CHAPTER11
　　HetookaresolveafterthisnottomisinterpretherwordsevenwhenMissStackpoleappearedtostrikethepersonalnotemoststrongly。
　　Hebethoughthimselfthatpersons，inherview，weresimpleandhomogeneousorganisms，andthathe，forhisownpart，wastoopervertedarepresentativeofthenatureofmantohavearighttodealwithherinstrictreciprocity。Hecarriedouthisresolvewithagreatdealoftact，andtheyoungladyfoundinrenewedcontactwithhimnoobstacletotheexerciseofhergeniusforunshrinkingenquiry，thegeneralapplicationofherconfidence。HersituationatGardencourttherefore，appreciatedaswehaveseenhertobebyIsabelandfullofappreciationherselfofthatfreeplayofintelligencewhich，tohersense，renderedIsabel’scharacterasister-spirit，andoftheeasyvenerablenessofMr。Touchett，whosenobletone，asshesaid，metwithherfullapproval-hersituationatGardencourtwouldhavebeenperfectlycomfortablehadshenotconceivedanirresistiblemistrustofthelittleladyforwhomshehadatfirstsupposedherselfobligedtoallowasmistressofthehouse。Shepresentlydiscovered，intruth，thatthisobligationwasofthelightestandthatMrs。TouchettcaredverylittlehowMissStackpolebehaved。Mrs。TouchetthaddefinedhertoIsabelasbothanadventuressandabore-adventuressesusuallygivingonemoreofathrill。shehadexpressedsomesurpriseatherniece’shavingselectedsuchafriend，yethadimmediatelyaddedthatsheknewIsabel’sfriendswereherownaffairandthatshehadneverundertakentolikethemallortorestrictthegirltothosesheliked。
　　IfyoucouldseenonebutthepeopleIlike，mydear，you’dhaveaverysmallsociety，Mrs。Touchettfranklyadmitted。andIdon’tthinkIlikeanymanorwomanwellenoughtorecommendthemtoyou。
　　Whenitcomestorecommendingit’saseriousaffair。Idon’tlikeMissStackpole-everythingaboutherdispleasesme。shetalkssomuchtooloudandlooksatoneasifonewantedtolookather-whichonedoesn’t。I’msureshehaslivedallherlifeinaboarding-house，andIdetestthemannersandthelibertiesofsuchplaces。IfyouaskmeifIprefermyownmanners，whichyoudoubtlessthinkverybad，I’lltellyouthatIpreferthemimmensely。MissStackpoleknowsI
　　detestboarding-housecivilization，andshedetestsmefordetestingit，becauseshethinksitthehighestintheworld。She’dlikeGardencourtagreatdealbetterifitwereaboarding-house。Forme，I
　　finditalmosttoomuchofone！Weshallnevergetontogethertherefore，andthere’snousetrying。
　　Mrs。TouchettwasrightinguessingthatHenriettadisapprovedofher，butshehadnotquiteputherfingeronthereason。AdayortwoafterMissStackpole’sarrivalshehadmadesomeinvidiousreflexionsonAmericanhotels，whichexcitedaveinofcounterargumentonthepartofthecorrespondentoftheInterviewer，whointheexerciseofherprofessionhadacquaintedherself，inthewesternworld，witheveryformofcaravansary。HenriettaexpressedtheopinionthatAmericanhotelswerethebestintheworld，andMrs。Touchett，freshfromarenewedstrugglewiththem，recordedaconvictionthattheyweretheworst。Ralph，withhisexperimentalgeniality，suggested，bywayofhealingthebreach，thatthetruthlaybetweenthetwoextremesandthattheestablishmentsinquestionoughttobedescribedasfairmiddling。Thiscontributiontothediscussion，however，MissStackpolerejectedwithscorn。Middlingindeed！Iftheywerenotthebestintheworldtheyweretheworst，buttherewasnothingmiddlingaboutanAmericanhotel。
　　Wejudgefromdifferentpointsofview，evidently，saidMrs。
　　Touchett。Iliketobetreatedasanindividual。youliketobetreatedasa’party。’
　　Idon’tknowwhatyoumean，Henriettareplied。IliketobetreatedasanAmericanlady。
　　PoorAmericanladies！criedMrs。Touchettwithalaugh。They’retheslavesofslaves。
　　They’rethecompanionsoffreemen，Henriettaretorted。
　　They’rethecompanionsoftheirservants-theIrishchambermaidandthenegrowaiter。Theysharetheirwork。
　　DoyoucallthedomesticsinanAmericanhousehold’slaves’？
　　MissStackpoleenquired。Ifthat’sthewayyoudesiretotreatthem，nowonderyoudon’tlikeAmerica。
　　Ifyou’venotgoodservantsyou’remiserable，Mrs。Touchettserenelysaid。They’reverybadinAmerica，butI’vefiveperfectonesinFlorence。
　　Idon’tseewhatyouwantwithfive，Henriettacouldn’thelpobserving。Idon’tthinkIshouldliketoseefivepersonssurroundingmeinthatmenialposition。
　　Iliketheminthatpositionbetterthaninsomeothers，
　　proclaimedMrs。Touchettwithmuchmeaning。
　　ShouldyoulikemebetterifIwereyourbutler，dear？herhusbandasked。
　　Idon’tthinkIshould：youwouldn’tatallhavethetenue。
　　Thecompanionsoffreemen-Ilikethat，MissStackpole，saidRalph。It’sabeautifuldescription。
　　WhenIsaidfreemenIdidn’tmeanyou，sir！
　　AndthiswastheonlyrewardthatRalphgotforhiscompliment。MissStackpolewasbaffled。sheevidentlythoughttherewassomethingtreasonableinMrs。Touchett’sappreciationofaclasswhichsheprivatelyjudgedtobeamysterioussurvivaloffeudalism。ItwasperhapsbecausehermindwasoppressedwiththisimagethatshesufferedsomedaystoelapsebeforeshetookoccasiontosaytoIsabel：Mydearfriend，Iwonderifyou’regrowingfaithless。
　　Faithless？Faithlesstoyou，Henrietta？
　　No，thatwouldbeagreatpain。butit’snotthat。
　　Faithlesstomycountrythen？
　　Ah，thatIhopewillneverbe。WhenIwrotetoyoufromLiverpoolI
　　saidIhadsomethingparticulartotellyou。You’veneveraskedmewhatitis。Isitbecauseyou’vesuspected？
　　Suspectedwhat？AsaruleIdon’tthinkIsuspect，saidIsabel。I
　　remembernowthatphraseinyourletter，butIconfessIhadforgottenit。Whathaveyoutotellme？
　　Henriettalookeddisappointed，andhersteadygazebetrayedit。Youdon’taskthatright-asifyouthoughtitimportant。You’rechanged-you’rethinkingofotherthings。
　　Tellmewhatyoumean，andI’llthinkofthat。
　　Willyoureallythinkofit？That’swhatIwishtobesureof。
　　I’venotmuchcontrolofmythoughts，butI’lldomybest，saidIsabel。Henriettagazedather，insilence，foraperiodwhichtriedIsabel’spatience，sothatourheroineaddedatlast：Doyoumeanthatyou’regoingtobemarried？
　　NottillI’veseenEurope！saidMissStackpole。Whatareyoulaughingat？shewenton。WhatImeanisthatMr。Goodwoodcameoutinthesteamerwithme。
　　Ah！Isabelresponded。
　　Yousaythatright。Ihadagooddealoftalkwithhim。hehascomeafteryou。
　　Didhetellyouso？
　　No，hetoldmenothing。that’showIknewit，saidHenriettacleverly。Hesaidverylittleaboutyou，butIspokeofyouagooddeal。
　　Isabelwaited。AtthementionofMr。Goodwood’snameshehadturnedalittlepale。I’mverysorryyoudidthat，sheobservedatlast。
　　Itwasapleasuretome，andIlikedthewayhelistened。Icouldhavetalkedalongtimetosuchalistener。hewassoquiet，sointense。hedrankitallin。
　　Whatdidyousayaboutme？Isabelasked。
　　IsaidyouwereonthewholethefinestcreatureIknow。
　　I’mverysorryforthat。Hethinkstoowellofmealready。heoughtn’ttobeencouraged。
　　He’sdyingforalittleencouragement。Iseehisfacenow，andhisearnestabsorbedlookwhileItalked。Ineversawanuglymanlooksohandsome。
　　He’sverysimple-minded，saidIsabel。Andhe’snotsougly。
　　There’snothingsosimplifyingasagrandpassion。
　　It’snotagrandpassion。I’mverysureit’snotthat。
　　Youdon’tsaythatasifyouweresure。
　　Isabelgaveratheracoldsmile。IshallsayitbettertoMr。
　　Goodwoodhimself。
　　He’llsoongiveyouachance，saidHenrietta。Isabelofferednoanswertothisassertion，whichhercompanionmadewithanairofgreatconfidence。He’llfindyouchanged，thelatterpursued。
　　You’vebeenaffectedbyyournewsurroundings。
