CHAPTER21
Mrs。Touchett，beforearrivinginParis，hadfixedthedayforherdepartureandbythemiddleofFebruaryhadbeguntotravelsouthward。
Sheinterruptedherjourneytopayavisittoherson，whoatSanRemo，ontheItalianshoreoftheMediterranean，hadbeenspendingadull，brightwinterbeneathaslow-movingwhiteumbrella。Isabelwentwithherauntasamatterofcourse，thoughMrs。Touchett，withhomely，customarylogic，hadlaidbeforeherapairofalternatives。
Now，ofcourse，you’recompletelyyourownmistressandareasfreeasthebirdonthebough。Idon’tmeanyouwerenotsobefore，butyou’reatpresentonadifferentfooting-propertyerectsakindofbarrier。Youcandoagreatmanythingsifyou’rerichwhichwouldbeseverelycriticizedifyouwerepoor。Youcangoandcome，youcantravelalone，youcanhaveyourownestablishment：Imeanofcourseifyou’lltakeacompanion-somedecayedgentlewoman，withadarnedcashmereanddyedhair，whopaintsonvelvet。Youdon’tthinkyou’dlikethat？Ofcourseyoucandoasyouplease。Ionlywantyoutounderstandhowmuchyou’reatliberty。YoumighttakeMissStackpoleasyourdamedecompagnie。she’dkeeppeopleoffverywell。Ithink，however，thatit’sagreatdealbetteryoushouldremainwithme，inspiteoftherebeingnoobligation。It’sbetterforseveralreasons，quiteapartfromyourlikingit。Ishouldn’tthinkyou’dlikeit，butIrecommendyoutomakethesacrifice。Ofcoursewhatevernoveltytheremayhavebeenatfirstinmysocietyhasquitepassedaway，andyouseemeasIam-adull，obstinate，narrow-mindedoldwoman。
Idon’tthinkyou’reatalldull，Isabelhadrepliedtothis。
ButyoudothinkI’mobstinateandnarrow-minded？Itoldyouso！
saidMrs。Touchettwithmuchelationatbeingjustified。
Isabelremainedforthepresentwithheraunt，because，inspiteofeccentricimpulses，shehadagreatregardforwhatwasusuallydeemeddecent，andayounggentlewomanwithoutvisiblerelationshadalwaysstruckherasaflowerwithoutfoliage。ItwastruethatMrs。
Touchett’sconversationhadneveragainappearedsobrilliantasthatfirstafternooninAlbany，whenshesatinherdampwaterproofandsketchedtheopportunitiesthatEuropewouldoffertoayoungpersonoftaste。This，however，wasinagreatmeasurethegirl’sownfault。shehadgotaglimpseofheraunt’sexperience，andherimaginationconstantlyanticipatedthejudgementsandemotionsofawomanwhohadverylittleofthesamefaculty。Apartfromthis，Mrs。
Touchetthadagreatmerit。shewasashonestasapairofcompasses。Therewasacomfortinherstiffnessandfirmness。youknewexactlywheretofindherandwereneverliabletochanceencountersandconcussions。Onherowngroundshewasperfectlypresent，butwasneverover-inquisitiveasregardstheterritoryofherneighbour。Isabelcameatlasttohaveakindofundemonstrablepityforher。thereseemedsomethingsodrearyintheconditionofapersonwhosenaturehad，asitwere，solittlesurface-offeredsolimitedafacetotheaccretionsofhumancontact。Nothingtender，nothingsympathetic，hadeverhadachancetofastenuponit-nowind-sownblossom，nofamiliarsofteningmoss。Heroffered，herpassiveextent，inotherwords，wasaboutthatofaknife-edge。Isabelhadreasontobelievenonethelessthatassheadvancedinlifeshemademoreofthoseconcessionstothesenseofsomethingobscurelydistinctfromconvenience-moreofthemthansheindependentlyexacted。Shewaslearningtosacrificeconsistencytoconsiderationsofthatinferiororderforwhichtheexcusemustbefoundintheparticularcase。ItwasnottothecreditofherabsoluterectitudethatsheshouldhavegonethelongestwayroundtoFlorenceinordertospendafewweekswithherinvalidson。sinceinformeryearsithadbeenoneofhermostdefiniteconvictionsthatwhenRalphwishedtoseeherhewasatlibertytorememberthatPalazzoCrescentinicontainedalargeapartmentknownasthequarterofthesignorino。
Iwanttoaskyousomething，IsabelsaidtothisyoungmanthedayafterherarrivalatSanRemo-somethingI’vethoughtmorethanonceofaskingyoubyletter，butthatI’vehesitatedonthewholetowriteabout。Facetoface，nevertheless，myquestionseemseasyenough。Didyouknowyourfatherintendedtoleavemesomuchmoney？
RalphstretchedhislegsalittlefurtherthanusualandgazedalittlemorefixedlyattheMediterranean。Whatdoesitmatter，mydearIsabel，whetherIknew？Myfatherwasveryobstinate。
So，saidthegirl，youdidknow。
Yes。hetoldme。Weeventalkeditoveralittle。
Whatdidhedoitfor？askedIsabelabruptly。
Why，asakindofcompliment。
Acomplimentonwhat？
Onyoursobeautifullyexisting。
Helikedmetoomuch，shepresentlydeclared。
That’sawayweallhave。
IfIbelievedthatIshouldbeveryunhappy。FortunatelyIdon’tbelieveit。Iwanttobetreatedwithjustice。Iwantnothingbutthat。
Verygood。Butyoumustrememberthatjusticetoalovelybeingisafterallafloridsortofsentiment。
I’mnotalovelybeing。Howcanyousaythat，attheverymomentwhenI’maskingsuchodiousquestions？Imustseemtoyoudelicate！
Youseemtometroubled，saidRalph。
Iamtroubled。
Aboutwhat？
Foramomentsheanswerednothing。thenshebrokeout：Doyouthinkitgoodformesuddenlytobemadesorich？Henriettadoesn’t。
Oh，hangHenrietta！saidRalphcoarsely。IfyouaskmeI’mdelightedatit。
Isthatwhyyourfatherdidit-foryouramusement？
IdifferwithMissStackpole，Ralphwentonmoregravely。Ithinkitverygoodforyoutohavemeans。
Isabellookedathimwithseriouseyes。Iwonderwhetheryouknowwhat’sgoodforme-orwhetheryoucare。
IfIknowdependuponitIcare。ShallItellyouwhatitis？Nottotormentyourself。
Nottotormentyou，Isupposeyoumean。
Youcan’tdothat。I’mproof。Takethingsmoreeasily。Don’taskyourselfsomuchwhetherthisorthatisgoodforyou。Don’tquestionyourconsciencesomuch-itwillgetoutoftunelikeastrummedpiano。Keepitforgreatoccasions。Don’ttrysomuchtoformyourcharacter-it’sliketryingtopullopenatight，tenderyoungrose。Liveasyoulikebest，andyourcharacterwilltakecareofitself。Mostthingsaregoodforyou。theexceptionsareveryrare，andacomfortableincome’snotoneofthem。Ralphpaused，smiling。
Isabelhadlistenedquickly。You’vetoomuchpowerofthought-
abovealltoomuchconscience，Ralphadded。It’soutofallreason，thenumberofthingsyouthinkwrong。Putbackyourwatch。
Dietyourfever。Spreadyourwings。riseabovetheground。It’sneverwrongtodothat。
Shehadlistenedeagerly，asIsay。anditwashernaturetounderstandquickly。Iwonderifyouappreciatewhatyousay。Ifyoudo，youtakeagreatresponsibility。
Youfrightenmealittle，butIthinkI’mright，saidRalph，persistingincheer。
Allthesamewhatyousayisverytrue，Isabelpursued。Youcouldsaynothingmoretrue。I’mabsorbedinmyself-Ilookatlifetoomuchasadoctor’sprescription。Whyindeedshouldweperpetuallybethinkingwhetherthingsaregoodforus，asifwewerepatientslyinginahospital？WhyshouldIbesoafraidofnotdoingright？
AsifitmatteredtotheworldwhetherIdorightorwrong！
You’reacapitalpersontoadvise，saidRalph。youtakethewindoutofmysails！
Shelookedathimasifshehadnotheardhim-thoughshewasfollowingoutthetrainofreflexionwhichhehimselfhadkindled。
Itrytocaremoreabouttheworldthanaboutmyself-butIalwayscomebacktomyself。It’sbecauseI’mafraid。Shestopped。hervoicehadtrembledalittle。Yes，I’mafraid。Ican’ttellyou。A
