Don’tyoulikeMadameMerle？Isabelhadoncesaidtohim。Shethinksagreatdealofyou。
　　I’lltellyouonceforall，Osmondhadanswered。IlikedheroncebetterthanIdoto-day。I’mtiredofher，andI’mratherashamedofit。She’ssoalmostunnaturallygood！I’mgladshe’snotinItaly。
　　itmakesforrelaxation-forasortofmoraldetente。Don’ttalkofhertoomuch。itseemstobringherback。She’llcomebackinplentyoftime。
　　MadameMerle，infact，hadcomebackbeforeitwastoolate-toolate，Imean，torecoverwhateveradvantageshemighthavelost。Butmeantime，if，asIhavesaid，shewassensiblydifferent，Isabel’sfeelingswerealsonotquitethesame。Herconsciousnessofthesituationwasasacuteasofold，butitwasmuchlesssatisfying。A
　　dissatisfiedmind，whateverelseitmaymiss，israrelyinwantofreasons。theybloomasthickasbuttercupsinJune。ThefactofMadameMerle’shavinghadahandinGilbertOsmond’smarriageceasedtobeoneofhertitlestoconsideration。itmighthavebeenwritten，afterall，thattherewasnotsomuchtothankherfor。Astimewentontherewaslessandless，andIsabeloncesaidtoherselfthatperhapswithoutherthesethingswouldnothavebeen。Thatreflectionindeedwasinstantlystifled。sheknewanimmediatehorrorathavingmadeit。Whateverhappenstomeletmenotbeunjust，shesaid。Letmebearmyburdensmyselfandnotshiftthemuponothers！Thisdispositionwastested，eventually，bythatingeniousapologyforherpresentconductwhichMadameMerlesawfittomakeandofwhichIhavegivenasketch。fortherewassomethingirritating-therewasalmostanairofmockery-inherneatdiscriminationsandclearconvictions。InIsabel’smindto-daytherewasnothingclear。therewasaconfusionofregrets，acomplicationoffears。Shefelthelplessassheturnedawayfromherfriend，whohadjustmadethestatementsIhavequoted：MadameMerleknewsolittlewhatshewasthinkingof！Shewasherselfmoreoversounabletoexplain。jealousofher-jealousofherwithGilbert？Theideajustthensuggestednonearreality。
　　Shealmostwishedjealousyhadbeenpossible。itwouldhavemadeinamannerforrefreshment。Wasn’titinamanneroneofthesymptomsofhappiness？MadameMerle，however，waswise，sowisethatshemighthavebeenpretendingtoknowIsabelbetterthanIsabelknewherself。Thisyoungwomanhadalwaysbeenfertileinresolutions-manyofthemofanelevatedcharacter。butatnoperiodhadtheyflourishedintheprivacyofherheartmorerichlythanto-day。Itistruethattheyallhadafamilylikeness。theymighthavebeensummedupinthedeterminationthatifshewastobeunhappyitshouldnotbebyafaultofherown。Herpoorwingedspirithadalwayshadagreatdesiretodoitsbest，andithadnotasyetbeenseriouslydiscouraged。Itwished，therefore，toholdfasttojustice-nottopayitselfbypettyrevenges。ToassociateMadameMerlewithitsdisappointmentwouldbeapettyrevenge-especiallyasthepleasuretobederivedfromthatwouldbeperfectlyinsincere。Itmightfeedhersenseofbitterness，butitwouldnotloosenherbonds。
　　Itwasimpossibletopretendthatshehadnotactedwithhereyesopen。ifeveragirlwasafreeagentshehadbeen。Agirlinlovewasdoubtlessnotafreeagent。butthesolesourceofhermistakehadbeenwithinherself。Therehadbeennoplot，nosnare。shehadlookedandconsideredandchosen。Whenawomanhadmadesuchamistake，therewasonlyonewaytorepairit-justimmenselyoh，withthehighestgrandeur！toacceptit。Onefollywasenough，especiallywhenitwastolastforever。asecondonewouldnotmuchsetitoff。InthisvowofreticencetherewasacertainnoblenesswhichkeptIsabelgoing。butMadameMerlehadbeenright，forallthat，intakingherprecautions。
　　OnedayaboutamonthafterRalphTouchett’sarrivalinRomeIsabelcamebackfromawalkwithPansy。ItwasnotonlyapartofhergeneraldeterminationtobejustthatshewasatpresentverythankfulforPansy-itwasalsoapartofhertendernessforthingsthatwerepureandweak。Pansywasdeartoher，andtherewasnothingelseinherlifethathadtherightnessoftheyoungcreature’sattachmentorthesweetnessofherownclearnessaboutit。Itwaslikeasoftpresence-likeasmallhandinherown。onPansy’spartitwasmorethananaffection-itwasakindofardentcoercivefaith。Onherownsidehersenseofthegirl’sdependencewasmorethanapleasure。itoperatedasadefinitereasonwhenmotivesthreatenedtofailher。Shehadsaidtoherselfthatwemusttakeourdutywherewefindit，andthatwemustlookforitasmuchaspossible。Pansy’ssympathywasadirectadmonition。itseemedtosaythatherewasanopportunity，noteminentperhaps，butunmistakeable。YetanopportunityforwhatIsabelcouldhardlyhavesaid。ingeneral，tobemoreforthechildthanthechildwasabletobeforherself。Isabelcouldhavesmiled，inthesedays，torememberthatherlittlecompanionhadoncebeenambiguous，forshenowperceivedthatPansy’sambiguitiesweresimplyherowngrossnessofvision。Shehadbeenunabletobelieveanyonecouldcaresomuch-soextraordinarilymuch-toplease。Butsincethenshehadseenthisdelicatefacultyinoperation，andnowsheknewwhattothinkofit。Itwasthewholecreature-itwasasortofgenius。Pansyhadnopridetointerferewithit，andthoughshewasconstantlyextendingherconquestsshetooknocreditforthem。Thetwowereconstantlytogether。Mrs。Osmondwasrarelyseenwithoutherstepdaughter。Isabellikedhercompany。ithadtheeffectofone’scarryinganosegaycomposedallofthesameflower。AndthennottoneglectPansy，notunderanyprovocationtoneglecther-thisshehadmadeanarticleofreligion。TheyounggirlhadeveryappearanceofbeinghappierinIsabel’ssocietythaninthatofanyonesaveherfather，whomsheadmiredwithanintensityjustifiedbythefactthat，aspaternitywasanexquisitepleasuretoGilbertOsmond，hehadalwaysbeenluxuriouslymild。IsabelknewhowPansylikedtobewithherandhowshestudiedthemeansofpleasingher。Shehaddecidedthatthebestwayofpleasingherwasnegative，andconsistedinnotgivinghertrouble-aconvictionwhichcertainlycouldhavehadnoreferencetotroublealreadyexisting。Shewasthereforeingeniouslypassiveandalmostimaginativelydocile。shewascarefuleventomoderatetheeagernesswithwhichsheassentedtoIsabel’spropositionsandwhichmighthaveimpliedthatshecouldhavethoughtotherwise。Sheneverinterrupted，neveraskedsocialquestions，andthoughshedelightedinapprobation，tothepointofturningpalewhenitcametoher，neverheldoutherhandforit。
　　Sheonlylookedtowarditwistfully-anattitudewhich，asshegrewolder，madehereyestheprettiestintheworld。WhenduringthesecondwinteratPalazzoRoccanerashebegantogotoparties，todances，shealways，atareasonablehour，lestMrs。Osmondshouldbetired，wasthefirsttoproposedeparture。Isabelappreciatedthesacrificeofthelatedances，forsheknewherlittlecompanionhadapassionatepleasureinthisexercise，takingherstepstothemusiclikeaconscientiousfairy。Society，moreover，hadnodrawbacksforher。shelikedeventhetiresomeparts-theheatofball-rooms，thedulnessofdinners，thecrushatthedoor，theawkwardwaitingforthecarriage。Duringtheday，inthisvehicle，besideherstepmother，shesatinasmallfixed，appreciativeposture，bendingforwardandfaintlysmiling，asifshehadbeentakentodriveforthefirsttime。
