CHAPTER11
HetookaresolveafterthisnottomisinterpretherwordsevenwhenMissStackpoleappearedtostrikethepersonalnotemoststrongly。
Hebethoughthimselfthatpersons，inherview，weresimpleandhomogeneousorganisms，andthathe，forhisownpart，wastoopervertedarepresentativeofthenatureofmantohavearighttodealwithherinstrictreciprocity。Hecarriedouthisresolvewithagreatdealoftact，andtheyoungladyfoundinrenewedcontactwithhimnoobstacletotheexerciseofhergeniusforunshrinkingenquiry，thegeneralapplicationofherconfidence。HersituationatGardencourttherefore，appreciatedaswehaveseenhertobebyIsabelandfullofappreciationherselfofthatfreeplayofintelligencewhich，tohersense，renderedIsabel’scharacterasister-spirit，andoftheeasyvenerablenessofMr。Touchett，whosenobletone，asshesaid，metwithherfullapproval-hersituationatGardencourtwouldhavebeenperfectlycomfortablehadshenotconceivedanirresistiblemistrustofthelittleladyforwhomshehadatfirstsupposedherselfobligedtoallowasmistressofthehouse。Shepresentlydiscovered，intruth，thatthisobligationwasofthelightestandthatMrs。TouchettcaredverylittlehowMissStackpolebehaved。Mrs。TouchetthaddefinedhertoIsabelasbothanadventuressandabore-adventuressesusuallygivingonemoreofathrill。shehadexpressedsomesurpriseatherniece’shavingselectedsuchafriend，yethadimmediatelyaddedthatsheknewIsabel’sfriendswereherownaffairandthatshehadneverundertakentolikethemallortorestrictthegirltothosesheliked。
IfyoucouldseenonebutthepeopleIlike，mydear，you’dhaveaverysmallsociety，Mrs。Touchettfranklyadmitted。andIdon’tthinkIlikeanymanorwomanwellenoughtorecommendthemtoyou。
Whenitcomestorecommendingit’saseriousaffair。Idon’tlikeMissStackpole-everythingaboutherdispleasesme。shetalkssomuchtooloudandlooksatoneasifonewantedtolookather-whichonedoesn’t。I’msureshehaslivedallherlifeinaboarding-house，andIdetestthemannersandthelibertiesofsuchplaces。IfyouaskmeifIprefermyownmanners，whichyoudoubtlessthinkverybad，I’lltellyouthatIpreferthemimmensely。MissStackpoleknowsI
detestboarding-housecivilization，andshedetestsmefordetestingit，becauseshethinksitthehighestintheworld。She’dlikeGardencourtagreatdealbetterifitwereaboarding-house。Forme，I
finditalmosttoomuchofone！Weshallnevergetontogethertherefore，andthere’snousetrying。
Mrs。TouchettwasrightinguessingthatHenriettadisapprovedofher，butshehadnotquiteputherfingeronthereason。AdayortwoafterMissStackpole’sarrivalshehadmadesomeinvidiousreflexionsonAmericanhotels，whichexcitedaveinofcounterargumentonthepartofthecorrespondentoftheInterviewer，whointheexerciseofherprofessionhadacquaintedherself，inthewesternworld，witheveryformofcaravansary。HenriettaexpressedtheopinionthatAmericanhotelswerethebestintheworld，andMrs。Touchett，freshfromarenewedstrugglewiththem，recordedaconvictionthattheyweretheworst。Ralph，withhisexperimentalgeniality，suggested，bywayofhealingthebreach，thatthetruthlaybetweenthetwoextremesandthattheestablishmentsinquestionoughttobedescribedasfairmiddling。Thiscontributiontothediscussion，however，MissStackpolerejectedwithscorn。Middlingindeed！Iftheywerenotthebestintheworldtheyweretheworst，buttherewasnothingmiddlingaboutanAmericanhotel。
Wejudgefromdifferentpointsofview，evidently，saidMrs。
Touchett。Iliketobetreatedasanindividual。youliketobetreatedasa’party。’
Idon’tknowwhatyoumean，Henriettareplied。IliketobetreatedasanAmericanlady。
PoorAmericanladies！criedMrs。Touchettwithalaugh。They’retheslavesofslaves。
They’rethecompanionsoffreemen，Henriettaretorted。
They’rethecompanionsoftheirservants-theIrishchambermaidandthenegrowaiter。Theysharetheirwork。
DoyoucallthedomesticsinanAmericanhousehold’slaves’？
MissStackpoleenquired。Ifthat’sthewayyoudesiretotreatthem，nowonderyoudon’tlikeAmerica。
Ifyou’venotgoodservantsyou’remiserable，Mrs。Touchettserenelysaid。They’reverybadinAmerica，butI’vefiveperfectonesinFlorence。
Idon’tseewhatyouwantwithfive，Henriettacouldn’thelpobserving。Idon’tthinkIshouldliketoseefivepersonssurroundingmeinthatmenialposition。
Iliketheminthatpositionbetterthaninsomeothers，
proclaimedMrs。Touchettwithmuchmeaning。
ShouldyoulikemebetterifIwereyourbutler，dear？herhusbandasked。
Idon’tthinkIshould：youwouldn’tatallhavethetenue。
Thecompanionsoffreemen-Ilikethat，MissStackpole，saidRalph。It’sabeautifuldescription。
WhenIsaidfreemenIdidn’tmeanyou，sir！
AndthiswastheonlyrewardthatRalphgotforhiscompliment。MissStackpolewasbaffled。sheevidentlythoughttherewassomethingtreasonableinMrs。Touchett’sappreciationofaclasswhichsheprivatelyjudgedtobeamysterioussurvivaloffeudalism。ItwasperhapsbecausehermindwasoppressedwiththisimagethatshesufferedsomedaystoelapsebeforeshetookoccasiontosaytoIsabel：Mydearfriend，Iwonderifyou’regrowingfaithless。
Faithless？Faithlesstoyou，Henrietta？
No，thatwouldbeagreatpain。butit’snotthat。
Faithlesstomycountrythen？
Ah，thatIhopewillneverbe。WhenIwrotetoyoufromLiverpoolI
saidIhadsomethingparticulartotellyou。You’veneveraskedmewhatitis。Isitbecauseyou’vesuspected？
Suspectedwhat？AsaruleIdon’tthinkIsuspect，saidIsabel。I
remembernowthatphraseinyourletter，butIconfessIhadforgottenit。Whathaveyoutotellme？
Henriettalookeddisappointed，andhersteadygazebetrayedit。Youdon’taskthatright-asifyouthoughtitimportant。You’rechanged-you’rethinkingofotherthings。
Tellmewhatyoumean，andI’llthinkofthat。
Willyoureallythinkofit？That’swhatIwishtobesureof。
I’venotmuchcontrolofmythoughts，butI’lldomybest，saidIsabel。Henriettagazedather，insilence，foraperiodwhichtriedIsabel’spatience，sothatourheroineaddedatlast：Doyoumeanthatyou’regoingtobemarried？
NottillI’veseenEurope！saidMissStackpole。Whatareyoulaughingat？shewenton。WhatImeanisthatMr。Goodwoodcameoutinthesteamerwithme。
Ah！Isabelresponded。
Yousaythatright。Ihadagooddealoftalkwithhim。hehascomeafteryou。
Didhetellyouso？
No，hetoldmenothing。that’showIknewit，saidHenriettacleverly。Hesaidverylittleaboutyou，butIspokeofyouagooddeal。
Isabelwaited。AtthementionofMr。Goodwood’snameshehadturnedalittlepale。I’mverysorryyoudidthat，sheobservedatlast。
Itwasapleasuretome，andIlikedthewayhelistened。Icouldhavetalkedalongtimetosuchalistener。hewassoquiet，sointense。hedrankitallin。
Whatdidyousayaboutme？Isabelasked。
IsaidyouwereonthewholethefinestcreatureIknow。
I’mverysorryforthat。Hethinkstoowellofmealready。heoughtn’ttobeencouraged。
He’sdyingforalittleencouragement。Iseehisfacenow，andhisearnestabsorbedlookwhileItalked。Ineversawanuglymanlooksohandsome。
He’sverysimple-minded，saidIsabel。Andhe’snotsougly。
There’snothingsosimplifyingasagrandpassion。
It’snotagrandpassion。I’mverysureit’snotthat。
Youdon’tsaythatasifyouweresure。
Isabelgaveratheracoldsmile。IshallsayitbettertoMr。
Goodwoodhimself。
He’llsoongiveyouachance，saidHenrietta。Isabelofferednoanswertothisassertion，whichhercompanionmadewithanairofgreatconfidence。He’llfindyouchanged，thelatterpursued。
You’vebeenaffectedbyyournewsurroundings。
Verylikely。I’maffectedbyeverything。
