SuddenlyIreceiveaTitian，bythepost，tohangonmywall-aGreekbas-relieftostickovermychimney-piece。Thekeyofabeautifuledificeisthrustintomyhand，andI’mtoldtowalkinandadmire。Mypoorboy，you’vebeensadlyungrateful，andnowyouhadbetterkeepveryquietandnevergrumbleagain。Thesentimentofthesereflexionswasveryjust。butitwasnotexactlytruethatRalphTouchetthadhadakeyputintohishand。Hiscousinwasaverybrilliantgirl，whowouldtake，ashesaid，agooddealofknowing。
　　butsheneededtheknowing，andhisattitudewithregardtoher，thoughitwascontemplativeandcritical，wasnotjudicial。Hesurveyedtheedificefromtheoutsideandadmireditgreatly。helookedinatthewindowsandreceivedanimpressionofproportionsequallyfair。Buthefeltthathesawitonlybyglimpsesandthathehadnotyetstoodundertheroof。Thedoorwasfastened，andthoughhehadkeysinhispockethehadaconvictionthatnoneofthemwouldfit。Shewasintelligentandgenerous。itwasafinefreenature。butwhatwasshegoingtodowithherself？Thisquestionwasirregular，forwithmostwomenonehadnooccasiontoaskit。Mostwomendidwiththemselvesnothingatall。theywaited，attitudesmoreorlessgracefullypassive，foramantocomethatwayandfurnishthemwithadestiny。Isabel’soriginalitywasthatshegaveoneanimpressionofhavingintentionsofherown。Wheneversheexecutesthem，saidRalph，mayIbetheretosee！
　　Itdevolveduponhimofcoursetodothehonoursoftheplace。Mr。
　　Touchettwasconfinedtohischair，andhiswife’spositionwasthatofratheragrimvisitor。sothatinthelineofconductthatopeneditselftoRalphdutyandinclinationwereharmoniouslymixed。Hewasnotagreatwalker，buthestrolledaboutthegroundswithhiscousin-
　　apastimeforwhichtheweatherremainedfavourablewithapersistencynotallowedforinIsabel’ssomewhatlugubriousprevisionoftheclimate。andinthelongafternoons，ofwhichthelengthwasbutthemeasureofhergratifiedeagerness，theytookaboatontheriver，thedearlittleriver，asIsabelcalledit，wheretheoppositeshoreseemedstillapartoftheforegroundofthelandscape。ordroveoverthecountryinaphaeton-alow，capacious，thick-wheeledphaetonformerlymuchusedbyMr。Touchett，butwhichhehadnowceasedtoenjoy。Isabelenjoyeditlargelyand，handlingthereinsinamannerwhichapproveditselftothegroomasknowing，wasneverwearyofdrivingheruncle’scapitalhorsesthroughwindinglanesandbywaysfulloftheruralincidentsshehadconfidentlyexpectedtofind。pastcottagesthatchedandtimbered，pastale-houseslatticedandsanded，pastpatchesofancientcommonandglimpsesofemptyparks，betweenhedgerowsmadethickbymidsummer。WhentheyreachedhometheyusuallyfoundteahadbeenservedonthelawnandthatMrs。Touchetthadnotshrunkfromtheextremityofhandingherhusbandhiscup。Butthetwoforthemostpartsatsilent。theoldmanwithhisheadbackandhiseyesclosed，hiswifeoccupiedwithherknittingandwearingthatappearanceofrareprofunditywithwhichsomeladiesconsiderthemovementoftheirneedles。
　　Oneday，however，avisitorhadarrived。Thetwoyoungpersons，afterspendinganhourontheriver，strolledbacktothehouseandperceivedLordWarburtonsittingunderthetreesandengagedinconversation，ofwhichevenatadistancethedesultorycharacterwasappreciable，withMrs。Touchett。Hehaddrivenoverfromhisownplacewithaportmanteauandhadasked，asthefatherandsonofteninvitedhimtodo，foradinnerandalodging。Isabel，seeinghimforhalfanhouronthedayofherarrival，haddiscoveredinthisbriefspacethatshelikedhim。hehadindeedrathersharplyregisteredhimselfonherfinesenseandshehadthoughtofhimseveraltimes。Shehadhopedsheshouldseehimagain-hopedtoothatsheshouldseeafewothers。Gardencourtwasnotdull。theplaceitselfwassovereign，herunclewasmoreandmoreasortofgoldengrandfather，andRalphwasunlikeanycousinshehadeverencountered-herideaofcousinshavingtendedtogloom。Thenherimpressionswerestillsofreshandsoquicklyrenewedthattherewasasyethardlyahintofvacancyintheview。ButIsabelhadneedtoremindherselfthatshewasinterestedinhumannatureandthatherforemosthopeincomingabroadhadbeenthatsheshouldseeagreatmanypeople。WhenRalphsaidtoher，ashehaddoneseveraltimes，Iwonderyoufindthisendurable。yououghttoseesomeoftheneighboursandsomeofourfriends，becausewehavereallygotafew，thoughyouwouldneversupposeit-whenheofferedtoinvitewhathecalledalotofpeopleandmakeheracquaintedwithEnglishsociety，sheencouragedthehospitableimpulseandpromisedinadvancetohurlherselfintothefray。Little，however，forthepresent，hadcomeofhisoffers，anditmaybeconfidedtothereaderthatiftheyoungmandelayedtocarrythemoutitwasbecausehefoundthelabourofprovidingforhiscompanionbynomeanssosevereastorequireextraneoushelp。Isabelhadspokentohimveryoftenaboutspecimens。itwasawordthatplayedaconsiderablepartinhervocabulary。shehadgivenhimtounderstandthatshewishedtoseeEnglishsocietyillustratedbyeminentcases。
　　Wellnow，there’saspecimen，hesaidtoherastheywalkedupfromtheriversideandherecognizedLordWarburton。
　　Aspecimenofwhat？askedthegirl。
　　AspecimenofanEnglishgentleman。
　　Doyoumeanthey’realllikehim？
　　Ohno。they’renotalllikehim。
　　He’safavourablespecimenthen，saidIsabel。becauseI’msurehe’snice。
　　Yes，he’sverynice。Andhe’sveryfortunate。
　　ThefortunateLordWarburtonexchangedahandshakewithourheroineandhopedshewasverywell。ButIneedn’taskthat，hesaid，sinceyou’vebeenhandlingtheoars。
　　I’vebeenrowingalittle，Isabelanswered。buthowshouldyouknowit？
　　Oh，Iknowhedoesn’trow。he’stoolazy，saidhislordship，indicatingRalphTouchettwithalaugh。
　　Hehasagoodexcuseforhislaziness，Isabelrejoined，loweringhervoicealittle。
　　Ah，hehasagoodexcuseforeverything！criedLordWarburton，stillwithhissonorousmirth。
　　Myexcusefornotrowingisthatmycousinrowssowell，saidRalph。Shedoeseverythingwell。Shetouchesnothingthatshedoesn’tadorn！
　　Itmakesonewanttobetouched，MissArcher，LordWarburtondeclared。
　　Betouchedintherightsenseandyou’llneverlooktheworseforit，saidIsabel，who，ifitpleasedhertohearitsaidthatheraccomplishmentswerenumerous，washappilyabletoreflectthatsuchcomplacencywasnottheindicationofafeeblemind，inasmuchastherewereseveralthingsinwhichsheexcelled。Herdesiretothinkwellofherselfhadatleasttheelementofhumilitythatitalwaysneededtobesupportedbyproof。
　　LordWarburtonnotonlyspentthenightatGardencourt，buthewaspersuadedtoremainoverthesecondday。andwhentheseconddaywasendedhedeterminedtopostponehisdeparturetillthemorrow。
　　DuringthisperiodheaddressedmanyofhisremarkstoIsabel，whoacceptedthisevidenceofhisesteemwithaverygoodgrace。Shefoundherselflikinghimextremely。thefirstimpressionhehadmadeonherhadhadweight，butattheendofaneveningspentinhissocietyshescarcefellshortofseeinghim-thoughquitewithoutluridity-asaheroofromance。Sheretiredtorestwithasenseofgoodfortune，withaquickenedconsciousnessofpossiblefelicities。
