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ShereturnedonthemorrowtoFlorence，underhercousin’sescort，andRalphTouchett，thoughusuallyrestiveunderrailwaydiscipline，thoughtverywellofthesuccessivehourspassedinthetrainthathurriedhiscompanionawayfromthecitynowdistinguishedbyGilbertOsmond’spreference-hoursthatweretoformthefirststageinalargerschemeoftravel。MissStackpolehadremainedbehind。
shewasplanningalittletriptoNaples，tobecarriedoutwithMr。
Bantling’said。IsabelwastohavethreedaysinFlorencebeforethe4thofJune，thedateofMrs。Touchett’sdeparture，andshedeterminedtodevotethelastofthesetoherpromisetocallonPansyOsmond。
Herplan，however，seemedforamomentlikelytomodifyitselfindeferencetoanideaofMadameMerle’s。ThisladywasstillatCasaTouchett。butshetoowasonthepointofleavingFlorence，hernextstationbeinganancientcastleinthemountainsofTuscany，theresidenceofanoblefamilyofthatcountry，whoseacquaintanceshehadknownthem，asshesaid，foreverseemedtoIsabel，inthelightofcertainphotographsoftheirimmensecrenellateddwellingwhichherfriendwasabletoshowher，apreciousprivilege。ShementionedtothisfortunatewomanthatMr。Osmondhadaskedhertotakealookathisdaughter，butdidn’tmentionthathehadalsomadeheradeclarationoflove。
Ah，commecelasetrouve！MadameMerleexclaimed。ImyselfhavebeenthinkingitwouldbeakindnesstopaythechildalittlevisitbeforeIgooff。
Wecangotogetherthen，Isabelreasonablysaid：reasonably
becausetheproposalwasnotutteredinthespiritofenthusiasm。
Shehadprefiguredhersmallpilgrimageasmadeinsolitude。sheshouldlikeitbetterso。Shewasneverthelesspreparedtosacrificethismysticsentimenttohergreatconsiderationforherfriend。
Thatpersonagefinelymeditated。Afterall，whyshouldwebothgo。having，eachofus，somuchtododuringtheselasthours？
Verygood。Icaneasilygoalone。
Idon’tknowaboutyourgoingalone-tothehouseofahandsomebachelor。Hehasbeenmarried-butsolongago！
Isabelstared。WhenMr。Osmond’sawaywhatdoesitmatter？
Theydon’tknowhe’saway，yousee。
They？Whomdoyoumean？
Everyone。Butperhapsitdoesn’tsignify。
Ifyouweregoingwhyshouldn’tI？Isabelasked。
BecauseI’manoldfrumpandyou’reabeautifulyoungwoman。
Grantingallthat，you’venotpromised。
Howmuchyouthinkofyourpromises！saidtheelderwomaninmildmockery。
Ithinkagreatdealofmypromises。Doesthatsurpriseyou？
You’reright，MadameMerleaudiblyreflected。Ireallythinkyouwishtobekindtothechild。
Iwishverymuchtobekindtoher。
Goandseeherthen。noonewillbethewiser。AndtellherI’dhavecomeifyouhadn’t。Orrather，MadameMerleadded，don’ttellher。Shewon’tcare。
AsIsabeldrove，inthepublicityofanopenvehicle，alongthewindingwaywhichledtoMr。Osmond’shill-top，shewonderedwhatherfriendhadmeantbynoone’sbeingthewiser。Onceinawhile，atlargeintervals，thislady，whosevoyagingdiscretion，asageneralthing，wasratheroftheopenseathanoftheriskychannel，droppedaremarkofambiguousquality，struckanotethatsoundedfalse。WhatcaredIsabelArcherforthevulgarjudgementsofobscurepeople？anddidMadameMerlesupposethatshewascapableofdoingathingatallifithadtobesneakinglydone？Ofcoursenot：shemusthavemeantsomethingelse-somethingwhichinthepressofthehoursthatprecededherdepartureshehadnothadtimetoexplain。Isabelwouldreturntothissomeday。thereweresortsofthingsastowhichshelikedtobeclear。SheheardPansystrummingatthepianoinanotherplaceassheherselfwasusheredintoMr。Osmond’sdrawing-room。thelittlegirlwaspractising，andIsabelwaspleasedtothinksheperformedthisdutywithrigour。Sheimmediatelycamein，smoothingdownherfrock，anddidthehonoursofherfather’shousewithawide-eyedearnestnessofcourtesy。Isabelsattherehalfanhour，andPansyrosetotheoccasionasthesmall，wingedfairyinthepantomimesoarsbytheaidofthedissimulatedwire-notchattering，butconversing，andshowingthesamerespectfulinterestinIsabel’saffairsthatIsabelwassogoodtotakeinhers。Isabelwonderedather。shehadneverhadsodirectlypresentedtohernosethewhiteflowerofcultivatedsweetness。Howwellthechildhadbeentaught，saidouradmiringyoungwoman。howprettilyshehadbeendirectedandfashioned。andyethowsimple，hownatural，howinnocentshehadbeenkept！Isabelwasfond，ever，ofthequestionofcharacterandquality，ofsounding，aswhoshouldsay，thedeeppersonalmystery，andithadpleasedher，uptothistime，tobeindoubtastowhetherthistenderslipwerenotreallyall-knowing。Wastheextremityofhercandourbuttheperfectionofself-consciousness？Wasitputontopleaseherfather’svisitor，orwasitthedirectexpressionofanunspottednature？ThehourthatIsabelspentinMr。
Osmond’sbeautifulempty，duskyrooms-thewindowshadbeenhalf-darkened，tokeepouttheheat，andhereandthere，throughaneasycrevice，thesplendidsummerdaypeepedin，lightingagleamoffadedcolourortarnishedgiltintherichgloom-herinterviewwiththedaughterofthehouse，Isay，effectuallysettledthisquestion。
Pansywasreallyablankpage，apurewhitesurface，successfullykeptso。shehadneitherart，norguile，nortemper，nortalent-onlytwoorthreesmallexquisiteinstincts：forknowingafriend，foravoidingamistake，fortakingcareofanoldtoyoranewfrock。Yettobesotenderwastobetouchingwithal，andshecouldbefeltasaneasyvictimoffate。Shewouldhavenowill，nopowertoresist，nosenseofherownimportance。shewouldeasilybemystified，easilycrushed：herforcewouldbeallinknowingwhenandwheretocling。
Shemovedabouttheplacewithhervisitor，whohadaskedleavetowalkthroughtheotherroomsagain，wherePansygaveherjudgementonseveralworksofart。Shespokeofherprospects，heroccupations，herfather’sintentions。shewasnotegotistical，butfelttheproprietyofsupplyingtheinformationsodistinguishedaguestwouldnaturallyexpect。
Pleasetellme，shesaid，didpapa，inRome，gotoseeMadameCatherine？Hetoldmehewouldifhehadtime。Perhapshehadnottime。Papalikesagreatdealoftime。Hewishedtospeakaboutmyeducation。itisn’tfinishedyet，youknow。Idon’tknowwhattheycandowithmemore。butitappearsit’sfarfromfinished。Papatoldmeonedayhethoughthewouldfinishithimself。forthelastyearortwo，attheconvent，themastersthatteachthetallgirlsaresoverydear。Papa’snotrich，andIshouldbeverysorryifheweretopaymuchmoneyforme，becauseIdon’tthinkI’mworthit。Idon’tlearnquicklyenough，andIhavenomemory。ForwhatI’mtold，yes-
especiallywhenit’spleasant。butnotforwhatIlearninabook。
Therewasayounggirlwhowasmybestfriend，andtheytookherawayfromtheconvent，whenshewasfourteen，tomake-howdoyousayitinEnglish？-tomakeadot。Youdon’tsayitinEnglish？Ihopeitisn’twrong。Ionlymeantheywishedtokeepthemoneytomarryher。Idon’tknowwhetheritisforthatthatpapawishestokeepthemoney-tomarryme。Itcostssomuchtomarry！Pansywentonwithasigh。Ithinkpapamightmakethateconomy。AtanyrateI’mtooyoungtothinkaboutityet，andIdon’tcareforanygentleman。I
meanforanybuthim。IfhewerenotmypapaIshouldliketomarryhim！Iwouldratherbehisdaughterthanthewifeof-ofsomestrangeperson。Imisshimverymuch，butnotsomuchasyoumightthink，forI’vebeensomuchawayfromhim。Papahasalwaysbeenprincipallyforholidays。ImissMadameCatherinealmostmore。butyoumustnottellhimthat。Youshallnotseehimagain？I’mverysorry，andhe’llbesorrytoo。OfeveryonewhocomeshereIlikeyouthebest。That’snotagreatcompliment，fortherearenotmanypeople。Itwasverykindofyoutocometo-day-sofarfromyourhouse。forI’mreallyasyetonlyachild。Oh，yes，I’veonlytheoccupationsofachild。Whendidyougivethemup，theoccupationsofachild？Ishouldliketoknowhowoldyouare，butIdon’tknowwhetherit’srighttoask。Attheconventtheytoldusthatwemustneverasktheage。I