ByeverythingbutMr。Goodwood！MissStackpoleexclaimedwithaslightlyharshhilarity。
Isabelfailedeventosmilebackandinamomentshesaid：Didheaskyoutospeaktome？
Notinsomanywords。Buthiseyesaskedit-andhishandshake，whenhebademegood-bye。
Thankyoufordoingso。AndIsabelturnedaway。
Yes，you’rechanged。you’vegotnewideasoverhere，herfriendcontinued。
Ihopeso，saidIsabel。oneshouldgetasmanynewideasaspossible。
Yes。buttheyshouldn’tinterferewiththeoldoneswhentheoldoneshavebeentherightones。
Isabelturnedaboutagain。IfyoumeanthatIhadanyideawithregardtoMr。Goodwood-！Butshefalteredbeforeherfriend’simplacableglitter。
Mydearchild，youcertainlyencouragedhim。
Isabelmadeforthemomentasiftodenythischarge。insteadofwhich，however，shepresentlyanswered：It’sverytrue。Ididencouragehim。AndthensheaskedifhercompanionhadlearnedfromMr。Goodwoodwhatheintendedtodo。Itwasaconcessiontohercuriosity，forshedislikeddiscussingthesubjectandfoundHenriettawantingindelicacy。
Iaskedhim，andhesaidhemeanttodonothing，MissStackpoleanswered。ButIdon’tbelievethat。he’snotamantodonothing。
Heisamanofhigh，boldaction。Whateverhappenstohimhe’llalwaysdosomething，andwhateverhedoeswillalwaysberight。
Iquitebelievethat。Henriettamightbewantingindelicacy，butittouchedthegirl，allthesame，tohearthisdeclaration。
Ah，youdocareforhim！hervisitorrangout。
Whateverhedoeswillalwaysberight，Isabelrepeated。Whenaman’softhatinfalliblemouldwhatdoesitmattertohimwhatonefeels？
Itmaynotmattertohim，butitmatterstoone’sself。
Ah，whatitmatterstome-that’snotwhatwe’rediscussing，
saidIsabelwithacoldsmile。
Thistimehercompanionwasgrave。Well，Idon’tcare。youhavechanged。You’renotthegirlyouwereafewshortweeksago，andMr。
Goodwoodwillseeit。Iexpecthimhereanyday。
Ihopehe’llhatemethen，saidIsabel。
IbelieveyouhopeitaboutasmuchasIbelievehimcapableofit。
Tothisobservationourheroinemadenoreturn。shewasabsorbedinthealarmgivenherbyHenrietta’sintimationthatCasparGoodwoodwouldpresenthimselfatGardencourt。Shepretendedtoherself，however，thatshethoughttheeventimpossible，and，later，shecommunicatedherdisbelieftoherfriend。Forthenextforty-eighthours，nevertheless，shestoodpreparedtoheartheyoungman’snameannounced。Thefeelingpresseduponher。itmadetheairsultry，asifthereweretobeachangeofweather。andtheweather，sociallyspeaking，hadbeensoagreeableduringIsabel’sstayatGardencourtthatanychangewouldbefortheworse。Hersuspenseindeedwasdissipatedthesecondday。ShehadwalkedintotheparkincompanywiththesociableBunchie，andafterstrollingaboutforsometime，inamanneratoncelistlessandrestless，hadseatedherselfonagardenbench，withinsightofthehouse，beneathaspreadingbeech，where，inawhitedressornamentedwithblackribbons，sheformedamongtheflickeringshadowsagracefulandharmoniousimage。Sheentertainedherselfforsomemomentswithtalkingtothelittleterrier，astowhomtheproposalofanownershipdividedwithhercousinhadbeenappliedasimpartiallyaspossible-impartiallyasBunchie’sownsomewhatfickleandinconstantsympathieswouldallow。Butshewasnotifiedforthefirsttime，onthisoccasion，ofthefinitecharacterofBunchie’sintellect。hithertoshehadbeenmainlystruckwithitsextent。Itseemedtoheratlastthatshewoulddowelltotakeabook。formerly，whenheavy-hearted，shehadbeenable，withthehelpofsomewell-chosenvolume，totransfertheseatofconsciousnesstotheorganofpurereason。Oflate，itwasnottobedenied，literaturehadseemedafadinglight，andevenaftershehadremindedherselfthatheruncle’slibrarywasprovidedwithacompletesetofthoseauthorswhichnogentleman’scollectionshouldbewithout，shesatmotionlessandempty-handed，hereyesbentonthecoolgreenturfofthelawn。Hermeditationswerepresentlyinterruptedbythearrivalofaservantwhohandedheraletter。TheletterboretheLondonpostmarkandwasaddressedinahandsheknew-thatcameintohervision，alreadysoheldbyhim，withthevividnessofthewriter’svoiceorhisface。Thisdocumentprovedshortandmaybegivenentire。
MYDEARMISSARCHER-Idon’tknowwhetheryouwillhaveheardofmycomingtoEngland，butevenifyouhavenotitwillscarcelybeasurprisetoyou。YouwillrememberthatwhenyougavememydismissalatAlbany，threemonthsago，Ididnotacceptit。I
protestedagainstit。YouinfactappearedtoacceptmyprotestandtoadmitthatIhadtherightonmyside。Ihadcometoseeyouwiththehopethatyouwouldletmebringyouovertomyconviction。myreasonsforentertainingthishopehadbeenofthebest。Butyoudisappointedit。Ifoundyouchanged，andyouwereabletogivemenoreasonforthechange。Youadmittedthatyouwereunreasonable，anditwastheonlyconcessionyouwouldmake。butitwasaverycheapone，becausethat’snotyourcharacter。No，youarenot，andyouneverwillbe，arbitraryorcapricious。ThereforeitisthatIbelieveyouwillletmeseeyouagain。YoutoldmethatI’mnotdisagreeabletoyou，andIbelieveit。forIdon’tseewhythatshouldbe。Ishallalwaysthinkofyou。Ishallneverthinkofanyoneelse。IcametoEnglandsimplybecauseyouarehere。Icouldn’tstayathomeafteryouhadgone：Ihatedthecountrybecauseyouwerenotinit。IfIlikethiscountryatpresentitisonlybecauseitholdsyou。IhavebeentoEnglandbefore，buthaveneverenjoyeditmuch。MayInotcomeandseeyouforhalfanhour？ThisatpresentisthedearestwishofyoursfaithfullyCASPARGOODWOOD
Isabelreadthismissivewithsuchdeepattentionthatshehadnotperceivedanapproachingtreadonthesoftgrass。Lookingup，however，asshemechanicallyfoldeditshesawLordWarburtonstandingbeforeher。
CHAPTER12
Sheputtheletterintoherpocketandofferedhervisitorasmileofwelcome，exhibitingnotraceofdiscomposureandhalfsurprisedathercoolness。
Theytoldmeyouwereouthere，saidLordWarburton。andastherewasnooneinthedrawing-roomandit’sreallyyouthatIwishtosee，Icameoutwithnomoreado。
Isabelhadgotup。shefeltawish，forthemoment，thatheshouldnotsitdownbesideher。Iwasjustgoingindoors。
Pleasedon’tdothat。it’smuchjollierhere。I’veriddenoverfromLockleigh。it’salovelyday。Hissmilewaspeculiarlyfriendlyandpleasing，andhiswholepersonseemedtoemitthatradianceofgood-feelingandgoodfarewhichhadformedthecharmofthegirl’sfirstimpressionofhim。ItsurroundedhimlikeazoneoffineJuneweather。
We’llwalkaboutalittlethen，saidIsabel，whocouldnotdivestherselfofthesenseofanintentiononthepartofhervisitorandwhowishedbothtoeludetheintentionandtosatisfyhercuriosityaboutit。Ithadflasheduponhervisiononcebefore，andithadgivenheronthatoccasion，asweknow，acertainalarm。Thisalarmwascomposedofseveralelements，notallofwhichweredisagreeable。shehadindeedspentsomedaysinanalyzingthemandhadsucceededinseparatingthepleasantpartoftheideaofLordWarburton’smakinguptoherfromthepainful。Itmayappeartosomereadersthattheyoungladywasbothprecipitateandundulyfastidious。butthelatterofthesefacts，ifthechargebetrue，mayservetoexonerateherfromthediscreditoftheformer。Shewasnoteagertoconvinceherselfthataterritorialmagnate，asshehadheardLordWarburtoncalled，wassmittenwithhercharms。thefactofadeclarationfromsuchasourcecarryingwithitreallymorequestionsthanitwouldanswer。Shehadreceivedastrongimpressionofhisbeingapersonage，andshehadoccupiedherselfinexaminingtheimagesoconveyed。Attheriskofaddingtotheevidenceofherself-sufficiencyitmustbesaidthattherehadbeenmomentswhenthispossibilityofadmirationbyapersonagerepresentedtoheranaggressionalmosttothedegreeofanaffront，quitetothedegreeofaninconvenience。Shehadneveryetknownapersonage。therehadbeennopersonages，inthissense，inherlife。therewereprobablynonesuchatallinhernativeland。Whenshehadthoughtofindividualeminenceshehadthoughtofitonthebasisofcharacterandwit-ofwhatonemightlikeinagentleman’smindandinhistalk。