　　OnthedayIspeakoftheyhadbeendrivenoutofoneofthegatesofthecityandattheendofhalfanhourhadleftthecarriagetoawaitthembytheroadsidewhiletheywalkedawayovertheshortgrassoftheCampagna，whicheveninthewintermonthsissprinkledwithdelicateflowers。ThiswasalmostadailyhabitwithIsabel，whowasfondofawalkandhadaswiftlengthofstep，thoughnotsoswiftaoneasonherfirstcomingtoEurope。ItwasnottheformofexercisethatPansylovedbest，butshelikedit，becauseshelikedeverything。andshemovedwithashorterundulationbesideherfather’swife，whoafterwards，ontheirreturntoRome，paidatributetoherpreferencesbymakingthecircuitofthePincianortheVillaBorghese。Shehadgatheredahandfulofflowersinasunnyhollow，farfromthewallsofRome，andonreachingPalazzoRoccanerashewentstraighttoherroom，toputthemintowater。Isabelpassedintothedrawing-room，theonesheherselfusuallyoccupied，thesecondinorderfromthelargeante-chamberwhichwasenteredfromthestaircaseandinwhichevenGilbertOsmond’srichdeviceshadnotbeenabletocorrectalookofrathergrandnudity。justbeyondthethresholdofthedrawing-roomshestoppedshort，thereasonforherdoingsobeingthatshehadreceivedanimpression。Theimpressionhad，instrictness，nothingunprecedented。butshefeltitassomethingnew，andthesoundlessnessofherstepgavehertimetotakeinthescenebeforesheinterruptedit。MadameMerlewasthereinherbonnet，andGilbertOsmondwastalkingtoher。foraminutetheywereunawareshehadcomein。Isabelhadoftenseenthatbefore，certainly。butwhatshehadnotseen，oratleasthadnotnoticed，wasthattheircolloquyhadforthemomentconverteditselfintoasortoffamiliarsilence，fromwhichsheinstantlyperceivedthatherentrancewouldstartlethem。MadameMerlewasstandingontherug，alittlewayfromthefire。Osmondwasinadeepchair，leaningbackandlookingather。Herheadwaserect，asusual，buthereyeswerebentonhis。WhatstruckIsabelfirstwasthathewassittingwhileMadameMerlestood。therewasananomalyinthisthatarrestedher。Thensheperceivedthattheyhadarrivedatadesultorypauseintheirexchangeofideasandweremusing，facetoface，withthefreedomofoldfriendswhosometimesexchangeideaswithoututteringthem。Therewasnothingtoshockinthis。theywereoldfriendsinfact。Butthethingmadeanimage，lastingonlyamoment，likeasuddenflickeroflight。Theirrelativepositions，theirabsorbedmutualgaze，struckherassomethingdetected。Butitwasalloverbythetimeshehadfairlyseenit。MadameMerlehadseenherandhadwelcomedherwithoutmoving。herhusband，ontheotherhand，hadinstantlyjumpedup。Hepresentlymurmuredsomethingaboutwantingawalkand，afterhavingaskedtheirvisitortoexcusehim，lefttheroom。
　　Icametoseeyou，thinkingyouwouldhavecomein。andasyouhadn’tIwaitedforyou，MadameMerlesaid。
　　Didn’theaskyoutositdown？Isabelaskedwithasmile。
　　MadameMerlelookedabouther。Ah，it’sverytrue。Iwasgoingaway。
　　Youmuststaynow。
　　Certainly。Icameforareason。I’vesomethingonmymind。
　　I’vetoldyouthatbefore，Isabelsaid-thatittakessomethingextraordinarytobringyoutothishouse。
　　AndyouknowwhatI’vetoldyou。thatwhetherIcomeorwhetherI
　　stayaway，I’vealwaysthesamemotive-theaffectionIbearyou。
　　Yes，you’vetoldmethat。
　　Youlookjustnowasifyoudidn’tbelieveit，saidMadameMerle。
　　Ah，Isabelanswered，theprofundityofyourmotives，that’sthelastthingIdoubt！
　　Youdoubtsoonerofthesincerityofmywords。
　　Isabelshookherheadgravely。Iknowyou’vealwaysbeenkindtome。
　　Asoftenasyouwouldletme。Youdon’talwaystakeit。thenonehastoletyoualone。It’snottodoyouakindness，however，thatI’vecometo-day。it’squiteanotheraffair。I’vecometogetridofatroubleofmyown-tomakeitovertoyou。I’vebeentalkingtoyourhusbandaboutit。
　　I’msurprisedatthat。hedoesn’tliketroubles。
　　Especiallyotherpeople’s。Iknowverywell。Butneitherdoyou，Isuppose。Atanyrate，whetheryoudoornot，youmusthelpme。
　　It’saboutpoorMr。Rosier。
　　Ah，saidIsabelreflectively，it’shistroublethen，notyours。
　　Hehassucceededinsaddlingmewithit。Hecomestoseemetentimesaweek，totalkaboutPansy。
　　Yes，hewantstomarryher。Iknowallaboutit。
　　MadameMerlehesitated。Igatheredfromyourhusbandthatperhapsyoudidn’t。
　　HowshouldheknowwhatIknow？Hehasneverspokentomeofthematter。
　　It’sprobablybecausehedoesn’tknowhowtospeakofit。
　　It’sneverthelessthesortofquestioninwhichhe’srarelyatfault。
　　Yes，becauseasageneralthingheknowsperfectlywellwhattothink。
　　To-dayhedoesn’t。
　　Haven’tyoubeentellinghim？Isabelasked。
　　MadameMerlegaveabright，voluntarysmile。Doyouknowyou’realittledry？
　　Yes。Ican’thelpit。Mr。Rosierhasalsotalkedtome。
　　Inthatthere’ssomereason。You’resonearthechild。
　　Ah，saidIsabel，forallthecomfortI’vegivenhim！Ifyouthinkmedry，Iwonderwhathethinks。
　　Ibelievehethinksyoucandomorethanyouhavedone。
　　Icandonothing。
　　YoucandomoreatleastthanI。Idon’tknowwhatmysteriousconnectionhemayhavediscoveredbetweenmeandPansy。buthecametomefromthefirst，asifIheldhisfortuneinmyhand。Nowhekeepscomingback，tospurmeup，toknowwhathopethereis，topourouthisfeelings。
　　He’sverymuchinlove，saidIsabel。
　　Verymuch-forhim。
　　VerymuchforPansy，youmightsayaswell。
　　MadameMerledroppedhereyesamoment。Don’tyouthinkshe’sattractive？
　　Thedearestlittlepersonpossible-butverylimited。
　　SheoughttobealltheeasierforMr。Rosiertolove。Mr。Rosier’snotunlimited。
　　No，saidIsabel，hehasabouttheextentofone’spocket-handkerchief-thesmalloneswithlaceborders。Herhumourhadlatelyturnedagooddealtosarcasm，butinamomentshewasashamedofexercisingitonsoinnocentanobjectasPansy’ssuitor。
　　He’sverykind，veryhonest，shepresentlyadded。andhe’snotsuchafoolasheseems。
　　Heassuresmethatshedelightsinhim，saidMadameMerle。
　　Idon’tknow。I’venotaskedher。
　　You’veneversoundedheralittle？
　　It’snotmyplace。it’sherfather’s。
　　Ah，you’retooliteral！saidMadameMerle。
　　Imustjudgeformyself。
　　MadameMerlegavehersmileagain。Itisn’teasytohelpyou。
　　Tohelpme？saidIsabelveryseriously。Whatdoyoumean？
　　It’seasytodispleaseyou。Don’tyouseehowwiseIamtobecareful？Inotifyyou，atanyrate，asInotifiedOsmond，thatI
　　washmyhandsofthelove-affairsofMissPansyandMr。EdwardRosier。
　　Jen’ypeuxrien，moi！Ican’ttalktoPansyabouthim。Especially，
　　addedMadameMerle，asIdon’tthinkhimaparagonofhusbands。
　　Isabelreflectedalittle。afterwhich，withasmile，Youdon’twashyourhandsthen！shesaid。Afterwhichagainsheaddedinanothertone：Youcan’t-you’retoomuchinterested。
　　MadameMerleslowlyrose。shehadgivenIsabelalookasrapidastheintimationthathadgleamedbeforeourheroineafewmomentsbefore。Onlythistimethelattersawnothing。Askhimthenexttime，andyou’llsee。
　　Ican’taskhim。hehasceasedtocometothehouse。Gilberthaslethimknowthathe’snotwelcome。
　　Ahyes，saidMadameMerle，Iforgotthat-thoughit’stheburdenofhislamentation。HesaysOsmondhasinsultedhim。Allthesame，
　　shewenton，Osmonddoesn’tdislikehimsomuchashethinks。Shehadgotupasiftoclosetheconversation，butshelingered，lookingabouther，andhadevidentlymoretosay。Isabelperceivedthisandevensawthepointshehadinview。butIsabelalsohadherownreasonsfornotopeningtheway。
　　Thatmusthavepleasedhim，ifyou’vetoldhim，sheanswered，smiling。
　　CertainlyI’vetoldhim。asfarasthatgoesI’veencouragedhim。
　　I’vepreachedpatience，havesaidthathiscaseisn’tdesperateifhe’llonlyholdhistongueandbequiet。Unfortunatelyhehastakenitintohisheadtobejealous。
　　Jealous？
　　JealousofLordWarburton，who，hesays，isalwayshere。
　　Isabel，whowastired，hadremainedsitting。butatthisshealsorose。Ah！sheexclaimedsimply，movingslowlytothefireplace。
　　MadameMerleobservedherasshepassedandwhileshestoodamomentbeforethemantel-glassandpushedintoitsplaceawanderingtressofhair。
　　PoorMr。Rosierkeepssayingthere’snothingimpossibleinLordWarburton’sfallinginlovewithPansy，MadameMerlewenton。
　　Isabelwassilentalittle。sheturnedawayfromtheglass。
　　It’strue-there’snothingimpossible，shereturnedatlast，gravelyandmoregently。
　　SoI’vehadtoadmittoMr。Rosier。So，too，yourhusbandthinks。
　　ThatIdon’tknow。
　　Askhimandyou’llsee。
　　Ishallnotaskhim，saidIsabel。
　　Pardonme。Iforgotyouhadpointedthatout。Ofcourse，MadameMerleadded，you’vehadinfinitelymoreobservationofLordWarburton’sbehaviourthanI。
　　IseenoreasonwhyIshouldn’ttellyouthathelikesmystepdaughterverymuch。
　　MadameMerlegaveoneofherquicklooksagain。Likesher，youmean-Mr。Rosiermeans？