don’tliketodoanythingthat’snotexpected。itlooksasifonehadnotbeenproperlytaught。Imyself-Ishouldneverliketobetakenbysurprise。Papaleftdirectionsforeverything。Igotobedveryearly。WhenthesungoesoffthatsideIgointothegarden。PapaleftstrictordersthatIwasnottogetscorched。Ialwaysenjoytheview。themountainsaresograceful。InRome，fromtheconvent，wesawnothingbutroofsandbell-towers。Ipracticethreehours。Idon’tplayverywell。Youplayyourself？Iwishverymuchyou’dplaysomethingforme。papahastheideathatIshouldheargoodmusic。
MadameMerlehasplayedformeseveraltimes。that’swhatIlikebestaboutMadameMerle。shehasgreatfacility。Ishallneverhavefacility。AndI’venovoice-justasmallsoundlikethesqueakofaslate-pencilmakingflourishes。
Isabelgratifiedthisrespectfulwish，drewoffherglovesandsatdowntothepiano，whilePansy，standingbesideher，watchedherwhitehandsmovequicklyoverthekeys。Whenshestoppedshekissedthechildgood-bye，heldherclose，lookedatherlong。Beverygood，
shesaid。givepleasuretoyourfather。
Ithinkthat’swhatIlivefor，Pansyanswered。Hehasnotmuchpleasure。he’sratherasadman。
Isabellistenedtothisassertionwithaninterestwhichshefeltitalmostatormenttobeobligedtoconceal。Itwasherpridethatobligedher，andacertainsenseofdecency。therewerestillotherthingsinherheadwhichshefeltastrongimpulse，instantlychecked，tosaytoPansyaboutherfather。therewerethingsitwouldhavegivenherpleasuretohearthechild，tomakethechild，say。Butshenosoonerbecameconsciousofthesethingsthanherimaginationwashushedwithhorrorattheideaoftakingadvantageofthelittlegirl-itwasofthisshewouldhaveaccusedherself-andofexhalingintothatairwherehemightstillhaveasubtlesenseforitanybreathofhercharmedstate。Shehadcome-shehadcome。butshehadstayedonlyanhour。Sherosequicklyfromthemusic-stool。eventhen，however，shelingeredamoment，stillholdinghersmallcompanion，drawingthechild’ssweetslimnesscloserandlookingdownatheralmostinenvy。Shewasobligedtoconfessittoherself-shewouldhavetakenapassionatepleasureintalkingofGilbertOsmondtothisinnocent，diminutivecreaturewhowassonearhim。Butshesaidnootherword。sheonlykissedPansyonceagain。Theywenttogetherthroughthevestibule，tothedoorthatopenedonthecourt。andthereheryounghostessstopped，lookingratherwistfullybeyond。Imaygonofurther。I’vepromisedpapanottopassthisdoor。
You’rerighttoobeyhim。he’llneveraskyouanythingunreasonable。
Ishallalwaysobeyhim。Butwhenwillyoucomeagain？
Notforalongtime，I’mafraid。
Assoonasyoucan，Ihope。I’monlyalittlegirl，saidPansy，butIshallalwaysexpectyou。Andthesmallfigurestoodinthehigh，darkdoorway，watchingIsabelcrosstheclear，greycourtanddisappearintothebrightnessbeyondthebigportone，whichgaveawiderdazzleasitopened。
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IsabelcamebacktoFlorence，butonlyafterseveralmonths。anintervalsufficientlyrepletewithincident。Itisnot，however，duringthisintervalthatwearecloselyconcernedwithher。ourattentionisengagedagainonacertaindayinthelatespring-time，shortlyafterherreturntoPalazzoCrescentiniandayearfromthedateoftheincidentsjustnarrated。Shewasaloneonthisoccasion，inoneofthesmallerofthenumerousroomsdevotedbyMrs。Touchetttosocialuses，andtherewasthatinherexpressionandattitudewhichwouldhavesuggestedthatshewasexpectingavisitor。Thetallwindowwasopen，andthoughitsgreenshutterswerepartlydrawnthebrightairofthegardenhadcomeinthroughabroadintersticeandfilledtheroomwithwarmthandperfume。Ouryoungwomanstoodnearitforsometime，herhandsclaspedbehindher。shegazedabroadwiththevaguenessofunrest。Tootroubledforattentionshemovedinavaincircle。Yetitcouldnotbeinherthoughttocatchaglimpseofhervisitorbeforeheshouldpassintothehouse，sincetheentrancetothepalacewasnotthroughthegarden，inwhichstillnessandprivacyalwaysreigned。Shewishedrathertoforestallhisarrivalbyaprocessofconjecture，andtojudgebytheexpressionofherfacethisattemptgaveherplentytodo。Graveshefoundherself，andpositivelymoreweighted，asbytheexperienceofthelapseoftheyearshehadspentinseeingtheworld。
Shehadranged，shewouldhavesaid，throughspaceandsurveyedmuchofmankind，andwasthereforenow，inherowneyes，averydifferentpersonfromthefrivolousyoungwomanfromAlbanywhohadbeguntotakethemeasureofEuropeonthelawnatGardencourtacoupleofyearsbefore。Sheflatteredherselfshehadharvestedwisdomandlearnedagreatdealmoreoflifethanthislight-mindedcreaturehadevensuspected。Ifherthoughtsjustnowhadinclinedthemselvestoretrospect，insteadofflutteringtheirwingsnervouslyaboutthepresent，theywouldhaveevokedamultitudeofinterestingpictures。
Thesepictureswouldhavebeenbothlandscapesandfigure-pieces。
thelatter，however，wouldhavebeenthemorenumerous。Withseveraloftheimagesthatmighthavebeenprojectedonsuchafieldwearealreadyacquainted。TherewouldbeforinstancetheconciliatoryLily，ourheroine’ssisterandEdmundLudlow’swife，whohadcomeoutfromNewYorktospendfivemonthswithherrelative。Shehadleftherhusbandbehindher，buthadbroughtherchildren，towhomIsabelnowplayedwithequalmunificenceandtendernessthepartofmaiden-aunt。Mr。Ludlow，towardthelast，hadbeenabletosnatchafewweeksfromhisforensictriumphsand，crossingtheoceanwithextremerapidity，hadspentamonthwiththetwoladiesinParisbeforetakinghiswifehome。ThelittleLudlowshadnotyet，evenfromtheAmericanpointofview，reachedthepropertourist-age。sothatwhilehersisterwaswithherIsabelhadconfinedhermovementstoanarrowcircle。LilyandthebabieshadjoinedherinSwitzerlandinthemonthofJuly，andtheyhadspentasummeroffineweatherinanAlpinevalleywheretheflowerswerethickinthemeadowsandtheshadeofgreatchestnutsmadearestingplaceforsuchupwardwanderingsasmightbeundertakenbyladiesandchildrenonwarmafternoons。TheyhadafterwardsreachedtheFrenchcapital，whichwasworshipped，andwithcostlyceremonies，byLily，butthoughtofasnoisilyvacantbyIsabel，whointhesedaysmadeuseofhermemoryofRomeasshemighthavedone，inahotandcrowdedroom，ofaphialofsomethingpungenthiddeninherhandkerchief。
Mrs。Ludlowsacrificed，asIsay，toParis，yethaddoubtsandwondermentsnotallayedatthataltar。andafterherhusbandhadjoinedherfoundfurtherchagrininhisfailuretothrowhimselfintothesespeculations。TheyallhadIsabelforsubject。butEdmundLudlow，ashehadalwaysdonebefore，declinedtobesurprised，ordistressed，ormystified，orelated，atanythinghissister-in-lawmighthavedoneorhavefailedtodo。Mrs。Ludlow’smentalmotionsweresufficientlyvarious。AtonemomentshethoughtitwouldbesonaturalforthatyoungwomantocomehomeandtakeahouseinNewYork-theRossiters’，forinstance，whichhadanelegantconservatoryandwasjustroundthecornerfromherown。atanothershecouldn’tconcealhersurpriseatthegirl’snotmarryingsomememberofoneofthegreataristocracies。Onthewhole，asIhavesaid，shehadfallenfromhighcommunionwiththeprobabilities。ShehadtakenmoresatisfactioninIsabel’saccessionoffortunethanifthemoneyhadbeenlefttoherself。ithadseemedtohertoofferjustthepropersettingforhersister’sslightlymeagre，butscarcethelesseminentfigure。Isabelhaddevelopedless，however，thanLilyhadthoughtlikely-development，toLily’sunderstanding，beingsomehowmysteriouslyconnectedwithmorningcallsandevening-parties。
