HisrefusalofRalph’sovertureswasvaguelydisconcerting。fromthemomenthedeclinedtocometoGardencourtourfriendbegantothinkhimofimportance。HeaskedhimselfwhatitsignifiedtohimwhetherIsabel’sadmirersshouldbedesperadoesorlaggards。theywerenotrivalsofhisandwereperfectlywelcometoactouttheirgenius。
　　NeverthelesshefeltmuchcuriosityastotheresultofMissStackpole’spromisedenquiryintothecausesofMr。Goodwood’sstiffness-acuriosityforthepresentungratified，inasmuchaswhenheaskedherthreedayslaterifshehadwrittentoLondonshewasobligedtoconfessshehadwritteninvain。Mr。Goodwoodhadnotreplied。
　　Isupposehe’sthinkingitover，shesaid。hethinkseverythingover。he’snotreallyatallimpetuous。ButI’maccustomedtohavingmylettersansweredthesameday。ShepresentlyproposedtoIsabel，atallevents，thattheyshouldmakeanexcursiontoLondontogether。IfImusttellthetruth，sheobserved，I’mnotseeingmuchatthisplace，andIshouldn’tthinkyouwereeither。I’venotevenseenthataristocrat-what’shisname？-LordWashburton。Heseemstoletyouseverelyalone。
　　LordWarburton’scomingto-morrow，Ihappentoknow，repliedherfriend，whohadreceivedanotefromthemasterofLockleighinanswertoherownletter。You’llhaveeveryopportunityofturninghiminsideout。
　　Well，hemaydoforoneletter，butwhat’soneletterwhenyouwanttowritefifty？I’vedescribedallthesceneryinthisvicinityandravedaboutalltheoldwomenanddonkeys。Youmaysaywhatyouplease，scenerydoesn’tmakeavitalletter。ImustgobacktoLondonandgetsomeimpressionsofreallife。IwastherebutthreedaysbeforeIcameaway，andthat’shardlytimetogetintouch。
　　AsIsabel，onherjourneyfromNewYorktoGardencourt，hadseenevenlessoftheBritishcapitalthanthis，itappearedahappysuggestionofHenrietta’sthatthetwoshouldgothitheronavisitofpleasure。TheideastruckIsabelascharming。shewascuriousofthethickdetailofLondon，whichhadalwaysloomedlargeandrichtoher。
　　Theyturnedovertheirschemestogetherandindulgedinvisionsofromantichours。Theywouldstayatsomepicturesqueoldinn-oneoftheinnsdescribedbyDickens-anddriveoverthetowninthosedelightfulhansoms。Henriettawasaliterarywoman，andthegreatadvantageofbeingaliterarywomanwasthatyoucouldgoeverywhereanddoeverything。Theywoulddineatacoffee-houseandgoafterwardstotheplay。theywouldfrequenttheAbbeyandtheBritishMuseumandfindoutwhereDoctorJohnsonhadlived，andGoldsmithandAddison。IsabelgreweagerandpresentlyunveiledthebrightvisiontoRalph，whoburstintoafitoflaughterwhichscarceexpressedthesympathyshehaddesired。
　　It’sadelightfulplan，hesaid。IadviseyoutogototheDuke’sHeadinCoventGarden，aneasy，informal，old-fashionedplace，andI’llhaveyouputdownatmyclub。
　　Doyoumeanit’simproper？Isabelasked。Dearme，isn’tanythingproperhere？WithHenriettasurelyImaygoanywhere。sheisn’thamperedinthatway。ShehastravelledoverthewholeAmericancontinentandcanatleastfindherwayaboutthisminuteisland。
　　Ahthen，saidRalph，letmetakeadvantageofherprotectiontogouptotownaswell。Imayneverhaveachancetotravelsosafely！
　　CHAPTER14
　　MissStackpolewouldhavepreparedtostartimmediately。butIsabel，aswehaveseen，hadbeennotifiedthatLordWarburtonwouldcomeagaintoGardencourt，andshebelieveditherdutytoremainthereandseehim。Forfourorfivedayshehadmadenoresponsetoherletter。thenhehadwritten，verybriefly，tosayhewouldcometoluncheontwodayslater。Therewassomethinginthesedelaysandpostponementsthattouchedthegirlandrenewedhersenseofhisdesiretobeconsiderateandpatient，nottoappeartourgehertoogrossly。aconsiderationthemorestudiedthatshewassosurehereallylikedher。Isabeltoldheruncleshehadwrittentohim，mentioningalsohisintentionofcoming。andtheoldman，inconsequence，lefthisroomearlierthanusualandmadehisappearanceatthetwoo’clockrepast。Thiswasbynomeansanactofvigilanceonhispart，butthefruitofabenevolentbeliefthathisbeingofthecompanymighthelptocoveranyconjoinedstrayingawayincaseIsabelshouldgivetheirnoblevisitoranotherhearing。ThatpersonagedroveoverfromLockleighandbroughttheelderofhissisterswithhim，ameasurepresumablydictatedbyreflexionsofthesameorderasMr。Touchett’s。ThetwovisitorswereintroducedtoMissStackpole，who，atluncheon，occupiedaseatadjoiningLordWarburton’s。Isabel，whowasnervousandhadnorelishfortheprospectofagainarguingthequestionhehadsoprematurelyopened，couldnothelpadmiringhisgood-humouredself-possession，whichquitedisguisedthesymptomsofthatpreoccupationwithherpresenceitwasnaturalsheshouldsupposehimtofeel。Heneitherlookedathernorspoketoher，andtheonlysignofhisemotionwasthatheavoidedmeetinghereyes。Hehadplentyoftalkfortheothers，however，andheappearedtoeathisluncheonwithdiscriminationandappetite。MissMolyneux，whohadasmooth，nun-likeforeheadandworealargesilvercrosssuspendedfromherneck，wasevidentlypreoccupiedwithHenriettaStackpole，uponwhomhereyesconstantlyrestedinamannersuggestingaconflictbetweendeepalienationandyearningwonder。OfthetwoladiesfromLockleighshewastheoneIsabelhadlikedbest。therewassuchaworldofhereditaryquietinher。
　　IsabelwassuremoreoverthathermildforeheadandsilvercrossreferredtosomeweirdAnglicanmystery-somedelightfulreinstitutionperhapsofthequaintofficeofthecanoness。ShewonderedwhatMissMolyneuxwouldthinkofherifsheknewMissArcherhadrefusedherbrother。andthenshefeltsurethatMissMolyneuxwouldneverknow-
　　thatLordWarburtonnevertoldhersuchthings。Hewasfondofherandkindtoher，butonthewholehetoldherlittle。Such，atleast，wasIsabel’stheory。when，attable，shewasnotoccupiedinconversationshewasusuallyoccupiedinformingtheoriesaboutherneighbours。AccordingtoIsabel，ifMissMolyneuxshouldeverlearnwhathadpassedbetweenMissArcherandLordWarburtonshewouldprobablybeshockedatsuchagirl’sfailuretorise。orno，ratherthiswasourheroine’slastpositionshewouldimputetotheyoungAmericanbutadueconsciousnessofinequality。
　　WhateverIsabelmighthavemadeofheropportunities，atallevents，HenriettaStackpolewasbynomeansdisposedtoneglectthoseinwhichshenowfoundherselfimmersed。Doyouknowyou’rethefirstlordI’veeverseen？shesaidverypromptlytoherneighbour。IsupposeyouthinkI’mawfullybenighted。
　　You’veescapedseeingsomeveryuglymen，LordWarburtonanswered，lookingatrifleabsentlyaboutthetable。
　　Aretheyveryugly？TheytrytomakeusbelieveinAmericathatthey’reallhandsomeandmagnificentandthattheywearwonderfulrobesandcrowns。
　　Ah，therobesandcrownsaregoneoutoffashion，saidLordWarburton，likeyourtomahawksandrevolvers。
　　I’msorryforthat。Ithinkanaristocracyoughttobesplendid，
　　Henriettadeclared。Ifit’snotthat，whatisit？
　　Oh，youknow，itisn’tmuch，atthebest，herneighbourallowed。
　　Won’tyouhaveapotato？
　　Idon’tcaremuchfortheseEuropeanpotatoes。Ishouldn’tknowyoufromanordinaryAmericangentleman。
　　DotalktomeasifIwereone，saidLordWarburton。Idon’tseehowyoumanagetogetonwithoutpotatoes。youmustfindsofewthingstoeatoverhere。
