There’sagooddealinthat。andindeedouryoungladyfelttheforceofit-feltitthrownoff，intothevastoftruthandpoetry，aspracticallyabaittoherimagination。Butshepromptlycameround。
　　Thinkofmeornot，asyoufindmostpossible。onlyleavemealone。
　　Untilwhen？
　　Well，forayearortwo。
　　Whichdoyoumean？Betweenoneyearandtwothere’sallthedifferenceintheworld。
　　Callittwothen，saidIsabelwithastudiedeffectofeagerness。
　　AndwhatshallIgainbythat？herfriendaskedwithnosignofwincing。
　　You’llhaveobligedmegreatly。
　　Andwhatwillbemyreward？
　　Doyouneedarewardforanactofgenerosity？
　　Yes，whenitinvolvesagreatsacrifice。
　　There’snogenerositywithoutsomesacrifice。Mendon’tunderstandsuchthings。Ifyoumakethesacrificeyou’llhaveallmyadmiration。
　　Idon’tcareacentforyouradmiration-notonestraw，withnothingtoshowforit。Whenwillyoumarryme？That’stheonlyquestion。
　　Never-ifyougoonmakingmefeelonlyasIfeelatpresent。
　　WhatdoIgainthenbynottryingtomakeyoufeelotherwise？
　　You’llgainquiteasmuchasbyworryingmetodeath！CasparGoodwoodbenthiseyesagainandgazedawhileintothecrownofhishat。Adeepflushoverspreadhisface。shecouldseehersharpnesshadatlastpenetrated。Thisimmediatelyhadavalue-classic，romantic，redeeming，whatdidsheknow？-forher。thestrongmaninpainwasoneofthecategoriesofthehumanappeal，littlecharmashemightexertinthegivencase。Whydoyoumakemesaysuchthingstoyou？shecriedinatremblingvoice。Ionlywanttobegentle-tobethoroughlykind。It’snotdelightfultometofeelpeoplecareformeandyettohavetotryandreasonthemoutofit。Ithinkothersalsooughttobeconsiderate。wehaveeachtojudgeforourselves。I
　　knowyou’reconsiderate，asmuchasyoucanbe。you’vegoodreasonsforwhatyoudo。ButIreallydon’twanttomarry，ortotalkaboutitatallnow。Ishallprobablyneverdoit-no，never。I’veaperfectrighttofeelthatway，andit’snokindnesstoawomantopresshersohard，tourgeheragainstherwill。IfIgiveyoupainIcanonlysayI’mverysorry。It’snotmyfault。Ican’tmarryyousimplytopleaseyou。Iwon’tsaythatIshallalwaysremainyourfriend，becausewhenwomensaythat，inthesesituations，itpasses，I
　　believe，forasortofmockery。Buttrymesomeday。
　　CasparGoodwood，duringthisspeech，hadkepthiseyesfixeduponthenameofhishatter，anditwasnotuntilsometimeaftershehadceasedspeakingthatheraisedthem。Whenhedidsothesightofarosy，lovelyeagernessinIsabel’sfacethrewsomeconfusionintohisattempttoanalyzeherwords。I’llgohome-I’llgoto-morrow-
　　I’llleaveyoualone，hebroughtoutatlast。Only，heheavilysaid，Ihatetolosesightofyou！
　　Neverfear。Ishalldonoharm。
　　You’llmarrysomeoneelse，assureasIsithere，CasparGoodwooddeclared。
　　Doyouthinkthatagenerouscharge？
　　Whynot？Plentyofmenwilltrytomakeyou。
　　ItoldyoujustnowthatIdon’twishtomarryandthatIalmostcertainlynevershall。
　　Iknowyoudid，andIlikeyour’almostcertainly’！Iputnofaithinwhatyousay。
　　Thankyouverymuch。Doyouaccusemeoflyingtoshakeyouoff？
　　Yousayverydelicatethings。
　　WhyshouldInotsaythat？You’vegivenmenopledgeofanythingatall。
　　No，that’sallthatwouldbewanting！
　　Youmayperhapsevenbelieveyou’resafe-fromwishingtobe。Butyou’renot，theyoungmanwentonasifpreparinghimselffortheworst。
　　Verywellthen。We’llputitthatI’mnotsafe。Haveitasyouplease。
　　Idon’tknow，however，saidCasparGoodwood，thatmykeepingyouinsightwouldpreventit。
　　Don’tyouindeed？I’mafterallverymuchafraidofyou。DoyouthinkI’msoveryeasilypleased？sheaskedsuddenly，changinghertone。
　　No-Idon’t。Ishalltrytoconsolemyselfwiththat。Butthereareacertainnumberofverydazzlingmenintheworld，nodoubt。andiftherewereonlyoneitwouldbeenough。Themostdazzlingofallwillmakestraightforyou。You’llbesuretotakenoonewhoisn’tdazzling。
　　Ifyoumeanbydazzlingbrilliantlyclever，Isabelsaid-andI
　　can’timaginewhatelseyoumean-Idon’tneedtheaidofaclevermantoteachmehowtolive。Icanfinditoutformyself。
　　Findouthowtolivealone？Iwishthat，whenyouhave，you’dteachme！
　　Shelookedathimamoment。thenwithaquicksmile，Oh，yououghttomarry！shesaid。
　　Hemightbepardonedifforaninstantthisexclamationseemedtohimtosoundtheinfernalnote，anditisnotonrecordthathermotivefordischargingsuchashafthadbeenoftheclearest。Heoughtn’ttostrideaboutleanandhungry，however-shecertainlyfeltthatforhim。Godforgiveyou！hemurmuredbetweenhisteethasheturnedaway。
　　Heraccenthadputherslightlyinthewrong，andafteramomentshefelttheneedtorightherself。Theeasiestwaytodoitwastoplacehimwhereshehadbeen。Youdomegreatinjustice-yousaywhatyoudon’tknow！shebrokeout。Ishouldn’tbeaneasyvictim-I’veprovedit。
　　Oh，tome，perfectly。
　　I’veprovedittoothersaswell。Andshepausedamoment。I
　　refusedaproposalofmarriagelastweek。whattheycall-nodoubt-
　　adazzlingone。
　　I’mverygladtohearit，saidtheyoungmangravely。
　　Itwasaproposalmanygirlswouldhaveaccepted。ithadeverythingtorecommendit。Isabelhadnotproposedtoherselftotellthisstory，but，nowshehadbegun，thesatisfactionofspeakingitoutanddoingherselfjusticetookpossessionofher。Iwasofferedagreatpositionandagreatfortune-byapersonwhomIlikeextremely。
　　Casparwatchedherwithintenseinterest。IsheanEnglishman？
　　He’sanEnglishnobleman，saidIsabel。
　　Hervisitorreceivedthisannouncementatfirstinsilence，butatlastsaid：I’mgladhe’sdisappointed。
　　Wellthen，asyouhavecompanionsinmisfortune，makethebestofit。
　　Idon’tcallhimacompanion，saidCaspargrimly。
　　Whynot-sinceIdeclinedhisofferabsolutely？
　　Thatdoesn’tmakehimmycompanion。Besides，he’sanEnglishman。
　　Andprayisn’tanEnglishmanahumanbeing？Isabelasked。
　　Oh，thosepeople？They’renotofmyhumanity，andIdon’tcarewhatbecomesofthem。
　　You’reveryangry，saidthegirl。We’vediscussedthismatterquiteenough。
　　Ohyes，I’mveryangry。Ipleadguiltytothat！
　　Sheturnedawayfromhim，walkedtotheopenwindowandstoodamomentlookingintotheduskyvoidofthestreet，whereaturbidgaslightalonerepresentedsocialanimation。Forsometimeneitheroftheseyoungpersonsspoke。Casparlingerednearthechimney-piecewitheyesgloomilyattached。Shehadvirtuallyrequestedhimtogo-heknewthat。butattheriskofmakinghimselfodioushekepthisground。Shewastoonursedaneedtobeeasilyrenounced，andhehadcrossedtheseaalltowringfromhersomescrapofavow。Presentlysheleftthewindowandstoodagainbeforehim。Youdomeverylittlejustice-aftermytellingyouwhatItoldyoujustnow。I’msorryI
　　toldyou-sinceitmatterssolittletoyou。
　　Ah，criedtheyoungman，ifyouwerethinkingofmewhenyoudidit！Andthenhepausedwiththefearthatshemightcontradictsohappyathought。
　　Iwasthinkingofyoualittle，saidIsabel。