　　Idon’tknowhowMr。Rosiermeans。butLordWarburtonhasletmeknowthathe’scharmedwithPansy。
　　Andyou’venevertoldOsmond？Thisobservationwasimmediate，precipitate。italmostburstfromMadameMerle’slips。
　　Isabel’seyesrestedonher。Isupposehe’llknowintime。LordWarburtonhasatongueandknowshowtoexpresshimself。
　　MadameMerleinstantlybecameconsciousthatshehadspokenmorequicklythanusual，andthereflectionbroughtthecolourtohercheek。Shegavethetreacherousimpulsetimetosubsideandthensaidasifshehadbeenthinkingitoveralittle：ThatwouldbebetterthanmarryingpoorMr。Rosier。
　　Muchbetter，Ithink。
　　Itwouldbeverydelightful。itwouldbeagreatmarriage。It’sreallyverykindofhim。
　　Verykindofhim？
　　Todrophiseyesonasimplelittlegirl。
　　Idon’tseethat。
　　It’sverygoodofyou。Butafterall，PansyOsmond-
　　Afterall，PansyOsmond’sthemostattractivepersonhehaseverknown！Isabelexclaimed。
　　MadameMerlestared，andindeedshewasjustlybewildered。Ah，amomentagoIthoughtyouseemedrathertodisparageher。
　　Isaidshewaslimited。Andsosheis。Andso’sLordWarburton。
　　Soareweall，ifyoucometothat。Ifit’snomorethanPansydeserves，allthebetter。ButifshefixesheraffectionsonMr。
　　RosierIwon’tadmitthatshedeservesit。Thatwillbetooperverse。
　　Mr。Rosier’sanuisance！Isabelcriedabruptly。
　　Iquiteagreewithyou，andI’mdelightedtoknowthatI’mnotexpectedtofeedhisflame。Forthefuture，whenhecallsonme，mydoorshallbeclosedtohim。AndgatheringhermantletogetherMadameMerlepreparedtodepart。Shewaschecked，however，onherprogresstothedoor，byaninconsequentrequestfromIsabel。
　　Allthesame，youknow，bekindtohim。
　　Sheliftedhershouldersandeyebrowsandstoodlookingatherfriend。Idon’tunderstandyourcontradictions！DecidedlyIshan’tbekindtohim，foritwillbeafalsekindness。IwanttoseehermarriedtoLordWarburton。
　　Youhadbetterwaittillheasksher。
　　Ifwhatyousay’strue，he’llaskher。Especially，saidMadameMerleinamoment，ifyoumakehim。
　　IfImakehim？
　　It’squiteinyourpower。You’vegreatinfluencewithhim。
　　Isabelfrownedalittle。Wheredidyoulearnthat？
　　Mrs。Touchetttoldme。Notyou-never！saidMadameMerle，smiling。
　　Icertainlynevertoldyouanythingofthesort。
　　Youmighthavedonefarasopportunitywent-whenwewerebywayofbeingconfidentialwitheachother。Butyoureallytoldmeverylittle。I’veoftenthoughtsosince。
　　Isabelhadthoughtsotoo，andsometimeswithacertainsatisfaction。Butshedidn’tadmititnow-perhapsbecauseshewishednottoappeartoexultinit。Youseemtohavehadanexcellentinformantinmyaunt，shesimplyreturned。
　　SheletmeknowyouhaddeclinedanofferofmarriagefromLordWarburton，becauseshewasgreatlyvexedandwasfullofthesubject。OfcourseIthinkyou’vedonebetterindoingasyoudid。Butifyouwouldn’tmarryLordWarburtonyourself，makehimthereparationofhelpinghimtomarrysomeoneelse。
　　IsabellistenedtothiswithafacethatpersistedinnotreflectingthebrightexpressivenessofMadameMerle’s。Butinamomentshesaid，reasonablyandgentlyenough：Ishouldbeverygladindeedif，asregardsPansy，itcouldbearranged。Uponwhichhercompanion，whoseemedtoregardthisasaspeechofgoodomen，embracedhermoretenderlythanmighthavebeenexpectedandtriumphantlywithdrew。
　　CHAPTER41
　　Osmondtouchedonthismatterthateveningforthefirsttime。
　　comingverylateintothedrawing-room，whereshewassittingalone。
　　Theyhadspenttheeveningathome，andPansyhadgonetobed。hehimselfhadbeensittingsincedinnerinasmallapartmentinwhichhehadarrangedhisbooksandwhichhecalledhisstudy。Atteno’clockLordWarburtonhadcomein，ashealwaysdidwhenheknewfromIsabelthatshewastobeathome。hewasgoingsomewhereelseandhesatforhalfanhour。Isabel，afteraskinghimfornewsofRalph，saidverylittletohim，onpurpose。shewishedhimtotalkwithherstepdaughter。Shepretendedtoread。sheevenwentafteralittletothepiano。sheaskedherselfifshemightn’tleavetheroom。ShehadcomelittlebylittletothinkwelloftheideaofPansy’sbecomingthewifeofthemasterofbeautifulLockleigh，thoughatfirstithadnotpresenteditselfinamannertoexciteherenthusiasm。
　　MadameMerle，thatafternoon，hadappliedthematchtoanaccumulationofinflammablematerial。WhenIsabelwasunhappyshealwayslookedabouther-partlyfromimpulseandpartlybytheory-forsomeformofpositiveexertion。Shecouldneverridherselfofthesensethatunhappinesswasastateofdisease-ofsufferingasopposedtodoing。
　　Todo-ithardlymatteredwhat-wouldthereforebeanescape，perhapsinsomedegreearemedy。Besides，shewishedtoconvinceherselfthatshehaddoneeverythingpossibletocontentherhusband。shewasdeterminednottobehauntedbyvisionsofhiswife’slimpnessunderappeal。ItwouldpleasehimgreatlytoseePansymarriedtoanEnglishnobleman，andjustlypleasehim，sincethisnoblemanwassosoundacharacter。ItseemedtoIsabelthatifshecouldmakeitherdutytobringaboutsuchaneventsheshouldplaythepartofagoodwife。Shewantedtobethat。shewantedtobeabletobelievesincerely，andwithproofofit，thatshehadbeenthat。Thensuchanundertakinghadotherrecommendations。Itwouldoccupyher，andshedesiredoccupation。Itwouldevenamuseher，andifshecouldreallyamuseherselfsheperhapsmightbesaved。
　　Lastly，itwouldbeaservicetoLordWarburton，whoevidentlypleasedhimselfgreatlywiththecharminggirl。Itwasalittleweirdheshould-beingwhathewas。buttherewasnoaccountingforsuchimpressions。Pansymightcaptivateanyone-anyoneatleastbutLordWarburton。Isabelwouldhavethoughthertoosmall，tooslight，perhapseventooartificialforthat。Therewasalwaysalittleofthedollabouther，andthatwasnotwhathehadbeenlookingfor。
　　Still，whocouldsaywhatmeneverwerelookingfor？Theylookedforwhattheyfound。theyknewwhatpleasedthemonlywhentheysawit。Notheorywasvalidinsuchmatters，andnothingwasmoreunaccountableormorenaturalthananythingelse。IfhehadcaredforheritmightseemoddheshouldcareforPansy，whowassodifferent。buthehadnotcaredforhersomuchashehadsupposed。Orifhehad，hehadcompletelygotoverit，anditwasnaturalthat，asthataffairhadfailed，heshouldthinksomethingofquiteanothersortmightsucceed。
　　Enthusiasm，asIsay，hadnotcomeatfirsttoIsabel，butitcameto-dayandmadeherfeelalmosthappy。Itwasastonishingwhathappinessshecouldstillfindintheideaofprocuringapleasureforherhusband。Itwasapity，however，thatEdwardRosierhadcrossedtheirpath！
　　Atthisreflectionthelightthathadsuddenlygleameduponthatpathlostsomethingofitsbrightness。IsabelwasunfortunatelyassurethatPansythoughtMr。Rosierthenicestofalltheyoungmensureasifshehadheldaninterviewwithheronthesubject。Itwasverytiresomesheshouldbesosure，whenshehadcarefullyabstainedfrominformingherself。almostastiresomeasthatpoorMr。Rosiershouldhavetakenitintohisownhead。HewascertainlyveryinferiortoLordWarburton。Itwasnotthedifferenceinfortunesomuchasthedifferenceinthemen。theyoungAmericanwasreallysolightaweight。HewasmuchmoreofthetypeoftheuselessfinegentlemanthantheEnglishnobleman。ItwastruethattherewasnoparticularreasonwhyPansyshouldmarryastatesman。
　　still，ifastatesmanadmiredher，thatwashisaffair，andshewouldmakeaperfectlittlepearlofapeeress。
　　ItmayseemtothereaderthatMrs。Osmondhadgrownofasuddenstrangelycynical，forsheendedbysayingtoherselfthatthisdifficultycouldprobablybearranged。AnimpedimentthatwasembodiedinpoorRosiercouldnotanyhowpresentitselfasadangerousone。
　　therewerealwaysmeansoflevellingsecondaryobstacles。IsabelwasperfectlyawarethatshehadnottakenthemeasureofPansy’stenacity，whichmightprovetobeinconvenientlygreat。butsheinclinedtoseeherasratherlettinggo，undersuggestion，thanasclutchingunderdeprecation-sinceshehadcertainlythefacultyofassentdevelopedinaverymuchhigherdegreethanthatofprotest。
