Isabelgotup，turningawayfromhim，leavingheroldladywithoutceremony。andheoccupiedhimselfforthenexttenminutesinpretendingtolookatGilbertOsmond’scollectionofminiatures，whichwereneatlyarrangedonaseriesofsmallvelvetscreens。Buthelookedwithoutseeing。hischeekburned。hewastoofullofhissenseofinjury。Itwascertainthathehadneverbeentreatedthatwaybefore。hewasnotusedtobeingthoughtnotgoodenough。Heknewhowgoodhewas，andifsuchafallacyhadnotbeensopernicioushecouldhavelaughedatit。HesearchedagainforPansy，butshehaddisappeared，andhismaindesirewasnowtogetoutofthehouse。BeforedoingsohespokeoncemoretoIsabel。itwasnotagreeabletohimtoreflectthathehadjustsaidarudethingtoher-theonlypointthatwouldnowjustifyalowviewofhim。
IreferredtoMr。OsmondasIshouldn’thavedone，awhileago，hebegan。Butyoumustremembermysituation。
Idon’trememberwhatyousaid，sheansweredcoldly。
Ah，you’reoffended，andnowyou’llneverhelpme。
Shewassilentaninstant，andthenwithachangeoftone：It’snotthatIwon’t。Isimplycan’t！Hermannerwasalmostpassionate。
Ifyoucould，justalittle，I’dneveragainspeakofyourhusbandsaveasanangel。
Theinducement’sgreat，saidIsabelgravely-inscrutably，asheafterwards，tohimself，calledit。andshegavehim，straightintheeyes，alookwhichwasalsoinscrutable。Itmadehimremembersomehowthathehadknownherasachild。andyetitwaskeenerthanheliked，andhetookhimselfoff。
CHAPTER38
HewenttoseeMadameMerleonthemorrow，andtohissurpriseshelethimoffrathereasily。Butshemadehimpromisethathewouldstoptheretillsomethingshouldhavebeendecided。Mr。Osmondhadhadhigherexpectations。itwasverytruethatashehadnointentionofgivinghisdaughteraportionsuchexpectationswereopentocriticismoreven，ifonewould，toridicule。ButshewouldadviseMr。Rosiernottotakethattone。ifhewouldpossesshissoulinpatiencehemightarriveathisfelicity。Mr。Osmondwasnotfavourabletohissuit，butitwouldn’tbeamiracleifheshouldgraduallycomeround。Pansywouldneverdefyherfather，hemightdependonthat。
sonothingwastobegainedbyprecipitation。Mr。Osmondneededtoaccustomhismindtoanofferofasortthathehadnothithertoentertained，andthisresultmustcomeofitself-itwasuselesstotrytoforceit。Rosierremarkedthathisownsituationwouldbeinthemeanwhilethemostuncomfortableintheworld，andMadMerleassuredhimthatshefeltforhim。But，asshejustlydeclared，onecouldn’thaveeverythingonewanted。shehadlearnedthatlessonforherself。
TherewouldbenouseinhiswritingtoGilbertOsmond，whohadchargedhertotellhimasmuch。HewishedthematterdroppedforafewweeksandwouldhimselfwritewhenheshouldhaveanythingtocommunicatethatitmightpleaseMr。Rosiertohear。
Hedoesn’tlikeyourhavingspokentoPansy。Ah，hedoesn’tlikeitatall，saidMadameMerle。
I’mperfectlywillingtogivehimachancetotellmeso！
Ifyoudothathe’lltellyoumorethanyoucaretohear。Gotothehouse，forthenextmonth，aslittleaspossible，andleavetheresttome。
Aslittleaspossible？Who’stomeasurethepossibility？
Letmemeasureit。GoonThursdayeveningswiththerestoftheworld，butdon’tgoatallatoddtimes，anddon’tfretaboutPansy。
I’llseethatsheunderstandseverything。She’sacalmlittlenature。she’lltakeitquietly。
EdwardRosierfrettedaboutPansyagooddeal，buthedidashewasadvised，andawaitedanotherThursdayeveningbeforereturningtoPalazzoRoccanera。Therehadbeenapartyatdinner，sothatthoughhewentearlythecompanywasalreadytolerablynumerous。Osmond，asusual，wasinthefirstroom，nearthefire，staringstraightatthedoor，sothat，nottobedistinctlyuncivil，Rosierhadtogoandspeaktohim。
I’mgladthatyoucantakeahint，Pansy’sfathersaid，slightlyclosinghiskeen，consciouseyes。
Itakenohints。ButItookamessage，asIsupposedittobe。
Youtookit？Wheredidyoutakeit？
ItseemedtopoorRosierhewasbeinginsulted，andhewaitedamoment，askinghimselfhowmuchatrueloveroughttosubmitto。
MadameMerlegaveme，asIunderstoodit，amessagefromyou-totheeffectthatyoudeclinedtogivemetheopportunityIdesire，theopportunitytoexplainmywishestoyou。Andheflatteredhimselfhespokerathersternly。
Idon’tseewhatMadameMerlehastodowithit。WhydidyouapplytoMadameMerle？
Iaskedherforanopinion-fornothingmore。Ididsobecauseshehadseemedtometoknowyouverywell。
Shedoesn’tknowmesowellasshethinks，saidOsmond。
I’msorryforthat，becauseshehasgivenmesomelittlegroundforhope。
Osmondstaredintothefireamoment。Isetagreatpriceonmydaughter。
Youcan’tsetahigheronethanIdo。Don’tIproveitbywishingtomarryher？
Iwishtomarryherverywell，Osmondwentonwithadryimpertinencewhich，inanothermood，poorRosierwouldhaveadmired。
OfcourseIpretendshe’dmarrywellinmarryingme。Shecouldn’tmarryamanwholoveshermore-orwhom，Imayventuretoadd，shelovesmore。
I’mnotboundtoacceptyourtheoriesastowhommydaughterloves-andOsmondlookedupwithaquick，coldsmile。
I’mnottheorizing。Yourdaughterhasspoken。
Nottome，Osmondcontinued，nowbendingforwardalittleanddroppinghiseyestohisboot-toes。
Ihaveherpromise，sir！criedRosierwiththesharpnessofexasperation。
Astheirvoiceshadbeenpitchedverylowbefore，suchanoteattractedsomeattentionfromthecompany。Osmondwaitedtillthislittlemovementhadsubsided。thenhesaid，allundisturbed：I
thinkshehasnorecollectionofhavinggivenit。
Theyhadbeenstandingwiththeirfacestothefire，andafterhehadutteredtheselastwordsthemasterofthehouseturnedroundagaintotheroom。BeforeRosierhadtimetoreplyheperceivedthatagentleman-astranger-hadjustcomein，unannounced，accordingtotheRomancustom，andwasabouttopresenthimselftohishost。Thelattersmiledblandly，butsomewhatblankly。thevisitorhadahandsomefaceandalarge，fairbeard，andwasevidentlyanEnglishman。
Youapparentlydon’trecognizeme，hesaidwithasmilethatexpressedmorethanOsmond’s。
Ahyes，nowIdo。Iexpectedsolittletoseeyou。
RosierdepartedandwentindirectpursuitofPansy。Hesoughther，asusual，intheneighbouringroom，butheagainencounteredMrs。
Osmondinhispath。Hegavehishostessnogreeting-hewastoorighteouslyindignant，butsaidtohercrudely：Yourhusband’sawfullycold-blooded。
Shegavethesamemysticalsmilehehadnoticedbefore。Youcan’texpecteveryonetobeashotasyourself。
Idon’tpretendtobecold，butI’mcool。Whathashebeendoingtohisdaughter？
I’venoidea。
Don’tyoutakeanyinterest？Rosierdemandedwithhissensethatshetoowasirritating。
Foramomentsheanswerednothing。then，No！shesaidabruptlyandwithaquickenedlightinhereyeswhichdirectlycontradictedtheword。
PardonmeifIdon’tbelievethat。Where’sMissOsmond？
Inthecorner，makingtea。Pleaseleaveherthere。