Intellectually，doubtless，shehadmadeimmensestrides。butsheappearedtohaveachievedfewofthosesocialconquestsofwhichMrs。Ludlowhadexpectedtoadmirethetrophies。Lily’sconceptionofsuchachievementswasextremelyvague。butthiswasexactlywhatshehadexpectedofIsabel-togiveitformandbody。IsabelcouldhavedoneaswellasshehaddoneinNewYork。andMrs。LudlowappealedtoherhusbandtoknowwhethertherewasanyprivilegesheenjoyedinEuropewhichthesocietyofthatcitymightnotofferher。WeknowourselvesthatIsabelhadmadeconquests-whetherinferiorornottothoseshemighthaveeffectedinhernativelanditwouldbeadelicatemattertodecide。anditisnotaltogetherwithafeelingofcomplacencythatIagainmentionthatshehadnotrenderedthesehonourablevictoriespublic。ShehadnottoldhersisterthehistoryofLordWarburton，norhadshegivenherahintofMr。Osmond’sstateofmind。andshehadhadnobetterreasonforhersilencethanthatshedidn’twishtospeak。Itwasmoreromantictosaynothing，and，drinkingdeep，insecret，ofromance，shewasaslittledisposedtoaskpoorLily’sadviceasshewouldhavebeentoclosethatrarevolumeforever。ButLilyknewnothingofthesediscriminations，andcouldonlypronouncehersister’scareerastrangeanti-climax-animpressionconfirmedbythefactthatIsabel’ssilenceaboutMr。Osmond，forinstance，wasindirectproportiontothefrequencywithwhichheoccupiedherthoughts。AsthishappenedveryoftenitsometimesappearedtoMrs。Ludlowthatshehadlosthercourage。SouncannyaresultofsoexhilaratinganincidentasinheritingafortunewasofcourseperplexingtothecheerfulLily。itaddedtohergeneralsensethatIsabelwasnotatalllikeotherpeople。
Ouryounglady’scourage，however，mighthavebeentakenasreachingitsheightafterherrelationshadgonehome。ShecouldimaginebraverthingsthanspendingthewinterinParis-ParishadsidesbywhichitsoresembledNewYork，Pariswaslikesmart，neatprose-andherclosecorrespondencewithMadameMerledidmuchtostimulatesuchflights。Shehadneverhadakeenersenseoffreedom，oftheabsoluteboldnessandwantonnessofliberty，thanwhensheturnedawayfromtheplatformattheEustonStationononeofthelastdaysofNovember，afterthedepartureofthetrainthatwastoconveypoorLily，herhusbandandherchildrentotheirshipatLiverpool。Ithadbeengoodforhertoregale。shewasveryconsciousofthat。shewasveryobservant，asweknow，ofwhatwasgoodforher，andhereffortwasconstantlytofindsomethingthatwasgoodenough。ToprofitbythepresentadvantagetillthelatestmomentshehadmadethejourneyfromPariswiththeunenviedtravellers。ShewouldhaveaccompaniedthemtoLiverpoolaswell，onlyEdmundLudlowhadaskedher，asafavour，nottodoso。itmadeLilysofidgetyandsheaskedsuchimpossiblequestions。Isabelwatchedthetrainmoveaway。
shekissedherhandtotheelderofhersmallnephews，ademonstrativechildwholeaneddangerouslyfaroutofthewindowofthecarriageandmadeseparationanoccasionofviolenthilarity，andthenshewalkedbackintothefoggyLondonstreet。Theworldlaybeforeher-shecoulddowhatevershechose。Therewasadeepthrillinitall，butforthepresentherchoicewastolerablydiscreet。shechosesimplytowalkbackfromEustonSquaretoherhotel。TheearlyduskofaNovemberafternoonhadalreadyclosedin。thestreet-lamps，inthethick，brownair，lookedweakandred。ourheroinewasunattendedandEustonSquarewasalongwayfromPiccadilly。ButIsabelperformedthejourneywithapositiveenjoymentofitsdangersandlostherwayalmostonpurpose，inordertogetmoresensations，sothatshewasdisappointedwhenanobligingpolicemaneasilysetherrightagain。ShewassofondofthespectacleofhumanlifethatsheenjoyedeventheaspectofgatheringduskintheLondonstreets-themovingcrowds，thehurryingcabs，thelightedshops，theflaringstalls，thedark，shiningdampnessofeverything。Thatevening，atherhotel，shewrotetoMadameMerlethatsheshouldstartinadayortwoforRome。ShemadeherwaydowntoRomewithouttouchingatFlorence-havinggonefirsttoVeniceandthenproceededsouthwardbyAncona。Sheaccomplishedthisjourneywithoutotherassistancethanthatofherservant，forhernaturalprotectorswerenotnowontheground。RalphTouchettwasspendingthewinteratCorfu，andMissStackpole，intheSeptemberprevious，hadbeenrecalledtoAmericabyatelegramfromtheInterviewer。ThisjournaloffereditsbrilliantcorrespondentafresherfieldforhergeniusthanthemoulderingcitiesofEurope，andHenriettawascheeredonherwaybyapromisefromMr。Bantlingthathewouldsooncomeovertoseeher。IsabelwrotetoMrs。TouchetttoapologizefornotpresentingherselfjustyetinFlorence，andherauntrepliedcharacteristicallyenough。
Apologies，Mrs。Touchettintimated，wereofnomoreusetoherthanbubbles，andsheherselfneverdealtinsucharticles。Oneeitherdidthethingoronedidn’t，andwhatonewouldhavedonebelongedtothesphereoftheirrelevant，liketheideaofafuturelifeoroftheoriginofthings。Herletterwasfrank，butararecasewithMrs。Touchettnotsofrankasitpretended。SheeasilyforgaveherniecefornotstoppingatFlorence，becauseshetookitforasignthatGilbertOsmondwaslessinquestiontherethanformerly。ShewatchedofcoursetoseeifhewouldnowfindapretextforgoingtoRome，andderivedsomecomfortfromlearningthathehadnotbeenguiltyofanabsence。
Isabel，onherside，hadnotbeenafortnightinRomebeforesheproposedtoMadameMerlethattheyshouldmakealittlepilgrimagetotheEast。MadameMerleremarkedthatherfriendwasrestless，butsheaddedthatsheherselfhadalwaysbeenconsumedwiththedesiretovisitAthensandConstantinople。Thetwoladiesaccordinglyembarkedonthisexpedition，andspentthreemonthsinGreece，inTurkey，inEgypt。Isabelfoundmuchtointerestherinthesecountries，thoughMadameMerlecontinuedtoremarkthatevenamongthemostclassicsites，thescenesmostcalculatedtosuggestreposeandreflexion，acertainincoherenceprevailedinher。Isabeltravelledrapidlyandrecklessly。shewaslikeathirstypersondrainingcupaftercup。
MadameMerlemeanwhile，aslady-in-waitingtoaprincesscirculatingincognita，pantedalittleinherrear。ItwasonIsabel’sinvitationshehadcome，andsheimpartedallduedignitytothegirl’suncountenancedstate。Sheplayedherpartwiththetactthatmighthavebeenexpectedofher，effacingherselfandacceptingthepositionofacompanionwhoseexpenseswereprofuselypaid。Thesituation，however，hadnohardships，andpeoplewhometthisreservedthoughstrikingpairontheirtravelswouldnothavebeenabletotellyouwhichwaspatronessandwhichclient。TosaythatMadameMerleimprovedonacquaintancestatesmeagrelytheimpressionshemadeonherfriend，whohadfoundherfromthefirstsoampleandsoeasy。
AttheendofanintimacyofthreemonthsIsabelfeltsheknewherbetter。hercharacterhadrevealeditself，andtheadmirablewomanhadalsoatlastredeemedherpromiseofrelatingherhistoryfromherownpointofview-aconsummationthemoredesirableasIsabelhadalreadyhearditrelatedfromthepointofviewofothers。ThishistorywassosadaoneinsofarasitconcernedthelateM。Merle，apositiveadventurer，shemightsay，thoughoriginallysoplausible，whohadtakenadvantage，yearsbefore，ofheryouthandofaninexperienceinwhichdoubtlessthosewhoknewheronlynowwouldfinditdifficulttobelieve。itaboundedsoinstartlingandlamentableincidentsthathercompanionwonderedapersonsoeprouveecouldhavekeptsomuchofherfreshness，herinterestinlife。IntothisfreshnessofMadameMerle’ssheobtainedaconsiderableinsight。sheseemedtoseeitasprofessional，asslightlymechanical，carriedaboutinitscaselikethefiddleofthevirtuoso，orblanketedandbridledlikethefavouriteofthejockey。Shelikedherasmuchasever，buttherewasacornerofthecurtainthatneverwaslifted。itwasasifshehadremainedafterallsomethingofapublicperformer，condemnedtoemergeonlyincharacterandincostume。Shehadoncesaidthatshecamefromadistance，thatshebelongedtotheold，oldworld，andIsabelneverlosttheimpressionthatshewastheproductofadifferentmoralorsocialclimefromherown，thatshehadgrownupunderotherstars。