　　Verylikely。I’maffectedbyeverything。
　　ByeverythingbutMr。Goodwood！MissStackpoleexclaimedwithaslightlyharshhilarity。
　　Isabelfailedeventosmilebackandinamomentshesaid：Didheaskyoutospeaktome？
　　Notinsomanywords。Buthiseyesaskedit-andhishandshake，whenhebademegood-bye。
　　Thankyoufordoingso。AndIsabelturnedaway。
　　Yes，you’rechanged。you’vegotnewideasoverhere，herfriendcontinued。
　　Ihopeso，saidIsabel。oneshouldgetasmanynewideasaspossible。
　　Yes。buttheyshouldn’tinterferewiththeoldoneswhentheoldoneshavebeentherightones。
　　Isabelturnedaboutagain。IfyoumeanthatIhadanyideawithregardtoMr。Goodwood-！Butshefalteredbeforeherfriend’simplacableglitter。
　　Mydearchild，youcertainlyencouragedhim。
　　Isabelmadeforthemomentasiftodenythischarge。insteadofwhich，however，shepresentlyanswered：It’sverytrue。Ididencouragehim。AndthensheaskedifhercompanionhadlearnedfromMr。Goodwoodwhatheintendedtodo。Itwasaconcessiontohercuriosity，forshedislikeddiscussingthesubjectandfoundHenriettawantingindelicacy。
　　Iaskedhim，andhesaidhemeanttodonothing，MissStackpoleanswered。ButIdon’tbelievethat。he’snotamantodonothing。
　　Heisamanofhigh，boldaction。Whateverhappenstohimhe’llalwaysdosomething，andwhateverhedoeswillalwaysberight。
　　Iquitebelievethat。Henriettamightbewantingindelicacy，butittouchedthegirl，allthesame，tohearthisdeclaration。
　　Ah，youdocareforhim！hervisitorrangout。
　　Whateverhedoeswillalwaysberight，Isabelrepeated。Whenaman’softhatinfalliblemouldwhatdoesitmattertohimwhatonefeels？
　　Itmaynotmattertohim，butitmatterstoone’sself。
　　Ah，whatitmatterstome-that’snotwhatwe’rediscussing，
　　saidIsabelwithacoldsmile。
　　Thistimehercompanionwasgrave。Well，Idon’tcare。youhavechanged。You’renotthegirlyouwereafewshortweeksago，andMr。
　　Goodwoodwillseeit。Iexpecthimhereanyday。
　　Ihopehe’llhatemethen，saidIsabel。
　　IbelieveyouhopeitaboutasmuchasIbelievehimcapableofit。
　　Tothisobservationourheroinemadenoreturn。shewasabsorbedinthealarmgivenherbyHenrietta’sintimationthatCasparGoodwoodwouldpresenthimselfatGardencourt。Shepretendedtoherself，however，thatshethoughttheeventimpossible，and，later，shecommunicatedherdisbelieftoherfriend。Forthenextforty-eighthours，nevertheless，shestoodpreparedtoheartheyoungman’snameannounced。Thefeelingpresseduponher。itmadetheairsultry，asifthereweretobeachangeofweather。andtheweather，sociallyspeaking，hadbeensoagreeableduringIsabel’sstayatGardencourtthatanychangewouldbefortheworse。Hersuspenseindeedwasdissipatedthesecondday。ShehadwalkedintotheparkincompanywiththesociableBunchie，andafterstrollingaboutforsometime，inamanneratoncelistlessandrestless，hadseatedherselfonagardenbench，withinsightofthehouse，beneathaspreadingbeech，where，inawhitedressornamentedwithblackribbons，sheformedamongtheflickeringshadowsagracefulandharmoniousimage。Sheentertainedherselfforsomemomentswithtalkingtothelittleterrier，astowhomtheproposalofanownershipdividedwithhercousinhadbeenappliedasimpartiallyaspossible-impartiallyasBunchie’sownsomewhatfickleandinconstantsympathieswouldallow。Butshewasnotifiedforthefirsttime，onthisoccasion，ofthefinitecharacterofBunchie’sintellect。hithertoshehadbeenmainlystruckwithitsextent。Itseemedtoheratlastthatshewoulddowelltotakeabook。formerly，whenheavy-hearted，shehadbeenable，withthehelpofsomewell-chosenvolume，totransfertheseatofconsciousnesstotheorganofpurereason。Oflate，itwasnottobedenied，literaturehadseemedafadinglight，andevenaftershehadremindedherselfthatheruncle’slibrarywasprovidedwithacompletesetofthoseauthorswhichnogentleman’scollectionshouldbewithout，shesatmotionlessandempty-handed，hereyesbentonthecoolgreenturfofthelawn。Hermeditationswerepresentlyinterruptedbythearrivalofaservantwhohandedheraletter。TheletterboretheLondonpostmarkandwasaddressedinahandsheknew-thatcameintohervision，alreadysoheldbyhim，withthevividnessofthewriter’svoiceorhisface。Thisdocumentprovedshortandmaybegivenentire。
　　MYDEARMISSARCHER-Idon’tknowwhetheryouwillhaveheardofmycomingtoEngland，butevenifyouhavenotitwillscarcelybeasurprisetoyou。YouwillrememberthatwhenyougavememydismissalatAlbany，threemonthsago，Ididnotacceptit。I
　　protestedagainstit。YouinfactappearedtoacceptmyprotestandtoadmitthatIhadtherightonmyside。Ihadcometoseeyouwiththehopethatyouwouldletmebringyouovertomyconviction。myreasonsforentertainingthishopehadbeenofthebest。Butyoudisappointedit。Ifoundyouchanged，andyouwereabletogivemenoreasonforthechange。Youadmittedthatyouwereunreasonable，anditwastheonlyconcessionyouwouldmake。butitwasaverycheapone，becausethat’snotyourcharacter。No，youarenot，andyouneverwillbe，arbitraryorcapricious。ThereforeitisthatIbelieveyouwillletmeseeyouagain。YoutoldmethatI’mnotdisagreeabletoyou，andIbelieveit。forIdon’tseewhythatshouldbe。Ishallalwaysthinkofyou。Ishallneverthinkofanyoneelse。IcametoEnglandsimplybecauseyouarehere。Icouldn’tstayathomeafteryouhadgone：Ihatedthecountrybecauseyouwerenotinit。IfIlikethiscountryatpresentitisonlybecauseitholdsyou。IhavebeentoEnglandbefore，buthaveneverenjoyeditmuch。MayInotcomeandseeyouforhalfanhour？ThisatpresentisthedearestwishofyoursfaithfullyCASPARGOODWOOD
　　Isabelreadthismissivewithsuchdeepattentionthatshehadnotperceivedanapproachingtreadonthesoftgrass。Lookingup，however，asshemechanicallyfoldeditshesawLordWarburtonstandingbeforeher。
　　CHAPTER12
　　Sheputtheletterintoherpocketandofferedhervisitorasmileofwelcome，exhibitingnotraceofdiscomposureandhalfsurprisedathercoolness。
　　Theytoldmeyouwereouthere，saidLordWarburton。andastherewasnooneinthedrawing-roomandit’sreallyyouthatIwishtosee，Icameoutwithnomoreado。
　　Isabelhadgotup。shefeltawish，forthemoment，thatheshouldnotsitdownbesideher。Iwasjustgoingindoors。
　　Pleasedon’tdothat。it’smuchjollierhere。I’veriddenoverfromLockleigh。it’salovelyday。Hissmilewaspeculiarlyfriendlyandpleasing，andhiswholepersonseemedtoemitthatradianceofgood-feelingandgoodfarewhichhadformedthecharmofthegirl’sfirstimpressionofhim。ItsurroundedhimlikeazoneoffineJuneweather。
　　We’llwalkaboutalittlethen，saidIsabel，whocouldnotdivestherselfofthesenseofanintentiononthepartofhervisitorandwhowishedbothtoeludetheintentionandtosatisfyhercuriosityaboutit。Ithadflasheduponhervisiononcebefore，andithadgivenheronthatoccasion，asweknow，acertainalarm。Thisalarmwascomposedofseveralelements，notallofwhichweredisagreeable。shehadindeedspentsomedaysinanalyzingthemandhadsucceededinseparatingthepleasantpartoftheideaofLordWarburton’smakinguptoherfromthepainful。Itmayappeartosomereadersthattheyoungladywasbothprecipitateandundulyfastidious。butthelatterofthesefacts，ifthechargebetrue，mayservetoexonerateherfromthediscreditoftheformer。Shewasnoteagertoconvinceherselfthataterritorialmagnate，asshehadheardLordWarburtoncalled，wassmittenwithhercharms。thefactofadeclarationfromsuchasourcecarryingwithitreallymorequestionsthanitwouldanswer。Shehadreceivedastrongimpressionofhisbeingapersonage，andshehadoccupiedherselfinexaminingtheimagesoconveyed。Attheriskofaddingtotheevidenceofherself-sufficiencyitmustbesaidthattherehadbeenmomentswhenthispossibilityofadmirationbyapersonagerepresentedtoheranaggressionalmosttothedegreeofanaffront，quitetothedegreeofaninconvenience。Shehadneveryetknownapersonage。therehadbeennopersonages，inthissense，inherlife。therewereprobablynonesuchatallinhernativeland。Whenshehadthoughtofindividualeminenceshehadthoughtofitonthebasisofcharacterandwit-ofwhatonemightlikeinagentleman’smindandinhistalk。
