　Iesteemadotverymuch。Icandowithoutit，butIesteemit。
　　Mrs。Osmond，MadameMerlewenton，willprobablyprefertokeephermoneyforherownchildren。
　　Herownchildren？Surelyshehasnone。
　　Shemayhaveyet。Shehadapoorlittleboy，whodiedtwoyearsago，sixmonthsafterhisbirth。Othersthereforemaycome。
　　Ihopetheywill，ifitwillmakeherhappy。She’sasplendidwoman。MadameMerlefailedtoburstintospeech。Ah，aboutherthere’smuchtobesaid。Splendidasyoulike！We’venotexactlymadeoutthatyou’reaparti。Theabsenceofvicesishardlyasourceofincome。
　　Pardonme，Ithinkitmaybe，saidRosierquitelucidly。You’llbeatouchingcouple，livingonyourinnocence！Ithinkyouunderrateme。
　　You’renotsoinnocentasthat？Seriously，saidMadameMerle，ofcoursefortythousandfrancsayearandanicecharacterareacombinationtobeconsidered。Idon’tsayit’stobejumpedat，buttheremightbeaworseoffer。Mr。Osmond，however，willprobablyinclinetobelievehecandobetter。
　　Hecandosoperhaps。butwhatcanhisdaughterdo？Shecan’tdobetterthanmarrythemansheloves。Forshedoes，youknow，Rosieraddedeagerly。
　　Shedoes-Iknowit。
　　Ah，criedtheyoungman，Isaidyouwerethepersontocometo。
　　ButIdon’tknowhowyouknowit，ifyouhaven’taskedher，MadameMerlewenton。
　　Insuchacasethere’snoneedofaskingandtelling。asyousay，we’reaninnocentcouple。Howdidyouknowit？
　　Iwhoamnotinnocent？Bybeingverycrafty。Leaveittome。I’llfindoutforyou。
　　Rosiergotupandstoodsmoothinghishat。Yousaythatrathercoldly。
　　Don’tsimplyfindouthowitis，buttrytomakeitasitshouldbe。
　　I’lldomybest。I’lltrytomakethemostofyouradvantages。
　　Thankyousoverymuch。MeanwhilethenI’llsayawordtoMrs。
　　Osmond。
　　Gardez-vous-enbien！AndMadameMerlewasonherfeet。Don’tsethergoing，oryou’llspoileverything。
　　Rosiergazedintohishat。hewonderedwhetherhishostesshadbeenafteralltherightpersontocometo。Idon’tthinkI
　　understandyou。I’manoldfriendofMrs。Osmond，andIthinkshewouldlikemetosucceed。
　　Beanoldfriendasmuchasyoulike。themoreoldfriendsshehasthebetter，forshedoesn’tgetonverywellwithsomeofhernew。
　　Butdon’tforthepresenttrytomakehertakeupthecudgelsforyou。
　　Herhusbandmayhaveotherviews，and，asapersonwhowishesherwell，Iadviseyounottomultiplypointsofdifferencebetweenthem。
　　PoorRosier’sfaceassumedanexpressionofalarm。asuitforthehandofPansyOsmondwasevenamorecomplicatedbusinessthanhistasteforpropertransitionshadallowed。Buttheextremegoodsensewhichheconcealedunderasurfacesuggestingthatofacarefulowner’sbestsetcametohisassistance。Idon’tseethatI’mboundtoconsiderMr。Osmondsoverymuch！heexclaimed。
　　No，butyoushouldconsiderher。Yousayyou’reanoldfriend。
　　Wouldyoumakehersuffer？
　　Notfortheworld。
　　Thenbeverycareful，andletthematteralonetillI’vetakenafewsoundings。
　　Letthematteralone，dearMadameMerle？RememberthatI’minlove。
　　Oh，youwon’tburnup！Whydidyoucometome，ifyou’renottoheedwhatIsay？
　　You’reverykind。I’llbeverygood，theyoungmanpromised。
　　ButI’mafraidMr。Osmond’sprettyhard，headdedinhismildvoiceashewenttothedoor。
　　MadameMerlegaveashortlaugh。Ithasbeensaidbefore。Buthiswifeisn’teasyeither。
　　Ah，she’sasplendidwoman！NedRosierrepeated，fordeparture。
