There’sagooddealinthat。andindeedouryoungladyfelttheforceofit-feltitthrownoff，intothevastoftruthandpoetry，aspracticallyabaittoherimagination。Butshepromptlycameround。
Thinkofmeornot，asyoufindmostpossible。onlyleavemealone。
Untilwhen？
Well，forayearortwo。
Whichdoyoumean？Betweenoneyearandtwothere’sallthedifferenceintheworld。
Callittwothen，saidIsabelwithastudiedeffectofeagerness。
AndwhatshallIgainbythat？herfriendaskedwithnosignofwincing。
You’llhaveobligedmegreatly。
Andwhatwillbemyreward？
Doyouneedarewardforanactofgenerosity？
Yes，whenitinvolvesagreatsacrifice。
There’snogenerositywithoutsomesacrifice。Mendon’tunderstandsuchthings。Ifyoumakethesacrificeyou’llhaveallmyadmiration。
Idon’tcareacentforyouradmiration-notonestraw，withnothingtoshowforit。Whenwillyoumarryme？That’stheonlyquestion。
Never-ifyougoonmakingmefeelonlyasIfeelatpresent。
WhatdoIgainthenbynottryingtomakeyoufeelotherwise？
You’llgainquiteasmuchasbyworryingmetodeath！CasparGoodwoodbenthiseyesagainandgazedawhileintothecrownofhishat。Adeepflushoverspreadhisface。shecouldseehersharpnesshadatlastpenetrated。Thisimmediatelyhadavalue-classic，romantic，redeeming，whatdidsheknow？-forher。thestrongmaninpainwasoneofthecategoriesofthehumanappeal，littlecharmashemightexertinthegivencase。Whydoyoumakemesaysuchthingstoyou？shecriedinatremblingvoice。Ionlywanttobegentle-tobethoroughlykind。It’snotdelightfultometofeelpeoplecareformeandyettohavetotryandreasonthemoutofit。Ithinkothersalsooughttobeconsiderate。wehaveeachtojudgeforourselves。I
knowyou’reconsiderate，asmuchasyoucanbe。you’vegoodreasonsforwhatyoudo。ButIreallydon’twanttomarry，ortotalkaboutitatallnow。Ishallprobablyneverdoit-no，never。I’veaperfectrighttofeelthatway，andit’snokindnesstoawomantopresshersohard，tourgeheragainstherwill。IfIgiveyoupainIcanonlysayI’mverysorry。It’snotmyfault。Ican’tmarryyousimplytopleaseyou。Iwon’tsaythatIshallalwaysremainyourfriend，becausewhenwomensaythat，inthesesituations，itpasses，I
believe，forasortofmockery。Buttrymesomeday。
CasparGoodwood，duringthisspeech，hadkepthiseyesfixeduponthenameofhishatter，anditwasnotuntilsometimeaftershehadceasedspeakingthatheraisedthem。Whenhedidsothesightofarosy，lovelyeagernessinIsabel’sfacethrewsomeconfusionintohisattempttoanalyzeherwords。I’llgohome-I’llgoto-morrow-
I’llleaveyoualone，hebroughtoutatlast。Only，heheavilysaid，Ihatetolosesightofyou！
Neverfear。Ishalldonoharm。
You’llmarrysomeoneelse，assureasIsithere，CasparGoodwooddeclared。
Doyouthinkthatagenerouscharge？
Whynot？Plentyofmenwilltrytomakeyou。
ItoldyoujustnowthatIdon’twishtomarryandthatIalmostcertainlynevershall。
Iknowyoudid，andIlikeyour’almostcertainly’！Iputnofaithinwhatyousay。
Thankyouverymuch。Doyouaccusemeoflyingtoshakeyouoff？
Yousayverydelicatethings。
WhyshouldInotsaythat？You’vegivenmenopledgeofanythingatall。
No，that’sallthatwouldbewanting！
Youmayperhapsevenbelieveyou’resafe-fromwishingtobe。Butyou’renot，theyoungmanwentonasifpreparinghimselffortheworst。
Verywellthen。We’llputitthatI’mnotsafe。Haveitasyouplease。
Idon’tknow，however，saidCasparGoodwood，thatmykeepingyouinsightwouldpreventit。
Don’tyouindeed？I’mafterallverymuchafraidofyou。DoyouthinkI’msoveryeasilypleased？sheaskedsuddenly，changinghertone。