　　It’sverynicetoknowtwosuchcharmingpeopleasthose，shesaid，meaningbythosehercousinandhercousin’sfriend。Itmustbeaddedmoreoverthatanincidenthadoccurredwhichmighthaveseemedtoputhergood-humourtothetest。Mr。Touchettwenttobedathalf-pastnineo’clock，buthiswiferemainedinthedrawing-roomwiththeothermembersoftheparty。Sheprolongedhervigilforsomethinglessthananhour，andthen，rising，observedtoIsabelthatitwastimetheyshouldbidthegentlemengood-night。Isabelhadasyetnodesiretogotobed。theoccasionwore，tohersense，afestivecharacter，andfeastswerenotinthehabitofterminatingsoearly。
　　So，withoutfurtherthought，shereplied，verysimply-
　　NeedIgo，dearaunt？I’llcomeupinhalfanhour。
　　It’simpossibleIshouldwaitforyou，Mrs。Touchettanswered。
　　Ah，youneedn’twait！Ralphwilllightmycandle，Isabelgailyengaged。
　　I’lllightyourcandle。doletmelightyourcandle，MissArcher！LordWarburtonexclaimed。OnlyIbegitshallnotbebeforemidnight。
　　Mrs。Touchettfixedherbrightlittleeyesuponhimamomentandtransferredthemcoldlytoherniece。Youcan’tstayalonewiththegentlemen。You’renot-you’renotatyourblestAlbany，mydear。
　　Isabelrose，blushing。IwishIwere，shesaid。
　　Oh，Isay，mother！Ralphbrokeout。
　　MydearMrs。Touchett！LordWarburtonmurmured。
　　Ididn’tmakeyourcountry，mylord，Mrs。Touchettsaidmajestically。ImusttakeitasIfindit。
　　Can’tIstaywithmyowncousin？Isabelenquired。
　　I’mnotawarethatLordWarburtonisyourcousin。
　　PerhapsIhadbettergotobed！thevisitorsuggested。Thatwillarrangeit。
　　Mrs。Touchettgavealittlelookofdespairandsatdownagain。Oh，ifit’snecessaryI’llstayuptillmidnight。
　　RalphmeanwhilehandedIsabelhercandlestick。Hehadbeenwatchingher。ithadseemedtohimhertemperwasinvolved-anaccidentthatmightbeinteresting。Butifhehadexpectedanythingofaflarehewasdisappointed，forthegirlsimplylaughedalittle，noddedgood-nightandwithdrewaccompaniedbyheraunt。Forhimselfhewasannoyedathismother，thoughhethoughtshewasright。
　　Above-stairsthetwoladiesseparatedatMrs。Touchett’sdoor。
　　Isabelhadsaidnothingonherwayup。
　　Ofcourseyou’revexedatmyinterferingwithyou，saidMrs。
　　Touchett。
　　Isabelconsidered。I’mnotvexed，butI’msurprised-andagooddealmystified。Wasn’titproperIshouldremaininthedrawing-room？
　　Notintheleast。Younggirlshere-indecenthouses-don’tsitalonewiththegentlemenlateatnight。
　　Youwereveryrighttotellmethen，saidIsabel。Idon’tunderstandit，butI’mverygladtoknowit。
　　Ishallalwaystellyou，herauntanswered，wheneverIseeyoutakingwhatseemstometoomuchliberty。
　　Praydo。butIdon’tsayIshallalwaysthinkyourremonstrancejust。
　　Verylikelynot。You’retoofondofyourownways。
　　Yes，IthinkI’mveryfondofthem。ButIalwayswanttoknowthethingsoneshouldn’tdo。
　　Soastodothem？askedheraunt。
　　Soastochoose，saidIsabel。
　　CHAPTER8
　　AsshewasdevotedtoromanticeffectsLordWarburtonventuredtoexpressahopethatshewouldcomesomedayandseehishouse，averycuriousoldplace。HeextractedfromMrs。TouchettapromisethatshebringherniecetoLockleigh，andRalphsignifiedhiswillingnesstoattendtheladiesifhisfathershouldbeabletosparehim。LordWarburtonassuredourheroinethatinthemeantimehissisters，wouldcomeandseeher。Sheknewsomethingabouthissisters，havingsoundedhim，duringthehourstheyspenttogetherwhilehewasatGardencourt，onmanypointsconnectedwithhisfamily。WhenIsabelwasinterestedsheaskedagreatmanyquestions，andashercompanionwasacopioustalkersheurgedhimonthisoccasionbynomeansinvain。Hetoldherhehadfoursistersandtwobrothersandhadlostbothhisparents。Thebrothersandsisterswereverygoodpeople-notparticularlyclever，youknow，hesaid，butverydecentandpleasant。andhewassogoodastohopeMissArchermightknowthemwell。OneofthebrotherswasintheChurch，settledinthefamilyliving，thatofLockleigh，whichwasaheavy，sprawlingparish，andwasanexcellentfellowinspiteofhisthinkingdifferentlyfromhimselfoneveryconceivabletopic。AndthenLordWarburtonmentionedsomeoftheopinionsheldbyhisbrother，whichwereopinionsIsabelhadoftenheardexpressedandthatshesupposedtobeentertainedbyaconsiderableportionofthehumanfamily。Manyofthemindeedshesupposedshehadheldherself，tillheassuredhershewasquitemistaken，thatitwasreallyimpossible，thatshehaddoubtlessimaginedsheentertainedthem，butthatshemightdependthat，ifshethoughtthemoveralittle，shewouldfindtherewasnothinginthem。Whensheansweredthatshehadalreadythoughtseveralofthequestionsinvolvedoververyattentivelyhedeclaredthatshewasonlyanotherexampleofwhathehadoftenbeenstruckwith-thefactthat，ofallthepeopleintheworld，theAmericanswerethemostgrosslysuperstitious。TheywererankToriesandbigots，everyoneofthem。therewerenoconservativeslikeAmericanconservatives。Heruncleandhercousinweretheretoproveit。
　　nothingcouldbemoremediaevalthanmanyoftheirviews。theyhadideasthatpeopleinEnglandnowadayswereashamedtoconfessto。
　　andtheyhadtheimpudencemoreover，saidhislordship，laughing，topretendtheyknewmoreabouttheneedsanddangersofthispoordearstupidoldEnglandthanhewhowasborninitandownedaconsiderablesliceofit-themoreshametohim！FromallofwhichIsabelgatheredthatLordWarburtonwasanoblemanofthenewestpattern，areformer，aradical，acontemnerofancientways。Hisotherbrother，whowasinthearmyinIndia，wasratherwildandpig-headedandhadnotbeenofmuchuseasyetbuttomakedebtsforWarburtontopay-
　　oneofthemostpreciousprivilegesofanelderbrother。Idon’tthinkIshallpayanymore，saidherfriend。helivesamonstrousdealbetterthanIdo，enjoysunheard-ofluxuriesandthinkshimselfamuchfinergentlemanthanI。AsI’maconsistentradicalIgoinonlyforequality。Idon’tgoinforthesuperiorityoftheyoungerbrothers。Twoofhisfoursisters，thesecondandfourth，weremarried，oneofthemhavingdoneverywell，astheysaid，theotheronlyso-so。Thehusbandoftheelder，LordHaycock，wasaverygoodfellow，butunfortunatelyahorridTory。andhiswife，likeallgoodEnglishwives，wasworsethanherhusband。TheotherhadespousedasmallishsquireinNorfolkand，thoughmarriedbuttheotherday，hadalreadyfivechildren。ThisinformationandmuchmoreLordWarburtonimpartedtohisyoungAmericanlistener，takingpainstomakemanythingsclearandtolaybaretoherapprehensionthepeculiaritiesofEnglishlife。Isabelwasoftenamusedathisexplicitnessandatthesmallallowanceheseemedtomakeeitherforherownexperienceorforherimagination。HethinksI’mabarbarian，shesaid，andthatI’veneverseenforksandspoons。andsheusedtoaskhimartlessquestionsforthepleasureofhearinghimanswerseriously。Thenwhenhehadfallenintothetrap，It’sapityyoucan’tseemeinmywar-paintandfeathers，sheremarked。ifIhadknownhowkindyouaretothepoorsavagesIwouldhavebroughtovermynativecostume！LordWarburtonhadtravelledthroughtheUnitedStatesandknewmuchmoreaboutthemthanIsabel。
　　hewassogoodastosaythatAmericawasthemostcharmingcountryintheworld，buthisrecollectionsofitappearedtoencouragetheideathatAmericansinEnglandwouldneedtohaveagreatmanythingsexplainedtothem。IfIhadonlyhadyoutoexplainthingstomeinAmerica！hesaid。Iwasratherpuzzledinyourcountry。