largefortunemeansfreedom，andI’mafraidofthat。It’ssuchafinething，andoneshouldmakesuchagooduseofit。Ifoneshouldn’tonewouldbeashamed。Andonemustkeepthinking。it’saconstanteffort。I’mnotsureit’snotagreaterhappinesstobepowerless。
ForweakpeopleI’venodoubtit’sagreaterhappiness。Forweakpeopletheeffortnottobecontemptiblemustbegreat。
AndhowdoyouknowI’mnotweak？Isabelasked。
Ah，Ralphansweredwithaflushthatthegirlnoticed，ifyouareI’mawfullysold！
ThecharmoftheMediterraneancoastonlydeepenedforourheroineonacquaintance，foritwasthethresholdofItaly，thegateofadmirations。Italy，asyetimperfectlyseenandfelt，stretchedbeforeherasalandofpromise，alandinwhichaloveofthebeautifulmightbecomfortedbyendlessknowledge。Whenevershestrolledupontheshorewithhercousin-andshewasthecompanionofhisdailywalk-shelookedacrossthesea，withlongingeyes，towheresheknewthatGenoalay。Shewasgladtopause，however，ontheedgeofthislargeradventure。therewassuchathrilleveninthepreliminaryhovering。Itaffectedhermoreoverasapeacefulinterlude，asahushofthedrumandfifeinacareerwhichshehadlittlewarrantasyetforregardingasagitated，butwhichneverthelessshewasconstantlypicturingtoherselfbythelightofherhopes，herfears，herfancies，herambitions，herpredilections，andwhichreflectedthesesubjectiveaccidentsinamannersufficientlydramatic。MadameMerlehadpredictedtoMrs。Touchettthataftertheiryoungfriendhadputherhandintoherpockethalfadozentimesshewouldbereconciledtotheideathatithadbeenfilledbyamunificentuncle。andtheeventjustified，asithadsooftenjustifiedbefore，thatlady’sperspicacity。RalphTouchetthadpraisedhiscousinforbeingmorallyinflammable，thatisforbeingquicktotakeahintthatwasmeantasgoodadvice。Hisadvicehadperhapshelpedthematter。shehadatanyratebeforeleavingSanRemogrownusedtofeelingrich。Theconsciousnessinquestionfoundaproperplaceinratheradenselittlegroupofideasthatshehadaboutherself，andoftenitwasbynomeanstheleastagreeable。Ittookperpetuallyforgrantedathousandgoodintentions。Shelostherselfinamazeofvisions。thefinethingstobedonebyarich，independent，generousgirlwhotookalargehumanviewofoccasionsandobligationsweresublimeinthemass。Herfortunethereforebecametohermindapartofherbetterself。itgaveherimportance，gavehereven，toherownimagination，acertainidealbeauty。Whatitdidforherintheimaginationofothersisanotheraffair，andonthispointwemustalsotouchintime。ThevisionsIhavejustspokenofweremixedwithotherdebates。Isabellikedbettertothinkofthefuturethanofthepast。butattimes，asshelistenedtothemurmuroftheMediterraneanwaves，herglancetookabackwardflight。Itrestedupontwofigureswhich，inspiteofincreasingdistance，werestillsufficientlysalient。theywererecognizablewithoutdifficultyasthoseofCasparGoodwoodandLordWarburton。
Itwasstrangehowquicklytheseimagesofenergyhadfallenintothebackgroundofouryounglady’slife。Itwasinherdispositionatalltimestolosefaithintherealityofabsentthings。shecouldsummonbackherfaith，incaseofneed，withaneffort，buttheeffortwasoftenpainfulevenwhentherealityhadbeenpleasant。Thepastwasapttolookdeadanditsrevivalrathertoshowthelividlightofajudgement-day。Thegirlmoreoverwasnotpronetotakeforgrantedthatsheherselflivedinthemindofothers-shehadnotthefatuitytobelievesheleftindelibletraces。Shewascapableofbeingwoundedbythediscoverythatshehadbeenforgotten。
butofalllibertiestheonesheherselffoundsweetestwasthelibertytoforget。Shehadnotgivenherlastshilling，sentimentallyspeaking，eithertoCasparGoodwoodortoLordWarburton，andyetcouldn’tbutfeelthemappreciablyindebttoher。ShehadofcourseremindedherselfthatshewastohearfromMr。Goodwoodagain。butthiswasnottobeforanotheryearandahalf，andinthattimeagreatmanythingsmighthappen。ShehadindeedfailedtosaytoherselfthatherAmericansuitormightfindsomeothergirlmorecomfortabletowoo。because，thoughitwascertainmanyothergirlswouldproveso，shehadnotthesmallestbeliefthatthismeritwouldattracthim。Butshereflectedthatsheherselfmightknowthehumiliationofchange，mightreally，forthatmatter，cometotheendofthethingsthatwerenotCaspareventhoughthereappearedsomanyofthem，andfindrestinthoseveryelementsofhispresencewhichstruckhernowasimpedimentstothefinerrespiration。Itwasconceivablethattheseimpedimentsshouldsomedayproveasortofblessingindisguise-aclearandquietharbourenclosedbyabravegranitebreakwater。Butthatdaycouldonlycomeinitsorder，andshecouldn’twaitforitwithfoldedhands。ThatLordWarburtonshouldcontinuetocherishherimageseemedtohermorethananoblehumilityoranenlightenedprideoughttowishtoreckonwith。Shehadsodefinitelyundertakentopreservenorecordofwhathadpassedbetweenthemthatacorrespondingeffortonhisownpartwouldbeeminentlyjust。Thiswasnot，asitmayseem，merelyatheorytingedwithsarcasm。Isabelcandidlybelievedthathislordshipwould，intheusualphrase，getoverhisdisappointment。Hehadbeendeeplyaffected-thisshebelieved，andshewasstillcapableofderivingpleasurefromthebelief。butitwasabsurdthatamanbothsointelligentandsohonourablydealtwithshouldcultivateascaroutofproportiontoanywound。Englishmenlikedmoreovertobecomfortable，saidIsabel，andtherecouldbelittlecomfortforLordWarburton，inthelongrun，inbroodingoveraself-sufficientAmericangirlwhohadbeenbutacasualacquaintance。Sheflatteredherselfthat，shouldshehearfromonedaytoanotherthathehadmarriedsomeyoungwomanofhisowncountrywhohaddonemoretodeservehim，sheshouldreceivethenewswithoutapangevenofsurprise。Itwouldhaveprovedthathebelievedshewasfirm-whichwaswhatshewishedtoseemtohim。Thatalonewasgratefultoherpride。
CHAPTER22
OnoneofthefirstdaysofMay，somesixmonthsafteroldMr。
Touchett’sdeath，asmallgroupthatmighthavebeendescribedbyapainterascomposingwellwasgatheredinoneofthemanyroomsofanancientvillacrowninganolive-muffledhilloutsideoftheRomangateofFlorence。Thevillawasalong，ratherblank-lookingstructure，withthefar-projectingroofwhichTuscanylovesandwhich，onthehillsthatencircleFlorence，whenconsideredfromadistance，makesoharmoniousarectanglewiththestraight，dark，definitecypressesthatusuallyriseingroupsofthreeorfourbesideit。Thehousehadafrontuponalittlegrassy，empty，ruralpiazzawhichoccupiedapartofthehill-top。andthisfront，piercedwithafewwindowsinirregularrelationsandfurnishedwithastonebenchlengthilyadjustedtothebaseofthestructureandusefulasalounging-placetooneortwopersonswearingmoreorlessofthatairofundervaluedmeritwhichinItaly，forsomereasonorother，alwaysgracefullyinvestsanyonewhoconfidentlyassumesaperfectlypassiveattitude-thisantique，solid，weather-worn，yetimposingfronthadasomewhatincommunicativecharacter。Itwasthemask，notthefaceofthehouse。Ithadheavylids，butnoeyes。thehouseinrealitylookedanotherway-lookedoffbehind，intosplendidopennessandtherangeoftheafternoonlight。InthatquarterthevillaoverhungtheslopeofitshillandthelongvalleyoftheArno，hazywithItaliancolour。Ithadanarrowgarden，inthemannerofaterrace，productivechieflyoftanglesofwildrosesandotheroldstonebenches，mossyandsun-warmed。Theparapetoftheterracewasjusttheheighttoleanupon，andbeneathitthegrounddeclinedintothevaguenessofolive-cropsandvineyards。Itisnot，however，withtheoutsideoftheplacethatweareconcerned。
