Forherself，shelingeredinthesoundlesssaloonlongafterthefirehadgoneout。Therewasnodangerofherfeelingthecold。shewasinafever。Sheheardthesmallhoursstrike，andthenthegreatones，buthervigiltooknoheedoftime。Hermind，assailedbyvisions，wasinastateofextraordinaryactivity，andhervisionsmightaswellcometoherthere，whereshesatuptomeetthem，asonherpillow，tomakeamockeryofrest。AsIhavesaid，shebelievedshewasnotdefiant，andwhatcouldbeabetterproofofitthanthatsheshouldlingertherehalfthenight，tryingtopersuadeherselfthattherewasnoreasonwhyPansyshouldn’tbemarriedasyouwouldputaletterinthepost-office？Whentheclockstruckfourshegotup。shewasgoingtobedatlast，forthelamphadlongsincegoneoutandthecandlesburneddowntotheirsockets。Buteventhenshestoppedagaininthemiddleoftheroomandstoodtheregazingatarememberedvision-thatofherhusbandandMadameMerleunconsciouslyandfamiliarlyassociated。
CHAPTER43
ThreenightsafterthisshetookPansytoagreatparty，towhichOsmond，whoneverwenttodances，didnotaccompanythem。Pansywasasreadyforadanceasever。wasnotofageneralizingturnandhadnotextendedtootherpleasurestheinterdictshehadseenplacedonthoseoflove。Ifshewasbidinghertimeorhopingtocircumventherfathershemusthavehadaprevisionofsuccess。Isabelthoughtthisunlikely。itwasmuchmorelikelythatPansyhadsimplydeterminedtobeagoodgirl。Shehadneverhadsuchachance，andshehadaproperesteemforchances。Shecarriedherselfnolessattentivelythanusualandkeptnolessanxiousaneyeuponhervaporousskirts。sheheldherbouquetverytightandcountedovertheflowersforthetwentiethtime。ShemadeIsabelfeelold。itseemedsolongsinceshehadbeeninaflutteraboutaball。Pansy，whowasgreatlyadmired，wasneverinwantofpartners，andverysoonaftertheirarrivalshegaveIsabel，whowasnotdancing，herbouquettohold。IsabelhadrenderedherthisserviceforsomeminuteswhenshebecameawareofthenearpresenceofEdwardRosier。Hestoodbeforeher。hehadlosthisaffablesmileandworealookofalmostmilitaryresolution。ThechangeinhisappearancewouldhavemadeIsabelsmileifshehadnotfelthiscasetobeatbottomahardone：hehadalwayssmeltsomuchmoreofheliotropethanofgunpowder。Helookedatheramomentsomewhatfiercely，asiftonotifyherhewasdangerous，andthendroppedhiseyesonherbouquet。
Afterhehadinspectedithisglancesoftenedandhesaidquickly：
It’sallpansies。itmustbehers！
Isabelsmiledkindly。Yes，it’shers。shegaveittometohold。
MayIholditalittle，Mrs。Osmond？thepooryoungmanasked。
No，Ican’ttrustyou。I’mafraidyouwouldn’tgiveitback。
I’mnotsurethatIshould。Ishouldleavethehousewithitinstantly。
ButmayInotatleasthaveasingleflower？
Isabelhesitatedamoment，andthen，smilingstill，heldoutthebouquet。
Chooseoneyourself。It’sfrightfulwhatI’mdoingforyou。
Ah，ifyoudonomorethanthis，Mrs。Osmond！Rosierexclaimedwithhisglassinoneeye，carefullychoosinghisflower。
Don’tputitintoyourbutton-hole，shesaid。Don’tfortheworld！
Ishouldlikehertoseeit。Shehasrefusedtodancewithme，butIwishtoshowherthatIbelieveinherstill。
It’sverywelltoshowittoher，butit’soutofplacetoshowittoothers。Herfatherhastoldhernottodancewithyou。
Andisthatallyoucandoforme？Iexpectedmorefromyou，Mrs。
Osmond，saidtheyoungmaninatoneoffinegeneralreference。
Youknowouracquaintancegoesbackveryfar-quiteintothedaysofourinnocentchildhood。
Don’tmakemeouttooold，Isabelpatientlyanswered。Youcomebacktothatveryoften，andI’veneverdeniedit。ButImusttellyouthat，oldfriendsasweare，ifyouhaddonemethehonourtoaskmetomarryyouIshouldhaverefusedyouonthespot。
Ah，youdon’testeemmethen。SayatoncethatyouthinkmeamereParisiantrifler！
Iesteemyouverymuch，butI’mnotinlovewithyou。WhatImeanbythat，ofcourse，isthatI’mnotinlovewithyouforPansy。
Verygood。Isee。Youpityme-that’sall。AndEdwardRosierlookedallround，inconsequently，withhissingleglass。Itwasarevelationtohimthatpeopleshouldn’tbemorepleased。buthewasatleasttooproudtoshowthatthedeficiencystruckhimasgeneral。
Isabelforamomentsaidnothing。Hismannerandappearancehadnotthedignityofthedeepesttragedy。hislittleglass，amongotherthings，wasagainstthat。Butshesuddenlyfelttouched。herownunhappiness，afterall，hadsomethingincommonwithhis，anditcameoverher，morethanbefore，thathere，inrecognizable，ifnotinromanticform，wasthemostaffectingthingintheworld-younglovestrugglingwithadversity。Wouldyoureallybeverykindtoher？shefinallyaskedinalowtone。
Hedroppedhiseyesdevoutlyandraisedthelittleflowerthatheheldinhisfingerstohislips。Thenhelookedather。Youpityme。butdon’tyoupityheralittle？
Idon’tknow。I’mnotsure。She’llalwaysenjoylife。
Itwilldependonwhatyoucalllife！Mr。Rosiereffectivelysaid。
Shewon’tenjoybeingtortured。
There’llbenothingofthat。
I’mgladtohearit。Sheknowswhatshe’sabout。You’llsee。
Ithinkshedoes，andshe’llneverdisobeyherfather。Butshe’scomingbacktome，Isabeladded，andImustbegyoutogoaway。
RosierlingeredamomenttillPansycameinsightonthearmofhercavalier。hestoodjustlongenoughtolookherintheface。
Thenhewalkedaway，holdinguphishead。andthemannerinwhichheachievedthissacrificetoexpediencyconvincedIsabelhewasverymuchinlove。
Pansy，whoseldomgotdisarrangedindancing，lookingperfectlyfreshandcoolafterthisexercise，waitedamomentandthentookbackherbouquet。Isabelwatchedherandsawshewascountingtheflowers。whereuponshesaidtoherselfthatdecidedlythereweredeeperforcesatplaythanshehadrecognized。PansyhadseenRosierturnaway，butshesaidnothingtoIsabelabouthim。shetalkedonlyofherpartner，afterhehadmadehisbowandretired。ofthemusic，thefloor，theraremisfortuneofhavingalreadytornherdress。
Isabelwassure，however，shehaddiscoveredherlovertohaveabstractedaflower。thoughthisknowledgewasnotneededtoaccountforthedutifulgracewithwhichsherespondedtotheappealofhernextpartner。Thatperfectamenityunderacuteconstraintwaspartofalargersystem。Shewasagainledforthbyaflushedyoungman，thistimecarryingherbouquet。andshehadnotbeenabsentmanyminuteswhenIsabelsawLordWarburtonadvancingthroughthecrowd。Hepresentlydrewnearandbadehergood-evening。shehadnotseenhimsincethedaybefore。Helookedabouthim，andthenWhere’sthelittlemaid？heasked。ItwasinthismannerthathehadformedtheharmlesshabitofalludingtoMissOsmond。