　　infactIwasquitebewildered，andthetroublewasthattheexplanationsonlypuzzledmemore。YouknowIthinktheyoftengavemethewrongonesonpurpose。they’rerathercleveraboutthatoverthere。ButwhenIexplainyoucantrustme。aboutwhatItellyouthere’snomistake。Therewasnomistakeatleastabouthisbeingveryintelligentandcultivatedandknowingalmosteverythingintheworld。AlthoughhegavethemostinterestingandthrillingglimpsesIsabelfeltheneverdidittoexhibithimself，andthoughhehadhadrarechancesandhadtumbledin，assheputit，forhighprizes，hewasasfaraspossiblefrommakingameritofit。Hehadenjoyedthebestthingsoflife，buttheyhadnotspoiledhissenseofproportion。Hisqualitywasamixtureoftheeffectofrichexperienced，soeasilycomeby！-withamodestyattimesalmostboyish。thesweetandwholesomesavourofwhich-itwasasagreeableassomethingtasted-lostnothingfromtheadditionofatoneofresponsiblekindness。
　　IlikeyourspecimenEnglishgentlemanverymuch，IsabelsaidtoRalphafterLordWarburtonhadgone。
　　Ilikehimtoo-Ilovehimwell，Ralphreturned。ButIpityhimmore。
　　Isabellookedathimaskance。Why，thatseemstomehisonlyfault-
　　thatonecan’tpityhimalittle。Heappearstohaveeverything，toknoweverything，tobeeverything。
　　Oh，he’sinabadway！Ralphinsisted。
　　Isupposeyoudon’tmeaninhealth？
　　No，astothathe’sdetestablysound。WhatImeanisthathe’samanwithagreatpositionwho’splayingallsortsoftrickswithit。
　　Hedoesn’ttakehimselfseriously。
　　Doesheregardhimselfasajoke？
　　Muchworse。heregardshimselfasanimposition-asanabuse。
　　Well，perhapsheis，saidIsabel。
　　Perhapsheis-thoughonthewholeIdon’tthinkso。Butinthatcasewhat’smorepitiablethanasentient，self-consciousabuseplantedbyotherhands，deeplyrootedbutachingwithasenseofitsinjustice？Forme，inhisplace，IcouldbeassolemnasastatueofBuddha。Heoccupiesapositionthatappealstomyimagination。Greatresponsibilities，greatopportunities，greatconsideration，greatwealth，greatpower，anaturalshareinthepublicaffairsofagreatcountry。Buthe’sallinamuddleabouthimself，hisposition，hispower，andindeedabouteverythingintheworld。He’sthevictimofacriticalage。hehasceasedtobelieveinhimselfandhedoesn’tknowwhattobelievein。WhenIattempttotellhimbecauseifIwereheIknowverywellwhatIshouldbelieveinhecallsmeapamperedbigot。IbelieveheseriouslythinksmeanawfulPhilistine。hesaysIdon’tunderstandmytime。Iunderstanditcertainlybetterthanhe，whocanneitherabolishhimselfasanuisancenormaintainhimselfasaninstitution。
　　Hedoesn’tlookverywretched，Isabelobserved。
　　Possiblynot。though，beingamanofagooddealofcharmingtaste，Ithinkheoftenhasuncomfortablehours。Butwhatisittosayofabeingofhisopportunitiesthathe’snotmiserable？Besides，Ibelieveheis。
　　Idon’t，saidIsabel。
　　Well，hercousinrejoined，ifheisn’theoughttobe！
　　Intheafternoonshespentanhourwithheruncleonthelawn，wheretheoldmansat，asusual，withhisshawloverhislegsandhislargecupofdilutedteainhishands。Inthecourseofconversationheaskedherwhatshethoughtoftheirlatevisitor。
　　Isabelwasprompt。Ithinkhe’scharming。
　　He’saniceperson，saidMr。Touchett，butIdon’trecommendyoutofallinlovewithhim。
　　Ishallnotdoitthen。Ishallneverfallinlovebutonyourrecommendation。Moreover，Isabeladded，mycousingivesmeratherasadaccountofLordWarburton。
　　Oh，indeed？Idon’tknowwhattheremaybetosay，butyoumustrememberthatRalphmusttalk。
　　Hethinksyourfriend’stoosubversive-ornotsubversiveenough！I
　　don’tquiteunderstandwhich，saidIsabel。
　　Theoldmanshookhisheadslowly，smiledandputdownhiscup。I
　　don’tknowwhicheither。Hegoesveryfar，butit’squitepossiblehedoesn’tgofarenough。Heseemstowanttodoawaywithagoodmanythings，butheseemstowanttoremainhimself。Isupposethat’snatural，butratherinconsistent。
　　Oh，Ihopehe’llremainhimself，saidIsabel。Ifheweretobedoneawaywithhisfriendswouldmisshimsadly。
　　Well，saidtheoldman，Iguesshe’llstayandamusehisfriends。
　　IshouldcertainlymisshimverymuchhereatGardencourt。Healwaysamusesmewhenhecomesover，andIthinkheamuseshimselfaswell。
　　There’saconsiderablenumberlikehim，roundinsociety。they’reveryfashionablejustnow。Idon’tknowwhatthey’retryingtodo-
　　whetherthey’retryingtogetuparevolution。Ihopeatanyratethey’llputitofftillafterI’mgone。Youseetheywanttodisestablisheverything。butI’maprettybiglandownerhere，andI
　　don’twanttobedisestablished。Iwouldn’thavecomeoverifIhadthoughttheyweregoingtobehavelikethat，Mr。Touchettwentonwithexpandinghilarity。IcameoverbecauseIthoughtEnglandwasasafecountry。Icallitaregularfraudiftheyaregoingtointroduceanyconsiderablechanges。there’llbealargenumberdisappointedinthatcase。
　　Oh，Idohopethey’llmakearevolution！IsabelexclaimedI
　　shoulddelightinseeingarevolution。
　　Letmesee，saidheruncle，withahumorousintention。Iforgetwhetheryou’reonthesideoftheoldoronthesideofthenew。
　　I’veheardyoutakesuchoppositeviews。
　　I’monthesideofboth。IguessI’malittleonthesideofeverything。Inarevolution-afteritwaswellbegun-IthinkIshouldbeahigh，proudloyalist。Onesympathizesmorewiththem，andthey’veachancetobehavesoexquisitely。Imeansopicturesquely。
　　Idon’tknowthatIunderstandwhatyoumeanbybehavingpicturesquely，butitseemstomethatyoudothatalways，mydear。
　　Oh，youlovelyman，ifIcouldbelievethat！thegirlinterrupted。
　　I’mafraid，afterall，youwon’thavethepleasureofgoinggracefullytotheguillotineherejustnow，Mr。Touchettwenton。Ifyouwanttoseeabigoutbreakyoumustpayusalongvisit。Yousee，whenyoucometothepointitwouldn’tsuitthemtobetakenattheirword。
　　Ofwhomareyouspeaking？
　　Well，ImeanLordWarburtonandhisfriends-theradicalsoftheupperclass。OfcourseIonlyknowthewayitstrikesme。Theytalkaboutthechanges，butIdon’tthinktheyquiterealize。YouandI，youknow，weknowwhatitistohavelivedunderdemocraticinstitutions：Ialwaysthoughtthemverycomfortable，butIwasusedtothemfromthefirst。AndthenIain’talord。you’realady，mydear，butIain’talord。NowoverhereIdon’tthinkitquitecomeshometothem。It’samatterofeverydayandeveryhour，andIdon’tthinkmanyofthemwouldfinditaspleasantaswhatthey’vegot。Ofcourseiftheywanttotry，it’stheirownbusiness。butIexpecttheywon’ttryveryhard。
　　Don’tyouthinkthey’resincere？Isabelasked。
　　Well，theywanttofeelearnest，Mr。Touchettallowed。butitseemsasiftheytookitoutintheoriesmostly。Theirradicalviewsareakindofamusement。they’vegottohavesomeamusement，andtheymighthavecoarsertastesthanthat。Youseethey’reveryluxurious，andtheseprogressiveideasareabouttheirbiggestluxury。
　　Theymakethemfeelmoralandyetdon’tdamagetheirposition。Theythinkagreatdealoftheirposition。don’tletoneofthemeverpersuadeyouhedoesn’t，forifyouweretoproceedonthatbasisyou’dbepulledupveryshort。
　　Isabelfollowedheruncle’sargument，whichheunfoldedwithhisquaintdistinctness，mostattentively，andthoughshewagunacquaintedwiththeBritisharistocracyshefounditinharmonywithhergeneralimpressionsofhumannature。ButshefeltmovedtoputinaprotestonLordWarburton’sbehalf。Idon’tbelieveLordWarburton’sahumbug。Idon’tcarewhattheothersare。IshouldliketoseeLordWarburtonputtothetest。
