Don’tyoulikeMadameMerle？Isabelhadoncesaidtohim。Shethinksagreatdealofyou。
I’lltellyouonceforall，Osmondhadanswered。IlikedheroncebetterthanIdoto-day。I’mtiredofher，andI’mratherashamedofit。She’ssoalmostunnaturallygood！I’mgladshe’snotinItaly。
itmakesforrelaxation-forasortofmoraldetente。Don’ttalkofhertoomuch。itseemstobringherback。She’llcomebackinplentyoftime。
MadameMerle，infact，hadcomebackbeforeitwastoolate-toolate，Imean，torecoverwhateveradvantageshemighthavelost。Butmeantime，if，asIhavesaid，shewassensiblydifferent，Isabel’sfeelingswerealsonotquitethesame。Herconsciousnessofthesituationwasasacuteasofold，butitwasmuchlesssatisfying。A
dissatisfiedmind，whateverelseitmaymiss，israrelyinwantofreasons。theybloomasthickasbuttercupsinJune。ThefactofMadameMerle’shavinghadahandinGilbertOsmond’smarriageceasedtobeoneofhertitlestoconsideration。itmighthavebeenwritten，afterall，thattherewasnotsomuchtothankherfor。Astimewentontherewaslessandless，andIsabeloncesaidtoherselfthatperhapswithoutherthesethingswouldnothavebeen。Thatreflectionindeedwasinstantlystifled。sheknewanimmediatehorrorathavingmadeit。Whateverhappenstomeletmenotbeunjust，shesaid。Letmebearmyburdensmyselfandnotshiftthemuponothers！Thisdispositionwastested，eventually，bythatingeniousapologyforherpresentconductwhichMadameMerlesawfittomakeandofwhichIhavegivenasketch。fortherewassomethingirritating-therewasalmostanairofmockery-inherneatdiscriminationsandclearconvictions。InIsabel’smindto-daytherewasnothingclear。therewasaconfusionofregrets，acomplicationoffears。Shefelthelplessassheturnedawayfromherfriend，whohadjustmadethestatementsIhavequoted：MadameMerleknewsolittlewhatshewasthinkingof！Shewasherselfmoreoversounabletoexplain。jealousofher-jealousofherwithGilbert？Theideajustthensuggestednonearreality。
Shealmostwishedjealousyhadbeenpossible。itwouldhavemadeinamannerforrefreshment。Wasn’titinamanneroneofthesymptomsofhappiness？MadameMerle，however，waswise，sowisethatshemighthavebeenpretendingtoknowIsabelbetterthanIsabelknewherself。Thisyoungwomanhadalwaysbeenfertileinresolutions-manyofthemofanelevatedcharacter。butatnoperiodhadtheyflourishedintheprivacyofherheartmorerichlythanto-day。Itistruethattheyallhadafamilylikeness。theymighthavebeensummedupinthedeterminationthatifshewastobeunhappyitshouldnotbebyafaultofherown。Herpoorwingedspirithadalwayshadagreatdesiretodoitsbest，andithadnotasyetbeenseriouslydiscouraged。Itwished，therefore，toholdfasttojustice-nottopayitselfbypettyrevenges。ToassociateMadameMerlewithitsdisappointmentwouldbeapettyrevenge-especiallyasthepleasuretobederivedfromthatwouldbeperfectlyinsincere。Itmightfeedhersenseofbitterness，butitwouldnotloosenherbonds。
Itwasimpossibletopretendthatshehadnotactedwithhereyesopen。ifeveragirlwasafreeagentshehadbeen。Agirlinlovewasdoubtlessnotafreeagent。butthesolesourceofhermistakehadbeenwithinherself。Therehadbeennoplot，nosnare。shehadlookedandconsideredandchosen。Whenawomanhadmadesuchamistake，therewasonlyonewaytorepairit-justimmenselyoh，withthehighestgrandeur！toacceptit。Onefollywasenough，especiallywhenitwastolastforever。asecondonewouldnotmuchsetitoff。InthisvowofreticencetherewasacertainnoblenesswhichkeptIsabelgoing。butMadameMerlehadbeenright，forallthat，intakingherprecautions。
OnedayaboutamonthafterRalphTouchett’sarrivalinRomeIsabelcamebackfromawalkwithPansy。ItwasnotonlyapartofhergeneraldeterminationtobejustthatshewasatpresentverythankfulforPansy-itwasalsoapartofhertendernessforthingsthatwerepureandweak。Pansywasdeartoher，andtherewasnothingelseinherlifethathadtherightnessoftheyoungcreature’sattachmentorthesweetnessofherownclearnessaboutit。Itwaslikeasoftpresence-likeasmallhandinherown。onPansy’spartitwasmorethananaffection-itwasakindofardentcoercivefaith。Onherownsidehersenseofthegirl’sdependencewasmorethanapleasure。itoperatedasadefinitereasonwhenmotivesthreatenedtofailher。Shehadsaidtoherselfthatwemusttakeourdutywherewefindit，andthatwemustlookforitasmuchaspossible。Pansy’ssympathywasadirectadmonition。itseemedtosaythatherewasanopportunity，noteminentperhaps，butunmistakeable。YetanopportunityforwhatIsabelcouldhardlyhavesaid。ingeneral，tobemoreforthechildthanthechildwasabletobeforherself。Isabelcouldhavesmiled，inthesedays，torememberthatherlittlecompanionhadoncebeenambiguous，forshenowperceivedthatPansy’sambiguitiesweresimplyherowngrossnessofvision。Shehadbeenunabletobelieveanyonecouldcaresomuch-soextraordinarilymuch-toplease。Butsincethenshehadseenthisdelicatefacultyinoperation，andnowsheknewwhattothinkofit。Itwasthewholecreature-itwasasortofgenius。Pansyhadnopridetointerferewithit，andthoughshewasconstantlyextendingherconquestsshetooknocreditforthem。Thetwowereconstantlytogether。Mrs。Osmondwasrarelyseenwithoutherstepdaughter。Isabellikedhercompany。ithadtheeffectofone’scarryinganosegaycomposedallofthesameflower。AndthennottoneglectPansy，notunderanyprovocationtoneglecther-thisshehadmadeanarticleofreligion。TheyounggirlhadeveryappearanceofbeinghappierinIsabel’ssocietythaninthatofanyonesaveherfather，whomsheadmiredwithanintensityjustifiedbythefactthat，aspaternitywasanexquisitepleasuretoGilbertOsmond，hehadalwaysbeenluxuriouslymild。IsabelknewhowPansylikedtobewithherandhowshestudiedthemeansofpleasingher。Shehaddecidedthatthebestwayofpleasingherwasnegative，andconsistedinnotgivinghertrouble-aconvictionwhichcertainlycouldhavehadnoreferencetotroublealreadyexisting。Shewasthereforeingeniouslypassiveandalmostimaginativelydocile。shewascarefuleventomoderatetheeagernesswithwhichsheassentedtoIsabel’spropositionsandwhichmighthaveimpliedthatshecouldhavethoughtotherwise。Sheneverinterrupted，neveraskedsocialquestions，andthoughshedelightedinapprobation，tothepointofturningpalewhenitcametoher，neverheldoutherhandforit。
Sheonlylookedtowarditwistfully-anattitudewhich，asshegrewolder，madehereyestheprettiestintheworld。WhenduringthesecondwinteratPalazzoRoccanerashebegantogotoparties，todances，shealways，atareasonablehour，lestMrs。Osmondshouldbetired，wasthefirsttoproposedeparture。Isabelappreciatedthesacrificeofthelatedances，forsheknewherlittlecompanionhadapassionatepleasureinthisexercise，takingherstepstothemusiclikeaconscientiousfairy。Society，moreover，hadnodrawbacksforher。shelikedeventhetiresomeparts-theheatofball-rooms，thedulnessofdinners，thecrushatthedoor，theawkwardwaitingforthecarriage。Duringtheday，inthisvehicle，besideherstepmother，shesatinasmallfixed，appreciativeposture，bendingforwardandfaintlysmiling，asifshehadbeentakentodriveforthefirsttime。