Rosierinstantlydiscoveredhisfriend，whohadbeenhiddenbyinterveninggroups。Hewatchedher，butherownattentionwasentirelygiventoheroccupation。Whatonearthhashedonetoher？heaskedagainimploringly。Hedeclarestomeshehasgivenmeup。
Shehasnotgivenyouup，Isabelsaidinalowtoneandwithoutlookingathim。
Ah，thankyouforthat！NowI’llleaveheraloneaslongasyouthinkproper！
Hehadhardlyspokenwhenhesawherchangecolour，andbecameawarethatOsmondwascomingtowardheraccompaniedbythegentlemanwhohadjustentered。Hejudgedthelatter，inspiteoftheadvantageofgoodlooksandevidentsocialexperience，alittleembarrassed。
Isabel，saidherhusband，Ibringyouanoldfriend。
Mrs。Osmond’sface，thoughitworeasmile，was，likeheroldfriend’s，notperfectlyconfident。I’mveryhappytoseeLordWarburton，shesaid。Rosierturnedawayand，nowthathistalkwithherhadbeeninterrupted，feltabsolvedfromthelittlepledgehehadjusttaken。HehadaquickimpressionthatMrs。Osmondwouldn’tnoticewhathedid。
Isabelinfact，todohimjustice，forsometimequiteceasedtoobservehim。Shehadbeenstartled。shehardlyknewifshefeltapleasureorapain。LordWarburton，however，nowthathewasfacetofacewithher，wasplainlyquitesureofhisownsenseofthematter。thoughhisgreyeyeshadstilltheirfineoriginalpropertyofkeepingrecognitionandattestationstrictlysincere。Hewasheavier
thanofyoreandlookedolder。hestoodthereverysolidlyandsensibly。
Isupposeyoudidn’texpecttoseeme，hesaid。I’vebutjustarrived。Literally，Ionlygotherethisevening。YouseeI’velostnotimeincomingtopayyoumyrespects。IknewyouwereathomeonThursdays。
YouseethefameofyourThursdayshasspreadtoEngland，Osmondremarkedtohiswife。
It’sverykindofLordWarburtontocomesosoon。we’regreatlyflattered，Isabelsaid。
Ahwell，it’sbetterthanstoppinginoneofthosehorribleinns，Osmondwenton。
Thehotelseemsverygood。Ithinkit’sthesameatwhichIsawyoufouryearssince。YouknowitwashereinRomethatwefirstmet。it’salongtimeago。DoyourememberwhereIbadeyougood-bye？hislordshipaskedofhishostess。ItwasintheCapitol，inthefirstroom。
Irememberthatmyself，saidOsmond。Iwasthereatthetime。
Yes，Irememberyouthere。IwasverysorrytoleaveRome-sosorrythat，somehoworother，itbecamealmostadismalmemory，andI’venevercaredtocomebacktillto-day。ButIknewyouwerelivinghere，heroldfriendwentontoIsabel，andIassureyouI’veoftenthoughtofyou。Itmustbeacharmingplacetolivein，headdedwithalook，roundhim，atherestablishedhome，inwhichshemighthavecaughtthedimghostofhisoldruefulness。
Weshouldhavebeengladtoseeyouatanytime，Osmondobservedwithpropriety。
Thankyouverymuch。Ihaven’tbeenoutofEnglandsincethen。TillamonthagoIreallysupposedmytravelsover。
I’veheardofyoufromtimetotime，saidIsabel，whohadalready，withherrarecapacityforsuchinwardfeats，takenthemeasureofwhatmeetinghimagainmeantforher。
Ihopeyou’veheardnoharm。Mylifehasbeenaremarkablycompleteblank。
Likethegoodreignsinhistory，Osmondsuggested。Heappearedtothinkhisdutiesasahostnowterminated-hehadperformedthemsoconscientiously。Nothingcouldhavebeenmoreadequate，morenicelymeasured，thanhiscourtesytohiswife’soldfriend。Itwaspunctilious，itwasexplicit，itwaseverythingbutnatural-adeficiencywhichLordWarburton，who，himself，hadonthewholeagooddealofnature，maybesupposedtohaveperceived。I’llleaveyouandMrs。Osmondtogether，headded。YouhavereminiscencesintowhichIdon’tenter。
I’mafraidyouloseagooddeal！LordWarburtoncalledafterhim，ashemovedaway，inatonewhichperhapsbetrayedovermuchanappreciationofhisgenerosity。ThenthevisitorturnedonIsabelthedeeper，thedeepest，consciousnessofhislook，whichgraduallybecamemoreserious。I’mreallyverygladtoseeyou。
It’sverypleasant。You’reverykind。
Doyouknowthatyou’rechanged-alittle？
Shejusthesitated。Yes-agooddeal。
Idon’tmeanfortheworse，ofcourse。andyethowcanIsayforthebetter？
IthinkIshallhavenoscrupleinsayingthattoyou，shebravelyreturned。
Ahwell，forme-it’salongtime。Itwouldbeapitythereshouldn’tbesomethingtoshowforit。Theysatdownandsheaskedhimabouthissisters，withotherenquiriesofasomewhatperfunctorykind。Heansweredherquestionsasiftheyinterestedhim，andinafewmomentsshesaw-orbelievedshesaw-thathewouldpresswithlessofhiswholeweightthanofyore。Timehadbreatheduponhisheartand，withoutchillingit，givenitarelievedsenseofhavingtakentheair。IsabelfeltherusualesteemforTimeriseatabound。Herfriend’smannerwascertainlythatofacontentedman，onewhowouldratherlikepeople，orlikeheratleast，toknowhimforsuch。
There’ssomethingImusttellyouwithoutmoredelay，heresumed。
I’vebroughtRalphTouchettwithme。
Broughthimwithyou？Isabel’ssurprisewasgreat。
He’satthehotel。hewastootiredtocomeoutandhasgonetobed。
I’llgotoseehim，sheimmediatelysaid。
That’sexactlywhatIhopedyou’ddo。Ihadanideayouhadn’tseenmuchofhimsinceyourmarriage，thatinfactyourrelationswerea-alittlemoreformal。That’swhyIhesitated-likeanawkwardBriton。
I’masfondofRalphasever，Isabelanswered。ButwhyhashecometoRome？Thedeclarationwasverygentle，thequestionalittlesharp。
Becausehe’sveryfargone，Mrs。Osmond。
Romethenisnoplaceforhim。IheardfromhimthathehaddeterminedtogiveuphiscustomofwinteringabroadandtoremaininEngland，indoors，inwhathecalledanartificialclimate。
Poorfellow，hedoesn’tsucceedwiththeartificial！Iwenttoseehimthreeweeksago，atGardencourt，andfoundhimthoroughlyill。
Hehasbeengettingworseeveryyear，andnowhehasnostrengthleft。
Hesmokesnomorecigarettes！Hehadgotupanartificialclimateindeed。thehousewasashotasCalcutta。NeverthelesshehadsuddenlytakenitintohisheadtostartforSicily。Ididn’tbelieveinit-neitherdidthedoctors，noranyofhisfriends。Hismother，asI
supposeyouknow，isinAmerica，sotherewasnoonetopreventhim。
HestucktohisideathatitwouldbethesavingofhimtospendthewinteratCatania。Hesaidhecouldtakeservantsandfurniture，couldmakehimselfcomfortable，butinpointoffacthehasn’tbroughtanything。Iwantedhimatleasttogobysea，tosavefatigue。buthesaidhehatedtheseaandwishedtostopatRome。Afterthat，thoughIthoughtitallrubbish，Imadeupmymindtocomewithhim。
I’mactingas-whatdoyoucallitinAmerica？akindofmoderator。
PoorRalph’sverymoderatenow。WeleftEnglandafortnightago，andhehasbeenverybadontheway。Hecan’tkeepwarm，andthefurthersouthwecomethemorehefeelsthecold。Hehasgotratheragoodman，butI’mafraidhe’sbeyondhumanhelp。Iwantedhimtotakewithhimsomecleverfellow-=Imeansomesharpyoungdoctor。buthewouldn’thearofit。Ifyoudon’tmindmysayingso，IthinkitwasamostextraordinarytimeforMrs。TouchetttodecideongoingtoAmerica。