　　Alittle？Idon’tunderstand。IftheknowledgeofwhatIfeelforyouhadanyweightwithyouatall，callingita’little’isapooraccountofit。
　　Isabelshookherheadasiftocarryoffablunder。I’verefusedamostkind，noblegentleman。Makethemostofthat。
　　Ithankyouthen，saidCasparGoodwoodgravely。Ithankyouimmensely。
　　Andnowyouhadbettergohome。
　　MayInotseeyouagain？heasked。
　　Ithinkit’sbetternot。You’llbesuretotalkofthis，andyouseeitleadstonothing。
　　Ipromiseyounottosayawordthatwillannoyyou。
　　Isabelreflectedandthenanswered：Ireturninadayortwotomyuncle’s，andIcan’tproposetoyoutocomethere。Itwouldbetooinconsistent。
　　CasparGoodwood，onhisside，considered。Youmustdomejusticetoo。Ireceivedaninvitationtoyouruncle’smorethanaweekago，andIdeclinedit。
　　Shebetrayedsurprise。Fromwhomwasyourinvitation？
　　FromMr。RalphTouchett，whomIsupposetobeyourcousin。I
　　declineditbecauseIhadnotyourauthorizationtoacceptit。ThesuggestionthatMr。TouchettshouldinvitemeappearedtohavecomefromMissStackpole。
　　Itcertainlyneverdidfromme。Henriettareallygoesveryfar，
　　Isabeladded。
　　Don’tbetoohardonher-thattouchesme。
　　No。ifyoudeclinedyoudidquiteright，andIthankyouforit。
　　AndshegavealittleshudderofdismayatthethoughtthatLordWarburtonandMr。GoodwoodmighthavemetatGardencourt：itwouldhavebeensoawkwardforLordWarburton。
　　Whenyouleaveyourunclewheredoyougo？hercompanionasked。
　　Igoabroadwithmyaunt-toFlorenceandotherplaces。
　　Theserenityofthisannouncementstruckachilltotheyoungman’sheart。heseemedtoseeherwhirledawayintocirclesfromwhichhewasinexorablyexcluded。Neverthelesshewentonquicklywithhisquestions。AndwhenshallyoucomebacktoAmerica？
　　Perhapsnotforalongtime。I’mveryhappyhere。
　　Doyoumeantogiveupyourcountry？
　　Don’tbeaninfant！
　　Well，you’llbeoutofmysightindeed！saidCasparGoodwood。
　　Idon’tknow，sheansweredrathergrandly。Theworld-withalltheseplacessoarrangedandsotouchingeachother-comestostrikeoneasrathersmall。
　　It’sasighttoobigforme！Casparexclaimedwithasimplicityouryoungladymighthavefoundtouchingifherfacehadnotbeensetagainstconcessions。
　　Thisattitudewaspartofasystem，atheory，thatshehadlatelyembraced，andtobethoroughshesaidafteramoment：Don’tthinkmeunkindifIsayit’sjustthat-beingoutofyoursight-thatI
　　like。IfyouwereinthesameplaceIshouldfeelyouwerewatchingme，andIdon’tlikethat-Ilikemylibertytoomuch。Ifthere’sathingintheworldI’mfondof，shewentonwithaslightrecurrenceofgrandeur，it’smypersonalindependence。
　　ButwhatevertheremightbeofthetoosuperiorinthisspeechmovedCasparGoodwood’sadmiration。therewasnothinghewincedatinthelargeairofit。Hehadneversupposedshehadn’twingsandtheneedofbeautifulfreemovements-hewasn’t，withhisownlongarmsandstrides，afraidofanyforceinher。Isabel’swords，iftheyhadbeenmeanttoshockhim，failedofthemarkandonlymadehimsmilewiththesensethatherewascommonground。WhowouldwishlesstocurtailyourlibertythanI？Whatcangivemegreaterpleasurethantoseeyouperfectlyindependent-doingwhateveryoulike？It’stomakeyouindependentthatIwanttomarryyou。
　　That’sabeautifulsophism，saidthegirlwithasmilemorebeautifulstill。
　　Anummarriedwoman-agirlofyourage-isn’tindependent。Thereareallsortsofthingsshecan’tdo。She’shamperedateverystep。
　　That’sasshelooksatthequestion，Isabelansweredwithmuchspirit。notinmyfirstyouth-IcandowhatIchoose-Ibelongquitetotheindependentclass。I’veneitherfathernormother。I’mpoorandofaseriousdisposition。I’mnotpretty。Ithereforeamnotboundtobetimidandconventional。indeedIcan’taffordsuchluxuries。Besides，Itrytojudgethingsformyself。tojudgewrong，I
　　think，ismorehonourablethannottojudgeatall。Idon’twishtobeameresheepintheflock。Iwishtochoosemyfateandknowsomethingofhumanaffairsbeyondwhatotherpeoplethinkitcompatiblewithproprietytotellme。Shepausedamoment，butnotlongenoughforhercompaniontoreply。Hewasapparentlyonthepointofdoingsowhenshewenton：Letmesaythistoyou，Mr。Goodwood。You’resokindastospeakofbeingafraidofmymarrying。IfyoushouldheararumourthatI’monthepointofdoingso-girlsareliabletohavesuchthingssaidaboutthem-rememberwhatIhavetoldyouaboutmyloveoflibertyandventuretodoubtit。
　　Therewassomethingpassionatelypositiveinthetoneinwhichshegavehimthisadvice，andhesawashiningcandourinhereyesthathelpedhimtobelieveher。Onthewholehefeltreassured，andyoumighthaveperceiveditbythemannerinwhichhesaid，quiteeagerly：
　　Youwantsimplytotravelfortwoyears？I’mquitewillingtowaittwoyears，andyoumaydowhatyoulikeintheinterval。Ifthat’sallyouwant，praysayso。Idon’twantyoutobeconventional。doI
　　strikeyouasconventionalmyself？Doyouwanttoimproveyourmind？
　　Yourmind’squitegoodenoughforme。butifitinterestsyoutowanderaboutawhileandseedifferentcountriesIshallbedelightedtohelpyouinanywayinmypower。
　　You’reverygenerous。that’snothingnewtome。Thebestwaytohelpmewillbetoputasmanyhundredmilesofseabetweenusaspossible。
　　Onewouldthinkyouweregoingtocommitsomeatrocity！saidCasparGoodwood。
　　PerhapsIam。Iwishtobefreeeventodothatifthefancytakesme。
　　Wellthen，hesaidslowly，I’llgohome。Andheputouthishand，tryingtolookcontentedandconfident。
　　Isabel’sconfidenceinhim，however，wasgreaterthananyhecouldfeelinher。Notthathethoughthercapableofcommittinganatrocity。but，turnitoverashewould，therewassomethingominousinthewayshereservedheroption。Asshetookhishandshefeltagreatrespectforhim。sheknewhowmuchhecaredforherandshethoughthimmagnanimous。Theystoodsoforamoment，lookingateachother，unitedbyahand-claspwhichwasnotmerelypassiveonherside。That’sright，shesaidverykindly，almosttenderly。You’lllosenothingbybeingareasonableman。
　　ButI’llcomeback，whereveryouare，twoyearshence，hereturnedwithcharacteristicgrimness。
　　Wehaveseenthatouryoungladywasinconsequent，andatthisshesuddenlychangedhernote。Ah，remember，Ipromisenothing-
　　absolutelynothing！Thenmoresoftly，asiftohelphimtoleaveher：
　　AndremembertoothatIshallnotbeaneasyvictim！
　　You’llgetverysickofyourindependence。
　　PerhapsIshall。it’sevenveryprobable。WhenthatdaycomesI
　　shallbeverygladtoseeyou。
　　Shehadlaidherhandontheknobofthedoorthatledintoherroom，andshewaitedamomenttoseewhetherhervisitorwouldnottakehisdeparture。Butheappearedunabletomove。therewasstillanimmenseunwillingnessinhisattitudeandasoreremonstranceinhiseyes。Imustleaveyounow，saidIsabel。andsheopenedthedoorandpassedintotheotherroom。