　　Henriettawassilentalittle。therewasachancehewasnotsincere。I’vehadhardlyanyappetitesinceI’vebeenhere，shewentonatlast。soitdoesn’tmuchmatter。Idon’tapproveofyou，youknow。IfeelasifIoughttotellyouthat。
　　Don’tapproveofme？
　　Yes。Idon’tsupposeanyoneeversaidsuchathingtoyoubefore，didthey？Idon’tapproveoflordsasaninstitution。I
　　thinktheworldhasgotbeyondthem-farbeyond。
　　Oh，sodoI。Idon’tapproveofmyselfintheleast。Sometimesitcomesoverme-howIshouldobjecttomyselfifIwerenotmyself，don’tyouknow？Butthat’srathergood，bytheway-nottobevainglorious。
　　Whydon’tyougiveitupthen？MissStackpoleenquired。
　　Giveup-a-？askedLordWarburton，meetingherharshinflexionwithaverymellowone。
　　Giveupbeingalord。
　　Oh，I’msolittleofone！OnewouldreallyforgetallaboutitifyouwretchedAmericanswerenotconstantlyremindingone。However，I
　　dothinkofgivingitup，thelittlethereisleftofit，oneofthesedays。
　　Ishouldliketoseeyoudoit！Henriettaexclaimedrathergrimly。
　　I’llinviteyoutotheceremony。we’llhaveasupperandadance。
　　Well，saidMissStackpole，Iliketoseeallsides。Idon’tapproveofaprivilegedclass，butIliketohearwhattheyhavetosayforthemselves。
　　Mightylittle，asyousee！
　　Ishouldliketodrawyououtalittlemore，Henriettacontinued。Butyou’realwayslookingaway。You’reafraidofmeetingmyeye。Iseeyouwanttoescapeme。
　　No，I’monlylookingforthosedespisedpotatoes。
　　Pleaseexplainaboutthatyounglady-yoursister-then。Idon’tunderstandabouther。IssheaLady？
　　She’sacapitalgoodgirl。
　　Idon’tlikethewayyousaythat-asifyouwantedtochangethesubject。Isherpositioninferiortoyours？
　　Weneitherofushaveanypositiontospeakof。butshe’sbetteroffthanI，becauseshehasnoneofthebother。
　　Yes，shedoesn’tlookasifshehadmuchbother。IwishIhadaslittlebotherasthat。Youdoproducequietpeopleoverhere，whateverelseyoumaydo。
　　Ah，youseeonetakeslifeeasily，onthewhole，saidLordWarburton。Andthenyouknowwe’reverydull。Ah，wecanbedullwhenwetry！
　　Ishouldadviseyoutotrysomethingelse。Ishouldn’tknowwhattotalktoyoursisterabout。shelookssodifferent。Isthatsilvercrossabadge？
　　Abadge？
　　Asignofrank。
　　LordWarburton’sglancehadwanderedagooddeal，butatthisitmetthegazeofhisneighbour。Ohyes，heansweredinamoment。thewomengoinforthosethings。ThesilvercrossiswornbytheeldestdaughtersofViscounts。WhichwashisharmlessrevengeforhavingoccasionallyhadhiscredulitytooeasilyengagedinAmerica。AfterluncheonheproposedtoIsabeltocomeintothegalleryandlookatthepictures。andthoughsheknewhehadseenthepicturestwentytimesshecompliedwithoutcriticizingthispretext。Herconsciencenowwasveryeasy。eversinceshesenthimherlettershehadfeltparticularlylightofspirit。Hewalkedslowlytotheendofthegallery，staringatitscontentsandsayingnothing。andthenhesuddenlybrokeout：Ihopedyouwouldn’twritetomethatway。
　　Itwastheonlyway，LordWarburton，saidthegirl。Dotryandbelievethat。
　　IfIcouldbelieveitofcourseIshouldletyoualone。Butwecan’tbelievebywillingit。andIconfessIdon’tunderstand。Icouldunderstandyourdislikingme。thatIcouldunderstandwell。Butthatyoushouldadmityoudo-
　　WhathaveIadmitted？Isabelinterrupted，turningslightlypale。
　　Thatyouthinkmeagoodfellow。isn’tthatit？Shesaidnothing，andhewenton：Youdon’tseemtohaveanyreason，andthatgivesmeasenseofinjustice。
　　Ihaveareason，LordWarburton。Shesaiditinatonethatmadehisheartcontract。
　　Ishouldlikeverymuchtoknowit。
　　I’lltellyousomedaywhenthere’smoretoshowforit。
　　ExcusemysayingthatinthemeantimeImustdoubtofit。
　　Youmakemeveryunhappy，saidIsabel。
　　I’mnotsorryforthat。itmayhelpyoutoknowhowIfeel。Willyoukindlyanswermeaquestion？Isabelmadenoaudibleassent，butheapparentlysawinhereyessomethingthatgavehimcouragetogoon。Doyouprefersomeoneelse？
　　That’saquestionI’drathernotanswer。
　　Ah，youdothen！hersuitormurmuredwithbitterness。
　　Thebitternesstouchedher，andshecriedout：You’remistaken！I
　　don’t。
　　Hesatdownonabench，unceremoniously，doggedly，likeamanintrouble。leaninghiselbowsonhiskneesandstaringatthefloor。
　　Ican’tevenbegladofthat，hesaidatlast，throwinghimselfbackagainstthewall。forthatwouldbeanexcuse。
　　Sheraisedhereyebrowsinsurprise。Anexcuse？MustIexcusemyself？
　　Hepaid，however，noanswertothequestion。Anotherideahadcomeintohishead。Isitmypoliticalopinions？DoyouthinkIgotoofar？
　　Ican’tobjecttoyourpoliticalopinions，becauseIdon’tunderstandthem。
　　Youdon’tcarewhatIthink！hecried，gettingup。It’sallthesametoyou。
　　Isabelwalkedtotheothersideofthegalleryandstoodthereshowinghimhercharmingback，herlightslimfigure，thelengthofherwhiteneckasshebentherhead，andthedensityofherdarkbraids。Shestoppedinfrontofasmallpictureasifforthepurposeofexaminingit。andtherewassomethingsoyoungandfreeinhermovementthatherverypliancyseemedtomockathim。Hereyes，however，sawnothing。theyhadsuddenlybeensuffusedwithtears。Inamomenthefollowedher，andbythistimeshehadbrushedhertearsaway。butwhensheturnedroundherfacewaspaleandtheexpressionofhereyesstrange。ThatreasonthatIwouldn’ttellyou-I’lltellityouafterall。It’sthatIcan’tescapemyfate。
　　Yourfate？
　　IshouldtrytoescapeitifIweretomarryyou。
　　Idon’tunderstand。Whyshouldnotthatbeyourfateaswellasanythingelse？
　　Becauseit’snot，saidIsabelfemininely。Iknowit’snot。It’snotmyfatetogiveup-Iknowitcan’tbe。
　　PoorLordWarburtonstared，aninterrogativepointineithereye。
　　Doyoucallmarryingmegivingup？
　　Notintheusualsense。It’sgetting-getting-gettingagreatdeal。Butit’sgivingupotherchances。
　　Otherchancesforwhat？
　　Idon’tmeanchancestomarry，saidIsabel，hercolourquicklycomingbacktoher。Andthenshestopped，lookingdownwithadeepfrown，asifitwerehopelesstoattempttomakehermeaningclear。
　　Idon’tthinkitpresumptuousinmetosuggestthatyou’llgainmorethanyou’lllose，hercompanionobserved。
　　Ican’tescapeunhappiness，saidIsabel。InmarryingyouI
　　shallbetryingto。
　　Idon’tknowwhetheryou’dtryto，butyoucertainlywould：thatImustincandouradmit！heexclaimedwithananxiouslaugh。
　　Imustn’t-Ican’t！criedthegirl。
　　Well，ifyou’rebentonbeingmiserableIdon’tseewhyyoushouldmakemeso。Whatevercharmsalifeofmiserymayhaveforyou，ithasnoneforme。
　　I’mnotbentonalifeofmisery，saidIsabel。I’vealwaysbeenintenselydeterminedtobehappy，andI’veoftenbelievedIshouldbe。
　　I’vetoldpeoplethat。youcanaskthem。ButitcomesovermeeverynowandthenthatIcanneverbehappyinanyextraordinaryway。notbyturningaway，byseparatingmyself。
　　Byseparatingyourselffromwhat？
　　Fromlife。Fromtheusualchancesanddangers，fromwhatmostpeopleknowandsuffer。
　　LordWarburtonbrokeintoasmilethatalmostdenotedhope。Why，mydearMissArcher，hebegantoexplainwiththemostconsiderateeagerness，Idon’tofferyouanyexonerationfromlifeorfromanychancesordangerswhatever。IwishIcould。dependuponitIwould！