　　Shewouldcling，yes，shewouldcling。butitreallymatteredtoherverylittlewhatsheclungto。LordWarburtonwoulddoaswellasMr。Rosier-especiallyassheseemedquitetolikehim。shehadexpressedthissentimenttoIsabelwithoutasinglereservation。shehadsaidshethoughthisconversationmostinteresting-hehadtoldherallaboutIndia。HismannertoPansyhadbeenoftherightestandeasiest-Isabelnoticedthatforherself，asshealsoobservedthathetalkedtohernotintheleastinapatronizingway，remindinghimselfofheryouthandsimplicity，butquiteasifsheunderstoodhissubjectswiththatsufficiencywithwhichshefollowedthoseofthefashionableoperas。Thiswentfarenoughforattentiontothemusicandthebarytone。Hewascarefulonlytobekind-hewasaskindashehadbeentoanotherflutteredyoungchitatGardencourt。
　　Agirlmightwellbetouchedbythat。sherememberedhowsheherselfhadbeentouched，andsaidtoherselfthatifshehadbeenassimpleasPansytheimpressionwouldhavebeendeeperstill。Shehadnotbeensimplewhensherefusedhim。thatoperationhadbeenascomplicatedas，later，heracceptanceofOsmondhadbeen。Pansy，however，inspiteofhersimplicity，reallydidunderstand，andwasgladthatLordWarburtonshouldtalktoher，notaboutherpartnersandbouquets，butaboutthestateofItaly，theconditionofthepeasantry，thefamousgrist-tax，thepellagra，hisimpressionsofRomansociety。Shelookedathim，asshedrewherneedlethroughhertapestry，withsweetsubmissiveeyes，andwhensheloweredthemshegavelittlequietobliqueglancesathisperson，hishands，hisfeet，hisclothes，asifshewereconsideringhim。Evenhisperson，Isabelmighthaveremindedher，wasbetterthanMr。Rosier’s。ButIsabelcontentedherselfatsuchmomentswithwonderingwherethisgentlemanwas。hecamenomoreatalltoPalazzoRoccanera。Itwassurprising，asIsay，theholdithadtakenofher-theideaofassistingherhusbandtobepleased。
　　ItwassurprisingforavarietyofreasonswhichIshallpresentlytouchupon。OntheeveningIspeakof，whileLordWarburtonsatthere，shehadbeenonthepointoftakingthegreatstepofgoingoutoftheroomandleavinghercompanionsalone。Isaythegreatstep，becauseitwasinthislightthatGilbertOsmondwouldhaveregardedit，andIsabelwastryingasmuchaspossibletotakeherhusband’sview。
　　Shesucceededafterafashion，butshefellshortofthepointI
　　mention。Afterallshecouldn’trisetoit。somethingheldherandmadethisimpossible。Itwasnotexactlythatitwouldbebaseorinsidious。forwomenasageneralthingpractisesuchmanoeuvreswithaperfectlygoodconscience，andIsabelwasinstinctivelymuchmoretruethanfalsetothecommongeniusofhersex。Therewasavaguedoubtthatinterposed-asensethatshewasnotquitesure。Sosheremainedinthedrawing-room，andafterawhileLordWarburtonwentofftohisparty，ofwhichhepromisedtogivePansyafullaccountonthemorrow。Afterhehadgoneshewonderedifshehadpreventedsomethingwhichwouldhavehappenedifshehadabsentedherselfforaquarterofanhour。andthenshepronounced-alwaysmentally-thatwhentheirdistinguishedvisitorshouldwishhertogoawayhewouldeasilyfindmeanstoletherknowit。Pansysaidnothingwhateverabouthimafterhehadgone，andIsabelstudiouslysaidnothing，asshehadtakenavowofreserveuntilafterheshouldhavedeclaredhimself。HewasalittlelongerincomingtothisthanmightseemtoaccordwiththedescriptionhehadgivenIsabelofhisfeelings。Pansywenttobed，andIsabelhadtoadmitthatshecouldnotnowguesswhatherstepdaughterwasthinkingof。Hertransparentlittlecompanionwasforthemomentnottobeseenthrough。
　　Sheremainedalone，lookingatthefire，until，attheendofhalfanhour，herhusbandcamein。Hemovedaboutawhileinsilenceandthensatdown。helookedatthefirelikeherself。ButshenowhadtransferredhereyesfromtheflickeringflameinthechimneytoOsmond’sface，andshewatchedhimwhilehekepthissilence。Covertobservationhadbecomeahabitwithher。aninstinct，ofwhichitisnotanexaggerationtosaythatitwasalliedtothatofself-defence，hadmadeithabitual。Shewishedasmuchaspossibletoknowhisthoughts，toknowwhathewouldsay，beforehand，sothatshemightprepareheranswer。Preparinganswershadnotbeenherstrongpointofold。shehadrarelyinthisrespectgotfurtherthanthinkingafterwardsofcleverthingsshemighthavesaid。Butshehadlearnedcaution-learneditinameasurefromherhusband’sverycountenance。
　　Itwasthesamefaceshehadlookedintowitheyesequallyearnestperhaps，butlesspenetrating，ontheterraceofaFlorentinevilla。
　　exceptthatOsmondhadgrownslightlystoutersincehismarriage。Hestill，however，mightstrikeoneasverydistinguished。
　　HasLordWarburtonbeenhere？hepresentlyasked。
　　Yes，hestayedhalfanhour。
　　DidheseePansy？
　　Yes。hesatonthesofabesideher。
　　Didhetalkwithhermuch？
　　Hetalkedalmostonlytoher。
　　Itseemstomehe’sattentive。Isn’tthatwhatyoucallit？
　　Idon’tcallitanything，saidIsabel。I’vewaitedforyoutogiveitaname。
　　That’saconsiderationyoudon’talwaysshow，Osmondansweredafteramoment。
　　I’vedetermined，thistime，totryandactasyou’dlike。I’vesooftenfailedofthat。
　　Osmondturnedhisheadslowly，lookingather。Areyoutryingtoquarrelwithme？
　　No，I’mtryingtoliveatpeace。
　　Nothing’smoreeasy。youknowIdon’tquarrelmyself。
　　Whatdoyoucallitwhenyoutrytomakemeangry？Isabelasked。
　　Idon’ttry。ifI’vedonesoithasbeenthemostnaturalthingintheworld。MoreoverI’mnotintheleasttryingnow。
　　Isabelsmiled。Itdoesn’tmatter。I’vedeterminednevertobeangryagain。
　　That’sanexcellentresolve。Yourtemperisn’tgood。
　　No-it’snotgood。ShepushedawaythebookshehadbeenreadingandtookupthebandoftapestryPansyhadleftonthetable。
　　That’spartlywhyI’venotspokentoyouaboutthisbusinessofmydaughter’s，Osmondsaid，designatingPansyinthemannerthatwasmostfrequentwithhim。IwasafraidIshouldencounteropposition-thatyoutoowouldhaveviewsonthesubject。I’vesentlittleRosierabouthisbusiness。
　　YouwereafraidI’dpleadforMr。Rosier？Haven’tyounoticedthatI’veneverspokentoyouofhim？
　　I’venevergivenyouachance。We’vesolittleconversationinthesedays。Iknowhewasanoldfriendofyours。
　　Yes。he’sanoldfriendofmine。Isabelcaredlittlemoreforhimthanforthetapestrythatsheheldinherhand。butitwastruethathewasanoldfriendandthatwithherhusbandshefeltadesirenottoextenuatesuchties。Hehadawayofexpressingcontemptforthemwhichfortifiedherloyaltytothem，evenwhen，asinthepresentcase，theywereinthemselvesinsignificant。Shesometimesfeltasortofpassionoftendernessformemorieswhichhadnoothermeritthanthattheybelongedtoherunmarriedlife。ButasregardsPansy，sheaddedinamoment，I’vegivenhimnoencouragement。
　　That’sfortunate，Osmondobserved。
　　Fortunateforme，Isupposeyoumean。Forhimitmatterslittle。
　　There’snousetalkingofhim，Osmondsaid。AsItellyou，I’veturnedhimout。
　　Yes。butaloveroutside’salwaysalover。He’ssometimesevenmoreofone。Mr。Rosierstillhashope。
　　He’swelcometothecomfortofit！MydaughterhasonlytositperfectlyquiettobecomeLadyWarburton。
