Anditwasofnousethat，whencatchingherselfinthisstateofmind，shecalledherselfafeeblespirit，acoward。ItwasnotthatshelovedRalphless，butthatalmostanythingseemedpreferabletorepudiatingthemostseriousact-thesinglesacredact-ofherlife。
　　Thatappearedtomakethewholefuturehideous。TobreakwithOsmondoncewouldbetobreakforever。anyopenacknowledgementofirreconcilableneedswouldbeanadmissionthattheirwholeattempthadprovedafailure。Forthemtherecouldbenocondonement，nocompromise，noeasyforgetfulness，noformalreadjustment。Theyhadattemptedonlyonething，butthatonethingwastohavebeenexquisite。Oncetheymisseditnothingelsewoulddo。therewasnoconceivablesubstituteforthatsuccess。Forthemoment，IsabelwenttotheHoteldeParisasoftenasshethoughtwell。themeasureofproprietywasinthecanonoftaste，andtherecouldn’thavebeenabetterproofthatmoralitywas，sotospeak，amatterofearnestappreciation。Isabel’sapplicationofthatmeasurehadbeenparticularlyfreeto-day，forinadditiontothegeneraltruththatshecouldn’tleaveRalphtodiealoneshehadsomethingimportanttoaskofhim。ThisindeedwasGilbert’sbusinessaswellasherown。
　　Shecameverysoontowhatshewishedtospeakof。Iwantyoutoanswermeaquestion。It’saboutLordWarburton。
　　IthinkIguessyourquestion，Ralphansweredfromhisarm-chair，outofwhichhisthinlegsprotrudedatgreaterlengththanever。
　　Verypossiblyyouguessit。Pleasethenanswerit。
　　Oh，Idon’tsayIcandothat。
　　You’reintimatewithhim，shesaid。you’veagreatdealofobservationofhim。
　　Verytrue。Butthinkhowhemustdissimulate！
　　Whyshouldhedissimulate？That’snothisnature。
　　Ah，youmustrememberthatthecircumstancesarepeculiar，saidRalphwithanairofprivateamusement。
　　Toacertainextent-yes。Butishereallyinlove？
　　Verymuch，Ithink。Icanmakethatout。
　　Ah！saidIsabelwithacertaindryness。
　　Ralphlookedatherasifhismildhilarityhadbeentouchedwithmystification。Yousaythatasifyouweredisappointed。
　　Isabelgotup，slowlysmoothingherglovesandeyeingthemthoughtfully。
　　It’safterallnobusinessofmine。
　　You’reveryphilosophic，saidhercousin。Andtheninamoment：
　　MayIenquirewhatyou’retalkingabout？
　　Isabelstared。Ithoughtyouknew。LordWarburtontellsmehewants，ofallthingsintheworld，tomarryPansy。I’vetoldyouthatbefore，withoutelicitingacommentfromyou。Youmightriskonethismorning，Ithink。Isityourbeliefthathereallycaresforher？
　　Ah，forPansy，no！criedRalphverypositively。
　　Butyousaidjustnowhedid。
　　Ralphwaitedamoment。Thathecaredforyou，Mrs。Osmond。
　　Isabelshookherheadgravely。That’snonsense，youknow。
　　Ofcourseitis。ButthenonsenseisWarburton’s，notmine。
　　Thatwouldbeverytiresome。Shespoke，assheflatteredherself，withmuchsubtlety。
　　Ioughttotellyouindeed，Ralphwenton，thattomehehasdeniedit。
　　It’sverygoodofyoutotalkaboutittogether！Hashealsotoldyouthathe’sinlovewithPansy？
　　Hehasspokenverywellofher-veryproperly。Hehasletmeknow，ofcourse，thathethinksshewoulddoverywellatLockleigh。
　　Doeshereallythinkit？
　　Ah，whatWarburtonreallythinks-！saidRalph。
　　Isabelfelltosmoothingherglovesagain。theywerelong，looseglovesonwhichshecouldfreelyexpendherself。Soon，however，shelookedup，andthen，Ah，Ralph，yougivemenohelp！shecriedabruptlyandpassionately。
　　Itwasthefirsttimeshehadalludedtotheneedforhelp，andthewordsshookhercousinwiththeirviolence。Hegavealongmurmurofrelief，ofpity，oftenderness。itseemedtohimthatatlastthegulfbetweenthemhadbeenbridged。Itwasthisthatmadehimexclaiminamoment：Howunhappyyoumustbe！
　　Hehadnosoonerspokenthansherecoveredherself-possession，andthefirstuseshemadeofitwastopretendshehadnotheardhim。
　　WhenItalkofyourhelpingmeItalkgreatnonsense，shesaidwithaquicksmile。Theideaofmytroublingyouwithmydomesticembarrassments！Thematter’sverysimple。LordWarburtonmustgetonbyhimself。Ican’tundertaketoseehimthrough。
　　Heoughttosucceedeasily，saidRalph。
　　Isabeldebated。Yes-buthehasnotalwayssucceeded。
　　Verytrue。Youknow，however，howthatalwayssurprisedme。IsMissOsmondcapableofgivingusasurprise？
　　Itwillcomefromhim，rather。Iseemtoseethatafterallhe’llletthematterdrop。
　　He’lldonothingdishonourable，saidRalph。
　　I’mverysureofthat。Nothingcanbemorehonourablethanforhimtoleavethepoorchildalone。Shecaresforanotherperson，andit’scrueltoattempttobribeherbymagnificentofferstogivehimup。
　　Crueltotheotherpersonperhaps-theoneshecaresfor。ButWarburtonisn’tobligedtomindthat。
　　No，crueltoher，saidIsabel。ShewouldbeveryunhappyifsheweretoallowherselftobepersuadedtodesertpoorMr。Rosier。
　　Thatideaseemstoamuseyou。ofcourseyou’renotinlovewithhim。
　　Hehasthemerit-forPansy-ofbeinginlovewithPansy。ShecanseeataglancethatLordWarburtonisn’t。
　　He’dbeverygoodtoher，saidRalph。
　　Hehasbeengoodtoheralready。Fortunately，however，hehasnotsaidawordtodisturbher。Hecouldcomeandbidhergood-byeto-morrowwithperfectpropriety。
　　Howwouldyourhusbandlikethat？
　　Notatall。andhemayberightinnotlikingit。Onlyhemustobtainsatisfactionhimself。
　　Hashecommissionedyoutoobtainit？Ralphventuredtoask。
　　ItwasnaturalthatasanoldfriendofLordWarburton’s-anolderfriend，thatis，thanGilbert-Ishouldtakeaninterestinhisintentions。
　　Takeaninterestinhisrenouncingthem，youmean？
　　Isabelhesitated，frowningalittle。Letmeunderstand。Areyoupleadinghiscause？
　　Notintheleast。I’mverygladheshouldn’tbecomeyourstepdaughter’shusband。Itmakessuchaveryqueerrelationtoyou！
　　saidRalph，smiling。ButI’mrathernervouslestyourhusbandshouldthinkyouhaven’tpushedhimenough。
　　Isabelfoundherselfabletosmileaswellashe。Heknowsmewellenoughnottohaveexpectedmetopush。Hehimselfhasnointentionofpushing，Ipresume。I’mnotafraidIshallnotbeabletojustifymyself！shesaidlightly。
　　Hermaskhaddroppedforaninstant，butshehadputitonagain，toRalph’sinfinitedisappointment。Hehadcaughtaglimpseofhernaturalfaceandhewishedimmenselytolookintoit。Hehadanalmostsavagedesiretohearhercomplainofherhusband-hearhersaythatsheshouldbeheldaccountableforLordWarburton’sdefection。Ralphwascertainthatthiswashersituation。heknewbyinstinct，inadvance，theformthatinsuchaneventOsmond’sdispleasurewouldtake。Itcouldonlytakethemeanestandcruellest。HewouldhavelikedtowarnIsabelofit-toletherseeatleasthowhejudgedforherandhowheknew。ItlittlematteredthatIsabelwouldknowmuchbetter。itwasforhisownsatisfactionmorethanforhersthathelongedtoshowherhewasnotdeceived。HetriedandtriedagaintomakeherbetrayOsmond。hefeltcold-blooded，cruel，dishonourablealmost，indoingso。Butitscarcelymattered，forheonlyfailed。
