Henriettashowednosignsofbreakingdown。HerprospectshadbrightenedonherleavingEngland，andshewasnowinthefullenjoymentofhercopiousresources。Shehadindeedbeenobligedtosacrificeherhopeswithregardtotheinnerlife。thesocialquestion，ontheContinent，bristledwithdifficultiesevenmorenumerousthanthoseshehadencounteredinEngland。ButontheContinenttherewastheouterlife，whichwaspalpableandvisibleateveryturn，andmoreeasilyconvertibletoliteraryusesthanthecustomsofthoseopaqueislanders。Outofdoorsinforeignlands，assheingeniouslyremarked，oneseemedtoseetherightsideofthetapestry。outofdoorsinEnglandoneseemedtoseethewrongside，whichgaveonenonotionofthefigure。Theadmissioncostsherhistorianapang，butHenrietta，despairingofmoreoccultthings，wasnowpayingmuchattentiontotheouterlife。ShehadbeenstudyingitfortwomonthsatVenice，fromwhichcityshesenttotheIntervieweraconscientiousaccountofthegondolas，thePiazza，theBridgeofSighs，thepigeonsandtheyoungboatmanwhochantedTasso。TheInterviewerwasperhapsdisappointed，butHenriettawasatleastseeingEurope。HerpresentpurposewastogetdowntoRomebeforethemalariashouldcomeon-heapparentlysupposedthatitbeganonafixedday。andwiththisdesignshewastospendatpresentbutfewdaysinFlorence。Mr。BantlingwastogowithhertoRome，andshepointedouttoIsabelthatashehadbeentherebefore，ashewasamilitarymanandashehadhadaclassicaleducation-hehadbeenbredatEton，wheretheystudynothingbutLatinandWhyte-Melville，saidMissStackpole-hewouldbeamostusefulcompanioninthecityoftheCaesars。AtthisjunctureRalphhadthehappyideaofproposingtoIsabelthatshealso，underhisownescort，shouldmakeapilgrimagetoRome。Sheexpectedtopassaportionofthenextwinterthere-thatwasverywell。butmeantimetherewasnoharminsurveyingthefield。ThereweretendaysleftofthebeautifulmonthofMay-themostpreciousmonthofalltothetrueRomelover。
　　IsabelwouldbecomeaRome-lover。thatwasaforegoneconclusion。
　　Shewasprovidedwithatrustycompanionofherownsex，whosesociety，thankstothefactofothercallsonthislady’sattention，wouldprobablynotbeoppressive。MadameMerlewouldremainwithMrs。Touchett。shehadleftRomeforthesummerandwouldn’tcaretoreturn。SheprofessedherselfdelightedtobeleftatpeaceinFlorence。shehadlockedupherapartmentandsenthercookhometoPalestrina。SheurgedIsabel，however，toassenttoRalph’sproposal，andassuredherthatagoodintroductiontoRomewasnotathingtobedespised。Isabelintruthneedednourging，andthepartyoffourarrangeditslittlejourney。Mrs。Touchett，onthisoccasion，hadresignedherselftotheabsenceofaduenna。wehaveseenthatshenowinclinedtothebeliefthathernieceshouldstandalone。OneofIsabel’spreparationsconsistedofherseeingGilbertOsmondbeforeshestartedandmentioningherintentiontohim。
　　IshouldliketobeinRomewithyou，hecommented。Ishouldliketoseeyouonthatwonderfulground。
　　Shescarcelyfaltered。Youmightcomethen。
　　Butyou’llhavealotofpeoplewithyou。
　　Ah，Isabeladmitted，ofcourseIshallnotbealone。
　　Foramomenthesaidnothingmore。You’lllikeit，hewentonatlast。They’vespoiledit，butyou’llraveaboutit。
　　OughtItodislikeitbecause，poorolddear-theNiobeofNations，youknow-ithasbeenspoiled？sheasked。
　　No，Ithinknot。Ithasbeenspoiledsooften，hesmiled：IfI
　　weretogo，whatshouldIdowithmylittlegirl？
　　Can’tyouleaveheratthevilla？
　　Idon’tknowthatIlikethat-thoughthere’saverygoodoldwomanwholooksafterher。Ican’taffordagoverness。
　　Bringherwithyouthen，saidIsabelpromptly。
　　Mr。Osmondlookedgrave。ShehasbeeninRomeallwinter，atherconvent。andshe’stooyoungtomakejourneysofpleasure。
　　Youdon’tlikebringingherforward？Isabelenquired。
　　No，Ithinkyounggirlsshouldbekeptoutoftheworld。
　　Iwasbroughtuponadifferentsystem。
　　You？Oh，withyouitsucceeded，becauseyou-youwereexceptional。
　　Idon’tseewhy，saidIsabel，who，however，wasnotsuretherewasnotsometruthinthespeech。
　　Mr。Osmonddidn’texplain。hesimplywenton：IfIthoughtitwouldmakeherresembleyoutojoinasocialgroupinRomeI’dtakehertheretomorrow。
　　Don’tmakeherresembleme，saidIsabel。Keepherlikeherself。
　　Imightsendhertomysister，Mr。Osmondobserved。Hehadalmosttheairofaskingadvice。heseemedtoliketotalkoverhisdomesticmatterswithMissArcher。
　　Yes，sheconcurred。Ithinkthatwouldn’tdomuchtowardsmakingherresembleme！
　　AftershehadleftFlorenceGilbertOsmondmetMadameMerleattheCountessGemini’s。Therewereotherpeoplepresent。theCountess’sdrawing-roomwasusuallywellfilled，andthetalkhadbeengeneral，butafterawhileOsmondlefthisplaceandcameandsatonanottomanhalf-behind，half-besideMadameMerle’schair：ShewantsmetogotoRomewithher，heremarkedinalowvoice。
　　Togowithher？
　　Tobetherewhileshe’sthere。Sheproposedit。
　　Isupposeyoumeanthatyouproposeditandsheassented。
　　OfcourseIgaveherachance。Butshe’sencouraging-she’sveryencouraging。
　　Irejoicetohearit-butdon’tcryvictorytoosoon。Ofcourseyou’llgotoRome。
　　Ah，saidOsmond，itmakesonework，thisideaofyours！
　　Don’tpretendyoudon’tenjoyit-you’reveryungrateful。You’venotbeensowelloccupiedthesemanyyears。
　　Thewayyoutakeit’sbeautiful，saidOsmond。Ioughttobegratefulforthat。
　　Nottoomuchso，however，MadameMerleanswered。Shetalkedwithherusualsmile，leaningbackinherchairandlookingroundtheroom。
　　You’vemadeaverygoodimpression，andI’veseenformyselfthatyou’vereceivedone。You’venotcometoMrs。Touchett’sseventimestoobligeme。
　　Thegirl’snotdisagreeable，Osmondquietlyconceded。
　　MadameMerledroppedhereyeonhimamoment，duringwhichherlipsclosedwithacertainfirmness。Isthatallyoucanfindtosayaboutthatfinecreature？
　　All？Isn’titenough？Ofhowmanypeoplehaveyouheardmesaymore？
　　Shemadenoanswertothis，butstillpresentedhertalkativegracetotheroom。You’reunfathomable，shemurmuredatlast。I’mfrightenedattheabyssintowhichIshallhavecasther。
　　Hetookitalmostgaily。Youcan’tdrawback-you’vegonetoofar。
　　Verygood。butyoumustdotherestyourself。
　　Ishalldoit，saidGilbertOsmond。
　　MadameMerleremainedsilentandhechangedhisplaceagain。butwhensherosetogohealsotookleave。Mrs。Touchett’svictoriawasawaitingherguestinthecourt，andafterhehadhelpedhisfriendintoithestoodtheredetainingher。You’reveryindiscreet，shesaidratherwearily。youshouldn’thavemovedwhenIdid。
　　Hehadtakenoffhishat。hepassedhishandoverhisforehead。I
　　alwaysforget。I’moutofthehabit。
　　You’requiteunfathomable，sherepeated，glancingupatthewindowsofthehouse，amodernstructureinthenewpartofthetown。
　　Hepaidnoheedtothisremark，butspokeinhisownsense。She’sreallyverycharming。I’vescarcelyknownanyonemoregraceful。
　　Itdoesmegoodtohearyousaythat。Thebetteryoulikeherthebetterforme。
　　Ilikeherverymuch。She’sallyoudescribedher，andintothebargaincapable，Ifeel，ofgreatdevotion。Shehasonlyonefault。
　　What’sthat？
　　Toomanyideas。
　　Iwarnedyoushewasclever。
　　Fortunatelythey’reverybadones，saidOsmond。
　　Whyisthatfortunate？