　　Forwhatdoyoutakeme，pray？Heavenhelpme，I’mnottheEmperorofChina！AllIofferyouisthechanceoftakingthecommonlotinacomfortablesortofway。Thecommonlot？Why，I’mdevotedtothecommonlot！Strikeanalliancewithme，andIpromiseyouthatyoushallhaveplentyofit。Youshallseparatefromnothingwhatever-notevenfromyourfriendMissStackpole。
　　She’dneverapproveofit，saidIsabel，tryingtosmileandtakeadvantageofthisside-issue。despisingherselftoo，notalittle，fordoingso。
　　ArewespeakingofMissStackpole？hislordshipaskedimpatiently。
　　Ineversawapersonjudgethingsonsuchtheoreticgrounds。
　　NowIsupposeyou’respeakingofme，saidIsabelwithhumility。
　　andsheturnedawayagain，forshesawMissMolyneuxenterthegallery，accompaniedbyHenriettaandbyRalph。
　　LordWarburton’ssisteraddressedhimwithacertaintimidityandremindedhimsheoughttoreturnhomeintimefortea，asshewasexpectingcompanytopartakeofit。Hemadenoanswer-apparentlynothavingheardher。hewaspreoccupied，andwithgoodreason。MissMolyneux-asifhehadbeenRoyalty-stoodlikealady-in-waiting。
　　Well，Inever，MissMolyneux！saidHenriettaStackpole。IfI
　　wantedtogohe’dhavetogo。IfIwantedmybrothertodoathinghe’dhavetodoit。
　　Oh，Warburtondoeseverythingonewants，MissMolyneuxansweredwithaquick，shylaugh。Howverymanypicturesyouhave！shewenton，turningtoRalph。
　　Theylookagoodmany，becausethey’reallputtogether，saidRalph。Butit’sreallyabadway。
　　Oh，Ithinkit’ssonice。IwishwehadagalleryatLockleigh。I’msoveryfondofpictures，MissMolyneuxwenton，persistently，toRalph，asifshewereafraidMissStackpolewouldaddressheragain。
　　Henriettaappearedatoncetofascinateandtofrightenher。
　　Ahyes，picturesareveryconvenient，saidRalph，whoappearedtoknowbetterwhatstyleofreflexionwasacceptabletoher。
　　They’resoverypleasantwhenitrains，theyoungladycontinued。Ithasrainedoflatesoveryoften。
　　I’msorryyou’regoingaway，LordWarburton，saidHenrietta。I
　　wantedtogetagreatdealmoreoutofyou。
　　I’mnotgoingaway，LordWarburtonanswered。
　　Yoursistersaysyoumust。InAmericathegentlemenobeytheladies。
　　I’mafraidwehavesomepeopletotea，saidMissMolyneux，lookingatherbrother。
　　Verygood，mydear。We’llgo。
　　Ihopedyouwouldresist！Henriettaexclaimed。IwantedtoseewhatMissMolyneuxwoulddo。
　　Ineverdoanything，saidthisyounglady。
　　Isupposeinyourpositionit’ssufficientforyoutoexist！
　　MissStackpolereturned。Ishouldlikeverymuchtoseeyouathome。
　　YoumustcometoLockleighagain，saidMissMolyneux，verysweetly，toIsabel，ignoringthisremarkofIsabel’sfriend。
　　Isabellookedintoherquieteyesamoment，andforthatmomentseemedtoseeintheirgreydepthsthereflexionofeverythingshehadrejectedinrejectingLordWarburton-thepeace，thekindness，thehonour，thepossessions，adeepsecurityandagreatexclusion。ShekissedMissMolyneuxandthenshesaid：I’mafraidIcannevercomeagain。
　　Neveragain？
　　I’mafraidI’mgoingaway。
　　Oh，I’msoverysorry，saidMissMolyneux。Ithinkthat’ssoverywrongofyou。
　　LordWarburtonwatchedthislittlepassage。thenheturnedawayandstaredatapicture。Ralph，leaningagainsttherailbeforethepicturewithhishandsinhispockets，hadforthemomentbeenwatchinghim。
　　Ishouldliketoseeyouathome，saidHenrietta，whomLordWarburtonfoundbesidehim。Ishouldlikeanhour’stalkwithyou。
　　thereareagreatmanyquestionsIwishtoaskyou。
　　Ishallbedelightedtoseeyou，theproprietorofLockleighanswered。butI’mcertainnottobeabletoanswermanyofyourquestions。Whenwillyoucome？
　　WheneverMissArcherwilltakeme。We’rethinkingofgoingtoLondon，butwe’llgoandseeyoufirst。I’mdeterminedtogetsomesatisfactionoutofyou。
　　IfitdependsuponMissArcherI’mafraidyouwon’tgetmuch。Shewon’tcometoLockleigh。shedoesn’tliketheplace。
　　Shetoldmeitwaslovely！saidHenrietta。
　　LordWarburtonhesitated。Shewon’tcome，allthesame。Youhadbettercomealone，headded。
　　Henriettastraightenedherself，andherlargeeyesexpanded。
　　WouldyoumakethatremarktoanEnglishlady？sheenquiredwithsoftasperity。
　　LordWarburtonstared。Yes，ifIlikedherenough。
　　You’dbecarefulnottolikeherenough。IfMissArcherwon’tvisityourplaceagainit’sbecauseshedoesn’twanttotakeme。Iknowwhatshethinksofme，andIsupposeyouthinkthesame-thatIoughtn’ttobringinindividuals。LordWarburtonwasataloss。hehadnotbeenmadeacquaintedwithMissStackpole’sprofessionalcharacterandfailedtocatchherallusion。MissArcherhasbeenwarningyou！
　　shethereforewenton。
　　Warningme？
　　Isn’tthatwhyshecameoffalonewithyouhere-toputyouonyourguard？
　　Ohdear，no，saidLordWarburtonbrazenly。ourtalkhadnosuchsolemncharacterasthat。
　　Well，you’vebeenonyourguard-intensely。Isupposeit’snaturaltoyou。that’sjustwhatIwantedtoobserve。Andso，too，MissMolyneux-shewouldn’tcommitherself。Youhavebeenwarned，anyway，Henriettacontinued，addressingthisyounglady。butforyouitwasn’tnecessary。
　　Ihopenot，saidMissMolyneuxvaguely。
　　MissStackpoletakesnotes，Ralphsoothinglyexplained。She’sagreatsatirist。sheseesthroughusallandsheworksusup。
　　Well，ImustsayIneverhavehadsuchacollectionofhadmaterial！Henriettadeclared，lookingfromIsabeltoLordWarburtonandfromthisnoblemantohissisterandtoRalph。There’ssomethingthematterwithyouall。you’reasdismalasifyouhadgotabadcable。
　　Youdoseethroughus，MissStackpole，saidRalphinalowtone，givingheralittleintelligentnodasheledthepartyoutofthegallery。There’ssomethingthematterwithusall。
　　Isabelcamebehindthesetwo。MissMolyneux，whodecidedlylikedherimmensely，hadtakenherarm，towalkbesideheroverthepolishedfloor。LordWarburtonstrolledontheothersidewithhishandsbehindhimandhiseyeslowered。Forsomemomentshesaidnothing。andthen，Isittrueyou’regoingtoLondon？heasked。
　　Ibelieveithasbeenarranged。
　　Andwhenshallyoucomeback？
　　Inafewdays。butprobablyforaveryshorttime。I’mgoingtoPariswithmyaunt。
　　When，then，shallIseeyouagain？
　　Notforagoodwhile，saidIsabel。Butsomedayorother，I
　　hope。
　　Doyoureallyhopeit？
　　Verymuch。
　　Hewentafewstepsinsilence。thenhestoppedandputouthishand。Good-bye。
　　Good-bye，saidIsabel。
　　MissMolyneuxkissedheragain，andsheletthetwodepart。Afterit，withoutrejoiningHenriettaandRalph，sheretreatedtoherownroom。inwhichapartment，beforedinner，shewasfoundbyMrs。
　　Touchett，whohadstoppedonherwaytothesaloon。Imayaswelltellyou，saidthatlady，thatyourunclehasinformedmeofyourrelationswithLordWarburton。
　　Isabelconsidered。Relations？They’rehardlyrelations。That’sthestrangepartofit：hehasseenmebutthreeorfourtimes。
　　Whydidyoutellyouruncleratherthanme？Mrs。Touchettdispassionatelyasked。
　　Againthegirlhesitated。BecauseheknowsLordWarburtonbetter。
　　Yes，butIknowyoubetter。
　　I’mnotsureofthat，saidIsabel，smiling。
　　NeitheramI，afterall。especiallywhenyougivemethatratherconceitedlook。Onewouldthinkyouwereawfullypleasedwithyourselfandhadcarriedoffaprize！IsupposethatwhenyourefuseanofferlikeLordWarburton’sit’sbecauseyouexpecttodosomethingbetter。
　　Ah，myuncledidn’tsaythat！criedIsabel，smilingstill。
　　CHAPTER15