Sheherselfwasacharacter-shecouldn’thelpbeingawareofthat。
andhithertohervisionsofacompletedconsciousnesshadconnectedthemselveslargelywithmoralimages-thingsastowhichthequestionwouldbewhethertheypleasedhersublimesoul。LordWarburtonloomedupbeforeher，largelyandbrightly，asacollectionofattributesandpowerswhichwerenottobemeasuredbythissimplerule，butwhichdemandedadifferentsortofappreciation-
anappreciationthatthegirl，withherhabitofjudgingquicklyandfreely，feltshelackedpatiencetobestow。Heappearedtodemandofhersomethingthatnooneelse，asitwere，hadpresumedtodo。Whatshefeltwasthataterritorial，apolitical，asocialmagnatehadconceivedthedesignofdrawingherintothesysteminwhichheratherinvidiouslylivedandmoved。Acertaininstinct，notimperious，butpersuasive，toldhertoresist-murmuredtoherthatvirtuallyshehadasystemandanorbitofherown。Ittoldherotherthingsbesides-
thingswhichbothcontradictedandconfirmedeachother。thatagirlmightdomuchworsethantrustherselftosuchamanandthatitwouldbeveryinterestingtoseesomethingofhissystemfromhisownpointofview。thatontheotherhand，however，therewasevidentlyagreatdealofitwhichsheshouldregardonlyasacomplicationofeveryhour，andthateveninthewholetherewassomethingstiffandstupidwhichwouldmakeitaburden。FurthermoretherewasayoungmanlatelycomefromAmericawhohadnosystematall，butwhohadacharacterofwhichitwasuselessforhertotrytopersuadeherselfthattheimpressiononhermindhadbeenlight。Thelettershecarriedinherpocketallsufficientlyremindedherofthecontrary。Smilenot，however，Iventuretorepeat，atthissimpleyoungwomanfromAlbanywhodebatedwhethersheshouldacceptanEnglishpeerbeforehehadofferedhimselfandwhowasdisposedtobelievethatonthewholeshecoulddobetter。Shewasapersonofgreatgoodfaith，andiftherewasagreatdealoffollyinherwisdomthosewhojudgeherseverelymayhavethesatisfactionoffindingthat，later，shebecameconsistentlywiseonlyatthecostofanamountoffollywhichwillconstitutealmostadirectappealtocharity。
LordWarburtonseemedquitereadytowalk，tositortodoanythingthatIsabelshouldpropose，andhegaveherthisassurancewithhisusualairofbeingparticularlypleasedtoexerciseasocialvirtue。Buthewas，nevertheless，notincommandofhisemotions，andashestrolledbesideherforamoment，insilence，lookingatherwithoutlettingherknowit，therewassomethingembarrassedinhisglanceandhismisdirectedlaughter。Yes，assuredly-aswehavetouchedonthepoint，wemayreturntoitforamomentagain-theEnglisharethemostromanticpeopleintheworldandLordWarburtonwasabouttogiveanexampleofit。Hewasabouttotakeastepwhichwouldastonishallhisfriendsanddispleaseagreatmanyofthem，andwhichhadsuperficiallynothingtorecommendit。Theyoungladywhotrodtheturfbesidehimhadcomefromaqueercountryacrosstheseawhichheknewagooddealabout。
herantecedents，herassociationswereveryvaguetohismindexceptinsofarastheyweregeneric，andinthissensetheyshowedasdistinctandunimportant。MissArcherhadneitherafortunenorthesortofbeautythatjustifiesamantothemultitude，andhecalculatedthathehadspentabouttwenty-sixhoursinhercompany。Hehadsummedupallthis-theperversityoftheimpulse，whichhaddeclinedtoavailitselfofthemostliberalopportunitiestosubside，andthejudgementofmankind，asexemplifiedparticularlyinthemorequickly-judginghalfofit：hehadlookedthesethingswellinthefaceandthenhaddismissedthemfromhisthoughts。Hecarednomoreforthemthanfortherosebudinhisbuttonhole。Itisthegoodfortuneofamanwhoforthegreaterpartofalifetimehasabstainedwithouteffortfrommakinghimselfdisagreeabletohisfriends，thatwhentheneedcomesforsuchacourseitisnotdiscreditedbyirritatingassociations。
Ihopeyouhadapleasantride，saidIsabel，whoobservedhercompanion’shesitancy。
Itwouldhavebeenpleasantiffornothingelsethanthatitbroughtmehere。
AreyousofondofGardencourt？thegirlasked，moreandmoresurethathemeanttomakesomeappealtoher。wishingnottochallengehimifhehesitated，andyettokeepallthequietnessofherreasonifheproceeded。Itsuddenlycameuponherthathersituationwasonewhichafewweeksagoshewouldhavedeemeddeeplyromantic：theparkofanoldEnglishcountry-house，withtheforegroundembellishedbyagreatasshesupposednoblemanintheactofmakinglovetoayoungladywho，oncarefulinspection，shouldbefoundtopresentremarkableanalogieswithherself。Butifshewasnowtheheroineofthesituationshesucceededscarcelythelessinlookingatitfromtheoutside。
IcarenothingforGardencourt，saidhercompanion。Icareonlyforyou。
You’veknownmetooshortatimetohavearighttosaythat，andI
can’tbelieveyou’reserious。
ThesewordsofIsabel’swerenotperfectlysincere，forshehadnodoubtwhateverthathehimselfwas。Theyweresimplyatributetothefact，ofwhichshewasperfectlyaware，thatthosehehadjustutteredwouldhaveexcitedsurpriseonthepartofavulgarworld。
And，moreover，ifanythingbesidethesenseshehadalreadyacquiredthatLordWarburtonwasnotaloosethinkerhadbeenneededtoconvinceher，thetoneinwhichherepliedwouldquitehaveservedthepurpose。
One’srightinsuchamatterisnotmeasuredbythetime，MissArcher。it’smeasuredbythefeelingitself。IfIweretowaitthreemonthsitwouldmakenodifference。IshallnotbemoresureofwhatI
meanthanIamto-day。OfcourseI’veseenyouverylittle，butmyimpressiondatesfromtheveryfirsthourwemet。Ilostnotime，I
fellinlovewithyouthen。Itwasatfirstsight，asthenovelssay。Iknownowthat’snotafancy-phrase，andIshallthinkbetterofnovelsforevermore。ThosetwodaysIspentheresettledit。Idon’tknowwhetheryoususpectedIwasdoingso，butIpaid-mentallyspeakingImean-thegreatestpossibleattentiontoyou。Nothingyousaid，nothingyoudid，waslostuponme。WhenyoucametoLockleightheotherday-orratherwhenyouwentaway-Iwasperfectlysure。
NeverthelessImadeupmymindtothinkitoverandtoquestionmyselfnarrowly。I’vedoneso。allthesedaysI’vedonenothingelse。Idon’tmakemistakesaboutsuchthings。I’maveryjudiciousanimal。I
don’tgooffeasily，butwhenI’mtouched，it’sforlife。It’sforlife，MissArcher，it’sforlife，LordWarburtonrepeatedinthekindest，tenderest，pleasantestvoiceIsabelhadeverheard，andlookingatherwitheyeschargedwiththelightofapassionthathadsifteditselfclearofthebaserpartsofemotion-theheat，theviolence，theunreason-andthatburnedassteadilyasalampinawindlessplace。
Bytacitconsent，ashetalked，theyhadwalkedmoreandmoreslowly，andatlasttheystoppedandhetookherhand。Ah，LordWarburton，howlittleyouknowme！Isabelsaidverygently。Gentlytooshedrewherhandaway。
Don’ttauntmewiththat，thatIdon’tknowyoubettermakesmeunhappyenoughalready。it’sallmyloss。Butthat’swhatIwant，anditseemstomeI’mtakingthebestway。Ifyou’llbemywife，thenIshallknowyou，andwhenItellyouallthegoodIthinkofyouyou’llnotbeabletosayit’sfromignorance。