　　Dame，iftheymustbesacrificed！
　　MadameMerleleanedback，lookingstraightbeforeher。thenshespoketothecoachman。Butherfriendagaindetainedher。IfIgotoRomewhatshallIdowithPansy？
　　I’llgoandseeher，saidMadameMerle。
　　CHAPTER27
　　Imaynotattempttoreportinitsfulnessouryoungwoman’sresponsetothedeepappealofRome，toanalyzeherfeelingsasshetrodthepavementoftheForumortonumberherpulsationsasshecrossedthethresholdofSaintPeter’s。Itisenoughtosaythatherimpressionwassuchasmighthavebeenexpectedofapersonofherfreshnessandhereagerness。Shehadalwaysbeenfondofhistory，andherewashistoryinthestonesofthestreetandtheatomsofthesunshine。Shehadanimaginationthatkindledatthementionofgreatdeeds，andwhereversheturnedsomegreatdeedhadbeenacted。
　　Thesethingsstronglymovedher，butmovedherallinwardly。Itseemedtohercompanionsthatshetalkedlessthanusual，andRalphTouchett，whenheappearedtobelookinglistlesslyandawkwardlyoverherhead，wasreallydroppingonheranintensityofobservation。Byherownmeasureshewasveryhappy。shewouldevenhavebeenwillingtotakethesehoursforthehappiestshewasevertoknow。Thesenseoftheterriblehumanpastwasheavytoher，butthatofsomethingaltogethercontemporarywouldsuddenlygiveitwingsthatitcouldwaveintheblue。Herconsciousnesswassomixedthatshescarcelyknewwherethedifferentpartsofitwouldleadher，andshewentaboutinarepressedecstasyofcontemplation，seeingofteninthethingsshelookedatagreatdealmorethanwasthere，andyetnotseeingmanyoftheitemsenumeratedinherMurray。Rome，asRalphsaid，confessedtothepsychologicalmoment。Theherdofreechoingtouristshaddepartedandmostofthesolemnplaceshadrelapsedintosolemnity。
　　Theskywasablazeofblue，andtheplashofthefountainsintheirmossynicheshadlostitschillanddoubleditsmusic。Onthecornersofthewarm，brightstreetsonestumbledonbundlesofflowers。Ourfriendshadgoneoneafternoon-itwasthethirdoftheirstay-tolookatthelatestexcavationsintheForum，theselabourshavingbeenforsometimepreviouslargelyextended。TheyhaddescendedfromthemodernstreettotheleveloftheSacredWay，alongwhichtheywanderedwithareverenceofstepwhichwasnotthesameonthepartofeach。HenriettaStackpolewasstruckwiththefactthatancientRomehadbeenpavedagooddeallikeNewYork，andevenfoundananalogybetweenthedeepchariot-rutstraceableintheantiquestreetandtheover-jangledirongrooveswhichexpresstheintensityofAmericanlife。Thesunhadbeguntosink，theairwasagoldenhaze，andthelongshadowsofbrokencolumnandvaguepedestalleanedacrossthefieldofruin。HenriettawanderedawaywithMr。Bantling，whomitwasapparentlydelightfultohertohearspeakofJuliusCaesarasacheekyoldboy，andRalphaddressedsuchelucidationsashewaspreparedtooffertotheattentiveearofourheroine。Oneofthehumblearchaeologistswhohoverabouttheplacehadputhimselfatthedisposalofthetwo，andrepeatedhislessonwithafluencywhichthedeclineoftheseasonhaddonenothingtoimpair。AprocessofdiggingwasonviewinaremotecorneroftheForum，andhepresentlyremarkedthatifitshouldpleasethesignoritogoandwatchitalittletheymightseesomethingofinterest。TheproposalcommendeditselfmoretoRalphthantoIsabel，wearywithmuchwandering。sothatsheadmonishedhercompaniontosatisfyhiscuriositywhileshepatientlyawaitedhisreturn。Thehourandtheplaceweremuchtohertaste-sheshouldenjoybeingbrieflyalone。RalphaccordinglywentoffwiththeciceronewhileIsabelsatdownonaprostratecolumnnearthefoundationsoftheCapitol。Shewantedashortsolitude，butshewasnotlongtoenjoyit。KeenaswasherinterestintheruggedrelicsoftheRomanpastthatlayscatteredaboutherandinwhichthecorrosionofcenturieshadstillleftsomuchofindividuallife，herthoughts，afterrestingawhileonthesethings，hadwandered，byaconcatenationofstagesitmightrequiresomesubtletytotrace，toregionsandobjectschargedwithamoreactiveappeal。FromtheRomanpasttoIsabelArcher’sfuturewasalongstride，butherimaginationhadtakenitinasingleflightandnowhoveredinslowcirclesoverthenearerandricherfield。Shewassoabsorbedinherthoughts，asshebenthereyesuponarowofcrackedbutnotdislocatedslabscoveringthegroundatherfeet，thatshehadnotheardthesoundofapproachingfootstepsbeforeashadowwasthrownacrossthelineofhervision。Shelookedupandsawagentleman-agentlemanwhowasnotRalphcomebacktosaythattheexcavationswereabore。Thispersonagewasstartledasshewasstartled。hestoodtherebaringhisheadtoherperceptiblypalesurprise。
　　LordWarburton！Isabelexclaimedassherose。
　　Ihadnoideaitwasyou。Iturnedthatcornerandcameuponyou。
　　Shelookedabouthertoexplain。I’malone，butmycompanionshavejustleftme。Mycousin’sgonetolookattheworkoverthere。
　　Ahyes。Isee。AndLordWarburton’seyeswanderedvaguelyinthedirectionshehadindicated。Hestoodfirmlybeforehernow。hehadrecoveredhisbalanceandseemedtowishtoshowit，thoughverykindly。Don’tletmedisturbyou，hewenton，lookingatherdejectedpillar。I’mafraidyou’retired。
　　Yes，I’mrathertired。Shehesitatedamoment，butsatdownagain。
　　Don’tletmeinterruptyou，sheadded。
　　Ohdear，I’mquitealone，I’venothingonearthtodo。IhadnoideayouwereinRome。I’vejustcomefromtheEast。I’monlypassingthrough。
　　You’vebeenmakingalongjourney，saidIsabel，whohadlearnedfromRalphthatLordWarburtonwasabsentfromEngland。
　　Yes，Icameabroadforsixmonths-soonafterIsawyoulast。
　　I’vebeeninTurkeyandAsiaMinor。IcametheotherdayfromAthens。
　　Hemanagednottobeawkward，buthewasn’teasy，andafteralongerlookatthegirlhecamedowntonature。Doyouwishmetoleaveyou，orwillyouletmestayalittle？
　　Shetookitallhumanely。Idon’twishyoutoleaveme，LordWarburton。I’mverygladtoseeyou。
　　Thankyouforsayingthat。MayIsitdown？
　　Theflutedshaftonwhichshehadtakenherseatwouldhaveaffordedaresting-placetoseveralpersons，andtherewasplentyofroomevenforahighly-developedEnglishman。Thisfinespecimenofthatgreatclassseatedhimselfnearouryounglady，andinthecourseoffiveminuteshehadaskedherseveralquestions，takenratheratrandomandtowhich，asheputsomeofthemtwiceover，heapparentlysomewhatmissedcatchingtheanswer。hadgivenhertoosomeinformationabouthimselfwhichwasnotwasteduponhercalmerfemininesense。Herepeatedmorethanoncethathehadnotexpectedtomeether，anditwasevidentthattheencountertouchedhiminawaythatwouldhavemadepreparationadvisable。Hebeganabruptlytopassfromtheimpunityofthingstotheirsolemnity，andfromtheirbeingdelightfultotheirbeingimpossible。Hewassplendidlysunburnt。evenhismultitudinousbeardhadbeenburnishedbythefireofAsia。Hewasdressedintheloose-fitting，heterogeneousgarmentsinwhichtheEnglishtravellerinforeignlandsiswonttoconsulthiscomfortandaffirmhisnationality。andwithhispleasantsteadyeyes，hisbronzedcomplexion，freshbeneathitsseasoning，hismanlyfigure，hisminimizingmannerandhisgeneralairofbeingagentlemanandanexplorer，hewassucharepresentativeoftheBritishraceasneednotinanyclimehavebeendisavowedbythosewhohaveakindnessforit。Isabelnotedthesethingsandwasgladshehadalwayslikedhim。Hehadkept，evidentlyinspiteofshocks，everyoneofhismerits-thesepropertiespartakingoftheessenceofgreatdecenthouses，asonemightputit。resemblingtheirinnermostfixturesandornaments，notsubjecttovulgarshiftingandremovableonlybysomewholebreak-up。Theytalkedofthemattersnaturallyinorder。heruncle’sdeath，Ralph’sstateofhealth，thewayshehadpassedherwinter，hervisittoRome，herreturntoFlorence，herplansforthesummer，thehotelshewasstayingat。andthenofLordWarburton’sownadventures，movements，intentions，impressionsandpresentdomicile。Atlasttherewasasilence，anditsaidsomuchmorethaneitherhadsaidthatitscarceneededhisfinalwords。I’vewrittentoyouseveraltimes。