　　Heavendelivermefrommyfriends！Mr。Touchettanswered。LordWarburton’saveryamiableyoungman-averyfineyoungman。Hehasahundredthousandayear。Heownsfiftythousandacresofthesoilofthislittleislandandeversomanyotherthingsbesides。Hehashalfadozenhousestolivein。HehasaseatinParliamentasI
　　haveoneatmyowndinner-table。Hehaseleganttastes-caresforliterature，forart，forscience，forcharmingyoungladies。Themostelegantishistasteforthenewviews。Itaffordshimagreatdealofpleasure-moreperhapsthananythingelse，excepttheyoungladies。Hisoldhouseoverthere-whatdoeshecallit，Lockleigh？-isveryattractive。butIdon’tthinkit’saspleasantasthis。Thatdoesn’tmatter，however-hehassomanyothers。Hisviewsdon’thurtanyoneasfarasIcansee。theycertainlydon’thurthimself。Andifthereweretobearevolutionhewouldcomeoffveryeasily。Theywouldn’ttouchhim，they’dleavehimasheis：he’stoomuchliked。
　　Ah，hecouldn’tbeamartyrevenifhewished！Isabelsighed。
　　That’saverypoorposition。
　　He’llneverbeamartyrunlessyoumakehimone，saidtheoldman。
　　Isabelshookherhead。theremighthavebeensomethinglaughableinthefactthatshediditwithatouchofmelancholy。Ishallnevermakeanyoneamartyr。
　　You’llneverbeone，Ihope。
　　Ihopenot。Butyoudon’tpityLordWarburtonthenasRalphdoes？
　　Herunclelookedatherawhilewithgenialacuteness。Yes，Ido，afterall！
　　CHAPTER9
　　ThetwoMissesMolyneux，thisnobleman’ssisters，camepresentlytocalluponher，andIsabeltookafancytotheyoungladies，whoappearedtohertoshowamostoriginalstamp。ItistruethatwhenshedescribedthemtohercousinbythattermhedeclaredthatnoepithetcouldbelessapplicablethanthistothetwoMissesMolyneux，sincetherewerefiftythousandyoungwomeninEnglandwhoexactlyresembledthem。Deprivedofthisadvantage，however，Isabel’svisitorsretainedthatofanextremesweetnessandshynessofdemeanour，andofhaving，asshethought，eyeslikethebalancedbasins，thecirclesofornamentalwater，set，inparterres，amongthegeraniums。
　　They’renotmorbid，atanyrate，whatevertheyare，ourheroinesaidtoherself。andshedeemedthisagreatcharm，fortwoorthreeofthefriendsofhergirlhoodhadbeenregrettablyopentothechargetheywouldhavebeensonicewithoutit，tosaynothingofIsabel’shavingoccasionallysuspecteditasatendencyofherown。
　　TheMissesMolyneuxwerenotintheirfirstyouth，buttheyhadbright，freshcomplexionsandsomethingofthesmileofchildhood。
　　Yes，theireyes，whichIsabeladmired，wereround，quietandcontented，andtheirfigures，alsoofagenerousroundness，wereencasedinsealskinjackets。Theirfriendlinesswasgreat，sogreatthattheywerealmostembarrassedtoshowit。theyseemedsomewhatafraidoftheyoungladyfromtheothersideoftheworldandratherlookedthanspoketheirgoodwishes。ButtheymadeitcleartoherthattheyhopedshewouldcometoluncheonatLockleigh，wheretheylivedwiththeirbrother，andthentheymightseehervery，veryoften。Theywonderedifshewouldn’tcomeoversomedayandsleep：
　　theywereexpectingsomepeopleonthetwenty-ninth，soperhapsshewouldcomewhilethepeoplewerethere。
　　I’mafraiditisn’tanyoneveryremarkable，saidtheeldersister。butIdaresayyou’lltakeusasyoufindus。
　　Ishallfindyoudelightful。Ithinkyou’reenchantingjustasyouare，repliedIsabel，whooftenpraisedprofusely。
　　Hervisitorsflushed，andhercousintoldher，aftertheyweregone，thatifshesaidsuchthingstothosepoorgirlstheywouldthinkshewasinsomewild，freemannerpractisingonthem：hewassureitwasthefirsttimetheyhadbeencalledenchanting。
　　Ican’thelpit，Isabelanswered。Ithinkit’slovelytobesoquietandreasonableandsatisfied。Ishouldliketobelikethat。
　　Heavenforbid！criedRalphwithardour。
　　Imeantotryandimitatethem，saidIsabel。Iwantverymuchtoseethemathome。
　　Shehadthispleasureafewdayslater，when，withRalphandhismother，shedroveovertoLockleigh。ShefoundtheMissesMolyneuxsittinginavastdrawing-roomsheperceivedafterwardsitwasoneofseveralinawildernessoffadedchintz。theyweredressedonthisoccasioninblackvelveteen。IsabellikedthemevenbetterathomethanshehaddoneatGardencourt，andwasmorethaneverstruckwiththefactthattheywerenotmorbid。Ithadseemedtoherbeforethatiftheyhadafaultitwasawantofplayofmind。butshepresentlysawtheywerecapableofdeepemotion。Beforeluncheonshewasalonewiththemforsometime，ononesideoftheroom，whileLordWarburton，atadistance，talkedtoMrs。Touchett。
　　Isittrueyourbrother’ssuchagreatradical？Isabelasked。
　　Sheknewitwastrue，butwehaveseenthatherinterestinhumannaturewaskeen，andshehadadesiretodrawtheMissesMolyneuxout。
　　Ohdear，yes。he’simmenselyadvanced，saidMildred，theyoungersister。
　　AtthesametimeWarburton’sveryreasonable。MissMolyneuxobserved。
　　Isabelwatchedhimamomentattheothersideoftheroom。hewasclearlytryinghardtomakehimselfagreeabletoMrs。Touchett。
　　RalphhadmetthefrankadvancesofoneofthedogsbeforethefirethatthetemperatureofanEnglishAugust，intheancientexpanses，hadnotmadeanimpertinence。Doyousupposeyourbrother’ssincere？
　　Isabelenquiredwithasmile。
　　Oh，hemustbe，youknow！Mildredexclaimedquickly，whiletheeldersistergazedatourheroineinsilence。
　　Doyouthinkhewouldstandthetest？
　　Thetest？
　　Imeanforinstancehavingtogiveupallthis。
　　HavingtogiveupLockleigh？saidMissMolyneux，findinghervoice。
　　Yes，andtheotherplaces。whataretheycalled？
　　Thetwosistersexchangedanalmostfrightenedglance。Doyoumean-
　　doyoumeanonaccountoftheexpense？theyoungeroneasked。
　　Idaresayhemightletoneortwoofhishouses，saidtheother。
　　Letthemfornothing？Isabeldemanded。
　　Ican’tfancyhisgivinguphisproperty，saidMissMolyneux。
　　Ah，I’mafraidheisanimpostor！Isabelreturned。Don’tyouthinkit’safalseposition？
　　Hercompanions，evidently，hadlostthemselves。Mybrotherposition？MissMolyneuxenquired。
　　It’sthoughtaverygoodposition，saidtheyoungersister。
　　It’sthefirstpositioninthispartofthecountry。
　　Idaresayyouthinkmeveryirreverent，Isabeltookoccasiontoremark。Isupposeyourevereyourbrotherandareratherafraidofhim。
　　Ofcourseonelooksuptoone’sbrother，saidMissMolyneuxsimply。
　　Ifyoudothathemustbeverygood-becauseyou，evidently，arebeautifullygood。
　　He’smostkind。Itwillneverbeknown，thegoodhedoes。
　　Hisabilityisknown，Mildredadded。everyonethinksit’simmense。
　　Oh，Icanseethat，saidIsabel。ButifIwereheIshouldwishtofighttothedeath：Imeanfortheheritageofthepast。Ishouldholdittight。
　　Ithinkoneoughttobeliberal，Mildredarguedgently。We’vealwaysbeenso，evenfromtheearliesttimes。
　　Ahwell，saidIsabel，you’vemadeagreatsuccessofit。I
　　don’twonderyoulikeit。Iseeyou’reveryfondofcrewels。