Shebelievedthenthatatbottomshehadadifferentmorality。Ofcoursethemoralityofcivilizedpersonshasalwaysmuchincommon。
butouryoungwomanhadasenseinherofvaluesgonewrongor，astheysaidattheshops，markeddown。Sheconsidered，withthepresumptionofyouth，thatamoralitydifferingfromherownmustbeinferiortoit。andthisconvictionwasanaidtodetectinganoccasionalflashofcruelty，anoccasionallapsefromcandour，intheconversationofapersonwhohadraiseddelicatekindnesstoanartandwhosepridewastoohighforthenarrowwaysofdeception。Herconceptionofhumanmotivesmight，incertainlights，havebeenacquiredatthecourtofsomekingdomindecadence，andtherewereseveralinherlistofwhichourheroinehadnotevenheard。Shehadnotheardofeverything，thatwasveryplain。andtherewereevidentlythingsintheworldofwhichitwasnotadvantageoustohear。Shehadonceortwicehadapositivescare。sinceitsoaffectedhertohavetoexclaim，ofherfriend，Heavenforgiveher，shedoesn’tunderstandme！Absurdasitmayseemthisdiscoveryoperatedasashock，leftherwithavaguedismayinwhichtherewasevenanelementofforeboding。Thedismayofcoursesubsided，inthelightofsomesuddenproofofMadameMerle’sremarkableintelligence。butitstoodforahigh-water-markintheebbandflowofconfidence。MadameMerlehadoncedeclaredherbeliefthatwhenafriendshipceasestogrowitimmediatelybeginstodecline-therebeingnopointofequilibriumbetweenlikingmoreandlikingless。Astationaryaffection，inotherwords，wasimpossible-itmustmoveonewayortheother。Howeverthatmightbe，thegirlhadinthesedaysathousandusesforhersenseoftheromantic，whichwasmoreactivethanithadeverbeen。IdonotalludetotheimpulseitreceivedasshegazedatthePyramidsinthecourseofanexcursionfromCairo，orasshestoodamongthebrokencolumnsoftheAcropolisandfixedhereyesuponthepointdesignatedtoherastheStraitofSalamis。deepandmemorableastheseemotionshadremained。ShecamebackbythelastofMarchfromEgyptandGreeceandmadeanotherstayinRome。A
fewdaysafterherarrivalGilbertOsmonddescendedfromFlorenceandremainedthreeweeks，duringwhichthefactofherbeingwithhisoldfriendMadameMerle，inwhosehouseshehadgonetolodge，madeitvirtuallyinevitablethatheshouldseehereveryday。WhenthelastofAprilcameshewrotetoMrs。Touchettthatsheshouldnowrejoicetoacceptaninvitationgivenlongbefore，andwenttopayavisitatPalazzoCrescentini，MadameMerleonthisoccasionremaininginRome。Shefoundherauntalone。hercousinwasstillatCorfu。Ralph，however，wasexpectedinFlorencefromdaytoday，andIsabel，whohadnotseenhimforupwardsofayear，waspreparedtogivehimthemostaffectionatewelcome。
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Itwasnotofhim，nevertheless，thatshewasthinkingwhileshestoodatthewindownearwhichwefoundherawhileago，anditwasnotofanyofthemattersIhaverapidlysketched。Shewasnotturnedtothepast，buttotheimmediate，impendinghour。Shehadreasontoexpectascene，andshewasnotfondofscenes。Shewasnotaskingherselfwhatsheshouldsaytohervisitor。thisquestionhadalreadybeenanswered。Whathewouldsaytoher-thatwastheinterestingissue。Itcouldbenothingintheleastsoothing-shehadwarrantforthis，andtheconvictiondoubtlessshowedinthecloudonherbrow。Fortherest，however，allclearnessreignedinher。
shehadputawayhermourningandshewalkedinnosmallshimmeringsplendour。Sheonlyfeltolder-eversomuch，andasifshewereworthmoreforit，likesomecuriouspieceinanantiquary’scollection。
Shewasnotatanyrateleftindefinitelytoherapprehensions，foraservantatlaststoodbeforeherwithacardonhistray。Letthegentlemancomein，shesaid，andcontinuedtogazeoutofthewindowafterthefootmanhadretired。Itwasonlywhenshehadheardthedoorclosebehindthepersonwhopresentlyenteredthatshelookedround。
CasparGoodwoodstoodthere-stoodandreceivedamoment，fromheadtofoot，thebright，drygazewithwhichsheratherwithheldthanofferedagreeting。WhetherhissenseofmaturityhadkeptpacewithIsabel’sweshallperhapspresentlyascertain。letmesaymeanwhilethattohercriticalglanceheshowednothingoftheinjuryoftime。
Straight，strongandhard，therewasnothinginhisappearancethatspokepositivelyeitherofyouthorofage。ifhehadneitherinnocencenorweakness，sohehadnopracticalphilosophy。Hisjawshowedthesamevoluntarycastasinearlierdays。butacrisislikethepresenthadinitofcoursesomethinggrim。Hehadtheairofamanwhohadtravelledhard。hesaidnothingatfirst，asifhehadbeenoutofbreath。ThisgaveIsabeltimetomakeareflexion：Poorfellow，whatgreatthingshe’scapableof，andwhatapityheshouldwastesodreadfullyhissplendidforce！Whatapitytoothatonecan’tsatisfyeverybody！Itgavehertimetodomore-tosayattheendofaminute：Ican’ttellyouhowIhopedyouwouldn’tcome！
I’venodoubtofthat。Andhelookedabouthimforaseat。Notonlyhadhecome，buthemeanttosettle。
Youmustbeverytired，saidIsabel，seatingherself，andgenerously，asshethought，togivehimhisopportunity。
No，I’mnotatalltired。Didyoueverknowmetobetired？
Never。IwishIhad！Whendidyouarrive？
Lastnight，verylate。inakindofsnail-traintheycalltheexpress。TheseItaliantrainsgoatabouttherateofanAmericanfuneral。
That’sinkeeping-youmusthavefeltasifyouwerecomingtoburyme！Andsheforcedasmileofencouragementtoaneasyviewoftheirsituation。Shehadreasonedthematterwellout，makingitperfectlyclearthatshebrokenofaithandfalsifiednocontract。butforallthisshewasafraidofhervisitor。Shewasashamedofherfear。butshewasdevoutlythankfultherewasnothingelsetobeashamedof。Helookedatherwithhisstiffinsistence，aninsistenceinwhichtherewassuchawantoftact。especiallywhenthedulldarkbeaminhiseyerestedonherasaphysicalweight。
No，Ididn’tfeelthat。Icouldn’tthinkofyouasdead。IwishI
could！hecandidlydeclared。
Ithankyouimmensely。
I’dratherthinkofyouasdeadthanasmarriedtoanotherman。
That’sveryselfishofyou！shereturnedwiththeardourofarealconviction。Ifyou’renothappyyourselfothershaveyetarighttobe。
Verylikelyit’sselfish。butIdon’tintheleastmindyoursayingso。Idon’tmindanythingyoucansaynow-Idon’tfeelit。Thecruellestthingsyoucouldthinkofwouldbemerepin-pricks。Afterwhatyou’vedoneIshallneverfeelanything-Imeananythingbutthat。ThatIshallfeelallmylife。
Mr。Goodwoodmadethesedetachedassertionswithdrydeliberateness，inhishard，slowAmericantone，whichflungnoatmosphericcolouroverpropositionsintrinsicallycrude。ThetonemadeIsabelangryratherthantouchedher。butherangerperhapswasfortunate，inasmuchasitgaveherafurtherreasonforcontrollingherselfItwasunderthepressureofthiscontrolthatshebecame，afteralittle，irrelevant。WhendidyouleaveNewYork？
Hethrewuphisheadasifcalculating。Seventeendaysago。
Youmusthavetravelledfastinspiteofyourslowtrains。
IcameasfastasIcould。I’dhavecomefivedaysagoifIhadbeenable。
Itwouldn’thavemadeanydifference，Mr。Goodwood，shecoldlysmiled。
Nottoyou-no。Buttome。
YougainnothingthatIsee。
That’sformetojudge！
Ofcourse。Tomeitseemsthatyouonlytormentyourself。Andthen，tochangethesubject，sheaskedhimifhehadseenHenriettaStackpole。HelookedasifhehadnotcomefromBostontoFlorencetotalkofHenriettaStackpole。butheanswered，distinctlyenough，thatthisyoungladyhadbeenwithhimjustbeforeheleftAmerica。