OnthedayIspeakoftheyhadbeendrivenoutofoneofthegatesofthecityandattheendofhalfanhourhadleftthecarriagetoawaitthembytheroadsidewhiletheywalkedawayovertheshortgrassoftheCampagna，whicheveninthewintermonthsissprinkledwithdelicateflowers。ThiswasalmostadailyhabitwithIsabel，whowasfondofawalkandhadaswiftlengthofstep，thoughnotsoswiftaoneasonherfirstcomingtoEurope。ItwasnottheformofexercisethatPansylovedbest，butshelikedit，becauseshelikedeverything。andshemovedwithashorterundulationbesideherfather’swife，whoafterwards，ontheirreturntoRome，paidatributetoherpreferencesbymakingthecircuitofthePincianortheVillaBorghese。Shehadgatheredahandfulofflowersinasunnyhollow，farfromthewallsofRome，andonreachingPalazzoRoccanerashewentstraighttoherroom，toputthemintowater。Isabelpassedintothedrawing-room，theonesheherselfusuallyoccupied，thesecondinorderfromthelargeante-chamberwhichwasenteredfromthestaircaseandinwhichevenGilbertOsmond’srichdeviceshadnotbeenabletocorrectalookofrathergrandnudity。justbeyondthethresholdofthedrawing-roomshestoppedshort，thereasonforherdoingsobeingthatshehadreceivedanimpression。Theimpressionhad，instrictness，nothingunprecedented。butshefeltitassomethingnew，andthesoundlessnessofherstepgavehertimetotakeinthescenebeforesheinterruptedit。MadameMerlewasthereinherbonnet，andGilbertOsmondwastalkingtoher。foraminutetheywereunawareshehadcomein。Isabelhadoftenseenthatbefore，certainly。butwhatshehadnotseen，oratleasthadnotnoticed，wasthattheircolloquyhadforthemomentconverteditselfintoasortoffamiliarsilence，fromwhichsheinstantlyperceivedthatherentrancewouldstartlethem。MadameMerlewasstandingontherug，alittlewayfromthefire。Osmondwasinadeepchair，leaningbackandlookingather。Herheadwaserect，asusual，buthereyeswerebentonhis。WhatstruckIsabelfirstwasthathewassittingwhileMadameMerlestood。therewasananomalyinthisthatarrestedher。Thensheperceivedthattheyhadarrivedatadesultorypauseintheirexchangeofideasandweremusing，facetoface，withthefreedomofoldfriendswhosometimesexchangeideaswithoututteringthem。Therewasnothingtoshockinthis。theywereoldfriendsinfact。Butthethingmadeanimage，lastingonlyamoment，likeasuddenflickeroflight。Theirrelativepositions，theirabsorbedmutualgaze，struckherassomethingdetected。Butitwasalloverbythetimeshehadfairlyseenit。MadameMerlehadseenherandhadwelcomedherwithoutmoving。herhusband，ontheotherhand，hadinstantlyjumpedup。Hepresentlymurmuredsomethingaboutwantingawalkand，afterhavingaskedtheirvisitortoexcusehim，lefttheroom。
Icametoseeyou，thinkingyouwouldhavecomein。andasyouhadn’tIwaitedforyou，MadameMerlesaid。
Didn’theaskyoutositdown？Isabelaskedwithasmile。
MadameMerlelookedabouther。Ah，it’sverytrue。Iwasgoingaway。
Youmuststaynow。
Certainly。Icameforareason。I’vesomethingonmymind。
I’vetoldyouthatbefore，Isabelsaid-thatittakessomethingextraordinarytobringyoutothishouse。
AndyouknowwhatI’vetoldyou。thatwhetherIcomeorwhetherI
stayaway，I’vealwaysthesamemotive-theaffectionIbearyou。
Yes，you’vetoldmethat。
Youlookjustnowasifyoudidn’tbelieveit，saidMadameMerle。
Ah，Isabelanswered，theprofundityofyourmotives，that’sthelastthingIdoubt！
Youdoubtsoonerofthesincerityofmywords。
Isabelshookherheadgravely。Iknowyou’vealwaysbeenkindtome。
Asoftenasyouwouldletme。Youdon’talwaystakeit。thenonehastoletyoualone。It’snottodoyouakindness，however，thatI’vecometo-day。it’squiteanotheraffair。I’vecometogetridofatroubleofmyown-tomakeitovertoyou。I’vebeentalkingtoyourhusbandaboutit。
I’msurprisedatthat。hedoesn’tliketroubles。
Especiallyotherpeople’s。Iknowverywell。Butneitherdoyou，Isuppose。Atanyrate，whetheryoudoornot，youmusthelpme。
It’saboutpoorMr。Rosier。
Ah，saidIsabelreflectively，it’shistroublethen，notyours。
Hehassucceededinsaddlingmewithit。Hecomestoseemetentimesaweek，totalkaboutPansy。
Yes，hewantstomarryher。Iknowallaboutit。
MadameMerlehesitated。Igatheredfromyourhusbandthatperhapsyoudidn’t。
HowshouldheknowwhatIknow？Hehasneverspokentomeofthematter。
It’sprobablybecausehedoesn’tknowhowtospeakofit。
It’sneverthelessthesortofquestioninwhichhe’srarelyatfault。
Yes，becauseasageneralthingheknowsperfectlywellwhattothink。
To-dayhedoesn’t。
Haven’tyoubeentellinghim？Isabelasked。
MadameMerlegaveabright，voluntarysmile。Doyouknowyou’realittledry？
Yes。Ican’thelpit。Mr。Rosierhasalsotalkedtome。
Inthatthere’ssomereason。You’resonearthechild。
Ah，saidIsabel，forallthecomfortI’vegivenhim！Ifyouthinkmedry，Iwonderwhathethinks。
Ibelievehethinksyoucandomorethanyouhavedone。
Icandonothing。
YoucandomoreatleastthanI。Idon’tknowwhatmysteriousconnectionhemayhavediscoveredbetweenmeandPansy。buthecametomefromthefirst，asifIheldhisfortuneinmyhand。Nowhekeepscomingback，tospurmeup，toknowwhathopethereis，topourouthisfeelings。
He’sverymuchinlove，saidIsabel。
Verymuch-forhim。
VerymuchforPansy，youmightsayaswell。
MadameMerledroppedhereyesamoment。Don’tyouthinkshe’sattractive？
Thedearestlittlepersonpossible-butverylimited。
SheoughttobealltheeasierforMr。Rosiertolove。Mr。Rosier’snotunlimited。
No，saidIsabel，hehasabouttheextentofone’spocket-handkerchief-thesmalloneswithlaceborders。Herhumourhadlatelyturnedagooddealtosarcasm，butinamomentshewasashamedofexercisingitonsoinnocentanobjectasPansy’ssuitor。
He’sverykind，veryhonest，shepresentlyadded。andhe’snotsuchafoolasheseems。
Heassuresmethatshedelightsinhim，saidMadameMerle。
Idon’tknow。I’venotaskedher。
You’veneversoundedheralittle？
It’snotmyplace。it’sherfather’s。
Ah，you’retooliteral！saidMadameMerle。
Imustjudgeformyself。
MadameMerlegavehersmileagain。Itisn’teasytohelpyou。
Tohelpme？saidIsabelveryseriously。Whatdoyoumean？
It’seasytodispleaseyou。Don’tyouseehowwiseIamtobecareful？Inotifyyou，atanyrate，asInotifiedOsmond，thatI
washmyhandsofthelove-affairsofMissPansyandMr。EdwardRosier。
Jen’ypeuxrien，moi！Ican’ttalktoPansyabouthim。Especially，
addedMadameMerle，asIdon’tthinkhimaparagonofhusbands。
Isabelreflectedalittle。afterwhich，withasmile，Youdon’twashyourhandsthen！shesaid。Afterwhichagainsheaddedinanothertone：Youcan’t-you’retoomuchinterested。
MadameMerleslowlyrose。shehadgivenIsabelalookasrapidastheintimationthathadgleamedbeforeourheroineafewmomentsbefore。Onlythistimethelattersawnothing。Askhimthenexttime，andyou’llsee。
Ican’taskhim。hehasceasedtocometothehouse。Gilberthaslethimknowthathe’snotwelcome。
Ahyes，saidMadameMerle，Iforgotthat-thoughit’stheburdenofhislamentation。HesaysOsmondhasinsultedhim。Allthesame，
shewenton，Osmonddoesn’tdislikehimsomuchashethinks。Shehadgotupasiftoclosetheconversation，butshelingered，lookingabouther，andhadevidentlymoretosay。Isabelperceivedthisandevensawthepointshehadinview。butIsabelalsohadherownreasonsfornotopeningtheway。
Thatmusthavepleasedhim，ifyou’vetoldhim，sheanswered，smiling。
CertainlyI’vetoldhim。asfarasthatgoesI’veencouragedhim。
I’vepreachedpatience，havesaidthathiscaseisn’tdesperateifhe’llonlyholdhistongueandbequiet。Unfortunatelyhehastakenitintohisheadtobejealous。
Jealous？
JealousofLordWarburton，who，hesays，isalwayshere。
Isabel，whowastired，hadremainedsitting。butatthisshealsorose。Ah！sheexclaimedsimply，movingslowlytothefireplace。
MadameMerleobservedherasshepassedandwhileshestoodamomentbeforethemantel-glassandpushedintoitsplaceawanderingtressofhair。
PoorMr。Rosierkeepssayingthere’snothingimpossibleinLordWarburton’sfallinginlovewithPansy，MadameMerlewenton。
Isabelwassilentalittle。sheturnedawayfromtheglass。
It’strue-there’snothingimpossible，shereturnedatlast，gravelyandmoregently。
SoI’vehadtoadmittoMr。Rosier。So，too，yourhusbandthinks。
ThatIdon’tknow。
Askhimandyou’llsee。
Ishallnotaskhim，saidIsabel。
Pardonme。Iforgotyouhadpointedthatout。Ofcourse，MadameMerleadded，you’vehadinfinitelymoreobservationofLordWarburton’sbehaviourthanI。
IseenoreasonwhyIshouldn’ttellyouthathelikesmystepdaughterverymuch。
MadameMerlegaveoneofherquicklooksagain。Likesher，youmean-Mr。Rosiermeans？