　　Thisapartmentwasdark，butthedarknesswastemperedbyavagueradiancesentupthroughthewindowfromthecourtofthehotel，andIsabelcouldmakeoutthemassesofthefurniture，thedimshiningofthemirrorandtheloomingofthebigfour-postedbed。Shestoodstillamoment，listening，andatlastsheheardCasparGoodwoodwalkoutofthesitting-roomandclosethedoorbehindhim。Shestoodstillalittlelonger，andthen，byanirresistibleimpulse，droppedonherkneesbeforeherbedandhidherfaceinherarms。
　　CHAPTER17
　　Shewasnotpraying。shewastrembling-tremblingallover。
　　Vibrationwaseasytoher，wasinfacttooconstantwithher，andshefoundherselfnowhumminglikeasmittenharp。Sheonlyasked，however，toputonthecover，tocaseherselfagaininbrownholland，butshewishedtoresistherexcitement，andtheattitudeofdevotion，whichshekeptforsometime，seemedtohelphertobestill。SheintenselyrejoicedthatCasparGoodwoodwasgone。therewassomethinginhavingthusgotridofhimthatwaslikethepayment，forastampedreceipt，ofsomedebttoolongonhermind。Asshefeltthegladreliefshebowedherheadalittlelower。thesensewasthere，throbbinginherheart。itwaspartofheremotion，butitwasathingtobeashamedof-itwasprofaneandoutofplace。Itwasnotforsometenminutesthatsherosefromherknees，andevenwhenshecamebacktothesitting-roomhertremorhadnotquitesubsided。Ithadhad，verily，twocauses：partofitwastobeaccountedforbyherlongdiscussionwithMr。Goodwood，butitmightbefearedthattherestwassimplytheenjoymentshefoundintheexerciseofherpower。Shesatdowninthesamechairagainandtookupherbook，butwithoutgoingthroughtheformofopeningthevolume。
　　Sheleanedback，withthatlow，soft，aspiringmurmurwithwhichsheoftenutteredherresponsetoaccidentsofwhichthebrightersidewasnotsuperficiallyobvious，andyieldedtothesatisfactionofhavingrefusedtwoardentsuitorsinafortnight。ThatloveoflibertyofwhichshehadgivenCasparGoodwoodsoboldasketchwasasyetalmostexclusivelytheoretic。shehadnotbeenabletoindulgeitonalargescale。Butitappearedtohershehaddonesomething。shehadtastedofthedelight，ifnotofbattle，atleastofvictory。shehaddonewhatwastruesttoherplan。IntheglowofthisconsciousnesstheimageofMr。Goodwoodtakinghissadwalkhomewardthroughthedingytownpresenteditselfwithacertainreproachfulforce。sothat，asatthesamemomentthedooroftheroomwasopened，sherosewithanapprehensionthathehadcomeback。ButitwasonlyHenriettaStackpolereturningfromherdinner。
　　MissStackpoleimmediatelysawthatouryoungladyhadbeenthroughsomething，andindeedthediscoverydemandednogreatpenetration。Shewentstraightuptoherfriend，whoreceivedherwithoutagreeting。Isabel’selationinhavingsentCasparGoodwoodbacktoAmericapresupposedherbeinginamannergladhehadcometoseeher。butatthesametimesheperfectlyrememberedHenriettahadhadnorighttosetatrapforher。Hashebeenhere，dear？
　　thelatteryearninglyasked。
　　Isabelturnedawayandforsomemomentsanswerednothing。Youactedverywrongly，shedeclaredatlast。
　　Iactedforthebest。Ionlyhopeyouactedaswell。
　　You’renotthejudge。Ican’ttrustyou，saidIsabel。
　　Thisdeclarationwasunflattering，butHenriettawasmuchtoounselfishtoheedthechargeitconveyed。shecaredonlyforwhatitintimatedwithregardtoherfriend。IsabelArcher，sheobservedwithequalabruptnessandsolemnity，ifyoumarryoneofthesepeopleI’llneverspeaktoyouagain！
　　BeforemakingsoterribleathreatyouhadbetterwaittillI’masked，Isabelreplied。NeverhavingsaidawordtoMissStackpoleaboutLordWarburton’sovertures，shehadnownoimpulsewhatevertojustifyherselftoHenriettabytellingherthatshehadrefusedthatnobleman。
　　Oh，you’llbeaskedquickenough，onceyougetoffontheContinent。AnnieClimberwasaskedthreetimesinItaly-poorplainlittleAnnie。
　　Well，ifAnnieClimberwasn’tcapturedwhyshouldIbe？
　　Idon’tbelieveAnniewaspressed。butyou’llbe。
　　That’saflatteringconviction，saidIsabelwithoutalarm。
　　Idon’tflatteryou，Isabel，Itellyouthetruth！criedherfriend。Ihopeyoudon’tmeantotellmethatyoudidn’tgiveMr。
　　Goodwoodsomehope。
　　Idon’tseewhyIshouldtellyouanything。asIsaidtoyoujustnow，Ican’ttrustyou。Butsinceyou’resomuchinterestedinMr。
　　GoodwoodIwon’tconcealfromyouthathereturnsimmediatelytoAmerica。
　　Youdon’tmeantosayyou’vesenthimoff？Henriettaalmostshrieked。
　　Iaskedhimtoleavemealone。andIaskyouthesame，Henrietta。MissStackpoleglitteredforaninstantwithdismayandthenpassedtothemirroroverthechimney-pieceandtookoffherbonnet。Ihopeyou’veenjoyedyourdinner，Isabelwenton。
　　Buthercompanionwasnottobedivertedbyfrivolouspropositions。Doyouknowwhereyou’regoing，IsabelArcher？
　　JustnowI’mgoingtobed，saidIsabelwithpersistentfrivolity。
　　Doyouknowwhereyou’redrifting？Henriettapursued，holdingoutherbonnetdelicately。
　　No，Ihaven’ttheleastidea，andIfinditverypleasantnottoknow。Aswiftcarriage，ofadarknight，rattlingwithfourhorsesoverroadsthatonecan’tsee-that’smyideaofhappiness。
　　Mr。Goodwoodcertainlydidn’tteachyoutosaysuchthingsasthat-
　　liketheheroineofanimmoralnovel，saidMissStackpole。You’redriftingtosomegreatmistake。
　　Isabelwasirritatedbyherfriend’sinterference，yetshestilltriedtothinkwhattruththisdeclarationcouldrepresent。Shecouldthinkofnothingthatdivertedherfromsaying：Youmustbeveryfondofme，Henrietta，tobewillingtobesoaggressive。
　　Iloveyouintensely，Isabel，saidMissStackpolewithfeeling。
　　Well，ifyoulovemeintenselyletmeasintenselyalone。IaskedthatofMr。Goodwood，andImustalsoaskitofyou。
　　Takecareyou’renotletalonetoomuch。
　　That’swhatMr。Goodwoodsaidtome。ItoldhimImusttaketherisks。
　　You’reacreatureofrisks-youmakemeshudder！criedHenrietta。WhendoesMr。GoodwoodreturntoAmerica？
　　Idon’tknow-hedidn’ttellme。
　　Perhapsyoudidn’tenquire，saidHenriettawiththenoteofrighteousirony。
　　Igavehimtoolittlesatisfactiontohavetherighttoaskquestionsofhim。
　　ThisassertionseemedtoMissStackpoleforamomenttobiddefiancetocomment。butatlastsheexclaimed：Well，Isabel，ifIdidn’tknowyouImightthinkyouwereheartless！
　　Takecare，saidIsabel。you’respoilingme。
　　I’mafraidI’vedonethatalready。Ihope，atleast，MissStackpoleadded，thathemaycrosswithAnnieClimber！
　　IsabellearnedfromherthenextmorningthatshehaddeterminednottoreturntoGardencourtwhereoldMr。Touchetthadpromisedherarenewedwelcome，buttoawaitinLondonthearrivaloftheinvitationthatMr。BantlinghadpromisedherfromhissisterLadyPensil。MissStackpolerelatedveryfreelyherconversationwithRalphTouchett’ssociablefriendanddeclaredtoIsabelthatshereallybelievedshehadnowgotholdofsomethingthatwouldleadtosomething。OnthereceiptofLadyPensil’sletter-Mr。Bantlinghadvirtuallyguaranteedthearrivalofthisdocument-shewouldimmediatelydepartforBedfordshire，andifIsabelcaredtolookoutforherimpressionsintheInterviewershewouldcertainlyfindthem。Henriettawasevidentlygoingtoseesomethingoftheinnerlifethistime。