onthisbrightmorningofripenedspringitstenantshadreasontoprefertheshadysideofthewall。Thewindowsoftheground-floor，asyousawthemfromthepiazza，were，intheirnobleproportions，extremelyarchitectural。buttheirfunctionseemedlesstooffercommunicationwiththeworldthantodefytheworldtolookin。Theyweremassivelycross-barred，andplacedatsuchaheightthatcuriosity，evenontiptoe，expiredbeforeitreachedthem。Inanapartmentlightedbyarowofthreeofthesejealousapertures-oneoftheseveraldistinctapartmentsintowhichthevillawasdividedandwhichweremainlyoccupiedbyforeignersofrandomracelongresidentinFlorence-agentlemanwasseatedincompanywithayounggirlandtwogoodsistersfromareligioushouse。Theroomwas，however，lesssombrethanourindicationsmayhaverepresented，forithadawide，highdoor，whichnowstoodopenintothetangledgardenbehind。andthetallironlatticesadmittedonoccasionmorethanenoughoftheItaliansunshine。Itwasmoreoveraseatofease，indeedofluxury，tellingofarrangementssubtlystudiedandrefinementsfranklyproclaimed，andcontainingavarietyofthosefadedhangingsofdamaskandtapestry，thosechestsandcabinetsofcarvedandtime-polishedoak，thoseangularspecimensofpictorialartinframesaspedanticallyprimitive，thoseperverselookingrelicsofmediaevalbrassandpottery，ofwhichItalyhaslongbeenthenotquiteexhaustedstorehouse。Thesethingskepttermswitharticlesofmodernfurnitureinwhichlargeallowancehadbeenmadeforalounginggeneration。itwastobenoticedthatallthechairsweredeepandwellpaddedandthatmuchspacewasoccupiedbyawriting-tableofwhichtheingeniousperfectionborethestampofLondonandthenineteenthcentury。Therewerebooksinprofusionandmagazinesandnewspapers，andafewsmall，odd，elaboratepictures，chieflyinwater-colour。Oneoftheseproductionsstoodonadrawing-roomeaselbeforewhich，atthemomentwebegintobeconcernedwithher，theyounggirlIhavementionedhadplacedherself。Shewaslookingatthepictureinsilence。
Silence-absolutesilence-hadnotfallenuponhercompanions。buttheirtalkhadanappearanceofembarrassedcontinuity。Thetwogoodsistershadnotsettledthemselvesintheirrespectivechairs。theirattitudeexpressedafinalreserveandtheirfacesshowedtheglazeofprudence。Theywereplain，ample，mild-featuredwomen，withakindofbusiness-likemodestytowhichtheimpersonalaspectoftheirstiffenedlinenandofthesergethatdrapedthemasifnailedonframesgaveanadvantage。Oneofthem，apersonofacertainage，inspectacles，withafreshcomplexionandafullcheek，hadamorediscriminatingmannerthanhercolleague，aswellastheresponsibilityoftheirerrand，whichapparentlyrelatedtotheyounggirl。Thisobjectofinterestworeherhat-anornamentofextremesimplicityandnotatvariancewithherplainmuslingown，tooshortforheryears，thoughitmustalreadyhavebeenletout。Thegentlemanwhomighthavebeensupposedtobeentertainingthetwonunswasperhapsconsciousofthedifficultiesofhisfunction，itbeinginitswayasarduoustoconversewiththeverymeekaswiththeverymighty。Atthesametimehewasclearlymuchoccupiedwiththeirquietcharge，andwhilesheturnedherbacktohimhiseyesrestedgravelyonherslim，smallfigure。Hewasamanofforty，withahighbutwell-shapedhead，onwhichthehair，stilldense，butprematurelygrizzled，hadbeencroppedclose。Hehadafine，narrow，extremelymodelledandcomposedface，ofwhichtheonlyfaultwasjustthiseffectofitsrunningatrifletoomuchtopoints。anappearancetowhichtheshapeofthebeardcontributednotalittle。Thisbeard，cutinthemanneroftheportraitsofthesixteenthcenturyandsurmountedbyafairmoustache，ofwhichtheendshadaromanticupwardflourish，gaveitsweareraforeign，traditionarylookandsuggestedthathewasagentlemanwhostudiedstyle。Hisconscious，curiouseyes，however，eyesatoncevagueandpenetrating，intelligentandhard，expressiveoftheobserveraswellasofthedreamer，wouldhaveassuredyouthathestudieditonlywithinwell-chosenlimits，andthatinsofarashesoughtithefoundit。Youwouldhavebeenmuchatalosstodeterminehisoriginalclimeandcountry。hehadnoneofthesuperficialsignsthatusuallyrendertheanswertothisquestionaninsipidlyeasyone。
IfhehadEnglishbloodinhisveinsithadprobablyreceivedsomeFrenchorItaliancommixture。buthesuggested，finegoldcoinashewas，nostampnoremblemofthecommonmintagethatprovidesforgeneralcirculation。hewastheelegantcomplicatedmedalstruckoffforaspecialoccasion。Hehadalight，lean，ratherlanguid-lookingfigure，andwasapparentlyneithertallnorshort。Hewasdressedasamandresseswhotakeslittleothertroubleaboutitthantohavenovulgarthings。
Well，mydear，whatdoyouthinkofit？heaskedtheyounggirl。
HeusedtheItaliantongue，anduseditwithperfectease。butthiswouldnothaveconvincedyouhewasItalian。
Thechildturnedherheadearnestlytoonesideandtheother。It’sverypretty，papa。Didyoumakeityourself？
CertainlyImadeit。Don’tyouthinkI’mclever？
Yes，papa，veryclever。Ialsohavelearnedtomakepictures。
Andsheturnedroundandshowedasmall，fairfacepaintedwithafixedandintenselysweetsmile。
Youshouldhavebroughtmeaspecimenofyourpowers。
I’vebroughtagreatmany。they’reinmytrunk。
Shedrawsvery-verycarefully，theelderofthenunsremarked，speakinginFrench。
I’mgladtohearit。Isityouwhohaveinstructedher？
Happilyno，saidthegoodsister，blushingalittle。Cen’estpasmapartie。Iteachnothing。Ileavethattothosewhoarewiser。We’veanexcellentdrawing-master，Mr-Mr-whatishisname？sheaskedofhercompanion。
Hercompanionlookedaboutatthecarpet。It’saGermanname，
shesaidinItalian，asifitneededtobetranslated。
Yes，theotherwenton。he’saGerman，andwe’vehadhimmanyyears。
Theyounggirl，whowasnotheedingtheconversation，hadwanderedawaytotheopendoorofthelargeroomandstoodlookingintothegarden。Andyou，mysister，areFrench，saidthegentleman。
Yes，sir，thevisitorgentlyreplied。Ispeaktothepupilsinmyowntongue。Iknownoother。Butwehavesistersofothercountries-
English，German，Irish。Theyallspeaktheirproperlanguage。
Thegentlemangaveasmile。HasmydaughterbeenunderthecareofoneoftheIrishladies？Andthen，ashesawthathisvisitorssuspectedajoke，thoughfailingtounderstandit，You’reverycomplete，heinstantlyadded。
Oh，yes，we’recomplete。We’veeverything，andeverything’softhebest。
Wehavegymnastics，theItaliansisterventuredtoremark。Butnotdangerous。
Ihopenot。Isthatyourbranch？Aquestionwhichprovokedmuchcandidhilarityonthepartofthetwoladies。onthesubsidenceofwhichtheirentertainer，glancingathisdaughter，remarkedthatshehadgrown。
Yes，butIthinkshehasfinished。She’llremain-notbig，saidtheFrenchsister。
I’mnotsorry。Ipreferwomenlikebooks-verygoodandnottoolong。ButIknow，thegentlemansaid，noparticularreasonwhymychildshouldbeshort。
Thenungaveatemperateshrug，asiftointimatethatsuchthingsmightbebeyondourknowledge。She’sinverygoodhealth。that’sthebestthing。
Yes，shelookssound。Andtheyounggirl’sfatherwatchedheramoment。Whatdoyouseeinthegarden？heaskedinFrench。