　　Sheherselfwasacharacter-shecouldn’thelpbeingawareofthat。
　　andhithertohervisionsofacompletedconsciousnesshadconnectedthemselveslargelywithmoralimages-thingsastowhichthequestionwouldbewhethertheypleasedhersublimesoul。LordWarburtonloomedupbeforeher，largelyandbrightly，asacollectionofattributesandpowerswhichwerenottobemeasuredbythissimplerule，butwhichdemandedadifferentsortofappreciation-
　　anappreciationthatthegirl，withherhabitofjudgingquicklyandfreely，feltshelackedpatiencetobestow。Heappearedtodemandofhersomethingthatnooneelse，asitwere，hadpresumedtodo。Whatshefeltwasthataterritorial，apolitical，asocialmagnatehadconceivedthedesignofdrawingherintothesysteminwhichheratherinvidiouslylivedandmoved。Acertaininstinct，notimperious，butpersuasive，toldhertoresist-murmuredtoherthatvirtuallyshehadasystemandanorbitofherown。Ittoldherotherthingsbesides-
　　thingswhichbothcontradictedandconfirmedeachother。thatagirlmightdomuchworsethantrustherselftosuchamanandthatitwouldbeveryinterestingtoseesomethingofhissystemfromhisownpointofview。thatontheotherhand，however，therewasevidentlyagreatdealofitwhichsheshouldregardonlyasacomplicationofeveryhour，andthateveninthewholetherewassomethingstiffandstupidwhichwouldmakeitaburden。FurthermoretherewasayoungmanlatelycomefromAmericawhohadnosystematall，butwhohadacharacterofwhichitwasuselessforhertotrytopersuadeherselfthattheimpressiononhermindhadbeenlight。Thelettershecarriedinherpocketallsufficientlyremindedherofthecontrary。Smilenot，however，Iventuretorepeat，atthissimpleyoungwomanfromAlbanywhodebatedwhethersheshouldacceptanEnglishpeerbeforehehadofferedhimselfandwhowasdisposedtobelievethatonthewholeshecoulddobetter。Shewasapersonofgreatgoodfaith，andiftherewasagreatdealoffollyinherwisdomthosewhojudgeherseverelymayhavethesatisfactionoffindingthat，later，shebecameconsistentlywiseonlyatthecostofanamountoffollywhichwillconstitutealmostadirectappealtocharity。
　　LordWarburtonseemedquitereadytowalk，tositortodoanythingthatIsabelshouldpropose，andhegaveherthisassurancewithhisusualairofbeingparticularlypleasedtoexerciseasocialvirtue。Buthewas，nevertheless，notincommandofhisemotions，andashestrolledbesideherforamoment，insilence，lookingatherwithoutlettingherknowit，therewassomethingembarrassedinhisglanceandhismisdirectedlaughter。Yes，assuredly-aswehavetouchedonthepoint，wemayreturntoitforamomentagain-theEnglisharethemostromanticpeopleintheworldandLordWarburtonwasabouttogiveanexampleofit。Hewasabouttotakeastepwhichwouldastonishallhisfriendsanddispleaseagreatmanyofthem，andwhichhadsuperficiallynothingtorecommendit。Theyoungladywhotrodtheturfbesidehimhadcomefromaqueercountryacrosstheseawhichheknewagooddealabout。
　　herantecedents，herassociationswereveryvaguetohismindexceptinsofarastheyweregeneric，andinthissensetheyshowedasdistinctandunimportant。MissArcherhadneitherafortunenorthesortofbeautythatjustifiesamantothemultitude，andhecalculatedthathehadspentabouttwenty-sixhoursinhercompany。Hehadsummedupallthis-theperversityoftheimpulse，whichhaddeclinedtoavailitselfofthemostliberalopportunitiestosubside，andthejudgementofmankind，asexemplifiedparticularlyinthemorequickly-judginghalfofit：hehadlookedthesethingswellinthefaceandthenhaddismissedthemfromhisthoughts。Hecarednomoreforthemthanfortherosebudinhisbuttonhole。Itisthegoodfortuneofamanwhoforthegreaterpartofalifetimehasabstainedwithouteffortfrommakinghimselfdisagreeabletohisfriends，thatwhentheneedcomesforsuchacourseitisnotdiscreditedbyirritatingassociations。
　　Ihopeyouhadapleasantride，saidIsabel，whoobservedhercompanion’shesitancy。
　　Itwouldhavebeenpleasantiffornothingelsethanthatitbroughtmehere。
　　AreyousofondofGardencourt？thegirlasked，moreandmoresurethathemeanttomakesomeappealtoher。wishingnottochallengehimifhehesitated，andyettokeepallthequietnessofherreasonifheproceeded。Itsuddenlycameuponherthathersituationwasonewhichafewweeksagoshewouldhavedeemeddeeplyromantic：theparkofanoldEnglishcountry-house，withtheforegroundembellishedbyagreatasshesupposednoblemanintheactofmakinglovetoayoungladywho，oncarefulinspection，shouldbefoundtopresentremarkableanalogieswithherself。Butifshewasnowtheheroineofthesituationshesucceededscarcelythelessinlookingatitfromtheoutside。
　　IcarenothingforGardencourt，saidhercompanion。Icareonlyforyou。
　　You’veknownmetooshortatimetohavearighttosaythat，andI
　　can’tbelieveyou’reserious。
　　ThesewordsofIsabel’swerenotperfectlysincere，forshehadnodoubtwhateverthathehimselfwas。Theyweresimplyatributetothefact，ofwhichshewasperfectlyaware，thatthosehehadjustutteredwouldhaveexcitedsurpriseonthepartofavulgarworld。
　　And，moreover，ifanythingbesidethesenseshehadalreadyacquiredthatLordWarburtonwasnotaloosethinkerhadbeenneededtoconvinceher，thetoneinwhichherepliedwouldquitehaveservedthepurpose。
　　One’srightinsuchamatterisnotmeasuredbythetime，MissArcher。it’smeasuredbythefeelingitself。IfIweretowaitthreemonthsitwouldmakenodifference。IshallnotbemoresureofwhatI
　　meanthanIamto-day。OfcourseI’veseenyouverylittle，butmyimpressiondatesfromtheveryfirsthourwemet。Ilostnotime，I
　　fellinlovewithyouthen。Itwasatfirstsight，asthenovelssay。Iknownowthat’snotafancy-phrase，andIshallthinkbetterofnovelsforevermore。ThosetwodaysIspentheresettledit。Idon’tknowwhetheryoususpectedIwasdoingso，butIpaid-mentallyspeakingImean-thegreatestpossibleattentiontoyou。Nothingyousaid，nothingyoudid，waslostuponme。WhenyoucametoLockleightheotherday-orratherwhenyouwentaway-Iwasperfectlysure。
　　NeverthelessImadeupmymindtothinkitoverandtoquestionmyselfnarrowly。I’vedoneso。allthesedaysI’vedonenothingelse。Idon’tmakemistakesaboutsuchthings。I’maveryjudiciousanimal。I
　　don’tgooffeasily，butwhenI’mtouched，it’sforlife。It’sforlife，MissArcher，it’sforlife，LordWarburtonrepeatedinthekindest，tenderest，pleasantestvoiceIsabelhadeverheard，andlookingatherwitheyeschargedwiththelightofapassionthathadsifteditselfclearofthebaserpartsofemotion-theheat，theviolence，theunreason-andthatburnedassteadilyasalampinawindlessplace。
　　Bytacitconsent，ashetalked，theyhadwalkedmoreandmoreslowly，andatlasttheystoppedandhetookherhand。Ah，LordWarburton，howlittleyouknowme！Isabelsaidverygently。Gentlytooshedrewherhandaway。
　　Don’ttauntmewiththat，thatIdon’tknowyoubettermakesmeunhappyenoughalready。it’sallmyloss。Butthat’swhatIwant，anditseemstomeI’mtakingthebestway。Ifyou’llbemywife，thenIshallknowyou，andwhenItellyouallthegoodIthinkofyouyou’llnotbeabletosayit’sfromignorance。