　　Shouldyoulikethat？Isabelaskedwithasimplicitywhichwasnotsoaffectedasitmayappear。Shewasresolvedtoassumenothing，forOsmondhadawayofunexpectedlyturningherassumptionsagainsther。TheintensitywithwhichhewouldlikehisdaughtertobecomeLadyWarburtonhadbeentheverybasisofherownrecentreflections。Butthatwasforherself。shewouldrecognizenothinguntilOsmondshouldhaveputitintowords。shewouldnottakeforgrantedwithhimthathethoughtLordWarburtonaprizeworthanamountofeffortthatwasunusualamongtheOsmonds。ItwasGilbert’sconstantintimationthatforhimnothinginlifewasaprize。thathetreatedasfromequaltoequalwiththemostdistinguishedpeopleintheworld，andthathisdaughterhadonlytolookabouthertopickoutaprince。ItcosthimthereforealapsefromconsistencytosayexplicitlythatheyearnedforLordWarburtonandthatifthisnoblemanshouldescapehisequivalentmightnotbefound。withwhichmoreoveritwasanotherofhiscustomaryimplicationsthathewasneverinconsistent。Hewouldhavelikedhiswifetoglideoverthepoint。Butstrangelyenough，nowthatshewasfacetofacewithhimandalthoughanhourbeforeshehadalmostinventedaschemeforpleasinghim，Isabelwasnotaccommodating，wouldnotglide。Andyetsheknewexactlytheeffectonhismindofherquestion：itwouldoperateasanhumiliation。Nevermind。hewasterriblycapableofhumiliatingher-allthemoresothathewasalsocapableofwaitingforgreatopportunitiesandofshowingsometimesanalmostunaccountableindifferencetosmallones。Isabelperhapstookasmallopportunitybecauseshewouldnothaveavailedherselfofagreatone。
　　Osmondatpresentacquittedhimselfveryhonourably。Ishouldlikeitextremely。itwouldbeagreatmarriage。AndthenLordWarburtonhasanotheradvantage：he’sanoldfriendofyours。Itwouldbepleasantforhimtocomeintothefamily。It’sveryoddPansy’sadmirersshouldallbeyouroldfriends。
　　It’snaturalthattheyshouldcometoseeme。IncomingtoseemetheyseePansy。Seeingherit’snaturaltheyshouldfallinlovewithher。
　　SoIthink。Butyou’renotboundtodoso。
　　IfsheshouldmarryLordWarburtonIshouldbeveryglad，Isabelwentonfrankly。He’sanexcellentman。Yousay，however，thatshehasonlytositperfectlystill。Perhapsshewon’tsitperfectlystill。IfshelosesMr。Rosiershemayjumpup！
　　Osmondappearedtogivenoheedtothis。hesatgazingatthefire。
　　Pansywouldliketobeagreatlady，heremarkedinamomentwithacertaintendernessoftone。Shewishesabovealltoplease，
　　headded。
　　TopleaseMr。Rosier，perhaps。
　　No，topleaseme。
　　Metooalittle，Ithink，saidIsabel。
　　Yes，shehasagreatopinionofyou。Butshe’lldowhatIlike。
　　Ifyou’resureofthat，it’sverywell，shewenton。
　　Meantime，saidOsmond，Ishouldlikeourdistinguishedvisitortospeak。
　　Hehasspoken-tome。Hehastoldmeitwouldbeagreatpleasuretohimtobelieveshecouldcareforhim。
　　Osmondturnedhisheadquickly，butatfirsthesaidnothing。
　　Then，Whydidn’tyoutellmethat？heaskedsharply。
　　Therewasnoopportunity。Youknowhowwelive。I’vetakenthefirstchancethathasoffered。
　　DidyouspeaktohimofRosier？
　　Ohyes，alittle。
　　Thatwashardlynecessary。
　　Ithoughtitbestheshouldknow，sothat，sothat-AndIsabelpaused。
　　Sothatwhat？
　　Sothathemightactaccordingly。
　　Sothathemightbackout，doyoumean？
　　No，sothathemightadvancewhilethere’syettime。
　　That’snottheeffectitseemstohavehad。
　　Youshouldhavepatience，saidIsabel。YouknowEnglishmenareshy。
　　Thisone’snot。Hewasnotwhenhemadelovetoyou。
　　ShehadbeenafraidOsmondwouldspeakofthat。itwasdisagreeabletoher。Ibegyourpardon。hewasextremelyso，shereturned。
　　Heanswerednothingforsometime。hetookupabookandfingeredthepageswhileshesatsilentandoccupiedherselfwithPansy’stapestry。Youmusthaveagreatdealofinfluencewithhim，Osmondwentonatlast。Themomentyoureallywishityoucanbringhimtothepoint。
　　Thiswasmoreoffensivestill。butshefeltthegreatnaturalnessofhissayingit，anditwasafterallextremelylikewhatshehadsaidtoherself。WhyshouldIhaveinfluence？sheasked。WhathaveI
　　everdonetoputhimunderanobligationtome？
　　Yourefusedtomarryhim，saidOsmondwithhiseyesonhisbook。
　　Imustnotpresumetoomuchonthat，shereplied。
　　Hethrewdownthebookpresentlyandgotup，standingbeforethefirewithhishandsbehindhim。Well，Iholdthatitliesinyourhands。Ishallleaveitthere。Withalittlegood-willyoumaymanageit。ThinkthatoverandrememberhowmuchIcountonyou。Hewaitedalittle，togivehertimetoanswer。butsheanswerednothing，andhepresentlystrolledoutoftheroom。
　　CHAPTER42
　　Shehadanswerednothingbecausehiswordshadputthesituationbeforeherandshewasabsorbedinlookingatit。Therewassomethinginthemthatsuddenlymadevibrationsdeep，sothatshehadbeenafraidtotrustherselftospeak。Afterhehadgonesheleanedbackinherchairandclosedhereyes。andforalongtime，farintothenightandstillfurther，shesatinthestilldrawing-room，givenuptohermeditation。Aservantcameintoattendtothefire，andshebadehimbringfreshcandlesandthengotobed。Osmondhadtoldhertothinkofwhathehadsaid。andshedidsoindeed，andofmanyotherthings。ThesuggestionfromanotherthatshehadadefiniteinfluenceonLordWarburton-thishadgivenherthestartthataccompaniesunexpectedrecognition。WasittruethattherewassomethingstillbetweenthemthatmightbeahandletomakehimdeclarehimselftoPansy-asusceptibility，onhispart，toapproval，adesiretodowhatwouldpleaseher？Isabelhadhithertonotaskedherselfthequestion，becauseshehadnotbeenforced。butnowthatitwasdirectlypresentedtohershesawtheanswer，andtheanswerfrightenedher。Yes，therewassomething-somethingonLordWarburton’spart。WhenhehadfirstcometoRomeshebelievedthelinkthatunitedthemtobecompletelysnapped。butlittlebylittleshehadbeenremindedthatithadyetapalpableexistence。Itwasasthinasahair，butthereweremomentswhensheseemedtohearitvibrate。Forherselfnothingwaschanged。whatsheoncethoughtofhimshealwaysthought。itwasneedlessthisfeelingshouldchange。itseemedtoherinfactabetterfeelingthanever。Buthe？hadhestilltheideathatshemightbemoretohimthanotherwomen？Hadhethewishtoprofitbythememoryofthefewmomentsofintimacythroughwhichtheyhadoncepassed？Isabelknewshehadreadsomeofthesignsofsuchadisposition。Butwhatwerehishopes，hispretensions，andinwhatstrangewayweretheymingledwithhisevidentlyverysincereappreciationofpoorPansy？WasheinlovewithGilbertOsmond’swife，andifsowhatcomfortdidheexpecttoderivefromit？IfhewasinlovewithPansyhewasnotinlovewithherstepmother，andifhewasinlovewithherstepmotherhewasnotinlovewithPansy。WasshetocultivatetheadvantageshepossessedinordertomakehimcommithimselftoPansy，knowinghewoulddosoforhersakeandnotforthesmallcreature’sown-wasthistheserviceherhusbandhadaskedofher？Thisatanyratewasthedutywithwhichshefoundherselfconfronted-fromthemomentsheadmittedtoherselfthatheroldfriendhadstillanuneradicatedpredilectionforhersociety。Itwasnotanagreeabletask。itwasinfactarepulsiveone。SheaskedherselfwithdismaywhetherLordWarburtonwerepretendingtobeinlovewithPansyinordertocultivateanothersatisfactionandwhatmightbecalledotherchances。Ofthisrefinementofduplicityshepresentlyacquittedhim。shepreferredtobelievehiminperfectgoodfaith。ButifhisadmirationforPansywereadelusionthiswasscarcelybetterthanitsbeinganaffectation。Isabelwanderedamongtheseuglypossibilitiesuntilshehadcompletelylostherway。someofthem，asshesuddenlyencounteredthem，seemeduglyenough。Thenshebrokeoutofthelabyrinth，rubbinghereyes，anddeclaredthatherimaginationsurelydidherlittlehonourandthatherhusband’sdidhimevenless。LordWarburtonwasasdisinterestedasheneedbe，andshewasnomoretohimthansheneedwish。Shewouldrestuponthistillthecontraryshouldbeproved。provedmoreeffectuallythanbyacynicalintimationofOsmond’s。