Iseemanyflowers，sherepliedinasweet，smallvoiceandwithanaccentasgoodashisown。
Yes，butnotmanygoodones。However，suchastheyare，gooutandgathersomeforcesdames。
Thechildturnedtohimwithhersmileheightenedbypleasure。
MayItruly？
Ah，whenItellyou，saidherfather。
Thegirlglancedattheelderofthenuns。MayI，truly，mamere？
Obeymonsieuryourfather，mychild，saidthesister，blushingagain。
Thechild，satisfiedwiththisauthorization，descendedfromthethresholdandwaspresentlylosttosight。Youdon’tspoilthem，
saidherfathergaily。
Foreverythingtheymustaskleave。That’soursystem。Leaveisfreelygranted，buttheymustaskit。
Oh，Idon’tquarrelwithyoursystem。I’venodoubtit’sexcellent。
Isentyoumydaughtertoseewhatyou’dmakeofher。Ihadfaith。
Onemusthavefaith，thesisterblandlyrejoined，gazingthroughherspectacles。
Well，hasmyfaithbeenrewarded？Whathaveyoumadeofher？
Thesisterdroppedhereyesamoment。AgoodChristian，monsieur。
Herhostdroppedhiseyesaswell。butitwasprobablethatthemovementhadineachcaseadifferentspring。Yes，andwhatelse？
Hewatchedtheladyfromtheconvent，probablythinkingshewouldsaythatagoodChristianwaseverything。butforallhersimplicityshewasnotsocrudeasthat。Acharmingyounglady-areallittlewoman-adaughterinwhomyouwillhavenothingbutcontentment。
Sheseemstomeverygentille，saidthefather。She’sreallypretty。
She’sperfect。Shehasnofaults。
Sheneverhadanyasachild，andI’mgladyouhavegivenhernone。
Welovehertoomuch，saidthespectacledsisterwithdignity。
Andasforfaults，howcanwegivewhatwehavenot？Lecouventn’estpascommelemonde，monsieur。She’sourdaughter，asyoumaysay。
We’vehadhersinceshewassosmall。
Ofallthoseweshalllosethisyearshe’stheoneweshallmissmost，theyoungerwomanmurmureddeferentially。
Ah，yes，weshalltalklongofher，saidtheother。Weshallholdheruptothenewones。Andatthisthegoodsisterappearedtofindherspectaclesdim。whilehercompanion，afterfumblingamoment，presentlydrewforthapocket-handkerchiefofdurabletexture。
It’snotcertainyou’llloseher。nothing’ssettledyet，theirhostrejoinedquickly。notasiftoanticipatetheirtears，butinthetoneofamansayingwhatwasmostagreeabletohimself。
Weshouldbeveryhappytobelievethat。Fifteenisveryyoungtoleaveus。
Oh，exclaimedthegentlemanwithmorevivacitythanhehadyetused，itisnotIwhowishtotakeheraway。Iwishyoucouldkeepheralways！
Ah，monsieur，saidtheeldersister，smilingandgettingup，goodassheis，she’smadefortheworld。Lemondeygagnera。
Ifallthegoodpeoplewerehiddenawayinconventshowwouldtheworldgeton？hercompanionsoftlyenquired，risingalso。
Thiswasaquestionofawiderbearingthanthegoodwomanapparentlysupposed。andtheladyinspectaclestookaharmonizingviewbysayingcomfortably：Fortunatelytherearegoodpeopleeverywhere。
Ifyou’regoingtherewillbetwolesshere，herhostremarkedgallantly。
Forthisextravagantsallyhissimplevisitorshadnoanswer，andtheysimplylookedateachotherindecentdeprecation。buttheirconfusionwasspeedilycoveredbythereturnoftheyounggirlwithtwolargebunchesofroses-oneofthemallwhite，theotherred。
Igiveyouyourchoice，MammanCatherine，saidthechild。It’sonlythecolourthat’sdifferent，MammanJustine。therearejustasmanyrosesinonebunchasintheother。
Thetwosistersturnedtoeachother，smilingandhesitating，withWhichwillyoutake？andNo，it’sforyoutochoose。
I’lltakethered，thankyou，saidmotherCatherineinthespectacles。I’msoredmyself。They’llcomfortusonourwaybacktoRome。
Ah，theywon’tlast，criedtheyounggirl。IwishIcouldgiveyousomethingthatwouldlast！
You’vegivenusagoodmemoryofyourself，mydaughter。Thatwilllast！
Iwishnunscouldwearprettythings。Iwouldgiveyoumybluebeads，thechildwenton。
AnddoyougobacktoRometo-night？herfatherenquired。
Yes，wetakethetrainagain。We’vesomuchtodola-bas。
Areyounottired？
Wearenevertired。
Ah，mysister，sometimes，murmuredthejuniorvotaress。
Notto-day，atanyrate。Wehaverestedtoowellhere。QueDieuvousgarde，mafille。
Theirhost，whiletheyexchangedkisseswithhisdaughter，wentforwardtoopenthedoorthroughwhichtheyweretopass。butashedidsohegaveaslightexclamation，andstoodlookingbeyond。Thedooropenedintoavaultedante-chamber，ashighasachapelandpavedwithredtiles。andintothisante-chamberaladyhadjustbeenadmittedbyaservant，aladinshabbylivery，whowasnowusheringhertowardtheapartmentinwhichourfriendsweregrouped。Thegentlemanatthedoor，afterdroppinghisexclamation，remainedsilent。insilencetootheladyadvanced。Hegavehernofurtheraudiblegreetingandofferedhernohand，butstoodasidetoletherpassintothesaloon。Atthethresholdshehesitated。Isthereanyone？sheasked。
Someoneyoumaysee。
Shewentinandfoundherselfconfrontedwiththetwonunsandtheirpupil，whowascomingforward，betweenthem，withahandinthearmofeach。Atthesightofthenewvisitortheyallpaused，andthelady，whohadalsostopped，stoodlookingatthem。Theyounggirlgavealittlesoftcry：
Ah，MadameMerle！
Thevisitorhadbeenslightlystartled，buthermannerthenextinstantwasnonethelessgracious。Yes，it’sMadameMerle，cometowelcomeyouhome。Andsheheldouttwohandstothegirl，whoimmediatelycameuptoher，presentingherforeheadtobekissed。
MadameMerlesalutedthisportionofhercharminglittlepersonandthenstoodsmilingatthetwonuns。Theyacknowledgedhersmilewithadecentobeisance，butpermittedthemselvesnodirectscrutinyofthisimposing，brilliantwoman，whoseemedtobringinwithhersomethingoftheradianceoftheouterworld。
Theseladieshavebroughtmydaughterhome，andnowtheyreturntotheconvent，thegentlemanexplained。
Ah，yougobacktoRome？I’velatelycomefromthere。It’sverylovelynow，saidMadameMerle。
Thegoodsisters，standingwiththeirhandsfoldedintotheirsleeves，acceptedthisstatementuncritically。andthemasterofthehouseaskedhisnewvisitorhowlongitwassinceshehadleftRome。
Shecametoseemeattheconvent，saidtheyounggirlbeforetheladyaddressedhadtimetoreply。
I’vebeenmorethanonce，Pansy，MadameMerledeclared。AmI
notyourgreatfriendinRome？
Irememberthelasttimebest，saidPansy，becauseyoutoldmeIshouldcomeaway。
Didyoutellherthat？thechild’sfatherasked。
Ihardlyremember。ItoldherwhatIthoughtwouldpleaseher。I’vebeeninFlorenceaweek。Ihopedyouwouldcometoseeme。
IshouldhavedonesoifIhadknownyouwerethere。Onedoesn’tknowsuchthingsbyinspiration-thoughIsupposeoneought。Youhadbettersitdown。
Thesetwospeechesweremadeinaparticulartoneofvoice-atonehalf-loweredandcarefullyquiet，butasfromhabitratherthanfromanydefiniteneed。MadameMerlelookedabouther，choosingherseat。
You’regoingtothedoorwiththesewomen？Letmeofcoursenotinterrupttheceremony。Jevoussalue，mesdames，sheadded，inFrench，tothenuns，asiftodismissthem。
Thislady’sagreatfriendofours。youwillhaveseenherattheconvent，saidtheirentertainer。We’vemuchfaithinherjudgement，andshe’llhelpmetodecidewhethermydaughtershallreturntoyouattheendoftheholidays。
Ihopeyou’lldecideinourfavour，madame，thesisterinspectaclesventuredtoremark。
That’sMr。Osmond’spleasantry。Idecidenothing，saidMadameMerle，butalsoasinpleasantry。Ibelieveyou’veaverygoodschool，butMissOsmond’sfriendsmustrememberthatshe’sverynaturallymeantfortheworld。