　　WhenLordWarburtonshowedherthehouse，afterluncheon，seemedtoheramatterofcoursethatitshouldbeanoblepicture。Within，ithadbeenagooddealmodernized-someofitsbestpointshadlosttheirpurity。butastheysawitfromthegardens，astoutgreypile，ofthesoftest，deepest，mostweather-frettedhue，risingfromabroad，stillmoat，itaffectedtheyoungvisitorasacastleinalegend。Thedaywascoolandratherlustreless。thefirstnoteofautumnhadbeenstruck，andthewaterysunshinerestedonthewallsinblurredanddesultorygleams，washingthem，asitwere，inplacestenderlychosen，wheretheacheofantiquitywaskeenest。Herhost’sbrother，theVicar，hadcometoluncheon，andIsabelhadhadfiveminutes’talkwithhim-timeenoughtoinstituteasearchforarichecclesiasticismandgiveitupasvain。ThemarksoftheVicarofLockleighwereabig，athleticfigure，acandid，naturalcountenance，acapaciousappetiteandatendencytoindiscriminatelaughter。Isabellearnedafterwardsfromhercousinthatbeforetakingordershehadbeenamightywrestlerandthathewasstill，onoccasion-intheprivacyofthefamilycircleasitwere-quitecapableofflooringhisman。Isabellikedhim-shewasinthemoodforlikingeverything。butherimaginationwasagooddealtaxedtothinkofhimasasourceofspiritualaid。Thewholeparty，onleavinglunch，wenttowalkinthegrounds。butLordWarburtonexercisedsomeingenuityinengaginghisleastfamiliarguestinastrollapartfromtheothers。
　　Iwishyoutoseetheplaceproperly，seriously，hesaid。Youcan’tdosoifyourattentionisdistractedbyirrelevantgossip。HisownconversationthoughhetoldIsabelagooddealaboutthehouse，whichhadaverycurioushistorywasnotpurelyarchaeological。herevertedatintervalstomattersmorepersonal-matterspersonaltotheyoungladyaswellastohimself。Butatlast，afterapauseofsomeduration，returningforamomenttotheirostensibletheme，Ah，well，hesaid，I’mverygladindeedyouliketheoldbarrack。I
　　wishyoucouldseemoreofit-thatyoucouldstayhereawhile。Mysistershavetakenanimmensefancytoyou-ifthatwouldbeanyinducement。
　　There’snowantofinducements，Isabelanswered。butI’mafraidI
　　can’tmakeengagements。I’mquiteinmyaunt’shands。
　　Ah，pardonmeifIsayIdon’texactlybelievethat。I’mprettysureyoucandowhateveryouwant。
　　I’msorryifImakethatimpressiononyou。Idon’tthinkit’saniceimpressiontomake。
　　Ithasthemeritofpermittingmetohope。AndLordWarburtonpausedamoment。
　　Tohopewhat？
　　ThatinfutureImayseeyouoften。
　　Ah，saidIsabel，toenjoythatpleasureIneedn’tbesoterriblyemancipated。
　　Doubtlessnot。andyet，atthesametime，Idon’tthinkyourunclelikesme。
　　You’reverymuchmistaken。I’veheardhimspeakveryhighlyofyou。
　　I’mgladyouhavetalkedaboutme，saidLordWarburton。But，I
　　neverthelessdon’tthinkhe’dlikemetokeepcomingtoGardencourt。
　　Ican’tanswerformyuncle’stastes，thegirlrejoined，thoughI
　　oughtasfaraspossibletotakethemintoaccount。ButformyselfI
　　shallbeverygladtoseeyou。
　　Nowthat’swhatIliketohearyousay。I’mcharmedwhenyousaythat。
　　You’reeasilycharmed，mylord，saidIsabel。
　　No，I’mnoteasilycharmed！Andthenhestoppedamoment。Butyou’vecharmedme，MissArcher。
　　Thesewordswereutteredwithanindefinablesoundwhichstartledthegirl。itstruckherasthepreludetosomethinggrave：shehadheardthesoundbeforeandsherecognizedit。Shehadnowish，however，thatforthemomentsuchapreludeshouldhaveasequel，andshesaidasgailyaspossibleandasquicklyasanappreciabledegreeofagitationwouldallowher：I’mafraidthere’snoprospectofmybeingabletocomehereagain。
　　Never？saidLordWarburton。
　　Iwon’tsay’never’。Ishouldfeelverymelodramatic。
　　MayIcomeandseeyouthensomedaynextweek？
　　Mostassuredly。Whatistheretopreventit？
　　Nothingtangible。ButwithyouIneverfeelsafe。I’veasortofsensethatyou’realwayssummingpeopleup。
　　Youdon’tofnecessitylosebythat。
　　It’sverykindofyoutosayso。but，evenifIgain，sternjusticeisnotwhatImostlove。IsMrs。Touchettgoingtotakeyouabroad？
　　Ihopeso。
　　IsEnglandnotgoodenoughforyou？
　　That’saveryMachiavellianspeech。itdoesn’tdeserveananswer。I
　　wanttoseeasmanycountriesasIcan。
　　Thenyou’llgoonjudging，Isuppose。
　　Enjoying，Ihope，too。
　　Yes，that’swhatyouenjoymost。Ican’tmakeoutwhatyou’reupto，saidLordWarburton。Youstrikemeashavingmysteriouspurposes-vastdesigns。
　　You’resogoodastohaveatheoryaboutmewhichIdon’tatallfillout。Isthereanythingmysteriousinapurposeentertainedandexecutedeveryyear，inthemostpublicmanner，byfiftythousandofmyfellow-countrymen-thepurposeofimprovingone’smindbyforeigntravel？
　　Youcan’timproveyourmind，MissArcher，hercompaniondeclared。It’salreadyamostformidableinstrument。Itlooksdownonusall。itdespisesus。
　　Despisesyou？You’remakingfunofme，saidIsabelseriously。
　　Well，youthinkus’quaint’-that’sthesamething。Iwon’tbethought’quaint，’tobeginwith。I’mnotsointheleast。Iprotest。
　　ThatprotestisoneofthequaintestthingsI’veeverheard，
　　Isabelansweredwithasmile。
　　LordWarburtonwasbrieflysilent。Youjudgeonlyfromtheoutside-
　　youdon’tcare，hesaidpresently。Youonlycaretoamuseyourself。
　　Thenoteshehadheardinhisvoiceamomentbeforereappeared，andmixedwithitnowwasanaudiblestrainofbitterness-abitternesssoabruptandinconsequentthatthegirlwasafraidshehadhurthim。ShehadoftenheardthattheEnglishareahighlyeccentricpeople，andshehadevenreadinsomeingeniousauthorthattheyareatbottomthemostromanticofraces。WasLordWarburtonsuddenlyturningromantic-washegoingtomakeherascene，inhisownhouse，onlythethirdtimetheyhadmet？Shewasreassuredquicklyenoughbyhersenseofhisgreatgoodmanners，whichwasnotimpairedbythefactthathehadalreadytouchedthefurthestlimitofgoodtasteinexpressinghisadmirationofayoungladywhohadconfidedinhishospitality。Shewasrightintrustingtohisgoodmanners，forhepresentlywenton，laughingalittleandwithoutatraceoftheaccentthathaddiscomposedher：Idon’tmeanofcoursethatyouamuseyourselfwithtrifles。Youselectgreatmaterials。thefoibles，theafflictionsofhumannature，thepeculiaritiesofnations！
　　Asregardsthat，saidIsabel，Ishouldfindinmyownnationentertainmentforalifetime。Butwe’vealongdrive，andmyauntwillsoonwishtostart。SheturnedbacktowardtheothersandLordWarburtonwalkedbesideherinsilence。Butbeforetheyreachedtheothers，Ishallcomeandseeyounextweek，hesaid。
　　Shehadreceivedanappreciableshock，butasitdiedawayshefeltthatshecouldn’tpretendtoherselfthatitwasaltogetherapainfulone。Neverthelessshemadeanswertohisdeclaration，coldlyenough，Justasyouplease。Andhercoldnesswasnotthecalculationofhereffect-agamesheplayedinamuchsmallerdegreethanwouldhaveseemedprobabletomanycritics。Itcamefromacertainfear。
　　CHAPTER10
　　ThedayafterhervisittoLockleighshereceivedanotefromherfriendMissStackpole-anoteofwhichtheenvelope，exhibitinginconjunctionthepostmarkofLiverpoolandtheneatcalligraphyofthequick-fingeredHenrietta，causedhersomelivelinessofemotion。
　　HereIam，mylovelyfriend，MissStackpolewrote。Imanagedtogetoffatlast。IdecidedonlythenightbeforeIleftNewYork-theInterviewerhavingcomeroundtomyfigure。Iputafewthingsintoabag，likeaveteranjournalist，andcamedowntothesteamerinastreet-car。Whereareyouandwherecanwemeet？Isupposeyou’revisitingatsomecastleorotherandhavealreadyacquiredthecorrectaccent。Perhapsevenyouhavemarriedalord。Ialmosthopeyouhave，forIwantsomeintroductionstothefirstpeopleandshallcountonyouforafew。TheInterviewerwantssomelightonthenobility。Myfirstimpressionsofthepeopleatlargearenotrose-coloured。butIwishtotalkthemoverwithyou，andyouknowthat，whateverIam，atleastI’mnotsuperficial。I’vealsosomethingveryparticulartotellyou。Doappointameetingasquicklyasyoucan。cometoLondonIshouldlikesomuchtovisitthesightswithyouorelseletmecometoyou，whereveryouare。Iwilldosowithpleasure。foryouknoweverythinginterestsmeandIwishtoseeasmuchaspossibleoftheinnerlife。