She’sdancing，saidIsabel。You’llseehersomewhere。
HelookedamongthedancersandatlastcaughtPansy’seye。Sheseesme，butshewon’tnoticeme，hethenremarked。Areyounotdancing？
Asyousee，I’mawall-flower。
Won’tyoudancewithme？
Thankyou。I’dratheryoushoulddancewiththelittlemaid。
Oneneedn’tpreventtheother-especiallyasshe’sengaged。
She’snotengagedforeverything，andyoucanreserveyourself。Shedancesveryhard，andyou’llbethefresher。
Shedancesbeautifully，saidLordWarburton，followingherwithhiseyes。Ah，atlast，headded，shehasgivenmeasmile。Hestoodtherewithhishandsome，easy，importantphysiognomy。andasIsabelobservedhimitcameoverher，asithaddonebefore，thatitwasstrangeamanofhismettleshouldtakeaninterestinalittlemaid。Itstruckherasagreatincongruity。neitherPansy’ssmallfascinations，norhisownkindness，hisgood-nature，notevenhisneedforamusement，whichwasextremeandconstant，weresufficienttoaccountforit。Ishouldliketodancewithyou，hewentoninamoment，turningbacktoIsabel。butIthinkIlikeevenbettertotalkwithyou。
Yes，it’sbetter，andit’smoreworthyofyourdignity。Greatstatesmenoughtn’ttowaltz。
Don’tbecruel。WhydidyourecommendmethentodancewithMissOsmond？
Ah，that’sdifferent。Ifyoudancedwithheritwouldlooksimplylikeapieceofkindness-asifyouweredoingitforheramusement。Ifyoudancewithmeyou’lllookasifyouweredoingitforyourown。
Andprayhaven’tIarighttoamusemyself？
No，notwiththeaffairsoftheBritishEmpireonyourhands。
TheBritishEmpirebehanged！You’realwayslaughingatit。
Amuseyourselfwithtalkingtome，saidIsabel。
I’mnotsureit’sreallyarecreation。You’retoopointed。I’vealwaystobedefendingmyself。Andyoustrikemeasmorethanusuallydangerousto-night。Willyouabsolutelynotdance？
Ican’tleavemyplace。Pansymustfindmehere。
Hewassilentalittle。You’rewonderfullygoodtoher，hesaidsuddenly。
Isabelstaredalittleandsmiled。Canyouimagineone’snotbeing？
Noindeed。Iknowhowoneischarmedwithher。Butyoumusthavedoneagreatdealforher。
I’vetakenheroutwithme，saidIsabel，smilingstill。AndI’veseenthatshehasproperclothes。
Yoursocietymusthavebeenagreatbenefittoher。You’vetalkedtoher，advisedher，helpedhertodevelop。
Ahyes，ifsheisn’ttheroseshehaslivednearit。
Shelaughed，andhercompaniondidasmuch。buttherewasacertainvisiblepreoccupationinhisfacewhichinterferedwithcompletehilarity。Wealltrytoliveasnearitaswecan，hesaidafteramoment’shesitation。
Isabelturnedaway。Pansywasabouttoberestoredtoher，andshewelcomedthediversion。WeknowhowmuchshelikedLordWarburton。shethoughthimpleasantereventhanthesumofhismeritswarranted。
therewassomethinginhisfriendshipthatappearedakindofresourceincaseofindefiniteneed。itwaslikehavingalargebalanceatthebank。Shefelthappierwhenhewasintheroom。therewassomethingreassuringinhisapproach。thesoundofhisvoiceremindedherofthebeneficenceofnature。Yetforallthatitdidn’tsuitherthatheshouldbetoonearher，thatheshouldtaketoomuchofhergood-willforgranted。Shewasafraidofthat。sheavertedherselffromit。shewishedhewouldn’t。Shefeltthatifheshouldcometoonear，asitwere，itmightbeinhertoflashoutandbidhimkeephisdistance。PansycamebacktoIsabelwithanotherrentinherskirt，whichwastheinevitableconsequenceofthefirstandwhichshedisplayedtoIsabelwithseriouseyes。Thereweretoomanygentlemeninuniform。theyworethosedreadfulspurs，whichwerefataltothedressesoflittlemaids。Ithereuponbecameapparentthattheresourcesofwomenareinnumerable。IsabeldevotedherselftoPansy’sdesecrateddrapery。shefumbledforapinandrepairedtheinjury。shesmiledandlistenedtoheraccountofheradventures。Herattention，hersympathywereimmediateandactive。andtheywereindirectproportiontoasentimentwithwhichtheywereinnowayconnected-alivelyconjectureastowhetherLordWarburtonmightbetryingtomakelovetoher。Itwasnotsimplyhiswordsjustthen。itwasothersaswell。itwasthereferenceandthecontinuity。ThiswaswhatshethoughtaboutwhileshepinnedupPansy’sdress。Ifitwereso，asshefeared，hewasofcourseunwitting。hehimselfhadnottakenaccountofhisintention。Butthismadeitnonethemoreauspicious，madethesituationnonethelessimpossible。Thesoonerheshouldgetbackintorightrelationswiththingsthebetter。HeimmediatelybegantotalktoPansy-onwhomitwascertainlymystifyingtoseethathedroppedasmileofchasteneddevotion。Pansyreplied，asusual，withalittleairofconscientiousaspiration。hehadtobendtowardheragooddealinconversation，andhereyes，asusual，wanderedupanddownhisrobustpersonasifhehadofferedittoherforexhibition。Shealwaysseemedalittlefrightened。yetherfrightwasnotofthepainfulcharacterthatsuggestsdislike。onthecontrary，shelookedasifsheknewthatheknewshelikedhim。Isabelleftthemtogetheralittleandwanderedtowardafriendwhomshesawnearandwithwhomshetalkedtillthemusicofthefollowingdancebegan，forwhichsheknewPansytobealsoengaged。Thegirljoinedherpresently，withalittleflutteredflush，andIsabel，whoscrupulouslytookOsmond’sviewofhisdaughter’scompletedependence，consignedher，asapreciousandmomentaryloan，toherappointedpartner。Aboutallthismattershehadherownimaginations，herownreserves。thereweremomentswhenPansy’sextremeadhesivenessmadeeachofthem，tohersense，lookfoolish。ButOsmondhadgivenherasortoftableauofherpositionashisdaughter’sduenna，whichconsistedofgraciousalternationsofconcessionandcontraction。andthereweredirectionsofhiswhichshelikedtothinksheobeyedtotheletter。
Perhaps，asregardssomeofthem，itwasbecauseherdoingsoappearedtoreducethemtotheabsurd。
AfterPansyhadbeenledaway，shefoundLordWarburtondrawingnearheragain。Sherestedhereyesonhimsteadily。shewishedshecouldsoundhisthoughts。Buthehadnoappearanceofconfusion。Shehaspromisedtodancewithmelater，hesaid。
I’mgladofthat。Isupposeyou’veengagedherforthecotillion。
Atthishelookedalittleawkward。No，Ididn’taskherforthat。It’saquadrille。
Ah，you’renotclever！saidIsabelalmostangrily。Itoldhertokeepthecotillionincaseyoushouldaskforit。
Poorlittlemaid，fancythat！AndLordWarburtonlaughedfrankly。
OfcourseIwillifyoulike。
IfIlike？Oh，ifyoudancewithheronlybecauseIlikeit-！
I’mafraidIboreher。Sheseemstohavealotofyoungfellowsonherbook。
Isabeldroppedhereyes，reflectingrapidly。LordWarburtonstoodtherelookingatherandshefelthiseyesonherface。Shefeltmuchinclinedtoaskhimtoremovethem。Shedidn’tdoso，however。