　　Whathadshecomeforthen，andwhydidsheseemalmosttoofferhimachancetoviolatetheirtacitconvention？Whydidsheaskhimhisadviceifshegavehimnolibertytoanswerher？Howcouldtheytalkofherdomesticembarrassments，asitpleasedherhumorouslytodesignatethem，iftheprincipalfactorwasnottobementioned？Thesecontradictionswerethemselvesbutanindicationofhertrouble，andhercryforhelp，justbefore，wastheonlythinghewasboundtoconsider。You’llbedecidedlyatvariance，allthesame，hesaidinamoment。Andassheanswerednothing，lookingasifshescarceunderstood，You’llfindyourselvesthinkingverydifferently，hecontinued。
　　Thatmayeasilyhappen，amongthemostunitedcouples！Shetookupherparasol。hesawshewasnervous，afraidofwhathemightsay。
　　It’samatterwecanhardlyquarrelabout，however，sheadded。
　　foralmostalltheinterestisonhisside。That’sverynatural。
　　Pansy’safterallhisdaughter-notmine。Andsheputoutherhandtowishhimgood-bye。
　　Ralphtookaninwardresolutionthatsheshouldn’tleavehimwithouthislettingherknowthathekneweverything：itseemedtoogreatanopportunitytolose。Doyouknowwhathisinterestwillmakehimsay？heaskedashetookherhand。Sheshookherhead，ratherdryly-notdiscouragingly-andhewenton。Itwillmakehimsaythatyourwantofzealisowingtojealousy。Hestoppedamoment。herfacemadehimafraid。
　　Tojealousy？
　　Tojealousyofhisdaughter。
　　Sheblushedredandthrewbackherhead。You’renotkind，shesaidinavoicethathehadneverheardonherlips。
　　Befrankwithmeandyou’llsee，heanswered。
　　Butshemadenoreply。sheonlypulledherhandoutofhisown，whichhetriedstilltohold，andrapidlywithdrewfromtheroom。
　　ShemadeuphermindtospeaktoPansy，andshetookanoccasiononthesameday，goingtothegirl’sroombeforedinner。Pansywasalreadydressed。shewasalwaysinadvanceofthetime：itseemedtoillustrateherprettypatienceandthegracefulstillnesswithwhichshecouldsitandwait。Atpresentshewasseated，inherfresharray，beforethebed-roomfire。shehadblownouthercandlesonthecompletionofhertoilet，inaccordancewiththeeconomicalhabitsinwhichshehadbeenbroughtupandwhichshewasnowmorecarefulthanevertoobserve。sothattheroomwaslightedonlybyacoupleoflogs。TheroomsinPalazzoRoccanerawereasspaciousastheywerenumerous，andPansy’svirginalbowerwasanimmensechamberwithadark，heavily-timberedceiling。Itsdiminutivemistress，inthemidstofit，appearedbutaspeckofhumanity，andasshegotup，withquickdeference，towelcomeIsabel，thelatterwasmorethaneverstruckwithhershysincerity。Isabelhadadifficulttask-theonlythingwastoperformitassimplyaspossible。Shefeltbitterandangry，butshewarnedherselfagainstbetrayingthisheat。Shewasafraidevenoflookingtoograve，oratleasttoostern。shewasafraidofcausingalarm。ButPansyseemedtohaveguessedshehadcomemoreorlessasaconfessor。foraftershehadmovedthechairinwhichshehadbeensittingalittlenearertothefireandIsabelhadtakenherplaceinit，shekneeleddownonacushioninfrontofher，lookingupandrestingherclaspedhandsonherstepmother’sknees。WhatIsabelwishedtodowastohearfromherownlipsthathermindwasnotoccupiedwithLordWarburton。butifshedesiredtheassuranceshefeltherselfbynomeansatlibertytoprovokeit。Thegirl’sfatherwouldhavequalifiedthisasranktreachery。andindeedIsabelknewthatifPansyshoulddisplaythesmallestgermofadispositiontoencourageLordWarburtonherowndutywastoholdhertongue。Itwasdifficulttointerrogatewithoutappearingtosuggest。Pansy’ssupremesimplicity，aninnocenceevenmorecompletethanIsabelhadyetjudgedit，gavetothemosttentativeenquirysomethingoftheeffectofanadmonition。Asshekneltthereinthevaguefirelight，withherprettydressdimlyshining，herhandsfoldedhalfinappealandhalfinsubmission，hersofteyes，raisedandfixed，fulloftheseriousnessofthesituation，shelookedtoIsabellikeachildishmartyrdeckedoutforsacrificeandscarcelypresumingeventohopetoavertit。WhenIsabelsaidtoherthatshehadneveryetspokentoherofwhatmighthavebeengoingoninrelationtohergettingmarried，butthathersilencehadnotbeenindifferenceorignorance，hadonlybeenthedesiretoleaveheratliberty，Pansybentforward，raisedherfacenearerandnearer，andwithalittlemurmurwhichevidentlyexpressedadeeplonging，answeredthatshehadgreatlywishedhertospeakandthatshebeggedhertoadvisehernow。
　　It’sdifficultformetoadviseyou，Isabelreturned。Idon’tknowhowIcanundertakethat。That’sforyourfather。youmustgethisadviceand，aboveall，youmustactonit。
　　AtthisPansydroppedhereyes。foramomentshesaidnothing。I
　　thinkIshouldlikeyouradvicebetterthanpapa’s，shepresentlyremarked。
　　That’snotasitshouldbe，saidIsabelcoldly。Iloveyouverymuch，butyourfatherlovesyoubetter。
　　Itisn’tbecauseyouloveme-it’sbecauseyou’realady，Pansyansweredwiththeairofsayingsomethingveryreasonable。Aladycanadviseayounggirlbetterthanaman。
　　Iadviseyouthentopaythegreatestrespecttoyourfather’swishes。
　　Ahyes，saidthechildeagerly，Imustdothat。
　　ButifIspeaktoyounowaboutyourgettingmarriedit’snotforyourownsake，it’sformine，Isabelwenton。IfItrytolearnfromyouwhatyouexpect，whatyoudesire，it’sonlythatImayactaccordingly。
　　Pansystared，andthenveryquickly，WillyoudoeverythingI
　　want？sheasked。
　　BeforeIsayyesImustknowwhatsuchthingsare。
　　PansypresentlytoldherthattheonlythingshewantedinlifewastomarryMr。Rosier。Hehadaskedherandshehadtoldhimshewoulddosoifherpapawouldallowit。Nowherpapawouldn’tallowit。
　　Verywellthen，it’simpossible，Isabelpronounced。
　　Yes，it’simpossible，saidPansywithoutasighandwiththesameextremeattentioninherclearlittleface。
　　Youmustthinkofsomethingelsethen，Isabelwenton。butPansy，sighingatthis，toldherthatshehadattemptedthatfeatwithouttheleastsuccess。
　　Youthinkofthosewhothinkofyou，shesaidwithafaintsmile。IknowMr。Rosierthinksofme。
　　Heoughtnotto，saidIsabelloftily。Yourfatherhasexpresslyrequestedheshouldn’t。
　　Hecan’thelpit，becauseheknowsIthinkofhim。
　　Youshouldn’tthinkofhim。There’ssomeexcuseforhim，perhaps。
　　butthere’snoneforyou。
　　Iwishyouwouldtrytofindone，thegirlexclaimedasifshewereprayingtotheMadonna。
　　Ishouldbeverysorrytoattemptit，saidtheMadonnawithunusualfrigidity。Ifyouknewsomeoneelsewasthinkingofyou，wouldyouthinkofhim？
　　NoonecanthinkofmeasMr。Rosierdoes。noonehastheright。
　　Ah，butIdon’tadmitMr。Rosier’sright！Isabelhypocriticallycried。