That’swhatI’vetoldmonsieur，sisterCatherineanswered。It’spreciselytofitherfortheworld，shemurmured，glancingatPansy，whostood，atalittledistance，attentivetoMadameMerle’selegantapparel。
Doyouhearthat，Pansy？You’reverynaturallymeantfortheworld，saidPansy’sfather。
Thechildfixedhimaninstantwithherpureyoungeyes。AmInotmeantforyou，papa？
Papagaveaquick，lightlaugh。Thatdoesn’tpreventit！I’moftheworld，Pansy。
Kindlypermitustoretire，saidsisterCatherine。Begoodandwiseandhappyinanycase，mydaughter。
Ishallcertainlycomebackandseeyou，Pansyreturned，recommencingherembraces，whichwerepresentlyinterruptedbyMadameMerle。
Staywithme，dearchild，shesaid，whileyourfathertakesthegoodladiestothedoor。
Pansystared，disappointed，yetnotprotesting。Shewasevidentlyimpregnatedwiththeideaofsubmission，whichwasduetoanyonewhotookthetoneofauthority。andshewasapassivespectatoroftheoperationofherfate。MayInotseeMammanCatherinegetintothecarriage？sheneverthelessaskedverygently。
Itwouldpleasemebetterifyou’dremainwithme，saidMadameMerle，whileMr。Osmondandhiscompanions，whohadbowedlowagaintotheothervisitor，passedintotheante-chamber。
Ohyes，I’llstay，Pansyanswered。andshestoodnearMadameMerle，surrenderingherlittlehand，whichthisladytook。Shestaredoutofthewindow。hereyeshadfilledwithtears。
I’mgladthey’vetaughtyoutoobey，saidMadameMerle。That’swhatgoodlittlegirlsshoulddo。
Ohyes，Iobeyverywell，criedPansywithsofteagerness，almostwithboastfulness，asifshehadbeenspeakingofherpiano-playing。Andthenshegaveafaint，justaudiblesigh。
MadameMerle，holdingherhand，drewitacrossherownfinepalmandlookedatit。Thegazewascritical，butitfoundnothingtodeprecate。thechild’ssmallhandwasdelicateandfair。Ihopetheyalwaysseethatyouweargloves，shesaidinamoment。Littlegirlsusuallydislikethem。
Iusedtodislikethem，butIlikethemnow，thechildmadeanswer。
Verygood，I’llmakeyouapresentofadozen。
Ithankyouverymuch。Whatcolourswilltheybe？Pansydemandedwithinterest。
MadameMerlemeditated。Usefulcolours。
Butverypretty？
Areyouveryfondofprettythings？
Yes。but-butnottoofond，saidPansywithatraceofasceticism。
Well，theywon’tbetoopretty，MadameMerlereturnedwithalaugh。Shetookthechild’sotherhandanddrewhernearer。afterwhich，lookingatheramoment，ShallyoumissmotherCatherine？shewenton。
Yes-whenIthinkofher。
Trythennottothinkofher。Perhapssomeday，addedMadameMerle，you’llhaveanothermother。
Idon’tthinkthat’snecessary，Pansysaid，repeatingherlittlesoftconciliatorysigh。Ihadmorethanthirtymothersattheconvent。
Herfather’sstepsoundedagainintheante-chamber，andMadameMerlegotup，releasingthechild。Mr。Osmondcameinandclosedthedoor。then，withoutlookingatMadameMerle，hepushedoneortwochairsbackintotheirplaces。Hisvisitorwaitedamomentforhimtospeak，watchinghimashemovedabout。Thenatlastshesaid：I
hopedyou’dhavecometoRome。Ithoughtitpossibleyou’dhavewishedyourselftofetchPansyaway。
Thatwasanaturalsupposition。butI’mafraidit’snotthefirsttimeI’veactedindefianceofyourcalculations。
Yes，saidMadameMerle，Ithinkyouveryperverse。
Mr。Osmondbusiedhimselfforamomentintheroom-therewasplentyofspaceinittomoveabout-inthefashionofamanmechanicallyseekingpretextsfornotgivinganattentionwhichmaybeembarrassing。Presently，however，hehadexhaustedhispretexts。therewasnothingleftforhim-unlesshetookupabook-buttostandwithhishandsbehindhimlookingatPansy。Whydidn’tyoucomeandseethelastofMammanCatherine？heaskedofherabruptlyinFrench。
Pansyhesitatedamoment，glancingatMadameMerle。Iaskedhertostaywithme，saidthislady，whohadseatedherselfagaininanotherplace。
Ah，thatwasbetter，Osmondconceded。WithwhichhedroppedintoachairandsatlookingatMadameMerle。bentforwardalittle，hiselbowsontheedgeofthearmsandhishandsinterlocked。
She’sgoingtogivemesomegloves，saidPansy。
Youneedn’ttellthattoeveryone，mydear，MadameMerleobserved。
You’reverykindtoher，saidOsmond。She’ssupposedtohaveeverythingsheneeds。
Ishouldthinkshehadhadenoughofthenuns。
Ifwe’regoingtodiscussthatmattershehadbettergooutoftheroom。
Letherstay，saidMadameMerle。We’lltalkofsomethingelse。
IfyoulikeIwon’tlisten，Pansysuggestedwithanappearanceofcandourwhichimposedconviction。
Youmaylisten，charmingchild，becauseyouwon’tunderstand，
herfatherreplied。Thechildsatdown，deferentially，neartheopendoor，withinsightofthegarden，intowhichshedirectedherinnocent，wistfuleyes。andMr。Osmondwentonirrelevantly，addressinghimselftohisothercompanion。You’relookingparticularlywell。
IthinkIalwayslookthesame，saidMadameMerle。
Youalwaysarethesame。Youdon’tvary。You’reawonderfulwoman。
Yes，IthinkIam。
Yousometimeschangeyourmind，however。YoutoldmeonyourreturnfromEnglandthatyouwouldn’tleaveRomeagainforthepresent。
I’mpleasedthatyouremembersowellwhatIsay。Thatwasmyintention。ButI’vecometoFlorencetomeetsomefriendswhohavelatelyarrivedandastowhosemovementsIwasatthattimeuncertain。
Thatreason’scharacteristic。You’realwaysdoingsomethingforyourfriends。
MadameMerlesmiledstraightatherhost。It’slesscharacteristicthanyourcommentuponit-whichisperfectlyinsincere。Idon’t，however，makeacrimeofthat，sheadded，becauseifyoudon’tbelievewhatyousaythere’snoreasonwhyyoushould。Idon’truinmyselfformyfriends。Idon’tdeserveyourpraise。Icaregreatlyformyself。
Exactly。butyourselfincludessomanyotherselves-somuchofeveryoneelseandofeverything。Ineverknewapersonwhoselifetouchedsomanyotherlives。
Whatdoyoucallone’slife？askedMadameMerle。One’sappearance，one’smovements，one’sengagements，one’ssociety？
Icallyourlifeyourambitions，saidOsmond。
MadameMerlelookedamomentatPansy。Iwonderifsheunderstandsthat，shemurmured。
Youseeshecan’tstaywithus！AndPansy’sfathergaveratherajoylesssmile。Gointothegarden，mignonne，andpluckaflowerortwoforMadameMerle，hewentoninFrench。
That’sjustwhatIwantedtodo，Pansyexclaimed，risingwithpromptnessandnoiselesslydeparting。Herfatherfollowedhertotheopendoor，stoodamomentwatchingher，andthencameback，butremainedstanding，orratherstrollingtoandfromasiftocultivateasenseoffreedomwhichinanotherattitudemightbewanting。
Myambitionsareprincipallyforyou，saidMadameMerle，lookingupathimwithacertaincourage。
ThatcomesbacktowhatIsay。I’mpartofyourlife-Iandathousandothers。You’renotselfish-Ican’tadmitthat。Ifyouwereselfish，whatshouldIbe？Whatepithetwouldproperlydescribeme？
You’reindolent。Formethat’syourworstfault。
I’mafraidit’sreallymybest。
Youdon’tcare，saidMadameMerlegravely。
No。Idon’tthinkIcaremuch。Whatsortofafaultdoyoucallthat？Myindolence，atanyrate，wasoneofthereasonsIdidn’tgotoRome。Butitwasonlyoneofthem。
It’snotofimportance-tomeatleast-thatyoudidn’tgo。
thoughIshouldhavebeengladtoseeyou。I’mgladyou’renotinRomenow-whichyoumightbe，wouldprobablybe，ifyouhadgonethereamonthago。There’ssomethingIshouldlikeyoutodoatpresentinFlorence。
Pleaseremembermyindolence，saidOsmond。