sheonlysaidtohim，afteraminute，withherownraised：
Pleaseletmeunderstand。
Understandwhat？
Youtoldmetendaysagothatyou’dliketomarrymystepdaughter。
You’venotforgottenit！
Forgottenit？IwrotetoMr。Osmondaboutitthismorning。
Ah，saidIsabel，hedidn’tmentiontomethathehadheardfromyou。
LordWarburtonstammeredalittle。I-Ididn’tsendmyletter。
Perhapsyouforgotthat。
No，Iwasn’tsatisfiedwithit。It’sanawkwardsortoflettertowrite，youknow。ButIshallsenditto-night。
Atthreeo’clockinthemorning？
Imeanlater，inthecourseoftheday。
Verygood。Youstillwishthentomarryher？
Verymuchindeed。
Aren’tyouafraidthatyou’llboreher？AndashercompanionstaredatthisenquiryIsabeladded：Ifshecan’tdancewithyouforhalfanhourhowwillshebeabletodancewithyouforlife？
Ah，saidLordWarburtonreadily，I’llletherdancewithotherpeople！Aboutthecotillion，thefactisIthoughtthatyou-thatyou-
ThatIwoulddoitwithyou？ItoldyouI’ddonothing。
Exactly。sothatwhileit’sgoingonImightfindsomequietcornerwherewemaysitdownandtalk。
Oh，saidIsabelgravely，you’remuchtooconsiderateofme。
WhenthecotillioncamePansywasfoundtohaveengagedherself，thinking，inperfecthumility，thatLordWarburtonhadnointentions。Isabelrecommendedhimtoseekanotherpartner，butheassuredherthathewoulddancewithnoonebutherself。As，however，shehad，inspiteoftheremonstrancesofherhostess，declinedotherinvitationsonthegroundthatshewasnotdancingatall，itwasnotpossibleforhertomakeanexceptioninLordWarburton’sfavour。
AfterallIdon’tcaretodance，hesaid。it’sabarbarousamusement：I’dmuchrathertalk。Andheintimatedthathehaddiscoveredexactlythecornerhehadbeenlookingfor-aquietnookinoneofthesmallerrooms，wherethemusicwouldcometothemfaintlyandnotinterferewithconversation。Isabelhaddecidedtolethimcarryouthisidea。shewishedtobesatisfied。Shewanderedawayfromtheball-roomwithhim，thoughsheknewherhusbanddesiredsheshouldnotlosesightofhisdaughter。Itwaswithhisdaughter’spretendant，however。thatwouldmakeitrightforOsmond。
Onherwayoutoftheball-roomshecameuponEdwardRosier，whowasstandinginadoorway，withfoldedarms，lookingatthedanceintheattitudeofayoungmanwithoutillusions。Shestoppedamomentandaskedhimifhewerenotdancing。
Certainlynot，ifIcan’tdancewithher！heanswered。
Youhadbettergoawaythen，saidIsabelwiththemannerofgoodcounsel。
Ishallnotgotillshedoes！AndheletLordWarburtonpasswithoutgivinghimalook。
Thisnobleman，however，hadnoticedthemelancholyyouth，andheaskedIsabelwhoherdismalfriendwas，remarkingthathehadseenhimsomewherebefore。
It’stheyoungmanI’vetoldyouabout，who’sinlovewithPansy。
Ahyes，Iremember。Helooksratherbad。
Hehasreason。Myhusbandwon’tlistentohim。
What’sthematterwithhim？LordWarburtonenquired。Heseemsveryharmless。
Hehasn’tmoneyenough，andheisn’tveryclever。
LordWarburtonlistenedwithinterest。heseemedstruckwiththisaccountofEdwardRosier。Dearme。helookedawell-set-upyoungfellow。
Soheis，butmyhusband’sveryparticular。
Oh，Isee。AndLordWarburtonpausedamoment。Howmuchmoneyhashegot？hethenventuredtoask。
Somefortythousandfrancsayear。
Sixteenhundredpounds？Ah，butthat’sverygood，youknow。
SoIthink。Myhusband，however，haslargerideas。
Yes。I’venoticedthatyourhusbandhasverylargeideas。Ishereallyanidiot，theyoungman？
Anidiot？Notintheleast。he’scharming。WhenhewastwelveyearsoldImyselfwasinlovewithhim。
Hedoesn’tlookmuchmorethantwelveto-day，LordWarburtonrejoinedvaguely，lookingabouthim。Thenwithmorepoint，Don’tyouthinkwemightsithere？heasked。
Whereveryouplease。Theroomwasasortofboudoir，pervadedbyasubdued，rose-colouredlight。aladyandgentlemanmovedoutofitasourfriendscamein。
It’sverykindofyoutotakesuchaninterestinMr。Rosier，
Isabelsaid。
Heseemstomeratherill-treated。Hehadafaceayardlong。I
wonderedwhatailedhim。
You’reajustman，saidIsabel。You’veakindthoughtevenforarival。
LordWarburtonsuddenlyturnedwithastare。Arival！Doyoucallhimmyrival？
Surely-ifyoubothwishtomarrythesameperson。
Yes-butsincehehasnochance！
Ilikeyou，howeverthatmaybe，forputtingyourselfinhisplace。
Itshowsimagination。
Youlikemeforit？AndLordWarburtonlookedatherwithanuncertaineye。Ithinkyoumeanyou’relaughingatmeforit。
Yes，I’mlaughingatyoualittle。ButIlikeyouassomebodytolaughat。
Ahwell，then，letmeenterintohissituationalittlemore。
Whatdoyousupposeonecoulddoforhim？
SinceIhavebeenpraisingyourimaginationI’llleaveyoutoimaginethatyourself，Isabelsaid。Pansytoowouldlikeyouforthat。
MissOsmond？Ah，she，Iflattermyself，likesmealready。
Verymuch，Ithink。
Hewaitedalittle。hewasstillquestioningherface。Wellthen，I
don’tunderstandyou。Youdon’tmeanthatshecaresforhim？
SurelyI’vetoldyouIthoughtshedid。
Aquickblushsprangtohisbrow。Youtoldmeshewouldhavenowishapartfromherfather’s，andasI’vegatheredthathewouldfavourme-！HepausedalittleandthensuggestedDon’tyousee？
throughhisblush。
Yes，Itoldyoushehasanimmensewishtopleaseherfather，andthatitwouldprobablytakeherveryfar。
Thatseemstomeaveryproperfeeling，saidLordWarburton。
Certainly。it’saveryproperfeeling。Isabelremainedsilentforsomemoments。theroomcontinuedempty。thesoundofthemusicreachedthemwithitsrichnesssoftenedbytheinterposingapartments。
Thenatlastshesaid：Butithardlystrikesmeasthesortoffeelingtowhichamanwouldwishtobeindebtedforawife。
Idon’tknow。ifthewife’sagoodoneandhethinksshedoeswell！
Yes，ofcourseyoumustthinkthat。
Ido。Ican’thelpit。YoucallthatveryBritish，ofcourse。
No，Idon’t。IthinkPansywoulddowonderfullywelltomarryyou，andIdon’tknowwhoshouldknowitbetterthanyou。Butyou’renotinlove。
Ah，yesIam，Mrs。Osmond！
Isabelshookherhead。Youliketothinkyouarewhileyousitherewithme。Butthat’snothowyoustrikeme。
I’mnotliketheyoungmaninthedoorway。Iadmitthat。Butwhatmakesitsounnatural？CouldanyoneintheworldbemoreloveablethanMissOsmond？
Noone，possibly。Butlovehasnothingtodowithgoodreasons。
Idon’tagreewithyou。I’mdelightedtohavegoodreasons。
Ofcourseyouare。Ifyouwerereallyinloveyouwouldn’tcareastrawforthem。
Ah，reallyinlove-reallyinlove！LordWarburtonexclaimed，foldinghisarms，leaningbackhisheadandstretchinghimselfalittle。YoumustrememberthatI’mforty-twoyearsold。Iwon’tpretendI’masIonceWell，ifyou’resure，saidIsabel，it’sallright。