　　Pansyonlygazedather，evidentlymuchpuzzled。andIsabel，takingadvantageofit，begantorepresenttoherthewretchedconsequencesofdisobeyingherfather。AtthisPansystoppedherwiththeassurancethatshewouldneverdisobeyhim，wouldnevermarrywithouthisconsent。Andsheannounced，intheserenest，simplesttone，that，thoughshemightnevermarryMr。Rosier，shewouldneverceasetothinkofhim。Sheappearedtohaveacceptedtheideaofeternalsingleness。butIsabelofcoursewasfreetoreflectthatshehadnoconceptionofitsmeaning。Shewasperfectlysincere。shewaspreparedtogiveupherlover。Thismightseemanimportantsteptowardtakinganother，butforPansy，evidently，itfailedtoleadinthatdirection。Shefeltnobitternesstowardherfather。therewasnobitternessinherheart。therewasonlythesweetnessoffidelitytoEdwardRosier，andastrange，exquisiteintimationthatshecouldproveitbetterbyremainingsinglethanevenbymarryinghim。
　　Yourfatherwouldlikeyoutomakeabettermarriage，saidIsabel。
　　Mr。Rosier’sfortuneisnotatalllarge。
　　Howdoyoumeanbetter-ifthatwouldbegoodenough？AndIhavemyselfsolittlemoney。whyshouldIlookforafortune？
　　Yourhavingsolittleisareasonforlookingformore。WithwhichIsabelwasgratefulforthedimnessoftheroom。shefeltasifherfacewerehideouslyinsincere。ItwaswhatshewasdoingforOsmond。
　　itwaswhatonehadtodoforOsmond！Pansy’ssolemneyes，fixedonherown，almostembarrassedher。shewasashamedtothinkshehadmadesolightofthegirl’spreference。
　　Whatshouldyoulikemetodo？hercompanionsoftlydemanded。
　　Thequestionwasaterribleone，andIsabeltookrefugeintimorousvagueness。Torememberallthepleasureit’sinyourpowertogiveyourfather。
　　Tomarrysomeoneelse，youmean-ifheshouldaskme？
　　ForamomentIsabel’sanswercauseditselftobewaitedfor。thensheheardherselfutteritinthestillnessthatPansy’sattentionseemedtomake。
　　Yes-tomarrysomeoneelse。
　　Thechild’seyesgrewmorepenetrating。Isabelbelievedshewasdoubtinghersincerity，andtheimpressiontookforcefromherslowlygettingupfromhercushion。Shestoodthereamomentwithhersmallhandsunclaspedandthenquaveredout：Well，Ihopenoonewillaskme！
　　Therehasbeenaquestionofthat。Someoneelsewouldhavebeenreadytoaskyou。
　　don’tthinkhecanhavebeenready，saidPansy。
　　Itwouldappearso-ifhehadbeensurehe’dsucceed。
　　Ifhehadbeensure？Thenhewasn’tready！
　　Isabelthoughtthisrathersharp。shealsogotupandstoodamomentlookingintothefire。LordWarburtonhasshownyougreatattention，
　　sheresumed。ofcourseyouknowit’sofhimIspeak。Shefoundherself，againstherexpectation，almostplacedinthepositionofjustifyingherself。whichledhertointroducethisnoblemanmorecrudelythanshehadintended。
　　Hehasbeenverykindtome，andIlikehimverymuch。Butifyoumeanthathe’llproposeformeIthinkyou’remistaken。
　　PerhapsIam。Butyourfatherwouldlikeitextremely。
　　Pansyshookherheadwithalittlewisesmile。LordWarburtonwon’tproposesimplytopleasepapa。
　　Yourfatherwouldlikeyoutoencouragehim，Isabelwentonmechanically。
　　HowcanIencouragehim？
　　don’tknow。Yourfathermusttellyouthat。
　　Pansysaidnothingforamoment。sheonlycontinuedtosmileasifshewereinpossessionofabrightassurance。There’snodanger-nodanger！shedeclaredatlast。
　　Therewasaconvictioninthewayshesaidthis，andafelicityinherbelievingit，whichconducedtoIsabel’sawkwardness。Shefeltaccusedofdishonesty，andtheideawasdisgusting。Torepairherself-respectshewasonthepointofsayingthatLordWarburtonhadletherknowthattherewasadanger。Butshedidn’t。sheonlysaid-inherembarrassmentratherwideofthemark-thathesurelyhadbeenmostkind，mostfriendly。
　　Yes，hehasbeenverykind，Pansyanswered。That’swhatIlikehimfor。
　　Whythenisthedifficultysogreat？
　　I’vealwaysfeltsureofhisknowingthatIdon’twant-whatdidyousayIshoulddo？-toencouragehim。HeknowsIdon’twanttomarry，andhewantsmetoknowthathethereforewon’ttroubleme。That’sthemeaningofhiskindness。It’sasifhesaidtome：’Ilikeyouverymuch，butifitdoesn’tpleaseyouI’llneversayitagain。’Ithinkthat’sverykind，verynoble，Pansywentonwithdeepeningpositiveness。Thatisallwe’vesaidtoeachother。Andhedoesn’tcareformeeither。Ahno，there’snodanger。
　　Isabelwastouchedwithwonderatthedepthsofperceptionofwhichthissubmissivelittlepersonwascapable。shefeltafraidofPansy’swisdom-beganalmosttoretreatbeforeit。Youmusttellyourfatherthat，sheremarkedreservedly。
　　IthinkI’drathernot，Pansyunreservedlyanswered。
　　Yououghtn’ttolethimhavefalsehopes。
　　Perhapsnot。butitwillbegoodformethatheshould。SolongashebelievesthatLordWarburtonintendsanythingofthekindyousay，papawon’tproposeanyoneelse。Andthatwillbeanadvantageforme，saidthechildverylucidly。
　　Therewassomethingbrilliantinherlucidity，anditmadehercompaniondrawalongbreath。Itrelievedthisfriendofaheavyresponsibility。Pansyhadasufficientilluminationofherown，andIsabelfeltthatsheherselfjustnowhadnolighttosparefromhersmallstock。NeverthelessitstillclungtoherthatshemustbeloyaltoOsmond，thatshewasonherhonourindealingwithhisdaughter。
　　Undertheinfluenceofthissentimentshethrewoutanothersuggestionbeforesheretired-asuggestionwithwhichitseemedtoherthatsheshouldhavedoneherutmost。Yourfathertakesforgrantedatleastthatyouwouldliketomarryanobleman。
　　Pansystoodintheopendoorway。shehaddrawnbackthecurtainforIsabeltopass。IthinkMr。Rosierlookslikeone！sheremarkedverygravely。
　　CHAPTER46
　　LordWarburtonwasnotseeninMrs。Osmond’sdrawing-roomforseveraldays，andIsabelcouldn’tfailtoobservethatherhusbandsaidnothingtoherabouthavingreceivedaletterfromhim。Shecouldn’tfailtoobserve，either，thatOsmondwasinastateofexpectancyandthat，thoughitwasnotagreeabletohimtobetrayit，hethoughttheirdistinguishedfriendkepthimwaitingquitetoolong。Attheendoffourdayshealludedtohisabsence。
　　WhathasbecomeofWarburton？Whatdoeshemeanbytreatingonelikeatradesmanwithabill？
　　Iknownothingabouthim，Isabelsaid。IsawhimlastFridayattheGermanball。Hetoldmethenthathemeanttowritetoyou。
　　Hehasneverwrittentome。
　　SoIsupposed，fromyournothavingtoldme。
　　He’sanoddfish，saidOsmondcomprehensively。AndonIsabel’smakingnorejoinderhewentontoenquirewhetherittookhislordshipfivedaystoinditealetter。Doesheformhiswordswithsuchdifficulty？
　　Idon’tknow，Isabelwasreducedtoreplying。I’veneverhadaletterfromhim。
　　Neverhadaletter？Ihadanideathatyouwereatonetimeinintimatecorrespondence。
　　Sheansweredthatthishadnotbeenthecase，andlettheconversationdrop。Onthemorrow，however，comingintothedrawing-roomlateintheafternoon，herhusbandtookitupagain。
　　WhenLordWarburtontoldyouofhisintentionofwritingwhatdidyousaytohim？heasked。
　　Shejustfaltered。IthinkItoldhimnottoforgetit。
　　Didyoubelievetherewasadangerofthat？
　　Asyousay，he’sanoddfish。
　　Apparentlyhehasforgottenit，saidOsmond。BesogoodastoremindShouldyoulikemetowritetohim？shedemanded。
　　I’venoobjectionwhatever。
　　Youexpecttoomuchofme。
　　Ahyes，Iexpectagreatdealofyou。
　　I’mafraidIshalldisappointyou，saidIsabel。