No-Idon’t。Ishalltrytoconsolemyselfwiththat。Butthereareacertainnumberofverydazzlingmenintheworld，nodoubt。andiftherewereonlyoneitwouldbeenough。Themostdazzlingofallwillmakestraightforyou。You’llbesuretotakenoonewhoisn’tdazzling。
Ifyoumeanbydazzlingbrilliantlyclever，Isabelsaid-andI
can’timaginewhatelseyoumean-Idon’tneedtheaidofaclevermantoteachmehowtolive。Icanfinditoutformyself。
Findouthowtolivealone？Iwishthat，whenyouhave，you’dteachme！
Shelookedathimamoment。thenwithaquicksmile，Oh，yououghttomarry！shesaid。
Hemightbepardonedifforaninstantthisexclamationseemedtohimtosoundtheinfernalnote，anditisnotonrecordthathermotivefordischargingsuchashafthadbeenoftheclearest。Heoughtn’ttostrideaboutleanandhungry，however-shecertainlyfeltthatforhim。Godforgiveyou！hemurmuredbetweenhisteethasheturnedaway。
Heraccenthadputherslightlyinthewrong，andafteramomentshefelttheneedtorightherself。Theeasiestwaytodoitwastoplacehimwhereshehadbeen。Youdomegreatinjustice-yousaywhatyoudon’tknow！shebrokeout。Ishouldn’tbeaneasyvictim-I’veprovedit。
Oh，tome，perfectly。
I’veprovedittoothersaswell。Andshepausedamoment。I
refusedaproposalofmarriagelastweek。whattheycall-nodoubt-
adazzlingone。
I’mverygladtohearit，saidtheyoungmangravely。
Itwasaproposalmanygirlswouldhaveaccepted。ithadeverythingtorecommendit。Isabelhadnotproposedtoherselftotellthisstory，but，nowshehadbegun，thesatisfactionofspeakingitoutanddoingherselfjusticetookpossessionofher。Iwasofferedagreatpositionandagreatfortune-byapersonwhomIlikeextremely。
Casparwatchedherwithintenseinterest。IsheanEnglishman？
He’sanEnglishnobleman，saidIsabel。
Hervisitorreceivedthisannouncementatfirstinsilence，butatlastsaid：I’mgladhe’sdisappointed。
Wellthen，asyouhavecompanionsinmisfortune，makethebestofit。
Idon’tcallhimacompanion，saidCaspargrimly。
Whynot-sinceIdeclinedhisofferabsolutely？
Thatdoesn’tmakehimmycompanion。Besides，he’sanEnglishman。
Andprayisn’tanEnglishmanahumanbeing？Isabelasked。
Oh，thosepeople？They’renotofmyhumanity，andIdon’tcarewhatbecomesofthem。
You’reveryangry，saidthegirl。We’vediscussedthismatterquiteenough。
Ohyes，I’mveryangry。Ipleadguiltytothat！
Sheturnedawayfromhim，walkedtotheopenwindowandstoodamomentlookingintotheduskyvoidofthestreet，whereaturbidgaslightalonerepresentedsocialanimation。Forsometimeneitheroftheseyoungpersonsspoke。Casparlingerednearthechimney-piecewitheyesgloomilyattached。Shehadvirtuallyrequestedhimtogo-heknewthat。butattheriskofmakinghimselfodioushekepthisground。Shewastoonursedaneedtobeeasilyrenounced，andhehadcrossedtheseaalltowringfromhersomescrapofavow。Presentlysheleftthewindowandstoodagainbeforehim。Youdomeverylittlejustice-aftermytellingyouwhatItoldyoujustnow。I’msorryI
toldyou-sinceitmatterssolittletoyou。
Ah，criedtheyoungman，ifyouwerethinkingofmewhenyoudidit！Andthenhepausedwiththefearthatshemightcontradictsohappyathought。
Iwasthinkingofyoualittle，saidIsabel。
Alittle？Idon’tunderstand。IftheknowledgeofwhatIfeelforyouhadanyweightwithyouatall，callingita’little’isapooraccountofit。
Isabelshookherheadasiftocarryoffablunder。I’verefusedamostkind，noblegentleman。Makethemostofthat。
Ithankyouthen，saidCasparGoodwoodgravely。Ithankyouimmensely。
Andnowyouhadbettergohome。