IfyouknowmelittleIknowyouevenless，saidIsabel。
Youmeanthat，unlikeyourself，Imaynotimproveonacquaintance？Ah，ofcoursethat’sverypossible。Butthink，tospeaktoyouasIdo，howdeterminedImustbetotryandgivesatisfaction！Youdolikemerather，don’tyou？
Ilikeyouverymuch，LordWarburton，sheanswered。andatthismomentshelikedhimimmensely。
Ithankyouforsayingthat。itshowsyoudon’tregardmeasastranger。IreallybelieveI’vefilledalltheotherrelationsoflifeverycreditably，andIdon’tseewhyIshouldn’tfillthisone-inwhichIoffermyselftoyou-seeingthatIcaresomuchmoreaboutit。
Askthepeoplewhoknowmewell。I’vefriendswho’llspeakforme。
Idon’tneedtherecommendationofyourfriends，saidIsabel。
Ahnow，that’sdelightfulofyou。Youbelieveinmeyourself。
Completely，Isabeldeclared。Shequiteglowedthere，inwardly，withthepleasureoffeelingshedid。
Thelightinhercompanion’seyesturnedintoasmile，andhegavealongexhalationofjoy。Ifyou’remistaken，MissArcher，letmeloseallIpossess！
Shewonderedwhetherhemeantthisforareminderthathewasrich，and，ontheinstant，feltsurethathedidn’t。Hewassinkingthat，ashewouldhavesaidhimself。andindeedhemightsafelyleaveittothememoryofanyinterlocutor，especiallyofonetowhomhewasofferinghishand。Isabelhadprayedthatshemightnotbeagitated，andhermindwastranquilenough，evenwhileshelistenedandaskedherselfwhatitwasbestsheshouldsay，toindulgeinthisincidentalcriticism。Whatsheshouldsay，hadsheaskedherself？
Herforemostwishwastosaysomethingifpossiblenotlesskindthanwhathehadsaidtoher。Hiswordshadcarriedperfectconvictionwiththem。shefeltshedid，allsomysteriously，mattertohim。I
thankyoumorethanIcansayforyouroffer，shereturnedatlast。
Itdoesmegreathonour。
Ah，don’tsaythat！hebrokeout。Iwasafraidyou’dsaysomethinglikethat。Idon’tseewhatyou’vetodowiththatsortofthing。Idon’tseewhyyoushouldthankme-it’sIwhooughttothankyouforlisteningtome：amanyouknowsolittlecomingdowntoyouwithsuchathumper！Ofcourseit’sagreatquestion。ImusttellyouthatI’dratheraskitthanhaveittoanswermyself。Butthewayyou’velistened-oratleastyourhavinglistenedatall-givesmesomehope。
Don’thopetoomuch，Isabelsaid。
Oh，MissArcher！hercompanionmurmured，smilingagain，inhisseriousness，asifsuchawarningmightperhapsbetakenbutastheplayofhighspirits，theexuberanceofelation。
ShouldyoubegreatlysurprisedifIweretobegyounottohopeatall？Isabelasked。
Surprised？Idon’tknowwhatyoumeanbysurprise。Itwouldn’tbethat。itwouldbeafeelingverymuchworse。
Isabelwalkedonagain。shewassilentforsomeminutes。I’mverysurethat，highlyasIalreadythinkofyou，myopinionofyou，ifI
shouldknowyouwell，wouldonlyrise。ButI’mbynomeanssurethatyouwouldn’tbedisappointed。AndIsaythatnotintheleastoutofconventionalmodesty。it’sperfectlysincere。
I’mwillingtoriskit，MissArcher，hercompanionreplied。
It’sagreatquestion，asyousay。It’saverydifficultquestion。
Idon’texpectyouofcoursetoansweritoutright。Thinkitoveraslongasmaybenecessary。IfIcangainbywaitingI’llgladlywaitalongtime。Onlyrememberthatintheendmydearesthappinessdependsonyouranswer。
Ishouldbeverysorrytokeepyouinsuspense，saidIsabel。
Oh，don’tmind。I’dmuchratherhaveagoodanswersixmonthshencethanabadoneto-day。
Butit’sveryprobablethatevensixmonthshenceIshouldn’tbeabletogiveyouonethatyou’dthinkgood。
Whynot，sinceyoureallylikeme？
Ah，youmustneverdoubtthat，saidIsabel。
Wellthen，Idon’tseewhatmoreyouask！
It’snotwhatIask。it’swhatIcangive。Idon’tthinkIshouldsuityou。Ireallydon’tthinkIshould。
Youneedn’tworryaboutthat。That’smyaffair。Youneedn’tbeabetterroyalistthantheking。
It’snotonlythat，saidIsabel。butI’mnotsureIwishtomarryanyone。
Verylikelyyoudon’t。I’venodoubtagreatmanywomenbeginthatway，saidhislordship，who，beitaverred，didnotintheleastbelieveintheaxiomhethusbeguiledhisanxietybyuttering。Butthey’refrequentlypersuaded。
Ah，that’sbecausetheywanttobe！AndIsabellightlylaughed。
Hersuitor’scountenancefell，andhelookedatherforawhileinsilence。I’mafraidit’smybeinganEnglishmanthatmakesyouhesitate，hesaidpresently。Iknowyourunclethinksyououghttomarryinyourowncountry。
Isabellistenedtothisassertionwithsomeinterest。ithadneveroccurredtoherthatMr。TouchettwaslikelytodiscusshermatrimonialprospectswithLordWarburton。Hashetoldyouthat？
Irememberhismakingtheremark。HespokeperhapsofAmericansgenerally。
HeappearshimselftohavefounditverypleasanttoliveinEngland。Isabelspokeinamannerthatmighthaveseemedalittleperverse，butwhichexpressedbothherconstantperceptionofheruncle’soutwardfelicityandhergeneraldispositiontoeludeanyobligationtotakearestrictedview。
Itgavehercompanionhope，andheimmediatelycriedwithwarmth：
Ah，mydearMissArcher，oldEngland’saverygoodsortofcountry，youknow！Anditwillbestillbetterwhenwe’vefurbisheditupalittle。
Oh，don’tfurbishit，LordWarburton。leaveitalone。Ilikeitthisway。
Wellthen，ifyoulikeit，I’mmoreandmoreunabletoseeyourobjectiontowhatIpropose。
I’mafraidIcan’tmakeyouunderstand。
Yououghtatleasttotry。I’veafairintelligence。Areyouafraid-afraidoftheclimate？Wecaneasilyliveelsewhere，youknow。
Youcanpickoutyourclimate，thewholeworldover。
Thesewordswereutteredwithabreadthofcandourthatwasliketheembraceofstrongarms-thatwaslikethefragrancestraightinherface，andbyhisclean，breathinglips，ofsheknewnotwhatstrangegardens，whatchargedairs。Shewouldhavegivenherlittlefingeratthatmomenttofeelstronglyandsimplytheimpulsetoanswer：
LordWarburton，it’simpossibleformetodobetterinthiswonderfulworld，Ithink，thancommitmyself，verygratefully，toyourloyalty。
Butthoughshewaslostinadmirationofheropportunityshemanagedtomovebackintothedeepestshadeofit，evenassomewild，caughtcreatureinavastcage。Thesplendidsecuritysoofferedherwasnotthegreatestshecouldconceive。Whatshefinallybethoughtherselfofsayingwassomethingverydifferent-somethingthatdeferredtheneedofreallyfacinghercrisis。Don’tthinkmeunkindifIaskyoutosaynomoreaboutthisto-day。
Certainly，certainly！hercompanioncried。Iwouldn’tboreyoufortheworld。
You’vegivenmeagreatdealtothinkabout，andIpromiseyoutodoitjustice。
That’sallIaskofyou，ofcourse-andthatyou’llrememberhowabsolutelymyhappinessisinyourhands。
Isabellistenedwithextremerespecttothisadmonition，butshesaidafteraminute：ImusttellyouthatwhatIshallthinkaboutissomewayoflettingyouknowthatwhatyouaskisimpossible-
lettingyouknowitwithoutmakingyoumiserable。
There’snowaytodothat，MissArcher。Iwon’tsaythatifyourefusemeyou’llkillme。Ishallnotdieofit。ButIshalldoworse。
Ishalllivetonopurpose。
You’lllivetomarryabetterwomanthanI。
Don’tsaythat，please，saidLordWarburtonverygravely。
That’sfairtoneitherofus。
Tomarryaworseonethen。
IftherearebetterwomenthanyouIpreferthebadones。That’sallIcansay，hewentonwiththesameearnestness。There’snoaccountingfortastes。
Hisgravitymadeherfeelequallygrave，andsheshoweditbyagainrequestinghimtodropthesubjectforthepresent。I’llspeaktoyoumyself-verysoon。PerhapsIshallwritetoyou。
Atyourconvenience，yes，hereplied。Whatevertimeyoutake，itmustseemtomelong，andIsupposeImustmakethebestofthat。