　　IthadbeenarrangedthatthetwoyoungladiesshouldproceedtoLondonunderRalph’sescort，thoughMrs。Touchettlookedwithlittlefavourontheplan。Itwasjustthesortofplan，shesaid，thatMissStackpolewouldbesuretosuggest，andsheenquiredifthecorrespondentoftheInterviewerwastotakethepartytostayataboarding-house。
　　Idon’tcarewhereshetakesustostay，solongasthere’slocalcolour，saidIsabel。That’swhatwe’regoingtoLondonfor。
　　IsupposethatafteragirlhasrefusedanEnglishlordshemaydoanything，herauntrejoined。Afterthatoneneedn’tstandontrifles。
　　ShouldyouhavelikedmetomarryLordWarburton？Isabelenquired。
　　OfcourseIshould。
　　IthoughtyoudislikedtheEnglishsomuch。
　　SoIdo。butit’sallthegreaterreasonformakinguseofthem。
　　Isthatyourideaofmarriage？AndIsabelventuredtoaddthatherauntappearedtohertohavemadeverylittleuseofMr。Touchett。
　　Youruncle’snotanEnglishnobleman，saidMrs。Touchett，thoughevenifhehadbeenIshouldstillprobablyhavetakenupmyresidenceinFlorence。
　　DoyouthinkLordWarburtoncouldmakemeanybetterthanIam？
　　thegirlaskedwithsomeanimation。Idon’tmeanI’mtoogoodtoimprove。Imean-ImeanthatIdon’tloveLordWarburtonenoughtomarryhim。
　　Youdidrighttorefusehimthen，saidMrs。Touchettinhersmallest，sparestvoice。Only，thenextgreatofferyouget，Ihopeyou’llmanagetocomeuptoyourstandard。
　　Wehadbetterwaittilltheoffercomesbeforewetalkaboutit。
　　IhopeverymuchImayhavenomoreoffersforthepresent。Theyupsetmecompletely。
　　Youprobablywon’tbetroubledwiththemifyouadoptpermanentlytheBohemianmanneroflife。However，I’vepromisedRalphnottocriticize。
　　I’lldowhateverRalphsaysisright，Isabelreturned。I’veunboundedconfidenceinRalph。
　　Hismother’smuchobligedtoyou！thisladydrylylaughed。
　　Itseemstomeindeedsheoughttofeelit！Isabelirrepressiblyanswered。
　　Ralphhadassuredherthattherewouldbenoviolationofdecencyintheirpayingavisit-thelittlepartyofthree-tothesightsofthemetropolis。butMrs。Touchetttookadifferentview。LikemanyladiesofhercountrywhohadlivedalongtimeinEurope，shehadcompletelylosthernativetactonsuchpoints，andinherreaction，notinitselfdeplorable，againstthelibertyallowedtoyoungpersonsbeyondtheseas，hadfallenintogratuitousandexaggeratedscruples。RalphaccompaniedtheirvisitorstotownandestablishedthemataquietinninastreetthatranatrightanglestoPiccadilly。Hisfirstideahadbeentotakethemtohisfather’shouseinWinchesterSquare，alarge，dullmansionwhichatthisperiodoftheyearwasshroudedinsilenceandbrownholland。buthebethoughthimselfthat，thecookbeingatGardencourt，therewasnooneinthehousetogetthemtheirmeals，andPratt’sHotelaccordinglybecametheirresting-place。Ralph，onhisside，foundquartersinWinchesterSquare，havingadenthereofwhichhewasveryfondandbeingfamiliarwithdeeperfearsthanthatofacoldkitchen。HeavailedhimselflargelyindeedoftheresourcesofPratt’sHotel，beginninghisdaywithanearlyvisittohisfellowtravellers，whohadMr。Prattinperson，inalargebulgingwhitewaistcoat，toremovetheirdishcovers。Ralphturnedup，ashesaid，afterbreakfast，andthelittlepartymadeoutaschemeofentertainmentfortheday。AsLondonwearsinthemonthofSeptemberafaceblankbutforitssmearsofpriorservice，theyoungman，whooccasionallytookanapologetictone，wasobligedtoremindhiscompanion，toMissStackpole’shighderision，thattherewasn’tacreatureintown。
　　Isupposeyoumeanthearistocracyareabsent，Henriettaanswered。
　　butIdon’tthinkyoucouldhaveabetterproofthatiftheywereabsentaltogethertheywouldn’tbemissed。Itseemstometheplaceisaboutasfullasitcanbe。There’snoonehere，ofcourse，butthreeorfourmillionsofpeople。Whatisityoucallthem-thelower-middleclass？They’reonlythepopulationofLondon，andthat’sofnoconsequence。
　　RalphdeclaredthatforhimthearistocracyleftnovoidthatMissStackpoleherselfdidn’tfill，andthatamorecontentedmanwasnowhereatthatmomenttobefound。Inthishespokethetruth，forthestaleSeptemberdays，inthehugehalf-emptytown，hadacharmwrappedinthemasacolouredgemmightbewrappedinadustycloth。
　　WhenhewenthomeatnighttotheemptyhouseinWinchesterSquare，afterachainofhourswithhiscomparativelyardentfriends，hewanderedintothebigduskydining-room，wherethecandlehetookfromthehall-table，afterlettinghimselfin，constitutedtheonlyillumination。Thesquarewasstill，thehousewasstill。whenheraisedoneofthewindowsofthedining-roomtoletintheairheheardtheslowcreakofthebootsofaloneconstable。Hisownstep，intheemptyplace，seemedloudandsonorous。someofthecarpetshadbeenraised，andwheneverhemovedherousedamelancholyecho。Hesatdowninoneofthearmchairs。thebigdarkdiningtabletwinkledhereandthereinthesmallcandle-light。thepicturesonthewall，allofthemverybrown，lookedvagueandincoherent。Therewasaghostlypresenceasofdinnerslongsincedigested，oftable-talkthathadlostitsactuality。Thishintofthesupernaturalperhapshadsomethingtodowiththefactthathisimaginationtookaflightandthatheremainedinhischairalongtimebeyondthehouratwhichheshouldhavebeeninbed。doingnothing，notevenreadingtheeveningpaper。Isayhedidnothing，andImaintainthephraseinthefaceofthefactthathethoughtatthesemomentsofIsabel。TothinkofIsabelcouldonlybeforhimanidlepursuit，leadingtonothingandprofitinglittletoanyone。Hiscousinhadnotyetseemedtohimsocharmingasduringthesedaysspentinsounding，tourist-fashion，thedeepsandshallowsofthemetropolitanelement。
　　Isabelwasfullofpremises，conclusions，emotions。ifshehadcomeinsearchoflocalcolourshefounditeverywhere。Sheaskedmorequestionsthanhecouldanswer，andlaunchedbravetheories，astohistoriccauseandsocialeffect，thathewasequallyunabletoacceptortorefute。ThepartywentmorethanoncetotheBritishMuseumandtothatbrighterpalaceofartwhichreclaimsforantiquevarietysolargeanareaofamonotonoussuburb。theyspentamorningintheAbbeyandwentonapenny-steamertotheTower。theylookedatpicturesbothinpublicandprivatecollectionsandsatonvariousoccasionsbeneaththegreattreesinKensingtonGardens。
　　Henriettaprovedanindestructiblesight-seerandamorelenientjudgethanRalphhadventuredtohope。Shehadindeedmanydisappointments，andLondonatlargesufferedfromhervividremembranceofthestrongpointsoftheAmericancivicidea。butshemadethebestofitsdingydignitiesandonlyheavedanoccasionalsighandutteredadesultoryWell！whichlednofurtherandlostitselfinretrospect。Thetruthwasthat，asshesaidherself，shewasnotinherelement。I’venotasympathywithinanimateobjects，
　　sheremarkedtoIsabelattheNationalGallery。andshecontinuedtosufferfromthemeagrenessoftheglimpsethathadasyetbeenvouchsafedtoheroftheinnerlife。LandscapesbyTurnerandAssyrianbullswereapoorsubstitutefortheliterarydinner-partiesatwhichshehadhopedtomeetthegeniusandrenownofGreatBritain。
　　Whereareyourpublicmen，whereareyourmenandwomenofintellect？sheenquiredofRalph，standinginthemiddleofTrafalgarSquareasifshehadsupposedthistobeaplacewhereshewouldnaturallymeetafew。That’soneofthemonthetopofthecolumn，yousay-LordNelson？Washealordtoo？Wasn’thehighenough，thattheyhadtostickhimahundredfeetintheair？That’sthepast-I