　　Isabeljudgedbestnottoshowthislettertoheruncle。butsheacquaintedhimwithitspurport，and，assheexpected，hebeggedherinstantlytoassureMissStackpole，inhisname，thatheshouldbedelightedtoreceiveheratGardencourt。Thoughshe’saliterarylady，hesaid，Isupposethat，beinganAmerican，shewon’tshowmeup，asthatotheronedid。Shehasseenotherslikeme。
　　Shehasseennoothersodelightful！Isabelanswered。butshewasnotaltogetherateaseaboutHenrietta’sreproductiveinstincts，whichbelongedtothatsideofherfriend’scharacterwhichsheregardedwithleastcomplacency。ShewrotetoMissStackpole，however，thatshewouldbeverywelcomeunderMr。Touchett’sroof。andthisalertyoungwomanlostnotimeinannouncingherpromptapproach。
　　ShehadgoneuptoLondon，anditwasfromthatcentrethatshetookthetrainforthestationnearesttoGardencourt，whereIsabelandRalphwereinwaitingtoreceiveher。
　　ShallIloveherorshallIhateher？Ralphaskedwhiletheymovedalongtheplatform。
　　Whicheveryoudowillmatterverylittletoher，saidIsabel。Shedoesn’tcareastrawwhatmenthinkofher。
　　AsamanI’mboundtodislikeherthen。Shemustbeakindofmonster。Issheveryugly？
　　No，she’sdecidedlypretty。
　　Afemaleinterviewer-areporterinpetticoats？I’mverycurioustoseeher，Ralphconceded。
　　It’sveryeasytolaughatherbutitisnoteasytobeasbraveasshe。
　　Ishouldthinknot。crimesofviolenceandattacksonthepersonrequiremoreorlesspluck。Doyousupposeshe’llinterviewme？
　　Neverintheworld。She’llnotthinkyouofenoughimportance。
　　You’llsee，saidRalph。She’llsendadescriptionofusall，includingBunchie，tohernewspaper。
　　Ishallaskhernotto，Isabelanswered。
　　Youthinkshe’scapableofitthen？
　　Perfectly。
　　Andyetyou’vemadeheryourbosom-friend？
　　I’venotmadehermybosom-friend。butIlikeherinspiteofherfaults。
　　Ahwell，saidRalph，I’mafraidIshalldislikeherinspiteofhermerits。
　　You’llprobablyfallinlovewithherattheendofthreedays。
　　Andhavemylove-letterspublishedintheInterviewer？Never！
　　criedtheyoungman。
　　Thetrainpresentlyarrived，andMissStackpole，promptlydescending，proved，asIsabelhadpromised，quitedelicately，eventhoughratherprovincially，fair。Shewasaneat，plumpperson，ofmediumstature，witharoundface，asmallmouth，adelicatecomplexion，abunchoflightbrownringletsatthebackofherheadandapeculiarlyopen，surprised-lookingeye。Themoststrikingpointinherappearancewastheremarkablefixednessofthisorgan，whichrestedwithoutimpudenceordefiance，butasifinconscientiousexerciseofanaturalright，uponeveryobjectithappenedtoencounter。ItrestedinthismanneruponRalphhimself，alittlearrestedbyMissStackpole’sgraciousandcomfortableaspect，whichhintedthatitwouldn’tbesoeasyashehadassumedtodisapproveofher。Sherustled，sheshimmered，infresh，dove-coloureddraperies，andRalphsawataglancethatshewasascrispandnewandcomprehensiveasafirstissuebeforethefolding。Fromtoptotoeshehadprobablynomisprint。Shespokeinaclear，highvoice-avoicenotrichbutloud。yetaftershehadtakenherplacewithhercompanionsinMr。Touchett’scarriageshestruckhimasnotallinthelargetype，thetypeofhorridheadings，thathehadexpected。SheansweredtheenquiriesmadeofherbyIsabel，however，andinwhichtheyoungmanventuredtojoin，withcopiouslucidity。andlater，inthelibraryatGardencourt，whenshehadmadetheacquaintanceofMr。Touchetthiswifenothavingthoughtitnecessarytoappear
　　didmoretogivethemeasureofherconfidenceinherpowers。
　　Well，IshouldliketoknowwhetheryouconsideryourselvesAmericanorEnglish，shebrokeout。IfonceIknewIcouldtalktoyouaccordingly。
　　Talktousanyhowandweshallbethankful，Ralphliberallyanswered。
　　Shefixedhereyesonhim，andtherewassomethingintheircharacterthatremindedhimoflargepolishedbuttons-buttonsthatmighthavefixedtheelasticloopsofsometensereceptacle：heseemedtoseethereflectionofsurroundingobjectsonthepupil。Theexpressionofabuttonisnotusuallydeemedhuman，buttherewassomethinginMissStackpole’sgazethatmadehim，asaverymodestman，feelvaguelyembarrassed-lessinviolate，moredishonoured，thanheliked。Thissensation，itmustbeadded，afterhehadspentadayortwoinhercompany，sensiblydiminished，thoughitneverwhollylapsed。Idon’tsupposethatyou’regoingtoundertaketopersuademethatyou’reanAmerican，shesaid。
　　TopleaseyouI’llbeanEnglishman，I’llbeaTurk！
　　Well，ifyoucanchangeaboutthatwayyou’reverywelcome，MissStackpolereturned。
　　I’msureyouunderstandeverythingandthatdifferencesofnationalityarenobarriertoyou，Ralphwenton。
　　MissStackpolegazedathimstill。Doyoumeantheforeignlanguages？
　　Thelanguagesarenothing。Imeanthespirit-thegenius。
　　I’mnotsurethatIunderstandyou，saidthecorrespondentoftheInterviewer。butIexpectIshallbeforeIleave。
　　He’swhat’scalledacosmopolite，Isabelsuggested。
　　Thatmeanshe’salittleofeverythingandnotmuchofany。I
　　mustsayIthinkpatriotismislikecharity-itbeginsathome。
　　Ah，butwheredoeshomebegin，MissStackpole？Ralphenquired。
　　Idon’tknowwhereitbegins，butIknowwhereitends。ItendedalongtimebeforeIgothere。
　　Don’tyoulikeitoverhere？askedMr。Touchettwithhisaged，innocentvoice。
　　Well，sir，Ihaven’tquitemadeupmymindwhatgroundIshalltake。Ifeelagooddealcramped。IfeltitonthejourneyfromLiverpooltoLondon。
　　Perhapsyouwereinacrowdedcarriage，Ralphsuggested。
　　Yes，butitwascrowdedwithfriends-apartyofAmericanswhoseacquaintanceIhadmadeuponthesteamer。alovelygroupfromLittleRock，Arkansas。InspiteofthatIfeltcramped-Ifeltsomethingpressinguponme。Icouldn’ttellwhatitwas。IfeltattheverycommencementasifIwerenotgoingtoaccordwiththeatmosphere。ButIsupposeIshallmakemyownatmosphere。That’sthetrueway-thenyoucanbreathe。Yoursurroundingsseemveryattractive。
　　Ah，wetooarealovelygroup！saidRalph。Waitalittleandyou’llsee。
　　MissStackpoleshowedeverydispositiontowaitandevidentlywaspreparedtomakeaconsiderablestayatGardencourt。Sheoccupiedherselfinthemorningswithliterarylabour。butinspiteofthisIsabelspentmanyhourswithherfriend，who，onceherdailytaskperformed，deprecated，infactdefied，isolation。Isabelspeedilyfoundoccasiontodesirehertodesistfromcelebratingthecharmsoftheircommonsojourninprint，havingdiscovered，onthesecondmorningofMissStackpole’svisit，thatshewasengagedonalettertotheInterviewer，ofwhichthetitle，inherexquisitelyneatandlegiblehandexactlythatofthecopybookswhichourheroinerememberedatschoolwasAmericansandTudors-GlimpsesofGardencourt。MissStackpole，withthebestconscienceintheworld，offeredtoreadherlettertoIsabel，whoimmediatelyputinherprotest。
　　Idon’tthinkyououghttodothat。Idon’tthinkyououghttodescribetheplace。
　　Henriettagazedatherasusual。Why，it’sjustwhatthepeoplewant，andit’salovelyplace。
　　It’stoolovelytobeputinthenewspapers，andit’snotwhatmyunclewants。