Idorememberit。butIbegyoutoforgetit。Inthatwayyou’llhaveboththevirtueandthereward。Thisisnotagreatlabour，anditmayprovearealinterest。Howlongisitsinceyoumadeanewacquaintance？
Idon’tthinkI’vemadeanysinceImadeyours。
It’stimethenyoushouldmakeanother。There’safriendofmineIwantyoutoknow。
Mr。Osmond，inhiswalk，hadgonebacktotheopendooragainandwaslookingathisdaughterasshemovedaboutintheintensesunshine。Whatgoodwillitdome？heaskedwithasortofgenialcrudity。
MadameMerlewaited。Itwillamuseyou。Therewasnothingcrudeinthisrejoinder。ithadbeenthoroughlywellconsidered。
Ifyousaythat，youknow，Ibelieveit，saidOsmond，comingtowardher。Therearesomepointsinwhichmyconfidenceinyouiscomplete。I’mperfectlyaware，forinstance，thatyouknowgoodsocietyfrombad。
Societyisallbad。
Pardonme。Thatisn’t-theknowledgeIimputetoyou-acommonsortofwisdom。You’vegaineditintherightway-experimentally。you’vecomparedanimmensenumberofmoreorlessimpossiblepeoplewitheachother。
Well，Iinviteyoutoprofitbymyknowledge。
Toprofit？AreyouverysurethatIshall？
It’swhatIhope。Itwilldependonyourself。IfIcouldonlyinduceyoutomakeaneffort！
Ah，thereyouare！Iknewsomethingtiresomewascoming。Whatintheworld-that’slikelytoturnuphere-isworthaneffort？
MadameMerleflushedaswithawoundedintention。Don’tbefoolish，Osmond。Nooneknowsbetterthanyouwhatisworthaneffort。
Haven’tIseenyouinolddays？
Irecognizesomethings。Butthey’renoneofthemprobableinthispoorlife。
It’stheeffortthatmakesthemprobable，saidMadameMerle。
There’ssomethinginthat。Whothenisyourfriend？
ThepersonIcametoFlorencetosee。She’sanieceofMrs。
Touchett，whomyou’llnothaveforgotten。
Aniece？Thewordniecesuggestsyouthandignorance。Iseewhatyou’recomingto。
Yes，she’syoung-twenty-threeyearsold。She’sagreatfriendofmine。ImetherforthefirsttimeinEngland，severalmonthsago，andwestruckupagrandalliance。Ilikeherimmensely，andIdowhatI
don’tdoeveryday-Iadmireher。You’lldothesame。
NotifIcanhelpit。
Precisely。Butyouwon’tbeabletohelpit。
Isshebeautiful，clever，rich，splendid，universallyintelligentandunprecedentedlyvirtuous？It’sonlyonthoseconditionsthatI
caretomakeheracquaintance。YouknowIaskedyousometimeagonevertospeaktomeofacreaturewhoshouldn’tcorrespondtothatdescription。Iknowplentyofdingypeople。Idon’twanttoknowanymore。
MissArcherisn’tdingy。she’sasbrightasthemorning。Shecorrespondstoyourdescription。it’sforthatIwishyoutoknowher。
Shefillsallyourrequirements。
Moreorless，ofcourse。
No。quiteliterally。She’sbeautiful，accomplished，generousand，foranAmerican，well-born。She’salsoverycleverandveryamiable，andshehasahandsomefortune。
Mr。Osmondlistenedtothisinsilence，appearingtoturnitoverinhismindwithhiseyesonhisinformant。Whatdoyouwanttodowithher？heaskedatlast。
Whatyousee。Putherinyourway。
Isn’tshemeantforsomethingbetterthanthat？
Idon’tpretendtoknowwhatpeoplearemeantfor，saidMadameMerle。IonlyknowwhatIcandowiththem。
I’msorryforMissArcher！Osmonddeclared。
MadameMerlegotup。Ifthat’sabeginningofinterestinherI
takenoteofit。
Thetwostoodtherefacetoface。shesettledhermantilla，lookingdownatitasshedidso。You’relookingverywell，Osmondrepeatedstilllessrelevantlythanbefore。Youhavesomeidea。
You’reneversowellaswhenyou’vegotanidea。they’realwaysbecomingtoyou。
Inthemannerandtoneofthesetwopersons，onfirstmeetingatanyjuncture，andespeciallywhentheymetinthepresenceofothers，wassomethingindirectandcircumspect，asiftheyhadapproachedeachotherobliquelyandaddressedeachotherbyimplication。Theeffectofeachappearedtobetointensifytoanappreciabledegreetheself-consciousnessoftheother。MadameMerleofcoursecarriedoffanyembarrassmentbetterthanherfriend。butevenMadameMerlehadnotonthisoccasiontheformshewouldhavelikedtohave-theperfectself-possessionshewouldhavewishedtowearforherhost。
Thepointtobemadeis，however，thatatacertainmomenttheelementbetweenthem，whateveritwas，alwayslevelleditselfandleftthemmorecloselyfacetofacethaneithereverwaswithanyoneelse。Thiswaswhathadhappenednow。Theystoodthereknowingeachotherwellandeachonthewholewillingtoacceptthesatisfactionofknowingasacompensationfortheinconvenience-whateveritmightbe-ofbeingknown。Iwishverymuchyouwerenotsoheartless，MadameMerlequietlysaid。Ithasalwaysbeenagainstyou，anditwillbeagainstyounow。
I’mnotsoheartlessasyouthink。Everynowandthensomethingtouchesme-asforinstanceyoursayingjustnowthatyourambitionsareforme。Idon’tunderstandit。Idon’tseehoworwhytheyshouldbe。Butittouchesme，allthesame。
You’llprobablyunderstanditevenlessastimegoeson。Therearesomethingsyou’llneverunderstand。There’snoparticularneedyoushould。
You，afterall，arethemostremarkableofwomen，saidOsmond。
Youhavemoreinyouthanalmostanyone。Idon’tseewhyyouthinkMrs。Touchett’snieceshouldmatterverymuchtome，when-when-
Buthepausedamoment。
WhenImyselfhavematteredsolittle？
ThatofcourseisnotwhatImeanttosay。WhenI’veknownandappreciatedsuchawomanasyou。
IsabelArcher’sbetterthanI，saidMadameMerle。
Hercompaniongavealaugh。Howlittleyoumustthinkofhertosaythat！
DoyousupposeI’mcapableofjealousy？Pleaseanswermethat。
Withregardtome？No。onthewholeIdon’t。
Comeandseemethen，twodayshence。I’mstayingatMrs。
Touchett’s-PalazzoCrescentini-andthegirlwillbethere。
Whydidn’tyouaskmethatatfirstsimply，withoutspeakingofthegirl？saidOsmond。Youcouldhavehadherthereatanyrate。
MadameMerlelookedathiminthemannerofawomanwhomnoquestionhecouldeverputwouldfindunprepared。Doyouwishtoknowwhy？
BecauseI’vespokenofyoutoher。
Osmondfrownedandturnedaway。I’drathernotknowthat。Theninamomenthepointedouttheeaselsupportingthelittlewater-colourdrawing。Haveyouseenwhat’sthere-mylast？
MadameMerledrewnearandconsidered。IsittheVenetianAlps-oneofyourlastyear’ssketches？
Yes-buthowyouguesseverything！
Shelookedamomentlonger，thenturnedaway。YouknowIdon’tcareforyourdrawings。
Iknowit，yetI’malwayssurprisedatit。They’rereallysomuchbetterthanmostpeople’s。
Thatmayverywellbe。Butastheonlythingyoudo-well，it’ssolittle。Ishouldhavelikedyoutodosomanyotherthings：thoseweremyambitions。
Yes。you’vetoldmemanytimes-thingsthatwereimpossible。
Thingsthatwereimpossible，saidMadameMerle。Andtheninquiteadifferenttone：Initselfyourlittlepicture’sverygood。
Shelookedabouttheroom-attheoldcabinets，pictures，tapestries，surfacesoffadedsilk。Yourroomsatleastareperfect。I’mstruckwiththatafreshwheneverIcomeback。Iknownonebetteranywhere。Youunderstandthissortofthingasnobodyanywheredoes。You’vesuchadorabletaste。
I’msickofmyadorabletaste，saidGilbertOsmond。
YoumustneverthelessletMissArchercomeandseeit。I’vetoldheraboutit。
Idon’tobjecttoshowingmythings-whenpeoplearenotidiots。
Youdoitdelightfully。Asciceroneofyourmuseumyouappeartoparticularadvantage。
Mr。Osmond，inreturnforthiscompliment，simplylookedatoncecolderandmoreattentive。Didyousayshewasrich？
Shehasseventythousandpounds。
Enecusbiencomptes？
There’snodoubtwhateveraboutherfortune。I’veseenit，asImaysay。