　　Myexpectationshavesurvivedagooddealofdisappointment。
　　OfcourseIknowthat。ThinkhowImusthavedisappointedmyself！
　　IfyoureallywishhandslaidonLordWarburtonyoumustlaythemyourself。
　　ForacoupleofminutesOsmondanswerednothing。thenhesaid：Thatwon’tbeeasy，withyouworkingagainstme。
　　Isabelstarted。shefeltherselfbeginningtotremble。Hehadawayoflookingatherthroughhalf-closedeyelids，asifhewerethinkingofherbutscarcelysawher，whichseemedtohertohaveawonderfullycruelintention。Itappearedtorecognizeherasadisagreeablenecessityofthought，buttoignoreherforthetimeasapresence。Thateffecthadneverbeensomarkedasnow。Ithinkyouaccusemeofsomethingverybase，shereturned。
　　Iaccuseyouofnotbeingtrustworthy。Ifhedoesn’tafterallcomeforwarditwillbebecauseyou’vekepthimoff。Idon’tknowthatit’sbase：itisthekindofthingawomanalwaysthinksshemaydo。I’venodoubtyou’vethefinestideasaboutit。
　　ItoldyouIwoulddowhatIcould，shewenton。
　　Yes，thatgainedyoutime。
　　Itcameoverher，afterhehadsaidthis，thatshehadoncethoughthimbeautiful。Howmuchyoumustwanttomakesureofhim！
　　sheexclaimedinamoment。
　　Shehadnosoonerspokenthansheperceivedthefullreachofherwords，ofwhichshehadnotbeenconsciousinutteringthem。TheymadeacomparisonbetweenOsmondandherself，recalledthefactthatshehadonceheldthiscovetedtreasureinherhandandfeltherselfrichenoughtoletitfall。Amomentaryexultationtookpossessionofher-ahorribledelightinhavingwoundedhim。forhisfaceinstantlytoldherthatnoneoftheforceofherexclamationwaslost。
　　Heexpressednothingotherwise，however。heonlysaidquickly：Yes，I
　　wantitimmensely。
　　Atthismomentaservantcameintousheravisitor，andhewasfollowedthenextbyLordWarburton，whoreceivedavisiblecheckonseeingOsmond。Helookedrapidlyfromthemasterofthehousetothemistress。amovementthatseemedtodenoteareluctancetointerruptorevenaperceptionofominousconditions。Thenheadvanced，withhisEnglishaddress，inwhichavagueshynessseemedtoofferitselfasanelementofgoodbreeding。inwhichtheonlydefectwasadifficultyinachievingtransitions。Osmondwasembarrassed。hefoundnothingtosay。butIsabelremarked，promptlyenough，thattheyhadbeenintheactoftalkingabouttheirvisitor。Uponthisherhusbandaddedthattheyhadn’tknownwhatwasbecomeofhim-theyhadbeenafraidhehadgoneaway。No，heexplained，smilingandlookingatOsmond。I’monlyonthepointofgoing。AndthenhementionedthathefoundhimselfsuddenlyrecalledtoEngland：heshouldstartonthemorroworthedayafter。I’mawfullysorrytoleavepoorTouchett！heendedbyexclaiming。
　　Foramomentneitherofhiscompanionsspoke。Osmondonlyleanedbackinhischair，listening。Isabeldidn’tlookathim。shecouldonlyfancyhowhelooked。Hereyeswereontheirvisitor’sface，wheretheywerethemorefreetorestthatthoseofhislordshipcarefullyavoidedthem。YetIsabelwassurethathadshemethisglanceshewouldhavefounditexpressive。YouhadbettertakepoorTouchettwithyou，sheheardherhusbandsay，lightlyenough，inamoment。
　　Hehadbetterwaitforwarmerweather，LordWarburtonanswered。I
　　shouldn’tadvisehimtotraveljustnow。
　　Hesatthereaquarterofanhour，talkingasifhemightnotsoonseethemagain-unlessindeedtheyshouldcometoEngland，acoursehestronglyrecommended。Whyshouldn’ttheycometoEnglandintheautumn？-thatstruckhimasaveryhappythought。Itwouldgivehimsuchpleasuretodowhathecouldforthem-tohavethemcomeandspendamonthwithhim。Osmond，byhisownadmission，hadbeentoEnglandbutonce。whichwasanabsurdstateofthingsforamanofhisleisureandintelligence。Itwasjustthecountryforhim-hewouldbesuretogetonwellthere。ThenLordWarburtonaskedIsabelifsherememberedwhatagoodtimeshehadhadthereandifshedidn’twanttotryitagain。Didn’tshewanttoseeGardencourtoncemore？
　　Gardencourtwasreallyverygood。Touchettdidn’ttakepropercareofit，butitwasthesortofplaceyoucouldhardlyspoilbylettingitalone。Whydidn’ttheycomeandpayTouchettavisit？Hesurelymusthaveaskedthem。Hadn’taskedthem？Whatanill-manneredwretch！-andLordWarburtonpromisedtogivethemasterofGardencourtapieceofhismind。Ofcourseitwasamereaccident。
　　hewouldbedelightedtohavethem。SpendingamonthwithTouchettandamonthwithhimself，andseeingalltherestofthepeopletheymustknowthere，theyreallywouldn’tfindithalfbad。LordWarburtonaddedthatitwouldamuseMissOsmondaswell，whohadtoldhimthatshehadneverbeentoEnglandandwhomhehadassureditwasacountryshedeservedtosee。Ofcourseshedidn’tneedtogotoEnglandtobeadmired-thatwasherfateeverywhere。butshewouldbeanimmensesuccessthere，shecertainlywould，ifthatwasanyinducement。Heaskedifshewerenotathome：couldn’thesaygood-bye？Notthathelikedgood-byes-healwaysfunkedthem。WhenheleftEnglandtheotherdayhehadn’tsaidgood-byetoatwo-leggedcreature。HehadhadhalfamindtoleaveRomewithouttroublingMrs。Osmondforafinalinterview。Whatcouldbemoredrearythanfinalinterviews？Oneneversaidthethingsonewanted-onerememberedthemallanhourafterwards。Ontheotherhandoneusuallysaidalotofthingsoneshouldn’t，simplyfromasensethatonehadtosaysomething。Suchasensewasupsetting。itmuddledone’swits。Hehaditatpresent，andthatwastheeffectitproducedonhim。IfMrs。Osmonddidn’tthinkhespokeasheoughtshemustsetitdowntoagitation。itwasnolightthingtopartwithMrs。Osmond。Hewasreallyverysorrytobegoing。Hehadthoughtofwritingtoherinsteadofcalling-buthewouldwritetoheratanyrate，totellheralotofthingsthatwouldbesuretooccurtohimassoonashehadleftthehouse。TheymustthinkseriouslyaboutcomingtoLockleigh。
　　Iftherewasanythingawkwardintheconditionsofhisvisitorintheannouncementofhisdepartureitfailedtocometothesurface。
　　LordWarburtontalkedabouthisagitation。butheshoweditinnoothermanner，andIsabelsawthatsincehehaddeterminedonaretreathewascapableofexecutingitgallantly。Shewasverygladforhim。
　　shelikedhimquitewellenoughtowishhimtoappeartocarryathingoff。Hewoulddothatonanyoccasion-notfromimpudencebutsimplyfromthehabitofsuccess。andIsabelfeltitoutofherhusband’spowertofrustratethisfaculty。Acomplexoperation，asshesatthere，wentoninhermind。Ononesideshelistenedtotheirvisitor。