Idon’tknowhowMr。Rosiermeans。butLordWarburtonhasletmeknowthathe’scharmedwithPansy。
Andyou’venevertoldOsmond？Thisobservationwasimmediate，precipitate。italmostburstfromMadameMerle’slips。
Isabel’seyesrestedonher。Isupposehe’llknowintime。LordWarburtonhasatongueandknowshowtoexpresshimself。
MadameMerleinstantlybecameconsciousthatshehadspokenmorequicklythanusual，andthereflectionbroughtthecolourtohercheek。Shegavethetreacherousimpulsetimetosubsideandthensaidasifshehadbeenthinkingitoveralittle：ThatwouldbebetterthanmarryingpoorMr。Rosier。
Muchbetter，Ithink。
Itwouldbeverydelightful。itwouldbeagreatmarriage。It’sreallyverykindofhim。
Verykindofhim？
Todrophiseyesonasimplelittlegirl。
Idon’tseethat。
It’sverygoodofyou。Butafterall，PansyOsmond-
Afterall，PansyOsmond’sthemostattractivepersonhehaseverknown！Isabelexclaimed。
MadameMerlestared，andindeedshewasjustlybewildered。Ah，amomentagoIthoughtyouseemedrathertodisparageher。
Isaidshewaslimited。Andsosheis。Andso’sLordWarburton。
Soareweall，ifyoucometothat。Ifit’snomorethanPansydeserves，allthebetter。ButifshefixesheraffectionsonMr。
RosierIwon’tadmitthatshedeservesit。Thatwillbetooperverse。
Mr。Rosier’sanuisance！Isabelcriedabruptly。
Iquiteagreewithyou，andI’mdelightedtoknowthatI’mnotexpectedtofeedhisflame。Forthefuture，whenhecallsonme，mydoorshallbeclosedtohim。AndgatheringhermantletogetherMadameMerlepreparedtodepart。Shewaschecked，however，onherprogresstothedoor，byaninconsequentrequestfromIsabel。
Allthesame，youknow，bekindtohim。
Sheliftedhershouldersandeyebrowsandstoodlookingatherfriend。Idon’tunderstandyourcontradictions！DecidedlyIshan’tbekindtohim，foritwillbeafalsekindness。IwanttoseehermarriedtoLordWarburton。
Youhadbetterwaittillheasksher。
Ifwhatyousay’strue，he’llaskher。Especially，saidMadameMerleinamoment，ifyoumakehim。
IfImakehim？
It’squiteinyourpower。You’vegreatinfluencewithhim。
Isabelfrownedalittle。Wheredidyoulearnthat？
Mrs。Touchetttoldme。Notyou-never！saidMadameMerle，smiling。
Icertainlynevertoldyouanythingofthesort。
Youmighthavedonefarasopportunitywent-whenwewerebywayofbeingconfidentialwitheachother。Butyoureallytoldmeverylittle。I’veoftenthoughtsosince。
Isabelhadthoughtsotoo，andsometimeswithacertainsatisfaction。Butshedidn’tadmititnow-perhapsbecauseshewishednottoappeartoexultinit。Youseemtohavehadanexcellentinformantinmyaunt，shesimplyreturned。
SheletmeknowyouhaddeclinedanofferofmarriagefromLordWarburton，becauseshewasgreatlyvexedandwasfullofthesubject。OfcourseIthinkyou’vedonebetterindoingasyoudid。Butifyouwouldn’tmarryLordWarburtonyourself，makehimthereparationofhelpinghimtomarrysomeoneelse。
IsabellistenedtothiswithafacethatpersistedinnotreflectingthebrightexpressivenessofMadameMerle’s。Butinamomentshesaid，reasonablyandgentlyenough：Ishouldbeverygladindeedif，asregardsPansy，itcouldbearranged。Uponwhichhercompanion，whoseemedtoregardthisasaspeechofgoodomen，embracedhermoretenderlythanmighthavebeenexpectedandtriumphantlywithdrew。
CHAPTER41
Osmondtouchedonthismatterthateveningforthefirsttime。
comingverylateintothedrawing-room，whereshewassittingalone。
Theyhadspenttheeveningathome，andPansyhadgonetobed。hehimselfhadbeensittingsincedinnerinasmallapartmentinwhichhehadarrangedhisbooksandwhichhecalledhisstudy。Atteno’clockLordWarburtonhadcomein，ashealwaysdidwhenheknewfromIsabelthatshewastobeathome。hewasgoingsomewhereelseandhesatforhalfanhour。Isabel，afteraskinghimfornewsofRalph，saidverylittletohim，onpurpose。shewishedhimtotalkwithherstepdaughter。Shepretendedtoread。sheevenwentafteralittletothepiano。sheaskedherselfifshemightn’tleavetheroom。ShehadcomelittlebylittletothinkwelloftheideaofPansy’sbecomingthewifeofthemasterofbeautifulLockleigh，thoughatfirstithadnotpresenteditselfinamannertoexciteherenthusiasm。
MadameMerle，thatafternoon，hadappliedthematchtoanaccumulationofinflammablematerial。WhenIsabelwasunhappyshealwayslookedabouther-partlyfromimpulseandpartlybytheory-forsomeformofpositiveexertion。Shecouldneverridherselfofthesensethatunhappinesswasastateofdisease-ofsufferingasopposedtodoing。
Todo-ithardlymatteredwhat-wouldthereforebeanescape，perhapsinsomedegreearemedy。Besides，shewishedtoconvinceherselfthatshehaddoneeverythingpossibletocontentherhusband。shewasdeterminednottobehauntedbyvisionsofhiswife’slimpnessunderappeal。ItwouldpleasehimgreatlytoseePansymarriedtoanEnglishnobleman，andjustlypleasehim，sincethisnoblemanwassosoundacharacter。ItseemedtoIsabelthatifshecouldmakeitherdutytobringaboutsuchaneventsheshouldplaythepartofagoodwife。Shewantedtobethat。shewantedtobeabletobelievesincerely，andwithproofofit，thatshehadbeenthat。Thensuchanundertakinghadotherrecommendations。Itwouldoccupyher，andshedesiredoccupation。Itwouldevenamuseher，andifshecouldreallyamuseherselfsheperhapsmightbesaved。
Lastly，itwouldbeaservicetoLordWarburton，whoevidentlypleasedhimselfgreatlywiththecharminggirl。Itwasalittleweirdheshould-beingwhathewas。buttherewasnoaccountingforsuchimpressions。Pansymightcaptivateanyone-anyoneatleastbutLordWarburton。Isabelwouldhavethoughthertoosmall，tooslight，perhapseventooartificialforthat。Therewasalwaysalittleofthedollabouther，andthatwasnotwhathehadbeenlookingfor。
Still，whocouldsaywhatmeneverwerelookingfor？Theylookedforwhattheyfound。theyknewwhatpleasedthemonlywhentheysawit。Notheorywasvalidinsuchmatters，andnothingwasmoreunaccountableormorenaturalthananythingelse。IfhehadcaredforheritmightseemoddheshouldcareforPansy，whowassodifferent。buthehadnotcaredforhersomuchashehadsupposed。Orifhehad，hehadcompletelygotoverit，anditwasnaturalthat，asthataffairhadfailed，heshouldthinksomethingofquiteanothersortmightsucceed。
Enthusiasm，asIsay，hadnotcomeatfirsttoIsabel，butitcameto-dayandmadeherfeelalmosthappy。Itwasastonishingwhathappinessshecouldstillfindintheideaofprocuringapleasureforherhusband。Itwasapity，however，thatEdwardRosierhadcrossedtheirpath！
Atthisreflectionthelightthathadsuddenlygleameduponthatpathlostsomethingofitsbrightness。IsabelwasunfortunatelyassurethatPansythoughtMr。Rosierthenicestofalltheyoungmensureasifshehadheldaninterviewwithheronthesubject。Itwasverytiresomesheshouldbesosure，whenshehadcarefullyabstainedfrominformingherself。almostastiresomeasthatpoorMr。Rosiershouldhavetakenitintohisownhead。HewascertainlyveryinferiortoLordWarburton。Itwasnotthedifferenceinfortunesomuchasthedifferenceinthemen。theyoungAmericanwasreallysolightaweight。HewasmuchmoreofthetypeoftheuselessfinegentlemanthantheEnglishnobleman。ItwastruethattherewasnoparticularreasonwhyPansyshouldmarryastatesman。
still，ifastatesmanadmiredher，thatwashisaffair，andshewouldmakeaperfectlittlepearlofapeeress。
ItmayseemtothereaderthatMrs。Osmondhadgrownofasuddenstrangelycynical，forsheendedbysayingtoherselfthatthisdifficultycouldprobablybearranged。AnimpedimentthatwasembodiedinpoorRosiercouldnotanyhowpresentitselfasadangerousone。
therewerealwaysmeansoflevellingsecondaryobstacles。IsabelwasperfectlyawarethatshehadnottakenthemeasureofPansy’stenacity，whichmightprovetobeinconvenientlygreat。butsheinclinedtoseeherasratherlettinggo，undersuggestion，thanasclutchingunderdeprecation-sinceshehadcertainlythefacultyofassentdevelopedinaverymuchhigherdegreethanthatofprotest。