　　Doyouknowwhereyou’redrifting，HenriettaStackpole？Isabelasked，imitatingthetoneinwhichherfriendhadspokenthenightbefore。
　　I’mdriftingtoabigposition-thatoftheQueenofAmericanJournalism。Ifmynextletterisn’tcopiedallovertheWestI’llswallowmypen-wiper！
　　ShehadarrangedwithherfriendMissAnnieClimber，theyoungladyofthecontinentaloffers，thattheyshouldgotogethertomakethosepurchaseswhichweretoconstituteMissClimber’sfarewelltoahemisphereinwhichsheatleasthadbeenappreciated。andshepresentlyrepairedtoJermynStreettopickuphercompanion。
　　ShortlyafterherdepartureRalphTouchettwasannounced，andassoonashecameinIsabelsawhehadsomethingonhismind。Heverysoontookhiscousinintohisconfidence。Hehadreceivedfromhismotheratelegramtotheeffectthathisfatherhadhadasharpattackofhisoldmalady，thatshewasmuchalarmedandthatshebeggedhewouldinstantlyreturntoGardencourt。OnthisoccasionatleastMrs。Touchett’sdevotiontotheelectricwirewasnotopentocriticism。
　　I’vejudgeditbesttoseethegreatdoctor，SirMatthewHope，first，Ralphsaid。bygreatgoodluckhe’sintown。He’stoseemeathalf-pasttwelve，andIshallmakesureofhiscomingdowntoGardencourt-whichhewilldothemorereadilyashehasalreadyseenmyfatherseveraltimes，boththereandinLondon。There’sanexpressattwo-forty-five，whichIshalltake。andyou’llcomebackwithmeorremainhereafewdayslonger，exactlyasyouprefer。
　　Ishallcertainlygowithyou，Isabelreturned。Idon’tsupposeI
　　canbeofanyusetomyuncle，butifhe’sillIshallliketobenearhim。
　　Ithinkyou’refondofhim，saidRalphwithacertainshypleasureinhisface。Youappreciatehim，whichalltheworldhasn’tdone。Thequality’stoofine。
　　Iquiteadorehim，Isabelafteramomentsaid。
　　That’sverywell。Afterhissonhe’syourgreatestadmirer。
　　Shewelcomedthisassurance，butshegavesecretlyasmallsighofreliefatthethoughtthatMr。Touchettwasoneofthoseadmirerswhocouldn’tproposetomarryher。This，however，wasnotwhatshespoke。shewentontoinformRalphthattherewereotherreasonsforhernotremaininginLondon。Shewastiredofitandwishedtoleaveit。andthenHenriettawasgoingaway-goingtostayinBedfordshire。
　　InBedfordshire？
　　WithLadyPensil，thesisterofMr。Bantling，whohasansweredforaninvitation。
　　Ralphwasfeelinganxious，butatthishebrokeintoalaugh。
　　Suddenly，nonetheless，hisgravityreturned。Bantling’samanofcourage。Butiftheinvitationshouldgetlostontheway？
　　IthoughttheBritishpost-officewasimpeccable。
　　ThegoodHomersometimesnods，saidRalph。However，hewentonmorebrightly，thegoodBantlingneverdoes，and，whateverhappens，he’lltakecareofHenrietta。
　　RalphwenttokeephisappointmentwithSirMatthewHope，andIsabelmadeherarrangementsforquittingPratt’sHotel。Heruncle’sdangertouchedhernearly，andwhileshestoodbeforeheropentrunk，lookingabouthervaguelyforwhatsheshouldputintoit，thetearssuddenlyrosetohereyes。ItwasperhapsforthisreasonthatwhenRalphcamebackattwoo’clocktotakehertothestationshewasnotyetready。HefoundMissStackpole，however，inthesitting-room，whereshehadjustrisenfromherluncheon，andthisladyimmediatelyexpressedherregretathisfather’sillness。
　　He’sagrandoldman，shesaid。he’sfaithfultothelast。Ifit’sreallytobethelast-pardonmyalludingtoit，butyoumustoftenhavethoughtofthepossibility-I’msorrythatIshallnotbeatGardencourt。
　　You’llamuseyourselfmuchmoreinBedfordshire。
　　Ishallbesorrytoamusemyselfatsuchatime，saidHenriettawithmuchpropriety。Butsheimmediatelyadded：Ishouldlikesotocommemoratetheclosingscene。
　　Myfathermaylivealongtime，saidRalphsimply。Then，advertingtotopicsmorecheerful，heinterrogatedMissStackpoleastoherownfuture。
　　NowthatRalphwasintroublesheaddressedhiminatoneoflargerallowanceandtoldhimthatshewasmuchindebtedtohimforhavingmadeheracquaintedwithMr。Bantling。HehastoldmejustthethingsIwanttoknow，shesaid。allthesociety-itemsandallabouttheroyalfamily。Ican’tmakeoutthatwhathetellsmeabouttheroyalfamilyismuchtotheircredit。buthesaysthat’sonlymypeculiarwayoflookingatit。Well，allIwantisthatheshouldgivemethefacts。Icanputthemtogetherquickenough，onceI’vegotthem。AndsheaddedthatMr。Bantlinghadbeensogoodastopromisetocomeandtakeheroutthatafternoon。
　　Totakeyouwhere？Ralphventuredtoenquire。
　　ToBuckinghamPalace。He’sgoingtoshowmeoverit，sothatI
　　maygetsomeideahowtheylive。
　　Ah，saidRalph，weleaveyouingoodhands。Thefirstthingweshallhearisthatyou’reinvitedtoWindsorCastle。
　　Iftheyaskme，Ishallcertainlygo。OnceIgetstartedI’mnotafraid。Butforallthat，Henriettaaddedinamoment，I’mnotsatisfied。I’mnotatpeaceaboutIsabel。
　　Whatisherlastmisdemeanour？
　　Well，I’vetoldyoubefore，andIsupposethere’snoharminmygoingon。IalwaysfinishasubjectthatItakeup。Mr。Goodwoodwasherelastnight。
　　Ralphopenedhiseyes。heevenblushedalittle-hisblushbeingthesignofanemotionsomewhatacute。HerememberedthatIsabel，inseparatingfromhiminWinchesterSquare，hadrepudiatedhissuggestionthathermotiveindoingsowastheexpectationofavisitoratPratesHotel，anditwasanewpangtohimtohavetosuspectherofduplicity。Ontheotherhand，hequicklysaidtohimself，whatconcernwasitofhisthatsheshouldhavemadeanappointmentwithalover？Haditnotbeenthoughtgracefulineveryagethatyoungladiesshouldmakeamysteryofsuchappointments？
　　RalphgaveMissStackpoleadiplomaticanswer。Ishouldhavethoughtthat，withtheviewsyouexpressedtometheotherday，thiswouldsatisfyyouperfectly。
　　Thatheshouldcometoseeher？Thatwasverywell，asfarasitwent。Itwasalittleplotofmine。IlethimknowthatwewereinLondon，andwhenithadbeenarrangedthatIshouldspendtheeveningoutIsenthimaword-thewordwejustuttertothe’wise。’I
　　hopedhewouldfindheralone。Iwon’tpretendIdidn’thopethatyou’dbeoutoftheway。Hecametoseeher，buthemightaswellhavestayedaway。
　　Isabelwascruel？-andRalph’sfacelightedwiththereliefofhiscousin’snothavingshownduplicity。
　　Idon’texactlyknowwhatpassedbetweenthem。Butshegavehimnosatisfaction-shesenthimbacktoAmerica。
　　PoorMr。Goodwood！Ralphsighed。
　　Heronlyideaseemstobetogetridofhim，Henriettawenton。
　　PoorMr。Goodwood！Ralphrepeated。Theexclamation，itmustbeconfessed，wasautomatic。itfailedexactlytoexpresshisthoughts，whichweretakinganotherline。
　　Youdon’tsaythatasifyoufeltit。Idon’tbelieveyoucare。
　　Ah，saidRalph，youmustrememberthatIdon’tknowthisinterestingyoungman-thatI’veneverseenhim。
　　Well，Ishallseehim，andIshalltellhimnottogiveup。IfI
　　didn’tbelieveIsabelwouldcomeround，MissStackpoleadded-
　　well，I’dgiveupmyself。ImeanI’dgiveherup！
　　CHAPTER18