　　Heresolvedthathisconductshouldbeworthyofanaspirantwhowasalreadyamodelofdiscretion。buthesawnothinginanypledgehehadgivenMadameMerlethatmadeitimproperheshouldkeephimselfinspiritsbyanoccasionalvisittoMissOsmond’shome。Hereflectedconstantlyonwhathisadviserhadsaidtohim，andturnedoverinhismindtheimpressionofherrathercircumspecttone。Hehadgonetoherdeconfiance，astheyputitinParis。butitwaspossiblehehadbeenprecipitate。Hefounddifficultyinthinkingofhimselfasrash-hehadincurredthisreproachsorarely。butitcertainlywastruethathehadknownMadameMerleonlyforthelastmonth，andthathisthinkingheradelightfulwomanwasnot，whenonecametolookintoit，areasonforassumingthatshewouldbeeagertopushPansyOsmondintohisarms，gracefullyarrangedasthesemembersmightbetoreceiveher。Shehadindeedshownhimbenevolence，andshewasapersonofconsiderationamongthegirl’speople，whereshehadaratherstrikingappearanceRosierhadmorethanoncewonderedhowshemanageditofbeingintimatewithoutbeingfamiliar。Butpossiblyhehadexaggeratedtheseadvantages。Therewasnoparticularreasonwhysheshouldtaketroubleforhim。acharmingwomanwascharmingtoeveryone，andRosierfeltratherafoolwhenhethoughtofhishavingappealedtoheronthegroundthatshehaddistinguishedhim。
　　Verylikely-thoughshehadappearedtosayitinjoke-shewasreallyonlythinkingofhisbibelots。Haditcomeintoherheadthathemightofferhertwoorthreeofthegemsofhiscollection？IfshewouldonlyhelphimtomarryMissOsmondhewouldpresentherwithhiswholemuseum。Hecouldhardlysaysotoheroutright。itwouldseemtoogrossabribe。Butheshouldlikehertobelieveit。
　　ItwaswiththesethoughtsthathewentagaintoMrs。Osmond’s，Mrs。
　　Osmondhavinganevening-shehadtakentheThursdayofeachweekwhenhispresencecouldbeaccountedforongeneralprinciplesofcivility。TheobjectofMr。Rosier’swell-regulatedaffectiondweltinahighhouseintheveryheartofRome。adarkandmassivestructureoverlookingasunnypiazzettaintheneighbourhoodoftheFarnesePalace。Inapalace，too，littlePansylived-apalacebyRomanmeasure，butadungeontopoorRosier’sapprehensivemind。Itseemedtohimofevilomenthattheyoungladyhewishedtomarry，andwhosefastidiousfatherhedoubtedofhisabilitytoconciliate，shouldbeimmuredinakindofdomesticfortress，apilewhichboreasternoldRomanname，whichsmeltofhistoricdeeds，ofcrimeandcraftandviolence，whichwasmentionedinMurrayandvisitedbytouristswholooked，onavaguesurvey，disappointedanddepressed，andwhichhadfrescoesbyCaravaggiointhepianonobileandarowofmutilatedstatuesanddustyurnsinthewide，nobly-archedloggiaoverhangingthedampcourtwhereafountaingushedoutofamossyniche。InalesspreoccupiedframeofmindhecouldhavedonejusticetothePalazzoRoccanera。hecouldhaveenteredintothesentimentofMrs。Osmond，whohadoncetoldhimthatonsettlingthemselvesinRomesheandherhusbandhadchosenthishabitationfortheloveoflocalcolour。Ithadlocalcolourenough，andthoughheknewlessaboutarchitecturethanaboutLimogesenamelshecouldseethattheproportionsofthewindowsandeventhedetailsofthecornicehadquitethegrandair。ButRosierwashauntedbytheconvictionthatatpicturesqueperiodsyounggirlshadbeenshutuptheretokeepthemfromtheirtrueloves，andthen，underthethreatofbeingthrownintoconvents，hadbeenforcedintounholymarriages。Therewasonepoint，however，towhichhealwaysdidjusticewhenoncehefoundhimselfinMrs。