Shecametoseeyou？Isabelthendemanded。
Yes，shewasinBoston，andshecalledatmyoffice。ItwasthedayIhadgotyourletter。
Didyoutellher？Isabelaskedwithacertainanxiety。
Ohno，saidCasparGoodwoodsimply。Ididn’twanttodothat。
She’llhearitquickenough。shehearseverything。
Ishallwritetoher，andthenshe’llwritetomeandscoldme，
Isabeldeclared，tryingtosmileagain。
Caspar，however，remainedsternlygrave。Iguessshe’llcomerightout，hesaid。
Onpurposetoscoldme？
Idon’tknow。SheseemedtothinkshehadnotseenEuropethoroughly。
I’mgladyoutellmethat，Isabelsaid。Imustprepareforher。
Mr。Goodwoodfixedhiseyesforamomentonthefloor。thenatlast，raisingthem，DoessheknowMr。Osmond？heenquired。
Alittle。Andshedoesn’tlikehim。ButofcourseIdon’tmarrytopleaseHenrietta，sheadded。ItwouldhavebeenbetterforpoorCasparifshehadtriedalittlemoretogratifyMissStackpole。buthedidn’tsayso。heonlyasked，presently，whenhermarriagewouldtakeplace。Towhichshemadeanswerthatshedidn’tknowyet。I
canonlysayitwillbesoon。I’vetoldnoonebutyourselfandoneotherperson-anoldfriendofMr。Osmond’s。
Isitamarriageyourfriendswon’tlike？hedemanded。
Ireallyhaven’tanidea。AsIsay，Idon’tmarryformyfriends。
Hewenton，makingnoexclamation，nocomment，onlyaskingquestions，doingitquitewithoutdelicacy。WhoandwhatthenisMr。GilbertOsmond？
Whoandwhat？Nobodyandnothingbutaverygoodandveryhonourableman。He’snotinbusiness，saidIsabel。He’snotrich。
he’snotknownforanythinginparticular。
ShedislikedMr。Goodwood’squestions，butshesaidtoherselfthatsheowedittohimtosatisfyhimasfaraspossible。ThesatisfactionpoorCasparexhibitedwas，however，small。hesatveryupright，gazingather。Wheredoeshecomefrom？Wheredoeshebelong？
Shehadneverbeensolittlepleasedwiththewayhesaidbelawng。
Hecomesfromnowhere。HehasspentmostofhislifeinItaly。
YousaidinyourletterhewasAmerican。Hasn’theanativeplace？
Yes，buthehasforgottenit。Heleftitasasmallboy。
Hashenevergoneback？
Whyshouldhegoback？Isabelasked，flushingalldefensively。Hehasnoprofession。
Hemighthavegonebackforhispleasure。Doesn’theliketheUnitedStates？
Hedoesn’tknowthem。Thenhe’sveryquietandverysimple-hecontentshimselfwithItaly。
WithItalyandwithyou，saidMr。Goodwoodwithgloomyplainnessandnoappearanceoftryingtomakeanepigram。Whathasheeverdone？headdedabruptly。
ThatIshouldmarryhim？Nothingatall，Isabelrepliedwhileherpatiencehelpeditselfbyturningalittletohardness。Ifhehaddonegreatthingswouldyouforgivemeanybetter？Givemeup，Mr。
Goodwood。I’mmarryingaperfectnonentity。Don’ttrytotakeaninterestinhim。Youcan’t。
Ican’tappreciatehim。that’swhatyoumean。Andyoudon’tmeanintheleastthathe’saperfectnonentity。Youthinkhe’sgrand，youthinkhe’sgreat，thoughnooneelsethinksso。
Isabel’scolourdeepened。shefeltthisreallyacuteofhercompanion，anditwascertainlyaproofoftheaidthatpassionmightrenderperceptionsshehadnevertakenforfine。Whydoyoualwayscomebacktowhatothersthink？Ican’tdiscussMr。Osmondwithyou。
Ofcoursenot，saidCasparreasonably。Andhesattherewithhisairofstiffhelplessness，asifnotonlythisweretrue，buttherewerenothingelsethattheymightdiscuss。
Youseehowlittleyougain，sheaccordinglybrokeout-howlittlecomfortorsatisfactionIcangiveyou。
Ididn’texpectyoutogivememuch。
Idon’tunderstandthenwhyyoucame。
IcamebecauseIwantedtoseeyouoncemoreevenjustasyouare。
Iappreciatethat。butifyouhadwaitedawhile，soonerorlaterweshouldhavebeensuretomeet，andourmeetingwouldhavebeenpleasanterforeachofusthanthis。
Waitedtillafteryou’remarried？That’sjustwhatIdidn’twanttodo。
You’llbedifferentthen。
Notvery。Ishallstillbeagreatfriendofyours。You’llsee。
Thatwillmakeitalltheworse，saidMr。Goodwoodgrimly。
Ah，you’reunaccommodating！Ican’tpromisetodislikeyouinordertohelpyoutoresignyourself。
Ishouldn’tcareifyoudid！
Isabelgotupwithamovementofrepressedimpatienceandwalkedtothewindow，wheresheremainedamomentlookingout。Whensheturnedroundhervisitorwasstillmotionlessinhisplace。Shecametowardhimagainandstopped，restingherhandonthebackofthechairshehadjustquitted。Doyoumeanyoucamesimplytolookatme？That’sbetterforyouperhapsthanforme。
Iwishedtohearthesoundofyourvoice，hesaid。
You’veheardit，andyouseeitsaysnothingverysweet。
Itgivesmepleasure，allthesame。Andwiththishegotup。
ShehadfeltpainanddispleasureonreceivingearlythatdaythenewshewasinFlorenceandbyherleavewouldcomewithinanhourtoseeher。Shehadbeenvexedanddistressed，thoughshehadsentbackwordbyhismessengerthathemightcomewhenhewould。Shehadnotbeenbetterpleasedwhenshesawhim。hisbeingthereatallwassofullofheavyimplications。Itimpliedthingsshecouldneverassentto-rights，reproaches，remonstrance，rebuke，theexpectationofmakingherchangeherpurpose。Thesethings，however，ifimplied，hadnotbeenexpressed。andnowouryounglady，strangelyenough，begantoresenthervisitor’sremarkableself-control。Therewasadumbmiseryabouthimthatirritatedher。therewasamanlystayingofhishandthatmadeherheartbeatfaster。Shefeltheragitationrising，andshesaidtoherselfthatshewasangryinthewayawomanisangrywhenshehasbeeninthewrong。Shewasnotinthewrong。shehadfortunatelynotthatbitternesstoswallow。but，allthesame，shewishedhewoulddenounceheralittle。Shehadwishedhisvisitwouldbeshort。ithadnopurpose，nopropriety。yetnowthatheseemedtobeturningawayshefeltasuddenhorrorofhisleavingherwithoututteringawordthatwouldgiveheranopportunitytodefendherselfmorethanshehaddoneinwritingtohimamonthbefore，inafewcarefullychosenwords，toannounceherengagement。
Ifshewerenotinthewrong，however，whyshouldshedesiretodefendherself？ItwasanexcessofgenerosityonIsabel’sparttodesirethatMr。Goodwoodshouldbeangry。Andifhehadnotmeanwhileheldhimselfharditmighthavemadehimsotohearthetoneinwhichshesuddenlyexclaimed，asifshewereaccusinghimofhavingaccusedher：
I’venotdeceivedyou！Iwasperfectlyfree！
Yes，Iknowthat，saidCaspar。
IgaveyoufullwarningthatI’ddoasIchose。
Yousaidyou’dprobablynevermarry，andyousaiditwithsuchamannerthatIprettywellbelievedit。
Sheconsideredthisaninstant。Noonecanbemoresurprisedthanmyselfatmypresentintention。
YoutoldmethatifIheardyouwereengagedIwasnottobelieveit，Casparwenton。Iheardittwentydaysagofromyourself，butIrememberedwhatyouhadsaid。Ithoughttheremightbesomemistake，andthat’spartlywhyIcame。
Ifyouwishmetorepeatitbywordofmouth，that’ssoondone。
There’snomistakewhatever。
IsawthatassoonasIcameintotheroom。
WhatgoodwoulditdoyouthatIshouldn’tmarry？sheaskedwithacertainfierceness。
Ishouldlikeitbetterthanthis。
You’reveryselfish，asIsaidbefore。
Iknowthat。I’mselfishasiron。
Evenironsometimesmelts！Ifyou’llbereasonableI’llseeyouagain。
Don’tyoucallmereasonablenow？
Idon’tknowwhattosaytoyou，sheansweredwithsuddenhumility。
Ishan’ttroubleyouforalongtime，theyoungmanwenton。Hemadeasteptowardsthedoor，buthestopped。AnotherreasonwhyI
camewasthatIwantedtohearwhatyouwouldsayinexplanationofyourhavingchangedyourmind。
Herhumblenessassuddenlydesertedher。Inexplanation？DoyouthinkI’mboundtoexplain？
Hegaveheroneofhislongdumblooks。Youwereverypositive。I
didbelieveit。
SodidI。DoyouthinkIcouldexplainifIwould？
No，Isupposenot。Well，headded，I’vedonewhatIwished。
I’veseenyou。
Howlittleyoumakeoftheseterriblejourneys，shefeltthepovertyofherpresentlyreplying。