　　IfyouknowmelittleIknowyouevenless，saidIsabel。
　　Youmeanthat，unlikeyourself，Imaynotimproveonacquaintance？Ah，ofcoursethat’sverypossible。Butthink，tospeaktoyouasIdo，howdeterminedImustbetotryandgivesatisfaction！Youdolikemerather，don’tyou？
　　Ilikeyouverymuch，LordWarburton，sheanswered。andatthismomentshelikedhimimmensely。
　　Ithankyouforsayingthat。itshowsyoudon’tregardmeasastranger。IreallybelieveI’vefilledalltheotherrelationsoflifeverycreditably，andIdon’tseewhyIshouldn’tfillthisone-inwhichIoffermyselftoyou-seeingthatIcaresomuchmoreaboutit。
　　Askthepeoplewhoknowmewell。I’vefriendswho’llspeakforme。
　　Idon’tneedtherecommendationofyourfriends，saidIsabel。
　　Ahnow，that’sdelightfulofyou。Youbelieveinmeyourself。
　　Completely，Isabeldeclared。Shequiteglowedthere，inwardly，withthepleasureoffeelingshedid。
　　Thelightinhercompanion’seyesturnedintoasmile，andhegavealongexhalationofjoy。Ifyou’remistaken，MissArcher，letmeloseallIpossess！
　　Shewonderedwhetherhemeantthisforareminderthathewasrich，and，ontheinstant，feltsurethathedidn’t。Hewassinkingthat，ashewouldhavesaidhimself。andindeedhemightsafelyleaveittothememoryofanyinterlocutor，especiallyofonetowhomhewasofferinghishand。Isabelhadprayedthatshemightnotbeagitated，andhermindwastranquilenough，evenwhileshelistenedandaskedherselfwhatitwasbestsheshouldsay，toindulgeinthisincidentalcriticism。Whatsheshouldsay，hadsheaskedherself？
　　Herforemostwishwastosaysomethingifpossiblenotlesskindthanwhathehadsaidtoher。Hiswordshadcarriedperfectconvictionwiththem。shefeltshedid，allsomysteriously，mattertohim。I
　　thankyoumorethanIcansayforyouroffer，shereturnedatlast。
　　Itdoesmegreathonour。
　　Ah，don’tsaythat！hebrokeout。Iwasafraidyou’dsaysomethinglikethat。Idon’tseewhatyou’vetodowiththatsortofthing。Idon’tseewhyyoushouldthankme-it’sIwhooughttothankyouforlisteningtome：amanyouknowsolittlecomingdowntoyouwithsuchathumper！Ofcourseit’sagreatquestion。ImusttellyouthatI’dratheraskitthanhaveittoanswermyself。Butthewayyou’velistened-oratleastyourhavinglistenedatall-givesmesomehope。
　　Don’thopetoomuch，Isabelsaid。
　　Oh，MissArcher！hercompanionmurmured，smilingagain，inhisseriousness，asifsuchawarningmightperhapsbetakenbutastheplayofhighspirits，theexuberanceofelation。
　　ShouldyoubegreatlysurprisedifIweretobegyounottohopeatall？Isabelasked。
　　Surprised？Idon’tknowwhatyoumeanbysurprise。Itwouldn’tbethat。itwouldbeafeelingverymuchworse。
　　Isabelwalkedonagain。shewassilentforsomeminutes。I’mverysurethat，highlyasIalreadythinkofyou，myopinionofyou，ifI
　　shouldknowyouwell，wouldonlyrise。ButI’mbynomeanssurethatyouwouldn’tbedisappointed。AndIsaythatnotintheleastoutofconventionalmodesty。it’sperfectlysincere。
　　I’mwillingtoriskit，MissArcher，hercompanionreplied。
　　It’sagreatquestion，asyousay。It’saverydifficultquestion。
　　Idon’texpectyouofcoursetoansweritoutright。Thinkitoveraslongasmaybenecessary。IfIcangainbywaitingI’llgladlywaitalongtime。Onlyrememberthatintheendmydearesthappinessdependsonyouranswer。
　　Ishouldbeverysorrytokeepyouinsuspense，saidIsabel。
　　Oh，don’tmind。I’dmuchratherhaveagoodanswersixmonthshencethanabadoneto-day。
　　Butit’sveryprobablethatevensixmonthshenceIshouldn’tbeabletogiveyouonethatyou’dthinkgood。
　　Whynot，sinceyoureallylikeme？
　　Ah，youmustneverdoubtthat，saidIsabel。
　　Wellthen，Idon’tseewhatmoreyouask！
　　It’snotwhatIask。it’swhatIcangive。Idon’tthinkIshouldsuityou。Ireallydon’tthinkIshould。
　　Youneedn’tworryaboutthat。That’smyaffair。Youneedn’tbeabetterroyalistthantheking。
　　It’snotonlythat，saidIsabel。butI’mnotsureIwishtomarryanyone。
　　Verylikelyyoudon’t。I’venodoubtagreatmanywomenbeginthatway，saidhislordship，who，beitaverred，didnotintheleastbelieveintheaxiomhethusbeguiledhisanxietybyuttering。Butthey’refrequentlypersuaded。
　　Ah，that’sbecausetheywanttobe！AndIsabellightlylaughed。
　　Hersuitor’scountenancefell，andhelookedatherforawhileinsilence。I’mafraidit’smybeinganEnglishmanthatmakesyouhesitate，hesaidpresently。Iknowyourunclethinksyououghttomarryinyourowncountry。
　　Isabellistenedtothisassertionwithsomeinterest。ithadneveroccurredtoherthatMr。TouchettwaslikelytodiscusshermatrimonialprospectswithLordWarburton。Hashetoldyouthat？
　　Irememberhismakingtheremark。HespokeperhapsofAmericansgenerally。
　　HeappearshimselftohavefounditverypleasanttoliveinEngland。Isabelspokeinamannerthatmighthaveseemedalittleperverse，butwhichexpressedbothherconstantperceptionofheruncle’soutwardfelicityandhergeneraldispositiontoeludeanyobligationtotakearestrictedview。
　　Itgavehercompanionhope，andheimmediatelycriedwithwarmth：
　　Ah，mydearMissArcher，oldEngland’saverygoodsortofcountry，youknow！Anditwillbestillbetterwhenwe’vefurbisheditupalittle。
　　Oh，don’tfurbishit，LordWarburton。leaveitalone。Ilikeitthisway。
　　Wellthen，ifyoulikeit，I’mmoreandmoreunabletoseeyourobjectiontowhatIpropose。
　　I’mafraidIcan’tmakeyouunderstand。
　　Yououghtatleasttotry。I’veafairintelligence。Areyouafraid-afraidoftheclimate？Wecaneasilyliveelsewhere，youknow。
　　Youcanpickoutyourclimate，thewholeworldover。
　　Thesewordswereutteredwithabreadthofcandourthatwasliketheembraceofstrongarms-thatwaslikethefragrancestraightinherface，andbyhisclean，breathinglips，ofsheknewnotwhatstrangegardens，whatchargedairs。Shewouldhavegivenherlittlefingeratthatmomenttofeelstronglyandsimplytheimpulsetoanswer：
　　LordWarburton，it’simpossibleformetodobetterinthiswonderfulworld，Ithink，thancommitmyself，verygratefully，toyourloyalty。
　　Butthoughshewaslostinadmirationofheropportunityshemanagedtomovebackintothedeepestshadeofit，evenassomewild，caughtcreatureinavastcage。Thesplendidsecuritysoofferedherwasnotthegreatestshecouldconceive。Whatshefinallybethoughtherselfofsayingwassomethingverydifferent-somethingthatdeferredtheneedofreallyfacinghercrisis。Don’tthinkmeunkindifIaskyoutosaynomoreaboutthisto-day。
　　Certainly，certainly！hercompanioncried。Iwouldn’tboreyoufortheworld。
　　You’vegivenmeagreatdealtothinkabout，andIpromiseyoutodoitjustice。
　　That’sallIaskofyou，ofcourse-andthatyou’llrememberhowabsolutelymyhappinessisinyourhands。
　　Isabellistenedwithextremerespecttothisadmonition，butshesaidafteraminute：ImusttellyouthatwhatIshallthinkaboutissomewayoflettingyouknowthatwhatyouaskisimpossible-
　　lettingyouknowitwithoutmakingyoumiserable。
　　There’snowaytodothat，MissArcher。Iwon’tsaythatifyourefusemeyou’llkillme。Ishallnotdieofit。ButIshalldoworse。
　　Ishalllivetonopurpose。
　　You’lllivetomarryabetterwomanthanI。
　　Don’tsaythat，please，saidLordWarburtonverygravely。
　　That’sfairtoneitherofus。
　　Tomarryaworseonethen。
　　IftherearebetterwomenthanyouIpreferthebadones。That’sallIcansay，hewentonwiththesameearnestness。There’snoaccountingfortastes。
　　Hisgravitymadeherfeelequallygrave，andsheshoweditbyagainrequestinghimtodropthesubjectforthepresent。I’llspeaktoyoumyself-verysoon。PerhapsIshallwritetoyou。
　　Atyourconvenience，yes，hereplied。Whatevertimeyoutake，itmustseemtomelong，andIsupposeImustmakethebestofthat。