　　IthadoccurredtoRalphthat，intheconditions，Isabel’spartingwithherfriendmightbeofaslightlyembarrassednature，andhewentdowntothedoorofthehotelinadvanceofhiscousin，who，afteraslightdelay，followedwiththetracesofanunacceptedremonstrance，ashethought，inhereyes。ThetwomadethejourneytoGardencourtinalmostunbrokensilence，andtheservantwhometthematthestationhadnobetternewstogivethemofMr。Touchett-afactwhichcausedRalphtocongratulatehimselfafreshonSirMatthewHope’shavingpromisedtocomedowninthefiveo’clocktrainandspendthenight。Mrs。Touchett，helearned，onreachinghome，hadbeenconstantlywiththeoldmanandwaswithhimatthatmoment。andthisfactmadeRalphsaytohimselfthat，afterall，whathismotherwantedwasjusteasyoccasion。Thefinernatureswerethosethatshoneatthelargertimes。Isabelwenttoherownroom，notingthroughoutthehousethatperceptiblehushwhichprecedesacrisis。Attheendofanhour，however，shecamedownstairsinsearchofheraunt，whomshewishedtoaskaboutMr。Touchett。Shewentintothelibrary，butMrs。Touchettwasnotthere，andastheweather，whichhadbeendampandchill，wasnowaltogetherspoiled，itwasnotprobableshehadgoneforherusualwalkinthegrounds。
　　Isabelwasonthepointofringingtosendaquestiontoherroom，whenthispurposequicklyyieldedtoanunexpectedsound-thesoundoflowmusicproceedingapparentlyfromthesaloon。Sheknewherauntnevertouchedthepiano，andthemusicianwasthereforeprobablyRalph，whoplayedforhisownamusement。Thatheshouldhaveresortedtothisrecreationatthepresenttimeindicatedapparentlythathisanxietyabouthisfatherhadbeenrelieved。sothatthegirltookherway，almostwithrestoredcheer，towardthesourceoftheharmony。Thedrawing-roomatGardencourtwasanapartmentofgreatdistances，and，asthepianowasplacedattheendofitfurthestremovedfromthedooratwhichsheentered，herarrivalwasnotnoticedbythepersonseatedbeforetheinstrument。ThispersonwasneitherRalphnorhismother。itwasaladywhomIsabelimmediatelysawtobeastrangertoherself，thoughherbackwaspresentedtothedoor。Thisback-anampleandwell-dressedone-Isabelviewedforsomemomentswithsurprise。Theladywasofcourseavisitorwhohadarrivedduringherabsenceandwhohadnotbeenmentionedbyeitheroftheservants-oneofthemheraunt’smaid-ofwhomshehadhadspeechsinceherreturn。Isabelhadalreadylearned，however，withwhattreasuresofreservethefunctionofreceivingordersmaybeaccompanied，andshewasparticularlyconsciousofhavingbeentreatedwithdrynessbyheraunt’smaid，throughwhosehandsshehadslippedperhapsalittletoomistrustfullyandwithaneffectofplumagebutthemorelustrous。
　　Theadventofaguestwasinitselffarfromdisconcerting。shehadnotyetdivestedherselfofayoungfaiththateachnewacquaintancewouldexertsomemomentousinfluenceonherlife。Bythetimeshehadmadethesereflexionsshebecameawarethattheladyatthepianoplayedremarkablywell。ShewasplayingsomethingofSchubert’s-Isabelknewnotwhat，butrecognizedSchubert-andshetouchedthepianowithadiscretionofherown。Itshowedskill，itshowedfeeling。Isabelsatdownnoiselesslyonthenearestchairandwaitedtilltheendofthepiece。Whenitwasfinishedshefeltastrongdesiretothanktheplayer，androsefromherseattodoso，whileatthesametimethestrangerturnedquicklyround，asifbutjustawareofherpresence。
　　That’sverybeautiful，andyourplayingmakesitmorebeautifulstill，saidIsabelwithalltheyoungradiancewithwhichsheusuallyutteredatruthfulrapture。
　　Youdon’tthinkIdisturbedMr。Touchettthen？themusicianansweredassweetlyasthiscomplimentdeserved。ThehouseissolargeandhisroomsofarawaythatIthoughtImightventure，especiallyasIplayedjust-justduboutdesdoigts。
　　She’saFrenchwoman，Isabelsaidtoherself。shesaysthatasifshewereFrench。Andthissuppositionmadethevisitormoreinterestingtoourspeculativeheroine。Ihopemyuncle’sdoingwell，Isabeladded。Ishouldthinkthattohearsuchlovelymusicasthatwouldreallymakehimfeelbetter。
　　Theladysmiledanddiscriminated。I’mafraidtherearemomentsinlifewhenevenSchuberthasnothingtosaytous。Wemustadmit，however，thattheyareourworst。
　　I’mnotinthatstatenowthen，saidIsabel。OnthecontraryI
　　shouldbesogladifyouwouldplaysomethingmore。
　　Ifitwillgiveyoupleasure-delighted。Andthisobligingpersontookherplaceagainandstruckafewchords，whileIsabelsatdownnearertheinstrument。Suddenlythenew-comerstoppedwithherhandsonthekeys，half-turningandlookingoverhershoulder。Shewasfortyyearsoldandnotpretty，thoughherexpressioncharmed。
　　Pardonme，shesaid。butareyoutheniece-theyoungAmerican？
　　I’mmyaunt’sniece，Isabelrepliedwithsimplicity。
　　Theladyatthepianosatstillamomentlonger，castingherairofinterestoverhershoulder。That’sverywell。we’recompatriots。Andthenshebegantoplay。
　　Ahthenshe’snotFrench，Isabelmurmured。andastheoppositesuppositionhadmadeherromanticitmighthaveseemedthatthisrevelationwouldhavemarkedadrop。Butsuchwasnotthefact。
　　rarereventhantobeFrenchseemedittobeAmericanonsuchinterestingterms。
　　Theladyplayedinthesamemannerasbefore，softlyandsolemnly，andwhilesheplayedtheshadowsdeepenedintheroom。Theautumntwilightgatheredin，andfromherplaceIsabelcouldseetherain，whichhadnowbeguninearnest，washingthecold-lookinglawnandthewindshakingthegreattrees。Atlast，whenthemusichadceased，hercompaniongotupand，comingnearerwithasmile，beforeIsabelhadtimetothankheragain，said：I’mverygladyou’vecomeback。I’veheardagreatdealaboutyou。
　　Isabelthoughtheraveryattractiveperson，butneverthelessspokewithacertainabruptnessinreplytothisspeech。Fromwhomhaveyouheardaboutme？
　　Thestrangerhesitatedasinglemomentandthen，Fromyouruncle，sheanswered。I’vebeenherethreedays，andthefirstdayheletmecomeandpayhimavisitinhisroom。Thenhetalkedconstantlyofyou。
　　Asyoudidn’tknowmethatmustratherhaveboredyou。
　　Itmademewanttoknowyou。Allthemorethatsincethen-yourauntbeingsomuchwithMr。Touchett-I’vebeenquitealoneandhavegotrathertiredofmyownsociety。I’venotchosenagoodmomentformyvisit。
　　Aservanthadcomeinwithlampsandwaspresentlyfollowedbyanotherbearingthetea-tray。OntheappearanceofthisrepastMrs。
　　Touchetthadapparentlybeennotified，forshenowarrivedandaddressedherselftothetea-pot。Hergreetingtoherniecedidnotdiffermateriallyfromhermannerofraisingthelidofthisreceptacleinordertoglanceatthecontents：inneitheractwasitbecomingtomakeashowofavidity。Questionedaboutherhusbandshewasunabletosayhewasbetter。butthelocaldoctorwaswithhim，andmuchlightwasexpectedfromthisgentleman’sconsultationwithSirMatthewHope。
　　Isupposeyoutwoladieshavemadeacquaintance，shepursued。