Ifyou’reafraidI’mknockedup-inanysuchwayasthat-youmaybeatyoureaseaboutit。Heturnedaway，thistimeinearnest，andnohandshake，nosignofparting，wasexchangedbetweenthem。Atthedoorhestoppedwithhishandontheknob。IshallleaveFlorenceto-morrow，hesaidwithoutaquaver。
I’mdelightedtohearit！sheansweredpassionately。Fiveminutesafterhehadgoneoutsheburstintotears。
CHAPTER33
Herfitofweeping，however，wassoonsmothered，andthesignsofithadvanishedwhen，anhourlater，shebrokethenewstoheraunt。I
usethisexpressionbecauseshehadbeensureMrs。Touchettwouldnotbepleased。IsabelhadonlywaitedtotellhertillshehadseenMr。
Goodwood。ShehadanoddimpressionthatitwouldnotbehonourabletomakethefactpublicbeforesheshouldhaveheardwhatMr。Goodwoodwouldsayaboutit。Hehadsaidratherlessthansheexpected，andshenowhadasomewhatangrysenseofhavinglosttime。Butshewouldlosenomore。shewaitedtillMrs。Touchettcameintothedrawing-roombeforethemid-daybreakfast，andthenshebegan。AuntLydia，I’vesomethingtotellyou。
Mrs。Touchettgavealittlejumpandlookedatheralmostfiercely：Youneedn’ttellme。Iknowwhatitis。
Idon’tknowhowyouknow。
ThesamewaythatIknowwhenthewindow’sopen-byfeelingadraught。You’regoingtomarrythatman。
Whatmandoyoumean？Isabelenquiredwithgreatdignity。
MadameMerle’sfriend-Mr。Osmond。
Idon’tknowwhyyoucallhimMadameMerle’sfriend。Isthattheprincipalthinghe’sknownby？
Ifhe’snotherfriendheoughttoafterwhatshehasdoneforhim！
criedMrs。Touchett。Ishouldn’thaveexpecteditofher。I’mdisappointed。
IfyoumeanthatMadameMerlehashadanythingtodowithmyengagementyou’regreatlymistaken，Isabeldeclaredwithasortofardentcoldness。
Youmeanthatyourattractionsweresufficient，withoutthegentlemanhavinghadtobelashedup？You’requiteright。They’reimmense，yourattractions，andhewouldneverhavepresumedtothinkofyouifshehadn’tputhimuptoit。Hehasaverygoodopinionofhimself，buthewasnotamantotaketrouble。MadameMerletookthetroubleforhim。
Hehastakenagreatdealforhimself！criedIsabelwithavoluntarylaugh。
Mrs。Touchettgaveasharpnod。Ithinkhemust，afterall，tohavemadeyoulikehimsomuch。
Ithoughtheevenpleasedyou。
Hedid，atonetime。andthat’swhyI’mangrywithhim。
Beangrywithme，notwithhim，saidthegirl。
Oh，I’malwaysangrywithyou。that’snosatisfaction！WasitforthisthatyourefusedLordWarburton？
Pleasedon’tgobacktothat。Whyshouldn’tIlikeMr。Osmond，sinceothershavedoneso？
Others，attheirwildestmoments，neverwantedtomarryhim。
There’snothingofhim，Mrs。Touchettexplained。
Thenhecan’thurtme，saidIsabel。
Doyouthinkyou’regoingtobehappy？Noone’shappy，insuchdoings，youshouldknow。
Ishallsetthefashionthen。Whatdoesonemarryfor？
Whatyouwillmarryfor，heavenonlyknows。Peopleusuallymarryastheygointopartnership-tosetupahouse。Butinyourpartnershipyou’llbringeverything。
IsitthatMr。Osmondisn’trich？Isthatwhatyou’retalkingabout？Isabelasked。
Hehasnomoney。hehasnoname。hehasnoimportance。IvaluesuchthingsandIhavethecouragetosayit。Ithinkthey’reveryprecious。Manyotherpeoplethinkthesame，andtheyshowit。Buttheygivesomeotherreason。
Isabelhesitatedalittle。IthinkIvalueeverythingthat’svaluable。Icareverymuchformoney，andthat’swhyIwishMr。Osmondtohavealittle。
Giveittohimthen。butmarrysomeoneelse。
Hisname’sgoodenoughforme，thegirlwenton。It’saveryprettyname。HaveIsuchafineonemyself？
Allthemorereasonyoushouldimproveonit。ThereareonlyadozenAmericannames。Doyoumarryhimoutofcharity？
Itwasmydutytotellyou，AuntLydia，butIdon’tthinkit’smydutytoexplaintoyou。EvenifitwereIshouldn’tbeable。Sopleasedon’tremonstrate。intalkingaboutityouhavemeatadisadvantage。Ican’ttalkaboutit。
Idon’tremonstrate，Isimplyansweryou：Imustgivesomesignofintelligence。Isawitcoming，andIsaidnothing。Inevermeddle。
Youneverdo，andI’mgreatlyobligedtoyou。You’vebeenveryconsiderate。
Itwasnotconsiderate-itwasconvenient，saidMrs。Touchett。ButIshalltalktoMadameMerle。
Idon’tseewhyyoukeepbringingherin。Shehasbeenaverygoodfriendtome。
Possibly。butshehasbeenapooronetome。
Whathasshedonetoyou？
Shehasdeceivedme。Shehadasgoodaspromisedmetopreventyourengagement。
Shecouldn’thavepreventedit。
Shecandoanything。that’swhatI’vealwayslikedherfor。I
knewshecouldplayanypart。butIunderstoodthatsheplayedthemonebyone。Ididn’tunderstandthatshewouldplaytwoatthesametime。
Idon’tknowwhatpartshemayhaveplayedtoyou，Isabelsaid。
that’sbetweenyourselves。Tomeshehasbeenhonestandkindanddevoted。
Devoted，ofcourse。shewishedyoutomarryhercandidate。Shetoldmeshewaswatchingyouonlyinordertointerpose。
Shesaidthattopleaseyou，thegirlanswered。conscious，however，oftheinadequacyoftheexplanation。
Topleasemebydeceivingme？Sheknowsmebetter。AmIpleasedto-day？
Idon’tthinkyou’reevermuchpleased，Isabelwasobligedtoreply。IfMadameMerleknewyouwouldlearnthetruthwhathadshetogainbyinsincerity？
Shegainedtime，asyousee。WhileIwaitedforhertointerfereyouweremarchingaway，andshewasreallybeatingthedrum。
That’sverywell。ButbyyourownadmissionyousawIwasmarching，andevenifshehadgiventhealarmyouwouldn’thavetriedtostopme。
No，butsomeoneelsewould。
Whomdoyoumean？Isabelasked，lookingveryhardatheraunt。
Mrs。Touchett’slittlebrighteyes，activeastheyusuallywere，sustainedhergazeratherthanreturnedit。WouldyouhavelistenedtoRalph？
NotifhehadabusedMr。Osmond。
Ralphdoesn’tabusepeople。youknowthatperfectly。Hecaresverymuchforyou。
Iknowhedoes，saidIsabel。andIshallfeelthevalueofitnow，forheknowsthatwhateverIdoIdowithreason。
Heneverbelievedyouwoulddothis。Itoldhimyouwerecapableofit，andhearguedtheotherway。
Hediditforthesakeofargument，thegirlsmiled。Youdon’taccusehimofhavingdeceivedyou。whyshouldyouaccuseMadameMerle？
Heneverpretendedhe’dpreventit。
I’mgladofthat！criedIsabelgaily。Iwishverymuch，shepresentlyadded，thatwhenhecomesyou’dtellhimfirstofmyengagement。
OfcourseI’llmentionit，saidMrs。Touchett。Ishallsaynothingmoretoyouaboutit，butIgiveyounoticeIshalltalktoothers。
That’sasyouplease。Ionlymeantthatit’sratherbettertheannouncementshouldcomefromyouthanfromme。
Iquiteagreewithyou。it’smuchmoreproper！Andonthistheauntandtheniecewenttobreakfast，whereMrs。Touchett，asgoodasherword，madenoallusiontoGilbertOsmond。Afteranintervalofsilence，however，sheaskedhercompanionfromwhomshehadreceivedavisitanhourbefore。
Fromanoldfriend-anAmericangentleman，Isabelsaidwithacolourinhercheek。
AnAmericangentlemanofcourse。It’sonlyanAmericangentlemanwhocallsatteno’clockinthemorning。
Itwashalf-pastten。hewasinagreathurry。hegoesawaythisevening。
Couldn’thehavecomeyesterday，attheusualtime？
Heonlyarrivedlastnight。
Hespendsbuttwenty-fourhoursinFlorence？Mrs。Touchettcried。He’sanAmericangentlemantruly。
Heisindeed，saidIsabel，thinkingwithperverseadmirationofwhatCasparGoodwoodhaddoneforher。
TwodaysafterwardRalpharrived。butthoughIsabelwassurethatMrs。Touchetthadlostnotimeinimpartingtohimthegreatfact，heshowedatfirstnoopenknowledgeofit。Theirpromptedtalkwasnaturallyofhishealth。IsabelhadmanyquestionstoaskaboutCorfu。
Shehadbeenshockedbyhisappearancewhenhecameintotheroom。shehadforgottenhowillhelooked。InspiteofCorfuhelookedveryillto-day，andshewonderedifhewerereallyworseorifsheweresimplydisaccustomedtolivingwithaninvalid。PoorRalphmadenonearerapproachtoconventionalbeautyasheadvancedinlife，andthenowapparentlycompletelossofhishealthhaddonelittletomitigatethenaturaloddityofhisperson。Blightedandbattered，butstillresponsiveandstillironic，hisfacewaslikealightedlanternpatchedwithpaperandunsteadilyheld。histhinwhiskerlanguisheduponaleancheek。theexorbitantcurveofhisnosedefineditselfmoresharply。Leanhewasaltogether，leanandlongandloose-jointed。