　　saidwhatwaspropertohim。read，moreorless，betweenthelinesofwhathesaidhimself。andwonderedhowhewouldhavespokenifhehadfoundheralone。OntheothershehadaperfectconsciousnessofOsmond’semotion。Shefeltalmostsorryforhim。hewascondemnedtothesharppainoflosswithoutthereliefofcursing。Hehadhadagreathope，andnow，ashesawitvanishintosmoke，hewasobligedtositandsmileandtwirlhisthumbs。Notthathetroubledhimselftosmileverybrightly。hetreatedtheirfriendonthewholetoasvacantacountenanceassocleveramancouldverywellwear。ItwasindeedapartofOsmond’sclevernessthathecouldlookconsummatelyuncompromised。Hispresentappearance，however，wasnotaconfessionofdisappointment。itwassimplyapartofOsmond’shabitualsystem，whichwastobeinexpressiveexactlyinproportionashewasreallyintent。Hehadbeenintentonthisprizefromthefirst。buthehadneverallowedhiseagernesstoirradiatehisrefinedface。Hehadtreatedhispossibleson-in-lawashetreatedeveryone-withanairofbeinginterestedinhimonlyforhisownadvantage，notforanyprofittoapersonalreadysogenerally，soperfectlyprovidedasGilbertOsmond。Hewouldgivenosignnowofaninwardragewhichwastheresultofavanishedprospectofgain-notthefaintestnorsubtlest。
　　Isabelcouldbesureofthat，ifitwasanysatisfactiontoher。
　　Strangely，verystrangely，itwasasatisfaction。shewishedLordWarburtontotriumphbeforeherhusband，andatthesametimeshewishedherhusbandtobeverysuperiorbeforeLordWarburton。
　　Osmond，inhisway，wasadmirable。hehad，liketheirvisitor，theadvantageofanacquiredhabit。Itwasnotthatofsucceeding，butitwassomethingalmostasgood-thatofnotattempting。Asheleanedbackinhisplace，listeningbutvaguelytotheother’sfriendlyoffersandsuppressedexplanationsifitwereonlypropertoassumethattheywereaddressedessentiallytohiswife-hehadatleastsincesolittleelsewaslefthimthecomfortofthinkinghowwellhepersonallyhadkeptoutofit，andhowtheairofindifference，whichhewasnowabletowear，hadtheaddedbeautyofconsistency。Itwassomethingtobeabletolookasiftheleave-taker’smovementshadnorelationtohisownmind。Thelatterdidwell，certainly。butOsmond’sperformancewasinitsverynaturemorefinished。LordWarburton’spositionwasafterallaneasyone。therewasnoreasonintheworldwhyheshouldn’tleaveRome。Hehadhadbeneficentinclinations，buttheyhadstoppedshortoffruition。hehadnevercommittedhimself，andhishonourwassafe。OsmondappearedtotakebutamoderateinterestintheproposalthattheyshouldgoandstaywithhimandinhisallusiontothesuccessPansymightextractfromtheirvisit。Hemurmuredarecognition，butleftIsabeltosaythatitwasamatterrequiringgraveconsideration。Isabel，evenwhileshemadethisremark，couldseethegreatvistawhichhadsuddenlyopenedoutinherhusband’smind，withPansy’slittlefiguremarchingupthemiddleofit。
　　LordWarburtonhadaskedleavetobidgood-byetoPansy，butneitherIsabelnorOsmondhadmadeanymotiontosendforher。Hehadtheairofgivingoutthathisvisitmustbeshort。hesatonasmallchair，asifitwereonlyforamoment，keepinghishatinhishand。
　　Buthestayedandstayed。Isabelwonderedwhathewaswaitingfor。ShebelieveditwasnottoseePansy。shehadanimpressionthatonthewholehewouldrathernotseePansy。Itwasofcoursetoseeherselfalone-hehadsomethingtosaytoher。Isabelhadnogreatwishtohearit，forshewasafraiditwouldbeanexplanation，andshecouldperfectlydispensewithexplanations。Osmond，however，presentlygotup，likeamanofgoodtastetowhomithadoccurredthatsoinveterateavisitormightwishtosayjustthelastwordofalltotheladies。I’vealettertowritebeforedinner，hesaid。youmustexcuseme。I’llseeifmydaughter’sdisengaged，andifsheissheshallknowyou’rehere。OfcoursewhenyoucometoRomeyou’llalwayslookusup。Mrs。OsmondwilltalktoyouabouttheEnglishexpedition：shedecidesallthosethings。
　　Thenodwithwhich，insteadofahand-shake，hewoundupthislittlespeechwasperhapsratherameagreformofsalutation。butonthewholeitwasalltheoccasiondemanded。IsabelreflectedthatafterhelefttheroomLordWarburtonwouldhavenopretextforsaying，Yourhusband’sveryangry。whichwouldhavebeenextremelydisagreeabletoher。Nevertheless，ifhehaddoneso，shewouldhavesaid：Oh，don’tbeanxious。Hedoesn’thateyou：it’smethathehates！
　　Itwasonlywhentheyhadbeenleftalonetogetherthatherfriendshowedacertainvagueawkwardness-sittingdowninanotherchair，handlingtwoorthreeoftheobjectsthatwerenearhim。Ihopehe’llmakeMissOsmondcome，hepresentlyremarked。Iwantverymuchtoseeher。
　　I’mgladit’sthelasttime，saidIsabel。
　　SoamI。Shedoesn’tcareforme。
　　No，shedoesn’tcareforyou。
　　Idon’twonderatit，hereturned。Thenheaddedwithinconsequence：
　　You’llcometoEngland，won’tyou？
　　Ithinkwehadbetternot。
　　Ah，youowemeavisit。Don’tyourememberthatyouweretohavecometoLockleighonce，andyouneverdid？
　　Everything’schangedsincethen，saidIsabel。
　　Notchangedfortheworse，surely-asfaraswe’reconcerned。Toseeyouundermyroof-andhehungfirebutaninstant-wouldbeagreatsatisfaction。
　　Shehadfearedanexplanation。butthatwastheonlyonethatoccurred。TheytalkedalittleofRalph，andinanothermomentPansycamein，alreadydressedfordinnerandwithalittleredspotineithercheek。SheshookhandswithLordWarburtonandstoodlookingupintohisfacewithafixedsmile-asmilethatIsabelknew，thoughhislordshipprobablyneversuspectedit，tobenearakintoaburstoftears。
　　I’mgoingaway，hesaid。Iwanttobidyougood-bye。
　　Good-bye，LordWarburton。Hervoiceperceptiblytrembled。
　　AndIwanttotellyouhowmuchIwishyoumaybeveryhappy。
　　Thankyou，LordWarburton，Pansyanswered。
　　HelingeredamomentandgaveaglanceatIsabel。Yououghttobeveryhappy-you’vegotaguardianangel。
　　I’msureIshallbehappy，saidPansyinthetoneofapersonwhosecertaintieswerealwayscheerful。
　　Suchaconvictionasthatwilltakeyouagreatway。Butifitshouldeverfailyou，remember-remember-Andherinterlocutorstammeredalittle。Thinkofmesometimes，youknow！hesaidwithavaguelaugh。ThenheshookhandswithIsabelinsilence，andpresentlyhewasgone。
　　Whenhehadlefttheroomsheexpectedaneffusionoftearsfromherstepdaughter。butPansyinfacttreatedhertosomethingverydifferent。
　　Ithinkyouaremyguardianangel！sheexclaimedverysweetly。
　　Isabelshookherhead。I’mnotanangelofanykind。I’matthemostyourgoodfriend。
　　You’reaverygoodfriendthen-tohaveaskedpapatobegentlewithme。
　　I’veaskedyourfathernothing，saidIsabelwondering。
　　Hetoldmejustnowtocometothedrawing-room，andthenhegavemeaverykindkiss。
　　Ah，saidIsabel，thatwasquitehisownidea！
　　Sherecognizedtheideaperfectly。itwasverycharacteristic，andshewastoseeagreatdealmoreofit。EvenwithPansyhecouldn’tputhimselftheleastinthewrong。Theywerediningoutthatday，andaftertheirdinnertheywenttoanotherentertainment。sothatitwasnottilllateintheeveningthatIsabelsawhimalone。WhenPansykissedhimbeforegoingtobedhereturnedherembracewithevenmorethanhisusualmunificence，andIsabelwonderedifhemeantitasahintthathisdaughterhadbeeninjuredbythemachinationsofherstepmother。Itwasapartialexpression，atanyrate，ofwhathecontinuedtoexpectofhiswife。ShewasabouttofollowPansy，butheremarkedthathewishedshewouldremain。hehadsomethingtosaytoher。Thenhewalkedaboutthedrawing-roomalittle，whileshestoodwaitinginhercloak。