Heanswerednothing。hesatthere，withhisheadback，lookingbeforehim。Abruptly，however，hechangedhisposition。heturnedquicklytohisfriend。Whyareyousounwilling，sosceptical？
Shemethiseyes，andforamomenttheylookedstraightateachother。Ifshewishedtobesatisfiedshesawsomethingthatsatisfiedher。shesawinhisexpressionthegleamofanideathatshewasuneasyonherownaccount-thatshewasperhapseveninfear。Itshowedasuspicion，notahope，butsuchasitwasittoldherwhatshewantedtoknow。Notforaninstantshouldhesuspectherofdetectinginhisproposalofmarryingherstepdaughteranimplicationofincreasednearnesstoherself，orofthinkingit，onsuchabetrayal，ominous。Inthatbrief，extremelypersonalgaze，however，deepermeaningspassedbetweenthemthantheywereconsciousofatthemoment。
MydearLordWarburton，shesaid，smiling，youmaydo，asfarasI’mconcerned，whatevercomesintoyourhead。
Andwiththisshegotupandwanderedintotheadjoiningroom，where，withinhercompanion’sview，shewasimmediatelyaddressedbyapairofgentlemen，highpersonagesintheRomanworld，whometherasiftheyhadbeenlookingforher。Whileshetalkedwiththemshefoundherselfregrettingshehadmoved。itlookedalittlelikerunningaway-allthemoreasLordWarburtondidn’tfollowher。Shewasgladofthis，however，andatanyrateshewassatisfied。Shewassowellsatisfiedthatwhen，inpassingbackintotheball-room，shefoundEdwardRosierstillplantedinthedoorway，shestoppedandspoketohimagain。Youdidrightnottogoaway。I’vesomecomfortforyou。
Ineedit，theyoungmansoftlywailed，whenIseeyousoawfullythickwithhim！
Don’tspeakofhim。I’lldowhatIcanforyou。I’mafraiditwon’tbemuch，butwhatIcanI’lldo。
Helookedatherwithgloomyobliqueness。Whathassuddenlybroughtyouround？
Thesensethatyouareaninconvenienceindoorways！sheanswered，smilingasshepassedhim。Halfanhourlatershetookleave，withPansy，andatthefootofthestaircasethetwoladies，withmanyotherdepartingguests，waitedawhilefortheircarriage。justasitapproachedLordWarburtoncameoutofthehouseandassistedthemtoreachtheirvehicle。Hestoodamomentatthedoor，askingPansyifshehadamusedherself。andshe，havingansweredhim，fellbackwithalittleairoffatigue。ThenIsabel，atthewindow，detaininghimbyamovementofherfinger，murmuredgently：Don’tforgettosendyourlettertoherfather！
CHAPTER44
TheCountessGeminiwasoftenextremelybored-bored，inherownphrase，toextinction。Shehadnotbeenextinguished，however，andshestruggledbravelyenoughwithherdestiny，whichhadbeentomarryanunaccommodatingFlorentinewhoinsisteduponlivinginhisnativetown，whereheenjoyedsuchconsiderationasmightattachtoagentlemanwhosetalentforlosingatcardshadnotthemeritofbeingincidentaltoanobligingdisposition。TheCountGeminiwasnotlikedevenbythosewhowonfromhim。andheboreaname，which，havingameasurablevalueinFlorence，was，likethelocalcoinoftheoldItalianstates，withoutcurrencyinotherpartsofthepeninsula。InRomehewassimplyaverydullFlorentine，anditisnotremarkablethatheshouldnothavecaredtopayfrequentvisitstoaplacewhere，tocarryitoff，hisdulnessneededmoreexplanationthanwasconvenient。TheCountesslivedwithhereyesuponRome，anditwastheconstantgrievanceofherlifethatshehadnotanhabitationthere。Shewasashamedtosayhowseldomshehadbeenallowedtovisitthatcity。itscarcelymadethematterbetterthattherewereothermembersoftheFlorentinenobilitywhoneverhadbeenthereatall。
Shewentwhenevershecould。thatwasallshecouldsay。Orrathernotall，butallshesaidshecouldsay。Infactshehadmuchmoretosayaboutit，andhadoftensetforththereasonswhyshehatedFlorenceandwishedtoendherdaysintheshadowofSaintPeter’s。
Theyarereasons，however，thatdonotcloselyconcernus，andwereusuallysummedupinthedeclarationthatRome，inshort，wastheEternalCityandthatFlorencewassimplyaprettylittleplacelikeanyother。TheCountessapparentlyneededtoconnecttheideaofeternitywithheramusements。ShewasconvincedthatsocietywasinfinitelymoreinterestinginRome，whereyoumetcelebritiesallwinterateveningparties。AtFlorencetherewerenocelebrities。noneatleastthatonehadheardof。Sinceherbrother’smarriageherimpatiencehadgreatlyincreased。shewassosurehiswifehadamorebrilliantlifethanherself。ShewasnotsointellectualasIsabel，butshewasintellectualenoughtodojusticetoRome-nottotheruinsandthecatacombs，notevenperhapstothemonumentsandmuseums，thechurchceremoniesandthescenery。butcertainlytoalltherest。Sheheardagreatdealabouthersister-in-lawandknewperfectlythatIsabelwashavingabeautifultime。ShehadindeedseenitforherselfontheonlyoccasiononwhichshehadenjoyedthehospitalityofPalazzoRoccanera。Shehadspentaweekthereduringthefirstwinterofherbrother’smarriage，butshehadnotbeenencouragedtorenewthissatisfaction。Osmonddidn’twanther-thatshewasperfectlyawareof。butshewouldhavegoneallthesame，forafterallshedidn’tcaretwostrawsaboutOsmond。Itwasherhusbandwhowouldn’tlether，andthemoneyquestionwasalwaysatrouble。Isabelhadbeenverynice。theCountess，whohadlikedhersister-in-lawfromthefirst，hadnotbeenblindedbyenvytoIsabel’spersonalmerits。Shehadalwaysobservedthatshegotonbetterwithcleverwomenthanwithsillyoneslikeherself。thesillyonescouldneverunderstandherwisdom，whereasthecleverones-thereallycleverones-alwaysunderstoodhersilliness。Itappearedtoherthat，differentastheywereinappearanceandgeneralstyle，Isabelandshehadsomewhereapatchofcommongroundthattheywouldsettheirfeetuponatlast。Itwasnotverylarge，butitwasfirm，andtheyshouldbothknowitwhenoncetheyhadreallytouchedit。Andthenshelived，withMrs。Osmond，undertheinfluenceofapleasantsurprise。
shewasconstantlyexpectingthatIsabelwouldlookdownonher，andsheasconstantlysawthisoperationpostponed。Sheaskedherselfwhenitwouldbegin，likefire-works，orLent，ortheoperaseason。notthatshecaredmuch，butshewonderedwhatkeptitinabeyance。Hersister-in-lawregardedherwithnonebutlevelglancesandexpressedforthepoorCountessaslittlecontemptasadmiration。InrealityIsabelwouldassoonhavethoughtofdespisingherasofpassingamoraljudgementonagrasshopper。Shewasnotindifferenttoherhusband’ssister，however。shewasratheralittleafraidofher。