Shewouldcling，yes，shewouldcling。butitreallymatteredtoherverylittlewhatsheclungto。LordWarburtonwoulddoaswellasMr。Rosier-especiallyassheseemedquitetolikehim。shehadexpressedthissentimenttoIsabelwithoutasinglereservation。shehadsaidshethoughthisconversationmostinteresting-hehadtoldherallaboutIndia。HismannertoPansyhadbeenoftherightestandeasiest-Isabelnoticedthatforherself，asshealsoobservedthathetalkedtohernotintheleastinapatronizingway，remindinghimselfofheryouthandsimplicity，butquiteasifsheunderstoodhissubjectswiththatsufficiencywithwhichshefollowedthoseofthefashionableoperas。Thiswentfarenoughforattentiontothemusicandthebarytone。Hewascarefulonlytobekind-hewasaskindashehadbeentoanotherflutteredyoungchitatGardencourt。
Agirlmightwellbetouchedbythat。sherememberedhowsheherselfhadbeentouched，andsaidtoherselfthatifshehadbeenassimpleasPansytheimpressionwouldhavebeendeeperstill。Shehadnotbeensimplewhensherefusedhim。thatoperationhadbeenascomplicatedas，later，heracceptanceofOsmondhadbeen。Pansy，however，inspiteofhersimplicity，reallydidunderstand，andwasgladthatLordWarburtonshouldtalktoher，notaboutherpartnersandbouquets，butaboutthestateofItaly，theconditionofthepeasantry，thefamousgrist-tax，thepellagra，hisimpressionsofRomansociety。Shelookedathim，asshedrewherneedlethroughhertapestry，withsweetsubmissiveeyes，andwhensheloweredthemshegavelittlequietobliqueglancesathisperson，hishands，hisfeet，hisclothes，asifshewereconsideringhim。Evenhisperson，Isabelmighthaveremindedher，wasbetterthanMr。Rosier’s。ButIsabelcontentedherselfatsuchmomentswithwonderingwherethisgentlemanwas。hecamenomoreatalltoPalazzoRoccanera。Itwassurprising，asIsay，theholdithadtakenofher-theideaofassistingherhusbandtobepleased。
ItwassurprisingforavarietyofreasonswhichIshallpresentlytouchupon。OntheeveningIspeakof，whileLordWarburtonsatthere，shehadbeenonthepointoftakingthegreatstepofgoingoutoftheroomandleavinghercompanionsalone。Isaythegreatstep，becauseitwasinthislightthatGilbertOsmondwouldhaveregardedit，andIsabelwastryingasmuchaspossibletotakeherhusband’sview。
Shesucceededafterafashion，butshefellshortofthepointI
mention。Afterallshecouldn’trisetoit。somethingheldherandmadethisimpossible。Itwasnotexactlythatitwouldbebaseorinsidious。forwomenasageneralthingpractisesuchmanoeuvreswithaperfectlygoodconscience，andIsabelwasinstinctivelymuchmoretruethanfalsetothecommongeniusofhersex。Therewasavaguedoubtthatinterposed-asensethatshewasnotquitesure。Sosheremainedinthedrawing-room，andafterawhileLordWarburtonwentofftohisparty，ofwhichhepromisedtogivePansyafullaccountonthemorrow。Afterhehadgoneshewonderedifshehadpreventedsomethingwhichwouldhavehappenedifshehadabsentedherselfforaquarterofanhour。andthenshepronounced-alwaysmentally-thatwhentheirdistinguishedvisitorshouldwishhertogoawayhewouldeasilyfindmeanstoletherknowit。Pansysaidnothingwhateverabouthimafterhehadgone，andIsabelstudiouslysaidnothing，asshehadtakenavowofreserveuntilafterheshouldhavedeclaredhimself。HewasalittlelongerincomingtothisthanmightseemtoaccordwiththedescriptionhehadgivenIsabelofhisfeelings。Pansywenttobed，andIsabelhadtoadmitthatshecouldnotnowguesswhatherstepdaughterwasthinkingof。Hertransparentlittlecompanionwasforthemomentnottobeseenthrough。
Sheremainedalone，lookingatthefire，until，attheendofhalfanhour，herhusbandcamein。Hemovedaboutawhileinsilenceandthensatdown。helookedatthefirelikeherself。ButshenowhadtransferredhereyesfromtheflickeringflameinthechimneytoOsmond’sface，andshewatchedhimwhilehekepthissilence。Covertobservationhadbecomeahabitwithher。aninstinct，ofwhichitisnotanexaggerationtosaythatitwasalliedtothatofself-defence，hadmadeithabitual。Shewishedasmuchaspossibletoknowhisthoughts，toknowwhathewouldsay，beforehand，sothatshemightprepareheranswer。Preparinganswershadnotbeenherstrongpointofold。shehadrarelyinthisrespectgotfurtherthanthinkingafterwardsofcleverthingsshemighthavesaid。Butshehadlearnedcaution-learneditinameasurefromherhusband’sverycountenance。
Itwasthesamefaceshehadlookedintowitheyesequallyearnestperhaps，butlesspenetrating，ontheterraceofaFlorentinevilla。
exceptthatOsmondhadgrownslightlystoutersincehismarriage。Hestill，however，mightstrikeoneasverydistinguished。
HasLordWarburtonbeenhere？hepresentlyasked。
Yes，hestayedhalfanhour。
DidheseePansy？
Yes。hesatonthesofabesideher。
Didhetalkwithhermuch？
Hetalkedalmostonlytoher。
Itseemstomehe’sattentive。Isn’tthatwhatyoucallit？
Idon’tcallitanything，saidIsabel。I’vewaitedforyoutogiveitaname。
That’saconsiderationyoudon’talwaysshow，Osmondansweredafteramoment。
I’vedetermined，thistime，totryandactasyou’dlike。I’vesooftenfailedofthat。
Osmondturnedhisheadslowly，lookingather。Areyoutryingtoquarrelwithme？
No，I’mtryingtoliveatpeace。
Nothing’smoreeasy。youknowIdon’tquarrelmyself。
Whatdoyoucallitwhenyoutrytomakemeangry？Isabelasked。
Idon’ttry。ifI’vedonesoithasbeenthemostnaturalthingintheworld。MoreoverI’mnotintheleasttryingnow。
Isabelsmiled。Itdoesn’tmatter。I’vedeterminednevertobeangryagain。
That’sanexcellentresolve。Yourtemperisn’tgood。
No-it’snotgood。ShepushedawaythebookshehadbeenreadingandtookupthebandoftapestryPansyhadleftonthetable。
That’spartlywhyI’venotspokentoyouaboutthisbusinessofmydaughter’s，Osmondsaid，designatingPansyinthemannerthatwasmostfrequentwithhim。IwasafraidIshouldencounteropposition-thatyoutoowouldhaveviewsonthesubject。I’vesentlittleRosierabouthisbusiness。
YouwereafraidI’dpleadforMr。Rosier？Haven’tyounoticedthatI’veneverspokentoyouofhim？
I’venevergivenyouachance。We’vesolittleconversationinthesedays。Iknowhewasanoldfriendofyours。
Yes。he’sanoldfriendofmine。Isabelcaredlittlemoreforhimthanforthetapestrythatsheheldinherhand。butitwastruethathewasanoldfriendandthatwithherhusbandshefeltadesirenottoextenuatesuchties。Hehadawayofexpressingcontemptforthemwhichfortifiedherloyaltytothem，evenwhen，asinthepresentcase，theywereinthemselvesinsignificant。Shesometimesfeltasortofpassionoftendernessformemorieswhichhadnoothermeritthanthattheybelongedtoherunmarriedlife。ButasregardsPansy，sheaddedinamoment，I’vegivenhimnoencouragement。
That’sfortunate，Osmondobserved。
Fortunateforme，Isupposeyoumean。Forhimitmatterslittle。
There’snousetalkingofhim，Osmondsaid。AsItellyou，I’veturnedhimout。
Yes。butaloveroutside’salwaysalover。He’ssometimesevenmoreofone。Mr。Rosierstillhashope。
He’swelcometothecomfortofit！MydaughterhasonlytositperfectlyquiettobecomeLadyWarburton。
Shouldyoulikethat？Isabelaskedwithasimplicitywhichwasnotsoaffectedasitmayappear。Shewasresolvedtoassumenothing，forOsmondhadawayofunexpectedlyturningherassumptionsagainsther。TheintensitywithwhichhewouldlikehisdaughtertobecomeLadyWarburtonhadbeentheverybasisofherownrecentreflections。Butthatwasforherself。shewouldrecognizenothinguntilOsmondshouldhaveputitintowords。shewouldnottakeforgrantedwithhimthathethoughtLordWarburtonaprizeworthanamountofeffortthatwasunusualamongtheOsmonds。ItwasGilbert’sconstantintimationthatforhimnothinginlifewasaprize。thathetreatedasfromequaltoequalwiththemostdistinguishedpeopleintheworld，andthathisdaughterhadonlytolookabouthertopickoutaprince。ItcosthimthereforealapsefromconsistencytosayexplicitlythatheyearnedforLordWarburtonandthatifthisnoblemanshouldescapehisequivalentmightnotbefound。withwhichmoreoveritwasanotherofhiscustomaryimplicationsthathewasneverinconsistent。Hewouldhavelikedhiswifetoglideoverthepoint。Butstrangelyenough，nowthatshewasfacetofacewithhimandalthoughanhourbeforeshehadalmostinventedaschemeforpleasinghim，Isabelwasnotaccommodating，wouldnotglide。Andyetsheknewexactlytheeffectonhismindofherquestion：itwouldoperateasanhumiliation。Nevermind。hewasterriblycapableofhumiliatingher-allthemoresothathewasalsocapableofwaitingforgreatopportunitiesandofshowingsometimesanalmostunaccountableindifferencetosmallones。Isabelperhapstookasmallopportunitybecauseshewouldnothaveavailedherselfofagreatone。