　　Writtentome？I’veneverhadyourletters。
　　Ineversentthem。Iburnedthemup。
　　Ah，laughedIsabel，itwasbetterthatyoushoulddothatthanI！
　　Ithoughtyouwouldn’tcareforthem，hewentonwithasimplicitythattouchedher。ItseemedtomethatafterallIhadnorighttotroubleyouwithletters。
　　Ishouldhavebeenverygladtohavenewsofyou。YouknowhowI
　　hopedthat-that-Butshestopped。therewouldbesuchaflatnessintheutteranceofherthought。
　　Iknowwhatyou’regoingtosay。Youhopedweshouldalwaysremaingoodfriends。Thisformula，asLordWarburtonutteredit，wascertainlyflatenough。butthenhewasinterestedinmakingitappearso。
　　ShefoundherselfreducedsimplytoPleasedon’ttalkofallthat。
　　aspeechwhichhardlystruckherasimprovementontheother。
　　It’sasmallconsolationtoallowme！hercompanionexclaimedwithforce。
　　Ican’tpretendtoconsoleyou，saidthegirl，who，allstillasshesatthere，threwherselfbackwithasortofinwardtriumphontheanswerthathadsatisfiedhimsolittlesixmonthsbefore。Hewaspleasant，hewaspowerful，hewasgallant。therewasnobettermanthanhe。Butheranswerremained。
　　It’sverywellyoudon’ttrytoconsoleme。itwouldn’tbeinyourpower，sheheardhimsaythroughthemediumofherstrangeelation。
　　Ihopedweshouldmeetagain，becauseIhadnofearyouwouldattempttomakemefeelIhadwrongedyou。Butwhenyoudothat-thepain’sgreaterthanthepleasure。Andshegotupwithasmallconsciousmajesty，lookingforhercompanions。
　　Idon’twanttomakeyoufeelthat。ofcourseIcan’tsaythat。I
　　onlyjustwantyoutoknowoneortwothings-infairnesstomyself，asitwere。Iwon’treturntothesubjectagain。IfeltverystronglywhatIexpressedtoyoulastyear。Icouldn’tthinkofanythingelse。Itriedtoforget-energetically，systematically。I
　　triedtotakeaninterestinsomebodyelse。ItellyouthisbecauseIwantyoutoknowIdidmyduty。Ididn’tsucceed。ItwasforthesamepurposeIwentabroad-asfarawayaspossible。Theysaytravellingdistractsthemind，butitdidn’tdistractmine。I’vethoughtofyouperpetually，eversinceIlastsawyou。I’mexactlythesame。Iloveyoujustasmuch，andeverythingIsaidtoyouthenisjustastrue。ThisinstantatwhichIspeaktoyoushowsmeagainexactlyhow，tomygreatmisfortune，youjustinsuperablycharmme。
　　There-Ican’tsayless。Idon’tmean，however，toinsist。it’sonlyforamoment。ImayaddthatwhenIcameuponyouafewminutessince，withoutthesmallestideaofseeingyou，Iwas，uponmyhonour，intheveryactofwishingIknewwhereyouwere。Hehadrecoveredhisself-control，andwhilehespokeitbecamecomplete。Hemighthavebeenaddressingasmallcommittee-makingallquietlyandclearlyastatementofimportance。aidedbyanoccasionallookatapaperofnotesconcealedinhishat，whichhehadnotagainputon。Andthecommittee，assuredly，wouldhavefeltthepointproved。
　　I’veoftenthoughtofyou，LordWarburton，Isabelanswered。YoumaybesureIshallalwaysdothat。Andsheaddedinatoneofwhichshetriedtokeepupthekindnessandkeepdownthemeaning：
　　There’snoharminthatoneitherside。
　　Theywalkedalongtogether，andshewasprompttoaskabouthissistersandrequesthimtoletthemknowshehaddoneso。Hemadeforthemomentnofurtherreferencetotheirgreatquestion，butdippedagainintoshallowerandsaferwaters。ButhewishedtoknowwhenshewastoleaveRome，andonhermentioningthelimitofherstaydeclaredhewasgladitwasstillsodistant。
　　Whydoyousaythatifyouyourselfareonlypassingthrough？
　　sheenquiredwithsomeanxiety。
　　Ah，whenIsaidIwaspassingthroughIdidn’tmeanthatonewouldtreatRomeasifitwereClaphamJunction。TopassthroughRomeistostopaweekortwo。
　　SayfranklythatyoumeantostayaslongasIdo！
　　Hisflushedsmile，foralittle，seemedtosoundher。Youwon’tlikethat。You’reafraidyou’llseetoomuchofme。
　　Itdoesn’tmatterwhatIlike。Icertainlycan’texpectyoutoleavethisdelightfulplaceonmyaccount。ButIconfessI’mafraidofyou。
　　AfraidI’llbeginagain？Ipromisetobeverycareful。
　　Theyhadgraduallystoppedandtheystoodamomentfacetoface。
　　PoorLordWarburton！shesaidwithacompassionintendedtobegoodforbothofthem。
　　PoorLordWarburtonindeed！ButI’llbecareful。
　　Youmaybeunhappy，butyoushallnotmakemeso。ThatIcan’tallow。
　　IfIbelievedIcouldmakeyouunhappyIthinkIshouldtryit。Atthisshewalkedinadvanceandhealsoproceeded。I’llneversayawordtodispleaseyou。
　　Verygood。Ifyoudo，ourfriendship’satanend。
　　Perhapssomeday-afterawhile-you’llgivemeleave。
　　Giveyouleavetomakemeunhappy？
　　Hehesitated。Totellyouagain-Buthecheckedhimself。I’llkeepitdown。I’llkeepitdownalways。
　　RalphTouchetthadbeenjoinedinhisvisittotheexcavationbyMissStackpoleandherattendant，andthesethreenowemergedfromamongthemoundsofearthandstonecollectedroundtheapertureandcameintosightofIsabelandhercompanion。PoorRalphhailedhisfriendwithjoyqualifiedbywonder，andHenriettaexclaimedinahighvoiceGracious，there’sthatlord！RalphandhisEnglishneighbourgreetedwiththeausteritywithwhich，afterlongseparation，Englishneighboursgreet，andMissStackpolerestedherlargeintellectualgazeuponthesunburnttraveller。Butshesoonestablishedherrelationtothecrisis。Idon’tsupposeyourememberme，sir。
　　IndeedIdorememberyou，saidLordWarburton。Iaskedyoutocomeandseeme，andyounevercame。
　　Idon’tgoeverywhereI’masked，MissStackpoleansweredcoldly。
　　Ahwell，Iwon’taskyouagain，laughedthemasterofLockleigh。
　　IfyoudoI’llgo。sobesure！
　　LordWarburton，forallhishilarity，seemedsureenough。Mr。
　　Bantlinghadstoodbywithoutclaimingarecognition，buthenowtookoccasiontonodtohislordship，whoansweredhimwithafriendlyOh，youhere，Bantling？andahand-shake。
　　Well，saidHenrietta，Ididn’tknowyouknewhim！
　　Iguessyoudon’tknoweveryoneIknow，Mr。Bantlingrejoinedfacetiously。
　　IthoughtthatwhenanEnglishmanknewalordhealwaystoldyou。
　　Ah，I’mafraidBantlingwasashamedofme，LordWarburtonlaughedagain。Isabeltookpleasureinthatnote。shegaveasmallsighofreliefastheykepttheircoursehomeward。
　　ThenextdaywasSunday。shespenthermorningovertwolongletters-onetohersisterLily，theothertoMadameMerle。butinneitheroftheseepistlesdidshementionthefactthatarejectedsuitorhadthreatenedherwithanotherappeal。OfaSundayafternoonallgoodRomansandthebestRomansareoftenthenorthernbarbariansfollowthecustomofgoingtovespersatSaintPeter’s。