　　Ifyouhaven’tIrecommendyoutodoso。forsolongaswecontinue-RalphandI-toclusteraboutMr。Touchett’sbedyou’renotlikelytohavemuchsocietybuteachother。
　　Iknownothingaboutyoubutthatyou’reagreatmusician，
　　Isabelsaidtothevisitor。
　　There’sagooddealmorethanthattoknow，Mrs。Touchettaffirmedinherlittledrytone。
　　Averylittleofit，Iamsure，willcontentMissArcher！theladyexclaimedwithalightlaugh。I’manoldfriendofyouraunt’s。
　　I’velivedmuchinFlorence。I’mMadameMerle。Shemadethislastannouncementasifshewerereferringtoapersonoftolerablydistinctidentity。ForIsabel，however，itrepresentedlittle。shecouldonlycontinuetofeelthatMadameMerlehadascharmingamannerasanyshehadeverencountered。
　　She’snotaforeignerinspiteofhername，saidMrs。Touchett。
　　Shewasborn-Ialwaysforgetwhereyouwereborn。
　　It’shardlyworthwhilethenIshouldtellyou。
　　Onthecontrary，saidMrs。Touchett，whorarelymissedalogicalpoint。ifIrememberedyourtellingmewouldbequitesuperfluous。
　　MadameMerleglancedatIsabelwithasortofworld-widesmile，athingthatover-reachedfrontiers。Iwasbornundertheshadowofthenationalbanner。
　　She’stoofondofmystery，saidMrs。Touchett。that’shergreatfault。
　　Ah，exclaimedMadameMerle，I’vegreatfaults，butIdon’tthinkthat’soneofthem。itcertainlyisn’tthegreatest。IcameintotheworldintheBrooklynnavy-yard。MyfatherwasahighofficerintheUnitedStatesNavy，andhadapost-apostofresponsibility-inthatestablishmentatthetime。IsupposeIoughttolovethesea，butIhateit。That’swhyIdon’treturntoAmerica。Ilovetheland。
　　thegreatthingistolovesomething。
　　Isabel，asadispassionatewitness，hadnotbeenstruckwiththeforceofMrs。Touchett’scharacterizationofhervisitor，whohadanexpressive，communicative，responsiveface，bynomeansofthesortwhich，toIsabel’smind，suggestedasecretivedisposition。Itwasafacethattoldofanamplitudeofnatureandofquickandfreemotionsand，thoughithadnoregularbeauty，wasinthehighestdegreeengagingandattaching。MadameMerlewasatall，fair，smoothwoman。
　　everythinginherpersonwasroundandreplete，thoughwithoutthoseaccumulationswhichsuggestheaviness。Herfeatureswerethickbutinperfectproportionandharmony，andhercomplexionhadahealthyclearness。Hergreyeyesweresmallbutfulloflightandincapableofstupidity-incapable，accordingtosomepeople，evenoftears。shehadaliberal，full-rimmedmouthwhichwhenshesmileddrewitselfupwardtotheleftsideinamannerthatmostpeoplethoughtveryodd，someveryaffectedandafewverygraceful。Isabelinclinedtorangeherselfinthelastcategory。MadameMerlehadthick，fairhair，arrangedsomehowclassicallyandasifshewereaBust，Isabeljudged-aJunooraNiobe。andlargewhitehands，ofaperfectshape，ashapesoperfectthattheirpossessor，preferringtoleavethemunadorned，worenojewelledrings。Isabelhadtakenheratfirst，aswehaveseen，foraFrenchwoman。butextendedobservationmighthaverankedherasaGerman-aGermanofhighdegree，perhapsanAustrian，abaroness，acountess，aprincess。ItwouldneverhavebeensupposedshehadcomeintotheworldinBrooklyn-thoughonecoulddoubtlessnothavecarriedthroughanyargumentthattheairofdistinctionmarkingherinsoeminentadegreewasinconsistentwithsuchabirth。Itwastruethatthenationalbannerhadfloatedimmediatelyoverhercradle，andthebreezyfreedomofthestarsandstripesmighthaveshedaninfluenceupontheattitudeshetheretooktowardslife。Andyetshehadevidentlynothingofthefluttered，flappingqualityofamorselofbuntinginthewind。hermannerexpressedthereposeandconfidencewhichcomefromalargeexperience。Experience，however，hadnotquenchedheryouth。ithadsimplymadehersympatheticandsupple。Shewasinawordawomanofstrongimpulseskeptinadmirableorder。ThiscommendeditselftoIsabelasanidealcombination。
　　Thegirlmadethesereflectionswhilethethreeladiessatattheirtea，butthatceremonywasinterruptedbeforelongbythearrivalofthegreatdoctorfromLondon，whohadbeenimmediatelyusheredintothedrawing-room。Mrs。Touchetttookhimofftothelibraryforaprivatetalk。andthenMadameMerleandIsabelparted，tomeetagainatdinner。TheideaofseeingmoreofthisinterestingwomandidmuchtomitigateIsabel’ssenseofthesadnessnowsettlingonGardencourt。
　　Whenshecameintothedrawing-roombeforedinnershefoundtheplaceempty。butinthecourseofamomentRalpharrived。Hisanxietyabouthisfatherhadbeenlightened。SirMatthewHope’sviewofhisconditionwaslessdepressedthanhisownhadbeen。Thedoctorrecommendedthatthenursealoneshouldremainwiththeoldmanforthenextthreeorfourhours。sothatRalph，hismotherandthegreatphysicianhimselfwerefreetodineattable。Mrs。TouchettandSirMatthewappeared。MadameMerlewasthelast。
　　BeforeshecameIsabelspokeofhertoRalph，whowasstandingbeforethefireplace。PraywhoisthisMadameMerle？
　　ThecleverestwomanIknow，notexceptingyourself，saidRalph。
　　Ithoughtsheseemedverypleasant。
　　Iwassureyou’dthinkherverypleasant。
　　Isthatwhyyouinvitedher？
　　Ididn’tinviteher，andwhenwecamebackfromLondonIdidn’tknowshewashere。Nooneinvitedher。She’safriendofmymother’s，andjustafteryouandIwenttotownmymothergotanotefromher。ShehadarrivedinEnglandsheusuallylivesabroad，thoughshehasfirstandlastspentagooddealoftimehere，andaskedleavetocomedownforafewdays。She’sawomanwhocanmakesuchproposalswithperfectconfidence。she’ssowelcomewherevershegoes。
　　Andwithmymothertherecouldbenoquestionofhesitating。she’stheonepersonintheworldwhommymotherverymuchadmires。Ifshewerenotherselfwhichsheafterallmuchprefers，shewouldliketobeMadameMerle。Itwouldindeedbeagreatchange。
　　Well，she’sverycharming，saidIsabel。Andsheplaysbeautifully。
　　Shedoeseverythingbeautifully。She’scomplete。
　　Isabellookedathercousinamoment。Youdon’tlikeher。
　　Onthecontrary，Iwasonceinlovewithher。
　　Andshedidn’tcareforyou，andthat’swhyyoudon’tlikeher。
　　Howcanwehavediscussedsuchthings？MonsieurMerlewasthenliving。
　　Ishedeadnow？
　　Soshesays。
　　Don’tyoubelieveher？
　　Yes，becausethestatementagreeswiththeprobabilities。ThehusbandofMadameMerlewouldbelikelytopassaway。
　　Isabelgazedathercousinagain。Idon’tknowwhatyoumean。Youmeansomething-thatyoudon’tmean。WhatwasMonsieurMerle？
　　ThehusbandofMadame。
　　You’reveryodious。Hassheanychildren？
　　Nottheleastlittlechild-fortunately。
　　Fortunately？
　　Imeanfortunatelyforthechild。She’dbesuretospoilit。
　　Isabelwasapparentlyonthepointofassuringhercousinforthethirdtimethathewasodious。butthediscussionwasinterruptedbythearrivaloftheladywhowasthetopicofit。Shecamerustlinginquickly，apologizingforbeinglate，fasteningabracelet，dressedindarkbluesatin，whichexposedawhitebosomthatwasineffectuallycoveredbyacurioussilvernecklace。Ralphofferedherhisarmwiththeexaggeratedalertnessofamanwhowasnolongeralover。