Satisfactorywoman！-Imeanyou。AndifIgotoseehershallIseethemother？
Themother？Shehasnone-norfathereither。
Theauntthen-whomdidyousay？-Mrs。Touchett。
Icaneasilykeepheroutoftheway。
Idon’tobjecttoher，saidOsmond。IratherlikeMrs。
Touchett。Shehasasortofold-fashionedcharacterthat’spassingaway-avivididentity。Butthatlongjackanapestheson-isheabouttheplace？
He’sthere，buthewon’ttroubleyou。
He’sagooddealofadonkey。
Ithinkyou’remistaken。He’saverycleverman。Buthe’snotfondofbeingaboutwhenI’mthere，becausehedoesn’tlikeme。
Whatcouldbemoreasininethanthat？Didyousayshehaslooks？
Osmondwenton。
Yes。butIwon’tsayitagain，lestyoushouldbedisappointedinthem。Comeandmakeabeginning。that’sallIaskofyou。
Abeginningofwhat？
MadameMerlewassilentalittle。Iwantyouofcoursetomarryher。
Thebeginningoftheend？Well，I’llseeformyself。Haveyoutoldherthat？
Forwhatdoyoutakeme？She’snotsocoarseapieceofmachinery-noramI。
Really，saidOsmondaftersomemeditation，Idon’tunderstandyourambitions。
Ithinkyou’llunderstandthisoneafteryou’veseenMissArcher。
Suspendyourjudgement。MadameMerle，asshespoke，haddrawnneartheopendoorofthegarden，whereshestoodamomentlookingout。
Pansyhasreallygrownpretty，shepresentlyadded。
Soitseemedtome。
Butshehashadenoughoftheconvent。
Idon’tknow，saidOsmond。Ilikewhatthey’vemadeofher。
It’sverycharming。
That’snottheconvent。It’sthechild’snature。
It’sthecombination，Ithink。She’saspureasapearl。
Whydoesn’tshecomebackwithmyflowersthen？MadameMerleasked。She’snotinahurry。
We’llgoandgetthem。
Shedoesn’tlikeme，thevisitormurmuredassheraisedherparasolandtheypassedintothegarden。
CHAPTER23
MadameMerle，whohadcometoFlorenceonMrs。Touchett’sarrivalattheinvitationofthislady-Mrs。TouchettofferingherforamonththehospitalityofPalazzoCrescentini-thejudiciousMadameMerlespoketoIsabelafreshaboutGilbertOsmondandexpressedthehopeshemightknowhim。making，however，nosuchpointofthematteraswehaveseenherdoinrecommendingthegirlherselftoMr。Osmond’sattention。ThereasonofthiswasperhapsthatIsabelofferednoresistancewhatevertoMadameMerle’sproposal。InItaly，asinEngland，theladyhadamultitudeoffriends，bothamongthenativesofthecountryanditsheterogeneousvisitors。ShehadmentionedtoIsabelmostofthepeoplethegirlwouldfinditwelltomeet-ofcourse，shesaid，Isabelcouldknowwhomeverinthewideworldshewould-andhadplacedMr。Osmondnearthetopofthelist。Hewasanoldfriendofherown。shehadknownhimthesedozenyears。hewasoneofthecleverestandmostagreeablemen-well，inEuropesimply。Hewasaltogetherabovetherespectableaverage。quiteanotheraffair。Hewasn’taprofessionalcharmer-farfromit，andtheeffectheproduceddependedagooddealonthestateofhisnervesandhisspirits。
Whennotintherightmoodhecouldfallaslowasanyone，savedonlybyhislookingatsuchhoursratherlikeademoralizedprinceinexile。Butifhecaredorwasinterestedorrightlychallenged-justexactlyrightlyithadtobe-thenonefelthisclevernessandhisdistinction。Thosequalitiesdidn’tdepend，inhim，asinsomanypeople，onhisnotcommittingorexposinghimself。Hehadhisperversities-whichindeedIsabelwouldfindtobethecasewithallthemenreallyworthknowing-anddidn’tcausehislighttoshineequallyforallpersons。MadameMerle，however，thoughtshecouldundertakethatforIsabelhewouldbebrilliant。Hewaseasilybored，tooeasily，anddullpeoplealwaysputhimout。butaquickandcultivatedgirllikeIsabelwouldgivehimastimuluswhichwastooabsentfromhislife。Atanyratehewasapersonnottomiss。Oneshouldn’tattempttoliveinItalywithoutmakingafriendofGilbertOsmond，whoknewmoreaboutthecountrythananyoneexcepttwoorthreeGermanprofessors。Andiftheyhadmoreknowledgethanheitwashewhohadmostperceptionandtaste-beingartisticthroughandthrough。Isabelrememberedthatherfriendhadspokenofhimduringtheirplunge，atGardencourt，intothedeepsoftalk，andwonderedalittlewhatwasthenatureofthetiebindingthesesuperiorspirits。ShefeltthatMadameMerle’stiesalwayssomehowhadhistories，andsuchanimpressionwaspartoftheinterestcreatedbythisinordinatewoman。AsregardsherrelationswithMr。Osmond，however，shehintedatnothingbutalong-establishedcalmfriendship。
Isabelsaidsheshouldbehappytoknowapersonwhohadenjoyedsohighaconfidenceforsomanyyears。Yououghttoseeagreatmanymen，MadameMerleremarked。yououghttoseeasmanyaspossible，soastogetusedtothem。
Usedtothem？Isabelrepeatedwiththatsolemnstarewhichsometimesseemedtoproclaimherdeficientinthesenseofcomedy。
Why，I’mnotafraidofthem-I’masusedtothemasthecooktothebutcher-boys。
Usedtothem，Imean，soastodespisethem。That’swhatonecomestowithmostofthem。You’llpickout，foryoursociety，thefewwhomyoudon’tdespise。
ThiswasanoteofcynicismthatMadameMerledidn’toftenallowherselftosound。butIsabelwasnotalarmed，forshehadneversupposedthatasonesawmoreoftheworldthesentimentofrespectbecamethemostactiveofone’semotions。Itwasexcited，nonetheless，bythebeautifulcityofFlorence，whichpleasedhernotlessthanMadameMerlehadpromised。andifherunassistedperceptionhadnotbeenabletogaugeitscharmsshehadclevercompanionsasprieststothemystery。Shewasinnowantindeedofaestheticillumination，forRalphfounditajoythatrenewedhisownearlypassiontoactasciceronetohiseageryoungkinswoman。MadameMerleremainedathome。shehadseenthetreasuresofFlorenceagainandagainandhadalwayssomethingelsetodo。Butshetalkedofallthingswithremarkablevividnessofmemory-sherecalledtheright-handcornerofthelargePeruginoandthepositionofthehandsoftheSaintElizabethinthepicturenexttoit。Shehadheropinionsastothecharacterofmanyfamousworksofart，differingoftenfromRalphwithgreatsharpnessanddefendingherinterpretationswithasmuchingenuityasgood-humour。Isabellistenedtothediscussionstakingplacebetweenthetwowithasensethatshemightderivemuchbenefitfromthemandthattheywereamongtheadvantagesshecouldn’thaveenjoyedforinstanceinAlbany。IntheclearMaymorningsbeforetheformalbreakfast-thisrepastatMrs。Touchett’swasservedattwelveo’clock-shewanderedwithhercousinthroughthenarrowandsombreFlorentinestreets，restingawhileinthethickerduskofsomehistoricchurchorthevaultedchambersofsomedispeopledconvent。
Shewenttothegalleriesandpalaces。shelookedatthepicturesandstatuesthathadhithertobeengreatnamestoher，andexchangedforaknowledgewhichwassometimesalimitationapresentimentwhichprovedusuallytohavebeenablank。Sheperformedallthoseactsofmentalprostrationinwhich，onafirstvisittoItaly，youthandenthusiasmsofreelyindulge。shefeltherheartbeatinthepresenceofimmortalgeniusandknewthesweetnessofrisingtearsineyestowhichfadedfrescoanddarkenedmarblegrewdim。Butthereturn，everyday，wasevenpleasanterthanthegoingforth。thereturnintothewide，monumentalcourtofthegreathouseinwhichMrs。Touchett，manyyearsbefore，hadestablishedherself，andintothehigh，coolroomswherethecarvenraftersandpompousfrescoesofthesixteenthcenturylookeddownonthefamiliarcommoditiesoftheageofadvertisement。Mrs。Touchettinhabitedanhistoricbuildinginanarrowstreetwhoseverynamerecalledthestrifeofmediaevalfactions。andfoundcompensationforthedarknessofherfrontageinthemodicityofherrentandthebrightnessofagardenwherenatureitselflookedasarchaicastheruggedarchitectureofthepalaceandwhichclearedandscentedtheroomsinregularuse。Toliveinsuchaplacewas，forIsabel，toholdtoherearalldayashelloftheseaofthepast。Thisvagueeternalrumourkeptherimaginationawake。