MayInotseeyouagain？heasked。
Ithinkit’sbetternot。You’llbesuretotalkofthis，andyouseeitleadstonothing。
Ipromiseyounottosayawordthatwillannoyyou。
Isabelreflectedandthenanswered：Ireturninadayortwotomyuncle’s，andIcan’tproposetoyoutocomethere。Itwouldbetooinconsistent。
CasparGoodwood，onhisside，considered。Youmustdomejusticetoo。Ireceivedaninvitationtoyouruncle’smorethanaweekago，andIdeclinedit。
Shebetrayedsurprise。Fromwhomwasyourinvitation？
FromMr。RalphTouchett，whomIsupposetobeyourcousin。I
declineditbecauseIhadnotyourauthorizationtoacceptit。ThesuggestionthatMr。TouchettshouldinvitemeappearedtohavecomefromMissStackpole。
Itcertainlyneverdidfromme。Henriettareallygoesveryfar，
Isabeladded。
Don’tbetoohardonher-thattouchesme。
No。ifyoudeclinedyoudidquiteright，andIthankyouforit。
AndshegavealittleshudderofdismayatthethoughtthatLordWarburtonandMr。GoodwoodmighthavemetatGardencourt：itwouldhavebeensoawkwardforLordWarburton。
Whenyouleaveyourunclewheredoyougo？hercompanionasked。
Igoabroadwithmyaunt-toFlorenceandotherplaces。
Theserenityofthisannouncementstruckachilltotheyoungman’sheart。heseemedtoseeherwhirledawayintocirclesfromwhichhewasinexorablyexcluded。Neverthelesshewentonquicklywithhisquestions。AndwhenshallyoucomebacktoAmerica？
Perhapsnotforalongtime。I’mveryhappyhere。
Doyoumeantogiveupyourcountry？
Don’tbeaninfant！
Well，you’llbeoutofmysightindeed！saidCasparGoodwood。
Idon’tknow，sheansweredrathergrandly。Theworld-withalltheseplacessoarrangedandsotouchingeachother-comestostrikeoneasrathersmall。
It’sasighttoobigforme！Casparexclaimedwithasimplicityouryoungladymighthavefoundtouchingifherfacehadnotbeensetagainstconcessions。
Thisattitudewaspartofasystem，atheory，thatshehadlatelyembraced，andtobethoroughshesaidafteramoment：Don’tthinkmeunkindifIsayit’sjustthat-beingoutofyoursight-thatI
like。IfyouwereinthesameplaceIshouldfeelyouwerewatchingme，andIdon’tlikethat-Ilikemylibertytoomuch。Ifthere’sathingintheworldI’mfondof，shewentonwithaslightrecurrenceofgrandeur，it’smypersonalindependence。
ButwhatevertheremightbeofthetoosuperiorinthisspeechmovedCasparGoodwood’sadmiration。therewasnothinghewincedatinthelargeairofit。Hehadneversupposedshehadn’twingsandtheneedofbeautifulfreemovements-hewasn’t，withhisownlongarmsandstrides，afraidofanyforceinher。Isabel’swords，iftheyhadbeenmeanttoshockhim，failedofthemarkandonlymadehimsmilewiththesensethatherewascommonground。WhowouldwishlesstocurtailyourlibertythanI？Whatcangivemegreaterpleasurethantoseeyouperfectlyindependent-doingwhateveryoulike？It’stomakeyouindependentthatIwanttomarryyou。
That’sabeautifulsophism，saidthegirlwithasmilemorebeautifulstill。
Anummarriedwoman-agirlofyourage-isn’tindependent。Thereareallsortsofthingsshecan’tdo。She’shamperedateverystep。
That’sasshelooksatthequestion，Isabelansweredwithmuchspirit。notinmyfirstyouth-IcandowhatIchoose-Ibelongquitetotheindependentclass。I’veneitherfathernormother。I’mpoorandofaseriousdisposition。I’mnotpretty。Ithereforeamnotboundtobetimidandconventional。indeedIcan’taffordsuchluxuries。Besides，Itrytojudgethingsformyself。tojudgewrong，I