Osmondatpresentacquittedhimselfveryhonourably。Ishouldlikeitextremely。itwouldbeagreatmarriage。AndthenLordWarburtonhasanotheradvantage：he’sanoldfriendofyours。Itwouldbepleasantforhimtocomeintothefamily。It’sveryoddPansy’sadmirersshouldallbeyouroldfriends。
It’snaturalthattheyshouldcometoseeme。IncomingtoseemetheyseePansy。Seeingherit’snaturaltheyshouldfallinlovewithher。
SoIthink。Butyou’renotboundtodoso。
IfsheshouldmarryLordWarburtonIshouldbeveryglad，Isabelwentonfrankly。He’sanexcellentman。Yousay，however，thatshehasonlytositperfectlystill。Perhapsshewon’tsitperfectlystill。IfshelosesMr。Rosiershemayjumpup！
Osmondappearedtogivenoheedtothis。hesatgazingatthefire。
Pansywouldliketobeagreatlady，heremarkedinamomentwithacertaintendernessoftone。Shewishesabovealltoplease，
headded。
TopleaseMr。Rosier，perhaps。
No，topleaseme。
Metooalittle，Ithink，saidIsabel。
Yes，shehasagreatopinionofyou。Butshe’lldowhatIlike。
Ifyou’resureofthat，it’sverywell，shewenton。
Meantime，saidOsmond，Ishouldlikeourdistinguishedvisitortospeak。
Hehasspoken-tome。Hehastoldmeitwouldbeagreatpleasuretohimtobelieveshecouldcareforhim。
Osmondturnedhisheadquickly，butatfirsthesaidnothing。
Then，Whydidn’tyoutellmethat？heaskedsharply。
Therewasnoopportunity。Youknowhowwelive。I’vetakenthefirstchancethathasoffered。
DidyouspeaktohimofRosier？
Ohyes，alittle。
Thatwashardlynecessary。
Ithoughtitbestheshouldknow，sothat，sothat-AndIsabelpaused。
Sothatwhat？
Sothathemightactaccordingly。
Sothathemightbackout，doyoumean？
No，sothathemightadvancewhilethere’syettime。
That’snottheeffectitseemstohavehad。
Youshouldhavepatience，saidIsabel。YouknowEnglishmenareshy。
Thisone’snot。Hewasnotwhenhemadelovetoyou。
ShehadbeenafraidOsmondwouldspeakofthat。itwasdisagreeabletoher。Ibegyourpardon。hewasextremelyso，shereturned。
Heanswerednothingforsometime。hetookupabookandfingeredthepageswhileshesatsilentandoccupiedherselfwithPansy’stapestry。Youmusthaveagreatdealofinfluencewithhim，Osmondwentonatlast。Themomentyoureallywishityoucanbringhimtothepoint。
Thiswasmoreoffensivestill。butshefeltthegreatnaturalnessofhissayingit，anditwasafterallextremelylikewhatshehadsaidtoherself。WhyshouldIhaveinfluence？sheasked。WhathaveI
everdonetoputhimunderanobligationtome？
Yourefusedtomarryhim，saidOsmondwithhiseyesonhisbook。
Imustnotpresumetoomuchonthat，shereplied。
Hethrewdownthebookpresentlyandgotup，standingbeforethefirewithhishandsbehindhim。Well，Iholdthatitliesinyourhands。Ishallleaveitthere。Withalittlegood-willyoumaymanageit。ThinkthatoverandrememberhowmuchIcountonyou。Hewaitedalittle，togivehertimetoanswer。butsheanswerednothing，andhepresentlystrolledoutoftheroom。
CHAPTER42
Shehadanswerednothingbecausehiswordshadputthesituationbeforeherandshewasabsorbedinlookingatit。Therewassomethinginthemthatsuddenlymadevibrationsdeep，sothatshehadbeenafraidtotrustherselftospeak。Afterhehadgonesheleanedbackinherchairandclosedhereyes。andforalongtime，farintothenightandstillfurther，shesatinthestilldrawing-room，givenuptohermeditation。Aservantcameintoattendtothefire，andshebadehimbringfreshcandlesandthengotobed。Osmondhadtoldhertothinkofwhathehadsaid。andshedidsoindeed，andofmanyotherthings。ThesuggestionfromanotherthatshehadadefiniteinfluenceonLordWarburton-thishadgivenherthestartthataccompaniesunexpectedrecognition。WasittruethattherewassomethingstillbetweenthemthatmightbeahandletomakehimdeclarehimselftoPansy-asusceptibility，onhispart，toapproval，adesiretodowhatwouldpleaseher？Isabelhadhithertonotaskedherselfthequestion，becauseshehadnotbeenforced。butnowthatitwasdirectlypresentedtohershesawtheanswer，andtheanswerfrightenedher。Yes，therewassomething-somethingonLordWarburton’spart。WhenhehadfirstcometoRomeshebelievedthelinkthatunitedthemtobecompletelysnapped。butlittlebylittleshehadbeenremindedthatithadyetapalpableexistence。Itwasasthinasahair，butthereweremomentswhensheseemedtohearitvibrate。Forherselfnothingwaschanged。whatsheoncethoughtofhimshealwaysthought。itwasneedlessthisfeelingshouldchange。itseemedtoherinfactabetterfeelingthanever。Buthe？hadhestilltheideathatshemightbemoretohimthanotherwomen？Hadhethewishtoprofitbythememoryofthefewmomentsofintimacythroughwhichtheyhadoncepassed？Isabelknewshehadreadsomeofthesignsofsuchadisposition。Butwhatwerehishopes，hispretensions，andinwhatstrangewayweretheymingledwithhisevidentlyverysincereappreciationofpoorPansy？WasheinlovewithGilbertOsmond’swife，andifsowhatcomfortdidheexpecttoderivefromit？IfhewasinlovewithPansyhewasnotinlovewithherstepmother，andifhewasinlovewithherstepmotherhewasnotinlovewithPansy。WasshetocultivatetheadvantageshepossessedinordertomakehimcommithimselftoPansy，knowinghewoulddosoforhersakeandnotforthesmallcreature’sown-wasthistheserviceherhusbandhadaskedofher？Thisatanyratewasthedutywithwhichshefoundherselfconfronted-fromthemomentsheadmittedtoherselfthatheroldfriendhadstillanuneradicatedpredilectionforhersociety。Itwasnotanagreeabletask。itwasinfactarepulsiveone。SheaskedherselfwithdismaywhetherLordWarburtonwerepretendingtobeinlovewithPansyinordertocultivateanothersatisfactionandwhatmightbecalledotherchances。Ofthisrefinementofduplicityshepresentlyacquittedhim。shepreferredtobelievehiminperfectgoodfaith。ButifhisadmirationforPansywereadelusionthiswasscarcelybetterthanitsbeinganaffectation。Isabelwanderedamongtheseuglypossibilitiesuntilshehadcompletelylostherway。someofthem，asshesuddenlyencounteredthem，seemeduglyenough。Thenshebrokeoutofthelabyrinth，rubbinghereyes，anddeclaredthatherimaginationsurelydidherlittlehonourandthatherhusband’sdidhimevenless。LordWarburtonwasasdisinterestedasheneedbe，andshewasnomoretohimthansheneedwish。Shewouldrestuponthistillthecontraryshouldbeproved。provedmoreeffectuallythanbyacynicalintimationofOsmond’s。