　　Idon’tunderstandwhatyouwishtodo，hesaidinamoment。I
　　shouldliketoknow-sothatImayknowhowtoact。
　　JustnowIwishtogotobed。I’mverytired。
　　Sitdownandrest。Ishallnotkeepyoulong。Notthere-takeacomfortableplace。Andhearrangedamultitudeofcushionsthatwerescatteredinpicturesquedisorderuponavastdivan。Thiswasnot，however，wheresheseatedherself。shedroppedintothenearestchair。Thefirehadgoneout。thelightsinthegreatroomwerefew。
　　Shedrewhercloakabouther。shefeltmortallycold。Ithinkyou’retryingtohumiliateme，Osmondwenton。It’samostabsurdundertaking。
　　Ihaven’ttheleastideawhatyoumean，shereturned。
　　You’veplayedaverydeepgame。you’vemanageditbeautifully。
　　WhatisitthatI’vemanaged？
　　You’venotquitesettledit，however。weshallseehimagain。
　　Andhestoppedinfrontofher，withhishandsinhispockets，lookingdownatherthoughtfully，inhisusualway，whichseemedmeanttoletherknowthatshewasnotanobject，butonlyaratherdisagreeableincident，ofthought。
　　IfyoumeanthatLordWarburton’sunderanobligationtocomebackyou’rewrong，Isabelsaid。He’sundernonewhatever。
　　That’sjustwhatIcomplainof。ButwhenIsayhe’llcomebackI
　　don’tmeanhe’llcomefromasenseofduty。
　　There’snothingelsetomakehim。IthinkhehasquiteexhaustedRome。
　　Ahno，that’sashallowjudgement。Rome’sinexhaustible。AndOsmondbegantowalkaboutagain。However，aboutthatperhapsthere’snohurry，headded。It’sratheragoodideaofhisthatweshouldgotoEngland。IfitwerenotforthefearoffindingyourcousinthereI
　　thinkIshouldtrytopersuadeyou。
　　Itmaybethatyou’llnotfindmycousin，saidIsabel。
　　Ishouldliketobesureofit。However，Ishallbeassureaspossible。AtthesametimeIshouldliketoseehishouse，thatyoutoldmesomuchaboutatonetime：whatdoyoucallit？-Gardencourt。
　　Itmustbeacharmingthing。Andthen，youknow，I’veadevotiontothememoryofyouruncle：youmademetakeagreatfancytohim。I
　　shouldliketoseewherehelivedanddied。Thatindeedisadetail。
　　Yourfriendwasright。PansyoughttoseeEngland。
　　I’venodoubtshewouldenjoyit，saidIsabel。
　　Butthat’salongtimehence。nextautumn’sfaroff，Osmondcontinued。andmeantimetherearethingsthatmorenearlyinterestus。Doyouthinkmesoveryproud？hesuddenlyasked。
　　Ithinkyouverystrange。
　　Youdon’tunderstandme。
　　No，notevenwhenyouinsultme。
　　Idon’tinsultyou。I’mincapableofit。Imerelyspeakofcertainfacts，andiftheallusion’saninjurytoyouthefault’snotmine。It’ssurelyafactthatyouhavekeptallthismatterquiteinyourownhands。
　　AreyougoingbacktoLordWarburton？Isabelasked。I’mverytiredofhisname。
　　Youshallhearitagainbeforewe’vedonewithit。
　　Shehadspokenofhisinsultingher，butitsuddenlyseemedtoherthatthisceasedtobeapain。Hewasgoingdown-down。thevisionofsuchafallmadeheralmostgiddy：thatwastheonlypain。Hewastoostrange，toodifferent。hedidn’ttouchher。Still，theworkingofhismorbidpassionwasextraordinary，andshefeltarisingcuriositytoknowinwhatlighthesawhimselfjustified。ImightsaytoyouthatIjudgeyou’venothingtosaytomethat’sworthhearing，
　　shereturnedinamoment。ButIshouldperhapsbewrong。There’sathingthatwouldbeworthmyhearing-toknowintheplainestwordsofwhatitisyouaccuseme。
　　OfhavingpreventedPansy’smarriagetoWarburton。Arethosewordsplainenough？
　　Onthecontrary，Itookagreatinterestinit。Itoldyouso。
　　andwhenyoutoldmethatyoucountedonme-thatIthinkwaswhatyousaid-Iacceptedtheobligation。Iwasafooltodoso，butIdidit。
　　Youpretendedtodoit，andyouevenpretendedreluctancetomakememorewillingtotrustyou。Thenyoubegantouseyouringenuitytogethimoutoftheway。
　　IthinkIseewhatyoumean，saidIsabel。
　　Where’stheletteryoutoldmehehadwrittenme？herhusbanddemanded。
　　Ihaven’ttheleastidea。Ihaven’taskedhim。
　　Youstoppeditontheway，saidOsmond。
　　Isabelslowlygotup。standingthereinherwhitecloak，whichcoveredhertoherfeet，shemighthaverepresentedtheangelofdisdain，firstcousintothatofpity。Oh，Gilbert，foramanwhowassofine-！sheexclaimedinalongmurmur。
　　Iwasneversofineasyou。You’vedoneeverythingyouwanted。
　　You’vegothimoutofthewaywithoutappearingtodoso，andyou’veplacedmeinthepositioninwhichyouwishedtoseeme-thatofamanwhohastriedtomarryhisdaughtertoalord，buthasgrotesquelyfailed。
　　Pansydoesn’tcareforhim。She’sverygladhe’sgone，Isabelsaid。
　　Thathasnothingtodowiththematter。
　　Andhedoesn’tcareforPansy。
　　Thatwon’tdo。youtoldmehedid。Idon’tknowwhyyouwantedthisparticularsatisfaction，Osmondcontinued。youmighthavetakensomeother。Itdoesn’tseemtomethatI’vebeenpresumptuous-thatIhavetakentoomuchforgranted。I’vebeenverymodestaboutit，veryquiet。Theideadidn’toriginatewithme。HebegantoshowthathelikedherbeforeIeverthoughtofit。Ileftitalltoyou。
　　Yes，youwereverygladtoleaveittome。Afterthisyoumustattendtosuchthingsyourself。
　　Helookedatheramoment。thenheturnedaway。Ithoughtyouwereveryfondofmydaughter。
　　I’veneverbeenmoresothanto-day。
　　Youraffectionisattendedwithimmenselimitations。However，thatperhapsisnatural。
　　Isthisallyouwishedtosaytome？Isabelasked，takingacandlethatstoodononeofthetables。
　　Areyousatisfied？AmIsufficientlydisappointed？
　　Idon’tthinkthatonthewholeyou’redisappointed。You’vehadanotheropportunitytotrytostupefyme。
　　It’snotthat。It’sprovedthatPansycanaimhigh。
　　PoorlittlePansy！saidIsabelassheturnedawaywithhercandle。
　　CHAPTER47
　　ItwasfromHenriettaStackpolethatshelearnedhowCasparGoodwoodhadcometoRome。aneventthattookplacethreedaysafterLordWarburton’sdeparture。ThislatterfacthadbeenprecededbyanincidentofmgIsomeimportancetoIsabel-thetemporaryabsence，onceagain，ofMadameMerle，whohadgonetoNaplestostaywithafriend，thehappypossessorofavillaatPosilippo。MadameMerlehadceasedtoministertoIsabel’shappiness，whofoundherselfwonderingwhetherthemostdiscreetofwomenmightnotalsobychancebethemostdangerous。Sometimes，atnight，shehadstrangevisions。sheseemedtoseeherhusbandandherfriend-hisfriend-indim，indistinguishablecombination。Itseemedtoherthatshehadnotdonewithher。thisladyhadsomethinginreserve。Isabel’simaginationapplieditselfactivelytothiselusivepoint，buteverynowandthenitwascheckedbyanamelessdread，sothatwhenthecharmingwomanwasawayfromRomeshehadalmostaconsciousnessofrespite。ShehadalreadylearnedfromMissStackpolethatCasparGoodwoodwasinEurope，HenriettahavingwrittentomakeitknowntoherimmediatelyaftermeetinghiminParis。HehimselfneverwrotetoIsabel，andthoughhewasinEuropeshethoughtitverypossiblehemightnotdesiretoseeher。Theirlastinterview，beforehermarriage，hadhadquitethecharacterofacompleterupture。ifsherememberedrightlyhehadsaidhewishedtotakehislastlookather。