　　andithadbeenagreedamongourfriendsthattheywoulddrivetogethertothegreatchurch。Afterlunch，anhourbeforethecarriagecame，LordWarburtonpresentedhimselfattheHoteldeParisandpaidavisittothetwoladies，RalphTouchettandMr。Bantlinghavinggoneouttogether。ThevisitorseemedtohavewishedtogiveIsabelaproofofhisintentiontokeepthepromisemadehertheeveningbefore。hewasbothdiscreetandfrank-notevendumblyimportunateorremotelyintense。Hethuslefthertojudgewhatameregoodfriendhecouldbe。Hetalkedabouthistravels，aboutPersia，aboutTurkey，andwhenMissStackpoleaskedhimwhetheritwouldpayforhertovisitthosecountriesassuredhertheyofferedagreatfieldtofemaleenterprise。Isabeldidhimjustice，butshewonderedwhathispurposewasandwhatheexpectedtogainevenbyprovingthesuperiorstrainofhissincerity。Ifheexpectedtomeltherbyshowingwhatagoodfellowhewas，hemightsparehimselfthetrouble。
　　Sheknewthesuperiorstrainofeverythingabouthim，andnothinghecouldnowdowasrequiredtolighttheview。MoreoverhisbeinginRomeatallaffectedherasacomplicationofthewrongsort-shelikedsocomplicationsoftheright。Nevertheless，when，onbringinghiscalltoaclose，hesaidhetooshouldbeatSaintPeter’sandshouldlookoutforherandherfriends，shewasobligedtoreplythathemustfollowhisconvenience。
　　Inthechurch，asshestrolledoveritstesselatedacres，hewasthefirstpersonsheencountered。ShehadnotbeenoneofthesuperiortouristswhoaredisappointedinSaintPeter’sandfinditsmallerthanitsfame。thefirsttimeshepassedbeneaththehugeleatherncurtainthatstrainsandbangsattheentrance，thefirsttimeshefoundherselfbeneaththefar-archingdomeandsawthelightdrizzledownthroughtheairthickenedwithincenseandwiththereflectionsofmarbleandgilt，ofmosaicandbronze，herconceptionofgreatnessroseanddizzilyrose。Afterthisitneverlackedspacetosoar。Shegazedandwonderedlikeachildorapeasant，shepaidhersilenttributetotheseatedsublime。LordWarburtonwalkedbesideherandtalkedofSaintSophiaofConstantinople。shefearedforinstancethathewouldendbycallingattentiontohisexemplaryconduct。Theservicehadnotyetbegun，butatSaintPeter’sthereismuchtoobserve，andasthereissomethingalmostprofaneinthevastnessoftheplace，whichseemsmeantasmuchforphysicalasforspiritualexercise，thedifferentfiguresandgroups，themingledworshippersandspectators，mayfollowtheirvariousintentionswithoutconflictorscandal。Inthatsplendidimmensityindividualindiscretioncarriesbutashortdistance。Isabelandhercompanions，however，wereguiltyofnone。forthoughHenriettawasobligedincandourtodeclarethatMichaelAngelo’sdomesufferedbycomparisonwiththatoftheCapitolatWashington，sheaddressedherprotestchieflytoMr。Bantling’searandreserveditinitsmoreaccentuatedformforthecolumnsoftheInterviewer。Isabelmadethecircuitofthechurchwithhislordship，andastheydrewnearthechoirontheleftoftheentrancethevoicesofthePope’ssingerswerebornetothemovertheheadsofthelargenumberofpersonsclusteredoutsidethedoors。Theypausedawhileontheskirtsofthiscrowd，composedinequalmeasureofRomancockneysandinquisitivestrangers，andwhiletheystoodtherethesacredconcertwentforward。
　　Ralph，withHenriettaandMr。Bantling，wasapparentlywithin，whereIsabel，lookingbehindthedensegroupinfrontofher，sawtheafternoonlight，silveredbycloudsofincensethatseemedtominglewiththesplendidchant，slopethroughtheembossedrecessesofhighwindows。AfterawhilethesingingstoppedandthenLordWarburtonseemeddisposedtomoveoffwithher。Isabelcouldonlyaccompanyhim。
　　whereuponshefoundherselfconfrontedwithGilbertOsmond，whoappearedtohavebeenstandingatashortdistancebehindher。Henowapproachedwithalltheforms-heappearedtohavemultipliedthemonthisoccasiontosuittheplace。
　　Soyoudecidedtocome？shesaidassheputoutherhand。
　　Yes，Icamelastnightandcalledthisafternoonatyourhotel。
　　Theytoldmeyouhadcomehere，andIlookedaboutforyou。
　　Theothersareinside，shedecidedtosay。
　　Ididn’tcomefortheothers，hepromptlyreturned。
　　Shelookedaway。LordWarburtonwaswatchingthem。perhapshehadheardthis。SuddenlysherememberedittobejustwhathehadsaidtoherthemorninghecametoGardencourttoaskhertomarryhim。Mr。
　　Osmond’swordshadbroughtthecolourtohercheek，andthisreminiscencehadnottheeffectofdispellingit。Sherepairedanybetrayalbymentioningtoeachcompanionthenameoftheother，andfortunatelyatthismomentMr。Bantlingemergedfromthechoir，cleavingthecrowdwithBritishvalourandfollowedbyMissStackpoleandRalphTouchett。Isayfortunately，becausethisisperhapsasuperficialviewofthematter。sinceonperceivingthegentlemanfromFlorenceRalphTouchettappearedtotakethecaseasnotcommittinghimtojoy。Hedidn’thangback，however，fromcivility，andpresentlyobservedtoIsabel，withduebenevolence，thatshewouldsoonhaveallherfriendsabouther。MissStackpolehadmetMr。OsmondinFlorence，butshehadalreadyfoundoccasiontosaytoIsabelthatshelikedhimnobetterthanherotheradmirers-
　　thanMr。TouchettandLordWarburton，andeventhanlittleMr。
　　RosierinParis。Idon’tknowwhatit’sinyou，shehadbeenpleasedtoremark，butforanice-girlyoudoattractthemostunnaturalpeople。Mr。Goodwood’stheonlyoneI’veanyrespectfor，andhe’sjusttheoneyoudon’tappreciate。
　　What’syouropinionofSaintPeter’s？Mr。Osmondwasmeanwhileenquiringofouryounglady。
　　It’sverylargeandverybright，shecontentedherselfwithreplying。
　　It’stoolarge。itmakesonefeellikeanatom。
　　Isn’tthattherightwaytofeelinthegreatestofhumantemples？
　　sheaskedwithratheralikingforherphrase。
　　Isupposeit’stherightwaytofeeleverywhere，whenoneisnobody。ButIlikeitinachurchaslittleasanywhereelse。
　　YououghtindeedtobeaPope！Isabelexclaimed，rememberingsomethinghehadreferredtoinFlorence。
　　Ah，Ishouldhaveenjoyedthat！saidGilbertOsmond。
　　LordWarburtonmeanwhilehadjoinedRalphTouchett，andthetwostrolledawaytogether。Who’sthefellowspeakingtoMissArcher？
　　hislordshipdemanded。
　　Hisname’sGilbertOsmond-helivesinFlorence，Ralphsaid。
　　Whatishebesides？
　　Nothingatall。Ohyes，he’sanAmerican。butoneforgetsthat-
　　he’ssolittleofone。
　　HasheknownMissArcherlong？
　　Threeorfourweeks。
　　Doesshelikehim？
　　She’stryingtofindout。
　　Andwillshe？
　　Findout-？Ralphasked。
　　Willshelikehim？
　　Doyoumeanwillsheaccepthim？
　　Yes，saidLordWarburtonafteraninstant。Isupposethat’swhatIhorriblymean。
　　Perhapsnotifonedoesnothingtopreventit，Ralphreplied。
　　Hislordshipstaredamoment，butapprehended。Thenwemustbeperfectlyquiet？
　　Asquietasthegrave。Andonlyonthechance！Ralphadded。
　　Thechanceshemay？
　　Thechanceshemaynot？
　　LordWarburtontookthisatfirstinsilence，buthespokeagain。
　　Isheawfullyclever？
　　Awfully，saidRalph。
　　Hiscompanionthought。Andwhatelse？
　　Whatmoredoyouwant？Ralphgroaned。
　　Doyoumeanwhatmoredoesshe？
　　Ralphtookhimbythearmtoturnhim：theyhadtorejointheothers。Shewantsnothingthatwecangiveher。
　　Ahwell，ifshewon’thaveYou-！saidhislordshiphandsomelyastheywent。