Ishallnotkeepyouinsuspense。Ionlywanttocollectmymindalittle。
Hegaveamelancholysighandstoodlookingatheramoment，withhishandsbehindhim，givingshortnervousshakestohishunting-crop。
DoyouknowI’mverymuchafraidofit-ofthatremarkablemindofyours？
Ourheroine’sbiographercanscarcelytellwhy，butthequestionmadeherstartandbroughtaconsciousblushtohercheek。Shereturnedhislookamoment，andthenwithanoteinhervoicethatmightalmosthaveappealedtohiscompassion，SoamI，mylord！
sheoddlyexclaimed。
Hiscompassionwasnotstirred，however。allhepossessedofthefacultyofpitywasneededathome。Ah！bemerciful，bemerciful，hemurmured。
Ithinkyouhadbettergo，saidIsabel。I’llwritetoyou。
Verygood。butwhateveryouwriteI’llcomeandseeyou，youknow。
Andthenhestoodreflecting，hiseyesfixedontheobservantcountenanceofBunchie，whohadtheairofhavingunderstoodallthathadbeensaidandofpretendingtocarryofftheindiscretionbyasimulatedfitofcuriosityastotherootsofanancientoak。
There’sonethingmore，hewenton。Youknow，ifyoudon’tlikeLockleigh-ifyouthinkit’sdamporanythingofthatsort-youneednevergowithinfiftymilesofit。It’snotdamp，bytheway。I’vehadthehousethoroughlyexamined。it’sperfectlysafeandright。Butifyoushouldn’tfancyityouneedn’tdreamoflivinginit。There’snodifficultywhateveraboutthat。thereareplentyofhouses。I
thoughtI’djustmentionit。somepeopledon’tlikeamoat，youknow。Good-bye。
Iadoreamoat，saidIsabel。Good-bye。
Heheldouthishand，andshegavehimhersamoment-amomentlongenoughforhimtobendhishandsomebaredheadandkissit。Then，stillagitating，inhismasteredemotion，hisimplementofthechase，hewalkedrapidlyaway。Hewasevidentlymuchupset。
Isabelherselfwasupset，butshehadnotbeenaffectedasshewouldhaveimagined。Whatshefeltwasnotagreatresponsibility，agreatdifficultyofchoice。itappearedtohertherehadbeennochoiceinthequestion。Shecouldn’tmarryLordWarburton。theideafailedtosupportanyenlightenedprejudiceinfavourofthefreeexplorationoflifethatshehadhithertoentertainedorwasnowcapableofentertaining。Shemustwritethistohim，shemustconvincehim，andthatdutywascomparativelysimple。Butwhatdisturbedher，inthesensethatitstruckherwithwonderment，wasthisveryfactthatitcosthersolittletorefuseamagnificentchance。Withwhateverqualificationsonewould，LordWarburtonhadofferedheragreatopportunity。thesituationmighthavediscomforts，mightcontainoppressive，mightcontainnarrowingelements，mightprovereallybutastupefyinganodyne。butshedidhersexnoinjusticeinbelievingthatnineteenwomenoutoftwentywouldhaveaccommodatedthemselvestoitwithoutapang。Whythenuponheralsoshoulditnotirresistiblyimposeitself？Whowasshe，whatwasshe，thatsheshouldholdherselfsuperior？Whatviewoflife，whatdesignuponfate，whatconceptionofhappiness，hadshethatpretendedtobelargerthantheselarge，thesefabulousoccasions？Ifshewouldn’tdosuchathingasthatthenshemustdogreatthings，shemustdosomethinggreater。PoorIsabelfoundgroundtoremindherselffromtimetotimethatshemustnotbetooproud，andnothingcouldbemoresincerethanherprayertobedeliveredfromsuchadanger：theisolationandlonelinessofpridehadforhermindthehorrorofadesertplace。IfithadbeenpridethatinterferedwithheracceptingLordWarburtonsuchabetisewassingularlymisplaced。andshewassoconsciousoflikinghimthatsheventuredtoassureherselfitwastheverysoftness，andthefineintelligence，ofsympathy。Shelikedhimtoomuchtomarryhim，thatwasthetruth。somethingassuredhertherewasafallacysomewhereintheglowinglogicoftheproposition-ashesawit-
eventhoughshemightn’tputherveryfinestfinger-pointonit。andtoinflictuponamanwhoofferedsomuchawifewithatendencytocriticizewouldbeapeculiarlydiscreditableact。Shehadpromisedhimshewouldconsiderhisquestion，andwhen，afterhehadlefther，shewanderedbacktothebenchwherehehadfoundherandlostherselfinmeditation，itmighthaveseemedthatshewaskeepinghervow。Butthiswasnotthecase。shewaswonderingifshewerenotacold，hard，priggishperson，and，onheratlastgettingupandgoingratherquicklybacktothehouse，felt，asshehadsaidtoherfriend，reallyfrightenedatherself。
CHAPTER13
Itwasthisfeelingandnotthewishtoaskadvice-shehadnodesirewhateverforthat-thatledhertospeaktoheruncleofwhathadtakenplace。Shewishedtospeaktosomeone。sheshouldfeelmorenatural，morehuman，andheruncle，forthispurpose，presentedhimselfinamoreattractivelightthaneitherherauntorherfriendHenrietta。Hercousinofcoursewasapossibleconfidant。butshewouldhavehadtodoherselfviolencetoairthisspecialsecrettoRalph。Sothenextday，afterbreakfast，shesoughtheroccasion。
Heruncleneverlefthisapartmenttilltheafternoon，buthereceivedhiscronies，ashesaid，inhisdressing-room。Isabelhadquitetakenherplaceintheclasssodesignated，which，fortherest，includedtheoldman’sson，hisphysician，hispersonalservant，andevenMissStackpole。Mrs。Touchettdidnotfigureinthelist，andthiswasanobstaclethelesstoIsabel’sfindingherhostalone。Hesatinacomplicatedmechanicalchair，attheopenwindowofhisroom，lookingwestwardovertheparkandtheriver，withhisnewspapersandletterspiledupbesidehim，histoiletfreshlyandminutelymade，andhissmooth，speculativefacecomposedtobenevolentexpectation。
Sheapproachedherpointdirectly。IthinkIoughttoletyouknowthatLordWarburtonhasaskedmetomarryhim。IsupposeI
oughttotellmyaunt。butitseemsbesttotellyoufirst。
Theoldmanexpressednosurprise，butthankedherfortheconfidencesheshowedhim。
Doyoumindtellingmewhetheryouacceptedhim？hethenenquired。
I’venotansweredhimdefinitelyyet。I’vetakenalittletimetothinkofit，becausethatseemsmorerespectful。ButIshallnotaccepthim。
Mr。Touchettmadenocommentuponthis。hehadtheairofthinkingthat，whateverinteresthemighttakeinthematterfromthepointofviewofsociability，hehadnoactivevoiceinit。Well，Itoldyouyou’dbeasuccessoverhere。Americansarehighlyappreciated。
Veryhighlyindeed，saidIsabel。Butatthecostofseemingbothtastelessandungrateful，Idon’tthinkIcanmarryLordWarburton。
Well，herunclewenton，ofcourseanoldmancan’tjudgeforayounglady。I’mgladyoudidn’taskmebeforeyoumadeupyourmind。I
supposeIoughttotellyou，headdedslowly，butasitwerenotofmuchconsequence，thatI’veknownallaboutitthesethreedays。
AboutLordWarburton’sstateofmind？
Abouthisintentions，astheysayhere。Hewrotemeaverypleasantletter，tellingmeallaboutthem。Shouldyouliketoseehisletter？
theoldmanobliginglyasked。
Thankyou。Idon’tthinkIcareaboutthat。ButI’mgladhewrotetoyou。itwasrightthatheshould，andhewouldbecertaintodowhatwasright。
Ahwell，Iguessyoudolikehim！Mr。Touchettdeclared。Youneedn’tpretendyoudon’t。
Ilikehimextremely。I’mveryfreetoadmitthat。ButIdon’twishtomarryanyonejustnow。
Youthinksomeonemaycomealongwhomyoumaylikebetter。Well，that’sverylikely，saidMr。Touchett，whoappearedtowishtoshowhiskindnesstothegirlbyeasingoffherdecision，asitwere，andfindingcheerfulreasonsforit。
Idon’tcareifIdon’tmeetanyoneelse。IlikeLordWarburtonquitewellenough。Shefellintothatappearanceofasuddenchangeofpointofviewwithwhichshesometimesstartledandevendispleasedherinterlocutors。