Isabelhadlistenedeagerly。herfacewasfullofpainandwonder。
Myauntdoesthatatfixedperiodsandletsnothingturnheraside。
Whenthedatecomesroundshestarts。Ithinkshe’dhavestartedifRalphhadbeendying。
Isometimesthinkheisdying，LordWarburtonsaid。
Isabelsprangup。I’llgotohimthennow。
Hecheckedher。hewasalittledisconcertedatthequickeffectofhiswords。Idon’tmeanIthoughtsoto-night。Onthecontrary，to-day，inthetrain，heseemedparticularlywell。theideaofourreachingRome-he’sveryfondofRome，youknow-gavehimstrength。Anhourago，whenIbadehimgood-night，hetoldmehewasverytired，butveryhappy。Gotohiminthemorning。that’sallImean。I
didn’ttellhimIwascominghere。Ididn’tdecidetotillafterwehadseparated。ThenIrememberedhehadtoldmeyouhadanevening，andthatitwasthisveryThursday。Itoccurredtometocomeinandtellyouhe’shere，andletyouknowyouhadperhapsbetternotwaitforhimtocall。Ithinkhesaidhehadn’twrittentoyou。TherewasnoneedofIsabel’sdeclaringthatshewouldactuponLordWarburton’sinformation。shelooked，asshesatthere，likeawingedcreatureheldback。LetalonethatIwantedtoseeyoumyself，hervisitorgallantlyadded。
Idon’tunderstandRalph’splan。itseemstomeverywild，shesaid。
IwasgladtothinkofhimbetweenthosethickwallsatGardencourt。
Hewascompletelyalonethere。thethickwallswerehisonlycompany。
Youwenttoseehim。you’vebeenextremelykind。
Ohdear，Ihadnothingtodo，saidLordWarburton。
Wehear，onthecontrary，thatyou’redoinggreatthings。Everyonespeaksofyouasagreatstatesman，andI’mperpetuallyseeingyournameintheTimes，which，bytheway，doesn’tappeartoholditinreverence。You’reapparentlyaswildaradicalasever。
Idon’tfeelnearlysowild。youknowtheworldhascomeroundtome。TouchettandIhavekeptupasortofparliamentarydebateallthewayfromLondon。Itellhimhe’sthelastoftheTories，andhecallsmetheKingoftheGoths-saysIhave，downtothedetailsofmypersonalappearance，everysignofthebrute。Soyouseethere’slifeinhimyet。
IsabelhadmanyquestionstoaskaboutRalph，butsheabstainedfromaskingthemall。Shewouldseeforherselfonthemorrow。SheperceivedthatafteralittleLordWarburtonwouldtireofthatsubject-hehadaconceptionofotherpossibletopics。Shewasmoreandmoreabletosaytoherselfthathehadrecovered，and，whatismoretothepoint，shewasabletosayitwithoutbitterness。Hehadbeenforher，ofold，suchanimageofurgency，ofinsistence，ofsomethingtoberesistedandreasonedwith，thathisreappearanceatfirstmenacedherwithanewtrouble。Butshewasnowreassured。shecouldseeheonlywishedtolivewithherongoodterms，thatshewastounderstandhehadforgivenherandwasincapableofthebadtasteofmakingpointedallusions。Thiswasnotaformofrevenge，ofcourse。
shehadnosuspicionofhiswishingtopunishherbyanexhibitionofdisillusionment。shedidhimthejusticetobelieveithadsimplyoccurredtohimthatshewouldnowtakeagood-naturedinterestinknowinghewasresigned。Itwastheresignationofahealthy，manlynature，inwhichsentimentalwoundscouldneverfester。Britishpoliticshadcuredhim。shehadknowntheywould。Shegaveanenviousthoughttothehappierlotofmen，whoarealwaysfreetoplungeintothehealingwatersofaction。LordWarburtonofcoursespokeofthepast，buthespokeofitwithoutimplications。heevenwentsofarastoalludetotheirformermeetinginRomeasaveryjollytime。AndhetoldherhehadbeenimmenselyinterestedinhearingofhermarriageandthatitwasagreatpleasureforhimtomakeMr。Osmond’sacquaintance-sincehecouldhardlybesaidtohavemadeitontheotheroccasion。Hehadnotwrittentoheratthetimeofthatpassageinherhistory，buthedidn’tapologizetoherforthis。Theonlythingheimpliedwasthattheywereoldfriends，intimatefriends。Itwasverymuchasanintimatefriendthathesaidtoher，suddenly，afterashortpausewhichhehadoccupiedinsmiling，ashelookedabouthim，likeapersonamused，ataprovincialentertainment，bysomeinnocentgameofguesses-Wellnow，Isupposeyou’reveryhappyandallthatsortofthing？
Isabelansweredwithaquicklaugh。thetoneofhisremarkstruckheralmostastheaccentofcomedy。DoyousupposeifIwerenotI’dtellyou？Well，Idon’tknow。Idon’tseewhynot。
Idothen。Fortunately，however，I’mveryhappy。
You’vegotanawfullygoodhouse。
Yes，it’sverypleasant。Butthat’snotmymerit-it’smyhusband’s。
Youmeanhehasarrangedit？
Yes，itwasnothingwhenwecame。
Hemustbeveryclever。
Hehasageniusforupholstery，saidIsabel。
There’sagreatrageforthatsortofthingnow。Butyoumusthaveatasteofyourown。
Ienjoythingswhenthey’redone，butI’venoideas。Icanneverproposeanything。
Doyoumeanyouacceptwhatotherspropose？
Verywillingly，forthemostpart。
That’sagoodthingtoknow。Ishallproposetoyousomething。
Itwillbeverykind。Imustsay，however，thatI’veinafewsmallwaysacertaininitiative。Ishouldlikeforinstancetointroduceyoutosomeofthesepeople。
Oh，pleasedon’t。Iprefersittinghere。Unlessitbetothatyoungladyinthebluedress。Shehasacharmingface。
Theonetalkingtotherosyyoungman？That’smyhusband’sdaughter。
Luckyman，yourhusband。Whatadearlittlemaid！
Youmustmakeheracquaintance。
Inamoment-withpleasure。Ilikelookingatherfromhere。Heceasedtolookather，however，verysoon。hiseyesconstantlyrevertedtoMrs。Osmond。DoyouknowIwaswrongjustnowinsayingyouhadchanged？hepresentlywenton。Youseemtome，afterall，verymuchthesame。
AndyetIfinditagreatchangetobemarried，saidIsabelwithmildgaiety。
Itaffectsmostpeoplemorethanithasaffectedyou。YouseeI
haven’tgoneinforthat。
Itrathersurprisesme。
Yououghttounderstandit，Mrs。Osmond。ButIdowanttomarry，
headdedmoresimply。
Itoughttobeveryeasy，Isabelsaid，rising-afterwhichshereflected，withapangperhapstoovisible，thatshewashardlythepersontosaythis。ItwasperhapsbecauseLordWarburtondivinedthepangthathegenerouslyforboretocallherattentiontohernothavingcontributedthentothefacility。
EdwardRosierhadmeanwhileseatedhimselfonanottomanbesidePansy’stea-table。Hepretendedatfirsttotalktoherabouttrifles，andsheaskedhimwhowasthenewgentlemanconversingwithherstepmother。
He’sanEnglishlord，saidRosier。Idon’tknowmore。
Iwonderifhe’llhavesometea。TheEnglisharesofondoftea。
Nevermindthat。I’vesomethingparticulartosaytoyou。
Don’tspeaksoloud-everyonewillhear，saidPansy。
Theywon’thearifyoucontinuetolookthatway。asifyouronlythoughtinlifewasthewishthekettlewouldboil。
Ithasjustbeenfilled。theservantsneverknow！-shesighedwiththeweightofherresponsibility。