　　Ishallnotkeepyouinsuspense。Ionlywanttocollectmymindalittle。
　　Hegaveamelancholysighandstoodlookingatheramoment，withhishandsbehindhim，givingshortnervousshakestohishunting-crop。
　　DoyouknowI’mverymuchafraidofit-ofthatremarkablemindofyours？
　　Ourheroine’sbiographercanscarcelytellwhy，butthequestionmadeherstartandbroughtaconsciousblushtohercheek。Shereturnedhislookamoment，andthenwithanoteinhervoicethatmightalmosthaveappealedtohiscompassion，SoamI，mylord！
　　sheoddlyexclaimed。
　　Hiscompassionwasnotstirred，however。allhepossessedofthefacultyofpitywasneededathome。Ah！bemerciful，bemerciful，hemurmured。
　　Ithinkyouhadbettergo，saidIsabel。I’llwritetoyou。
　　Verygood。butwhateveryouwriteI’llcomeandseeyou，youknow。
　　Andthenhestoodreflecting，hiseyesfixedontheobservantcountenanceofBunchie，whohadtheairofhavingunderstoodallthathadbeensaidandofpretendingtocarryofftheindiscretionbyasimulatedfitofcuriosityastotherootsofanancientoak。
　　There’sonethingmore，hewenton。Youknow，ifyoudon’tlikeLockleigh-ifyouthinkit’sdamporanythingofthatsort-youneednevergowithinfiftymilesofit。It’snotdamp，bytheway。I’vehadthehousethoroughlyexamined。it’sperfectlysafeandright。Butifyoushouldn’tfancyityouneedn’tdreamoflivinginit。There’snodifficultywhateveraboutthat。thereareplentyofhouses。I
　　thoughtI’djustmentionit。somepeopledon’tlikeamoat，youknow。Good-bye。
　　Iadoreamoat，saidIsabel。Good-bye。
　　Heheldouthishand，andshegavehimhersamoment-amomentlongenoughforhimtobendhishandsomebaredheadandkissit。Then，stillagitating，inhismasteredemotion，hisimplementofthechase，hewalkedrapidlyaway。Hewasevidentlymuchupset。
　　Isabelherselfwasupset，butshehadnotbeenaffectedasshewouldhaveimagined。Whatshefeltwasnotagreatresponsibility，agreatdifficultyofchoice。itappearedtohertherehadbeennochoiceinthequestion。Shecouldn’tmarryLordWarburton。theideafailedtosupportanyenlightenedprejudiceinfavourofthefreeexplorationoflifethatshehadhithertoentertainedorwasnowcapableofentertaining。Shemustwritethistohim，shemustconvincehim，andthatdutywascomparativelysimple。Butwhatdisturbedher，inthesensethatitstruckherwithwonderment，wasthisveryfactthatitcosthersolittletorefuseamagnificentchance。Withwhateverqualificationsonewould，LordWarburtonhadofferedheragreatopportunity。thesituationmighthavediscomforts，mightcontainoppressive，mightcontainnarrowingelements，mightprovereallybutastupefyinganodyne。butshedidhersexnoinjusticeinbelievingthatnineteenwomenoutoftwentywouldhaveaccommodatedthemselvestoitwithoutapang。Whythenuponheralsoshoulditnotirresistiblyimposeitself？Whowasshe，whatwasshe，thatsheshouldholdherselfsuperior？Whatviewoflife，whatdesignuponfate，whatconceptionofhappiness，hadshethatpretendedtobelargerthantheselarge，thesefabulousoccasions？Ifshewouldn’tdosuchathingasthatthenshemustdogreatthings，shemustdosomethinggreater。PoorIsabelfoundgroundtoremindherselffromtimetotimethatshemustnotbetooproud，andnothingcouldbemoresincerethanherprayertobedeliveredfromsuchadanger：theisolationandlonelinessofpridehadforhermindthehorrorofadesertplace。IfithadbeenpridethatinterferedwithheracceptingLordWarburtonsuchabetisewassingularlymisplaced。andshewassoconsciousoflikinghimthatsheventuredtoassureherselfitwastheverysoftness，andthefineintelligence，ofsympathy。Shelikedhimtoomuchtomarryhim，thatwasthetruth。somethingassuredhertherewasafallacysomewhereintheglowinglogicoftheproposition-ashesawit-
　　eventhoughshemightn’tputherveryfinestfinger-pointonit。andtoinflictuponamanwhoofferedsomuchawifewithatendencytocriticizewouldbeapeculiarlydiscreditableact。Shehadpromisedhimshewouldconsiderhisquestion，andwhen，afterhehadlefther，shewanderedbacktothebenchwherehehadfoundherandlostherselfinmeditation，itmighthaveseemedthatshewaskeepinghervow。Butthiswasnotthecase。shewaswonderingifshewerenotacold，hard，priggishperson，and，onheratlastgettingupandgoingratherquicklybacktothehouse，felt，asshehadsaidtoherfriend，reallyfrightenedatherself。
　　CHAPTER13
　　Itwasthisfeelingandnotthewishtoaskadvice-shehadnodesirewhateverforthat-thatledhertospeaktoheruncleofwhathadtakenplace。Shewishedtospeaktosomeone。sheshouldfeelmorenatural，morehuman，andheruncle，forthispurpose，presentedhimselfinamoreattractivelightthaneitherherauntorherfriendHenrietta。Hercousinofcoursewasapossibleconfidant。butshewouldhavehadtodoherselfviolencetoairthisspecialsecrettoRalph。Sothenextday，afterbreakfast，shesoughtheroccasion。
　　Heruncleneverlefthisapartmenttilltheafternoon，buthereceivedhiscronies，ashesaid，inhisdressing-room。Isabelhadquitetakenherplaceintheclasssodesignated，which，fortherest，includedtheoldman’sson，hisphysician，hispersonalservant，andevenMissStackpole。Mrs。Touchettdidnotfigureinthelist，andthiswasanobstaclethelesstoIsabel’sfindingherhostalone。Hesatinacomplicatedmechanicalchair，attheopenwindowofhisroom，lookingwestwardovertheparkandtheriver，withhisnewspapersandletterspiledupbesidehim，histoiletfreshlyandminutelymade，andhissmooth，speculativefacecomposedtobenevolentexpectation。
　　Sheapproachedherpointdirectly。IthinkIoughttoletyouknowthatLordWarburtonhasaskedmetomarryhim。IsupposeI
　　oughttotellmyaunt。butitseemsbesttotellyoufirst。
　　Theoldmanexpressednosurprise，butthankedherfortheconfidencesheshowedhim。
　　Doyoumindtellingmewhetheryouacceptedhim？hethenenquired。
　　I’venotansweredhimdefinitelyyet。I’vetakenalittletimetothinkofit，becausethatseemsmorerespectful。ButIshallnotaccepthim。
　　Mr。Touchettmadenocommentuponthis。hehadtheairofthinkingthat，whateverinteresthemighttakeinthematterfromthepointofviewofsociability，hehadnoactivevoiceinit。Well，Itoldyouyou’dbeasuccessoverhere。Americansarehighlyappreciated。
　　Veryhighlyindeed，saidIsabel。Butatthecostofseemingbothtastelessandungrateful，Idon’tthinkIcanmarryLordWarburton。
　　Well，herunclewenton，ofcourseanoldmancan’tjudgeforayounglady。I’mgladyoudidn’taskmebeforeyoumadeupyourmind。I
　　supposeIoughttotellyou，headdedslowly，butasitwerenotofmuchconsequence，thatI’veknownallaboutitthesethreedays。
　　AboutLordWarburton’sstateofmind？
　　Abouthisintentions，astheysayhere。Hewrotemeaverypleasantletter，tellingmeallaboutthem。Shouldyouliketoseehisletter？
　　theoldmanobliginglyasked。
　　Thankyou。Idon’tthinkIcareaboutthat。ButI’mgladhewrotetoyou。itwasrightthatheshould，andhewouldbecertaintodowhatwasright。
　　Ahwell，Iguessyoudolikehim！Mr。Touchettdeclared。Youneedn’tpretendyoudon’t。
　　Ilikehimextremely。I’mveryfreetoadmitthat。ButIdon’twishtomarryanyonejustnow。
　　Youthinksomeonemaycomealongwhomyoumaylikebetter。Well，that’sverylikely，saidMr。Touchett，whoappearedtowishtoshowhiskindnesstothegirlbyeasingoffherdecision，asitwere，andfindingcheerfulreasonsforit。
　　Idon’tcareifIdon’tmeetanyoneelse。IlikeLordWarburtonquitewellenough。Shefellintothatappearanceofasuddenchangeofpointofviewwithwhichshesometimesstartledandevendispleasedherinterlocutors。