　　Sincethenhehadbeenthemostdiscordantsurvivalofherearliertime-theonlyoneinfactwithwhichapermanentpainwasassociated。Hehadleftherthatmorningwithasenseofthemostsuperfluousofshocks：itwaslikeacollisionbetweenvesselsinbroaddaylight。Therehadbeennomist，nohiddencurrenttoexcuseit，andsheherselfhadonlywishedtosteerwide。Hehadbumpedagainstherprow，however，whileherhandwasonthetiller，and-tocompletethemetaphor-hadgiventhelightervesselastrainwhichstilloccasionallybetrayeditselfinafaintcreaking。Ithadbeenhorridtoseehim，becauseherepresentedtheonlyseriousharmthattoherbeliefshehadeverdoneintheworld：hewastheonlypersonwithanunsatisfiedclaimonher。Shehadmadehimunhappy，shecouldn’thelpit。andhisunhappinesswasagrimreality。Shehadcriedwithrage，afterhehadlefther，at-shehardlyknewwhat：shetriedtothinkithadbeenathiswantofconsideration。Hehadcometoherwithhisunhappinesswhenherownblisswassoperfect。hehaddonehisbesttodarkenthebrightnessofthosepurerays。Hehadnotbeenviolent，andyettherehadbeenaviolenceintheimpression。Therehadbeenaviolenceatanyrateinsomethingsomewhere。perhapsitwasonlyinherownfitofweepingandinthatafter-senseofthesamewhichhadlastedthreeorfourdays。
　　Theeffectofhisfinalappealhadinshortfadedaway，andallthefirstyearofhermarriagehehaddroppedoutofherbooks。Hewasathanklesssubjectofreference。itwasdisagreeabletohavetothinkofapersonwhowassoreandsombreaboutyouandwhomyoucouldyetdonothingtorelieve。Itwouldhavebeendifferentifshehadbeenabletodoubt，evenalittle，ofhisunreconciledstate，asshedoubtedofLordWarburton’s。unfortunatelyitwasbeyondquestion，andthisaggressive，uncompromisinglookofitwasjustwhatmadeitunattractive。Shecouldneversaytoherselfthatherewasasuffererwhohadcompensations，asshewasabletosayinthecaseofherEnglishsuitor。ShehadnofaithinMr。Goodwood’scompensationsandnoesteemforthem。Acotton-factorywasnotacompensationforanything-leastofallforhavingfailedtomarryIsabelArcher。Andyet，beyondthat，shehardlyknewwhathehad-saveofcoursehisintrinsicqualities。Oh，hewasintrinsicenough。sheneverthoughtofhisevenlookingforartificialaids。
　　Ifheextendedhisbusiness-that，tothebestofherbelief，wastheonlyformexertioncouldtakewithhim-itwouldbebecauseitwasanenterprisingthing，orgoodforthebusiness。notintheleastbecausehemighthopeitwouldoverlaythepast。Thisgavehisfigureakindofbarenessandbleaknesswhichmadetheaccidentofmeetingitinmemoryorinapprehensionapeculiarconcussion。itwasdeficientinthesocialdraperycommonlymuffling，inanovercivilizedage，thesharpnessofhumancontacts。Hisperfectsilence，moreover，thefactthatsheneverheardfromhimandveryseldomheardanymentionofhim，deepenedthisimpressionofhisloneliness。SheaskedLilyfornewsofhim，fromtimetotime。butLilyknewnothingofBoston-herimaginationwasallboundedontheeastbyMadisonAvenue。AstimewentonIsabelhadthoughtofhimoftener，andwithfewerrestrictions。shehadhadmorethanoncetheideaofwritingtohim。
　　Shehadnevertoldherhusbandabouthim-neverletOsmondknowofhisvisitstoherinFlorence。areservenotdictatedintheearlyperiodbyawantofconfidenceinOsmond，butsimplybytheconsiderationthattheyoungman’sdisappointmentwasnothersecretbuthisown。Itwouldbewrongofher，shehadbelieved，toconveyittoanother，andMr。Goodwood’saffairscouldhave，afterall，littleinterestforGilbert。Whenithadcometothepointshehadneverwrittentohim。itseemedtoherthat，consideringhisgrievance，theleastshecoulddowastolethimalone。Neverthelessshewouldhavebeengladtobeinsomewaynearertohim。Itwasnotthatiteveroccurredtoherthatshemighthavemarriedhim。evenaftertheconsequencesofheractualunionhadgrownvividtoherthatparticularreflection，thoughsheindulgedinsomany，hadnothadtheassurancetopresentitself。Butonfindingherselfintroublehehadbecomeamemberofthatcircleofthingswithwhichshewishedtosetherselfright。Ihavementionedhowpassionatelysheneededtofeelthatherunhappinessshouldnothavecometoherthroughherownfault。Shehadnonearprospectofdying，andyetshewishedtomakeherpeacewiththeworld-toputherspiritualaffairsinorder。
　　ItcamebacktoherfromtimetotimethattherewasanaccountstilltobesettledwithCaspar，andshesawherselfdisposedorabletosettleitto-dayontermseasierforhimthaneverbefore。
　　Still，whenshelearnedhewascomingtoRomeshefeltallafraid。
　　itwouldbemoredisagreeableforhimthanforanyoneelsetomakeout-sincehewouldmakeitout，asoverafalsifiedbalance-sheetorsomethingofthatsort-theintimatedisarrayofheraffairs。Deepinherbreastshebelievedthathehadinvestedhisallinherhappiness，whiletheothershadinvestedonlyapart。Hewasonemorepersonfromwhomsheshouldhavetoconcealherstress。Shewasreassured，however，afterhearrivedinRome，forhespentseveraldayswithoutcomingtoseeher。
　　HenriettaStackpole，itmaywellbeimagined，wasmuchmorepunctual，andIsabelwaslargelyfavouredwiththesocietyofherfriend。Shethrewherselfintoit，fornowthatshehadmadesuchapointofkeepingherconscienceclear，thatwasonewayofprovingshehadnotbeensuperficial-themoresoastheyears，intheirflight，hadratherenrichedthanblightedthosepeculiaritieswhichhadbeenhumorouslycriticizedbypersonslessinterestedthanIsabel，andwhichwerestillmarkedenoughtogiveloyaltyaspiceofheroism。
　　Henriettawasaskeenandquickandfreshasever，andasneatandbrightandfair。Herremarkablyopeneyes，lightedlikegreatglazedrailway-stations，hadputupnoshutters。herattirehadlostnoneofitscrispness，heropinionsnoneoftheirnationalreference。Shewasbynomeansquiteunchanged，however。itstruckIsabelshehadgrownvague。Ofoldshehadneverbeenvague。thoughundertakingmanyenquiriesatonce，shehadmanagedtobeentireandpointedabouteach。Shehadareasonforeverythingshedid。shefairlybristledwithmotives。Formerly，whenshecametoEuropeitwasbecauseshewishedtoseeit，butnow，havingalreadyseenit，shehadnosuchexcuse。Shedidn’tforamomentpretendthatthedesiretoexaminedecayingcivilizationshadanythingtodowithherpresententerprise。
　　herjourneywasratheranexpressionofherindependenceoftheoldworldthanofasenseoffurtherobligationstoit。It’snothingtocometoEurope，shesaidtoIsabel。itdoesn’tseemtomeoneneedssomanyreasonsforthat。Itissomethingtostayathome。