Doyouknowwhatyourfathersaidtomejustnow？Thatyoudidn’tmeanwhatyousaidaweekago。
Idon’tmeaneverythingIsay。Howcanayounggirldothat？ButImeanwhatIsaytoyou。
Hetoldmeyouhadforgottenme。
Ahno，Idon’tforget，saidPansy，showingherprettyteethinafixedsmile。
Theneverything’sjusttheverysame？
Ahno，nottheverysame。Papahasbeenterriblysevere。
Whathashedonetoyou？
Heaskedmewhatyouhaddonetome，andItoldhimeverything。
Thenheforbademetomarryyou。
Youneedn’tmindthat。
Ohyes，Imustindeed。Ican’tdisobeypapa。
NotforonewholovesyouasIdo，andwhomyoupretendtolove？
Sheraisedthelidofthetea-pot，gazingintothisvesselforamoment。thenshedroppedsixwordsintoitsaromaticdepths。Iloveyoujustasmuch。
Whatgoodwillthatdome？
Ah，saidPansy，raisinghersweet，vagueeyes，Idon’tknowthat。
Youdisappointme，groanedpoorRosier。
Shewassilentalittle。shehandedatea-cuptoaservant。
Pleasedon’ttalkanymore。
Isthistobeallmysatisfaction？
PapasaidIwasnottotalkwithyou。
Doyousacrificemelikethat？Ah，it’stoomuch！
Iwishyou’dwaitalittle，saidthegirlinavoicejustdistinctenoughtobetrayaquaver。
OfcourseI’llwaitifyou’llgivemehope。Butyoutakemylifeaway。
I’llnotgiveyouup-ohno！Pansywenton。
He’lltryandmakeyoumarrysomeoneelse。
I’llneverdothat。
Whatthenarewetowaitfor？
Shehesitatedagain。I’llspeaktoMrs。Osmondandshe’llhelpus。
Itwasinthismannerthatsheforthemostpartdesignatedherstepmother。
Shewon’thelpusmuch。She’safraid。
Afraidofwhat？
Ofyourfather，Isuppose。
Pansyshookherlittlehead。She’snotafraidofanyone。Wemusthavepatience。
Ah，that’sanawfulword，Rosiergroaned。hewasdeeplydisconcerted。Obliviousofthecustomsofgoodsociety，hedroppedhisheadintohishandsand，supportingitwithamelancholygrace，satstaringatthecarpet。Presentlyhebecameawareofagooddealofmovementabouthimand，ashelookedup，sawPansymakingacurtsey-itwasstillherlittlecurtseyoftheconvent-totheEnglishlordwhomMrs。Osmondhadintroduced。
CHAPTER39
ItwillprobablynotsurprisethereflectivereaderthatRalphTouchettshouldhaveseenlessofhiscousinsincehermarriagethanhehaddonebeforethateventofwhichhetooksuchaviewascouldhardlyproveaconfirmationofintimacy。Hehadutteredhisthought，asweknow，andafterthishadheldhispeace，Isabelnothavinginvitedhimtoresumeadiscussionwhichmarkedaneraintheirrelations。Thatdiscussionhadmadeadifference-thedifferencehefearedratherthantheonehehoped。Ithadnotchilledthegirl’szealincarryingoutherengagement，butithadcomedangerouslyneartospoilingafriendship。NoreferencewaseveragainmadebetweenthemtoRalph’sopinionofGilbertOsmond，andbysurroundingthistopicwithasacredsilencetheymanagedtopreserveasemblanceofreciprocalfrankness。Buttherewasadifference，asRalphoftensaidtohimself-therewasadifference。Shehadnotforgivenhim，sheneverwouldforgivehim：thatwasallhehadgained。Shethoughtshehadforgivenhim。shebelievedshedidn’tcare。andasshewasbothverygenerousandveryproudtheseconvictionsrepresentedacertainreality。Butwhetherornotheeventshouldjustifyhimhewouldvirtuallyhavedoneherawrong，andthewrongwasofthesortthatwomenrememberbest。AsOsmond’swifeshecouldneveragainbehisfriend。Ifinthischaractersheshouldenjoythefelicitysheexpected，shewouldhavenothingbutcontemptforthemanwhohadattempted，inadvance，toundermineablessingsodear。
andifontheotherhandhiswarningshouldbejustifiedthevowshehadtakenthatheshouldneverknowitwouldlayuponherspiritsuchaburdenastomakeherhatehim。Sodismalhadbeen，duringtheyearthatfollowedhiscousin’smarriage，Ralph’sprevisionofthefuture。andifhismeditationsappearmorbidwemustrememberhewasnotinthebloomofhealth。Heconsoledhimselfashemightbybehavingashedeemedbeautifully，andwaspresentattheceremonybywhichIsabelwasunitedtoMr。Osmond，andwhichwasperformedinFlorenceinthemonthofJune。HelearnedfromhismotherthatIsabelatfirsthadthoughtofcelebratinghernuptialsinhernativeland，butthatassimplicitywaswhatshechieflydesiredtosecureshehadfinallydecided，inspiteofOsmond’sprofessedwillingnesstomakeajourneyofanylength，thatthischaracteristicwouldbebestembodiedintheirbeingmarriedbythenearestclergymanintheshortesttime。ThethingwasdonethereforeatthelittleAmericanchapel，onaveryhotday，inthepresenceonlyofMrs。Touchettandherson，ofPansyOsmondandtheCountessGemini。
ThatseverityintheproceedingsofwhichIjustspokewasinparttheresultoftheabsenceoftwopersonswhomighthavebeenlookedforontheoccasionandwhowouldhavelentitacertainrichness。MadameMerlehadbeeninvited，butMadameMerle，whowasunabletoleaveRome，hadwrittenagraciousletterofexcuses。HenriettaStackpolehadnotbeeninvited，asherdeparturefromAmerica，announcedtoIsabelbyMr。Goodwood，wasinfactfrustratedbythedutiesofherprofession。butshehadsentaletter，lessgraciousthanMadameMerle’s，intimatingthat，hadshebeenabletocrosstheAtlantic，shewouldhavebeenpresentnotonlyasawitnessbutasacritic。HerreturntoEuropehadtakenplacesomewhatlater，andshehadeffectedameetingwithIsabelintheautumn，inParis，whenshehadindulged-perhapsatrifletoofreely-hercriticalgenius。PoorOsmond，whowaschieflythesubjectofit，hadprotestedsosharplythatHenriettawasobligedtodeclaretoIsabelthatshehadtakenastepwhichputabarrierbetweenthem。Itisn’tintheleastthatyou’vemarried-itisthatyouhavemarriedhim，shehaddeemeditherdutytoremark。agreeing，itwillbeseen，muchmorewithRalphTouchettthanshesuspected，thoughshehadfewofhishesitationsandcompunctions。Henrietta’ssecondvisittoEurope，however，wasnotapparentlytohavebeenmadeinvain。forjustatthemomentwhenOsmondhaddeclaredtoIsabelthathereallymustobjecttothatnewspaper-woman，andIsabelhadansweredthatitseemedtoherhetookHenriettatoohard，thegoodMr。BantlinghadappeareduponthesceneandproposedthattheyshouldtakearundowntoSpain。
Henrietta’slettersfromSpainhadprovedthemostacceptableshehadyetpublished，andtherehadbeenoneinespecial，datedfromtheAlhambraandentitledMoorsandMoonlight，whichgenerallypassedforhermasterpiece。Isabelhadbeensecretlydisappointedatherhusband’snotseeinghiswaysimplytotakethepoorgirlforfunny。Sheevenwonderedifhissenseoffun，orofthefunny-whichwouldbehissenseofhumour，wouldn’tit？-werebychancedefective。
OfcoursesheherselflookedatthematterasapersonwhosepresenthappinesshadnothingtogrudgetoHenrietta’sviolatedconscience。