　　don’tcareaboutthepast。Iwanttoseesomeoftheleadingmindsofthepresent。Iwon’tsayofthefuture，becauseIdon’tbelievemuchinyourfuture。PoorRalphhadfewleadingmindsamonghisacquaintanceandrarelyenjoyedthepleasureofbutton-holingacelebrity。astateofthingswhichappearedtoMissStackpoletoindicateadeplorablewantofenterprise。IfIwereontheothersideIshouldcall，shesaid，andtellthegentleman，whoeverhemightbe，thatIhadheardagreatdealabouthimandhadcometoseeformyself。ButIgatherfromwhatyousaythatthisisnotthecustomhere。Youseemtohaveplentyofmeaninglesscustoms，butnoneofthosethatwouldhelpalong。Weareinadvance，certainly。IsupposeI
　　shallhavetogiveupthesocialsidealtogether。andHenrietta，thoughshewentaboutwithherguidebookandpencilandwrotealettertotheInterviewerabouttheTowerinwhichshedescribedtheexecutionofLadyJaneGrey，hadasadsenseoffallingbelowhermission。
　　TheincidentthathadprecededIsabel’sdeparturefromGardencourtleftapainfultraceinouryoungwoman’smind：whenshefeltagaininherface，asfromarecurrentwave，thecoldbreathofherlastsuitor’ssurprise，shecouldonlymuffleherheadtilltheaircleared。Shecouldnothavedonelessthanwhatshedid。thiswascertainlytrue。Buthernecessity，allthesame，hadbeenasgracelessassomephysicalactinastrainedattitude，andshefeltnodesiretotakecreditforherconduct。Mixedwiththisimperfectpride，nevertheless，wasafeelingoffreedomwhichinitselfwassweetandwhich，asshewanderedthroughthegreatcitywithherill-matchedcompanions，occasionallythrobbedintoodddemonstrations。WhenshewalkedinKensingtonGardensshestoppedthechildrenmainlyofthepoorersortwhomshesawplayingonthegrass。sheaskedthemtheirnamesandgavethemsixpenceand，whentheywerepretty，kissedthem。Ralphnoticedthesequaintcharities。henoticedeverythingshedid。Oneafternoon，thathiscompanionsmightpassthetime，heinvitedthemtoteainWinchesterSquare，andhehadthehousesetinorderasmuchaspossiblefortheirvisit。Therewasanotherguesttomeetthem，anamiablebachelor，anoldfriendofRalph’swhohappenedtobeintownandforwhompromptcommercewithMissStackpoleappearedtohaveneitherdifficultynordread。Mr。Bantling，astout，sleek，smilingmanofforty，wonderfullydressed，universallyinformedandincoherentlyamused，laughedimmoderatelyateverythingHenriettasaid，gaveherseveralcupsoftea，examinedinhersocietythebric-a-brac，ofwhichRalphhadaconsiderablecollection，andafterwards，whenthehostproposedtheyshouldgooutintothesquareandpretenditwasafete-champetre，walkedroundthelimitedenclosureseveraltimeswithherand，atadozenturnsoftheirtalk，boundedresponsive-aswithapositivepassionforargument-
　　toherremarksupontheinnerlife。
　　Oh，Isee。IdaresayyoufounditveryquietatGardencourt。
　　Naturallythere’snotmuchgoingontherewhenthere’ssuchalotofillnessabout。Touchett’sverybad，youknow。thedoctorshaveforbiddenhisbeinginEnglandatall，andhehasonlycomebacktotakecareofhisfather。Theoldman，Ibelieve，hashalfadozenthingsthematterwithhim。Theycallitgout，buttomycertainknowledgehehasorganicdiseasesodevelopedthatyoumaydependuponithe’llgo，somedaysoon，quitequickly。Ofcoursethatsortofthingmakesadreadfullydullhouse。Iwondertheyhavepeoplewhentheycandosolittleforthem。ThenIbelieveMr。Touchett’salwayssquabblingwithhiswife。shelivesawayfromherhusband，youknow，inthatextraordinaryAmericanwayofyours。Ifyouwantahousewherethere’salwayssomethinggoingon，Irecommendyoutogodownandstaywithmysister，LadyPensil，inBedfordshire。I’llwritetohertomorrowandI’msureshe’llbedelightedtoaskyou。Iknowjustwhatyouwant-youwantahousewheretheygoinfortheatricalsandpicnicsandthatsortofthing。Mysister’sjustthatsortofwoman。
　　she’salwaysgettingupsomethingorotherandshe’salwaysgladtohavethesortofpeoplewhohelpher。I’msureshe’llaskyoudownbyreturnofpost：she’stremendouslyfondofdistinguishedpeopleandwriters。Shewritesherself，youknow。butIhaven’treadeverythingshehaswritten。It’susuallypoetry，andIdon’tgoinmuchforpoetry-unlessit’sByron。IsupposeyouthinkagreatdealofByroninAmerica，Mr。Bantlingcontinued，expandinginthestimulatingairofMissStackpole’sattention，bringinguphissequencespromptlyandchanginghistopicwithaneasyturnofhand。Yethenonethelessgracefullykeptinsightoftheidea，dazzlingtoHenrietta，ofhergoingtostaywithLadyPensilinBedfordshire。I
　　understandwhatyouwant。youwanttoseesomegenuineEnglishsport。TheTouchettsaren’tEnglishatall，youknow。theyhavetheirownhabits，theirownlanguage，theirownfood-someoddreligioneven，Ibelieve，oftheirown。Theoldmanthinksit’swickedtohunt，I’mtold。Youmustgetdowntomysister’sintimeforthetheatricals，andI’msureshe’llbegladtogiveyouapart。I’msureyouactwell。Iknowyou’reveryclever。Mysister’sfortyyearsoldandhassevenchildren，butshe’sgoingtoplaytheprincipalpart。Plainassheisshemakesupawfullywell-Iwillsayforher。Ofcourseyouneedn’tactifyoudon’twantto。
　　InthismannerMr。BantlingdeliveredhimselfwhiletheystrolledoverthegrassinWinchesterSquare，which，althoughithadbeenpepperedbytheLondonsoot，invitedthetreadtolinger。Henriettathoughtherblooming，easy-voicedbachelor，withhisimpressibilitytofemininemeritandhissplendidrangeofsuggestion，averyagreeableman，andshevaluedtheopportunityheofferedher。Idon’tknowbutIwouldgo，ifyoursistershouldaskme。Ithinkitwouldbemyduty。Whatdoyoucallhername？
　　Pensil。It’sanoddname，butitisn’tabadone。
　　Ithinkonename’sasgoodasanother。Butwhat’sherrank？
　　Oh，she’sabaron’swife。aconvenientsortofrank。You’refineenoughandyou’renottoofine。
　　Idon’tknowbutwhatshe’dbetoofineforme。Whatdoyoucalltheplaceshelivesin-Bedfordshire？
　　Shelivesawayinthenortherncornerofit。It’satiresomecountry，butIdaresayyouwon’tmindit。I’lltryandrundownwhileyou’rethere。
　　AllthiswasverypleasanttoMissStackpole，andshewassorrytobeobligedtoseparatefromLadyPensil’sobligingbrother。Butithappenedthatshehadmetthedaybefore，inPiccadilly，somefriendswhomshehadnotseenforayear：theMissClimbers，twoladiesfromWilmington，Delaware，whohadbeentravellingontheContinentandwerenowpreparingtore-embark。HenriettahadhadalonginterviewwiththemonthePiccadillypavement，andthoughthethreeladiesalltalkedatoncetheyhadnotexhaustedtheirstore。IthadbeenagreedthereforethatHenriettashouldcomeanddinewiththemintheirlodgingsinJermynStreetatsixo’clockonthemorrow，andshenowbethoughtherselfofthisengagement。ShepreparedtostartforJermynStreet，takingleavefirstofRalphTouchettandIsabel，who，seatedongardenchairsinanotherpartoftheenclosure，wereoccupied-ifthetermmaybeused-withanexchangeofamenitieslesspointedthanthepracticalcolloquyofMissStackpoleandMr。Bantling。WhenithadbeensettledbetweenIsabelandherfriendthattheyshouldbereunitedatsomereputablehouratPratt’sHotel，Ralphremarkedthatthelattermusthaveacab。Shecouldn’twalkallthewaytoJermynStreet。
　　Isupposeyoumeanit’simproperformetowalkalone！Henriettaexclaimed。Mercifulpowers，haveIcometothis？