　　CHAPTER28
　　Onthemorrow，intheevening，LordWarburtonwentagaintoseehisfriendsattheirhotel，andatthisestablishmenthelearnedthattheyhadgonetotheopera。HedrovetotheoperawiththeideaofpayingthemavisitintheirboxaftertheeasyItalianfashion。
　　andwhenhehadobtainedhisadmittance-itwasoneofthesecondarytheatres-lookedaboutthelarge，bare，ill-lightedhouse。Anacthadjustterminatedandhewasatlibertytopursuehisquest。Afterscanningtwoorthreetiersofboxesheperceivedinoneofthelargestofthesereceptaclesaladywhomheeasilyrecognized。MissArcherwasseatedfacingthestageandpartlyscreenedbythecurtainofthebox。andbesideher，leaningbackinhischair，wasMr。
　　GilbertOsmond。Theyappearedtohavetheplacetothemselves，andWarburtonsupposedtheircompanionshadtakenadvantageoftherecesstoenjoytherelativecoolnessofthelobby。Hestoodawhilewithhiseyesontheinterestingpair。heaskedhimselfifheshouldgoupandinterrupttheharmony。AtlasthejudgedthatIsabelhadseenhim，andthisaccidentdeterminedhim。Thereshouldbenomarkedholdingoff。HetookhiswaytotheupperregionsandonthestaircasemetRalphTouchettslowlydescending，hishatattheinclinationofennuiandhishandswheretheyusuallywere。
　　Isawyoubelowamomentsinceandwasgoingdowntoyou。Ifeellonelyandwantcompany，wasRalph’sgreeting。
　　You’vesomethat’sverygoodwhichyou’veyetdeserted。
　　Doyoumeanmycousin？Oh，shehasavisitoranddoesn’twantme。
　　ThenMissStackpoleandBantlinghavegoneouttoacafetoeatanice-MissStackpoledelightsinanice。Ididn’tthinktheywantedmeeither。Theopera’sverybad。thewomenlooklikelaundressesandsinglikepeacocks。Ifeelverylow。
　　Youhadbettergohome，LordWarburtonsaidwithoutaffectation。
　　Andleavemyyoungladyinthissadplace？Ahno，Imustwatchoverher。
　　Sheseemstohaveplentyoffriends。
　　Yes，that’swhyImustwatch，saidRalphwiththesamelargemock-melancholy。
　　Ifshedoesn’twantyouit’sprobableshedoesn’twantme。
　　No，you’redifferent。GototheboxandstaytherewhileIwalkabout。
　　LordWarburtonwenttothebox，whereIsabel’swelcomewasastoafriendsohonourablyoldthathevaguelyaskedhimselfwhatqueertemporalprovinceshewasannexing。HeexchangedgreetingswithMr。
　　Osmond，towhomhehadbeenintroducedthedaybeforeandwho，afterhecamein，satblandlyapartandsilent，asifrepudiatingcompetenceinthesubjectsofallusionnowprobable。ItstruckhersecondvisitorthatMissArcherhad，inoperaticconditions，aradiance，evenaslightexaltation。asshewas，however，atalltimesakeenly-glancing，quickly-moving，completelyanimatedyoungwoman，hemayhavebeenmistakenonthispoint。Hertalkwithhimmoreoverpointedtopresenceofmind。itexpressedakindnesssoingeniousanddeliberateastoindicatethatshewasinundisturbedpossessionofherfaculties。PoorLordWarburtonhadmomentsofbewilderment。Shehaddiscouragedhim，formally，asmuchasawomancould。whatbusinesshadshethenwithsuchartsandsuchfelicities，aboveallwithsuchtonesofreparation-preparation？Hervoicehadtricksofsweetness，butwhyplaythemonhim？Theotherscameback。thebare，familiar，trivialoperabeganagain。Theboxwaslarge，andtherewasroomforhimtoremainifhewouldsitalittlebehindandinthedark。Hedidsoforhalfanhour，whileMr。Osmondremainedinfront，leaningforward，hiselbowsonhisknees，justbehindIsabel。LordWarburtonheardnothing，andfromhisgloomycornersawnothingbuttheclearprofileofthisyoungladydefinedagainstthedimilluminationofthehouse。Whentherewasanotherintervalnoonemoved。Mr。OsmondtalkedtoIsabel，andLordWarburtonkepthiscorner。Hedidsobutforashorttime，however。afterwhichhegotupandbadegood-nighttotheladies。Isabelsaidnothingtodetainhim，butitdidn’tpreventhisbeingpuzzledagain。Whyshouldshemarksooneofhisvalues-
　　quitethewrongone-whenshewouldhavenothingtodowithanother，whichwasquitetheright？Hewasangrywithhimselfforbeingpuzzled，andthenangryforbeingangry。Verdi’smusicdidlittletocomforthim，andheleftthetheatreandwalkedhomeward，withoutknowinghisway，throughthetortuous，tragicstreetsofRome，whereheaviersorrowsthanhishadbeencarriedunderthestars。
　　What’sthecharacterofthatgentleman？OsmondaskedofIsabelafterhehadretired。
　　Irreproachable-don’tyouseeit？
　　HeownsabouthalfEngland。that’shischaracter，Henriettaremarked。That’swhattheycallafreecountry！
　　Ah，he’sagreatproprietor？Happyman！saidGilbertOsmond。
　　Doyoucallthathappiness-theownershipofwretchedhumanbeings？criedMissStackpole。Heownshistenantsandhasthousandsofthem。It’spleasanttoownsomething，butinanimateobjectsareenoughforme。Idon’tinsistonfleshandbloodandmindsandconsciences。
　　Itseemstomeyouownahumanbeingortwo，Mr。Bantlingsuggestedjocosely。IwonderifWarburtonordershistenantsaboutasyoudome。
　　LordWarburton’sagreatradical，Isabelsaid。Hehasveryadvancedopinions。
　　Hehasveryadvancedstonewalls。Hispark’senclosedbyagiganticironfence，somethirtymilesround，HenriettaannouncedfortheinformationofMr。Osmond。IshouldlikehimtoconversewithafewofourBostonradicals。
　　Don’ttheyapproveofironfences？askedMr。Bantling。
　　Onlytoshutupwickedconservatives。IalwaysfeelasifIweretalkingtoyouoversomethingwithaneattop-finishofbrokenglass。
　　Doyouknowhimwell，thisunreformedreformer？Osmondwenton，questioningIsabel。
　　WellenoughforalltheuseIhaveforhim。
　　Andhowmuchofauseisthat？
　　Well，Iliketolikehim。
　　’Likingtolike’-why，itmakesapassion！saidOsmond。
　　No-sheconsidered-keepthatforlikingtodislike。
　　Doyouwishtoprovokemethen，Osmondlaughed，toapassionforhim？
　　Shesaidnothingforamoment，butthenmetthelightquestionwithadisproportionategravity。No，Mr。Osmond。Idon’tthinkI
　　shouldeverdaretoprovokeyou。LordWarburton，atanyrate，shemoreeasilyadded，isaveryniceman。
　　Ofgreatability？herfriendenquired。
　　Ofexcellentability，andasgoodashelooks。
　　Asgoodashe’sgood-lookingdoyoumean？He’sverygood-looking。
　　Howdetestablyfortunate！-tobeagreatEnglishmagnate，tobecleverandhandsomeintothebargain，and，bywayoffinishingoff，toenjoyyourhighfavour！That’samanIcouldenvy。
　　Isabelconsideredhimwithinterest。Youseemtometobealwaysenvyingsomeone。YesterdayitwasthePope。todayit’spoorLordWarburton。
　　Myenvy’snotdangerous。itwouldn’thurtamouse。Idon’twanttodestroythepeople-Ionlywanttobethem。Youseeitwoulddestroyonlymyself。
　　You’dliketobethePope？saidIsabel。
　　Ishouldloveit-butIshouldhavegoneinforitearlier。Butwhy-Osmondreverted-doyouspeakofyourfriendaspoor？
　　Women-whentheyarevery，verygood-sometimespitymenafterthey’vehurtthem。that’stheirgreatwayofshowingkindness，saidRalph，joiningintheconversationforthefirsttimeandwithacynicismsotransparentlyingeniousastobevirtuallyinnocent。
　　Pray，haveIhurtLordWarburton？Isabelasked，raisinghereyebrowsasiftheideawereperfectlyfresh。
　　Itserveshimrightifyouhave，saidHenriettawhilethecurtainrosefortheballet。