Osmondhadthoughttheirallianceakindofmonstrosity。hecouldn’timaginewhattheyhadincommon。Forhim，Mr。Bantling’sfellowtouristwassimplythemostvulgarofwomen，andhehadalsopronouncedherthemostabandoned。AgainstthislatterclauseoftheverdictIsabelhadappealedwithanardourthathadmadehimwonderafreshattheoddityofsomeofhiswife’stastes。Isabelcouldexplainitonlybysayingthatshelikedtoknowpeoplewhowereasdifferentaspossiblefromherself。Whythendon’tyoumaketheacquaintanceofyourwasherwoman？Osmondhadenquired。towhichIsabelhadansweredthatshewasafraidherwasherwomanwouldn’tcareforher。NowHenriettacaredsomuch。
Ralphhadseennothingofherforthegreaterpartofthetwoyearsthathadfollowedhermarriage。thewinterthatformedthebeginningofherresidenceinRomehehadspentagainatSanRemo，wherehehadbeenjoinedinthespringbyhismother，whoafterwardshadgonewithhimtoEngland，toseewhattheyweredoingatthebank-anoperationshecouldn’tinducehimtoperform。RalphhadtakenaleaseofhishouseatSanRemo，asmallvillawhichhehadoccupiedstillanotherwinter。butlateinthemonthofAprilofthissecondyearhehadcomedowntoRome。ItwasthefirsttimesincehermarriagethathehadstoodfacetofacewithIsabel。hisdesiretoseeheragainwasthenofthekeenest。Shehadwrittentohimfromtimetotime，butherletterstoldhimnothinghewantedtoknow。Hehadaskedhismotherwhatshewasmakingofherlife，andhismotherhadsimplyansweredthatshesupposedshewasmakingthebestofit。
Mrs。Touchetthadnottheimaginationthatcommuneswiththeunseen，andshenowpretendedtonointimacywithherniece，whomsherarelyencountered。Thisyoungwomanappearedtobelivinginasufficientlyhonourableway，butMrs。Touchettstillremainedoftheopinionthathermarriagehadbeenashabbyaffair。IthadgivenhernopleasuretothinkofIsabel’sestablishment，whichshewassurewasaverylamebusiness。Fromtimetotime，inFlorence，sherubbedagainsttheCountessGemini，doingherbestalwaystominimizethecontact。andtheCountessremindedherofOsmond，whomadeherthinkofIsabel。TheCountesswaslesstalkedofinthesedays。butMrs。
Touchettaugurednogoodofthat：itonlyprovedhowshehadbeentalkedofbefore。TherewasamoredirectsuggestionofIsabelinthepersonofMadameMerle。butMadameMerle’srelationswithMrs。
Touchetthadundergoneaperceptiblechange。Isabel’saunthadtoldher，withoutcircumlocution，thatshehadplayedtooingeniousapart。
andMadameMerle，whoneverquarrelledwithanyone，whoappearedtothinknooneworthit，andwhohadperformedthemiracleofliving，moreorless，forseveralyearswithMrs。Touchettandshowingnosymptomofirritation-MadameMerlenowtookaveryhightoneanddeclaredthatthiswasanaccusationfromwhichshecouldn’tstooptodefendherself。Sheadded，howeverwithoutstooping，thatherbehaviourhadbeenonlytoosimple，thatshehadbelievedonlywhatshesaw，thatshesawIsabelwasnoteagertomarryandOsmondnoteagertopleasehisrepeatedvisitshadbeennothing。hewasboringhimselftodeathonhishill-topandhecamemerelyforamusement。
Isabelhadkepthersentimentstoherself，andherjourneytoGreeceandEgypthadeffectuallythrowndustinhercompanion’seyes。
MadameMerleacceptedtheevent-shewasunpreparedtothinkofitasascandal。butthatshehadplayedanypartinit，doubleorsingle，wasanimputationagainstwhichsheproudlyprotested。ItwasdoubtlessinconsequenceofMrs。Touchett’sattitude，andoftheinjuryitofferedtohabitsconsecratedbymanycharmingseasons，thatMadameMerlehad，afterthis，chosentopassmanymonthsinEngland，wherehercreditwasquiteunimpaired。Mrs。Touchetthaddoneherawrong。
therearesomethingsthatcan’tbeforgiven。ButMadameMerlesufferedinsilence。therewasalwayssomethingexquisiteinherdignity。
Ralph，asIsay，hadwishedtoseeforhimself。butwhileengagedinthispursuithehadyetfeltafreshwhatafoolhehadbeentoputthegirlonherguard。Hehadplayedthewrongcard，andnowhehadlostthegame。Heshouldseenothing，heshouldlearnnothing。forhimshewouldalwayswearamask。Histruelinewouldhavebeentoprofessdelightinherunion，sothatlater，when，asRalphphrasedit，thebottomshouldfalloutofit，shemighthavethepleasureofsayingtohimthathehadbeenagoose。HewouldgladlyhaveconsentedtopassforagooseinordertoknowIsabel’srealsituation。Atpresent，however，sheneithertauntedhimwithhisfallaciesnorpretendedthatherownconfidencewasjustified。ifsheworeamaskitcompletelycoveredherface。Therewassomethingfixedandmechanicalintheserenitypaintedonit。thiswasnotanexpression，Ralphsaid-itwasarepresentation，itwasevenanadvertisement。Shehadlostherchild。thatwasasorrow，butitwasasorrowshescarcelyspokeof。
therewasmoretosayaboutitthanshecouldsaytoRalph。Itbelongedtothepast，moreover。ithadoccurredsixmonthsbeforeandshehadalreadylaidasidethetokensofmourning。Sheappearedtobeleadingthelifeoftheworld。Ralphheardherspokenofashavingacharmingposition。Heobservedthatsheproducedtheimpressionofbeingpeculiarlyenviable，thatitwassupposed，amongmanypeople，tobeaprivilegeeventoknowher。Herhousewasnotopentoeveryone，andshehadaneveningintheweektowhichpeoplewerenotinvitedasamatterofcourse。Shelivedwithacertainmagnificence，butyouneededtobeamemberofhercircletoperceiveit。fortherewasnothingtogapeat，nothingtocriticize，nothingeventoadmire，inthedailyproceedingsofMr。andMrs。
Osmond。Ralph，inallthis，recognizedthehandofthemaster。forheknewthatIsabelhadnofacultyforproducingstudiedimpressions。Shestruckhimashavingagreatloveofmovement，ofgaiety，oflatehours，oflongrides，offatigue。aneagernesstobeentertained，tobeinterested，eventobebored，tomakeacquaintances，toseepeoplewhoweretalkedabout，toexploretheneighbourhoodofRome，toenterintorelationwithcertainofthemustiestrelicsofitsoldsociety。Inallthistherewasmuchlessdiscriminationthaninthatdesireforcomprehensivenessofdevelopmentonwhichhehadbeenusedtoexercisehiswit。Therewasakindofviolenceinsomeofherimpulses，ofcrudityinsomeofherexperiments，whichtookhimbysurprise：itseemedtohimthatsheevenspokefaster，movedfaster，breathedfaster，thanbeforehermarriage。Certainlyshehadfallenintoexaggerations-shewhousedtocaresomuchforthepuretruth。andwhereasofoldshehadagreatdelightingood-humouredargument，inintellectualplaysheneverlookedsocharmingaswheninthegenialheatofdiscussionshereceivedacrushingblowfullinthefaceandbrusheditawayasafeather，sheappearednowtothinktherewasnothingworthpeople’seitherdifferingaboutoragreeingupon。Ofoldshehadbeencurious，andnowshewasindifferent，andyetinspiteofherindifferenceheractivitywasgreaterthanever。Slenderstill，butlovelierthanbefore，shehadgainednogreatmaturityofaspect。