　　Heruncle，however，seemedproofagainsteitheroftheseimpressions。He’saveryfineman，heresumedinatonewhichmighthavepassedforthatofencouragement。HisletterwasoneofthepleasantestI’vereceivedforsomeweeks。IsupposeoneofthereasonsIlikeitwasthatitwasallaboutyou。thatisallexceptthepartthatwasabouthimself。Isupposehetoldyouallthat。
　　HewouldhavetoldmeeverythingIwishedtoaskhim，Isabelsaid。
　　Butyoudidn’tfeelcurious？
　　Mycuriositywouldhavebeenidle-onceIhaddeterminedtodeclinehisoffer。
　　Youdidn’tfinditsufficientlyattractive？Mr。Touchettenquired。
　　Shewassilentalittle。Isupposeitwasthat，shepresentlyadmitted。ButIdon’tknowwhy。
　　Fortunatelyladiesarenotobligedtogivereasons，saidheruncle。There’sagreatdealthat’sattractiveaboutsuchanidea。butIdon’tseewhytheEnglishshouldwanttoenticeusawayfromournativeland。Iknowthatwetrytoattractthemoverthere，butthat’sbecauseourpopulationisinsufficient。Here，youknow，they’rerathercrowded。However，Ipresumethere’sroomforcharmingyoungladieseverywhere。
　　Thereseemstohavebeenroomhereforyou，saidIsabel，whoseeyeshadbeenwanderingoverthelargepleasure-spacesofthepark。
　　Mr。Touchettgaveashrewd，conscioussmile。There’sroomeverywhere，mydear，ifyou’llpayforit。IsometimesthinkI’vepaidtoomuchforthis。Perhapsyoualsomighthavetopaytoomuch。
　　PerhapsImight，thegirlreplied。
　　Thatsuggestiongavehersomethingmoredefinitetorestonthanshehadfoundinherownthoughts，andthefactofthisassociationofheruncle’smildacutenesswithherdilemmaseemedtoprovethatshewasconcernedwiththenaturalandreasonableemotionsoflifeandnotaltogetheravictimtointellectualeagernessandvagueambitions-
　　ambitionsreachingbeyondLordWarburton’sbeautifulappeal，reachingtosomethingindefinableandpossiblynotcommendable。InsofarastheindefinablehadaninfluenceuponIsabel’sbehaviouratthisjuncture，itwasnottheconception，evenunformulated，ofaunionwithCasparGoodwood。forhowevershemighthaveresistedconquestatherEnglishsuitor’slargequiethandsshewasatleastasfarremovedfromthedispositiontolettheyoungmanfromBostontakepositivepossessionofher。Thesentimentinwhichshesoughtrefugeafterreadinghisletterwasacriticalviewofhishavingcomeabroad。foritwaspartoftheinfluencehehaduponherthatheseemedtodepriveherofthesenseoffreedom。Therewasadisagreeablystrongpush，akindofhardnessofpresence，inhiswayofrisingbeforeher。Shehadbeenhauntedatmomentsbytheimage，bythedanger，ofhisdisapprovalandhadwondered-aconsiderationshehadneverpaidinequaldegreetoanyoneelse-whetherhewouldlikewhatshedid。Thedifficultywasthatmorethananymanshehadeverknown，morethanpoorLordWarburtonshehadbegunnowtogivehislordshipthebenefitofthisepithet，CasparGoodwoodexpressedforheranenergy-andshehadalreadyfeltitasapower-thatwasofhisverynature。Itwasinnodegreeamatterofhisadvantages-
　　itwasamatterofthespiritthatsatinhisclear-burningeyeslikesometirelesswatcheratawindow。Shemightlikeitornot，butheinsisted，ever，withhiswholeweightandforce：eveninone’susualcontactwithhimonehadtoreckonwiththat。Theideaofadiminishedlibertywasparticularlydisagreeabletoheratpresent，sinceshehadjustgivenasortofpersonalaccenttoherindependencebylookingsostraightatLordWarburton’sbigbribeandyetturningawayfromit。SometimesCasparGoodwoodhadseemedtorangehimselfonthesideofherdestiny，tobethestubbornestfactsheknew。shesaidtoherselfatsuchmomentsthatshemightevadehimforatime，butthatshemustmaketermswithhimatlast-
　　termswhichwouldbecertaintobefavourabletohimself。Herimpulsehadbeentoavailherselfofthethingsthathelpedhertoresistsuchanobligation。andthisimpulsehadbeenmuchconcernedinhereageracceptanceofheraunt’sinvitation，whichhadcometoheratanhourwhensheexpectedfromdaytodaytoseeMr。Goodwoodandwhenshewasgladtohaveananswerreadyforsomethingshewassurehewouldsaytoher。WhenshehadtoldhimatAlbany，ontheeveningofMrs。Touchett’svisit，thatshecouldn’tthendiscussdifficultquestions，dazzledasshewasbythegreatimmediateopeningofheraunt’sofferofEurope，hedeclaredthatthiswasnoansweratall。anditwasnowtoobtainabetteronethathewasfollowingheracrossthesea。Tosaytoherselfthathewasakindofgrimfatewaswellenoughforafancifulyoungwomanwhowasabletotakemuchforgrantedinhim。butthereaderhasarighttoanearerandaclearerview。
　　Hewasthesonofaproprietorofwell-knowncotton-millsinMassachusetts-agentlemanwhohadaccumulatedaconsiderablefortuneintheexerciseofthisindustry。Casparatpresentmanagedtheworks，andwithajudgementandatemperwhich，inspiteofkeencompetitionandlanguidyears，hadkepttheirprosperityfromdwindling。HehadreceivedthebetterpartofhiseducationatHarvardCollege，where，however，hehadgainedrenownratherasagymnastandanoarsmanthanasagleanerofmoredispersedknowledge。Lateronhehadlearnedthatthefinerintelligencetoocouldvaultandpullandstrain-mighteven，breakingtherecord，treatitselftorareexploits。Hehadthusdiscoveredinhimselfasharpeyeforthemysteryofmechanics，andhadinventedanimprovementinthecotton-spinningprocesswhichwasnowlargelyusedandwasknownbyhisname。Youmighthaveseenitinthenewspapersinconnectionwiththisfruitfulcontrivance。assuranceofwhichhehadgiventoIsabelbyshowingherinthecolumnsoftheNewYorkIntervieweranexhaustivearticleontheGoodwoodpatent-anarticlenotpreparedbyMissStackpole，friendlyasshehadprovedherselftohismoresentimentalinterests。Therewereintricate，bristlingthingsherejoicedin。helikedtoorganize，tocontend，toadminister。hecouldmakepeopleworkhiswill，believeinhim，marchbeforehimandjustifyhim。Thiswastheart，astheysaid，ofmanagingmen-whichrested，inhim，further，onaboldthoughbroodingambition。Itstruckthosewhoknewhimwellthathemightdogreaterthingsthancarryonacotton-factory。therewasnothingcottonyaboutCasparGoodwood，andhisfriendstookforgrantedthathewouldsomehowandsomewherewritehimselfinbiggerletters。Butitwasasifsomethinglargeandconfused，somethingdarkandugly，wouldhavetocalluponhim：hewasnotafterallinharmonywithmeresmugpeaceandgreedandgain，anorderofthingsofwhichthevitalbreathwasubiquitousadvertisement。ItpleasedIsabeltobelievethathemighthaveridden，onaplungingsteed，thewhirlwindofagreatwar-awarliketheCivilstrifethathadoverdarkenedherconsciouschildhoodandhisripeningyouth。
　　Shelikedatanyratethisideaofhisbeingbycharacterandinfactamoverofmen-likeditmuchbetterthansomeotherpointsinhisnatureandaspect。Shecarednothingforhiscotton-mill-theGoodwoodpatentleftherimaginationabsolutelycold。Shewishedhimnoouncelessofhismanhood，butshesometimesthoughthewouldberathernicerifhelooked，forinstance，alittledifferently。Hisjawwastoosquareandsetandhisfiguretoostraightandstiff：thesethingssuggestedawantofeasyconsonancewiththedeeperrhythmsoflife。Thensheviewedwithreserveahabithehadofdressingalwaysinthesamemanner。itwasnotapparentlythatheworethesameclothescontinually，for，onthecontrary，hisgarmentshadawayoflookingrathertoonew。Buttheyallseemedofthesamepiece。thefigure，thestuff，wassodrearilyusual。Shehadremindedherselfmorethanoncethatthiswasafrivolousobjectiontoapersonofhisimportance。andthenshehadamendedtherebukebysayingthatitwouldbeafrivolousobjectiononlyifshewereinlovewithhim。