　　There’snottheslightestneedofyourwalkingalone，Mr。Bantlinggailyinterposed。Ishouldbegreatlypleasedtogowithyou。
　　Isimplymeantthatyou’dbelatefordinner，Ralphreturned。
　　Thosepoorladiesmayeasilybelievethatwerefuse，atthelast，tospareyou。
　　Youhadbetterhaveahansom，Henrietta，saidIsabel。
　　I’llgetyouahansomifyou’lltrustme，Mr。Bantlingwenton。
　　Wemightwalkalittletillwemeetone。
　　Idon’tseewhyIshouldn’ttrusthim，doyou？HenriettaenquiredofIsabel。
　　Idon’tseewhatMr。Bantlingcoulddotoyou，Isabelobliginglyanswered。but，ifyoulike，we’llwalkwithyoutillyoufindyourcab。
　　Nevermind。we’llgoalone。Comeon，Mr。Bantling，andtakecareyougetmeagoodone。
　　Mr。Bantlingpromisedtodohisbest，andthetwotooktheirdeparture，leavingthegirlandhercousintogetherinthesquare，overwhichaclearSeptembertwilighthadnowbeguntogather。Itwasperfectlystill。thewidequadrangleofduskyhousesshowedlightsinnoneofthewindows，wheretheshuttersandblindswereclosed。thepavementswereavacantexpanse，and，puttingasidetwosmallchildrenfromaneighbouringslum，who，attractedbysymptomsofabnormalanimationintheinterior，pokedtheirfacesbetweentherustyrailsoftheenclosure，themostvividobjectwithinsightwasthebigredpillar-postonthesoutheastcorner。
　　HenriettawillaskhimtogetintothecabandgowithhertoJermynStreet，Ralphobserved。HealwaysspokeofMissStackpoleasHenrietta。
　　Verypossibly，saidhiscompanion。
　　Orrather，no，shewon’t，hewenton。ButBantlingwillaskleavetogetin。
　　Verylikelyagain。I’mverygladthey’resuchgoodfriends。
　　Shehasmadeaconquest。Hethinksherabrilliantwoman。Itmaygofar，saidRalph。
　　Isabelwasbrieflysilent。IcallHenriettaaverybrilliantwoman，butIdon’tthinkitwillgofar。Theywouldneverreallyknoweachother。Hehasnottheleastideawhatshereallyis，andshehasnojustcomprehensionofMr。Bantling。
　　There’snomoreusualbasisofunionthanamutualmisunderstanding。ButitoughtnottobesodifficulttounderstandBobBantling，Ralphadded。Heisaverysimpleorganism。
　　Yes，butHenrietta’sasimpleronestill。And，pray，whatamItodo？Isabelasked，lookingaboutherthroughthefadinglight，inwhichthelimitedlandscape-gardeningofthesquaretookonalargeandeffectiveappearance。Idon’timaginethatyou’llproposethatyouandI，forouramusement，shalldriveaboutLondoninahansom。
　　There’snoreasonweshouldn’tstayhere-ifyoudon’tdislikeit。It’sverywarm。therewillbehalfanhouryetbeforedark。andifyoupermititI’lllightacigarette。
　　Youmaydowhatyouplease，saidIsabel，ifyou’llamusemetillseveno’clock。Iproposeatthathourtogobackandpartakeofasimpleandsolitaryrepast-twopoachedeggsandamuffin-atPratt’sHotel。
　　Mayn’tIdinewithyou？Ralphasked。
　　No，you’lldineatyourclub。
　　Theyhadwanderedbacktotheirchairsinthecentreofthesquareagain，andRalphhadlightedhiscigarette。Itwouldhavegivenhimextremepleasuretobepresentinpersonatthemodestlittlefeastshehadsketched。butindefaultofthishelikedevenbeingforbidden。Forthemoment，however，helikedimmenselybeingalonewithher，inthethickeningdusk，inthecentreofthemultitudinoustown。itmadeherseemtodependuponhimandtobeinhispower。Thispowerhecouldexertbutvaguely。thebestexerciseofitwastoacceptherdecisionssubmissively-whichindeedtherewasalreadyanemotionindoing。Whywon’tyouletmedinewithyou？hedemandedafterapause。
　　BecauseIdon’tcareforit。
　　Isupposeyou’retiredofme。
　　Ishallbeanhourhence。YouseeIhavethegiftofforeknowledge。
　　Oh，Ishallbedelightfulmeanwhile，saidRalph。Buthesaidnothingmore，andasshemadenorejoindertheysatsometimeinastillnesswhichseemedtocontradicthispromiseofentertainment。
　　Itseemedtohimshewaspreoccupied，andhewonderedwhatshewasthinkingabout。thereweretwoorthreeverypossiblesubjects。Atlasthespokeagain。Isyourobjectiontomysocietythiseveningcausedbyyourexpectationofanothervisitor？
　　Sheturnedherheadwithaglanceofherclear，faireyes。
　　Anothervisitor？WhatvisitorshouldIhave？
　　Hehadnonetosuggest。whichmadehisquestionseemtohimselfsillyaswellasbrutal。You’veagreatmanyfriendsthatIdon’tknow。You’veawholepastfromwhichIwasperverselyexcluded。
　　Youwerereservedformyfuture。Youmustrememberthatmypastisoverthereacrossthewater。There’snoneofithereinLondon。
　　Verygood，then，sinceyourfutureisseatedbesideyou。Capitalthingtohaveyourfuturesohandy。AndRalphlightedanothercigaretteandreflectedthatIsabelprobablymeantshehadreceivednewsthatMr。CasparGoodwoodhadcrossedtoParis。Afterhehadlightedhiscigarettehepuffeditawhile，andthenheresumed。I
　　promisedjustnowtobeveryamusing。butyouseeIdon’tcomeuptothemark，andthefactisthere’sagooddealoftemerityinone’sundertakingtoamuseapersonlikeyou。Whatdoyoucareformyfeebleattempts？You’vegrandideas-you’veahighstandardinsuchmatters。Ioughtatleasttobringinabandofmusicoracompanyofmountebanks。
　　Onemountebank’senough，andyoudoverywell。Praygoon，andinanothertenminutesIshallbegintolaugh。
　　IassureyouI’mveryserious，saidRalph。Youdoreallyaskagreatdeal。
　　Idon’tknowwhatyoumean。Iasknothing！
　　Youacceptnothing，saidRalph。Shecoloured，andnowsuddenlyitseemedtoherthatsheguessedhismeaning。Butwhyshouldhespeaktoherofsuchthings？Hehesitatedalittleandthenhecontinued：
　　There’ssomethingIshouldlikeverymuchtosaytoyou。It’saquestionIwishtoask。ItseemstomeI’vearighttoaskit，becauseI’veakindofinterestintheanswer。
　　Askwhatyouwill，Isabelrepliedgently，andI’lltrytosatisfyyou。
　　Wellthen，Ihopeyouwon’tmindmysayingthatWarburtonhastoldmeofsomethingthathaspassedbetweenyou。
　　Isabelsuppressedastart。hesatlookingatheropenfan。Verygood。Isupposeitwasnaturalheshouldtellyou。
　　Ihavehisleavetoletyouknowhehasdoneso。Hehassomehopestill，saidRalph。
　　Still？
　　Hehaditafewdaysago。
　　Idon’tbelievehehasanynow，saidthegirl。
　　I’mverysorryforhimthen。he’ssuchanhonestman。
　　Pray，didheaskyoutotalktome？
　　No，notthat。Buthetoldmebecausehecouldn’thelpit。We’reoldfriends，andhewasgreatlydisappointed。Hesentmealineaskingmetocomeandseehim，andIdroveovertoLockleighthedaybeforeheandhissisterlunchedwithus。Hewasveryheavy-hearted。hehadjustgotaletterfromyou。
　　Didheshowyoutheletter？askedIsabelwithmomentaryloftiness。
　　Bynomeans。Buthetoldmeitwasaneatrefusal。Iwasverysorryforhim，Ralphrepeated。
　　ForsomemomentsIsabelsaidnothing。thenatlast，Doyouknowhowoftenhehadseenme？sheenquired。Fiveorsixtimes。
　　That’stoyourglory。
　　It’snotforthatIsayit。
　　Whatthendoyousayitfor？NottoprovethatpoorWarburton’sstateofmind’ssuperficial，becauseI’mprettysureyoudon’tthinkthat。
　　Isabelcertainlywasunabletosayshethoughtitbutpresentlyshesaidsomethingelse。Ifyou’venotbeenrequestedbyLordWarburtontoarguewithme，thenyou’redoingitdisinterestedly-orfortheloveofargument。
　　I’venowishtoarguewithyouatall。Ionlywishtoleaveyoualone。I’msimplygreatlyinterestedinyourownsentiments。
　　I’mgreatlyobligedtoyou！criedIsabelwithaslightlynervouslaugh。