　　Sucharesolution，however，broughtherthiseveningbutlittlepeace，forhersoulwashauntedwithterrorswhichcrowdedtotheforegroundofthoughtasquicklyasaplacewasmadeforthem。Whathadsuddenlysetthemintoliveliermotionshehardlyknew，unlessitwerethestrangeimpressionshehadreceivedintheafternoonofherhusband’sbeinginmoredirectcommunicationwithMadameMerlethanshesuspected。Thatimpressioncamebacktoherfromtimetotime，andnowshewonderedithadnevercomebefore。Besidesthis，hershortinterviewwithOsmondhalfanhouragowasastrikingexampleofhisfacultyformakingeverythingwitherthathetouched，spoilingeverythingforherthathelookedat。Itwasverywelltoundertaketogivehimaproofofloyalty。therealfactwasthattheknowledgeofhisexpectingathingraisedapresumptionagainstit。Itwasasifhehadhadtheevileye。asifhispresencewereablightandhisfavouramisfortune。Wasthefaultinhimself，oronlyinthedeepmistrustshehadconceivedforhim？Thismistrustwasnowtheclearestresultoftheirshortmarriedlife。agulfhadopenedbetweenthemoverwhichtheylookedateachotherwitheyesthatwereoneithersideadeclarationofthedeceptionsuffered。Itwasastrangeopposition，ofthelikeofwhichshehadneverdreamed-anoppositioninwhichthevitalprincipleoftheonewasathingofcontempttotheother。Itwasnotherfault-shehadpractisednodeception。shehadonlyadmiredandbelieved。Shehadtakenallthefirststepsinthepurestconfidence，andthenshehadsuddenlyfoundtheinfinitevistaofamultipliedlifetobeadark，narrowalleywithadeadwallattheend。Insteadofleadingtothehighplacesofhappiness，fromwhichtheworldwouldseemtoliebelowone，sothatonecouldlookdownwithasenseofexaltationandadvantage，andjudgeandchooseandpity，itledratherdownwardandearthward，intorealmsofrestrictionanddepressionwherethesoundofotherlives，easierandfreer，washeardasfromabove，andwhereitservedtodeepenthefeelingoffailure。Itwasherdeepdistrustofherhusband-thiswaswhatdarkenedtheworld。Thatisasentimenteasilyindicated，butnotsoeasilyexplained，andsocompositeinitscharacterthatmuchtimeandstillmoresufferinghadbeenneededtobringittoitsactualperfection。Suffering，withIsabel，wasanactivecondition。itwasnotachill，astupor，adespair。itwasapassionofthought，ofspeculation，ofresponsetoeverypressure。Sheflatteredherselfthatshehadkeptherfailingfaithtoherself，however-thatnoonesuspecteditbutOsmond。Oh，heknewit，andthereweretimeswhenshethoughtheenjoyedit。Ithadcomegradually-itwasnottillthefirstyearoftheirlifetogether，soadmirablyintimateatfirst，hadclosedthatshehadtakenthealarm。Thentheshadowshadbeguntogather。itwasasifOsmonddeliberately，almostmalignantly，hadputthelightsoutonebyone。Theduskatfirstwasvagueandthin，andshecouldstillseeherwayinit。Butitsteadilydeepened，andifnowandagainithadoccasionallyliftedtherewerecertaincornersofherprospectthatwereimpenetrablyblack。Theseshadowswerenotanemanationfromherownmind：shewasverysureofthat。shehaddoneherbesttobejustandtemperate，toseeonlythetruth。Theywereapart，theywereakindofcreationandconsequence，ofherhusband’sverypresence。Theywerenothismisdeeds，histurpitudes。
　　sheaccusedhimofnothing-thatisbutofonething，whichwasnotacrime。Sheknewofnowronghehaddone。hewasnotviolent，hewasnotcruel：shesimplybelievedhehatedher。Thatwasallsheaccusedhimof，andthemiserablepartofitwaspreciselythatitwasnotacrime，foragainstacrimeshemighthavefoundredress。Hehaddiscoveredthatshewassodifferent，thatshewasnotwhathehadbelievedshewouldprovetobe。Hehadthoughtatfirsthecouldchangeher，andshehaddoneherbesttobewhathewouldlike。Butshewas，afterall，herself-shecouldn’thelpthat。andnowtherewasnousepretending，wearingamaskoradress，forheknewherandhadmadeuphismind。Shewasnotafraidofhim。shehadnoapprehensionhewouldhurther。fortheill-willheboreherwasnotofthatsort。Hewouldifpossiblenevergiveherapretext，neverputhimselfinthewrong。Isabel，scanningthefuturewithdry，fixedeyes，sawthathewouldhavethebetterofherthere。Shewouldgivehimmanypretexts，shewouldoftenputherselfinthewrong。Thereweretimeswhenshealmostpitiedhim。forifshehadnotdeceivedhiminintentionsheunderstoodhowcompletelyshemusthavedonesoinfact。Shehadeffacedherselfwhenhefirstknewher。shehadmadeherselfsmall，pretendingtherewaslessofherthantherereallywas。
　　Itwasbecauseshehadbeenundertheextraordinarycharmthathe，onhisside，hadtakenpainstoputforth。Hewasnotchanged。hehadnotdisguisedhimself，duringtheyearofhiscourtship，anymorethanshe。Butshehadseenonlyhalfhisnaturethen，asonesawthediskofthemoonwhenitwaspartlymaskedbytheshadowoftheearth。Shesawthefullmoonnow-shesawthewholeman。Shehadkeptstill，asitwere，sothatheshouldhaveafreefield，andyetinspiteofthisshehadmistakenapartforthewhole。
　　Ah，shehadbeenimmenselyunderthecharm！Ithadnotpassedaway。itwastherestill：shestillknewperfectlywhatitwasthatmadeOsmonddelightfulwhenhechosetobe。Hehadwishedtobewhenhemadelovetoher，andasshehadwishedtobecharmeditwasnotwonderfulhehadsucceeded。Hehadsucceededbecausehehadbeensincere。itneveroccurredtohernowtodenyhimthat。Headmiredher-hehadtoldherwhy：becauseshewasthemostimaginativewomanhehadknown。Itmightverywellhavebeentrue。forduringthosemonthsshehadimaginedaworldofthingsthathadnosubstance。Shehadhadamorewondrousvisionofhim，fedthroughcharmedsensesandohsuchastirredfancy！-shehadnotreadhimright。Acertaincombinationoffeatureshadtouchedher，andinthemshehadseenthemoststrikingoffigures。Thathewaspoorandlonelyandyetthatsomehowhewasnoble-thatwaswhathadinterestedherandseemedtogiveheropportunity。Therehadbeenanindefinablebeautyabouthim-inhissituation，inhismind，inhisface。Shehadfeltatthesametimethathewashelplessandineffectual，butthefeelinghadtakentheformofatendernesswhichwastheveryflowerofrespect。
　　Hewaslikeascepticalvoyagerstrollingonthebeachwhilehewaitedforthetide，lookingseawardyetnotputtingtosea。Itwasinallthisshehadfoundheroccasion。Shewouldlaunchhisboatforhim。
　　shewouldbehisprovidence。itwouldbeagoodthingtolovehim。Andshehadlovedhim，shehadsoanxiouslyandyetsoardentlygivenherself-agooddealforwhatshefoundinhim，butagooddealalsoforwhatshebroughthimandwhatmightenrichthegift。Asshelookedbackatthepassionofthosefullweekssheperceivedinitakindofmaternalstrain-thehappinessofawomanwhofeltthatshewasacontributor，thatshecamewithchargedhands。Butforhermoney，asshesawto-day，shewouldneverhavedoneit。AndthenhermindwanderedofftopoorMr。Touchett，sleepingunderEnglishturf，thebeneficentauthorofinfinitewoe！Forthiswasthefantasticfact。Atbottomhermoneyhadbeenaburden，hadbeenonhermind，whichwasfilledwiththedesiretotransfertheweightofittosomeotherconscience，tosomemorepreparedreceptacle。Whatwouldlightenherownconsciencemoreeffectuallythantomakeitovertothemanwiththebesttasteintheworld？Unlesssheshouldhavegivenittoahospitaltherewouldhavebeennothingbettershecoulddowithit。
　　andtherewasnocharitableinstitutioninwhichshehadbeenasmuchinterestedasinGilbertOsmond。Hewoulduseherfortuneinawaythatwouldmakeherthinkbetterofitandruboffacertaingrossnessattachingtothegoodluckofanunexpectedinheritance。
　　Therehadbeennothingverydelicateininheritingseventythousandpounds。thedelicacyhadbeenallinMr。Touchett’sleavingthemtoher。ButtomarryGilbertOsmondandbringhimsuchaportion-inthattherewouldbedelicacyforheraswell。Therewouldbelessforhim-thatwastrue。butthatwashisaffair，andifhelovedherhewouldn’tobjecttoherbeingrich。Hadhenothadthecouragetosayhewasgladshewasrich？