　　Isabelsawnomoreofherattributivevictimforthenexttwenty-fourhours，butontheseconddayafterthevisittotheoperasheencounteredhiminthegalleryoftheCapitol，wherehestoodbeforethelionofthecollection，thestatueoftheDyingGladiator。Shehadcomeinwithhercompanions，amongwhom，onthisoccasionagain，GilbertOsmondhadhisplace，andtheparty，havingascendedthestaircase，enteredthefirstandfinestoftherooms。
　　LordWarburtonaddressedheralertlyenough，butsaidinamomentthathewasleavingthegallery。AndI’mleavingRome，headded。I
　　mustbidyougood-bye。Isabel，inconsequentlyenough，wasnowsorrytohearit。Thiswasperhapsbecauseshehadceasedtobeafraidofhisrenewinghissuit。shewasthinkingofsomethingelse。Shewasonthepointofnamingherregret，butshecheckedherselfandsimplywishedhimahappyjourney。whichmadehimlookatherratherunlightedly。I’mafraidyou’llthinkmevery’volatile。’ItoldyoutheotherdayIwantedsomuchtostop。
　　Ohno。youcouldeasilychangeyourmind。
　　That’swhatIhavedone。
　　Bonvoyagethen。
　　You’reinagreathurrytogetridofme，saidhislordshipquitedismally。
　　Notintheleast。ButIhatepartings。
　　Youdon’tcarewhatIdo，hewentonpitifully。
　　Isabellookedathimamoment。Ah，shesaid，you’renotkeepingyourpromise！
　　Hecolouredlikeaboyoffifteen。IfI’mnot，thenit’sbecauseIcan’t。andthat’swhyI’mgoing。
　　Good-byethen。
　　Good-bye。Helingeredstill，however。WhenshallIseeyouagain？
　　Isabelhesitated，butsoon，asifshehadhadahappyinspiration：
　　Somedayafteryou’remarried。
　　Thatwillneverbe。Itwillbeafteryouare。
　　Thatwilldoaswell，shesmiled。
　　Yes，quiteaswell。Good-bye。
　　Theyshookhands，andheleftheraloneinthegloriousroom，amongtheshiningantiquemarbles。Shesatdowninthecentreofthecircleofthesepresences，regardingthemvaguely，restinghereyesontheirbeautifulblankfaces。listening，asitwere，totheireternalsilence。Itisimpossible，inRomeatleast，tolooklongatagreatcompanyofGreeksculptureswithoutfeelingtheeffectoftheirnoblequietude。which，aswithahighdoorclosedfortheceremony，slowlydropsonthespiritthelargewhitemantleofpeace。IsayinRomeespecially，becausetheRomanairisanexquisitemediumforsuchimpressions。Thegoldensunshinemingleswiththem，thedeepstillnessofthepast，sovividyet，thoughitisnothingbutavoidfullofnames，seemstothrowasolemnspelluponthem。TheblindswerepartlyclosedinthewindowsoftheCapitol，andaclear，warmshadowrestedonthefiguresandmadethemmoremildlyhuman。Isabelsattherealongtime，underthecharmoftheirmotionlessgrace，wonderingtowhat，oftheirexperience，theirabsenteyeswereopen，andhow，toourears，theiralienlipswouldsound。Thedarkredwallsoftheroomthrewthemintorelief。thepolishedmarblefloorreflectedtheirbeauty。Shehadseenthemallbefore，butherenjoymentrepeateditself，anditwasallthegreaterbecauseshewasgladagain，forthetime，tobealone。Atlast，however，herattentionlapsed，drawnoffbyadeepertideoflife。Anoccasionaltouristcamein，stoppedandstaredamomentattheDyingGladiator，andthenpassedoutoftheotherdoor，creakingoverthesmoothpavement。AttheendofhalfanhourGilbertOsmondreappeared，apparentlyinadvanceofhiscompanions。Hestrolledtowardherslowly，withhishandsbehindhimandhisusualenquiring，yetnotquiteappealingsmile。I’msurprisedtofindyoualone，Ithoughtyouhadcompany。
　　SoIhave-thebest。AndsheglancedattheAntinousandtheFaun。
　　DoyoucallthembettercompanythananEnglishpeer？
　　Ah，myEnglishpeerleftmesometimeago。Shegotup，speakingwithintentionalittledryly。
　　Mr。Osmondnotedherdryness，whichcontributedforhimtotheinterestofhisquestion。I’mafraidthatwhatIheardtheothereveningistrue：you’rerathercrueltothatnobleman。
　　IsabellookedamomentatthevanquishedGladiator。It’snottrue。I’mscrupulouslykind。
　　That’sexactlywhatImean！GilbertOsmondreturned，andwithsuchhappyhilaritythathisjokeneedstobeexplained。Weknowthathewasfondoforiginals，ofrarities，ofthesuperiorandtheexquisite。
　　andnowthathehadseenLordWarburton，whomhethoughtaveryfineexampleofhisraceandorder，heperceivedanewattractionintheideaoftakingtohimselfayoungladywhohadqualifiedherselftofigureinhiscollectionofchoiceobjectsbydecliningsonobleahand。GilbertOsmondhadahighappreciationofthisparticularpatriciate。notsomuchforitsdistinction，whichhethoughteasilysurpassable，asforitssolidactuality。HehadneverforgivenhisstarfornotappointinghimtoanEnglishdukedom，andhecouldmeasuretheunexpectednessofsuchconductasIsabel’s。Itwouldbeproperthatthewomanhemightmarryshouldhavedonesomethingofthatsort。
　　CHAPTER29
　　RalphTouchett，intalkwithhisexcellentfriend，hadrathermarkedlyqualified，asweknow，hisrecognitionofGilbertOsmond’spersonalmerits。buthemightreallyhavefelthimselfilliberalinthelightofthatgentleman’sconductduringtherestofthevisittoRome。OsmondspentaportionofeachdaywithIsabelandhercompanions，andendedbyaffectingthemastheeasiestofmentolivewith。Whowouldn’thaveseenthathecouldcommand，asitwere，bothtactandgaiety？-whichperhapswasexactlywhyRalphhadmadehisold-timelookofsuperficialsociabilityareproachtohim。EvenIsabel’sinvidiouskinsmanwasobligedtoadmitthathewasjustnowadelightfulassociate。Hisgood-humourwasimperturbable，hisknowledgeoftherightfact，hisproductionoftherightword，asconvenientasthefriendlyflickerofamatchforyourcigarette。Clearlyhewasamused-asamusedasamancouldbewhowassolittleeversurprised，andthatmadehimalmostapplausive。Itwasnotthathisspiritswerevisiblyhigh-hewouldnever，intheconcertofpleasure，touchthebigdrumbysomuchasaknuckle：hehadamortaldisliketothehigh，raggednote，towhathecalledrandomravings。HethoughtMissArchersometimesoftooprecipitateareadiness。Itwaspityshehadthatfault，becauseifshehadnothaditshewouldreallyhavehadnone。shewouldhavebeenassmoothtohisgeneralneedofherashandledivorytothepalm。Ifhewasnotpersonallyloud，however，hewasdeep，andduringtheseclosingdaysoftheRomanMayheknewacomplacencythatmatchedwithslowirregularwalksunderthepinesoftheVillaBorghese，amongthesmallsweetmeadow-flowersandthemossymarbles。Hewaspleasedwitheverything。hehadneverbeforebeenpleasedwithsomanythingsatonce。Oldimpressions，oldenjoyments，renewedthemselves。oneevening，goinghometohisroomattheinn，hewrotedownalittlesonnettowhichheprefixedthetitleofRomeRevisited。AdayortwolaterheshowedthispieceofcorrectandingeniousversetoIsabel，explainingtoherthatitwasanItalianfashiontocommemoratetheoccasionsoflifebyatributetothemuse。
　　Hetookhispleasuresingeneralsingly。hewastoooften-hewouldhaveadmittedthat-toosorelyawareofsomethingwrong，somethingugly。thefertilizingdewofaconceivablefelicitytooseldomdescendedonhisspirit。Butatpresenthewashappy-happierthanhehadperhapseverbeeninhislife，andthefeelinghadalargefoundation。Thiswassimplythesenseofsuccess-themostagreeableemotionofthehumanheart。Osmondhadneverhadtoomuchofit。inthisrespecthehadtheirritationofsatiety，asheknewperfectlywellandoftenremindedhimself。Ahno，I’venotbeenspoiled。