Osmond’swarm，rich-lookingreception-rooms，whichwereonthesecondfloor。Heacknowledgedthatthesepeoplewereverystrongingoodthings。ItwasatasteofOsmond’sown-notatallofhers。thisshehadtoldhimthefirsttimehecametothehouse，when，afteraskinghimselfforaquarterofanhourwhethertheyhadevenbetterFrenchthanheinParis，hewasobligedonthespottoadmitthattheyhad，verymuch，andvanquishedhisenvy，asagentlemanshould，tothepointofexpressingtohishostesshispureadmirationofhertreasures。HelearnedfromMrs。Osmondthatherhusbandhadmadealargecollectionbeforetheirmarriageandthat，thoughhehadannexedanumberoffinepieceswithinthelastthreeyears，hehadachievedhisgreatestfindsatatimewhenhehadnottheadvantageofheradvice。Rosierinterpretedthisinformationaccordingtoprinciplesofhisown。Foradvicereadcash，hesaidtohimself。andthefactthatGilbertOsmondhadlandedhishighestprizesduringhisimpecuniousseasonconfirmedhismostcherisheddoctrine-thedoctrinethatacollectormayfreelybepoorifhebeonlypatient。Ingeneral，whenRosierpresentedhimselfonaThursdayevening，hisfirstrecognitionwasforthewallsofthesaloon。therewerethreeorfourobjectshiseyesreallyyearnedfor。ButafterhistalkwithMadameMerlehefelttheextremeseriousnessofhisposition。andnow，whenhecamein，helookedaboutforthedaughterofthehousewithsucheagernessasmightbepermittedagentlemanwhosesmile，ashecrossedathreshold，alwaystookeverythingcomfortableforgranted。
　　CHAPTER37
　　Pansywasnotinthefirstoftherooms，alargeapartmentwithaconcaveceilingandwallscoveredwitholdreddamask。itwashereMrs。Osmondusuallysat-thoughshewasnotinhermostcustomaryplaceto-night-andthatacircleofmorespecialintimatesgatheredaboutthefire。Theroomwasflushedwithsubdued，diffusedbrightness。itcontainedthelargerthingsand-almostalways-anodourofflowers。
　　Pansyonthisoccasionwaspresumablyinthenextoftheseries，theresortofyoungervisitors，whereteawasserved。Osmondstoodbeforethechimney，leaningbackwithhishandsbehindhim。hehadonefootupandwaswarmingthesole。Halfadozenpersons，scatterednearhim，weretalkingtogether。buthewasnotintheconversation。hiseyeshadanexpression，frequentwiththem，thatseemedtorepresentthemasengagedwithobjectsmoreworththeirwhilethantheappearancesactuallythrustuponthem。Rosier，cominginunannounced，failedtoattracthisattention。buttheyoungman，whowasverypunctilious，thoughhewasevenexceptionallyconsciousthatitwasthewife，notthehusband，hehadcometosee，wentuptoshakehandswithhim。Osmondputouthislefthand，withoutchanginghisattitude。
　　Howd’yedo？Mywife’ssomewhereabout。
　　Neverfear。Ishallfindher，saidRosiercheerfully。
　　Osmond，however，tookhimin。hehadneverinhislifefelthimselfsoefficientlylookedat。MadameMerlehastoldhim，andhedoesn’tlikeit，heprivatelyreasoned。HehadhopedMadameMerlewouldbethere，butshewasnotinsight。perhapsshewasinoneoftheotherroomsorwouldcomelater。HehadneverespeciallydelightedinGilbertOsmond，havingafancyhegavehimselfairs。ButRosierwasnotquicklyresentful，andwherepolitenesswasconcernedhadeverastrongneedofbeingquiteintheright。Helookedroundhimandsmiled，allwithouthelp，andtheninamoment，IsawajollygoodpieceofCapodiMonteto-day，hesaid。