anaccidentalcohesionofrelaxedangles。Hisbrownvelvetjackethadbecomeperennial。hishandshadfixedthemselvesinhispockets。
heshambledandstumbledandshuffledinamannerthatdenotedgreatphysicalhelplessness。Itwasperhapsthiswhimsicalgaitthathelpedtomarkhischaractermorethaneverasthatofthehumorousinvalid-theinvalidforwhomevenhisowndisabilitiesarepartofthegeneraljoke。TheymightwellindeedwithRalphhavebeenthechiefcauseofthewantofseriousnessmarkinghisviewofaworldinwhichthereasonforhisowncontinuedpresencewaspastfindingout。Isabelhadgrownfondofhisugliness。hisawkwardnesshadbecomedeartoher。Theyhadbeensweetenedbyassociation。theystruckherastheverytermsonwhichithadbeengivenhimtobecharming。Hewassocharmingthathersenseofhisbeingillhadhithertohadasortofcomfortinit。thestateofhishealthhadseemednotalimitation，butakindofintellectualadvantage。itabsolvedhimfromallprofessionalandofficialemotionsandlefthimtheluxuryofbeingexclusivelypersonal。Thepersonalitysoresultingwasdelightful。hehadremainedproofagainstthestalenessofdisease。hehadhadtoconsenttobedeplorablyill，yethadsomehowescapedbeingformallysick。Suchhadbeenthegirl’simpressionofhercousin。
andwhenshehadpitiedhimitwasonlyonreflection。Asshereflectedagooddealshehadallowedhimacertainamountofcompassion。butshealwayshadadreadofwastingthatessence-apreciousarticle，worthmoretothegiverthantoanyoneelse。Now，however，ittooknogreatsensibilitytofeelthatpoorRalph’stenureoflifewaslesselasticthanitshouldbe。Hewasabright，free，generousspirit，hehadalltheilluminationofwisdomandnoneofitspedantry，andyethewasdistressfullydying。
Isabelnotedafreshthatlifewascertainlyhardforsomepeople，andshefeltadelicateglowofshameasshethoughthoweasyitnowpromisedtobecomeforherself。ShewaspreparedtolearnthatRalphwasnotpleasedwithherengagement。butshewasnotprepared，inspiteofheraffectionforhim，toletthisfactspoilthesituation。Shewasnotevenprepared，orsoshethought，toresenthiswantofsympathy。foritwouldbehisprivilege-itwouldbeindeedhisnaturalline-tofindfaultwithanystepshemighttaketowardmarriage。One’scousinalwayspretendedtohateone’shusband。thatwastraditional，classical。itwasapartofone’scousin’salwayspretendingtoadoreone。Ralphwasnothingifnotcritical。andthoughshewouldcertainly，otherthingsbeingequal，havebeenasgladtomarrytopleasehimastopleaseanyone，itwouldbeabsurdtoregardasimportantthatherchoiceshouldsquarewithhisviews。Whatwerehisviewsafterall？HehadpretendedtobelieveshehadbetterhavemarriedLordWarburton。butthiswasonlybecauseshehadrefusedthatexcellentman。IfshehadacceptedhimRalphwouldcertainlyhavetakenanothertone。healwaystooktheopposite。Youcouldcriticizeanymarriage。itwastheessenceofamarriagetobeopentocriticism。Howwellsheherself，shouldsheonlygivehermindtoit，mightcriticizethisunionofherown！Shehadotheremployment，however，andRalphwaswelcometorelieveherofthecare。Isabelwaspreparedtobemostpatientandmostindulgent。Hemusthaveseenthat，andthismadeitthemoreoddheshouldsaynothing。
Afterthreedayshadelapsedwithouthisspeakingouryoungwomanweariedofwaiting。dislikeitashewould，hemightatleastgothroughtheform。We，whoknowmoreaboutpoorRalphthanhiscousin，mayeasilybelievethatduringthehoursthatfollowedhisarrivalatPalazzoCrescentinihehadprivatelygonethroughmanyforms。Hismotherhadliterallygreetedhimwiththegreatnews，whichhadbeenevenmoresensiblychillingthanMrs。Touchett’smaternalkiss。Ralphwasshockedandhumiliated。hiscalculationshadbeenfalseandthepersonintheworldinwhomhewasmostinterestedwaslost。Hedriftedaboutthehouselikearudderlessvesselinarockystream，orsatinthegardenofthepalaceonagreatcanechair，hislonglegsextended，hisheadthrownbackandhishatpulledoverhiseyes。Hefeltcoldabouttheheart。hehadneverlikedanythingless。Whatcouldhedo，whatcouldhesay？Ifthegirlwereirreclaimablecouldhepretendtolikeit？Toattempttoreclaimherwaspermissibleonlyiftheattemptshouldsucceed。Totrytopersuadeherofanythingsordidorsinisterinthemantowhosedeepartshehadsuccumbedwouldbedecentlydiscreetonlyintheeventofherbeingpersuaded。Otherwiseheshouldsimplyhavedamnedhimself。Itcosthimanequalefforttospeakhisthoughtandtodissemble。hecouldneitherassentwithsinceritynorprotestwithhope。Meanwhileheknew-orratherhesupposed-thattheaffiancedpairweredailyrenewingtheirmutualvows。OsmondatthismomentshowedhimselflittleatPalazzoCrescentini。butIsabelmethimeverydayelsewhere，asshewasfreetodoaftertheirengagementhadbeenmadepublic。Shehadtakenacarriagebythemonth，soasnottobeindebtedtoherauntforthemeansofpursuingacourseofwhichMrs。Touchettdisapproved，andshedroveinthemorningtotheCascine。Thissuburbanwilderness，duringtheearlyhours，wasvoidofallintruders，andouryounglady，joinedbyherloverinitsquietestpart，strolledwithhimawhilethroughthegreyItalianshadeandlistenedtothenightingales。
CHAPTER34
Onemorning，onherreturnfromherdrive，somehalf-hourbeforeluncheon，shequittedhervehicleinthecourtofthepalaceand，insteadofascendingthegreatstaircase，crossedthecourt，passedbeneathanotherarchwayandenteredthegarden。Asweeterspotatthismomentcouldnothavebeenimagined。Thestillnessofnoontidehungoverit，andthewarmshade，enclosedandstill，madebowerslikespaciouscaves。Ralphwassittingthereinthecleargloom，atthebaseofastatueofTerpsichore-adancingnymphwithtaperfingersandinflateddraperiesinthemannerofBernini。theextremerelaxationofhisattitudesuggestedatfirsttoIsabelthathewasasleep。Herlightfootsteponthegrasshadnotrousedhim，andbeforeturningawayshestoodforamomentlookingathim。Duringthisinstantheopenedhiseyes。uponwhichshesatdownonarusticchairthatmatchedwithhisown。Thoughinherirritationshehadaccusedhimofindifferenceshewasnotblindtothefactthathehadvisiblyhadsomethingtobroodover。Butshehadexplainedhisairofabsencepartlybythelanguorofhisincreasedweakness，partlybyworriesconnectedwiththepropertyinheritedfromhisfather-thefruitofeccentricarrangementsofwhichMrs。Touchettdisapprovedandwhich，asshehadtoldIsabel，nowencounteredoppositionfromtheotherpartnersinthebank。HeoughttohavegonetoEngland，hismothersaid，insteadofcomingtoFlorence。hehadnotbeenthereformonths，andtooknomoreinterestinthebankthaninthestateofPatagonia。
I’msorryIwakedyou，Isabelsaid。youlooktootired。
Ifeeltootired。ButIwasnotasleep。Iwasthinkingofyou。
Areyoutiredofthat？
Verymuchso。Itleadstonothing。Theroad’slongandIneverarrive。
Whatdoyouwishtoarriveat？sheputtohim，closingherparasol。
AtthepointofexpressingtomyselfproperlywhatIthinkofyourengagement。
Don’tthinktoomuchofit，shelightlyreturned。
Doyoumeanthatit’snoneofmybusiness？
Beyondacertainpoint，yes。
That’sthepointIwanttofix。Ihadanideayoumayhavefoundmewantingingoodmanners。I’venevercongratulatedyou。
OfcourseI’venoticedthat。Iwonderedwhyyouweresilent。