　　certainlyI’venotbeenspoiled，heusedinwardlytorepeat。IfIdosucceedbeforeIdieIshallthoroughlyhaveearnedit。Hewastooapttoreasonasifearningthisboonconsistedaboveallofcovertlyachingforitandmightbeconfinedtothatexercise。
　　Absolutelyvoidofit，also，hiscareerhadnotbeen。hemightindeedhavesuggestedtoaspectatorhereandtherethathewasrestingonvaguelaurels。Buthistriumphswere，someofthem，nowtooold。othershadbeentooeasy。Thepresentonehadbeenlessarduousthanmighthavebeenexpected，buthadbeeneasy-thatishadbeenrapid-onlybecausehehadmadeanaltogetherexceptionaleffort，agreatereffortthanhehadbelieveditinhimtomake。Thedesiretohavesomethingorothertoshowforhisparts-toshowsomehoworother-hadbeenthedreamofhisyouth。butastheyearswentontheconditionsattachedtoanymarkedproofofrarityhadaffectedhimmoreandmoreasgrossanddetestable。liketheswallowingofmugsofbeertoadvertisewhatonecouldstand。Ifananonymousdrawingonamuseumwallhadbeenconsciousandwatchfulitmighthaveknownthispeculiarpleasureofbeingatlastandallofasuddenidentified-asfromthehandofagreatmaster-bythesohighandsounnoticedfactofstyle。Hisstylewaswhatthegirlhaddiscoveredwithalittlehelp。andnow，besideherselfenjoyingit，sheshouldpublishittotheworldwithouthishavinganyofthetrouble。Sheshoulddothethingforhim，andhewouldnothavewaitedinvain。
　　ShortlybeforethetimefixedinadvanceforherdeparturethisyoungladyreceivedfromMrs。Touchettatelegramrunningasfollows：LeaveFlorence4thJuneforBellaggio，andtakeyouifyouhavenototherviews。Butcan’twaitifyoudawdleinRome。ThedawdlinginRomewasverypleasant，butIsabelhaddifferentviews，andsheletherauntknowshewouldimmediatelyjoinher。ShetoldGilbertOsmondthatshehaddoneso，andherepliedthat，spendingmanyofhissummersaswellashiswintersinItaly，hehimselfwouldloiteralittlelongerinthecoolshadowofSaintPeter’s。HewouldnotreturntoFlorencefortendaysmore，andinthattimeshewouldhavestartedforBellaggio。Itmightbemonthsinthiscasebeforeheshouldseeheragain。Thisexchangetookplaceinthelargedecoratedsitting-roomoccupiedbyourfriendsatthehotel。
　　itwaslateintheevening，andRalphTouchettwastotakehiscousinbacktoFlorenceonthemorrow。Osmondhadfoundthegirlalone。MissStackpolehadcontractedafriendshipwithadelightfulAmericanfamilyonthefourthfloorandhadmountedtheinterminablestaircasetopaythemavisit。Henriettacontractedfriendships，intravelling，withgreatfreedom，andhadformedinrailway-carriagesseveralthatwereamonghermostvaluedties。Ralphwasmakingarrangementsforthemorrow’sjourney，andIsabelsataloneinawildernessofyellowupholstery。Thechairsandsofaswereorange。thewallsandwindowsweredrapedinpurpleandgilt。Themirrors，thepictureshadgreatflamboyantframes。theceilingwasdeeplyvaultedandpaintedoverwithnakedmusesandcherubs。ForOsmondtheplacewasuglytodistress。thefalsecolours，theshamsplendourwerelikevulgar，bragging，lyingtalk。IsabelhadtakeninhandavolumeofAmpere，presented，ontheirarrivalinRome，byRalph。butthoughshehelditinherlapwithherfingervaguelykeptintheplaceshewasnotimpatienttopursueherstudy。Alampcoveredwithadroopingveilofpinktissue-paperburnedonthetablebesideheranddiffusedastrangepalerosinessoverthescene。
　　Yousayyou’llcomeback。butwhoknows？GilbertOsmondsaid。I
　　thinkyou’remuchmorelikelytostartonyourvoyageroundtheworld。
　　You’reundernoobligationtocomeback。youcandoexactlywhatyouchoose。youcanroamthroughspace。
　　Well，Italy’sapartofspace，Isabelanswered。Icantakeitontheway。
　　Onthewayroundtheworld？No，don’tdothat。Don’tputusinaparenthesis-giveusachaptertoourselves。Idon’twanttoseeyouonyourtravels。I’dratherseeyouwhenthey’reover。Ishouldliketoseeyouwhenyou’retiredandsatiated，Osmondaddedinamoment。Ishallpreferyouinthatstate。
　　Isabel，withhereyesbent，fingeredthepagesofM。Ampere。Youturnthingsintoridiculewithoutseemingtodoit，thoughnot，I
　　think，withoutintendingit。You’venorespectformytravels-youthinkthemridiculous。
　　Wheredoyoufindthat？
　　Shewentoninthesametone，frettingtheedgeofherbookwiththepaper-knife。Youseemyignorance，myblunders，thewayIwanderaboutasiftheworldbelongedtome，simplybecause-becauseithasbeenputintomypowertodoso。Youdon’tthinkawomanoughttodothat。Youthinkitboldandungraceful。
　　Ithinkitbeautiful，saidOsmond。Youknowmyopinions-I’vetreatedyoutoenoughofthem。Don’tyouremembermytellingyouthatoneoughttomakeone’slifeaworkofart？Youlookedrathershockedatfirst。butthenItoldyouthatitwasexactlywhatyouseemedtometobetryingtodowithyourown。
　　Shelookedupfromherbook。Whatyoudespisemostintheworldisbad，isstupidart。
　　Possibly。Butyoursseemtomeveryclearandverygood。
　　IfIweretogotoJapannextwinteryouwouldlaughatme，shewenton。
　　Osmondgaveasmile-akeenone，butnotalaugh，forthetoneoftheirconversationwasnotjocose。Isabelhadinfacthersolemnity。
　　hehadseenitbefore。Youhaveanimaginationthatstartlesone！
　　That’sexactlywhatIsay。Youthinksuchanideaabsurd。
　　IwouldgivemylittlefingertogotoJapan。it’soneofthecountriesIwantmosttosee。Can’tyoubelievethat，withmytasteforoldlacquer？
　　Ihaven’tatasteforoldlacquertoexcuseme，saidIsabel。
　　You’veabetterexcuse-themeansofgoing。You’requitewronginyourtheorythatIlaughatyou。Idon’tknowwhathasputitintoyourhead。
　　Itwouldn’tberemarkableifyoudidthinkitridiculousthatI
　　shouldhavethemeanstotravelwhenyou’venot。foryouknoweverything，andIknownothing。
　　Themorereasonwhyyoushouldtravelandlearn，smiledOsmond。
　　Besides，headdedasifitwereapointtobemade，Idon’tknoweverything。
　　Isabelwasnotstruckwiththeoddityofhissayingthisgravely。
　　shewasthinkingthatthepleasantestincidentofherlife-soitpleasedhertoqualifythesetoofewdaysinRome，whichshemightmusinglyhavelikenedtothefigureofsomesmallprincessofoneoftheagesofdressover-muffledinamantleofstateanddraggingatrainthatittookpagesorhistorianstoholdup-thatthisfelicitywascomingtoanend。ThatmostoftheinterestofthetimehadbeenowingtoMr。Osmondwasareflexionshewasnotjustnowatpainstomake。shehadalreadydonethepointabundantjustice。Butshesaidtoherselfthatiftherewereadangertheyshouldnevermeetagain，perhapsafterallitwouldbeaswell。Happythingsdon’trepeatthemselves，andheradventureworealreadythechanged，theseawardfaceofsomeromanticislandfromwhich，afterfeastingonpurplegrapes，shewasputtingoffwhilethebreezerose。ShemightcomebacktoItalyandfindhimdifferent-thisstrangemanwhopleasedherjustashewas。anditwouldbebetternottocomethanruntheriskofthat。Butifshewasnottocomethegreaterthepitythatthechapterwasclosed。shefeltforamomentapangthattouchedthesourceoftears。Thesensationkepthersilent，andGilbertOsmondwassilenttoo。hewaslookingather。Goeverywhere，
　　hesaidatlast，inalow，kindvoice。doeverything。geteverythingoutoflife。Behappy-betriumphant。
　　Whatdoyoumeanbybeingtriumphant？
　　Well，doingwhatyoulike。