　　Evenifthishadstillbeenhiscondition，however，Ralphhadotherthingstothinkabout。ThegreatdoctorspentthenightatGardencourtand，returningtoLondononthemorrow，afteranotherconsultationwithMr。Touchett’sownmedicaladviser，concurredinRalph’sdesirethatheshouldseethepatientagainonthedayfollowing。OnthedayfollowingSirMatthewHopereappearedatGardencourt，andnowtookalessencouragingviewoftheoldman，whohadgrownworseinthetwenty-fourhours。Hisfeeblenesswasextreme，andtohisson，whoconstantlysatbyhisbedside，itoftenseemedthathisendmustbeathand。Thelocaldoctor，averysagaciousman，inwhomRalphhadsecretlymoreconfidencethaninhisdistinguishedcolleague，wasconstantlyinattendance，andSirMatthewHopecamebackseveraltimes。Mr。Touchettwasmuchofthetimeunconscious。hesleptagreatdeal。herarelyspoke。IsabelhadagreatdesiretobeusefultohimandwasallowedtowatchwithhimathourswhenhisotherattendantsofwhomMrs。Touchettwasnottheleastregularwenttotakerest。Heneverseemedtoknowher，andshealwayssaidtoherself，SupposeheshoulddiewhileI’msittinghere。anideawhichexcitedherandkeptherawake。Onceheopenedhiseyesforawhileandfixedthemuponherintelligently，butwhenshewenttohim，hopinghewouldrecognizeher，heclosedthemandrelapsedintostupor。Thedayafterthis，however，herevivedforalongertime。butonthisoccasionRalphonlywaswithhim。Theoldmanbegantotalk，muchtohisson’ssatisfaction，whoassuredhimthattheyshouldpresentlyhavehimsittingup。
　　No，myboy，saidMr。Touchett，notunlessyouburymeinasittingposture，assomeoftheancients-wasittheancients？-usedtodo。
　　Ah，daddy，don’ttalkaboutthat，Ralphmurmured。Youmustn’tdenythatyou’regettingbetter。
　　Therewillbenoneedofmydenyingitifyoudon’tsayit，theoldmananswered。Whyshouldweprevaricatejustatthelast？Weneverprevaricatedbefore。I’vegottodiesometime，andit’sbettertodiewhenone’ssickthanwhenone’swell。I’mverysick-
　　assickasIshalleverbe。Ihopeyoudon’twanttoprovethatI
　　shalleverbeworsethanthis？Thatwouldbetoobad。Youdon’t？
　　Wellthen。
　　Havingmadethisexcellentpointhebecamequiet。butthenexttimethatRalphwaswithhimheagainaddressedhimselftoconversation。ThenursehadgonetohersupperandRalphwasaloneincharge，havingjustrelievedMrs。Touchett，whohadbeenonguardsincedinner。Theroomwaslightedonlybytheflickeringfire，whichoflatehadbecomenecessary，andRalph’stallshadowwasprojectedoverwallandceilingwithanoutlineconstantlyvaryingbutalwaysgrotesque。
　　Who’sthatwithme-isitmyson？theoldmanasked。
　　Yes，it’syourson，daddy。
　　Andistherenooneelse？
　　Nooneelse。
　　Mr。Touchettsaidnothingforawhile。andthen，Iwanttotalkalittle，hewenton。
　　Won’tittireyou？Ralphdemurred。
　　Itwon’tmatterifitdoes。Ishallhavealongrest。Iwanttotalkaboutyou。
　　Ralphhaddrawnnearertothebed。hesatleaningforwardwithhishandonhisfather’s。Youhadbetterselectabrightertopic。
　　Youwerealwaysbright。Iusedtobeproudofyourbrightness。I
　　shouldlikesomuchtothinkyou’ddosomething。
　　Ifyouleaveus，saidRalph，Ishalldonothingbutmissyou。
　　That’sjustwhatIdon’twant。it’swhatIwanttotalkabout。
　　Youmustgetanewinterest。
　　Idon’twantanewinterest，daddy。IhavemoreoldonesthanI
　　knowwhattodowith。
　　Theoldmanlaytherelookingathisson。hisfacewasthefaceofthedying，buthiseyesweretheeyesofDanielTouchett。HeseemedtobereckoningoverRalph’sinterests。Ofcourseyouhaveyourmother，
　　hesaidatlast。You’lltakecareofher。
　　Mymotherwillalwaystakecareofherself，Ralphreturned。
　　Well，saidhisfather，perhapsasshegrowsoldershe’llneedalittlehelp。
　　Ishallnotseethat。She’lloutliveme。
　　Verylikelyshewill。butthat’snoreason-！Mr。Touchettlethisphrasedieawayinahelplessbutnotquitequeruloussighandremainedsilentagain。
　　Don’ttroubleyourselfaboutus，saidhisson。MymotherandI
　　getonverywelltogether，youknow。
　　Yougetonbyalwaysbeingapart。that’snotnatural。
　　Ifyouleaveusweshallprobablyseemoreofeachother。
　　Well，theoldmanobservedwithwanderingirrelevance，itcan’tbesaidthatmydeathwillmakemuchdifferenceinyourmother’slife。
　　Itwillprobablymakemorethanyouthink。
　　Well，she’llhavemoremoney，saidMr。Touchett。I’veleftheragoodwife’sportion，justasifshehadbeenagoodwife。
　　Shehasbeenone，daddy，accordingtoherowntheory。Shehasnevertroubledyou。
　　Ah，sometroublesarepleasant，Mr。Touchettmurmured。Thoseyou’vegivenmeforinstance。Butyourmotherhasbeenless-less-
　　whatshallIcallit？lessoutofthewaysinceI’vebeenill。I
　　presumesheknowsI’venoticedit。
　　Ishallcertainlytellherso。I’msogladyoumentionit。
　　Itwon’tmakeanydifferencetoher。shedoesn’tdoittopleaseme。Shedoesittoplease-toplease-Andhelayawhiletryingtothinkwhyshedidit。Shedoesitbecauseitsuitsher。Butthat’snotwhatIwanttotalkabout，headded。It’saboutyou。You’llbeverywelloff。
　　Yes，saidRalph，Iknowthat。ButIhopeyou’venotforgottenthetalkwehadayearago-whenItoldyouexactlywhatmoneyIshouldneedandbeggedyoutomakesomegooduseoftherest。
　　Yes，yes，Iremember。Imadeanewwill-inafewdays。Isupposeitwasthefirsttimesuchathinghadhappened-ayoungmantryingtogetawillmadeagainsthim。
　　Itisnotagainstme，saidRalph。Itwouldbeagainstmetohavealargepropertytotakecareof。It’simpossibleforamaninmystateofhealthtospendmuchmoney，andenoughisasgoodasafeast。
　　Well，you’llhaveenough-andsomethingover。Therewillbemorethanenoughforone-therewillbeenoughfortwo。
　　That’stoomuch，saidRalph。
　　Ah，don’tsaythat。Thebestthingyoucando，whenI’mgone，willbetomarry。
　　Ralphhadforeseenwhathisfatherwascomingto，andthissuggestionwasbynomeansfresh。IthadlongbeenMr。Touchett’smostingeniouswayoftakingthecheerfulviewofhisson’spossibleduration。Ralphhadusuallytreateditfacetiously。butpresentcircumstancesproscribedthefacetious。Hesimplyfellbackinhischairandreturnedhisfather’sappealinggaze。
　　IfI，withawifewhohasn’tbeenveryfondofme，havehadaveryhappylife，saidtheoldman，carryinghisingenuityfurtherstill，whatalifemightn’tyouhaveifyoushouldmarryapersondifferentfromMrs。Touchett。Therearemoredifferentfromherthantherearelikeher。Ralphstillsaidnothing。andafterapausehisfatherresumedsoftly：Whatdoyouthinkofyourcousin？
　　AtthisRalphstarted，meetingthequestionwithastrainedsmile。
　　DoIunderstandyoutoproposethatIshouldmarryIsabel？
　　Well，that’swhatitcomestointheend。Don’tyoulikeIsabel？
　　Yes，verymuch。AndRalphgotupfromhischairandwanderedovertothefire。Hestoodbeforeitaninstantandthenhestoopedandstirreditmechanically。
　　IlikeIsabelverymuch，herepeated。
　　Well，saidhisfather，Iknowshelikesyou。Shehastoldmehowmuchshelikesyou。