Shewonderedather。shethoughtherveryextraordinary。TheCountessseemedtohertohavenosoul。shewaslikeabrightrareshell，withapolishedsurfaceandaremarkablypinklip，inwhichsomethingwouldrattlewhenyoushookit。ThisrattlewasapparentlytheCountess’sspiritualprinciple，alittleloosenutthattumbledaboutinsideofher。Shewastoooddfordisdain，tooanomalousforcomparisons。IsabelwouldhaveinvitedheragaintherewasnoquestionofinvitingtheCount。butOsmond，afterhismarriage，hadnotscrupledtosayfranklythatAmywasafooloftheworstspecies-afoolwhosefollyhadtheirrepressibilityofgenius。Hesaidatanothertimethatshehadnoheart。andheaddedinamomentthatshehadgivenitallaway-insmallpieces，likeafrostedwedding-cake。ThefactofnothavingbeenaskedwasofcourseanotherobstacletotheCountess’sgoingagaintoRome。butattheperiodwithwhichthishistoryhasnowtodealshewasinreceiptofaninvitationtospendseveralweeksatPalazzoRoccanera。TheproposalhadcomefromOsmondhimself，whowrotetohissisterthatshemustbepreparedtobeveryquiet。WhetherornoshefoundinthisphraseallthemeaninghehadputintoitIamunabletosay。butsheacceptedtheinvitationonanyterms。Shewascurious，moreover。
foroneoftheimpressionsofherformervisithadbeenthatherbrotherhadfoundhismatch。BeforethemarriageshehadbeensorryforIsabel，sosorryastohavehadseriousthoughts-ifanyoftheCountess’sthoughtswereserious-ofputtingheronherguard。Butshehadletthatpass，andafteralittleshewasreassured。Osmondwasasloftyasever，buthiswifewouldnotbeaneasyvictim。TheCountesswasnotveryexactatmeasurements，butitseemedtoherthatifIsabelshoulddrawherselfupshewouldbethetallerspiritofthetwo。WhatshewantedtolearnnowwaswhetherIsabelhaddrawnherselfup。itwouldgiveherimmensepleasuretoseeOsmondovertopped。
SeveraldaysbeforeshewastostartforRomeaservantbroughtherthecardofavisitor-acardwiththesimplesuperscriptionHenriettaC。Stackpole。TheCountesspressedherfinger-tipstoherforehead。shedidn’tremembertohaveknownanysuchHenriettaasthat。TheservantthenremarkedthattheladyhadrequestedhimtosaythatiftheCountessshouldnotrecognizehernameshewouldknowherwellenoughonseeingher。BythetimesheappearedbeforehervisitorshehadinfactremindedherselfthattherewasoncealiteraryladyatMrs。Touchett’s。theonlywomanoflettersshehadeverencountered-thatistheonlymodernone，sinceshewasthedaughterofadefunctpoetess。SherecognizedMissStackpoleimmediately，themoresothatMissStackpoleseemedperfectlyunchanged。andtheCountess，whowasthoroughlygood-natured，thoughtitratherfinetobecalledonbyapersonofthatsortofdistinction。ShewonderedifMissStackpolehadcomeonaccountofhermother-whethershehadheardoftheAmericanCorinne。HermotherwasnotatalllikeIsabel’sfriend。theCountesscouldseeataglancethatthisladywasmuchmorecontemporary。andshereceivedanimpressionoftheimprovementsthatweretakingplace-chieflyindistantcountries-inthecharactertheprofessionalcharacterofliteraryladies。HermotherhadbeenusedtowearaRomanscarfthrownoverapairofshoulderstimorouslybaredoftheirtightblackvelvetohtheoldclothes！andagoldlaurel-wreathsetuponamultitudeofglossyringlets。Shehadspokensoftlyandvaguely，withtheaccentofherCreoleancestors，asshealwaysconfessed。
shesighedagreatdealandwasnotatallenterprising。ButHenrietta，theCountesscouldsee，wasalwayscloselybuttonedandcompactlybraided。therewassomethingbriskandbusiness-likeinherappearance。hermannerwasalmostconscientiouslyfamiliar。Itwasasimpossibletoimagineherevervaguelysighingastoimaginealetterpostedwithoutitsaddress。TheCountesscouldnotbutfeelthatthecorrespondentoftheInterviewerwasmuchmoreinthemovementthantheAmericanCorinne。SheexplainedthatshehadcalledontheCountessbecauseshewastheonlypersonsheknewinFlorence，andthatwhenshevisitedaforeigncityshelikedtoseesomethingmorethansuperficialtravellers。SheknewMrs。Touchett，butMrs。TouchettwasinAmerica，andevenifshehadbeeninFlorenceHenriettawouldnothaveputherselfoutforher，sinceMrs。
Touchettwasnotoneofheradmirations。
DoyoumeanbythatthatIam？theCountessgraciouslyasked。
Well，IlikeyoubetterthanIdoher，saidMissStackpole。I
seemtorememberthatwhenIsawyoubeforeyouwereveryinteresting。
Idon’tknowwhetheritwasanaccidentorwhetherit’syourusualstyle。AtanyrateIwasagooddealstruckwithwhatyousaid。Imadeuseofitafterwardsinprint。
Dearme！criedtheCountess，staringandhalfalarmed。IhadnoideaIeversaidanythingremarkable！IwishIhadknownitatthetime。
Itwasaboutthepositionofwomaninthiscity，MissStackpoleremarked。Youthrewagooddealoflightuponit。
Thepositionofwoman’sveryuncomfortable。Isthatwhatyoumean？Andyouwroteitdownandpublishedit？theCountesswenton。
Ah，doletmeseeit！
I’llwritetothemtosendyouthepaperifyoulike，Henriettasaid。Ididn’tmentionyourname。Ionlysaidaladyofhighrank。
AndthenIquotedyourviews。
TheCountessthrewherselfhastilybackward，tossingupherclaspedhands。DoyouknowI’mrathersorryyoudidn’tmentionmyname？Ishouldhaveratherlikedtoseemynameinthepapers。I
forgetwhatmyviewswere。Ihavesomany！ButI’mnotashamedofthem。I’mnotatalllikemybrother-Isupposeyouknowmybrother？Hethinksitakindofscandaltobeputinthepapers。ifyouweretoquotehimhe’dneverforgiveyou。
Heneedn’tbeafraid。Ishallneverrefertohim，saidMissStackpolewithblanddryness。That’sanotherreason，sheadded，whyIwantedtocometoseeyou。YouknowMr。Osmondmarriedmydearestfriend。
Ah，yes。youwereafriendofIsabel’s。IwastryingtothinkwhatIknewaboutyou。
quitewillingtobeknownbythat，Henriettadeclared。Butthatisn’twhatyourbrotherlikestoknowmeby。HehastriedtobreakupmyrelationswithIsabel。
Don’tpermitit，saidtheCountess。
That’swhatIwanttotalkabout。I’mgoingtoRome。
SoamI！theCountesscried。We’llgotogether。
Withgreatpleasure。AndwhenIwriteaboutmyjourneyI’llmentionyoubynameasmycompanion。
TheCountesssprangfromherchairandcameandsatonthesofabesidehervisitor。Ah，youmustsendmethepaper！Myhusbandwon’tlikeit，butheneedneverseeit。Besides，hedoesn’tknowhowtoread。
Henrietta’slargeeyesbecameimmense。Doesn’tknowhowtoread？
MayIputthatintomyletter？
Intoyourletter？
IntheInterviewer。That’smypaper。
Ohyes，ifyoulike。withhisname。AreyougoingtostaywithIsabel？
Henriettaheldupherhead，gazingalittleinsilenceatherhostess。Shehasnotaskedme。IwrotetoherIwascoming，andsheansweredthatshewouldengagearoomformeatapension。Shegavenoreason。