　　OfcourseyoumeanthatI’mmeddlinginwhatdoesn’tconcernme。
　　Butwhyshouldn’tIspeaktoyouofthismatterwithoutannoyingyouorembarrassingmyself？What’stheuseofbeingyourcousinifIcan’thaveafewprivileges？What’stheuseofadoringyouwithouthopeofarewardifIcan’thaveafewcompensations？What’stheuseofbeingillanddisabledandrestrictedtomerespectatorshipatthegameoflifeifIreallycan’tseetheshowwhenI’vepaidsomuchformyticket？Tellmethis，Ralphwentonwhileshelistenedtohimwithquickenedattention。WhathadyouinmindwhenyourefusedLordWarburton？
　　WhathadIinmind？
　　Whatwasthelogic-theviewofyoursituation-thatdictatedsoremarkableanact？
　　Ididn’twishtomarryhim-ifthat’slogic。
　　No，that’snotlogic-andIknewthatbefore。It’sreallynothing，youknow。Whatwasityousaidtoyourself？Youcertainlysaidmorethanthat？
　　Isabelreflectedamoment，thenansweredwithaquestionofherown。
　　Whydoyoucallitaremarkableact？That’swhatyourmotherthinkstoo。
　　Warburton’ssuchathoroughgoodsort。asaman，Iconsiderhehashardlyafault。Andthenhe’swhattheycallherenoendofaswell。Hehasimmensepossessions，andhiswifewouldbethoughtasuperiorbeing。Heunitestheintrinsicandtheextrinsicadvantages。
　　Isabelwatchedhercousinastoseehowfarhewouldgo。I
　　refusedhimbecausehewastooperfectthen。I’mnotperfectmyself，andhe’stoogoodforme。Besides，hisperfectionwouldirritateme。
　　That’singeniousratherthancandid，saidRalph。Asafactyouthinknothingintheworldtooperfectforyou。
　　DoyouthinkI’msogood？
　　No，butyou’reexacting，allthesame，withouttheexcuseofthinkingyourselfgood。Nineteenwomenoutoftwenty，however，evenofthemostexactingsort，wouldhavemanagedtodowithWarburton。
　　Perhapsyoudon’tknowhowhehasbeenstalked。
　　Idon’twishtoknow。Butitseemstome，saidIsabel，thatonedaywhenwetalkedofhimyoumentionedoddthingsinhim。
　　Ralphsmokinglyconsidered。IhopethatwhatIsaidthenhadnoweightwithyou。fortheywerenotfaults，thethingsIspokeof：theyweresimplypeculiaritiesofhisposition。IfIhadknownhewishedtomarryyouI’dneverhavealludedtothem。IthinkIsaidthatasregardsthatpositionhewasratherasceptic。Itwouldhavebeeninyourpowertomakehimabeliever。
　　Ithinknot。Idon’tunderstandthematter，andI’mnotconsciousofanymissionofthatsort。You’reevidentlydisappointed，Isabeladded，lookingathercousinwithruefulgentleness。You’dhavelikedmetomakesuchamarriage。
　　Notintheleast。I’mabsolutelywithoutawishonthesubject。I
　　don’tpretendtoadviseyou，andIcontentmyselfwithwatchingyou-
　　withthedeepestinterest。
　　Shegaveratheraconscioussigh。IwishIcouldbeasinterestingtomyselfasIamtoyou！
　　Thereyou’renotcandidagain。you’reextremelyinterestingtoyourself。Doyouknow，however，saidRalph，thatifyou’vereallygivenWarburtonhisfinalanswerI’mrathergladithasbeenwhatitwas。Idon’tmeanI’mgladforyou，andstilllessofcourseforhim。I’mgladformyself。
　　Areyouthinkingofproposingtome？
　　Bynomeans。FromthepointofviewIspeakofthatwouldbefatal。
　　Ishouldkillthegoosethatsuppliesmewiththematerialofmyinimitableomelettes。Iusethatanimalasthesymbolofmyinsaneillusions。WhatImeanisthatIshallhavethethrillofseeingwhatayoungladydoeswhowon’tmarryLordWarburton。
　　That’swhatyourmothercountsupontoo，saidIsabel。
　　Ah，therewillbeplentyofspectators！Weshallhangontherestofyourcareer。Ishallnotseeallofit，butIshallprobablyseethemostinterestingyears。Ofcourseifyouweretomarryourfriendyou’dstillhaveacareer-averydecent，infactaverybrilliantone。Butrelativelyspeakingitwouldbealittleprosaic。
　　Itwouldbedefinitelymarkedoutinadvance。itwouldbewantingintheunexpected。YouknowI’mextremelyfondoftheunexpected，andnowthatyou’vekeptthegameinyourhandsIdependonyourgivingussomegrandexampleofit。
　　Idon’tunderstandyouverywell，saidIsabel，butIdosowellenoughtobeabletosaythatifyoulookforgrandexamplesofanythingfrommeIshalldisappointyou。
　　You’lldosoonlybydisappointingyourself-andthatwillgohardwithyou！
　　Tothisshemadenodirectreply。therewasanamountoftruthinitthatwouldbearconsideration。Atlastshesaidabruptly：Idon’tseewhatharmthereisinmywishingnottotiemyself。Idon’twanttobeginlifebymarrying。Thereareotherthingsawomancando。
　　There’snothingshecandosowell。Butyou’reofcoursesomany-sided。
　　Ifone’stwo-sidedit’senough，saidIsabel。
　　You’rethemostcharmingofpolygons！hercompanionbrokeout。
　　Ataglancefromhiscompanion，however，hebecamegrave，andtoproveitwenton：Youwanttoseelife-you’llbehangedifyoudon’t，astheyoungmensay。
　　Idon’tthinkIwanttoseeitastheyoungmenwanttoseeit。ButIdowanttolookaboutme。
　　Youwanttodrainthecupofexperience。
　　No，Idon’twishtotouchthecupofexperience。It’sapoisoneddrink！Ionlywanttoseeformyself。
　　Youwanttosee，butnottofeel，Ralphremarked。
　　Idon’tthinkthatifone’sasentientbeingonecanmakethedistinction。I’magooddeallikeHenrietta。TheotherdaywhenI
　　askedherifshewishedtomarryshesaid：’NottillI’veseenEurope！’Itoodon’twishtomarrytillI’veseenEurope。
　　Youevidentlyexpectacrownedheadwillbestruckwithyou。
　　No，thatwouldbeworsethanmarryingLordWarburton。Butit’sgettingverydark，Isabelcontinued，andImustgohome。Sherosefromherplace，butRalphonlysatstillandlookedather。Asheremainedthereshestopped，andtheyexchangedagazethatwasfulloneitherside，butespeciallyonRalph’s，ofutterancestoovagueforwords。
　　You’veansweredmyquestion，hesaidatlast。You’vetoldmewhatIwanted。I’mgreatlyobligedtoyou。
　　ItseemstomeI’vetoldyouverylittle。
　　You’vetoldmethegreatthing：thattheworldinterestsyouandthatyouwanttothrowyourselfintoit。
　　Hersilveryeyesshoneamomentinthedusk。Ineversaidthat。
　　Ithinkyoumeantit。Don’trepudiateit。It’ssofine！
　　Idon’tknowwhatyou’retryingtofastenuponme，forI’mnotintheleastanadventurousspirit。Womenarenotlikemen。
　　Ralphslowlyrosefromhisseatandtheywalkedtogethertothegateofthesquare。No，hesaid。womenrarelyboastoftheircourage。
　　Mendosowithacertainfrequency。
　　Menhaveittoboastof！
　　Womenhaveittoo。You’veagreatdeal。
　　EnoughtogohomeinacabtoPratt’sHotel，butnotmore。
　　Ralphunlockedthegate，andaftertheyhadpassedouthefastenedit。We’llfindyourcab，hesaid。andastheyturnedtowardaneighbouringstreetinwhichthisquestmightavailheaskedheragainifhemightn’tseehersafelytotheinn。
　　Bynomeans，sheanswered。you’reverytired。youmustgohomeandgotobed。
　　Thecabwasfound，andhehelpedherintoit，standingamomentatthedoor。WhenpeopleforgetI’mapoorcreatureI’moftenincommoded，hesaid。Butit’sworsewhentheyrememberit！
　　CHAPTER16
　　Shehadhadnohiddenmotiveinwishinghimnottotakeherhome。itsimplystruckherthatforsomedayspastshehadconsumedaninordinatequantityofhistime，andtheindependentspiritoftheAmericangirlwhomextravaganceofaidplacesinanattitudethatsheendsbyfindingaffectedhadmadeherdecidethatforthesefewhoursshemustsufficetoherself。Shehadmoreoveragreatfondnessforintervalsofsolitude，whichsinceherarrivalinEnglandhadbeenbutmeagrelymet。Itwasaluxuryshecouldalwayscommandathomeandshehadwittinglymissedit。Thatevening，however，anincidentoccurredwhich-hadtherebeenacritictonoteit-wouldhavetakenallcolourfromthetheorythatthewishtobequitebyherselfhadcausedhertodispensewithhercousin’sattendance。