　　Didsheremarkthatshewouldliketomarryme？
　　No，butshecan’thaveanythingagainstyou。Andshe’sthemostcharmingyoungladyI’veeverseen。Andshewouldbegoodtoyou。I
　　havethoughtagreatdealaboutit。
　　SohaveI，saidRalph，comingbacktothebedsideagain。I
　　don’tmindtellingyouthat。
　　Youareinlovewithherthen？Ishouldthinkyouwouldbe。It’sasifshecameoveronpurpose。
　　No，I’mnotinlovewithher。butIshouldbeif-ifcertainthingsweredifferent。
　　Ah，thingsarealwaysdifferentfromwhattheymightbe，saidtheoldman。Ifyouwaitforthemtochangeyou’llneverdoanything。
　　Idon’tknowwhetheryouknow，hewenton。butIsupposethere’snoharminmyalludingtoitatsuchanhourasthis：therewassomeonewantedtomarryIsabeltheotherday，andshewouldn’thavehim。
　　IknowsherefusedWarburton：hetoldmehimself。
　　Well，thatprovesthere’sachanceforsomebodyelse。
　　SomebodyelsetookhischancetheotherdayinLondon-andgotnothingbyit。
　　Wasityou？Mr。Touchetteagerlyasked。
　　No，itwasanolderfriend。apoorgentlemanwhocameoverfromAmericatoseeaboutit。
　　Well，I’msorryforhim，whoeverhewas。ButitonlyproveswhatIsay-thattheway’sopentoyou。
　　Ifitis，dearfather，it’sallthegreaterpitythatI’munabletotreadit。Ihaven’tmanyconvictions。butIhavethreeorfourthatIholdstrongly。Oneisthatpeople，onthewhole，hadbetternotmarrytheircousins。Anotheristhatpeopleinanadvancedstageofpulmonarydisorderhadbetternotmarryatall。
　　Theoldmanraisedhisweakhandandmovedittoandfrobeforehisface。Whatdoyoumeanbythat？Youlookatthingsinawaythatwouldmakeeverythingwrong。Whatsortofacousinisacousinthatyouhadneverseenformorethantwentyyearsofherlife？
　　We’realleachother’scousins，andifwestoppedatthatthehumanracewoulddieout。It’sjustthesamewithyourbadlung。You’reagreatdealbetterthanyouusedtobe。Allyouwantistoleadanaturallife。Itisagreatdealmorenaturaltomarryaprettyyoungladythatyou’reinlovewiththanitistoremainsingleonfalseprinciples。
　　I’mnotinlovewithIsabel，saidRalph。
　　Yousaidjustnowthatyouwouldbeifyoudidn’tthinkitwrong。I
　　wanttoprovetoyouthatitisn’twrong。
　　Itwillonlytireyou，deardaddy，saidRalph，whomarvelledathisfather’stenacityandathisfindingstrengthtoinsist。Thenwhereshallweallbe？
　　WhereshallyoubeifIdon’tprovideforyou？Youwon’thaveanythingtodowiththebank，andyouwon’thavemetotakecareof。
　　Yousayyou’vesomanyinterests。butIcan’tmakethemout。
　　Ralphleanedbackinhischairwithfoldedarms。hiseyeswerefixedforsometimeinmeditation。Atlast，withtheairofamanfairlymusteringcourage，Itakeagreatinterestinmycousin，hesaid，butnotthesortofinterestyoudesire。Ishallnotlivemanyyears。
　　butIhopeIshalllivelongenoughtoseewhatshedoeswithherself。
　　She’sentirelyindependentofme。Icanexerciseverylittleinfluenceuponherlife。ButIshouldliketodosomethingforher。
　　Whatshouldyouliketodo？
　　Ishouldliketoputalittlewindinhersails。
　　Whatdoyoumeanbythat？
　　Ishouldliketoputitintoherpowertodosomeofthethingsshewants。Shewantstoseetheworldforinstance。Ishouldliketoputmoneyinherpurse。
　　Ah，I’mgladyou’vethoughtofthat，saidtheoldman。ButI’vethoughtofittoo。I’veleftheralegacy-fivethousandpounds。
　　That’scapital。it’sverykindofyou。ButIshouldliketodoalittlemore。
　　SomethingofthatveiledacutenesswithwhichithadbeenonDanielTouchett’spartthehabitofalifetimetolistentoafinancialpropositionstilllingeredinthefaceinwhichtheinvalidhadnotobliteratedthemanofhappiness。Ishallbehappytoconsiderit，hesaidsoftly。
　　Isabel’spoorthen。Mymothertellsmethatshehasbutafewhundreddollarsayear。Ishouldliketomakeherrich。
　　Whatdoyoumeanbyrich？
　　Icallpeoplerichwhenthey’reabletomeettherequirementsoftheirimagination。Isabelhasagreatdealofimagination。
　　Sohaveyou，myson，saidMr。Touchett，listeningveryattentivelybutalittleconfusedly。
　　YoutellmeIshallhavemoneyenoughfortwo。WhatIwantisthatyoushouldkindlyrelievemeofmysuperfluityandmakeitovertoIsabel。Dividemyinheritanceintotwoequalhalvesandgiveherthesecond。
　　Todowhatshelikeswith？
　　Absolutelywhatshelikes。
　　Andwithoutanequivalent？
　　Whatequivalentcouldtherebe？
　　TheoneI’vealreadymentioned。
　　Hermarrying-someoneorother？It’sjusttodoawaywithanythingofthatsortthatImakemysuggestion。Ifshehasaneasyincomeshe’llneverhavetomarryforasupport。That’swhatIwantcannilytoprevent。Shewishestobefree，andyourbequestwillmakeherfree。
　　Well，youseemtohavethoughtitout，saidMr。Touchett。ButI
　　don’tseewhyyouappealtome。Themoneywillbeyours，andyoucaneasilygiveittoheryourself。
　　Ralphopenlystared。Ah，dearfather，Ican’tofferIsabelmoney！
　　Theoldmangaveagroan。Don’ttellmeyou’renotinlovewithher！Doyouwantmetohavethecreditofit？
　　Entirely。Ishouldlikeitsimplytobeaclauseinyourwill，withouttheslightestreferencetome。
　　Doyouwantmetomakeanewwillthen？
　　Afewwordswilldoit。youcanattendtoitthenexttimeyoufeelalittlelively。
　　YoumusttelegraphtoMr。Hilarythen。I’lldonothingwithoutmysolicitor。
　　YoushallseeMr。Hilaryto-morrow。
　　He’llthinkwe’vequarrelled，youandI，saidtheoldman。
　　Veryprobably。Ishalllikehimtothinkit，saidRalph，smiling。and，tocarryouttheidea，IgiveyounoticethatIshallbeverysharp，quitehorridandstrange，withyou。
　　Thehumourofthisappearedtotouchhisfather，wholayalittlewhiletakingitin。I’lldoanythingyoulike，Mr。Touchettsaidatlast。butI’mnotsureit’sright。Yousayyouwanttoputwindinhersails。butaren’tyouafraidofputtingtoomuch？
　　Ishouldliketoseehergoingbeforethebreeze！Ralphanswered。
　　Youspeakasifitwereforyourmereamusement。
　　Soitis，agooddeal。
　　Well，Idon’tthinkIunderstand，saidMr。Touchettwithasigh。
　　YoungmenareverydifferentfromwhatIwas。WhenIcaredforagirl-whenIwasyoung-Iwantedtodomorethanlookather。You’vescruplesthatIshouldn’thavehad，andyou’veideasthatI
　　shouldn’thavehadeither。YousayIsabelwantstobefree，andthatherbeingrichwillkeepherfrommarryingformoney。Doyouthinkthatshe’sagirltodothat？
　　Bynomeans。Butshehaslessmoneythanshehaseverhadbefore。
　　Herfatherthengavehereverything，becauseheusedtospendhiscapital。Shehasnothingbutthecrumbsofthatfeasttoliveon，andshedoesn’treallyknowhowmeagretheyare-shehasyettolearnit。Mymotherhastoldmeallaboutit。Isabelwilllearnitwhenshe’sreallythrownupontheworld，anditwouldbeverypainfultometothinkofhercomingtotheconsciousnessofalotofwantssheshouldbeunabletosatisfy。
　　I’veleftherfivethousandpounds。Shecansatisfyagoodmanywantswiththat。
　　Shecanindeed。Butshewouldprobablyspenditintwoorthreeyears。
　　Youthinkshe’dbeextravagantthen？
　　Mostcertainly，saidRalph，smilingserenely。