　　Osmondanswerednothingatfirst。butpresently，whilehewarmedhisboot-sole，Idon’tcareafigforCapodiMonte！hereturned。
　　Ihopeyou’renotlosingyourinterest？
　　Inoldpotsandplates？Yes，I’mlosingmyinterest。
　　Rosierforaninstantforgotthedelicacyofhisposition。You’renotthinkingofpartingwitha-apieceortwo？
　　No，I’mnotthinkingofpartingwithanythingatall，Mr。
　　Rosier，saidOsmond，withhiseyesstillontheeyesofhisvisitor。
　　Ah，youwanttokeep，butnottoadd，Rosierremarkedbrightly。
　　Exactly。I’venothingIwishtomatch。
　　PoorRosierwasawarehehadblushed。hewasdistressedathiswantofassurance。Ah，well，Ihave！wasallhecouldmurmur。andheknewhismurmurwaspartlylostasheturnedaway。HetookhiscoursetotheadjoiningroomandmetMrs。Osmondcomingoutofthedeepdoorway。Shewasdressedinblackvelvet。shelookedhighandsplendid，ashehadsaid，andyetohsoradiantlygentle！WeknowwhatMr。Rosierthoughtofherandthetermsinwhich，toMadameMerle，hehadexpressedhisadmiration。Likehisappreciationofherdearlittlestepdaughteritwasbasedpartlyonhiseyefordecorativecharacter，hisinstinctforauthenticity。butalsoonasenseforuncataloguedvalues，forthatsecretofalustrebeyondanyrecordedlosingorrediscovering，whichhisdevotiontobrittlewareshadstillnotdisqualifiedhimtorecognize。Mrs。Osmond，atpresent，mightwellhavegratifiedsuchtastes。Theyearshadtouchedheronlytoenrichher。theflowerofheryouthhadnotfaded，itonlyhungmorequietlyonitsstem。Shehadlostsomethingofthatquickeagernesstowhichherhusbandhadprivatelytakenexception-shehadmoretheairofbeingabletowait。Now，atallevents，framedinthegildeddoorway，shestruckouryoungmanasthepictureofagraciouslady。
　　YouseeI’mveryregular，hesaid。ButwhoshouldbeifI’mnot？
　　Yes，I’veknownyoulongerthananyonehere。Butwemustn’tindulgeintenderreminiscences。Iwanttointroduceyoutoayounglady。
　　Ah，please，whatyounglady？Rosierwasimmenselyobliging。butthiswasnotwhathehadcomefor。
　　Shesitstherebythefireinpinkandhasnoonetospeakto。
　　Rosierhesitatedamoment。Can’tMr。Osmondspeaktoher？He’swithinsixfeetofher。
　　Mrs。Osmondalsohesitated。She’snotverylively，andbedoesn’tlikedullpeople。
　　Butshe’sgoodenoughforme？Ahnow，that’shard！
　　Ionlymeanthatyou’veideasfortwo。Andthenyou’resoobliging。
　　Soisyourhusband。
　　No，he’snot-tome。AndMrs。Osmondvaguelysmiled。
　　That’sasignheshouldbedoublysotootherwomen。
　　SoItellhim，shesaid，stillsmiling。
　　YouseeIwantsometea，Rosierwenton，lookingwistfullybeyond。
　　That’sperfect。Goandgivesometomyyounglady。
　　Verygood。butafterthatI’llabandonhertoherfate。ThesimpletruthisI’mdyingtohavealittletalkwithMissOsmond。
　　Ah，saidIsabel，turningaway，Ican’thelpyouthere！
　　Fiveminuteslater，whilehehandedatea-cuptothedamselinpink，whomhehadconductedintotheotherroom，hewonderedwhether，inmakingtoMrs。OsmondtheprofessionIhavejustquoted，hehadbrokenthespiritofhispromisetoMadameMerle。Suchaquestionwascapableofoccupyingthisyoungman’smindforaconsiderabletime。Atlast，however，hebecame-comparativelyspeaking-reckless。hecaredlittlewhatpromiseshemightbreak。Thefatetowhichhehadthreatenedtoabandonthedamselinpinkprovedtobenonesoterrible。forPansyOsmond，whohadgivenhimtheteaforhiscompanion-Pansywasasfondaseverofmakingtea-presentlycameandtalkedtoher。