Therehavebeenagoodmanyreasons。I’lltellyounow，Ralphsaid。Hepulledoffhishatandlaiditontheground。thenhesatlookingather。HeleanedbackundertheprotectionofBernini，hisheadagainsthismarblepedestal，hisarmsdroppedoneithersideofhim，hishandslaidupontherestsofhiswidechair。Helookedawkward，uncomfortable。hehesitatedlong。Isabelsaidnothing。whenpeoplewereembarrassedshewasusuallysorryforthem，butshewasdeterminednottohelpRalphtoutterawordthatshouldnotbetothehonourofherhighdecision。IthinkI’vehardlygotovermysurprise，hewentonatlast。YouwerethelastpersonIexpectedtoseecaught。
Idon’tknowwhyyoucallitcaught。
Becauseyou’regoingtobeputintoacage。
IfIlikemycage，thatneedn’ttroubleyou，sheanswered。
That’swhatIwonderat。that’swhatI’vebeenthinkingof。
Ifyou’vebeenthinkingyoumayimaginehowI’vethought！I’msatisfiedthatI’mdoingwell。
Youmusthavechangedimmensely。Ayearagoyouvaluedyourlibertybeyondeverything。Youwantedonlytoseelife。
I’veseenit，saidIsabel。Itdoesn’tlooktomenow，Iadmit，suchaninvitingexpanse。
Idon’tpretenditis。onlyIhadanideathatyoutookagenialviewofitandwantedtosurveythewholefield。
I’veseenthatonecan’tdoanythingsogeneral。Onemustchooseacornerandcultivatethat。
That’swhatIthink。Andonemustchooseasgoodacorneraspossible。Ihadanidea，allwinter，whileIreadyourdelightfulletters，thatyouwerechoosing。Yousaidnothingaboutit，andyoursilenceputmeoffmyguard。
ItwasnotamatterIwaslikelytowritetoyouabout。Besides，Iknewnothingofthefuture。Ithasallcomelately。Ifyouhadbeenonyourguard，however，Isabelasked，whatwouldyouhavedone？
Ishouldhavesaid’Waitalittlelonger。’
Waitforwhat？
Well，foralittlemorelight，saidRalphwithratheranabsurdsmile，whilehishandsfoundtheirwayintohispockets。
Whereshouldmylighthavecomefrom？Fromyou？
Imighthavestruckasparkortwo。
Isabelhaddrawnoffhergloves。shesmoothedthemoutastheylayuponherknee。Themildnessofthismovementwasaccidental，forherexpressionwasnotconciliatory。You’rebeatingaboutthebush，Ralph。Youwishtosayyoudon’tlikeMr。Osmond，andyetyou’reafraid。
’Willingtowoundandyetafraidtostrike’？I’mwillingtowoundhim，yes-butnottowoundyou。I’mafraidofyou，notofhim。Ifyoumarryhimitwon’tbeafortunatewayformetohavespoken。
IfImarryhim！Haveyouhadanyexpectationofdissuadingme？
Ofcoursethatseemstoyoutoofatuous。
No，saidIsabelafteralittle。itseemstometootouching。
That’sthesamething。Itmakesmesoridiculousthatyoupityme。
Shestrokedoutherlongglovesagain。Iknowyou’veagreataffectionforme。Ican’tgetridofthat。
Forheaven’ssakedon’ttry。Keepthatwellinsight。ItwillconvinceyouhowintenselyIwantyoutodowell。
Andhowlittleyoutrustme！
Therewasamoment’ssilence。thewarmnoon-tideseemedtolisten。
Itrustyou，butIdon’ttrusthim，saidRalph。
Sheraisedhereyesandgavehimawide，deeplook。You’vesaiditnow，andI’mgladyou’vemadeitsoclear。Butyou’llsufferbyit。
Notifyou’rejust。
I’mveryjust，saidIsabel。WhatbetterproofofitcantherebethanthatI’mnotangrywithyou？Idon’tknowwhat’sthematterwithme，butI’mnot。Iwaswhenyoubegan，butithaspassedaway。
PerhapsIoughttobeangry，butMr。Osmondwouldn’tthinkso。Hewantsmetoknoweverything。that’swhatIlikehimfor。You’venothingtogain，Iknowthat。I’veneverbeensonicetoyou，asagirl，thatyoushouldhavemuchreasonforwishingmetoremainone。
Yougiveverygoodadvice。you’veoftendoneso。No，I’mveryquiet。
I’vealwaysbelievedinyourwisdom，shewenton，boastingofherquietness，yetspeakingwithakindofcontainedexaltation。Itwasherpassionatedesiretobejust。ittouchedRalphtotheheart，affectedhimlikeacaressfromacreaturehehadinjured。Hewishedtointerrupt，toreassureher。foramomenthewasabsurdlyinconsistent。hewouldhaveretractedwhathehadsaid。Butshegavehimnochance。shewenton，havingcaughtaglimpse，asshethought，oftheheroiclineanddesiringtoadvanceinthatdirection。Iseeyou’vesomespecialidea。Ishouldlikeverymuchtohearit。I’msureit’sdisinterested。Ifeelthat。Itseemsastrangethingtoargueabout，andofcourseIoughttotellyoudefinitelythatifyouexpecttodissuademeyoumaygiveitup。You’llnotmovemeaninch。it’stoolate。Asyousay，I’mcaught。Certainlyitwon’tbepleasantforyoutorememberthis，butyourpainwillbeinyourownthoughts。I
shallneverreproachyou。
Idon’tthinkyoueverwill，saidRalph。It’snotintheleastthesortofmarriageIthoughtyou’dmake。
Whatsortofmarriagewasthat，pray？
Well，Icanhardlysay。Ihadn’texactlyapositiveviewofit，butIhadanegative。Ididn’tthinkyou’ddecidefor-well，forthattype。
What’sthematterwithMr。Osmond’stype，ifitbeone？Hisbeingsoindependent，soindividual，iswhatImostseeinhim，thegirldeclared。Whatdoyouknowagainsthim？Youknowhimscarcelyatall。
Yes，Ralphsaid，Iknowhimverylittle，andIconfessI
haven’tfactsanditemstoprovehimavillain。ButallthesameI
can’thelpfeelingthatyou’rerunningagraverisk。
Marriageisalwaysagraverisk，andhisrisk’sasgraveasmine。
That’shisaffair！Ifhe’safraid，lethimbackout。IwishtoGodhewould。
Isabelreclinedinherchair，foldingherarmsandgazingawhileathercousin。Idon’tthinkIunderstandyou，shesaidatlastcoldly。
Idon’tknowwhatyou’retalkingabout。
Ibelievedyou’dmarryamanofmoreimportance。
Cold，Isay，hertonehadbeen，butatthisacolourlikeaflameleapedintoherface。Ofmoreimportancetowhom？Itseemstomeenoughthatone’shusbandshouldbeofimportancetoone’sself！
Ralphblushedaswell。hisattitudeembarrassedhim。Physicallyspeakingheproceededtochangeit。hestraightenedhimself，thenleanedforward，restingahandoneachknee。Hefixedhiseyesontheground。hehadanairofthemostrespectfuldeliberation。I’lltellyouinamomentwhatImean，hepresentlysaid。Hefeltagitated，intenselyeager。nowthathehadopenedthediscussionhewishedtodischargehismind。Buthewishedalsotobesuperlativelygentle。
Isabelwaitedalittle-thenshewentonwithmajesty。IneverythingthatmakesonecareforpeopleMr。Osmondispre-eminent。Theremaybenoblernatures，butI’veneverhadthepleasureofmeetingone。Mr。
Osmond’sisthefinestIknow。he’sgoodenoughforme，andinterestingenough，andcleverenough。I’mfarmorestruckwithwhathehasandwhatherepresentsthanwithwhathemaylack。
Ihadtreatedmyselftoacharmingvisionofyourfuture，Ralphobservedwithoutansweringthis：Ihadamusedmyselfwithplanningoutahighdestinyforyou。Therewastobenothingofthissortinit。Youwerenottocomedownsoeasilyorsosoon。
Comedown，yousay？
Well，thatrendersmysenseofwhathashappenedtoyou。Youseemedtometobesoaringfarupintheblue-tobe，sailinginthebrightlight，overtheheadsofmen。Suddenlysomeonetossesupafadedrosebud-amissilethatshouldneverhavereachedyou-andstraightyoudroptotheground。Ithurtsme，saidRalphaudaciously，hurtsmeasifIhadfallenmyself！
Thelookofpainandbewildermentdeepenedinhiscompanion’sface。Idon’tunderstandyouintheleast，sherepeated。Yousayyouamusedyourselfwithaprojectformycareer-Idon’tunderstandthat。Don’tamuseyourselftoomuch，orIshallthinkyou’redoingitatmyexpense。
Ralphshookhishead。I’mnotafraidofyournotbelievingthatI’vehadgreatideasforyou。
Whatdoyoumeanbymysoaringandsailing？shepursued。I’venevermovedonahigherplanethanI’mmovingonnow。There’snothinghigherforagirlthantomarrya-apersonshelikes，saidpoorIsabel，wanderingintothedidactic。
It’syourlikingthepersonwespeakofthatIventuretocriticize，mydearcousin。Ishouldhavesaidthatthemanforyouwouldhavebeenamoreactive，larger，freersortofnature。Ralphhesitated，thenadded：Ican’tgetoverthesensethatOsmondissomehow-well，small。Hehadutteredthelastwordwithnogreatassurance。hewasafraidshewouldflashoutagain。Buttohissurpriseshewasquiet。shehadtheairofconsidering。