Heruncle，however，seemedproofagainsteitheroftheseimpressions。He’saveryfineman，heresumedinatonewhichmighthavepassedforthatofencouragement。HisletterwasoneofthepleasantestI’vereceivedforsomeweeks。IsupposeoneofthereasonsIlikeitwasthatitwasallaboutyou。thatisallexceptthepartthatwasabouthimself。Isupposehetoldyouallthat。
HewouldhavetoldmeeverythingIwishedtoaskhim，Isabelsaid。
Butyoudidn’tfeelcurious？
Mycuriositywouldhavebeenidle-onceIhaddeterminedtodeclinehisoffer。
Youdidn’tfinditsufficientlyattractive？Mr。Touchettenquired。
Shewassilentalittle。Isupposeitwasthat，shepresentlyadmitted。ButIdon’tknowwhy。
Fortunatelyladiesarenotobligedtogivereasons，saidheruncle。There’sagreatdealthat’sattractiveaboutsuchanidea。butIdon’tseewhytheEnglishshouldwanttoenticeusawayfromournativeland。Iknowthatwetrytoattractthemoverthere，butthat’sbecauseourpopulationisinsufficient。Here，youknow，they’rerathercrowded。However，Ipresumethere’sroomforcharmingyoungladieseverywhere。
Thereseemstohavebeenroomhereforyou，saidIsabel，whoseeyeshadbeenwanderingoverthelargepleasure-spacesofthepark。
Mr。Touchettgaveashrewd，conscioussmile。There’sroomeverywhere，mydear，ifyou’llpayforit。IsometimesthinkI’vepaidtoomuchforthis。Perhapsyoualsomighthavetopaytoomuch。
PerhapsImight，thegirlreplied。
Thatsuggestiongavehersomethingmoredefinitetorestonthanshehadfoundinherownthoughts，andthefactofthisassociationofheruncle’smildacutenesswithherdilemmaseemedtoprovethatshewasconcernedwiththenaturalandreasonableemotionsoflifeandnotaltogetheravictimtointellectualeagernessandvagueambitions-
ambitionsreachingbeyondLordWarburton’sbeautifulappeal，reachingtosomethingindefinableandpossiblynotcommendable。InsofarastheindefinablehadaninfluenceuponIsabel’sbehaviouratthisjuncture，itwasnottheconception，evenunformulated，ofaunionwithCasparGoodwood。forhowevershemighthaveresistedconquestatherEnglishsuitor’slargequiethandsshewasatleastasfarremovedfromthedispositiontolettheyoungmanfromBostontakepositivepossessionofher。Thesentimentinwhichshesoughtrefugeafterreadinghisletterwasacriticalviewofhishavingcomeabroad。foritwaspartoftheinfluencehehaduponherthatheseemedtodepriveherofthesenseoffreedom。Therewasadisagreeablystrongpush，akindofhardnessofpresence，inhiswayofrisingbeforeher。Shehadbeenhauntedatmomentsbytheimage，bythedanger，ofhisdisapprovalandhadwondered-aconsiderationshehadneverpaidinequaldegreetoanyoneelse-whetherhewouldlikewhatshedid。Thedifficultywasthatmorethananymanshehadeverknown，morethanpoorLordWarburtonshehadbegunnowtogivehislordshipthebenefitofthisepithet，CasparGoodwoodexpressedforheranenergy-andshehadalreadyfeltitasapower-thatwasofhisverynature。Itwasinnodegreeamatterofhisadvantages-
itwasamatterofthespiritthatsatinhisclear-burningeyeslikesometirelesswatcheratawindow。Shemightlikeitornot，butheinsisted，ever，withhiswholeweightandforce：eveninone’susualcontactwithhimonehadtoreckonwiththat。Theideaofadiminishedlibertywasparticularlydisagreeabletoheratpresent，sinceshehadjustgivenasortofpersonalaccenttoherindependencebylookingsostraightatLordWarburton’sbigbribeandyetturningawayfromit。SometimesCasparGoodwoodhadseemedtorangehimselfonthesideofherdestiny，tobethestubbornestfactsheknew。shesaidtoherselfatsuchmomentsthatshemightevadehimforatime，butthatshemustmaketermswithhimatlast-
termswhichwouldbecertaintobefavourabletohimself。Herimpulsehadbeentoavailherselfofthethingsthathelpedhertoresistsuchanobligation。andthisimpulsehadbeenmuchconcernedinhereageracceptanceofheraunt’sinvitation，whichhadcometoheratanhourwhensheexpectedfromdaytodaytoseeMr。Goodwoodandwhenshewasgladtohaveananswerreadyforsomethingshewassurehewouldsaytoher。WhenshehadtoldhimatAlbany，ontheeveningofMrs。Touchett’svisit，thatshecouldn’tthendiscussdifficultquestions，dazzledasshewasbythegreatimmediateopeningofheraunt’sofferofEurope，hedeclaredthatthiswasnoansweratall。anditwasnowtoobtainabetteronethathewasfollowingheracrossthesea。Tosaytoherselfthathewasakindofgrimfatewaswellenoughforafancifulyoungwomanwhowasabletotakemuchforgrantedinhim。butthereaderhasarighttoanearerandaclearerview。
Hewasthesonofaproprietorofwell-knowncotton-millsinMassachusetts-agentlemanwhohadaccumulatedaconsiderablefortuneintheexerciseofthisindustry。Casparatpresentmanagedtheworks，andwithajudgementandatemperwhich，inspiteofkeencompetitionandlanguidyears，hadkepttheirprosperityfromdwindling。HehadreceivedthebetterpartofhiseducationatHarvardCollege，where，however，hehadgainedrenownratherasagymnastandanoarsmanthanasagleanerofmoredispersedknowledge。Lateronhehadlearnedthatthefinerintelligencetoocouldvaultandpullandstrain-mighteven，breakingtherecord，treatitselftorareexploits。Hehadthusdiscoveredinhimselfasharpeyeforthemysteryofmechanics，andhadinventedanimprovementinthecotton-spinningprocesswhichwasnowlargelyusedandwasknownbyhisname。Youmighthaveseenitinthenewspapersinconnectionwiththisfruitfulcontrivance。assuranceofwhichhehadgiventoIsabelbyshowingherinthecolumnsoftheNewYorkIntervieweranexhaustivearticleontheGoodwoodpatent-anarticlenotpreparedbyMissStackpole，friendlyasshehadprovedherselftohismoresentimentalinterests。Therewereintricate，bristlingthingsherejoicedin。helikedtoorganize，tocontend，toadminister。hecouldmakepeopleworkhiswill，believeinhim，marchbeforehimandjustifyhim。Thiswastheart，astheysaid，ofmanagingmen-whichrested，inhim，further，onaboldthoughbroodingambition。Itstruckthosewhoknewhimwellthathemightdogreaterthingsthancarryonacotton-factory。therewasnothingcottonyaboutCasparGoodwood，andhisfriendstookforgrantedthathewouldsomehowandsomewherewritehimselfinbiggerletters。Butitwasasifsomethinglargeandconfused，somethingdarkandugly，wouldhavetocalluponhim：hewasnotafterallinharmonywithmeresmugpeaceandgreedandgain，anorderofthingsofwhichthevitalbreathwasubiquitousadvertisement。ItpleasedIsabeltobelievethathemighthaveridden，onaplungingsteed，thewhirlwindofagreatwar-awarliketheCivilstrifethathadoverdarkenedherconsciouschildhoodandhisripeningyouth。
Shelikedatanyratethisideaofhisbeingbycharacterandinfactamoverofmen-likeditmuchbetterthansomeotherpointsinhisnatureandaspect。Shecarednothingforhiscotton-mill-theGoodwoodpatentleftherimaginationabsolutelycold。Shewishedhimnoouncelessofhismanhood，butshesometimesthoughthewouldberathernicerifhelooked，forinstance，alittledifferently。Hisjawwastoosquareandsetandhisfiguretoostraightandstiff：thesethingssuggestedawantofeasyconsonancewiththedeeperrhythmsoflife。Thensheviewedwithreserveahabithehadofdressingalwaysinthesamemanner。itwasnotapparentlythatheworethesameclothescontinually，for，onthecontrary，hisgarmentshadawayoflookingrathertoonew。Buttheyallseemedofthesamepiece。thefigure，thestuff，wassodrearilyusual。Shehadremindedherselfmorethanoncethatthiswasafrivolousobjectiontoapersonofhisimportance。andthenshehadamendedtherebukebysayingthatitwouldbeafrivolousobjectiononlyifshewereinlovewithhim。