Sucharesolution，however，broughtherthiseveningbutlittlepeace，forhersoulwashauntedwithterrorswhichcrowdedtotheforegroundofthoughtasquicklyasaplacewasmadeforthem。Whathadsuddenlysetthemintoliveliermotionshehardlyknew，unlessitwerethestrangeimpressionshehadreceivedintheafternoonofherhusband’sbeinginmoredirectcommunicationwithMadameMerlethanshesuspected。Thatimpressioncamebacktoherfromtimetotime，andnowshewonderedithadnevercomebefore。Besidesthis，hershortinterviewwithOsmondhalfanhouragowasastrikingexampleofhisfacultyformakingeverythingwitherthathetouched，spoilingeverythingforherthathelookedat。Itwasverywelltoundertaketogivehimaproofofloyalty。therealfactwasthattheknowledgeofhisexpectingathingraisedapresumptionagainstit。Itwasasifhehadhadtheevileye。asifhispresencewereablightandhisfavouramisfortune。Wasthefaultinhimself，oronlyinthedeepmistrustshehadconceivedforhim？Thismistrustwasnowtheclearestresultoftheirshortmarriedlife。agulfhadopenedbetweenthemoverwhichtheylookedateachotherwitheyesthatwereoneithersideadeclarationofthedeceptionsuffered。Itwasastrangeopposition，ofthelikeofwhichshehadneverdreamed-anoppositioninwhichthevitalprincipleoftheonewasathingofcontempttotheother。Itwasnotherfault-shehadpractisednodeception。shehadonlyadmiredandbelieved。Shehadtakenallthefirststepsinthepurestconfidence，andthenshehadsuddenlyfoundtheinfinitevistaofamultipliedlifetobeadark，narrowalleywithadeadwallattheend。Insteadofleadingtothehighplacesofhappiness，fromwhichtheworldwouldseemtoliebelowone，sothatonecouldlookdownwithasenseofexaltationandadvantage，andjudgeandchooseandpity，itledratherdownwardandearthward，intorealmsofrestrictionanddepressionwherethesoundofotherlives，easierandfreer，washeardasfromabove，andwhereitservedtodeepenthefeelingoffailure。Itwasherdeepdistrustofherhusband-thiswaswhatdarkenedtheworld。Thatisasentimenteasilyindicated，butnotsoeasilyexplained，andsocompositeinitscharacterthatmuchtimeandstillmoresufferinghadbeenneededtobringittoitsactualperfection。Suffering，withIsabel，wasanactivecondition。itwasnotachill，astupor，adespair。itwasapassionofthought，ofspeculation，ofresponsetoeverypressure。Sheflatteredherselfthatshehadkeptherfailingfaithtoherself，however-thatnoonesuspecteditbutOsmond。Oh，heknewit，andthereweretimeswhenshethoughtheenjoyedit。Ithadcomegradually-itwasnottillthefirstyearoftheirlifetogether，soadmirablyintimateatfirst，hadclosedthatshehadtakenthealarm。Thentheshadowshadbeguntogather。itwasasifOsmonddeliberately，almostmalignantly，hadputthelightsoutonebyone。Theduskatfirstwasvagueandthin，andshecouldstillseeherwayinit。Butitsteadilydeepened，andifnowandagainithadoccasionallyliftedtherewerecertaincornersofherprospectthatwereimpenetrablyblack。Theseshadowswerenotanemanationfromherownmind：shewasverysureofthat。shehaddoneherbesttobejustandtemperate，toseeonlythetruth。Theywereapart，theywereakindofcreationandconsequence，ofherhusband’sverypresence。Theywerenothismisdeeds，histurpitudes。
sheaccusedhimofnothing-thatisbutofonething，whichwasnotacrime。Sheknewofnowronghehaddone。hewasnotviolent，hewasnotcruel：shesimplybelievedhehatedher。Thatwasallsheaccusedhimof，andthemiserablepartofitwaspreciselythatitwasnotacrime，foragainstacrimeshemighthavefoundredress。Hehaddiscoveredthatshewassodifferent，thatshewasnotwhathehadbelievedshewouldprovetobe。Hehadthoughtatfirsthecouldchangeher，andshehaddoneherbesttobewhathewouldlike。Butshewas，afterall，herself-shecouldn’thelpthat。andnowtherewasnousepretending，wearingamaskoradress，forheknewherandhadmadeuphismind。Shewasnotafraidofhim。shehadnoapprehensionhewouldhurther。fortheill-willheboreherwasnotofthatsort。Hewouldifpossiblenevergiveherapretext，neverputhimselfinthewrong。Isabel，scanningthefuturewithdry，fixedeyes，sawthathewouldhavethebetterofherthere。Shewouldgivehimmanypretexts，shewouldoftenputherselfinthewrong。Thereweretimeswhenshealmostpitiedhim。forifshehadnotdeceivedhiminintentionsheunderstoodhowcompletelyshemusthavedonesoinfact。Shehadeffacedherselfwhenhefirstknewher。shehadmadeherselfsmall，pretendingtherewaslessofherthantherereallywas。
Itwasbecauseshehadbeenundertheextraordinarycharmthathe，onhisside，hadtakenpainstoputforth。Hewasnotchanged。hehadnotdisguisedhimself，duringtheyearofhiscourtship，anymorethanshe。Butshehadseenonlyhalfhisnaturethen，asonesawthediskofthemoonwhenitwaspartlymaskedbytheshadowoftheearth。Shesawthefullmoonnow-shesawthewholeman。Shehadkeptstill，asitwere，sothatheshouldhaveafreefield，andyetinspiteofthisshehadmistakenapartforthewhole。
Ah，shehadbeenimmenselyunderthecharm！Ithadnotpassedaway。itwastherestill：shestillknewperfectlywhatitwasthatmadeOsmonddelightfulwhenhechosetobe。Hehadwishedtobewhenhemadelovetoher，andasshehadwishedtobecharmeditwasnotwonderfulhehadsucceeded。Hehadsucceededbecausehehadbeensincere。itneveroccurredtohernowtodenyhimthat。Headmiredher-hehadtoldherwhy：becauseshewasthemostimaginativewomanhehadknown。Itmightverywellhavebeentrue。forduringthosemonthsshehadimaginedaworldofthingsthathadnosubstance。Shehadhadamorewondrousvisionofhim，fedthroughcharmedsensesandohsuchastirredfancy！-shehadnotreadhimright。Acertaincombinationoffeatureshadtouchedher，andinthemshehadseenthemoststrikingoffigures。Thathewaspoorandlonelyandyetthatsomehowhewasnoble-thatwaswhathadinterestedherandseemedtogiveheropportunity。Therehadbeenanindefinablebeautyabouthim-inhissituation，inhismind，inhisface。Shehadfeltatthesametimethathewashelplessandineffectual，butthefeelinghadtakentheformofatendernesswhichwastheveryflowerofrespect。
Hewaslikeascepticalvoyagerstrollingonthebeachwhilehewaitedforthetide，lookingseawardyetnotputtingtosea。Itwasinallthisshehadfoundheroccasion。Shewouldlaunchhisboatforhim。
shewouldbehisprovidence。itwouldbeagoodthingtolovehim。Andshehadlovedhim，shehadsoanxiouslyandyetsoardentlygivenherself-agooddealforwhatshefoundinhim，butagooddealalsoforwhatshebroughthimandwhatmightenrichthegift。Asshelookedbackatthepassionofthosefullweekssheperceivedinitakindofmaternalstrain-thehappinessofawomanwhofeltthatshewasacontributor，thatshecamewithchargedhands。Butforhermoney，asshesawto-day，shewouldneverhavedoneit。AndthenhermindwanderedofftopoorMr。Touchett，sleepingunderEnglishturf，thebeneficentauthorofinfinitewoe！Forthiswasthefantasticfact。Atbottomhermoneyhadbeenaburden，hadbeenonhermind，whichwasfilledwiththedesiretotransfertheweightofittosomeotherconscience，tosomemorepreparedreceptacle。Whatwouldlightenherownconsciencemoreeffectuallythantomakeitovertothemanwiththebesttasteintheworld？Unlesssheshouldhavegivenittoahospitaltherewouldhavebeennothingbettershecoulddowithit。
andtherewasnocharitableinstitutioninwhichshehadbeenasmuchinterestedasinGilbertOsmond。Hewoulduseherfortuneinawaythatwouldmakeherthinkbetterofitandruboffacertaingrossnessattachingtothegoodluckofanunexpectedinheritance。
Therehadbeennothingverydelicateininheritingseventythousandpounds。thedelicacyhadbeenallinMr。Touchett’sleavingthemtoher。ButtomarryGilbertOsmondandbringhimsuchaportion-inthattherewouldbedelicacyforheraswell。Therewouldbelessforhim-thatwastrue。butthatwashisaffair，andifhelovedherhewouldn’tobjecttoherbeingrich。Hadhenothadthecouragetosayhewasgladshewasrich？