IntothismildcolloquyEdwardRosierenteredlittle。hesatbymoodily，watchinghissmallsweetheart。Ifwelookathernowthroughhiseyesweshallatfirstnotseemuchtoremindusoftheobedientlittlegirlwho，atFlorence，threeyearsbefore，wassenttowalkshortdistancesintheCascinewhileherfatherandMissArchertalkedtogetherofmatterssacredtoelderpeople。ButafteramomentweshallperceivethatifatnineteenPansyhasbecomeayoungladyshedoesn’treallyfilloutthepart。thatifshehasgrownveryprettyshelacksinadeplorabledegreethequalityknownandesteemedintheappearanceoffemalesasstyle。andthatifsheisdressedwithgreatfreshnessshewearshersmartattirewithanundisguisedappearanceofsavingit-verymuchasifitwerelentherfortheoccasion。EdwardRosier，itwouldseem，wouldhavebeenjustthemantonotethesedefects。andinpointoffacttherewasnotaqualityofthisyounglady，ofanysort，thathehadnotnoted。Onlyhecalledherqualitiesbynamesofhisown-someofwhichindeedwerehappyenough。No，she’sunique-she’sabsolutelyunique，heusedtosaytohimself。andyoumaybesurethatnotforaninstantwouldhehaveadmittedtoyouthatshewaswantinginstyle。Style？Why，shehadthestyleofalittleprincess。ifyoucouldn’tseeityouhadnoeye。Itwasnotmodern，itwasnotconscious，itwouldproducenoimpressioninBroadway。thesmall，seriousdamsel，inherstifflittledress，onlylookedlikeanInfantaofVelasquez。ThiswasenoughforEdwardRosier，whothoughtherdelightfullyold-fashioned。Heranxiouseyes，hercharminglips，herslipofafigure，wereastouchingasachildishprayer。Hehadnowanacutedesiretoknowjusttowhatpointshelikedhim-adesirewhichmadehimfidgetashesatinhischair。
　　Itmadehimfeelhot，sothathehadtopathisforeheadwithhishandkerchief。hehadneverbeensouncomfortable。Shewassuchaperfectjeunefille，andonecouldn’tmakeofajeunefilletheenquiryrequisiteforthrowinglightonsuchapoint。AjeunefillewaswhatRosierhadalwaysdreamedof-ajeunefillewhoshouldyetnotbeFrench，forhehadfeltthatthisnationalitywouldcomplicatethequestion。HewassurePansyhadneverlookedatanewspaperandthat，inthewayofnovels，ifshehadreadSirWalterScottitwastheverymost。AnAmericanjeunefille-whatcouldbebetterthanthat？
　　Shewouldbefrankandgay，andyetwouldnothavewalkedalone，norhavereceivedlettersfrommen，norhavebeentakentothetheatretoseethecomedyofmanners。Rosiercouldnotdenythat，asthematterstood，itwouldbeabreachofhospitalitytoappealdirectlytothisunsophisticatedcreature。buthewasnowinimminentdangerofaskinghimselfifhospitalitywerethemostsacredthingintheworld。
　　WasnotthesentimentthatheentertainedforMissOsmondofinfinitelygreaterimportance？Ofgreaterimportancetohim-yes。butnotprobablytothemasterofthehouse。Therewasonecomfort。evenifthisgentlemanhadbeenplacedonhisguardbyMadameMerlehewouldnothaveextendedthewarningtoPansy。itwouldnothavebeenpartofhispolicytoletherknowthataprepossessingyoungmanwasinlovewithher。Buthewasinlovewithher，theprepossessingyoungman。andalltheserestrictionsofcircumstancehadendedbyirritatinghim。WhathadGilbertOsmondmeantbygivinghimtwofingersofhislefthand？IfOsmondwasrude，surelyhehimselfmightbebold。Hefeltextremelyboldafterthedullgirlinsovainadisguiseofrose-colourhadrespondedtothecallofhermother，whocameintosay，withasignificantsimperatRosier，thatshemustcarryherofftoothertriumphs。Themotheranddaughterdepartedtogether，andnowitdependedonlyuponhimthatheshouldbevirtuallyalonewithPansy。Hehadneverbeenalonewithherbefore。