Shewasnotinlovewithhimandthereforemightcriticizehissmalldefectsaswellashisgreat-whichlatterconsistedinthecollectivereproachofhisbeingtooserious，or，rather，notofhisbeingso，sinceonecouldneverbe，butcertainlyofhisseemingso。Heshowedhisappetitesanddesignstoosimplyandartlessly。whenonewasalonewithhimhetalkedtoomuchaboutthesamesubject，andwhenotherpeoplewerepresenthetalkedtoolittleaboutanything。Andyethewasofsupremelystrong，cleanmake-whichwassomuch：shesawthedifferentfittedpartsofhimasshehadseen，inmuseumsandportraits，thedifferentfittedpartsofarmouredwarriors-inplatesofsteelhandsomelyinlaidwithgold。Itwasverystrange：
where，ever，wasanytangiblelinkbetweenherimpressionandheract？
CasparGoodwoodhadnevercorrespondedtoherideaofadelightfulperson，andshesupposedthatthiswaswhyhelefthersoharshlycritical。When，however，LordWarburton，whonotonlydidcorrespondwithit，butgaveanextensiontotheterm，appealedtoherapproval，shefoundherselfstillunsatisfied。Itwascertainlystrange。
ThesenseofherincoherencewasnotahelptoansweringMr。
Goodwood’sletter，andIsabeldeterminedtoleaveitawhileunhonoured。Ifhehaddeterminedtopersecuteherhemusttaketheconsequences。foremostamongwhichwashisbeinglefttoperceivehowlittleitcharmedherthatheshouldcomedowntoGardencourt。Shewasalreadyliabletotheincursionsofonesuitoratthisplace，andthoughitmightbepleasanttobeappreciatedinoppositequarterstherewasakindofgrossnessinentertainingtwosuchpassionatepleadersatonce，eveninacasewheretheentertainmentshouldconsistofdismissingthem。ShemadenoreplytoMr。Goodwood。butattheendofthreedaysshewrotetoLordWarburton，andtheletterbelongstoourhistory。
DEARLORDWARBURTON-Agreatdealofearnestthoughthasnotledmetochangemymindaboutthesuggestionyouweresokindastomakemetheotherday。Iamnot，Iamreallyandtrulynot，abletoregardyouinthelightofacompanionforlife。ortothinkofyourhome-yourvarioushomes-assettledseatofmyexistence。Thesethingscannotbereasonedabout，andIveryearnestlyentreatyounottoreturntothesubjectwediscussedsoexhaustively。Weseeourlivesfromourownpointofview。thatistheprivilegeoftheweakestandhumblestofus。andIshallneverbeabletoseemineinthemanneryouproposed。Kindlyletthissufficeyou，anddomethejusticetobelievethatIhavegivenyourproposalthedeeplyrespectfulconsiderationitdeserves。ItiswiththisverygreatregardthatIremainsincerelyyours，ISABELARCHER
WhiletheauthorofthismissivewasmakinguphermindtodespatchitHenriettaStackpoleformedaresolvewhichwasaccompaniedbynodemur。SheinvitedRalphTouchetttotakeawalkwithherinthegarden，andwhenhehadassentedwiththatalacritywhichseemedconstantlytotestifytohishighexpectations，sheinformedhimthatshehadafavourtoaskofhim。Itmaybeadmittedthatatthisinformationtheyoungmanflinched。forweknowthatMissStackpolehadstruckhimasapttopushanadvantage。Thealarmwasunreasoned，however。forhewasclearabouttheareaofherindiscretionaslittleasadvisedofitsverticaldepth，andhemadeaverycivilprofessionofthedesiretoserveher。Hewasafraidofherandpresentlytoldherso。Whenyoulookatmeinacertainwaymykneesknocktogether，myfacultiesdesertme。I’mfilledwithtrepidationandIaskonlyforstrengthtoexecuteyourcommands。
You’veanaddressthatI’veneverencounteredinanywoman。
Well，Henriettarepliedgood-humouredly，ifIhadnotknownbeforethatyouweretryingsomehowtoabashmeIshouldknowitnow。OfcourseI’measygame-Iwasbroughtupwithsuchdifferentcustomsandideas。I’mnotusedtoyourarbitrarystandards，andI’veneverbeenspokentoinAmericaasyouhavespokentome。IfagentlemanconversingwithmeoverthereweretospeaktomelikethatIshouldn’tknowwhattomakeofit。Wetakeeverythingmorenaturallyoverthere，and，afterall，we’reagreatdealmoresimple。Iadmitthat。I’mverysimplemyself。Ofcourseifyouchoosetolaughatmeforityou’reverywelcome。butIthinkonthewholeIwouldratherbemyselfthanyou。I’mquitecontenttobemyself。Idon’twanttochange。ThereareplentyofpeoplethatappreciatemejustasIam。It’struethey’renicefreshfree-bornAmericans！Henriettahadlatelytakenupthetoneofhelplessinnocenceandlargeconcession。Iwantyoutoassistmealittle，
shewenton。Idon’tcareintheleastwhetherIamuseyouwhileyoudoso。or，rather，I’mperfectlywillingyouramusementshouldbeyourreward。IwantyoutohelpmeaboutIsabel。
Hassheinjuredyou？Ralphasked。
IfshehadIshouldn’tmind，andIshouldnevertellyou。WhatI’mafraidofisthatshe’llinjureherself。
Ithinkthat’sverypossible，saidRalph。
Hiscompanionstoppedinthegarden-walk，fixingonhimperhapstheverygazethatunnervedhim。Thattoowouldamuseyou，Isuppose。
Thewayyoudothings！Ineverheardanyonesoindifferent。
ToIsabel？Ah，notthat！
Well，you’renotinlovewithher，Ihope。
Howcanthatbe，whenI’minlovewithAnother？
You’reinlovewithyourself，that’stheOther！MissStackpoledeclared。Muchgoodmayitdoyou！Butifyouwishtobeseriousonceinyourlifehere’sachance。andifyoureallycareforyourcousinhere’sanopportunitytoproveit。Idon’texpectyoutounderstandher。that’stoomuchtoask。Butyouneedn’tdothattograntmyfavour。I’llsupplythenecessaryintelligence。
Ishallenjoythatimmensely！Ralphexclaimed。I’llbeCalibanandyoushallbeAriel。
You’renotatalllikeCaliban，becauseyou’resophisticated，andCalibanwasnot。ButI’mnottalkingaboutimaginarycharacters。I’mtalkingaboutIsabel。Isabel’sintenselyreal。WhatIwishtotellyouisthatIfindherfearfullychanged。
Sinceyoucame，doyoumean？
SinceIcameandbeforeIcame。She’snotthesameassheoncesobeautifullywas。
AsshewasinAmerica？
Yes，inAmerica。Isupposeyouknowshecomesfromthere。Shecan’thelpit，butshedoes。
Doyouwanttochangeherbackagain？
OfcourseIdo，andIwantyoutohelpme。
Ah，saidRalph，I’monlyCaliban。I’mnotProspero。
YouwereProsperoenoughtomakeherwhatshehasbecome。You’veactedonIsabelArchersinceshecamehere，Mr。Touchett。
I，mydearMissStackpole？Neverintheworld。IsabelArcherhasactedonme-yes。sheactsoneveryone。ButI’vebeenabsolutelypassive。
You’retoopassivethen。Youhadbetterstiryourselfandbecareful。Isabel’schangingeveryday。she’sdriftingaway-rightouttosea。I’vewatchedherandIcanseeit。She’snotthebrightAmericangirlshewas。She’stakingdifferentviews，adifferentcolour，andturningawayfromheroldideals。Iwanttosavethoseideals，Mr。Touchett，andthat’swhereyoucomein。
Notsurelyasanideal？
Well，Ihopenot，Henriettarepliedpromptly。I’vegotafearinmyheartthatshe’sgoingtomarryoneofthesefellEuropeans，andIwanttopreventit。
Ah，Isee，criedRalph。andtopreventityouwantmetostepinandmarryher？
Notquite。thatremedywouldbeasbadasthedisease，foryou’rethetypical，thefellEuropeanfromwhomIwishtorescueher。No。I
wishyoutotakeaninterestinanotherperson-ayoungmantowhomsheoncegavegreatencouragementandwhomshenowdoesn’tseemtothinkgoodenough。He’sathoroughlygrandmanandaverydearfriendofmine，andIwishverymuchyouwouldinvitehimtopayavisithere。