　　Shewasnotinlovewithhimandthereforemightcriticizehissmalldefectsaswellashisgreat-whichlatterconsistedinthecollectivereproachofhisbeingtooserious，or，rather，notofhisbeingso，sinceonecouldneverbe，butcertainlyofhisseemingso。Heshowedhisappetitesanddesignstoosimplyandartlessly。whenonewasalonewithhimhetalkedtoomuchaboutthesamesubject，andwhenotherpeoplewerepresenthetalkedtoolittleaboutanything。Andyethewasofsupremelystrong，cleanmake-whichwassomuch：shesawthedifferentfittedpartsofhimasshehadseen，inmuseumsandportraits，thedifferentfittedpartsofarmouredwarriors-inplatesofsteelhandsomelyinlaidwithgold。Itwasverystrange：
　　where，ever，wasanytangiblelinkbetweenherimpressionandheract？
　　CasparGoodwoodhadnevercorrespondedtoherideaofadelightfulperson，andshesupposedthatthiswaswhyhelefthersoharshlycritical。When，however，LordWarburton，whonotonlydidcorrespondwithit，butgaveanextensiontotheterm，appealedtoherapproval，shefoundherselfstillunsatisfied。Itwascertainlystrange。
　　ThesenseofherincoherencewasnotahelptoansweringMr。
　　Goodwood’sletter，andIsabeldeterminedtoleaveitawhileunhonoured。Ifhehaddeterminedtopersecuteherhemusttaketheconsequences。foremostamongwhichwashisbeinglefttoperceivehowlittleitcharmedherthatheshouldcomedowntoGardencourt。Shewasalreadyliabletotheincursionsofonesuitoratthisplace，andthoughitmightbepleasanttobeappreciatedinoppositequarterstherewasakindofgrossnessinentertainingtwosuchpassionatepleadersatonce，eveninacasewheretheentertainmentshouldconsistofdismissingthem。ShemadenoreplytoMr。Goodwood。butattheendofthreedaysshewrotetoLordWarburton，andtheletterbelongstoourhistory。
　　DEARLORDWARBURTON-Agreatdealofearnestthoughthasnotledmetochangemymindaboutthesuggestionyouweresokindastomakemetheotherday。Iamnot，Iamreallyandtrulynot，abletoregardyouinthelightofacompanionforlife。ortothinkofyourhome-yourvarioushomes-assettledseatofmyexistence。Thesethingscannotbereasonedabout，andIveryearnestlyentreatyounottoreturntothesubjectwediscussedsoexhaustively。Weseeourlivesfromourownpointofview。thatistheprivilegeoftheweakestandhumblestofus。andIshallneverbeabletoseemineinthemanneryouproposed。Kindlyletthissufficeyou，anddomethejusticetobelievethatIhavegivenyourproposalthedeeplyrespectfulconsiderationitdeserves。ItiswiththisverygreatregardthatIremainsincerelyyours，ISABELARCHER
　　WhiletheauthorofthismissivewasmakinguphermindtodespatchitHenriettaStackpoleformedaresolvewhichwasaccompaniedbynodemur。SheinvitedRalphTouchetttotakeawalkwithherinthegarden，andwhenhehadassentedwiththatalacritywhichseemedconstantlytotestifytohishighexpectations，sheinformedhimthatshehadafavourtoaskofhim。Itmaybeadmittedthatatthisinformationtheyoungmanflinched。forweknowthatMissStackpolehadstruckhimasapttopushanadvantage。Thealarmwasunreasoned，however。forhewasclearabouttheareaofherindiscretionaslittleasadvisedofitsverticaldepth，andhemadeaverycivilprofessionofthedesiretoserveher。Hewasafraidofherandpresentlytoldherso。Whenyoulookatmeinacertainwaymykneesknocktogether，myfacultiesdesertme。I’mfilledwithtrepidationandIaskonlyforstrengthtoexecuteyourcommands。
　　You’veanaddressthatI’veneverencounteredinanywoman。
　　Well，Henriettarepliedgood-humouredly，ifIhadnotknownbeforethatyouweretryingsomehowtoabashmeIshouldknowitnow。OfcourseI’measygame-Iwasbroughtupwithsuchdifferentcustomsandideas。I’mnotusedtoyourarbitrarystandards，andI’veneverbeenspokentoinAmericaasyouhavespokentome。IfagentlemanconversingwithmeoverthereweretospeaktomelikethatIshouldn’tknowwhattomakeofit。Wetakeeverythingmorenaturallyoverthere，and，afterall，we’reagreatdealmoresimple。Iadmitthat。I’mverysimplemyself。Ofcourseifyouchoosetolaughatmeforityou’reverywelcome。butIthinkonthewholeIwouldratherbemyselfthanyou。I’mquitecontenttobemyself。Idon’twanttochange。ThereareplentyofpeoplethatappreciatemejustasIam。It’struethey’renicefreshfree-bornAmericans！Henriettahadlatelytakenupthetoneofhelplessinnocenceandlargeconcession。Iwantyoutoassistmealittle，
　　shewenton。Idon’tcareintheleastwhetherIamuseyouwhileyoudoso。or，rather，I’mperfectlywillingyouramusementshouldbeyourreward。IwantyoutohelpmeaboutIsabel。
　　Hassheinjuredyou？Ralphasked。
　　IfshehadIshouldn’tmind，andIshouldnevertellyou。WhatI’mafraidofisthatshe’llinjureherself。
　　Ithinkthat’sverypossible，saidRalph。
　　Hiscompanionstoppedinthegarden-walk，fixingonhimperhapstheverygazethatunnervedhim。Thattoowouldamuseyou，Isuppose。
　　Thewayyoudothings！Ineverheardanyonesoindifferent。
　　ToIsabel？Ah，notthat！
　　Well，you’renotinlovewithher，Ihope。
　　Howcanthatbe，whenI’minlovewithAnother？
　　You’reinlovewithyourself，that’stheOther！MissStackpoledeclared。Muchgoodmayitdoyou！Butifyouwishtobeseriousonceinyourlifehere’sachance。andifyoureallycareforyourcousinhere’sanopportunitytoproveit。Idon’texpectyoutounderstandher。that’stoomuchtoask。Butyouneedn’tdothattograntmyfavour。I’llsupplythenecessaryintelligence。
　　Ishallenjoythatimmensely！Ralphexclaimed。I’llbeCalibanandyoushallbeAriel。
　　You’renotatalllikeCaliban，becauseyou’resophisticated，andCalibanwasnot。ButI’mnottalkingaboutimaginarycharacters。I’mtalkingaboutIsabel。Isabel’sintenselyreal。WhatIwishtotellyouisthatIfindherfearfullychanged。
　　Sinceyoucame，doyoumean？
　　SinceIcameandbeforeIcame。She’snotthesameassheoncesobeautifullywas。
　　AsshewasinAmerica？
　　Yes，inAmerica。Isupposeyouknowshecomesfromthere。Shecan’thelpit，butshedoes。
　　Doyouwanttochangeherbackagain？
　　OfcourseIdo，andIwantyoutohelpme。
　　Ah，saidRalph，I’monlyCaliban。I’mnotProspero。
　　YouwereProsperoenoughtomakeherwhatshehasbecome。You’veactedonIsabelArchersinceshecamehere，Mr。Touchett。
　　I，mydearMissStackpole？Neverintheworld。IsabelArcherhasactedonme-yes。sheactsoneveryone。ButI’vebeenabsolutelypassive。
　　You’retoopassivethen。Youhadbetterstiryourselfandbecareful。Isabel’schangingeveryday。she’sdriftingaway-rightouttosea。I’vewatchedherandIcanseeit。She’snotthebrightAmericangirlshewas。She’stakingdifferentviews，adifferentcolour，andturningawayfromheroldideals。Iwanttosavethoseideals，Mr。Touchett，andthat’swhereyoucomein。
　　Notsurelyasanideal？
　　Well，Ihopenot，Henriettarepliedpromptly。I’vegotafearinmyheartthatshe’sgoingtomarryoneofthesefellEuropeans，andIwanttopreventit。
　　Ah，Isee，criedRalph。andtopreventityouwantmetostepinandmarryher？
　　Notquite。thatremedywouldbeasbadasthedisease，foryou’rethetypical，thefellEuropeanfromwhomIwishtorescueher。No。I
　　wishyoutotakeaninterestinanotherperson-ayoungmantowhomsheoncegavegreatencouragementandwhomshenowdoesn’tseemtothinkgoodenough。He’sathoroughlygrandmanandaverydearfriendofmine，andIwishverymuchyouwouldinvitehimtopayavisithere。