　　Don’tyoubelievethat！criedHenrietta。They’realwaysdelightedafterwards。
　　Myunclewon’tbedelighted-normycousineither。They’llconsideritabreachofhospitality。
　　MissStackpoleshowednosenseofconfusion。shesimplywipedherpen，veryneatly，uponanelegantlittleimplementwhichshekeptforthepurpose，andputawayhermanuscript。Ofcourseifyoudon’tapproveIwon’tdoit。butIsacrificeabeautifulsubject。
　　Thereareplentyofothersubjects，therearesubjectsallroundyou。We’lltakesomedrives。I’llshowyousomecharmingscenery。
　　Scenery’snotmydepartment。Ialwaysneedahumaninterest。YouknowI’mdeeplyhuman，Isabel。Ialwayswas，MissStackpolerejoined。
　　Iwasgoingtobringinyourcousin-thealienatedAmerican。
　　There’sagreatdemandjustnowforthealienatedAmerican，andyourcousin’sabeautifulspecimen。Ishouldhavehandledhimseverely。
　　Hewouldhavediedofit！Isabelexclaimed。Notoftheseverity，butofthepublicity。
　　Well，Ishouldhavelikedtokillhimalittle。AndIshouldhavedelightedtodoyouruncle，whoseemstomeamuchnoblertype-theAmericanfaithfulstill。He’sagrandoldman。Idon’tseehowhecanobjecttomypayinghimhonour。
　　Isabellookedathercompanioninmuchwonderment。itstruckherasstrangethatanatureinwhichshefoundsomuchtoesteemshouldbreakdownsoinspots。MypoorHenrietta，shesaid，you’venosenseofprivacy。
　　Henriettacoloureddeeply，andforamomentherbrillianteyesweresuffused，whileIsabelfoundhermorethaneverinconsequent。
　　Youdomegreatinjustice，saidMissStackpolewithdignity。I’veneverwrittenawordaboutmyself！
　　I’mverysureofthat。butitseemstomeoneshouldbemodestforothersalso！
　　Ah，that’sverygood！criedHenrietta，seizingherpenagain。
　　JustletmemakeanoteofitandI’llputitinsomewhere。Shewasathoroughlygood-naturedwoman，andhalfanhourlatershewasinascheerfulamoodasshouldhavebeenlookedforinanewspaper-ladyinwantofmatter。I’vepromisedtodothesocialside，shesaidtoIsabel。andhowcanIdoitunlessIgetideas？IfIcan’tdescribethisplacedon’tyouknowsomeplaceIcandescribe？
　　Isabelpromisedshewouldbethinkherself，andthenextday，inconversationwithherfriend，shehappenedtomentionhervisittoLordWarburton’sancienthouse。Ah，youmusttakemethere-that’sjusttheplaceforme！MissStackpolecried。Imustgetaglimpseofthenobility。
　　Ican’ttakeyou，saidIsabel。butLordWarburton’scominghere，andyou’llhaveachancetoseehimandobservehim。OnlyifyouintendtorepeathisconversationIshallcertainlygivehimwarning。
　　Don’tdothat，hercompanionpleaded。Iwanthimtobenatural。
　　AnEnglishman’sneversonaturalaswhenhe’sholdinghistongue，Isabeldeclared。
　　Itwasnotapparent，attheendofthreedays，thathercousinhad，accordingtoherprophecy，losthishearttotheirvisitor，thoughhehadspentagooddealoftimeinhersociety。Theystrolledabouttheparktogetherandsatunderthetrees，andintheafternoon，whenitwasdelightfultofloatalongtheThames，MissStackpoleoccupiedaplaceintheboatinwhichhithertoRalphhadhadbutasinglecompanion。HerpresenceprovedsomehowlessirreducibletosoftparticlesthanRalphhadexpectedinthenaturalperturbationofhissenseoftheperfectsolubilityofthatofhiscousin。forthecorrespondentoftheInterviewerpromptedmirthinhim，andhehadlongsincedecidedthatthecrescendoofmirthshouldbetheflowerofhisdecliningdays。Henrietta，onherside，failedalittletojustifyIsabel’sdeclarationwithregardtoherindifferencetomasculineopinion。forpoorRalphappearedtohavepresentedhimselftoherasanirritatingproblem，whichitwouldbealmostimmoralnottoworkout。
　　Whatdoeshedoforaliving？sheaskedofIsabeltheeveningofherarrival。Doeshegoroundalldaywithhishandsinhispockets？
　　Hedoesnothing，smiledIsabel。he’sagentlemanoflargeleisure。
　　Well，Icallthatashame-whenIhavetoworklikeacar-conductor，MissStackpolereplied。Ishouldliketoshowhimup。
　　He’sinwretchedhealth。he’squiteunfitforwork，Isabelurged。
　　Pshaw！don’tyoubelieveit。IworkwhenI’msick，criedherfriend。Later，whenshesteppedintotheboatonjoiningthewater-party，sheremarkedtoRalphthatshesupposedhehatedherandwouldliketodrownher。
　　Ahno，saidRalph，Ikeepmyvictimsforaslowertorture。Andyou’dbesuchaninterestingone！
　　Well，youdotortureme。Imaysaythat。ButIshockallyourprejudices。that’sonecomfort。
　　Myprejudices？Ihaven’taprejudicetoblessmyselfwith。
　　There’sintellectualpovertyforyou。
　　Themoreshametoyou。I’vesomedeliciousones。OfcourseI
　　spoilyourflirtation，orwhateveritisyoucallit，withyourcousin。butIdon’tcareforthat，asIrenderhertheserviceofdrawingyouout。She’llseehowthinyouare。
　　Ah，dodrawmeout！Ralphexclaimed。Sofewpeoplewilltakethetrouble。
　　MissStackpole，inthisundertaking，appearedtoshrinkfromnoeffort。resortinglargely，whenevertheopportunityoffered，tothenaturalexpedientofinterrogation。Onthefollowingdaytheweatherwasbad，andintheafternoontheyoungman，bywayofprovidingindooramusement，offeredtoshowherthepictures。Henriettastrolledthroughthelonggalleryinhissociety，whilehepointedoutitsprincipalornamentsandmentionedthepaintersandsubjects。MissStackpolelookedatthepicturesinperfectsilence，committingherselftonoopinion，andRalphwasgratifiedbythefactthatshedeliveredherselfofnoneofthelittleready-madeejaculationsofdelightofwhichthevisitorstoGardencourtweresofrequentlylavish。Thisyoungladyindeed，todoherjustice，wasbutlittleaddictedtotheuseofconventionalterms。therewassomethingearnestandinventiveinhertone，whichattimes，initsstraineddeliberation，suggestedapersonofhighculturespeakingaforeignlanguage。RalphTouchettsubsequentlylearnedthatshehadatonetimeofficiatedasart-critictoajournaloftheotherworld。butsheappeared，inspiteofthisfact，tocarryinherpocketnoneofthesmallchangeofadmiration。Suddenly，justafterhehadcalledherattentiontoacharmingConstable，sheturnedandlookedathimasifhehimselfhadbeenapicture。
　　Doyoualwaysspendyourtimelikethis？shedemanded。
　　Iseldomspenditsoagreeably。
　　Well，youknowwhatImean-withoutanyregularoccupation。
　　Ah，saidRalph，I’mtheidlestmanliving。
　　MissStackpoledirectedhergazetotheConstableagain，andRalphbespokeherattentionforasmallLancrethangingnearit，whichrepresentedagentlemaninapinkdoubletandhoseandaruff，leaningagainstthepedestalofthestatueofanymphinagardenandplayingtheguitartotwoladiesseatedonthegrass。That’smyidealofaregularoccupation，hesaid。
　　MissStackpoleturnedtohimagain，and，thoughhereyeshadresteduponthepicture，hesawshehadmissedthesubject。Shewasthinkingofsomethingmuchmoreserious。Idon’tseehowyoucanreconcileittoyourconscience。
　　Mydearlady，Ihavenoconscience！
　　Well，Iadviseyoutocultivateone。You’llneeditthenexttimeyougotoAmerica。
　　Ishallprobablynevergoagain。
　　Areyouashamedtoshowyourself？
　　Ralphmeditatedwithamildsmile。Isupposethatifonehasnoconscienceonehasnoshame。
　　Well，you’vegotplentyofassurance，Henriettadeclared。Doyouconsideritrighttogiveupyourcountry？
　　Ah，onedoesn’tgiveupone’scountryanymorethanonegivesupone’sgrandmother。They’rebothantecedenttochoice-elementsofone’scompositionthatarenottobeeliminated。