yettherewasanamplitudeandabrilliancyinherpersonalarrangementsthatgaveatouchofinsolencetoherbeauty。Poorhuman-heartedIsabel，whatperversityhadbittenher？Herlightstepdrewamasofdraperybehindit。herintelligentheadsustainedamajestyofornament。Thefree，keengirlhadbecomequiteanotherperson。whathesawwasthefineladywhowassupposedtorepresentsomething。WhatdidIsabelrepresent？Ralphaskedhimself。andhecouldonlyanswerbysayingthatsherepresentedGilbertOsmond。Goodheavens，whatafunction！hethenwoefullyexclaimed。Hewaslostinwonderatthemysteryofthings。
HerecognizedOsmond，asIsay。herecognizedhimateveryturn。
Hesawhowhekeptallthingswithinlimits。howheadjusted，regulated，animatedtheirmanneroflife。Osmondwasinhiselement。
atlasthehadmaterialtoworkwith。Healwayshadaneyetoeffect，andhiseffectsweredeeplycalculated。Theywereproducedbynovulgarmeans，butthemotivewasasvulgarastheartwasgreat。
Tosurroundhisinteriorwithasortofinvidioussanctity，totantalizesocietywithasenseofexclusion，tomakepeoplebelievehishousewasdifferentfromeveryother，toimparttothefacethathepresentedtotheworldacoldoriginality-thiswastheingeniouseffortofthepersonagetowhomIsabelhadattributedasuperiormorality。Heworkswithsuperiormaterial，Ralphsaidtohimself。
it’srichabundancecomparedwithhisformerresources。Ralphwasacleverman。butRalphhadnever-tohisownsense-beensocleveraswhenheobserved，inpetto，thatundertheguiseofcaringonlyforintrinsicvaluesOsmondlivedexclusivelyfortheworld。Farfrombeingitsmasterashepretendedtobe，hewasitsveryhumbleservant，andthedegreeofitsattentionwashisonlymeasureofsuccess。Helivedwithhiseyeonitfrommorningtillnight，andtheworldwassostupiditneversuspectedthetrick。Everythinghedidwaspose-posesosubtlyconsideredthatifonewerenotonthelookoutonemistookitforimpulse。Ralphhadnevermetamanwholivedsomuchinthelandofconsideration。Histastes，hisstudies，hisaccomplishments，hiscollections，wereallforapurpose。HislifeonhishilltopatFlorencehadbeentheconsciousattitudeofyears。
Hissolitude，hisennui，hisloveforhisdaughter，hisgoodmanners，hisbadmanners，weresomanyfeaturesofamentalimageconstantlypresenttohimasamodelofimpertinenceandmystification。Hisambitionwasnottopleasetheworld，buttopleasehimselfbyexcitingtheworld’scuriosityandthendecliningtosatisfyit。Ithadmadehimfeelgreat，ever，toplaytheworldatrick。ThethinghehaddoneinhislifemostdirectlytopleasehimselfwashismarryingMissArcher。thoughinthiscaseindeedthegullibleworldwasinamannerembodiedinpoorIsabel，whohadbeenmystifiedtothetopofherbent。Ralphofcoursefoundafitnessinbeingconsistent。hehadembracedacreed，andashehadsufferedforithecouldnotinhonourforsakeit。Igivethislittlesketchofitsarticlesforwhattheymayatthetimehavebeenworth。Itwascertainthathewasveryskilfulinfittingthefactstohistheory-eventhefactthatduringthemonthhespentinRomeatthisperiodthehusbandofthewomanhelovedappearedtoregardhimnotintheleastasanenemy。
ForGilbertOsmondRalphhadnotnowthatimportance。Itwasnotthathehadtheimportanceofafriend。itwasratherthathehadnoneatall。HewasIsabel’scousinandhewasratherunpleasantlyill-itwasonthisbasisthatOsmondtreatedwithhim。Hemadetheproperenquiries，askedabouthishealth，aboutMrs。Touchett，abouthisopinionofwinterclimates，whetherhewerecomfortableathishotel。Headdressedhim，onthefewoccasionsoftheirmeeting，notawordthatwasnotnecessary。buthismannerhadalwaystheurbanitypropertoconscioussuccessinthepresenceofconsciousfailure。Forallthis，Ralphhadhad，towardtheend，asharpinwardvisionofOsmond’smakingitofsmalleasetohiswifethatsheshouldcontinuetoreceiveMr。Touchett。Hewasnotjealous-hehadnotthatexcuse。noonecouldbejealousofRalph。ButhemadeIsabelpayforherold-timekindness，ofwhichsomuchwasstillleft。andasRalphhadnoideaofherpayingtoomuch，sowhenhissuspicionhadbecomesharp，hehadtakenhimselfoff。IndoingsohehaddeprivedIsabelofaveryinterestingoccupation：shehadbeenconstantlywonderingwhatfineprinciplewaskeepinghimalive。Shehaddecidedthatitwashisloveofconversation。hisconversationhadbeenbetterthanever。Hehadgivenupwalking。hewasnolongerahumorousstroller。
Hesatalldayinachair-almostanychairwouldserve，andwassodependentonwhatyouwoulddoforhimthat，hadnothistalkbeenhighlycontemplative，youmighthavethoughthewasblind。ThereaderalreadyknowsmoreabouthimthanIsabelwasevertoknow，andthereadermaythereforebegiventhekeytothemystery。WhatkeptRalphalivewassimplythefactthathehadnotyetseenenoughofthepersonintheworldinwhomhewasmostinterested：hewasnotyetsatisfied。Therewasmoretocome。hecouldn’tmakeuphismindtolosethat。Hewantedtoseewhatshewouldmakeofherhusband-orwhatherhusbandwouldmakeofher。Thiswasonlythefirstactofthedrama，andhewasdeterminedtositouttheperformance。
Hisdeterminationhadheldgood。ithadkepthimgoingsomeeighteenmonthsmore，tillthetimeofhisreturntoRomewithLordWarburton。IthadgivenhimindeedsuchanairofintendingtoliveindefinitelythatMrs。Touchett，thoughmoreaccessibletoconfusionsofthoughtinthematterofthisstrange，unremunerative-
andunremunerated-sonofhersthanshehadeverbeenbefore，had，aswehavelearned，notscrupledtoembarkforadistantland。IfRalphhadbeenkeptalivebysuspenseitwaswithagooddealofthesameemotion-theexcitementofwonderinginwhatstatesheshouldfindhim-thatIsabelmountedtohisapartmentthedayafterLordWarburtonhadnotifiedherofhisarrivalinRome。
Shespentanhourwithhim。itwasthefirstofseveralvisits。
GilbertOsmondcalledonhimpunctually，andontheirsendingtheircarriageforhimRalphcamemorethanoncetoPalazzoRoccanera。A
fortnightelapsed，attheendofwhichRalphannouncedtoLordWarburtonthathethoughtafterallhewouldn’tgotoSicily。ThetwomenhadbeendiningtogetherafteradayspentbythelatterinrangingabouttheCampagna。Theyhadleftthetable，andWarburton，beforethechimney，waslightingacigar，whichheinstantlyremovedfromhislips。
Won’tgotoSicily？Wherethenwillyougo？
Well，IguessIwon’tgoanywhere，saidRalph，fromthesofa，allshamelessly。
Doyoumeanyou’llreturntoEngland？
Ohdearno。I’llstayinRome。
Romewon’tdoforyou。Rome’snotwarmenough。
Itwillhavetodo。I’llmakeitdo。SeehowwellI’vebeen。
LordWarburtonlookedathimawhile，puffingacigarandasiftryingtoseeit。You’vebeenbetterthanyouwereonthejourney，certainly。Iwonderhowyoulivedthroughthat。ButIdon’tunderstandyourcondition。IrecommendyoutotrySicily。