　　thisismuchmoreimportant。ItwasnotthereforewithasenseofdoinganythingveryimportantthatshetreatedherselftoanotherpilgrimagetoRome。shehadseentheplacebeforeandcarefullyinspectedit。herpresentactwassimplyasignoffamiliarity，ofherknowingallaboutit，ofherhavingasgoodarightasanyoneelsetobethere。Thiswasallverywell，andHenriettawasrestless。shehadaperfectrighttoberestlesstoo，ifonecametothat。ButshehadafterallabetterreasonforcomingtoRomethanthatshecaredforitsolittle。Herfriendeasilyrecognizedit，andwithittheworthoftheother’sfidelity。ShehadcrossedthestormyoceaninmidwinterbecauseshehadguessedthatIsabelwassad。Henriettaguessedagreatdeal，butshehadneverguessedsohappilyasthat。
　　Isabel’ssatisfactionsjustnowwerefew，buteveniftheyhadbeenmorenumeroustherewouldstillhavebeensomethingofindividualjoyinhersenseofbeingjustifiedinhavingalwaysthoughthighlyofHenrietta。Shehadmadelargeconcessionswithregardtoher，andhadyetinsistedthat，withallabatements，shewasveryvaluable。
　　Itwasnotherowntriumph，however，thatshefoundgood。itwassimplythereliefofconfessingtothisconfidant，thefirstpersontowhomshehadownedit，thatshewasnotintheleastatherease。
　　Henriettahadherselfapproachedthispointwiththesmallestpossibledelay，andhadaccusedhertoherfaceofbeingwretched。Shewasawoman，shewasasister。shewasnotRalph，norLordWarburton，norCasparGoodwood，andIsabelcouldspeak。
　　Yes，I’mwretched，shesaidverymildly。Shehatedtohearherselfsayit。shetriedtosayitasjudiciallyaspossible。
　　Whatdoeshedotoyou？Henriettaasked，frowningasifshewereenquiringintotheoperationsofaquackdoctor。
　　Hedoesnothing。Buthedoesn’tlikeme。
　　He’sveryhardtoplease！criedMissStackpole。Whydon’tyouleavehim？
　　Ican’tchangethatway，Isabelsaid。
　　Whynot，Ishouldliketoknow？Youwon’tconfessthatyou’vemadeamistake。You’retooproud。
　　Idon’tknowwhetherI’mtooproud。ButIcan’tpublishmymistake。
　　Idon’tthinkthat’sdecent。I’dmuchratherdie。
　　Youwon’tthinksoalways，saidHenrietta。
　　Idon’tknowwhatgreatunhappinessmightbringmeto。butitseemstomeIshallalwaysbeashamed。Onemustacceptone’sdeeds。I
　　marriedhimbeforealltheworld。Iwasperfectlyfree。itwasimpossibletodoanythingmoredeliberate。Onecan’tchangethatway，
　　Isabelrepeated。
　　Youhavechanged，inspiteoftheimpossibility。Ihopeyoudon’tmeantosayyoulikehim。
　　Isabeldebated。No，Idon’tlikehim。Icantellyou，becauseI’mwearyofmysecret。Butthat’senough。Ican’tannounceitonthehousetops。
　　Henriettagavealaugh。Don’tyouthinkyou’rerathertooconsiderate？
　　It’snotofhimthatI’mconsiderate-it’sofmyself！Isabelanswered。
　　ItwasnotsurprisingGilbertOsmondshouldnothavetakencomfortinMissStackpole。hisinstincthadnaturallysethiminoppositiontoayoungladycapableofadvisinghiswifetowithdrawfromtheconjugalroof。
　　WhenshearrivedinRomehehadsaidtoIsabelthathehopedshewouldleaveherfriendtheintervieweralone。andIsabelhadansweredthatheatleasthadnothingtofearfromher。ShesaidtoHenriettathatasOsmonddidn’tlikehershecouldn’tinvitehertodine，buttheycouldeasilyseeeachotherinotherways。IsabelreceivedMissStackpolefreelyinherownsitting-room，andtookherrepeatedlytodrive，facetofacewithPansy，who，bendingalittleforward，ontheoppositeseatofthecarriage，gazedatthecelebratedauthoresswitharespectfulattentionwhichHenriettaoccasionallyfoundirritating。ShecomplainedtoIsabelthatMissOsmondhadalittlelookasifsheshouldremembereverythingonesaid。Idon’twanttoberememberedthatway，MissStackpoledeclared。I
　　considerthatmyconversationrefersonlytothemoment，likethemorningpapers。Yourstepdaughter，asshesitsthere，looksasifshekeptallthebacknumbersandwouldbringthemoutsomedayagainstme。ShecouldnotteachherselftothinkfavourablyofPansy，whoseabsenceofinitiative，ofconversation，ofpersonalclaims，seemedtoher，inagirloftwenty，unnaturalandevenuncanny。IsabelpresentlysawthatOsmondwouldhavelikedhertourgealittlethecauseofherfriend，insistalittleuponhisreceivingher，sothathemightappeartosufferforgoodmanners’sake。Herimmediateacceptanceofhisobjectionsputhimtoomuchinthewrong-itbeingineffectoneofthedisadvantagesofexpressingcontemptthatyoucannotenjoyatthesametimethecreditofexpressingsympathy。Osmondheldtohiscredit，andyetheheldtohisobjections-allofwhichwereelementsdifficulttoreconcile。TherightthingwouldhavebeenthatMissStackpoleshouldcometodineatPalazzoRoccaneraonceortwice，sothatinspiteofhissuperficialcivility，alwayssogreatshemightjudgeforherselfhowlittlepleasureitgavehim。
　　Fromthemoment，however，thatboththeladiesweresounaccommodating，therewasnothingforOsmondbuttowishtheladyfromNewYorkwouldtakeherselfoff。Itwassurprisinghowlittlesatisfactionhegotfromhiswife’sfriends。hetookoccasiontocallIsabel’sattentiontoit。
　　You’recertainlynotfortunateinyourintimates。Iwishyoumightmakeanewcollection，hesaidtoheronemorninginreferencetonothingvisibleatthemoment，butinatoneofripereflectionwhichdeprivedtheremarkofallbrutalabruptness。It’sasifyouhadtakenthetroubletopickoutthepeopleintheworldthatIhaveleastincommonwith。YourcousinIhavealwaysthoughtaconceitedass-besideshisbeingthemostill-favouredanimalIknow。
　　Thenit’sinsufferablytiresomethatonecan’ttellhimso。onemustsparehimonaccountofhishealth。Hishealthseemstomethebestpartofhim。itgiveshimprivilegesenjoyedbynooneelse。Ifhe’ssodesperatelyillthere’sonlyonewaytoproveit。butheseemstohavenomindforthat。Ican’tsaymuchmoreforthegreatWarburton。Whenonereallythinksofit，thecoolinsolenceofthatperformancewassomethingrare！Hecomesandlooksatone’sdaughterasifshewereasuiteofapartments。hetriesthedoor-handlesandlooksoutofthewindows，rapsonthewallsandalmostthinkshe’lltaketheplace。Willyoubesogoodastodrawupalease？Then，onthewhole，hedecidesthattheroomsaretoosmall。hedoesn’tthinkhecouldliveonathirdfloor。hemustlookoutforapianonobile。
　　Andhegoesawayafterhavinggotamonth’slodginginthepoorlittleapartmentfornothing。MissStackpole，however，isyourmostwonderfulinvention。Shestrikesmeasakindofmonster。Onehasn’tanerveinone’sbodythatshedoesn’tsetquivering。YouknowIneverhaveadmittedthatshe’sawoman。Doyouknowwhatsheremindsmeof？Ofanewsteelpen-themostodiousthinginnature。Shetalksasasteelpenwrites。aren’therletters，bytheway，onruledpaper？
　　Shethinksandmovesandwalksandlooksexactlyasshetalks。Youmaysaythatshedoesn’thurtme，inasmuchasIdon’tseeher。Idon’tseeher，butIhearher。Ihearheralldaylong。Hervoiceisinmyears。
　　Ican’tgetridofit。Iknowexactlywhatshesays，andeveryinflexionofthetoneinwhichshesaysit。Shesayscharmingthingsaboutme，andtheygiveyougreatcomfort。Idon’tlikeatalltothinkshetalksaboutme-IfeelasIshouldfeelifIknewthefootmanwerewearingmyhat。
　　HenriettatalkedaboutGilbertOsmond，ashiswifeassuredhim，ratherlessthanhesuspected。Shehadplentyofothersubjects，intwoofwhichthereadermaybesupposedtobeespeciallyinterested。