TheCountesslistenedwithextremeinterest。Thereason’sOsmond，shepregnantlyremarked。
Isabeloughttomakeastand，saidMissStackpole。I’mafraidshehaschangedagreatdeal。Itoldhershewould。
I’msorrytohearit。Ihopedshewouldhaveherownway。Whydoesn’tmybrotherlikeyou？theCountessingenuouslyadded。
Idon’tknowandIdon’tcare。He’sperfectlywelcomenottolikeme。Idon’twanteveryonetolikeme。Ishouldthinklessofmyselfifsomepeopledid。Ajournalistcan’thopetodomuchgoodunlesshegetsagooddealhated。that’sthewayheknowshowhisworkgoeson。Andit’sjustthesameforalady。ButIdidn’texpectitofIsabel。
Doyoumeanthatshehatesyou？theCountessenquired。
Idon’tknow。Iwanttosee。That’swhatI’mgoingtoRomefor。
Dearme，whatatiresomeerrand！theCountessexclaimed。
Shedoesn’twritetomeinthesameway。it’seasytoseethere’sadifference。Ifyouknowanything，MissStackpolewenton，Ishouldliketohearitbeforehand，soastodecideonthelineIshalltake。
TheCountessthrustoutherunderlipandgaveagradualshrug。I
knowverylittle。IseeandhearverylittleofOsmond。Hedoesn’tlikemeanybetterthanheappearstolikeyou。
Yetyou’renotaladycorrespondent，saidHenriettapensively。
Oh，hehasplentyofreasons。Neverthelessthey’veinvitedme-I’mtostayinthehouse！AndtheCountesssmiledalmostfiercely。herexultation，forthemoment，tooklittleaccountofMissStackpole’sdisappointment。
Thislady，however，regardeditveryplacidly。Ishouldn’thavegoneifshehadaskedme。ThatisIthinkIshouldn’t。andI’mgladIhadn’ttomakeupmymind。Itwouldhavebeenaverydifficultquestion。Ishouldn’thavelikedtoturnawayfromher，andyetI
shouldn’thavebeenhappyunderherroof。Apensionwillsuitmeverywell。Butthat’snotall。
Rome’sverygoodjustnow，saidtheCountess。thereareallsortsofbrilliantpeople。DidyoueverhearofLordWarburton？
Hearofhim？Iknowhimverywell。Doyouconsiderhimverybrilliant？Henriettaenquired。
Idon’tknowhim，butI’mtoldhe’sextremelygrandseigneur。
He’smakinglovetoIsabel。
Makinglovetoher？
SoI’mtold。Idon’tknowthedetails，saidtheCountesslightly。ButIsabel’sprettysafe。
Henriettagazedearnestlyathercompanion。foramomentshesaidnothing。WhendoyougotoRome？sheenquiredabruptly。
Notforaweek，I’mafraid。
Ishallgoto-morrow，Henriettasaid。IthinkIhadbetternotwait。
Dearme，I’msorry。I’mhavingsomedressesmade。I’mtoldIsabelreceivesimmensely。ButIshallseeyouthere。Ishallcallonyouatyourpension。Henriettasatstill-shewaslostinthought。andsuddenlytheCountesscried：Ah，butifyoudon’tgowithmeyoucan’tdescribeourjourney！
MissStackpoleseemedunmovedbythisconsideration。shewasthinkingofsomethingelseandpresentlyexpressedit。I’mnotsurethatIunderstandyouaboutLordWarburton。
Understandme？Imeanhe’sverynice，that’sall。
Doyouconsideritnicetomakelovetomarriedwomen？Henriettaenquiredwithunprecedenteddistinctness。
TheCountessstared，andthenwithalittleviolentlaugh：It’scertainallthenicemendoit。Getmarriedandyou’llsee！sheadded。
Thatideawouldbeenoughtopreventme，saidMissStackpole。I
shouldwantmyownhusband。Ishouldn’twantanyoneelse’s。DoyoumeanthatIsabel’sguilty-guilty-？Andshepausedalittle，choosingherexpression。
DoImeanshe’sguilty？Ohdearno，notyet，Ihope。IonlymeanthatOsmond’sverytiresomeandthatLordWarburton，asIhear，isagreatdealatthehouse。I’mafraidyou’rescandalized。
No，I’mjustanxious，Henriettasaid。
Ah，you’renotverycomplimentarytoIsabel！Youshouldhavemoreconfidence。I’lltellyou，theCountessaddedquickly：ifitwillbeacomforttoyouIengagetodrawhimoff。
MissStackpoleansweredatfirstonlywiththedeepersolemnityofhergaze。Youdon’tunderstandme，shesaidafterawhile。I
haven’ttheideayouseemtosuppose。I’mnotafraidforIsabel-inthatway。I’monlyafraidshe’sunhappy-that’swhatIwanttogetat。
TheCountessgaveadozenturnsofthehead。shelookedimpatientandsarcastic。Thatmayverywellbe。formypartIshouldliketoknowwhetherOsmondis。MissStackpolehadbegunalittletoboreher。
Ifshe’sreallychangedthatmustbeatthebottomofit，
Henriettawenton。
You’llsee。she’lltellyou，saidtheCountess。
Ah，shemaynottellme-that’swhatI’mafraidof！Well，ifOsmondisn’tamusinghimself-inhisownoldway-IflattermyselfI
shalldiscoverit，theCountessrejoined。
Idon’tcareforthat，saidHenrietta。
Idoimmensely！IfIsabel’sunhappyI’mverysorryforher，butI
can’thelpit。Imighttellhersomethingthatwouldmakeherworse，butIcan’ttellheranythingthatwouldconsoleher。Whatdidshegoandmarryhimfor？Ifshehadlistenedtomeshe’dhavegotridofhim。I’llforgiveher，however，ifIfindshehasmadethingshotforhim！IfshehassimplyallowedhimtotrampleuponherIdon’tknowthatIshallevenpityher。ButIdon’tthinkthat’sverylikely。
Icountuponfindingthatifshe’smiserableshehasatleastmadehimso。
Henriettagotup。theseseemedtoher，naturally，verydreadfulexpectations。ShehonestlybelievedshehadnodesiretoseeMr。
Osmondunhappy。andindeedhecouldnotbe，forherthesubjectofaflightoffancy。ShewasonthewholeratherdisappointedintheCountess，whosemindmovedinanarrowercirclethanshehadimagined，thoughwithacapacityforcoarsenesseventhere。Itwillbebetteriftheyloveeachother，shesaidforedification。
Theycan’t。Hecan’tloveanyone。
Ipresumedthatwasthecase。ButitonlyaggravatesmyfearforIsabel。
Ishallpositivelystartto-morrow。
Isabelcertainlyhasdevotees，saidtheCountess，smilingveryvividly。
IdeclareIdon’tpityher。
ItmaybeIcan’tassisther，MissStackpolepursued，asifitwerewellnottohaveillusions。
Youcanhavewantedto，atanyrate。that’ssomething。Ibelievethat’swhatyoucamefromAmericafor，theCountesssuddenlyadded。
Yes，Iwantedtolookafterher，Henriettasaidserenely。
Herhostessstoodtheresmilingatherwithsmallbrighteyesandaneager-lookingnose。withcheeksintoeachofwhichaflushhadcome。
Ah，that’sverypretty-c’estbiengentil！Isn’titwhattheycallfriendship？
Idon’tknowwhattheycallit。IthoughtIhadbettercome。
She’sveryhappy-she’sveryfortunate，theCountesswenton。
Shehasothersbesides。Andthenshebrokeoutpassionately。
She’smorefortunatethanI！I’masunhappyasshe-I’veaverybadhusband。he’sagreatdealworsethanOsmond。AndI’venofriends。I
thoughtIhad，butthey’regone。Noone，manorwoman，woulddoformewhatyou’vedoneforher。