Ralphwaspuzzledbythisappeal，anditisperhapsnottothecreditofhispurityofmindthathefailedtolookatitatfirstinthesimplestlight。Itwore，tohiseyes，atortuousair，andhisfaultwasthathewasnotquitesurethatanythingintheworldcouldreallybeascandidasthisrequestofMissStackpole’sappeared。Thatayoungwomanshoulddemandthatagentlemanwhomshedescribedasherverydearfriendshouldbefurnishedwithanopportunitytomakehimselfagreeabletoanotheryoungwoman，ayoungwomanwhoseattentionhadwanderedandwhosecharmsweregreater-thiswasananomalywhichforthemomentchallengedallhisingenuityofinterpretation。Toreadbetweenthelineswaseasierthantofollowthetext，andtosupposethatMissStackpolewishedthegentlemaninvitedtoGardencourtonherownaccountwasthesignnotsomuchofavulgarasofanembarrassedmind。Evenfromthisvenialactofvulgarity，however，Ralphwassaved，andsavedbyaforcethatIcanonlyspeakofasinspiration。WithnomoreoutwardlightonthesubjectthanhealreadypossessedhesuddenlyacquiredtheconvictionthatitwouldbeasovereigninjusticetothecorrespondentoftheInterviewertoassignadishonourablemotivetoanyactofhers。Thisconvictionpassedintohismindwithextremerapidity。itwasperhapskindledbythepureradianceoftheyounglady’simperturbablegaze。Hereturnedthischallengeamoment，consciously，resistinganinclinationtofrownasonefrownsinthepresenceoflargerluminaries。Who’sthegentlemanyouspeakof？
Mr。CasparGoodwood-ofBoston。HehasbeenextremelyattentivetoIsabel-justasdevotedtoherashecanlive。Hehasfollowedherouthereandhe’satpresentinLondon。Idon’tknowhisaddress，butIguessIcanobtainit。
I’veneverheardofhim，saidRalph。
Well，Isupposeyouhaven’theardofeveryone。Idon’tbelievehehaseverheardofyou。butthat’snoreasonwhyIsabelshouldn’tmarryhim。
Ralphgaveamildambiguouslaugh。Whatarageyouhaveformarryingpeople！Doyourememberhowyouwantedtomarrymetheotherday？
I’vegotoverthat。Youdon’tknowhowtotakesuchideas。Mr。
Goodwooddoes，however。andthat’swhatIlikeabouthim。He’sasplendidmanandaperfectgentleman，andIsabelknowsit。
Issheveryfondofhim？
Ifsheisn’tsheoughttobe。He’ssimplywrappedupinher。
Andyouwishmetoaskhimhere，saidRalphreflectively。
Itwouldbeanactoftruehospitality。
CasparGoodwood，Ralphcontinued-it’sratherastrikingname。
Idon’tcareanythingabouthisname。ItmightbeEzekielJenkins，andIshouldsaythesame。He’stheonlymanIhaveeverseenwhomIthinkworthyofIsabel。
You’reaverydevotedfriend，saidRalph。
OfcourseIam。IfyousaythattopourscornonmeIdon’tcare。
Idon’tsayittopourscornonyou。I’mverymuchstruckwithit。
You’remoresatiricthanever，butIadviseyounottolaughatMr。
Goodwood。
IassureyouI’mveryserious。yououghttounderstandthat，
saidRalph。
Inamomenthiscompanionunderstoodit。Ibelieveyouare。nowyou’retooserious。
You’redifficulttoplease。
Oh，you’reveryseriousindeed。Youwon’tinviteMr。Goodwood。
Idon’tknow，saidRalph。I’mcapableofstrangethings。TellmealittleaboutMr。Goodwood。What’shelike？
He’sjusttheoppositeofyou。He’sattheheadofacotton-factory。averyfineone。
Hashepleasantmanners？askedRalph。
Splendidmanners-intheAmericanstyle。
Wouldhebeanagreeablememberofourlittlecircle？
Idon’tthinkhe’dcaremuchaboutourlittlecircle。He’dconcentrateonIsabel。
Andhowwouldmycousinlikethat？
Verypossiblynotatall。Butitwillbegoodforher。Itwillcallbackherthoughts。
Callthemback-fromwhere？
Fromforeignpartsandotherunnaturalplaces。ThreemonthsagoshegaveMr。Goodwoodeveryreasontosupposehewasacceptabletoher，andit’snotworthyofIsabeltogobackonarealfriendsimplybecauseshehaschangedthescene。I’vechangedthescenetoo，andtheeffectofithasbeentomakemecaremoreformyoldassociationsthanever。It’smybeliefthatthesoonerIsabelchangesitbackagainthebetter。Iknowherwellenoughtoknowthatshewouldneverbetrulyhappyoverhere，andIwishhertoformsomestrongAmericantiethatwillactasapreservative。
Aren’tyouperhapsalittletoomuchinahurry？Ralphenquired。
Don’tyouthinkyououghttogivehermoreofachanceinpooroldEngland？
Achancetoruinherbrightyounglife？One’snevertoomuchinahurrytosaveaprecioushumancreaturefromdrowning。
AsIunderstanditthen，saidRalph，youwishmetopushMr。
Goodwoodoverboardafterher。Doyouknow，headded，thatI’veneverheardhermentionhisname？
Henriettagaveabrilliantsmile。I’mdelightedtohearthat。itproveshowmuchshethinksofhim。
Ralphappearedtoallowthattherewasagooddealinthis，andhesurrenderedtothoughtwhilehiscompanionwatchedhimaskance。IfIshouldinviteMr。Goodwood，hefinallysaid，itwouldbetoquarrelwithhim。
Don’tdothat。he’dprovethebetterman。
Youcertainlyaredoingyourbesttomakemehatehim！Ireallydon’tthinkIcanaskhim。Ishouldbeafraidofbeingrudeto，him。
It’sjustasyouplease，Henriettareturned。Ihadnoideayouwereinlovewithheryourself。
Doyoureallybelievethat？theyoungmanaskedwithliftedeyebrows。
That’sthemostnaturalspeechI’veeverheardyoumake！OfcourseIbelieveit，MissStackpoleingeniouslysaid。
Well，Ralphconcluded，toprovetoyouthatyou’rewrongI’llinvitehim。Itmustbeofcourseasafriendofyours。
Itwillnotbeasafriendofminethathe’llcome。anditwillnotbetoprovetomethatI’mwrongthatyou’llaskhim-buttoproveittoyourself！
TheselastwordsofMissStackpole’sonwhichthetwopresentlyseparatedcontainedanamountoftruthwhichRalphTouchettwasobligedtorecognize。butitsofartooktheedgefromtoosharparecognitionthat，inspiteofhissuspectingitwouldberathermoreindiscreettokeepthantobreakhispromise，hewroteMr。Goodwoodanoteofsixlines，expressingthepleasureitwouldgiveMr。
TouchetttheelderthatheshouldjoinalittlepartyatGardencourt，ofwhichMissStackpolewasavaluedmember。HavingsenthislettertothecareofabankerwhomHenriettasuggested
hewaitedinsomesuspense。Hehadheardthisfreshformidablefigurenamedforthefirsttime。forwhenhismotherhadmentionedonherarrivalthattherewasastoryaboutthegirl’shavinganadmirerathome，theideahadseemeddeficientinrealityandhehadtakennopainstoaskquestionstheanswerstowhichwouldinvolveonlythevagueorthedisagreeable。Now，however，thenativeadmirationofwhichhiscousinwastheobjecthadbecomemoreconcrete。ittooktheformofayoungmanwhohadfollowedhertoLondon，whowasinterestedinacotton-millandhadmannersinthemostsplendidoftheAmericanstyles。Ralphhadtwotheoriesaboutthisintervener。EitherhispassionwasasentimentalfictionofMissStackpole’stherewasalwaysasortoftacitunderstandingamongwomen，bornofthesolidarityofthesex，thattheyshoulddiscoverorinventloversforeachother，inwhichcasehewasnottobefearedandwouldprobablynotaccepttheinvitation。orelsehewouldaccepttheinvitationandinthiseventprovehimselfacreaturetooirrationaltodemandfurtherconsideration。ThelatterclauseofRalph’sargumentmighthaveseemedincoherent。butitembodiedhisconvictionthatifMr。GoodwoodwereinterestedinIsabelintheseriousmannerdescribedbyMissStackpolehewouldnotcaretopresenthimselfatGardencourtonasummonsfromthelatterlady。
Onthissupposition，saidRalph，hemustregardherasathornonthestemofhisrose。asanintercessorhemustfindherwantingintact。
TwodaysafterhehadsenthisinvitationhereceivedaveryshortnotefromCasparGoodwood，thankinghimforit，regrettingthatotherengagementsmadeavisittoGardencourtimpossibleandpresentingmanycomplimentstoMissStackpole。RalphhandedthenotetoHenrietta，who，whenshehadreadit，exclaimed：Well，Ineverhaveheardofanythingsostiff！
I’mafraidhedoesn’tcaresomuchaboutmycousinasyousuppose，
Ralphobserved。
No，it’snotthat。it’ssomesubtlermotive。Hisnature’sverydeep。ButI’mdeterminedtofathomit，andIshallwritetohimtoknowwhathemeans。