Ican’ttry，saidpoorRalph。I’vedonetrying。Ican’tmovefurther。Ican’tfacethatjourney。FancymebetweenScyllaandCharybdis！Idon’twanttodieontheSicilianplains-tobesnatchedaway，likeProserpineinthesamelocality，tothePlutonianshades。
Whatthedeucethendidyoucomefor？hislordshipenquired。
Becausetheideatookme。Iseeitwon’tdo。Itreallydoesn’tmatterwhereIamnow。I’veexhaustedallremedies，I’veswallowedallclimates。AsI’mhereI’llstay。Ihaven’tasinglecousininSicily-muchlessamarriedone。
Yourcousin’scertainlyaninducement。Butwhatdoesthedoctorsay？
Ihaven’taskedhim，andIdon’tcareafig。IfIdiehereMrs。
Osmondwillburyme。ButIshallnotdiehere。
Ihopenot。LordWarburtoncontinuedtosmokereflectively。Well，Imustsay，heresumed，formyselfI’mverygladyoudon’tinsistonSicily。Ihadahorrorofthatjourney。
Ah，butforyouitneedn’thavemattered。Ihadnoideaofdraggingyouinmytrain。
Icertainlydidn’tmeantoletyougoalone。
MydearWarburton，Ineverexpectedyoutocomefurtherthanthis，
Ralphcried。
Ishouldhavegonewithyouandseenyousettled，saidLordWarburton。
You’reaverygoodChristian。You’reaverykindman。
ThenIshouldhavecomebackhere。
Andthenyou’dhavegonetoEngland。
No，no。Ishouldhavestayed。
Well，saidRalph，ifthat’swhatwearebothupto，Idon’tseewhereSicilycomesin！
Hiscompanionwassilent。hesatstaringatthefire。Atlast，lookingup，Isay，tellmethis，hebrokeout。didyoureallymeantogotoSicilywhenwestarted？
Ah，vousm’endemandeztrop！Letmeputaquestionfirst。Didyoucomewithmequite-platonically？
Idon’tknowwhatyoumeanbythat。Iwantedtocomeabroad。
Isuspectwe’veeachbeenplayingourlittlegame。
Speakforyourself。Imadenosecretwhateverofmydesiringtobehereawhile。
Yes，IrememberyousaidyouwishedtoseetheMinisterofForeignAffairs。
I’veseenhimthreetimes。He’sveryamusing。
Ithinkyou’veforgottenwhatyoucamefor，saidRalph。
PerhapsIhave，hiscompanionansweredrathergravely。
Thesetwoweregentlemenofaracewhichisnotdistinguishedbytheabsenceofreserve，andtheyhadtravelledtogetherfromLondontoRomewithoutanallusiontomattersthatwereuppermostinthemindofeach。Therewasanoldsubjecttheyhadoncediscussed，butithadlostitsrecognizedplaceintheirattention，andevenaftertheirarrivalinRome，wheremanythingsledbacktoit，theyhadkeptthesamehalf-diffident，half-confidentsilence。
Irecommendyoutogetthedoctor’sconsent，allthesame，LordWarburtonwenton，abruptly，afteraninterval。
Thedoctor’sconsentwillspoilit。IneverhaveitwhenIcanhelpit。
WhatthendoesMrs。Osmondthink？Ralph’sfrienddemanded。
I’venottoldher。She’llprobablysaythatRome’stoocoldandevenoffertogowithmetoCatania。She’scapableofthat。
InyourplaceIshouldlikeit。
Herhusbandwon’tlikeit。
Ahwell，Icanfancythat。thoughitseemstomeyou’renotboundtomindhislikings。They’rehisaffair。
Idon’twanttomakeanymoretroublebetweenthem，saidRalph。
Istheresomuchalready？
There’scompletepreparationforit。Hergoingoffwithmewouldmaketheexplosion。Osmondisn’tfondofhiswife’scousin。
Thenofcoursehe’dmakearow。Butwon’themakearowifyoustophere？
That’swhatIwanttosee。HemadeonethelasttimeIwasinRome，andthenIthoughtitmydutytodisappear。NowIthinkit’smydutytostopanddefendher。
MydearTouchett，yourdefensivepowers-！LordWarburtonbeganwithasmile。Buthesawsomethinginhiscompanion’sfacethatcheckedhim。
Yourduty，inthesepremises，seemstomeratheranicequestion，heobservedinstead。
Ralphforashorttimeanswerednothing。It’struemydefensivepowersaresmall，hereturnedatlast。butasmyaggressiveonesarestillsmallerOsmondmayafterallnotthinkmeworthhisgunpowder。
Atanyrate，headded，therearethingsI’mcurioustosee。
You’resacrificingyourhealthtoyourcuriositythen？
I’mnotmuchinterestedinmyhealth，andI’mdeeplyinterestedinMrs。Osmond。
SoamI。ButnotasIoncewas，LordWarburtonaddedquickly。Thiswasoneoftheallusionshehadnothithertofoundoccasiontomake。
Doesshestrikeyouasveryhappy？Ralphenquired，emboldenedbythisconfidence。
Well，Idon’tknow。I’vehardlythought。Shetoldmetheothernightshewashappy。
Ah，shetoldyou，ofcourse，Ralphexclaimed，smiling。
Idon’tknowthat。ItseemstomeIwasratherthesortofpersonshemighthavecomplainedto。
Complained？She’llnevercomplain。Shehasdoneit-whatshehasdone-andsheknowsit。She’llcomplaintoyouleastofall。She’sverycareful。
Sheneedn’tbe。Idon’tmeantomakelovetoheragain。
I’mdelightedtohearit。Therecanbenodoubtatleastofyourduty。
Ahno，saidLordWarburtongravely。none！
Permitmetoask，Ralphwenton，whetherit’stobringoutthefactthatyoudon’tmeantomakelovetoherthatyou’resoveryciviltothelittlegirl？
LordWarburtongaveaslightstart。hegotupandstoodbeforethefire，lookingatithard。Doesthatstrikeyouasveryridiculous？
Ridiculous？Notintheleast，ifyoureallylikeher。
Ithinkheradelightfullittleperson。Idon’tknowwhenagirlofthatagehaspleasedmemore。
She’sacharmingcreature。Ah，sheatleastisgenuine。
Ofcoursethere’sthedifferenceinourages-morethantwentyyears。
MydearWarburton，saidRalph，areyouserious？
Perfectlyserious-asfarasI’vegot。
I’mveryglad。And，heavenhelpus，criedRalph，howcheered-upoldOsmondwillbe！
Hiscompanionfrowned。Isay，don’tspoilit。Ishouldn’tproposeforhisdaughtertopleasehim。
He’llhavetheperversitytobepleasedallthesame。
He’snotsofondofmeasthat，saidhislordship。
Asthat？MydearWarburton，thedrawbackofyourpositionisthatpeopleneedn’tbefondofyouatalltowishtobeconnectedwithyou。
Now，withmeinsuchacase，Ishouldhavethehappyconfidencethattheylovedme。
LordWarburtonseemedscarcelyinthemoodfordoingjusticetogeneralaxioms-hewasthinkingofaspecialcase。Doyoujudgeshe’llbepleased？
Thegirlherself？Delighted，surely。No，no。ImeanMrs。Osmond。
Ralphlookedathimamoment。Mydearfellow，whathasshetodowithit？
Whatevershechooses。She’sveryfondofPansy。
Verytrue-verytrue。AndRalphslowlygotup。It’saninterestingquestion-howfarherfondnessforPansywillcarryher。Hestoodthereamomentwithhishandsinhispocketsandratheracloudedbrow。Ihope，youknow，thatyou’revery-verysure。Thedeuce！hebrokeoff。Idon’tknowhowtosayit。
Yes，youdo。youknowhowtosayeverything。
Well，it’sawkward。Ihopeyou’resurethatamongMissOsmond’smeritsherbeing-a-sonearherstepmotherisn’taleadingone？
Goodheavens，Touchett！criedLordWarburtonangrily，forwhatdoyoutakeme？
CHAPTER40