　　Ralphwaspuzzledbythisappeal，anditisperhapsnottothecreditofhispurityofmindthathefailedtolookatitatfirstinthesimplestlight。Itwore，tohiseyes，atortuousair，andhisfaultwasthathewasnotquitesurethatanythingintheworldcouldreallybeascandidasthisrequestofMissStackpole’sappeared。Thatayoungwomanshoulddemandthatagentlemanwhomshedescribedasherverydearfriendshouldbefurnishedwithanopportunitytomakehimselfagreeabletoanotheryoungwoman，ayoungwomanwhoseattentionhadwanderedandwhosecharmsweregreater-thiswasananomalywhichforthemomentchallengedallhisingenuityofinterpretation。Toreadbetweenthelineswaseasierthantofollowthetext，andtosupposethatMissStackpolewishedthegentlemaninvitedtoGardencourtonherownaccountwasthesignnotsomuchofavulgarasofanembarrassedmind。Evenfromthisvenialactofvulgarity，however，Ralphwassaved，andsavedbyaforcethatIcanonlyspeakofasinspiration。WithnomoreoutwardlightonthesubjectthanhealreadypossessedhesuddenlyacquiredtheconvictionthatitwouldbeasovereigninjusticetothecorrespondentoftheInterviewertoassignadishonourablemotivetoanyactofhers。Thisconvictionpassedintohismindwithextremerapidity。itwasperhapskindledbythepureradianceoftheyounglady’simperturbablegaze。Hereturnedthischallengeamoment，consciously，resistinganinclinationtofrownasonefrownsinthepresenceoflargerluminaries。Who’sthegentlemanyouspeakof？
　　Mr。CasparGoodwood-ofBoston。HehasbeenextremelyattentivetoIsabel-justasdevotedtoherashecanlive。Hehasfollowedherouthereandhe’satpresentinLondon。Idon’tknowhisaddress，butIguessIcanobtainit。
　　I’veneverheardofhim，saidRalph。
　　Well，Isupposeyouhaven’theardofeveryone。Idon’tbelievehehaseverheardofyou。butthat’snoreasonwhyIsabelshouldn’tmarryhim。
　　Ralphgaveamildambiguouslaugh。Whatarageyouhaveformarryingpeople！Doyourememberhowyouwantedtomarrymetheotherday？
　　I’vegotoverthat。Youdon’tknowhowtotakesuchideas。Mr。
　　Goodwooddoes，however。andthat’swhatIlikeabouthim。He’sasplendidmanandaperfectgentleman，andIsabelknowsit。
　　Issheveryfondofhim？
　　Ifsheisn’tsheoughttobe。He’ssimplywrappedupinher。
　　Andyouwishmetoaskhimhere，saidRalphreflectively。
　　Itwouldbeanactoftruehospitality。
　　CasparGoodwood，Ralphcontinued-it’sratherastrikingname。
　　Idon’tcareanythingabouthisname。ItmightbeEzekielJenkins，andIshouldsaythesame。He’stheonlymanIhaveeverseenwhomIthinkworthyofIsabel。
　　You’reaverydevotedfriend，saidRalph。
　　OfcourseIam。IfyousaythattopourscornonmeIdon’tcare。
　　Idon’tsayittopourscornonyou。I’mverymuchstruckwithit。
　　You’remoresatiricthanever，butIadviseyounottolaughatMr。
　　Goodwood。
　　IassureyouI’mveryserious。yououghttounderstandthat，
　　saidRalph。
　　Inamomenthiscompanionunderstoodit。Ibelieveyouare。nowyou’retooserious。
　　You’redifficulttoplease。
　　Oh，you’reveryseriousindeed。Youwon’tinviteMr。Goodwood。
　　Idon’tknow，saidRalph。I’mcapableofstrangethings。TellmealittleaboutMr。Goodwood。What’shelike？
　　He’sjusttheoppositeofyou。He’sattheheadofacotton-factory。averyfineone。
　　Hashepleasantmanners？askedRalph。
　　Splendidmanners-intheAmericanstyle。
　　Wouldhebeanagreeablememberofourlittlecircle？
　　Idon’tthinkhe’dcaremuchaboutourlittlecircle。He’dconcentrateonIsabel。
　　Andhowwouldmycousinlikethat？
　　Verypossiblynotatall。Butitwillbegoodforher。Itwillcallbackherthoughts。
　　Callthemback-fromwhere？
　　Fromforeignpartsandotherunnaturalplaces。ThreemonthsagoshegaveMr。Goodwoodeveryreasontosupposehewasacceptabletoher，andit’snotworthyofIsabeltogobackonarealfriendsimplybecauseshehaschangedthescene。I’vechangedthescenetoo，andtheeffectofithasbeentomakemecaremoreformyoldassociationsthanever。It’smybeliefthatthesoonerIsabelchangesitbackagainthebetter。Iknowherwellenoughtoknowthatshewouldneverbetrulyhappyoverhere，andIwishhertoformsomestrongAmericantiethatwillactasapreservative。
　　Aren’tyouperhapsalittletoomuchinahurry？Ralphenquired。
　　Don’tyouthinkyououghttogivehermoreofachanceinpooroldEngland？
　　Achancetoruinherbrightyounglife？One’snevertoomuchinahurrytosaveaprecioushumancreaturefromdrowning。
　　AsIunderstanditthen，saidRalph，youwishmetopushMr。
　　Goodwoodoverboardafterher。Doyouknow，headded，thatI’veneverheardhermentionhisname？
　　Henriettagaveabrilliantsmile。I’mdelightedtohearthat。itproveshowmuchshethinksofhim。
　　Ralphappearedtoallowthattherewasagooddealinthis，andhesurrenderedtothoughtwhilehiscompanionwatchedhimaskance。IfIshouldinviteMr。Goodwood，hefinallysaid，itwouldbetoquarrelwithhim。
　　Don’tdothat。he’dprovethebetterman。
　　Youcertainlyaredoingyourbesttomakemehatehim！Ireallydon’tthinkIcanaskhim。Ishouldbeafraidofbeingrudeto，him。
　　It’sjustasyouplease，Henriettareturned。Ihadnoideayouwereinlovewithheryourself。
　　Doyoureallybelievethat？theyoungmanaskedwithliftedeyebrows。
　　That’sthemostnaturalspeechI’veeverheardyoumake！OfcourseIbelieveit，MissStackpoleingeniouslysaid。
　　Well，Ralphconcluded，toprovetoyouthatyou’rewrongI’llinvitehim。Itmustbeofcourseasafriendofyours。
　　Itwillnotbeasafriendofminethathe’llcome。anditwillnotbetoprovetomethatI’mwrongthatyou’llaskhim-buttoproveittoyourself！
　　TheselastwordsofMissStackpole’sonwhichthetwopresentlyseparatedcontainedanamountoftruthwhichRalphTouchettwasobligedtorecognize。butitsofartooktheedgefromtoosharparecognitionthat，inspiteofhissuspectingitwouldberathermoreindiscreettokeepthantobreakhispromise，hewroteMr。Goodwoodanoteofsixlines，expressingthepleasureitwouldgiveMr。
　　TouchetttheelderthatheshouldjoinalittlepartyatGardencourt，ofwhichMissStackpolewasavaluedmember。HavingsenthislettertothecareofabankerwhomHenriettasuggested
　　hewaitedinsomesuspense。Hehadheardthisfreshformidablefigurenamedforthefirsttime。forwhenhismotherhadmentionedonherarrivalthattherewasastoryaboutthegirl’shavinganadmirerathome，theideahadseemeddeficientinrealityandhehadtakennopainstoaskquestionstheanswerstowhichwouldinvolveonlythevagueorthedisagreeable。Now，however，thenativeadmirationofwhichhiscousinwastheobjecthadbecomemoreconcrete。ittooktheformofayoungmanwhohadfollowedhertoLondon，whowasinterestedinacotton-millandhadmannersinthemostsplendidoftheAmericanstyles。Ralphhadtwotheoriesaboutthisintervener。EitherhispassionwasasentimentalfictionofMissStackpole’stherewasalwaysasortoftacitunderstandingamongwomen，bornofthesolidarityofthesex，thattheyshoulddiscoverorinventloversforeachother，inwhichcasehewasnottobefearedandwouldprobablynotaccepttheinvitation。orelsehewouldaccepttheinvitationandinthiseventprovehimselfacreaturetooirrationaltodemandfurtherconsideration。ThelatterclauseofRalph’sargumentmighthaveseemedincoherent。butitembodiedhisconvictionthatifMr。GoodwoodwereinterestedinIsabelintheseriousmannerdescribedbyMissStackpolehewouldnotcaretopresenthimselfatGardencourtonasummonsfromthelatterlady。
　　Onthissupposition，saidRalph，hemustregardherasathornonthestemofhisrose。asanintercessorhemustfindherwantingintact。
　　TwodaysafterhehadsenthisinvitationhereceivedaveryshortnotefromCasparGoodwood，thankinghimforit，regrettingthatotherengagementsmadeavisittoGardencourtimpossibleandpresentingmanycomplimentstoMissStackpole。RalphhandedthenotetoHenrietta，who，whenshehadreadit，exclaimed：Well，Ineverhaveheardofanythingsostiff！
　　I’mafraidhedoesn’tcaresomuchaboutmycousinasyousuppose，
　　Ralphobserved。
　　No，it’snotthat。it’ssomesubtlermotive。Hisnature’sverydeep。ButI’mdeterminedtofathomit，andIshallwritetohimtoknowwhathemeans。