　　hehadneverbeenalonewithajeunefille。Itwasagreatmoment。
　　poorRosierbegantopathisforeheadagain。Therewasanotherroombeyondtheoneinwhichtheystood-asmallroomthathadbeenthrownopenandlighted，butthat，thecompanynotbeingnumerous，hadremainedemptyalltheevening。Itwasemptyyet。itwasupholsteredinpaleyellow。therewereseverallamps。throughtheopendooritlookedtheverytempleofauthorizedlove。Rosiergazedamomentthroughthisaperture。hewasafraidthatPansywouldrunaway，andfeltalmostcapableofstretchingoutahandtodetainher。Butshelingeredwheretheothermaidenhadleftthem，makingnomotiontojoinaknotofvisitorsonthefarsideoftheroom。Foralittleitoccurredtohimthatshewasfrightened-toofrightenedperhapstomove。butasecondglanceassuredhimshewasnot，andhethenreflectedthatshewastooinnocentindeedforthat。Afterasupremehesitationheaskedherifhemightgoandlookattheyellowroom，whichseemedsoattractiveyetsovirginal。HehadbeentherealreadywithOsmond，toinspectthefurniture，whichwasoftheFirstFrenchEmpire，andespeciallytoadmiretheclockwhichhedidn’treallyadmire，animmenseclassicstructureofthatperiod。Hethereforefeltthathehadnowbeguntomanoeuvre。
　　Certainly，youmaygo，saidPansy。andifyoulikeI’llshowyou。Shewasnotintheleastfrightened。
　　That’sjustwhatIhopedyou’dsay。you’resoverykind，Rosiermurmured。
　　Theywentintogether。Rosierreallythoughttheroomveryugly，anditseemedcold。ThesameideaappearedtohavestruckPansy。It’snotforwinterevenings。it’sforsummer，shesaid。It’spapa’staste。
　　hehassomuch。
　　Hehadagooddeal，Rosierthought。butsomeofitwasverybad。
　　Helookedabouthim。hehardlyknewwhattosayinsuchasituation。
　　Doesn’tMrs。Osmondcarehowherroomsaredone？Hasshenotaste？heasked。
　　Ohyes，agreatdeal。butit’smoreforliterature，saidPansy-andforconversation。Butpapacaresalsoforthosethings。I
　　thinkheknowseverything。
　　Rosierwassilentalittle。There’sonethingI’msureheknows！
　　hebrokeoutpresently。HeknowsthatwhenIcomehereit’s，withallrespecttohim，withallrespecttoMrs。Osmond，who’ssocharming-it’sreally，saidtheyoungman，toseeyou！
　　Toseeme？AndPansyraisedhervaguely-troubledeyes。
　　Toseeyou。that’swhatIcomefor，Rosierrepeated，feelingtheintoxicationofarupturewithauthority。
　　Pansystoodlookingathim，simply，intently，openly。ablushwasnotneededtomakeherfacemoremodest。Ithoughtitwasforthat。
　　Anditwasnotdisagreeabletoyou？
　　Icouldn’ttell。Ididn’tknow。Younevertoldme，saidPansy。
　　Iwasafraidofoffendingyou。
　　Youdon’toffendme，theyounggirlmurmured，smilingasifanangelhadkissedher。
　　Youlikemethen，Pansy？Rosieraskedverygently，feelingveryhappy。
　　Yes-Ilikeyou。