Henriettawastouched。therewasnatureinthisbittereffusion。Shegazedathercompanionamoment，andthen：Lookhere，Countess，I’lldoanythingforyouthatyoulike。I’llwaitoverandtravelwithyou。
Nevermind，theCountessansweredwithaquickchangeoftone：
onlydescribemeinthenewspaper！
Henrietta，beforeleavingher，however，wasobligedtomakeherunderstandthatshecouldgivenofictitiousrepresentationofherjourneytoRome。MissStackpolewasastrictlyveraciousreporter。
OnquittinghershetookthewaytotheLung’Arno，thesunnyquaybesidetheyellowriverwherethebright-facedinnsfamiliartotouristsstandallinarow。ShehadlearnedherwaybeforethisthroughthestreetsofFlorenceshewasveryquickinsuchmatters，andwasthereforeabletoturnwithgreatdecisionofstepoutofthelittlesquarewhichformstheapproachtothebridgeoftheHolyTrinity。Sheproceededtotheleft，towardthePonteVecchio，andstoppedinfrontofoneofthehotelswhichoverlookthatdelightfulstructure。Hereshedrewforthasmallpocket-book，tookfromitacardandapenciland，aftermeditatingamoment，wroteafewwords。
Itisourprivilegetolookoverhershoulder，andifweexerciseitwemayreadthebriefquery：CouldIseeyouthiseveningforafewmomentsonaveryimportantmatter？HenriettaaddedthatsheshouldstartonthemorrowforRome。Armedwiththislittledocumentsheapproachedtheporter，whonowhadtakenuphisstationinthedoorway，andaskedifMr。Goodwoodwereathome。Theporterreplied，asportersalwaysreply，thathehadgoneoutabouttwentyminutesbefore。whereuponHenriettapresentedhercardandbeggeditmightbehandedhimonhisreturn。ShelefttheinnandpursuedhercoursealongthequaytothesevereporticooftheUffizi，throughwhichshepresentlyreachedtheentranceofthefamousgalleryofpaintings。
Makingherwayin，sheascendedthehighstaircasewhichleadstotheupperchambers。Thelongcorridor，glazedononesideanddecoratedwithantiquebusts，whichgivesadmissiontotheseapartments，presentedanemptyvistainwhichthebrightwinterlighttwinkleduponthemarblefloor。Thegalleryisverycoldandduringthemidwinterweeksbutscantilyvisited。MissStackpolemayappearmoreardentinherquestofartisticbeautythanshehashithertostruckusasbeing，butshehadafterallherpreferencesandadmirations。OneofthelatterwasthelittleCorreggiooftheTribune-theVirginkneelingdownbeforethesacredinfant，wholiesinalitterofstraw，andclappingherhandstohimwhilehedelightedlylaughsandcrows。Henriettahadaspecialdevotiontothisintimatescene-shethoughtitthemostbeautifulpictureintheworld。
Onherway，atpresent，fromNewYorktoRome，shewasspendingbutthreedaysinFlorence，andyetremindedherselfthattheymustnotelapsewithoutherpayinganothervisittoherfavouriteworkofart。Shehadagreatsenseofbeautyinallways，anditinvolvedagoodmanyintellectualobligations。ShewasabouttoturnintotheTribunewhenagentlemancameoutofit。whereuponshegavealittleexclamationandstoodbeforeCasparGoodwood。
I’vejustbeenatyourhotel，shesaid。Ileftacardforyou。
I’mverymuchhonoured，CasparGoodwoodansweredasifhereallymeantit。
ItwasnottohonouryouIdidit。I’vecalledonyoubeforeandIknowyoudon’tlikeit。Itwastotalktoyoualittleaboutsomething。
Helookedforamomentatthebuckleinherhat。Ishallbeverygladtohearwhatyouwishtosay。
Youdon’tliketotalkwithme，saidHenrietta。ButIdon’tcareforthat。Idon’ttalkforyouramusement。Iwroteawordtoaskyoutocomeandseeme。butsinceI’vemetyouherethiswilldoaswell。
Iwasjustgoingaway，Goodwoodstated。butofcourseI’llstop。
Hewascivil，butnotenthusiastic。
Henrietta，however，neverlookedforgreatprofessions，andshewassomuchinearnestthatshewasthankfulhewouldlistentoheronanyterms。Sheaskedhimfirst，nonetheless，ifhehadseenallthepictures。
AllIwantto。I’vebeenhereanhour。
Iwonderifyou’veseenmyCorreggio，saidHenrietta。Icameuponpurposetohavealookatit。ShewentintotheTribuneandheslowlyaccompaniedher。
IsupposeI’veseenit，butIdidn’tknowitwasyours。Idon’trememberpictures-especiallythatsort。Shehadpointedoutherfavouritework，andheaskedherifitwasaboutCorreggioshewishedtotalkwithhim。
No，saidHenrietta，it’saboutsomethinglessharmonious！Theythesmall，brilliantroom，asplendidcabinetoftreasures，tothemselves。therewasonlyacustodehoveringabouttheMediceanVenus。Iwantyoutodomeafavour，MissStackpolewenton。
CasparGoodwoodfrownedalittle，butheexpressednoembarrassmentatthesenseofnotlookingeager。Hisfacewasthatofamucholdermanthanourearlierfriend。I’msureit’ssomethingIshan’tlike，hesaidratherloudly。
No，Idon’tthinkyou’lllikeit。Ifyoudiditwouldbenofavour。
Well，let’shearit，hewentoninthetoneofamanquiteconsciousofhispatience。
Youmaysaythere’snoparticularreasonwhyyoushoulddomeafavour。IndeedIonlyknowofone：thefactthatifyou’dletmeI’dgladlydoyouone。Hersoft，exacttone，inwhichtherewasnoattemptateffect，hadanextremesincerity。andhercompanion，thoughhepresentedratherahardsurface，couldn’thelpbeingtouchedbyit。
Whenhewastouchedherarelyshowedit，however，bytheusualsigns。heneitherblushed，norlookedaway，norlookedconscious。Heonlyfixedhisattentionmoredirectly。heseemedtoconsiderwithaddedfirmness。Henriettacontinuedthereforedisinterestedly，withoutthesenseofanadvantage。Imaysaynow，indeed-itseemsagoodtime-thatifI’veeverannoyedyouandIthinksometimesIhaveit’sbecauseIknewIwaswillingtosufferannoyanceforyou。I’vetroubledyou-doubtless。ButI’dtaketroubleforyou。
Goodwoodhesitated。You’retakingtroublenow。
Yes，Iam-some。Iwantyoutoconsiderwhetherit’sbetteronthewholethatyoushouldgotoRome。
Ithoughtyouweregoingtosaythat！heansweredratherartlessly。Youhaveconsidereditthen？
OfcourseIhave，verycarefully。I’velookedallroundit。
OtherwiseIshouldn’thavecomesofarasthis。That’swhatIstayedinParistwomonthsfor。Iwasthinkingitover。
I’mafraidyoudecidedasyouliked。Youdecideditwasbestbecauseyouweresomuchattracted。
Bestforwhom，doyoumean？Goodwooddemanded。
Well，foryourselffirst。ForMrs。Osmondnext。
Oh，itwon’tdoheranygood！Idon’tflattermyselfthat。
Won’titdohersomeharm？-that’sthequestion。
Idon’tseewhatitwillmattertoher。I’mnothingtoMrs。Osmond。
Butifyouwanttoknow，Idowanttoseehermyself。
Yes，andthat’swhyyougo。
Ofcourseitis。Couldtherebeabetterreason？
Howwillithelpyou？-that’swhatIwanttoknow，saidMissStackpole。
That’sjustwhatIcan’ttellyou。It’sjustwhatIwasthinkingaboutinParis。
Itwillmakeyoumorediscontented。