Isabel’scheekburnedwhensheaskedherselfifshehadreallymarriedonafactitioustheory，inordertodosomethingfinelyappreciablewithhermoney。Butshewasabletoanswerquicklyenoughthatthiswasonlyhalfthestory。Itwasbecauseacertainardourtookpossessionofher-asenseoftheearnestnessofhisaffectionandadelightinhispersonalqualities。Hewasbetterthananyoneelse。Thissupremeconvictionhadfilledherlifeformonths，andenoughofitstillremainedtoprovetoherthatshecouldnothavedoneotherwise。Thefinest-inthesenseofbeingthesubtlest-manlyorganismshehadeverknownhadbecomeherproperty，andtherecognitionofherhavingbuttoputoutherhandsandtakeithadbeenoriginallyasortofactofdevotion。Shehadnotbeenmistakenaboutthebeautyofhismind。sheknewthatorganperfectlynow。Shehadlivedwithit，shehadlivedinitalmost-itappearedtohavebecomeherhabitation。Ifshehadbeencapturedithadtakenafirmhandtoseizeher。thatreflectionperhapshadsomeworth。Amindmoreingenious，morepliant，morecultivated，moretrainedtoadmirableexercises，shehadnotencountered。anditwasthisexquisiteinstrumentshehadnowtoreckonwith。Shelostherselfininfinitedismaywhenshethoughtofthemagnitudeofhisdeception。Itwasawonder，perhaps，inviewofthis，thathedidn’thatehermore。Sherememberedperfectlythefirstsignhehadgivenofit-ithadbeenlikethebellthatwastoringupthecurtainupontherealdramaoftheirlife。Hesaidtoheronedaythatshehadtoomanyideasandthatshemustgetridofthem。Hehadtoldherthatalready，beforetheirmarriage。butthenshehadnotnoticedit：ithadcomebacktoheronlyafterwards。Thistimeshemightwellhavenoticedit，becausehehadreallymeantit。Thewordshadbeennothingsuperficially。butwheninthelightofdeepeningexperienceshehadlookedintothemtheyhadthenappearedportentous。Hehadreallymeantit-hewouldhavelikedhertohavenothingofherownbutherprettyappearance。Shehadknownshehadtoomanyideas。shehadmoreeventhanhehadsupposed，manymorethanshehadexpressedtohimwhenhehadaskedhertomarryhim。Yes，shehadbeenhypocritical。shehadlikedhimsomuch。Shehadtoomanyideasforherself。butthatwasjustwhatonemarriedfor，tosharethemwithsomeoneelse。Onecouldn’tpluckthemupbytheroots，thoughofcourseonemightsuppressthem，becarefulnottoutterthem。Ithadnotbeenthis，however，hisobjectingtoheropinions。thishadbeennothing。Shehadnoopinions-nonethatshewouldnothavebeeneagertosacrificeinthesatisfactionoffeelingherselflovedforit。Whathehadmeanthadbeenthewholething-hercharacter，thewayshefelt，thewayshejudged。Thiswaswhatshehadkeptinreserve。thiswaswhathehadnotknownuntilhehadfoundhimself-withthedoorclosedbehind，asitwere-setdownfacetofacewithit。Shehadacertainwayoflookingatlifewhichhetookasapersonaloffence。
Heavenknewthatnowatleastitwasaveryhumble，accommodatingway！
Thestrangethingwasthatsheshouldnothavesuspectedfromthefirstthathisownhadbeensodifferent。Shehadthoughtitsolarge，soenlightened，soperfectlythatofanhonestmanandagentleman。
Hadn’theassuredherthathehadnosuperstitions，nodulllimitations，noprejudicesthathadlosttheirfreshness？Hadn’thealltheappearanceofamanlivingintheopenairoftheworld，indifferenttosmallconsiderations，caringonlyfortruthandknowledgeandbelievingthattwointelligentpeopleoughttolookforthemtogetherand，whethertheyfoundthemornot，findatleastsomehappinessinthesearch？Hehadtoldherhelovedtheconventional。buttherewasasenseinwhichthisseemedanobledeclaration。Inthatsense，thatoftheloveofharmonyandorderanddecencyandofallthestatelyofficesoflife，shewentwithhimfreely，andhiswarninghadcontainednothingominous。Butwhen，asthemonthshadelapsed，shehadfollowedhimfurtherandhehadledherintothemansionofhisownhabitation，then，thenshehadseenwhereshereallywas。
Shecouldliveitoveragain，theincredulousterrorwithwhichshehadtakenthemeasureofherdwelling。Betweenthosefourwallsshehadlivedeversince。theyweretosurroundherfortherestofherlife。Itwasthehouseofdarkness，thehouseofdumbness，thehouseofsuffocation。Osmond’sbeautifulmindgaveitneitherlightnorair。Osmond’sbeautifulmindindeedseemedtopeepdownfromasmallhighwindowandmockather。Ofcourseithadnotbeenphysicalsuffering。forphysicalsufferingtheremighthavebeenaremedy。Shecouldcomeandgo。shehadherliberty。herhusbandwasperfectlypolite。Hetookhimselfsoseriously。itwassomethingappalling。Underallhisculture，hiscleverness，hisamenity，underhisgood-nature，hisfacility，hisknowledgeoflife，hisegotismlayhiddenlikeaserpentinabankofflowers。Shehadtakenhimseriously，butshehadnottakenhimsoseriouslyasthat。Howcouldshe-especiallywhenshehadknownhimbetter？ShewastothinkofhimashethoughtofhimselfasthefirstgentlemaninEurope。Soitwasthatshehadthoughtofhimatfirst，andthatindeedwasthereasonshehadmarriedhim。Butwhenshebegantoseewhatitimpliedshedrewback。therewasmoreinthebondthanshehadmeanttoputhernameto。Itimpliedasovereigncontemptforeveryonebutsomethreeorfourveryexaltedpeoplewhomheenvied，andforeverythingintheworldbuthalfadozenideasofhisown。Thatwasverywell。shewouldhavegonewithhimeventherealongdistance。
forhepointedouttohersomuchofthebasenessandshabbinessoflife，openedhereyessowidetothestupidity，thedepravity，theignoranceofmankind，thatshehadbeenproperlyimpressedwiththeinfinitevulgarityofthingsandofthevirtueofkeepingone’sselfunspottedbyit。Butthisbase，ignobleworld，itappeared，wasafterallwhatonewastolivefor。onewastokeepitforeverinone’seye，inordernottoenlightenorconvertorredeemit，buttoextractfromitsomerecognitionofone’sownsuperiority。Ontheonehanditwasdespicable，butontheotheritaffordedastandard。
OsmondhadtalkedtoIsabelabouthisrenunciation，hisindifference，theeasewithwhichhedispensedwiththeusualaidstosuccess。andallthishadseemedtoheradmirable。Shehadthoughtitagrandindifference，anexquisiteindependence。Butindifferencewasreallythelastofhisqualities。shehadneverseenanyonewhothoughtsomuchofothers。Forherself，avowedly，theworldhadalwaysinterestedherandthestudyofherfellowcreaturesbeenherconstantpassion。Shewouldhavebeenwilling，however，torenounceallhercuriositiesandsympathiesforthesakeofapersonallife，ifthepersonconcernedhadonlybeenabletomakeherbelieveitwasagain！Thisatleastwasherpresentconviction。
andthethingcertainlywouldhavebeeneasierthantocareforsocietyasOsmondcaredforit。
Hewasunabletolivewithoutit，andshesawthathehadneverreallydoneso。hehadlookedatitoutofhiswindowevenwhenheappearedtobemostdetachedfromit。Hehadhisideal，justasshehadtriedtohavehers。onlyitwasstrangethatpeopleshouldseekforjusticeinsuchdifferentquarters。Hisidealwasaconceptionofhighprosperityandpropriety，ofthearistocraticlife，whichshenowsawthathedeemedhimselfalways，inessenceatleast，tohaveled。Hehadneverlapsedfromitforanhour。hewouldneverhaverecoveredfromtheshameofdoingso。Thatagainwasverywell。heretooshewouldhaveagreed。buttheyattachedsuchdifferentideas，suchdifferentassociationsanddesires，tothesameformulas。Hernotionofthearistocraticlifewassimplytheunionofgreatknowledgewithgreatliberty。theknowledgewouldgiveoneasenseofdutyandthelibertyasenseofenjoyment。ButforOsmonditwasaltogetherathingofforms，aconscious，calculatedattitude。Hewasfondoftheold，theconsecrated，thetransmitted。sowasshe，butshepretendedtodowhatshechosewithit。Hehadanimmenseesteemfortradition。hehadtoldheroncethatthebestthingintheworldwastohaveit，butthatifonewassounfortunateasnottohaveitonemustimmediatelyproceedtomakeit。Sheknewthathemeantbythisthatshehadn’tit，butthathewasbetteroff。thoughfromwhatsourcehehadderivedhistraditionssheneverlearned。Hehadaverylargecollectionofthem，however。thatwasverycertain，andafteralittleshebegantosee。Thegreatthingwastoactinaccordancewiththem。thegreatthingnotonlyforhimbutforher。