　　Seatedtowardnineo’clockinthedimilluminationofPratt’sHotelandtryingwiththeaidoftwotallcandlestoloseherselfinavolumeshehadbroughtfromGardencourt，shesucceededonlytotheextentofreadingotherwordsthanthoseprintedonthepage-wordsthatRalphhadspokentoherthatafternoon。Suddenlythewell-muffledknuckleofthewaiterwasappliedtothedoor，whichpresentlygavewaytohisexhibition，evenasaglorioustrophy，ofthecardofavisitor。WhenthismementohadofferedtoherfixedsightthenameofMr。CasparGoodwoodsheletthemanstandbeforeherwithoutsignifyingherwishes。
　　ShallIshowthegentlemanup，ma’am？heaskedwithaslightlyencouraginginflexion。
　　Isabelhesitatedstillandwhileshehesitatedglancedatthemirror。Hemaycomein，shesaidatlast。andwaitedforhimnotsomuchsmoothingherhairasgirdingherspirit。
　　CasparGoodwoodwasaccordinglythenextmomentshakinghandswithher，butsayingnothingtilltheservanthadlefttheroom。Whydidn’tyouanswermyletter？hethenaskedinaquick，full，slightlyperemptorytone-thetoneofamanwhosequestionswerehabituallypointedandwhowascapableofmuchinsistence。
　　Sheansweredbyareadyquestion，HowdidyouknowIwashere？
　　MissStackpoleletmeknow，saidCasparGoodwood。Shetoldmeyouwouldprobablybeathomealonethiseveningandwouldbewillingtoseeme。
　　Wheredidsheseeyou-totellyouthat？
　　Shedidn’tseeme。shewrotetome。Isabelwassilent。neitherhadsatdown。theystoodtherewithanairofdefiance，oratleastofcontention。Henriettanevertoldmeshewaswritingtoyou，shesaidatlast。Thisisnotkindofher。
　　Isitsodisagreeabletoyoutoseeme？askedtheyoungman。
　　Ididn’texpectit。Idon’tlikesuchsurprises。
　　ButyouknewIwasintown。itwasnaturalweshouldmeet。
　　Doyoucallthismeeting？IhopedIshouldn’tseeyou。InsobigaplaceasLondonitseemedverypossible。
　　Itwasapparentlyrepugnanttoyoueventowritetome，hervisitorwenton。
　　Isabelmadenoreply。thesenseofHenriettaStackpole’streachery，asshemomentarilyqualifiedit，wasstrongwithinher。
　　Henrietta’scertainlynotamodelofallthedelicacies！sheexclaimedwithbitterness：Itwasagreatlibertytotake。
　　IsupposeI’mnotamodeleither-ofthosevirtuesorofanyothers。Thefault’smineasmuchashers。
　　AsIsabellookedathimitseemedtoherthathisjawhadneverbeenmoresquare。Thismighthavedispleasedher，butshetookadifferentturn。No，it’snotyourfaultsomuchashers。Whatyou’vedonewasinevitable，Isuppose，foryou。
　　Itwasindeed！criedCasparGoodwoodwithavoluntarylaugh。
　　AndnowthatI’vecome，atanyrate，mayn’tIstay？
　　Youmaysitdown，certainly。
　　Shewentbacktoherchairagain，whilehervisitortookthefirstplacethatoffered，inthemannerofamanaccustomedtopaylittlethoughttothatsortoffurtherance。I’vebeenhopingeverydayforananswertomyletter。Youmighthavewrittenmeafewlines。
　　Itwasn’tthetroubleofwritingthatpreventedme。Icouldaseasilyhavewrittenyoufourpagesasone。Butmysilencewasanintention，Isabelsaid。Ithoughtitthebestthing。
　　Hesatwithhiseyesfixedonherswhileshespoke。thenheloweredthemandattachedthemtoaspotinthecarpetasifheweremakingastrongefforttosaynothingbutwhatheought。Hewasastrongmaninthewrong，andhewasacuteenoughtoseethatanuncompromisingexhibitionofhisstrengthwouldonlythrowthefalsityofhispositionintorelief。Isabelwasnotincapableoftastinganyadvantageofpositionoverapersonofthisquality，andthoughlittledesiroustoflauntitinhisfaceshecouldenjoybeingabletosayYouknowyououghtn’ttohavewrittentomeyourself！andtosayitwithanairoftriumph。
　　CasparGoodwoodraisedhiseyestoherownagain。theyseemedtoshinethroughthevizardofahelmet。Hehadastrongsenseofjusticeandwasreadyanydayintheyear-overandabovethis-toarguethequestionofhisrights。Yousaidyouhopednevertohearfrommeagain。Iknowthat。ButIneveracceptedanysuchruleasmyown。I
　　warnedyouthatyoushouldhearverysoon。
　　Ididn’tsayIhopednevertohearfromyou，saidIsabel。
　　Notforfiveyearsthen。fortenyears。twentyyears。It’sthesamething。
　　Doyoufinditso？Itseemstomethere’sagreatdifference。Icanimaginethatattheendoftenyearswemighthaveaverypleasantcorrespondence。Ishallhavematuredmyepistolarystyle。
　　Shelookedawaywhileshespokethesewords，knowingthemofsomuchlessearnestacastthanthecountenanceofherlistener。Hereyes，however，atlastcamebacktohim，justashesaidveryirrelevantly：Areyouenjoyingyourvisittoyouruncle？
　　Verymuchindeed。Shedropped，butthenshebrokeout。Whatgooddoyouexpecttogetbyinsisting？
　　Thegoodofnotlosingyou。
　　You’venorighttotalkoflosingwhat’snotyours。Andevenfromyourownpointofview，Isabeladded，yououghttoknowwhentoletonealone。
　　Idisgustyouverymuch，saidCasparGoodwoodgloomily。notasiftoprovokehertocompassionforamanconsciousofthisblightingfact，butasiftosetitwellbeforehimself，sothathemightendeavourtoactwithhiseyesonit。
　　Yes，youdon’tatalldelightme，youdon’tfitin，notinanyway，justnow，andtheworstisthatyourputtingittotheproofinthismannerisquiteunnecessary。Itwasn’tcertainlyasifhisnaturehadbeensoft，sothatpin-prickswoulddrawbloodfromit。andfromthefirstofheracquaintancewithhim，andofherhavingtodefendherselfagainstacertainairthathehadofknowingbetterwhatwasgoodforherthansheknewherself，shehadrecognizedthefactthatperfectfranknesswasherbestweapon。Toattempttosparehissensibilityortoescapefromhimedgewise，asonemightdofromamanwhohadbarredthewaylesssturdily-this，indealingwithCasparGoodwood，whowouldgraspateverythingofeverysortthatonemightgivehim，waswastedagility。Itwasnotthathehadnotsusceptibilities，buthispassivesurface，aswellashisactive，waslargeandhard，andhemightalwaysbetrustedtodresshiswounds，sofarastheyrequiredit，himself。Shecameback，evenforhermeasureofpossiblepangsandachesinhim，toheroldsensethathewasnaturallyplatedandsteeled，armedessentiallyforaggression。
　　Ican’treconcilemyselftothat，hesimplysaid。Therewasadangerousliberalityaboutit。forshefelthowopenitwastohimtomakethepointthathehadnotalwaysdisgustedher。
　　Ican’treconcilemyselftoiteither，andit’snotthestateofthingsthatoughttoexistbetweenus。Ifyou’donlytrytobanishmefromyourmindforafewmonthsweshouldbeongoodtermsagain。
　　Isee。IfIshouldceasetothinkofyouatallforaprescribedtime，IshouldfindIcouldkeepitupindefinitely。
　　IndefinitelyismorethanIask。It’smoreeventhanIshouldlike。
　　Youknowthatwhatyouaskisimpossible，saidtheyoungman，takinghisadjectiveforgrantedinamannershefoundirritating。
　　Aren’tyoucapableofmakingacalculatedeffort？shedemanded。
　　You’restrongforeverythingelse。whyshouldn’tyoubestrongforthat？
　　Aneffortcalculatedforwhat？Andthenasshehungfire，I’mcapableofnothingwithregardtoyou，hewenton，butjustofbeinginfernallyinlovewithyou。Ifone’sstrongonelovesonlythemorestrongly。