IsabelhadnotseenmuchofMadameMerlesincehermarriage，thisladyhavingindulgedinfrequentabsencesfromRome。AtonetimeshehadspentsixmonthsinEngland。atanothershehadpassedaportionofawinterinParis。ShehadmadenumerousvisitstodistantfriendsandgavecountenancetotheideathatforthefuturesheshouldbealessinveterateRomanthaninthepast。AsshehadbeeninveterateinthepastonlyinthesenseofconstantlyhavinganapartmentinoneofthesunniestnichesofthePincian-anapartmentwhichoftenstoodempty-thissuggestedaprospectofalmostconstantabsence。adangerwhichIsabelatoneperiodhadbeenmuchinclinedtodeplore。FamiliarityhadmodifiedinsomedegreeherfirstimpressionofMadameMerle，butithadnotessentiallyalteredit。
therewasstillmuchwonderofadmirationinit。Thatpersonagewasarmedatallpoints。itwasapleasuretoseeacharactersocompletelyequippedforthesocialbattle。Shecarriedherflagdiscreetly，butherweaponswerepolishedsteel，andsheusedthemwithaskillwhichstruckIsabelasmoreandmorethatofaveteran。
Shewasneverweary，neverovercomewithdisgust。sheneverappearedtoneedrestorconsolation。Shehadherownideas。shehadofoldexposedagreatmanyofthemtoIsabel，whoknewalsothatunderanappearanceofextremeself-controlherhighly-cultivatedfriendconcealedarichsensibility。Butherwillwasmistressofherlife。
therewassomethinggallantinthewayshekeptgoing。Itwasasifshehadlearnedthesecretofit-asiftheartoflifeweresomeclevertrickshehadguessed。Isabel，assheherselfgrewolder，becameacquaintedwithrevulsions，withdisgusts。thereweredayswhentheworldlookedblackandsheaskedherselfwithsomesharpnesswhatitwasthatshewaspretendingtolivefor。Heroldhabithadbeentolivebyenthusiasm，tofallinlovewithsuddenly-perceivedpossibilities，withtheideaofsomenewadventure。Asayoungerpersonshehadbeenusedtoproceedfromonelittleexaltationtotheother：therewerescarcelyanydullplacesbetween。ButMadameMerlehadsuppressedenthusiasm。shefellinlovenow-a-dayswithnothing。shelivedentirelybyreasonandbywisdom。TherewerehourswhenIsabelwouldhavegivenanythingforlessonsinthisart。
ifherbrilliantfriendhadbeennearshewouldhavemadeanappealtoher。Shehadbecomeawaremorethanbeforeoftheadvantageofbeinglikethat-ofhavingmadeone’sselfafirmsurface，asortofcorseletofsilver。
But，asIsay，itwasnottillthewinterduringwhichwelatelyrenewedacquaintancewithourheroinethatthepersonageinquestionmadeagainacontinuousstayinRome。Isabelnowsawmoreofherthanshehaddonesincehermarriage。butbythistimeIsabel’sneedsandinclinationshadconsiderablychanged。ItwasnotatpresenttoMadameMerlethatshewouldhaveappliedforinstruction。shehadlostthedesiretoknowthislady’sclevertrick。Ifshehadtroublesshemustkeepthemtoherself，andiflifewasdifficultitwouldnotmakeiteasiertoconfessherselfbeaten。MadameMerlewasdoubtlessofgreatusetoherselfandanornamenttoanycircle。butwasshe-wouldshebe-ofusetoothersinperiodsofrefinedembarrassment？Thebestwaytoprofitbyherfriend-thisindeedIsabelhadalwaysthought-wastoimitateher，tobeasfirmandbrightasshe。Sherecognizednoembarrassments，andIsabel，consideringthisfact，determinedforthefiftiethtimetobrushasideherown。Itseemedtohertoo，ontherenewalofanintercoursewhichhadvirtuallybeeninterrupted，thatheroldallywasdifferent，wasalmostdetached-pushingtotheextremeacertainratherartificialfearofbeingindiscreet。RalphTouchett，weknow，hadbeenoftheopinionthatshewaspronetoexaggeration，toforcingthenote-wasapt，inthevulgarphrase，tooverdoit。Isabelhadneveradmittedthischarge-hadneverindeedquiteunderstoodit。MadameMerle’sconduct，toherperception，alwaysborethestampofgoodtaste，wasalwaysquiet。ButinthismatterofnotwishingtointrudeupontheinnerlifeoftheOsmondfamilyitatlastoccurredtoouryoungwomanthatsheoverdidalittle。Thatofcoursewasnotthebesttaste。thatwasratherviolent。SherememberedtoomuchthatIsabelwasmarried。thatshehadnowotherinterests。thatthoughshe，MadameMerle，hadknownGilbertOsmondandhislittlePansyverywell，betteralmostthananyone，shewasnotafteralloftheinnercircle。Shewasonherguard。sheneverspokeoftheiraffairstillshewasasked，evenpressedwhenheropinionwaswanted。shehadadreadofseemingtomeddle。MadameMerlewasascandidasweknow，andonedayshecandidlyexpressedthisdreadtoIsabel。
Imustbeonmyguard，shesaid。Imightsoeasily，withoutsuspectingit，offendyou。Youwouldberighttobeoffended，evenifmyintentionshouldhavebeenofthepurest。ImustnotforgetthatIknewyourhusbandlongbeforeyoudid。Imustnotletthatbetrayme。Ifyouwereasillywomanyoumightbejealous。You’renotasillywoman。Iknowthatperfectly。ButneitheramI。thereforeI’mdeterminednottogetintotrouble。Alittleharm’sverysoondone。
amistake’smadebeforeoneknowsit。OfcourseifIhadwishedtomakelovetoyourhusbandIhadtenyearstodoitin，andnothingtoprevent。soitisn’tlikelyIshallbeginto-day，whenI’msomuchlessattractivethanIwas。ButifIweretoannoyyoubyseemingtotakeaplacethatdoesn’tbelongtome，youwouldn’tmakethatreflection。you’dsimplysayIwasforgettingcertaindifferences。I’mdeterminednottoforgetthem。Certainlyagoodfriendisn’talwaysthinkingofthat。onedoesn’tsuspectone’sfriendsofinjustice。I
don’tsuspectyou，mydear，intheleast。butIsuspecthumannature。Don’tthinkImakemyselfuncomfortable。I’mnotalwayswatchingmyself。IthinkIsufficientlyproveitintalkingtoyouasIdonow。AllIwishtosayis，however，thatifyouweretobejealous-that’stheformitwouldtake-Ishouldbesuretothinkitwasalittlemyfault。Itcertainlywouldn’tbeyourhusband’s。
IsabelhadhadthreeyearstothinkoverMrs。Touchett’stheorythatMadameMerlehadmadeGilbertOsmond’smarriage。Weknowhowshehadatfirstreceivedit。MadameMerlemighthavemadeGilbertOsmond’smarriage，butshecertainlyhadnotmadeIsabelArcher’s。Thatwastheworkof-Isabelscarcelyknewwhat：ofnature，providence，fortune，oftheeternalmysteryofthings。Itwastrueheraunt’scomplainthadbeennotsomuchofMadameMerle’sactivityasofherduplicity：shehadbroughtaboutthestrangeeventandthenshehaddeniedherguilt。
Suchguiltwouldnothavebeengreat，toIsabel’smind。shecouldn’tmakeacrimeofMadameMerle’shavingbeentheproducingcauseofthemostimportantfriendshipshehadeverformed。Thishadoccurredtoherjustbeforehermarriage，afterherlittlediscussionwithherauntandatatimewhenshewasstillcapableofthatlargeinwardreference，thetonealmostofthephilosophichistorian，toherscantyoungannals。IfMadameMerlehaddesiredherchangeofstateshecouldonlysayithadbeenaveryhappythought。Withher，moreover，shehadbeenperfectlystraightforward。shehadneverconcealedherhighopinionofGilbertOsmond。AftertheirunionIsabeldiscoveredthatherhusbandtookalessconvenientviewofthematter。
heseldomconsentedtofinger，intalk，thisroundestandsmoothestbeadoftheirsocialrosary。