　　Isabel’scheekburnedwhensheaskedherselfifshehadreallymarriedonafactitioustheory，inordertodosomethingfinelyappreciablewithhermoney。Butshewasabletoanswerquicklyenoughthatthiswasonlyhalfthestory。Itwasbecauseacertainardourtookpossessionofher-asenseoftheearnestnessofhisaffectionandadelightinhispersonalqualities。Hewasbetterthananyoneelse。Thissupremeconvictionhadfilledherlifeformonths，andenoughofitstillremainedtoprovetoherthatshecouldnothavedoneotherwise。Thefinest-inthesenseofbeingthesubtlest-manlyorganismshehadeverknownhadbecomeherproperty，andtherecognitionofherhavingbuttoputoutherhandsandtakeithadbeenoriginallyasortofactofdevotion。Shehadnotbeenmistakenaboutthebeautyofhismind。sheknewthatorganperfectlynow。Shehadlivedwithit，shehadlivedinitalmost-itappearedtohavebecomeherhabitation。Ifshehadbeencapturedithadtakenafirmhandtoseizeher。thatreflectionperhapshadsomeworth。Amindmoreingenious，morepliant，morecultivated，moretrainedtoadmirableexercises，shehadnotencountered。anditwasthisexquisiteinstrumentshehadnowtoreckonwith。Shelostherselfininfinitedismaywhenshethoughtofthemagnitudeofhisdeception。Itwasawonder，perhaps，inviewofthis，thathedidn’thatehermore。Sherememberedperfectlythefirstsignhehadgivenofit-ithadbeenlikethebellthatwastoringupthecurtainupontherealdramaoftheirlife。Hesaidtoheronedaythatshehadtoomanyideasandthatshemustgetridofthem。Hehadtoldherthatalready，beforetheirmarriage。butthenshehadnotnoticedit：ithadcomebacktoheronlyafterwards。Thistimeshemightwellhavenoticedit，becausehehadreallymeantit。Thewordshadbeennothingsuperficially。butwheninthelightofdeepeningexperienceshehadlookedintothemtheyhadthenappearedportentous。Hehadreallymeantit-hewouldhavelikedhertohavenothingofherownbutherprettyappearance。Shehadknownshehadtoomanyideas。shehadmoreeventhanhehadsupposed，manymorethanshehadexpressedtohimwhenhehadaskedhertomarryhim。Yes，shehadbeenhypocritical。shehadlikedhimsomuch。Shehadtoomanyideasforherself。butthatwasjustwhatonemarriedfor，tosharethemwithsomeoneelse。Onecouldn’tpluckthemupbytheroots，thoughofcourseonemightsuppressthem，becarefulnottoutterthem。Ithadnotbeenthis，however，hisobjectingtoheropinions。thishadbeennothing。Shehadnoopinions-nonethatshewouldnothavebeeneagertosacrificeinthesatisfactionoffeelingherselflovedforit。Whathehadmeanthadbeenthewholething-hercharacter，thewayshefelt，thewayshejudged。Thiswaswhatshehadkeptinreserve。thiswaswhathehadnotknownuntilhehadfoundhimself-withthedoorclosedbehind，asitwere-setdownfacetofacewithit。Shehadacertainwayoflookingatlifewhichhetookasapersonaloffence。
　　Heavenknewthatnowatleastitwasaveryhumble，accommodatingway！
　　Thestrangethingwasthatsheshouldnothavesuspectedfromthefirstthathisownhadbeensodifferent。Shehadthoughtitsolarge，soenlightened，soperfectlythatofanhonestmanandagentleman。
　　Hadn’theassuredherthathehadnosuperstitions，nodulllimitations，noprejudicesthathadlosttheirfreshness？Hadn’thealltheappearanceofamanlivingintheopenairoftheworld，indifferenttosmallconsiderations，caringonlyfortruthandknowledgeandbelievingthattwointelligentpeopleoughttolookforthemtogetherand，whethertheyfoundthemornot，findatleastsomehappinessinthesearch？Hehadtoldherhelovedtheconventional。buttherewasasenseinwhichthisseemedanobledeclaration。Inthatsense，thatoftheloveofharmonyandorderanddecencyandofallthestatelyofficesoflife，shewentwithhimfreely，andhiswarninghadcontainednothingominous。Butwhen，asthemonthshadelapsed，shehadfollowedhimfurtherandhehadledherintothemansionofhisownhabitation，then，thenshehadseenwhereshereallywas。
　　Shecouldliveitoveragain，theincredulousterrorwithwhichshehadtakenthemeasureofherdwelling。Betweenthosefourwallsshehadlivedeversince。theyweretosurroundherfortherestofherlife。Itwasthehouseofdarkness，thehouseofdumbness，thehouseofsuffocation。Osmond’sbeautifulmindgaveitneitherlightnorair。Osmond’sbeautifulmindindeedseemedtopeepdownfromasmallhighwindowandmockather。Ofcourseithadnotbeenphysicalsuffering。forphysicalsufferingtheremighthavebeenaremedy。Shecouldcomeandgo。shehadherliberty。herhusbandwasperfectlypolite。Hetookhimselfsoseriously。itwassomethingappalling。Underallhisculture，hiscleverness，hisamenity，underhisgood-nature，hisfacility，hisknowledgeoflife，hisegotismlayhiddenlikeaserpentinabankofflowers。Shehadtakenhimseriously，butshehadnottakenhimsoseriouslyasthat。Howcouldshe-especiallywhenshehadknownhimbetter？ShewastothinkofhimashethoughtofhimselfasthefirstgentlemaninEurope。Soitwasthatshehadthoughtofhimatfirst，andthatindeedwasthereasonshehadmarriedhim。Butwhenshebegantoseewhatitimpliedshedrewback。therewasmoreinthebondthanshehadmeanttoputhernameto。Itimpliedasovereigncontemptforeveryonebutsomethreeorfourveryexaltedpeoplewhomheenvied，andforeverythingintheworldbuthalfadozenideasofhisown。Thatwasverywell。shewouldhavegonewithhimeventherealongdistance。
　　forhepointedouttohersomuchofthebasenessandshabbinessoflife，openedhereyessowidetothestupidity，thedepravity，theignoranceofmankind，thatshehadbeenproperlyimpressedwiththeinfinitevulgarityofthingsandofthevirtueofkeepingone’sselfunspottedbyit。Butthisbase，ignobleworld，itappeared，wasafterallwhatonewastolivefor。onewastokeepitforeverinone’seye，inordernottoenlightenorconvertorredeemit，buttoextractfromitsomerecognitionofone’sownsuperiority。Ontheonehanditwasdespicable，butontheotheritaffordedastandard。
　　OsmondhadtalkedtoIsabelabouthisrenunciation，hisindifference，theeasewithwhichhedispensedwiththeusualaidstosuccess。andallthishadseemedtoheradmirable。Shehadthoughtitagrandindifference，anexquisiteindependence。Butindifferencewasreallythelastofhisqualities。shehadneverseenanyonewhothoughtsomuchofothers。Forherself，avowedly，theworldhadalwaysinterestedherandthestudyofherfellowcreaturesbeenherconstantpassion。Shewouldhavebeenwilling，however，torenounceallhercuriositiesandsympathiesforthesakeofapersonallife，ifthepersonconcernedhadonlybeenabletomakeherbelieveitwasagain！Thisatleastwasherpresentconviction。
　　andthethingcertainlywouldhavebeeneasierthantocareforsocietyasOsmondcaredforit。
　　Hewasunabletolivewithoutit，andshesawthathehadneverreallydoneso。hehadlookedatitoutofhiswindowevenwhenheappearedtobemostdetachedfromit。Hehadhisideal，justasshehadtriedtohavehers。onlyitwasstrangethatpeopleshouldseekforjusticeinsuchdifferentquarters。Hisidealwasaconceptionofhighprosperityandpropriety，ofthearistocraticlife，whichshenowsawthathedeemedhimselfalways，inessenceatleast，tohaveled。Hehadneverlapsedfromitforanhour。hewouldneverhaverecoveredfromtheshameofdoingso。Thatagainwasverywell。heretooshewouldhaveagreed。buttheyattachedsuchdifferentideas，suchdifferentassociationsanddesires，tothesameformulas。Hernotionofthearistocraticlifewassimplytheunionofgreatknowledgewithgreatliberty。theknowledgewouldgiveoneasenseofdutyandthelibertyasenseofenjoyment。ButforOsmonditwasaltogetherathingofforms，aconscious，calculatedattitude。Hewasfondoftheold，theconsecrated，thetransmitted。sowasshe，butshepretendedtodowhatshechosewithit。Hehadanimmenseesteemfortradition。hehadtoldheroncethatthebestthingintheworldwastohaveit，butthatifonewassounfortunateasnottohaveitonemustimmediatelyproceedtomakeit。Sheknewthathemeantbythisthatshehadn’tit，butthathewasbetteroff。thoughfromwhatsourcehehadderivedhistraditionssheneverlearned。Hehadaverylargecollectionofthem，however。thatwasverycertain，andafteralittleshebegantosee。Thegreatthingwastoactinaccordancewiththem。thegreatthingnotonlyforhimbutforher。