Whydoyousay’more’so？Goodwoodaskedrathersternly。HowdoyouknowI’mdiscontented？
Well，saidHenrietta，hesitatingalittle，youseemnevertohavecaredforanother。
HowdoyouknowwhatIcarefor？hecriedwithabigblush。
JustnowIcaretogotoRome。
Henriettalookedathiminsilence，withasadyetluminousexpression。Well，sheobservedatlast，IonlywantedtotellyouwhatIthink。Ihaditonmymind。Ofcourseyouthinkit’snoneofmybusiness。Butnothingisanyone’sbusinessonthatprinciple。
It’sverykindofyou。I’mgreatlyobligedtoyouforyourinterest，saidCasparGoodwood。IshallgotoRomeandIshan’thurtMrs。Osmond。
Youwon’thurther，perhaps。Butwillyouhelpher？-that’stherealissue。
Issheinneedofhelp？heaskedslowly，withapenetratinglook。
Mostwomenalwaysare，saidHenriettawithconscientiousevasivenessandgeneralizinglesshopefullythanusual。IfyougotoRome，sheadded，Ihopeyou’llbeatruefriend-notaselfishone！Andsheturnedoffandbegantolookatthepictures。
CasparGoodwoodlethergoandstoodwatchingherwhileshewanderedroundtheroom。butafteramomentherejoinedher。You’veheardsomethingaboutherhere，hethenresumed。Ishouldliketoknowwhatyou’veheard。
Henriettahadneverprevaricatedinherlife，and，thoughonthisoccasiontheremighthavebeenafitnessindoingso，shedecided，afterthinkingsomeminutes，tomakenosuperficialexception。Yes，I’veheard，sheanswered。butasIdon’twantyoutogotoRomeI
won’ttellyou。
Justasyouplease。Ishallseeformyself，hesaid。Theninconsistently，forhim，You’veheardshe’sunhappy！headded。
Oh，youwon’tseethat！Henriettaexclaimed。
Ihopenot。Whendoyoustart？
To-morrow，bytheeveningtrain。Andyou？
Goodwoodhungback。hehadnodesiretomakehisjourneytoRomeinMissStackpole’scompany。HisindifferencetothisadvantagewasnotofthesamecharacterasGilbertOsmond’s，butithadatthismomentanequaldistinctness。ItwasratheratributetoMissStackpole’svirtuesthanareferencetoherfaults。Hethoughtherveryremarkable，verybrilliant，andhehad，intheory，noobjectiontotheclasstowhichshebelonged。Ladycorrespondentsappearedtohimapartofthenaturalschemeofthingsinaprogressivecountry，andthoughheneverreadtheirlettershesupposedthattheyministeredsomehowtosocialprosperity。ButitwasthisveryeminenceoftheirpositionthatmadehimwishMissStackpoledidn’ttakesomuchforgranted。ShetookforgrantedthathewasalwaysreadyforsomeallusiontoMrs。Osmond。shehaddonesowhentheymetinParis，sixweeksafterhisarrivalinEurope，andshehadrepeatedtheassumptionwitheverysuccessiveopportunity。HehadnowishwhatevertoalludetoMrs。Osmond。hewasnotalwaysthinkingofher。hewasperfectlysureofthat。Hewasthemostreserved，theleastcolloquialofmen，andthisenquiringauthoresswasconstantlyflashingherlanternintothequietdarknessofhissoul。Hewishedshedidn’tcaresomuch。heevenwished，thoughitmightseemratherbrutalofhim，thatshewouldleavehimalone。Inspiteofthis，however，hejustnowmadeotherreflections-whichshowhowwidelydifferent，ineffect，hisill-humourwasfromGilbertOsmond’s。HedesiredtogoimmediatelytoRome。hewouldhavelikedtogoalone，inthenight-train。HehatedtheEuropeanrailway-carriages，inwhichonesatforhoursinavise，kneetokneeandnosetonosewithaforeignertowhomonepresentlyfoundone’sselfobjectingwithalltheaddedvehemenceofone’swishtohavethewindowopen。andiftheywereworseatnighteventhanbyday，atleastatnightonecouldsleepanddreamofanAmericansaloon-car。Buthecouldn’ttakeanight-trainwhenMissStackpolewasstartinginthemorning。itstruckhimthatthiswouldbeaninsulttoanunprotectedwoman。Norcouldhewaituntilaftershehadgoneunlessheshouldwaitlongerthanhehadpatiencefor。Itwouldn’tdotostartthenextday。Sheworriedhim。
sheoppressedhim。theideaofspendingthedayinaEuropeanrailway-carriagewithherofferedacomplicationofirritations。
Still，shewasaladytravellingalone。itwashisdutytoputhimselfoutforher。Therecouldbenotwoquestionsaboutthat。itwasaperfectlyclearnecessity。Helookedextremelygraveforsomemomentsandthensaid，whollywithouttheflourishofgallantrybutinatoneofextremedistinctness，Ofcourseifyou’regoingto-morrowI’llgotoo，asImaybeofassistancetoyou。
Well，Mr。Goodwood，Ishouldhopeso！Henriettareturnedimperturbably。
CHAPTER45
IhavealreadyhadreasontosaythatIsabelknewherhusbandtobedispleasedbythecontinuanceofRalph’svisittoRome。Thatknowledgewasverypresenttoherasshewenttohercousin’shotelthedayaftershehadinvitedLordWarburtontogiveatangibleproofofhissincerity。andatthismoment，asatothers，shehadasufficientperceptionofthesourcesofOsmond’sopposition。Hewishedhertohavenofreedomofmind，andheknewperfectlywellthatRalphwasanapostleoffreedom。Itwasjustbecausehewasthis，Isabelsaidtoherself，thatitwasarefreshmenttogoandseehim。
Itwillbeperceivedthatshepartookofthisrefreshmentinspiteofherhusband’saversiontoit，thatispartookofit，assheflatteredherself，discreetly。Shehadnotasyetundertakentoactindirectoppositiontohiswishes。hewasherappointedandinscribedmaster。shegazedatmomentswithasortofincredulousblanknessatthisfact。Itweigheduponherimagination，however。constantlypresenttohermindwereallthetraditionarydecenciesandsanctitiesofmarriage。Theideaofviolatingthemfilledherwithshameaswellaswithdread，forongivingherselfawayshehadlostsightofthiscontingencyintheperfectbeliefthatherhusband’sintentionswereasgenerousasherown。Sheseemedtosee，nonetheless，therapidapproachofthedaywhensheshouldhavetotakebacksomethingshehadsolemnlybestown。Suchaceremonywouldbeodiousandmonstrous。shetriedtoshuthereyestoitmeanwhile。Osmondwoulddonothingtohelpitbybeginningfirst。hewouldputthatburdenuponhertotheend。HehadnotyetformallyforbiddenhertocalluponRalph。butshefeltsurethatunlessRalphshouldverysoondepartthisprohibitionwouldcome。HowcouldpoorRalphdepart？Theweatherasyetmadeitimpossible。Shecouldperfectlyunderstandherhusband’swishfortheevent。shedidn’t，tobejust，seehowhecouldlikehertobewithhercousin。Ralphneversaidawordagainsthim，butOsmond’ssore，muteprotestwasnonethelessfounded。Ifheshouldpositivelyinterpose，ifheshouldputforthhisauthority，shewouldhavetodecide，andthatwouldn’tbeeasy。Theprospectmadeherheartbeatandhercheeksburn，asIsay，inadvance。thereweremomentswhen，inherwishtoavoidanopenrupture，shefoundherselfwishingRalphwouldstartevenatarisk。