　　Theyhadwalkedtothechimney-piecewherethebigcoldEmpireclockwasperched。theywerewellwithintheroomandbeyondobservationfromwithout。Thetoneinwhichshehadsaidthesefourwordsseemedtohimtheverybreathofnature，andhisonlyanswercouldbetotakeherhandandholditamoment。Thenheraisedittohislips。Shesubmitted，stillwithherpure，trustingsmile，inwhichtherewassomethingineffablypassive。Shelikedhim-shehadlikedhimallthewhile。nowanythingmighthappen！Shewasready-shehadbeenreadyalways，waitingforhimtospeak。Ifhehadnotspokenshewouldhavewaitedforever。butwhenthewordcameshedroppedlikethepeachfromtheshakentree。Rosierfeltthatifheshoulddrawhertowardhimandholdhertohisheartshewouldsubmitwithoutamurmur，wouldresttherewithoutaquestion。ItwastruethatthiswouldbearashexperimentinayellowEmpiresalottino。Shehadknownitwasforherhecame，andyetlikewhataperfectlittleladyshehadcarrieditoff！
　　You’reverydeartome，hemurmured，tryingtobelievethattherewasafterallsuchathingashospitality。
　　Shelookedamomentatherhand，wherehehadkissedit。Didyousaypapaknows？
　　Youtoldmejustnowheknowseverything。
　　Ithinkyoumustmakesure，saidPansy。
　　Ah，mydear，whenonceI’msureofyou！Rosiermurmuredinherear。whereuponsheturnedbacktotheotherroomswithalittleairofconsistencywhichseemedtoimplythattheirappealshouldbeimmediate。
　　TheotherroomsmeanwhilehadbecomeconsciousofthearrivalofMadameMerle，who，wherevershewent，producedanimpressionwhensheentered。Howshediditthemostattentivespectatorcouldnothavetoldyou，forsheneitherspokeloud，norlaughedprofusely，normovedrapidly，nordressedwithsplendour，norappealedinanyappreciablemannertotheaudience。Large，fair，smiling，serene，therewassomethinginherverytranquillitythatdiffuseditself，andwhenpeoplelookedarounditwasbecauseofasuddenquiet。Onthisoccasionshehaddonethequietestthingshecoulddo。afterembracingMrs。Osmond，whichwasmorestriking，shehadsatdownonasmallsofatocommunewiththemasterofthehouse。Therewasabriefexchangeofcommonplacesbetweenthesetwo-theyalwayspaid，inpublic，acertainformaltributetothecommonplace-andthenMadameMerle，whoseeyeshadbeenwandering，askediflittleMr。Rosierhadcomethisevening。
　　Hecamenearlyanhourago-buthehasdisappeared，Osmondsaid。
　　Andwhere’sPansy？
　　Intheotherroom。Thereareseveralpeoplethere。
　　He’sprobablyamongthem，saidMadameMerle。
　　Doyouwishtoseehim？Osmondaskedinaprovokinglypointlesstone。
　　MadameMerlelookedathimamoment。shekneweachofhistonestotheeighthofanote。Yes，IshouldliketosaytohimthatI’vetoldyouwhathewants，andthatitinterestsyoubutfeebly。
　　Don’ttellhimthat。He’lltrytointerestmemore-whichisexactlywhatIdon’twant。TellhimIhatehisproposal。
　　Butyoudon’thateit。
　　Itdoesn’tsignify。Idon’tloveit。Ilethimseethat，myself，thisevening。Iwasrudetohimonpurpose。Thatsortofthing’sagreatbore。There’snohurry。
　　I’lltellhimthatyou’lltaketimeandthinkitover。
　　No，don’tdothat。He’llhangon。
　　IfIdiscouragehimhe’lldothesame。
　　Yes，butintheonecasehe’lltrytotalkandexplain-whichwouldbeexceedinglytiresome。Intheotherhe’llprobablyholdhistongueandgoinforsomedeepergame。Thatwillleavemequiet。I
　　hatetalkingwithadonkey。
　　IsthatwhatyoucallpoorMr。Rosier？
　　Oh，he’sanuisance-withhiseternalmajolica。
　　MadameMerledroppedhereyes。shehadafaintsmile。He’sagentleman，hehasacharmingtemper。and，afterall，anincomeoffortythousandfrancs！
　　It’smisery-’genteel’misery，Osmondbrokein。It’snotwhatI’vedreamedofforPansy。
　　Verygoodthen。Hehaspromisedmenottospeaktoher。
　　Doyoubelievehim？Osmondaskedabsent-mindedly。
　　Perfectly。Pansyhasthoughtagreatdealabouthim。butIdon’tsupposeyouconsiderthatthatmatters。