Isabelhadanundefinedconvictionthattoserveforanotherpersonthantheirproprietortraditionsmustbeofathoroughlysuperiorkind。butsheneverthelessassentedtothisintimationthatshetoomustmarchtothestatelymusicthatfloateddownfromunknownperiodsinherhusband’spast。shewhoofoldhadbeensofreeofstep，sodesultory，sodevious，somuchthereverseofprocessional。Therewerecertainthingstheymustdo，acertainposturetheymusttake，certainpeopletheymustknowandnotknow。Whenshesawthisrigidsystemcloseabouther，drapedthoughitwasinpicturedtapestries，thatsenseofdarknessandsuffocationofwhichIhavespokentookpossessionofher。sheseemedshutupwithanodourofmouldanddecay。Shehadresistedofcourse。atfirstveryhumorously，ironically，tenderly。then，asthesituationgrewmoreserious，eagerly，passionately，pleadingly。Shehadpleadedthecauseoffreedom，ofdoingastheychose，ofnotcaringfortheaspectanddenominationoftheirlife-thecauseofotherinstinctsandlongings，ofquiteanotherideal。
Thenitwasthatherhusband’spersonality，touchedasitneverhadbeen，steppedforthandstooderect。Thethingsshehadsaidwereansweredonlybyhisscorn，andshecouldseehewasineffablyashamedofher-didhethinkofher-thatshewasbase，vulgar，ignoble？
Heatleastknewnowthatshehadnotraditions！Ithadnotbeeninhisprevisionofthingsthatsheshouldrevealsuchflatness。hersentimentswereworthyofaradicalnewspaperoraUnitarianpreacher。
Therealoffence，assheultimatelyperceived，washerhavingamindofherownatall。Hermindwastobehis-attachedtohisownlikeasmallgarden-plottoadeer-park。Hewouldrakethesoilgentlyandwatertheflowers。hewouldweedthebedsandgatheranoccasionalnosegay。Itwouldbeaprettypieceofpropertyforaproprietoralreadyfar-reaching。Hedidn’twishhertobestupid。Onthecontrary，itwasbecauseshewascleverthatshehadpleasedhim。
Butheexpectedherintelligencetooperatealtogetherinhisfavour，andsofarfromdesiringhermindtobeablankhehadflatteredhimselfthatitwouldberichlyreceptive。Hehadexpectedhiswifetofeelwithhimandforhim，toenterintohisopinions，hisambitions，hispreferences。andIsabelwasobligedtoconfessthatthiswasnogreatinsolenceonthepartofamansoaccomplishedandahusbandoriginallyatleastsotender。Buttherewerecertainthingsshecouldnevertakein。Tobeginwith，theywerehideouslyunclean。
ShewasnotadaughterofthePuritans，butforallthatshebelievedinsuchathingaschastityandevenasdecency。ItwouldappearthatOsmondwasfarfromdoinganythingofthesort。someofhistraditionsmadeherpushbackherskirts。Didallwomenhavelovers？Didtheyalllieandeventhebesthavetheirprice？Werethereonlythreeorfourthatdidn’tdeceivetheirhusbands？WhenIsabelheardsuchthingsshefeltagreaterscornforthemthanforthegossipofavillageparlour-ascornthatkeptitsfreshnessinaverytaintedair。Therewasthetaintofhersister-in-law：didherhusbandjudgeonlybytheCountessGemini？Thisladyveryoftenlied，andshehadpractiseddeceptionsthatwerenotsimplyverbal。ItwasenoughtofindthesefactsassumedamongOsmond’straditions-itwasenoughwithoutgivingthemsuchageneralextension。Itwasherscornofhisassumptions，itwasthisthatmadehimdrawhimselfup。
Hehadplentyofcontempt，anditwasproperhiswifeshouldbeaswellfurnished。butthatsheshouldturnthehotlightofherdisdainuponhisownconceptionofthings-thiswasadangerhehadnotallowedfor。Hebelievedheshouldhaveregulatedheremotionsbeforeshecametoit。andIsabelcouldeasilyimaginehowhisearshadscorchedonhisdiscoveringhehadbeentooconfident。Whenonehadawifewhogaveonethatsensationtherewasnothingleftbuttohateher。
Shewasmorallycertainnowthatthisfeelingofhatred，whichatfirsthadbeenarefugeandarefreshment，hadbecometheoccupationandcomfortofhislife。Thefeelingwasdeep，becauseitwassincere。
hehadhadtherevelationthatshecouldafteralldispensewithhim。Iftoherselftheideawasstartling，ifitpresenteditselfatfirstasakindofinfidelity，acapacityforpollution，whatinfiniteeffectmightitnotbeexpectedtohavehaduponhim？Itwasverysimple。hedespisedher。shehadnotraditionsandthemoralhorizonofaUnitarianminister。PoorIsabel，whohadneverbeenabletounderstandUnitarianism！Thiswasthecertitudeshehadbeenlivingwithnowforatimethatshehadceasedtomeasure。Whatwascoming-whatwasbeforethem？Thatwasherconstantquestion。Whatwouldhedo-whatoughtshetodo？Whenamanhatedhiswifewhatdiditleadto？Shedidn’thatehim，thatshewassureof，foreverylittlewhileshefeltapassionatewishtogivehimapleasantsurprise。Veryoften，however，shefeltafraid，anditusedtocomeoverher，asIhaveintimated，thatshehaddeceivedhimattheveryfirst。Theywerestrangelymarried，atallevents，anditwasahorriblelife。Untilthatmorninghehadscarcelyspokentoherforaweek。hismannerwasasdryasaburned-outfire。Sheknewtherewasaspecialreason。hewasdispleasedatRalphTouchett’sstayingoninRome。Hethoughtshesawtoomuchofhercousin-hehadtoldheraweekbeforeitwasindecentsheshouldgotohimathishotel。HewouldhavesaidmorethanthisifRalph’sinvalidstatehadnotappearedtomakeitbrutaltodenouncehim。buthavinghadtocontainhimselfhadonlydeepenedhisdisgust。Isabelreadallthisasshewouldhavereadthehourontheclock-face。shewasasperfectlyawarethatthesightofherinterestinhercousinstirredherhusband’srageasifOsmondhadlockedherintoherroom-whichshewassurewaswhathewantedtodo。Itwasherhonestbeliefthatonthewholeshewasnotdefiant，butshecertainlycouldn’tpretendtobeindifferenttoRalph。Shebelievedhewasdyingatlastandthatsheshouldneverseehimagain，andthisgaveheratendernessforhimthatshehadneverknownbefore。Nothingwasapleasuretohernow。
howcouldanythingbeapleasuretoawomanwhoknewthatshehadthrownawayherlife？Therewasaneverlastingweightonherheart-therewasalividlightoneverything。ButRalph’slittlevisitwasalampinthedarkness。forthehourthatshesatwithhimheracheforherselfbecamesomehowheracheforhim。Shefeltto-dayasifhehadbeenherbrother。Shehadneverhadabrother，butifshehadandshewereintroubleandheweredying，hewouldbedeartoherasRalphwas。Ahyes，ifGilbertwasjealousofhertherewasperhapssomereason。itdidn’tmakeGilbertlookbettertositforhalfanhourwithRalph。Itwasnotthattheytalkedofhim-itwasnotthatshecomplained。Hisnamewasneverutteredbetweenthem。ItwassimplythatRalphwasgenerousandthatherhusbandwasnot。TherewassomethinginRalph’stalk，inhissmile，inthemerefactofhisbeinginRome，thatmadetheblastedcircleroundwhichshewalkedmorespacious。Hemadeherfeelthe’goodoftheworld。hemadeherfeelwhatmighthavebeen。HewasafterallasintelligentasOsmond-quiteapartfromhisbeingbetter。Andthusitseemedtoheranactofdevotiontoconcealhermiseryfromhim。Sheconcealeditelaborately。shewasperpetually，intheirtalk，hangingoutcurtainsandarrangingscreens。Itlivedbeforeheragain-ithadneverhadtimetodie-thatmorninginthegardenatFlorencewhenhehadwarnedheragainstOsmond。Shehadonlytoclosehereyestoseetheplace，tohearhisvoice，tofeelthewarm，sweetair。Howcouldhehaveknown？Whatamystery，whatawonderofwisdom！AsintelligentasGilbert？Hewasmuchmoreintelligent-toarriveatsuchajudgementasthat。Gilberthadneverbeensodeep，sojust。Shehadtoldhimthenthatfromheratleastheshouldneverknowifhewasright。andthiswaswhatshewastakingcarehadnow。Itgaveherplentytodo。
therewaspassion，exaltation，religioninit。Womenfindtheirreligionsometimesinstrangeexercises，andIsabelatpresent，inplayingapartbeforehercousin，hadanideathatshewasdoinghimakindness。Itwouldhavebeenakindnessperhapsifhehadbeenforasingleinstantadupe。Asitwas，thekindnessconsistedmainlyintryingtomakehimbelievethathehadoncewoundedhergreatlyandthattheeventhadputhimtoshame，butthat，asshewasverygenerousandhewassoill，sheborehimnogrudgeandevenconsideratelyforboretoflauntherhappinessinhisface。Ralphsmiledtohimself，ashelayonhissofa，atthisextraordinaryformofconsideration。butheforgaveherforhavingforgivenhim。Shedidn’twishhimtohavethepainofknowingshewasunhappy：thatwasthegreatthing，anditdidn’tmatterthatsuchknowledgewouldratherhaverightedhim。