GilbertOsmondcametoseeMadameMerle，whopresentedhimtotheyoungladylurkingattheothersideoftheroom。Isabeltookonthisoccasionlittlepartinthetalk。shescarcelyevensmiledwhentheothersturnedtoherinvitingly。shesatthereasifshehadbeenattheplayandhadpaidevenalargesumforherplace。Mrs。
Touchettwasnotpresent，andthesetwohadit，fortheeffectofbrilliancy，alltheirownway。TheytalkedoftheFlorentine，theRoman，thecosmopoliteworld，andmighthavebeendistinguishedperformersfiguringforacharity。Itallhadtherichreadinessthatwouldhavecomefromrehearsal。MadameMerleappealedtoherasifshehadbeenonthestage，butshecouldignoreanylearntcuewithoutspoilingthescene-thoughofcourseshethusputdreadfullyinthewrongthefriendwhohadtoldMr。Osmondshecouldbedependedon。Thiswasnomatterforonce。evenifmorehadbeeninvolvedshecouldhavemadenoattempttoshine。Therewassomethinginthevisitorthatcheckedherandheldherinsuspense-
madeitmoreimportantsheshouldgetanimpressionofhimthanthatsheshouldproduceoneherself。Besides，shehadlittleskillinproducinganimpressionwhichsheknewtobeexpected：nothingcouldbehappier，ingeneral，thantoseemdazzling，butshehadaperverseunwillingnesstoglitterbyarrangement。Mr。Osmond，todohimjustice，hadawell-bredairofexpectingnothing，aquieteasethatcoveredeverything，eventhefirstshowofhisownwit。Thiswasthemoregratefulashisface，hishead，wassensitive。hewasnothandsome，buthewasfine，asfineasoneofthedrawingsinthelonggalleryabovethebridgeoftheUffizi。Andhisveryvoicewasfine-themorestrangelythat，withitsclearness，ityetsomehowwasn’tsweet。Thishadhadreallytodowithmakingherabstainfrominterference。Hisutterancewasthevibrationofglass，andifshehadputoutherfingershemighthavechangedthepitchandspoiledtheconcert。Yetbeforehewentshehadtospeak。
MadameMerle，hesaid，consentstocomeuptomyhill-topsomedaynextweekanddrinkteainmygarden。Itwouldgivememuchpleasureifyouwouldcomewithher。It’sthoughtratherpretty-
there’swhattheycallageneralview。Mydaughtertoowouldbesoglad-orrather，forshe’stooyoungtohavestrongemotions，Ishouldbesoglad-soveryglad。AndMr。Osmondpausedwithaslightairofembarrassment，leavinghissentenceunfinished。
Ishouldbesohappyifyoucouldknowmydaughter，hewentonamomentafterwards。
IsabelrepliedthatsheshouldbedelightedtoseeMissOsmondandthatifMadameMerlewouldshowherthewaytothehill-topsheshouldbeverygrateful。Uponthisassurancethevisitortookhisleave。
afterwhichIsabelfullyexpectedherfriendwouldscoldherforhavingbeensostupid。Buttohersurprisethatlady，whoindeedneverfellintothemerematter-of-course，saidtoherinafewmoments：
Youwerecharming，mydear。youwerejustasonewouldhavewishedyou。You’reneverdisappointing。
Arebukemightpossiblyhavebeenirritating，thoughitismuchmoreprobablethatIsabelwouldhavetakenitingoodpart。but，strangetosay，thewordsthatMadameMerleactuallyusedcausedherthefirstfeelingofdispleasureshehadknownthisallytoexcite。That’smorethanIintended，sheansweredcoldly。I’mundernoobligationthatI
knowoftocharmMr。Osmond。
MadameMerleperceptiblyflushed，butweknowitwasnotherhabittoretract。Mydearchild，Ididn’tspeakforhim，poorman。I
spokeforyourself。It’snotofcourseaquestionastohislikingyou。itmatterslittlewhetherhelikesyouornot！ButIthoughtyoulikedhim。
Idid，saidIsabelhonestly。ButIdon’tseewhatthatmatterseither。
Everythingthatconcernsyoumatterstome，MadameMerlereturnedwithherwearynobleness。especiallywhenatthesametimeanotheroldfriend’sconcerned。
WhateverIsabel’sobligationsmayhavebeentoMr。Osmond，itmustbeadmittedthatshefoundthemsufficienttoleadhertoputtoRalphsundryquestionsabouthim。ShethoughtRalph’sjudgementsdistortedbyhistrials，butsheflatteredherselfshehadlearnedtomakeallowanceforthat。
DoIknowhim？saidhercousin。Oh，yes，I’know’him。notwell，butonthewholeenough。I’venevercultivatedhissociety，andheapparentlyhasneverfoundmineindispensabletohishappiness。
Whoishe，whatishe？He’savague，unexplainedAmericanwhohasbeenlivingthesethirtyyears，orless，inItaly。WhydoIcallhimunexplained？Onlyasacoverformyignorance。Idon’tknowhisantecedents，hisfamily，hisorigin。ForallIdoknowhemaybeaprinceindisguise。heratherlookslikeone，bytheway-likeaprincewhohasabdicatedinafitoffastidiousnessandhasbeeninastateofdisgusteversince。HeusedtoliveinRome。butoflateyearshehastakenuphisabodehere。IrememberhearinghimsaythatRomehasgrownvulgar。Hehasagreatdreadofvulgarity。
that’shisspecialline。hehasn’tanyotherthatIknowof。Helivesonhisincome，whichIsuspectofnotbeingvulgarlylarge。He’sapoorbuthonestgentleman-that’swhathecallshimself。Hemarriedyoungandlosthiswife，andIbelievehehasadaughter。Healsohasasister，who’smarriedtosomesmallCountorother，oftheseparts。Iremembermeetingherofold。She’snicerthanhe，I
shouldthink，butratherimpossible。Irememberthereusedtobesomestoriesabouther。Idon’tthinkIrecommendyoutoknowher。Butwhydon’tyouaskMadameMerleaboutthesepeople？SheknowsthemallmuchbetterthanI。
IaskyoubecauseIwantyouropinionaswellashers，saidIsabel。
Afigformyopinion！IfyoufallinlovewithMr。Osmondwhatwillyoucareforthat？
Notmuch，probably。Butmeanwhileithasacertainimportance。
Themoreinformationonehasaboutone’sdangersthebetter。
Idon’tagreetothat-itmaymakethemdangers。Weknowtoomuchaboutpeopleinthesedays。weheartoomuch。Ourears，ourminds，ourmouths，arestuffedwithpersonalities。Don’tmindanythinganyonetellsyouaboutanyoneelse。Judgeeveryoneandeverythingforyourself。
That’swhatItrytodo，saidIsabel。butwhenyoudothatpeoplecallyouconceited。
You’renottomindthem-that’spreciselymyargument。nottomindwhattheysayaboutyourselfanymorethanwhattheysayaboutyourfriendoryourenemy。
Isabelconsidered。Ithinkyou’reright。buttherearesomethingsIcan’thelpminding：forinstancewhenmyfriend’sattackedorwhenImyselfampraised。
Ofcourseyou’realwaysatlibertytojudgethecritic。Judgepeopleascritics，however，Ralphadded，andyou’llcondemnthemall！
IshallseeMr。Osmondformyself，saidIsabel。I’vepromisedtopayhimavisit。
Topayhimavisit？
Togoandseehisview，hispictures，hisdaughter-Idon’tknowexactlywhat。MadameMerle’stotakeme。shetellsmeagreatmanyladiescallonhim。
Ah，withMadameMerleyoumaygoanywhere，deconfiance，saidRalph。Sheknowsnonebutthebestpeople。
IsabelsaidnomoreaboutMr。Osmond，butshepresentlyremarkedtohercousinthatshewasnotsatisfiedwithhistoneaboutMadameMerle。Itseemstomeyouinsinuatethingsabouther。Idon’tknowwhatyoumean，butifyou’veanygroundsfordislikingherIthinkyoushouldeithermentionthemfranklyorelsesaynothingatall。