　　Totriumph，then，itseemstome，istofail！Doingallthevainthingsonelikesisoftenverytiresome。
　　Exactly，saidOsmondwithhisquietquickness。AsIintimatedjustnow，you’llbetiredsomeday。Hepausedamomentandthenhewenton：Idon’tknowwhetherIhadbetternotwaittillthenforsomethingIwanttosaytoyou。
　　Ah，Ican’tadviseyouwithoutknowingwhatitis。ButI’mhorridwhenI’mtired，Isabeladdedwithdueinconsequence。
　　Idon’tbelievethat。You’reangry，sometimes-thatIcanbelieve，thoughI’veneverseenit。ButI’msureyou’renever’cross。’
　　NotevenwhenIlosemytemper？
　　Youdon’tloseit-youfindit，andthatmustbebeautiful。Osmondspokewithanobleearnestness。Theymustbegreatmomentstosee。
　　IfIcouldonlyfinditnow！Isabelnervouslycried。
　　I’mnotafraid。Ishouldfoldmyarmsandadmireyou。I’mspeakingveryseriously。Heleanedforward，ahandoneachknee。
　　forsomemomentshebenthiseyesonthefloor。WhatIwishtosaytoyou，hewentonatlast，lookingup，isthatIfindI’minlovewithyou。
　　Sheinstantlyrose。Ah，keepthattillIamtired！
　　Tiredofhearingitfromothers？Hesatthereraisinghiseyestoher。No，youmayheeditnowornever，asyouplease。ButafterallImustsayitnow。Shehadturnedaway，butinthemovementshehadstoppedherselfanddroppedhergazeuponhim。Thetworemainedawhileinthissituation，exchangingalonglook-thelarge，consciouslookofthecriticalhoursoflife。Thenhegotupandcamenearher，deeplyrespectful，asifhewereafraidhehadbeentoofamiliar。I’mabsolutelyinlovewithyou。
　　Hehadrepeatedtheannouncementinatoneofalmostimpersonaldiscretion，likeamanwhoexpectedverylittlefromitbutwhospokeforhisownneededrelief。Thetearscameintohereyes：thistimetheyobeyedthesharpnessofthepangthatsuggestedtohersomehowtheslippingofafinebolt-backward，forward，shecouldn’thavesaidwhich。Thewordshehadutteredmadehim，ashestoodthere，beautifulandgenerous，investedhimaswiththegoldenairofearlyautumn。but，morallyspeaking，sheretreatedbeforethem-facinghimstill-asshehadretreatedintheothercasesbeforealikeencounter。Ohdon’tsaythat，please，sheansweredwithanintensitythatexpressedthedreadofhaving，inthiscasetoo，tochooseanddecide。Whatmadeherdreadgreatwaspreciselytheforcewhich，asitwouldseem，oughttohavebanishedalldread-thesenseofsomethingwithinherself，deepdown，thatshesupposedtobeinspiredandtrustfulpassion。Itwastherelikealargesumstoredinabank-
　　whichtherewasaterrorinhavingtobegintospend。Ifshetouchedit，itwouldallcomeout。
　　Ihaven’ttheideathatitwillmattermuchtoyou，saidOsmond。
　　I’vetoolittletoofferyou。WhatIhave-it’senoughforme。butit’snotenoughforyou。I’veneitherfortune，norfame，norextrinsicadvantagesofanykind。SoIoffernothing。IonlytellyoubecauseIthinkitcan’toffendyou，andsomedayorotheritmaygiveyoupleasure。Itgivesmepleasure，Iassureyou，hewenton，standingtherebeforeher，consideratelyinclinedtoher，turninghishat，whichhehadtakenup，slowlyroundwithamovementwhichhadallthedecenttremorofawkwardnessandnoneofitsoddity，andpresentingtoherhisfirm，refined，slightlyravagedface。Itgivesmenopain，becauseit’sperfectlysimple。Formeyou’llalwaysbethemostimportantwomanintheworld。
　　Isabellookedatherselfinthischaracter-lookedintently，thinkingshefilleditwithacertaingrace。Butwhatshesaidwasnotanexpressionofanysuchcomplacency。Youdon’toffendme。butyououghttorememberthat，withoutbeingoffended，onemaybeincommoded，troubled。Incommoded：sheheardherselfsayingthat，anditstruckherasaridiculousword。Butitwaswhatstupidlycametoher。
　　Irememberperfectly。Ofcourseyou’resurprisedandstartled。
　　Butifit’snothingbutthat，itwillpassaway。AnditwillperhapsleavesomethingthatImaynotbeashamedof。
　　Idon’tknowwhatitmayleave。YouseeatalleventsthatI’mnotoverwhelmed，saidIsabelwithratherapalesmile。I’mnottootroubledtothink。AndIthinkthatI’mgladwe’reseparating-thatIleaveRometo-morrow。
　　OfcourseIdon’tagreewithyouthere。
　　Idon’tatallknowyou，sheaddedabruptly。andthenshecolouredassheheardherselfsayingwhatshehadsaidalmostayearbeforetoLordWarburton。
　　Ifyouwerenotgoingawayyou’dknowmebetter。
　　Ishalldothatsomeothertime。
　　Ihopeso。I’mveryeasytoknow。
　　No，no，sheemphaticallyanswered-thereyou’renotsincere。
　　You’renoteasytoknow。noonecouldbelessso。
　　Well，helaughed，IsaidthatbecauseIknowmyself。Itmaybeaboast，butIdo。
　　Verylikely。butyou’reverywise。
　　Soareyou，MissArcher！Osmondexclaimed。
　　Idon’tfeelsojustnow。Still，I’mwiseenoughtothinkyouhadbettergo。Good-night。
　　Godblessyou！saidGilbertOsmond，takingthehandwhichshefailedtosurrender。Afterwhichheadded：Ifwemeetagainyou’llfindmeasyouleaveme。Ifwedon’tIshallbesoallthesame。
　　Thankyouverymuch。Good-bye。
　　TherewassomethingquietlyfirmaboutIsabel’svisitor。hemightgoofhisownmovement，butwouldn’tbedismissed。There’sonethingmore。Ihaven’taskedanythingofyou-notevenathoughtinthefuture。youmustdomethatjustice。Butthere’salittleserviceI
　　shouldliketoask。Ishallnotreturnhomeforseveraldays。Rome’sdelightful，andit’sagoodplaceforamaninmystateofmind。Oh，I
　　knowyou’resorrytoleaveit。butyou’rerighttodowhatyourauntwishes。
　　Shedoesn’tevenwishit！Isabelbrokeoutstrangely。
　　Osmondwasapparentlyonthepointofsayingsomethingthatwouldmatchthesewords，buthechangedhismindandrejoinedsimply：Ahwell，it’sproperyoushouldgowithher，veryproper。Doeverythingthat’sproper。Igoinforthat。Excusemybeingsopatronizing。Yousayyoudon’tknowme，butwhenyoudoyou’lldiscoverwhataworshipIhaveforpropriety。
　　You’renotconventional？Isabelgravelyasked。
　　Ilikethewayyouutterthatword！No，I’mnotconventional：I’mconventionitself。Youdon’tunderstandthat？Andhepausedamoment，smiling。Ishouldliketoexplainit。Thenwithasudden，quick，brightnaturalness，Docomebackagain，hepleaded。Therearesomanythingswemighttalkabout。
　　Shestoodtherewithloweredeyes。Whatservicedidyouspeakofjustnow？
　　GoandseemylittledaughterbeforeyouleaveFlorence。She’saloneatthevilla。Idecidednottosendhertomysister，whohasn’tatallmyideas。Tellhershemustloveherpoorfatherverymuch，
　　saidGilbertOsmondgently。
　　Itwillbeagreatpleasuretometogo，Isabelanswered。I’lltellherwhatyousay。Oncemoregood-bye。
　　Onthishetookarapid，respectfulleave。Whenhehadgoneshestoodamomentlookingaboutherandseatedherselfslowlyandwithanairofdeliberation。Shesattheretillhercompanionscameback，withfoldedhands，gazingattheuglycarpet。Heragitation-forithadnotdiminished-wasverystill，verydeep。Whathadhappenedwassomethingthatforaweekpastherimaginationhadbeengoingforwardtomeet。
　　buthere，whenitcame，shestopped-thatsublimeprinciplesomehowbrokedown。Theworkingofthisyounglady’sspiritwasstrange，andI
　　canonlygiveittoyouasIseeit，nothopingtomakeitseemaltogethernatural。Herimagination，asIsay，nowhungback：therewasalastvaguespaceitcouldn’tcross-adusky，uncertaintractwhichlookedambiguousandevenslightlytreacherous，likeamoorlandseeninthewintertwilight。Butshewastocrossityet。