　　Isupposethatmeansthatyou’vetriedandbeenworsted。Whatdotheythinkofyouoverhere？
　　Theydelightinme。
　　That’sbecauseyoutruckletothem。
　　Ah，setitdownalittletomynaturalcharm！Ralphsighed。
　　Idon’tknowanythingaboutyournaturalcharm。Ifyou’vegotanycharmit’squiteunnatural。It’swhollyacquired-oratleastyou’vetriedhardtoacquireit，livingoverhere。Idon’tsayyou’vesucceeded。It’sacharmthatIdon’tappreciate，anyway。Makeyourselfusefulinsomeway，andthenwe’lltalkaboutit。
　　Well，now，tellmewhatIshalldo，saidRalph。
　　Gorighthome，tobeginwith。
　　Yes，Isee。Andthen？
　　Takerightholdofsomething。
　　Well，now，whatsortofthing？
　　Anythingyouplease，solongasyoutakehold。Somenewidea，somebigwork。
　　Isitverydifficulttotakehold？Ralphenquired。
　　Notifyouputyourheartintoit。
　　Ah，myheart，saidRalph。Ifitdependsuponmyheart-！
　　Haven’tyougotaheart？
　　Ihadoneafewdaysago，butI’velostitsince。
　　You’renotserious，MissStackpoleremarked。that’swhat’sthematterwithyou。Butforallthis，inadayortwo，sheagainpermittedhimtofixherattentionandonthelateroccasionassignedadifferentcausetohermysteriousperversity。
　　Iknowwhat’sthematterwithyou，Mr。Touchett，shesaid。Youthinkyou’retoogoodtogetmarried。
　　IthoughtsotillIknewyou，MissStackpole，Ralphanswered。andthenIsuddenlychangedmymind。
　　Ohpshaw！Henriettagroaned。
　　Thenitseemedtome，saidRalph，thatIwasnotgoodenough。
　　Itwouldimproveyou。Besides，it’syourduty。
　　Ah，criedtheyoungman，onehassomanyduties！Isthatadutytoo？
　　Ofcourseitis-didyouneverknowthatbefore？It’severyone’sdutytogetmarried。
　　Ralphmeditatedamoment。hewasdisappointed。TherewassomethinginMissStackpolehehadbeguntolike。itseemedtohimthatifshewasnotacharmingwomanshewasatleastaverygoodsort。Shewaswantingindistinction，but，asIsabelhadsaid，shewasbrave：
　　shewentintocages，sheflourishedlashes，likeaspangledlion-tamer。Hehadnotsupposedhertobecapableofvulgararts，buttheselastwordsstruckhimasafalsenote。Whenamarriageableyoungwomanurgesmatrimonyonanunencumberedyoungmanthemostobviousexplanationofherconductisnotthealtruisticimpulse。
　　Ah，wellnow，there’sagooddealtobesaidaboutthat，Ralphrejoined。
　　Theremaybe，butthat’stheprincipalthing。ImustsayIthinkitlooksveryexclusive，goingroundallalone，asifyouthoughtnowomanwasgoodenoughforyou。Doyouthinkyou’rebetterthananyoneelseintheworld？InAmericait’susualforpeopletomarry。
　　Ifit’smyduty，Ralphasked，isitnot，byanalogy，yoursaswell？
　　MissStackpole’socularsurfacesunwinkinglycaughtthesun。Haveyouthefondhopeoffindingaflawinmyreasoning？OfcourseI’veasgoodarighttomarryasanyoneelse。
　　Wellthen，saidRalph，Iwon’tsayitvexesmetoseeyousingle。
　　Itdelightsmerather。
　　You’renotseriousyet。Youneverwillbe。
　　ShallyounotbelievemetobesoonthedayItellyouIdesiretogiveupthepracticeofgoingaroundalone？
　　MissStackpolelookedathimforamomentinamannerwhichseemedtoannounceareplythatmighttechnicallybecalledencouraging。
　　Buttohisgreatsurprisethisexpressionsuddenlyresolveditselfintoanappearanceofalarmandevenofresentment。No，noteventhen，sheanswereddryly。Afterwhichshewalkedaway。
　　I’venotconceivedapassionforyourfriend，RalphsaidthateveningtoIsabel，thoughwetalkedsometimethismorningaboutit。
　　Andyousaidsomethingshedidn’tlike，thegirlreplied。
　　Ralphstared。Hasshecomplainedofme？
　　Shetoldmeshethinksthere’ssomethingverylowinthetoneofEuropeanstowardswomen。
　　DoesshecallmeaEuropean？
　　Oneoftheworst。ShetoldmeyouhadsaidtohersomethingthatanAmericanneverwouldhavesaid。Butshedidn’trepeatit。
　　Ralphtreatedhimselftoaluxuryoflaughter。She’sanextraordinarycombination。DidshethinkIwasmakinglovetoher？
　　No。IbelieveevenAmericansdothat。Butsheapparentlythoughtyoumistooktheintentionofsomethingshehadsaid，andputanunkindconstructiononit。
　　IthoughtshewasproposingmarriagetomeandIacceptedher。
　　Wasthatunkind？
　　Isabelsmiled。Itwasunkindtome。Idon’twantyoutomarry。
　　Mydearcousin，what’sonetodoamongyouall？Ralphdemanded。
　　MissStackpoletellsmeit’smyboundenduty，andthatit’shers，ingeneral，toseeIdomine！
　　Shehasagreatsenseofduty，saidIsabelgravely。Shehasindeed，andit’sthemotiveofeverythingshesays。That’swhatIlikeherfor。Shethinksit’sunworthyofyoutokeepsomanythingstoyourself。That’swhatshewantedtoexpress。Ifyouthoughtshewastryingto-toattractyou，youwereverywrong。
　　It’strueitwasanoddway，butIdidthinkshewastryingtoattractme。Forgivemydepravity。
　　You’reveryconceited。Shehadnointerestedviews，andneversupposedyouwouldthinkshehad。
　　Onemustbeverymodestthentotalkwithsuchwomen，Ralphsaidhumbly。Butit’saverystrangetype。She’stoopersonal-consideringthatsheexpectsotherpeoplenottobe。Shewalksinwithoutknockingatthedoor。
　　Yes，Isabeladmitted，shedoesn’tsufficientlyrecognizetheexistenceofknockers。andindeedI’mnotsurethatshedoesn’tthinkthemratherapretentiousornament。Shethinksone’sdoorshouldstandajar。ButIpersistinlikingher。
　　Ipersistinthinkinghertoofamiliar，Ralphrejoined，naturallysomewhatuncomfortableunderthesenseofhavingbeendoublydeceivedinMissStackpole。
　　Well，saidIsabel，smiling，I’mafraidit’sbecauseshe’srathervulgarthatIlikeher。
　　Shewouldbeflatteredbyyourreason！
　　IfIshouldtellherIwouldn’texpressitinthatway。Ishouldsayit’sbecausethere’ssomethingofthe’people’inher。
　　Whatdoyouknowaboutthepeople？andwhatdoesshe，forthatmatter？
　　Sheknowsagreatdeal，andIknowenoughtofeelthatshe’sakindofemanationofthegreatdemocracy-ofthecontinent，thecountry，thenation。Idon’tsaythatshesumsitallup，thatwouldbetoomuchtoaskofher。Butshesuggestsit。shevividlyfiguresit。
　　Youlikeherthenforpatrioticreasons。I’mafraiditisonthoseverygroundsIobjecttoher。
　　Ah，saidIsabelwithakindofjoyoussigh，Ilikesomanythings！IfathingstrikesmewithacertainintensityIacceptit。
　　Idon’twanttoswagger，butIsupposeI’mratherversatile。IlikepeopletobetotallydifferentfromHenrietta-inthestyleofLordWarburton’ssistersforinstance。SolongasIlookattheMissesMolyneuxtheyseemtometoanswerakindofideal。ThenHenriettapresentsherself，andI’mstraightwayconvincedbyher。notsomuchinrespecttoherselfasinrespecttowhatmassesbehindher。
　　Ah，youmeanthebackviewofher，Ralphsuggested。
　　Whatshesaysistrue，hiscousinanswered。you’llneverbeserious。Ilikethegreatcountrystretchingawaybeyondtheriversandacrosstheprairies，bloomingandsmiling，andspreadingtillitstopsatthegreenPacific！Astrong，sweet，freshodourseemstorisefromit，andHenrietta-pardonmysimile-hassomethingofthatodourinhergarments。
　　Isabelblushedalittleassheconcludedthisspeech，andtheblush，togetherwiththemomentaryardourshehadthrownintoit，wassobecomingtoherthatRalphstoodsmilingatherforamomentaftershehadceasedspeaking。I’mnotsurethePacific’ssogreenasthat，hesaid。butyou’reayoungwomanofimagination。Henrietta，however，doessmelloftheFuture-italmostknocksonedown！