　　Idon’tconsideritmattersatall。butneitherdoIbelieveshehasthoughtofhim。
　　Thatopinion’smoreconvenient，saidMadameMerlequietly。
　　Hasshetoldyoushe’sinlovewithhim？
　　Forwhatdoyoutakeher？Andforwhatdoyoutakeme？MadameMerleaddedinamoment。
　　Osmondhadraisedhisfootandwasrestinghisslimankleontheotherknee。heclaspedhisankleinhishandfamiliarly-hislong，fineforefingerandthumbcouldmakearingforit-andgazedawhilebeforehim。Thiskindofthingdoesn’tfindmeunprepared。It’swhatI
　　educatedherfor。Itwasallforthis-thatwhensuchacaseshouldcomeupsheshoulddowhatIprefer。
　　I’mnotafraidthatshe’llnotdoit。
　　Wellthen，where’sthehitch？
　　Idon’tseeany。But，allthesame，IrecommendyounottogetridofMr。
　　Rosier。Keephimonhand。hemaybeuseful。
　　Ican’tkeephim。Keephimyourself。
　　Verygood。I’llputhimintoacornerandallowhimsomuchaday。
　　MadameMerlehad，forthemostpart，whiletheytalked，beenglancingabouther。itwasherhabitinthissituation，justasitwasherhabittointerposeagoodmanyblank-lookingpauses。AlongdropfollowedthelastwordsIhavequoted。andbeforeithadendedshesawPansycomeoutoftheadjoiningroom，followedbyEdwardRosier。ThegirladvancedafewstepsandthenstoppedandstoodlookingatMadameMerleandatherfather。
　　Hehasspokentoher，MadameMerlewentontoOsmond。
　　Hercompanionneverturnedhishead。Somuchforyourbeliefinhispromises。Heoughttobehorse-whipped。
　　Heintendstoconfess，poorlittleman！
　　Osmondgotup。hehadnowtakenasharplookathisdaughter。Itdoesn’tmatter，hemurmured，turningaway。
　　PansyafteramomentcameuptoMadameMerlewithherlittlemannerofunfamiliarpoliteness。Thislady’sreceptionofherwasnotmoreintimate。shesimply，assherosefromthesofa，gaveherafriendlysmile。
　　You’reverylate，theyoungcreaturegentlysaid。
　　Mydearchild，I’mneverlaterthanIintendtobe。
　　MadameMerlehadnotgotuptobegracioustoPansy。shemovedtowardEdwardRosier。Hecametomeetherand，veryquickly，asiftogetitoffhismind，I’vespokentoher！hewhispered。
　　Iknowit，Mr。Rosier。
　　Didshetellyou？
　　Yes，shetoldme。Behaveproperlyfortherestoftheevening，andcomeandseemeto-morrowataquarterpastfive。Shewassevere，andinthemannerinwhichsheturnedherbacktohimtherewasadegreeofcontemptwhichcausedhimtomutteradecentimprecation。
　　HehadnointentionofspeakingtoOsmond。itwasneitherthetimenortheplace。ButheinstinctivelywanderedtowardIsabel，whosattalkingwithanoldlady。Hesatdownontheothersideofher。theoldladywasItalian，andRosiertookforgrantedsheunderstoodnoEnglish。Yousaidjustnowyouwouldn’thelpme，hebegantoMrs。
　　Osmond。Perhapsyou’llfeeldifferentlywhenyouknow-whenyouknow-！
　　Isabelmethishesitation。WhenIknowwhat？
　　Thatshe’sallright。
　　Whatdoyoumeanbythat？
　　Well，thatwe’vecometoanunderstanding。
　　She’sallwrong，saidIsabel。Itwon’tdo。
　　PoorRosiergazedatherhalf-pleadingly，half-angrily。asuddenflushtestifiedtohissenseofinjury。I’veneverbeentreatedso，hesaid。Whatisthereagainstme，afterall？That’snotthewayI’musuallyconsidered。Icouldhavemarriedtwentytimes。
　　It’sapityyoudidn’t。Idon’tmeantwentytimes，butoncecomfortably，Isabeladded，smilingkindly。You’renotrichenoughforPansy。Shedoesn’tcareastrawforone’smoney。
　　No，butherfatherdoes。
　　Ahyes，hehasprovedthat！criedtheyoungman。