　　Isabelhadanundefinedconvictionthattoserveforanotherpersonthantheirproprietortraditionsmustbeofathoroughlysuperiorkind。butsheneverthelessassentedtothisintimationthatshetoomustmarchtothestatelymusicthatfloateddownfromunknownperiodsinherhusband’spast。shewhoofoldhadbeensofreeofstep，sodesultory，sodevious，somuchthereverseofprocessional。Therewerecertainthingstheymustdo，acertainposturetheymusttake，certainpeopletheymustknowandnotknow。Whenshesawthisrigidsystemcloseabouther，drapedthoughitwasinpicturedtapestries，thatsenseofdarknessandsuffocationofwhichIhavespokentookpossessionofher。sheseemedshutupwithanodourofmouldanddecay。Shehadresistedofcourse。atfirstveryhumorously，ironically，tenderly。then，asthesituationgrewmoreserious，eagerly，passionately，pleadingly。Shehadpleadedthecauseoffreedom，ofdoingastheychose，ofnotcaringfortheaspectanddenominationoftheirlife-thecauseofotherinstinctsandlongings，ofquiteanotherideal。
　　Thenitwasthatherhusband’spersonality，touchedasitneverhadbeen，steppedforthandstooderect。Thethingsshehadsaidwereansweredonlybyhisscorn，andshecouldseehewasineffablyashamedofher-didhethinkofher-thatshewasbase，vulgar，ignoble？
　　Heatleastknewnowthatshehadnotraditions！Ithadnotbeeninhisprevisionofthingsthatsheshouldrevealsuchflatness。hersentimentswereworthyofaradicalnewspaperoraUnitarianpreacher。
　　Therealoffence，assheultimatelyperceived，washerhavingamindofherownatall。Hermindwastobehis-attachedtohisownlikeasmallgarden-plottoadeer-park。Hewouldrakethesoilgentlyandwatertheflowers。hewouldweedthebedsandgatheranoccasionalnosegay。Itwouldbeaprettypieceofpropertyforaproprietoralreadyfar-reaching。Hedidn’twishhertobestupid。Onthecontrary，itwasbecauseshewascleverthatshehadpleasedhim。
　　Butheexpectedherintelligencetooperatealtogetherinhisfavour，andsofarfromdesiringhermindtobeablankhehadflatteredhimselfthatitwouldberichlyreceptive。Hehadexpectedhiswifetofeelwithhimandforhim，toenterintohisopinions，hisambitions，hispreferences。andIsabelwasobligedtoconfessthatthiswasnogreatinsolenceonthepartofamansoaccomplishedandahusbandoriginallyatleastsotender。Buttherewerecertainthingsshecouldnevertakein。Tobeginwith，theywerehideouslyunclean。
　　ShewasnotadaughterofthePuritans，butforallthatshebelievedinsuchathingaschastityandevenasdecency。ItwouldappearthatOsmondwasfarfromdoinganythingofthesort。someofhistraditionsmadeherpushbackherskirts。Didallwomenhavelovers？Didtheyalllieandeventhebesthavetheirprice？Werethereonlythreeorfourthatdidn’tdeceivetheirhusbands？WhenIsabelheardsuchthingsshefeltagreaterscornforthemthanforthegossipofavillageparlour-ascornthatkeptitsfreshnessinaverytaintedair。Therewasthetaintofhersister-in-law：didherhusbandjudgeonlybytheCountessGemini？Thisladyveryoftenlied，andshehadpractiseddeceptionsthatwerenotsimplyverbal。ItwasenoughtofindthesefactsassumedamongOsmond’straditions-itwasenoughwithoutgivingthemsuchageneralextension。Itwasherscornofhisassumptions，itwasthisthatmadehimdrawhimselfup。
　　Hehadplentyofcontempt，anditwasproperhiswifeshouldbeaswellfurnished。butthatsheshouldturnthehotlightofherdisdainuponhisownconceptionofthings-thiswasadangerhehadnotallowedfor。Hebelievedheshouldhaveregulatedheremotionsbeforeshecametoit。andIsabelcouldeasilyimaginehowhisearshadscorchedonhisdiscoveringhehadbeentooconfident。Whenonehadawifewhogaveonethatsensationtherewasnothingleftbuttohateher。
　　Shewasmorallycertainnowthatthisfeelingofhatred，whichatfirsthadbeenarefugeandarefreshment，hadbecometheoccupationandcomfortofhislife。Thefeelingwasdeep，becauseitwassincere。
　　hehadhadtherevelationthatshecouldafteralldispensewithhim。Iftoherselftheideawasstartling，ifitpresenteditselfatfirstasakindofinfidelity，acapacityforpollution，whatinfiniteeffectmightitnotbeexpectedtohavehaduponhim？Itwasverysimple。hedespisedher。shehadnotraditionsandthemoralhorizonofaUnitarianminister。PoorIsabel，whohadneverbeenabletounderstandUnitarianism！Thiswasthecertitudeshehadbeenlivingwithnowforatimethatshehadceasedtomeasure。Whatwascoming-whatwasbeforethem？Thatwasherconstantquestion。Whatwouldhedo-whatoughtshetodo？Whenamanhatedhiswifewhatdiditleadto？Shedidn’thatehim，thatshewassureof，foreverylittlewhileshefeltapassionatewishtogivehimapleasantsurprise。Veryoften，however，shefeltafraid，anditusedtocomeoverher，asIhaveintimated，thatshehaddeceivedhimattheveryfirst。Theywerestrangelymarried，atallevents，anditwasahorriblelife。Untilthatmorninghehadscarcelyspokentoherforaweek。hismannerwasasdryasaburned-outfire。Sheknewtherewasaspecialreason。hewasdispleasedatRalphTouchett’sstayingoninRome。Hethoughtshesawtoomuchofhercousin-hehadtoldheraweekbeforeitwasindecentsheshouldgotohimathishotel。HewouldhavesaidmorethanthisifRalph’sinvalidstatehadnotappearedtomakeitbrutaltodenouncehim。buthavinghadtocontainhimselfhadonlydeepenedhisdisgust。Isabelreadallthisasshewouldhavereadthehourontheclock-face。shewasasperfectlyawarethatthesightofherinterestinhercousinstirredherhusband’srageasifOsmondhadlockedherintoherroom-whichshewassurewaswhathewantedtodo。Itwasherhonestbeliefthatonthewholeshewasnotdefiant，butshecertainlycouldn’tpretendtobeindifferenttoRalph。Shebelievedhewasdyingatlastandthatsheshouldneverseehimagain，andthisgaveheratendernessforhimthatshehadneverknownbefore。Nothingwasapleasuretohernow。
　　howcouldanythingbeapleasuretoawomanwhoknewthatshehadthrownawayherlife？Therewasaneverlastingweightonherheart-therewasalividlightoneverything。ButRalph’slittlevisitwasalampinthedarkness。forthehourthatshesatwithhimheracheforherselfbecamesomehowheracheforhim。Shefeltto-dayasifhehadbeenherbrother。Shehadneverhadabrother，butifshehadandshewereintroubleandheweredying，hewouldbedeartoherasRalphwas。Ahyes，ifGilbertwasjealousofhertherewasperhapssomereason。itdidn’tmakeGilbertlookbettertositforhalfanhourwithRalph。Itwasnotthattheytalkedofhim-itwasnotthatshecomplained。Hisnamewasneverutteredbetweenthem。ItwassimplythatRalphwasgenerousandthatherhusbandwasnot。TherewassomethinginRalph’stalk，inhissmile，inthemerefactofhisbeinginRome，thatmadetheblastedcircleroundwhichshewalkedmorespacious。Hemadeherfeelthe’goodoftheworld。hemadeherfeelwhatmighthavebeen。HewasafterallasintelligentasOsmond-quiteapartfromhisbeingbetter。Andthusitseemedtoheranactofdevotiontoconcealhermiseryfromhim。Sheconcealeditelaborately。shewasperpetually，intheirtalk，hangingoutcurtainsandarrangingscreens。Itlivedbeforeheragain-ithadneverhadtimetodie-thatmorninginthegardenatFlorencewhenhehadwarnedheragainstOsmond。Shehadonlytoclosehereyestoseetheplace，tohearhisvoice，tofeelthewarm，sweetair。Howcouldhehaveknown？Whatamystery，whatawonderofwisdom！AsintelligentasGilbert？Hewasmuchmoreintelligent-toarriveatsuchajudgementasthat。Gilberthadneverbeensodeep，sojust。Shehadtoldhimthenthatfromheratleastheshouldneverknowifhewasright。andthiswaswhatshewastakingcarehadnow。Itgaveherplentytodo。
　　therewaspassion，exaltation，religioninit。Womenfindtheirreligionsometimesinstrangeexercises，andIsabelatpresent，inplayingapartbeforehercousin，hadanideathatshewasdoinghimakindness。Itwouldhavebeenakindnessperhapsifhehadbeenforasingleinstantadupe。Asitwas，thekindnessconsistedmainlyintryingtomakehimbelievethathehadoncewoundedhergreatlyandthattheeventhadputhimtoshame，butthat，asshewasverygenerousandhewassoill，sheborehimnogrudgeandevenconsideratelyforboretoflauntherhappinessinhisface。Ralphsmiledtohimself，ashelayonhissofa，atthisextraordinaryformofconsideration。butheforgaveherforhavingforgivenhim。Shedidn’twishhimtohavethepainofknowingshewasunhappy：thatwasthegreatthing，anditdidn’tmatterthatsuchknowledgewouldratherhaverightedhim。