think，ismorehonourablethannottojudgeatall。Idon’twishtobeameresheepintheflock。Iwishtochoosemyfateandknowsomethingofhumanaffairsbeyondwhatotherpeoplethinkitcompatiblewithproprietytotellme。Shepausedamoment，butnotlongenoughforhercompaniontoreply。Hewasapparentlyonthepointofdoingsowhenshewenton：Letmesaythistoyou，Mr。Goodwood。You’resokindastospeakofbeingafraidofmymarrying。IfyoushouldheararumourthatI’monthepointofdoingso-girlsareliabletohavesuchthingssaidaboutthem-rememberwhatIhavetoldyouaboutmyloveoflibertyandventuretodoubtit。
Therewassomethingpassionatelypositiveinthetoneinwhichshegavehimthisadvice，andhesawashiningcandourinhereyesthathelpedhimtobelieveher。Onthewholehefeltreassured，andyoumighthaveperceiveditbythemannerinwhichhesaid，quiteeagerly：
Youwantsimplytotravelfortwoyears？I’mquitewillingtowaittwoyears，andyoumaydowhatyoulikeintheinterval。Ifthat’sallyouwant，praysayso。Idon’twantyoutobeconventional。doI
strikeyouasconventionalmyself？Doyouwanttoimproveyourmind？
Yourmind’squitegoodenoughforme。butifitinterestsyoutowanderaboutawhileandseedifferentcountriesIshallbedelightedtohelpyouinanywayinmypower。
You’reverygenerous。that’snothingnewtome。Thebestwaytohelpmewillbetoputasmanyhundredmilesofseabetweenusaspossible。
Onewouldthinkyouweregoingtocommitsomeatrocity！saidCasparGoodwood。
PerhapsIam。Iwishtobefreeeventodothatifthefancytakesme。
Wellthen，hesaidslowly，I’llgohome。Andheputouthishand，tryingtolookcontentedandconfident。
Isabel’sconfidenceinhim，however，wasgreaterthananyhecouldfeelinher。Notthathethoughthercapableofcommittinganatrocity。but，turnitoverashewould，therewassomethingominousinthewayshereservedheroption。Asshetookhishandshefeltagreatrespectforhim。sheknewhowmuchhecaredforherandshethoughthimmagnanimous。Theystoodsoforamoment，lookingateachother，unitedbyahand-claspwhichwasnotmerelypassiveonherside。That’sright，shesaidverykindly，almosttenderly。You’lllosenothingbybeingareasonableman。
ButI’llcomeback，whereveryouare，twoyearshence，hereturnedwithcharacteristicgrimness。
Wehaveseenthatouryoungladywasinconsequent，andatthisshesuddenlychangedhernote。Ah，remember，Ipromisenothing-
absolutelynothing！Thenmoresoftly，asiftohelphimtoleaveher：
AndremembertoothatIshallnotbeaneasyvictim！
You’llgetverysickofyourindependence。
PerhapsIshall。it’sevenveryprobable。WhenthatdaycomesI
shallbeverygladtoseeyou。
Shehadlaidherhandontheknobofthedoorthatledintoherroom，andshewaitedamomenttoseewhetherhervisitorwouldnottakehisdeparture。Butheappearedunabletomove。therewasstillanimmenseunwillingnessinhisattitudeandasoreremonstranceinhiseyes。Imustleaveyounow，saidIsabel。andsheopenedthedoorandpassedintotheotherroom。
Thisapartmentwasdark，butthedarknesswastemperedbyavagueradiancesentupthroughthewindowfromthecourtofthehotel，andIsabelcouldmakeoutthemassesofthefurniture，thedimshiningofthemirrorandtheloomingofthebigfour-postedbed。Shestoodstillamoment，listening，andatlastsheheardCasparGoodwoodwalkoutofthesitting-roomandclosethedoorbehindhim。Shestoodstillalittlelonger，andthen，byanirresistibleimpulse，droppedonherkneesbeforeherbedandhidherfaceinherarms。
CHAPTER17
Shewasnotpraying。shewastrembling-tremblingallover。
Vibrationwaseasytoher，wasinfacttooconstantwithher，andshefoundherselfnowhumminglikeasmittenharp。Sheonlyasked，however，toputonthecover，tocaseherselfagaininbrownholland，butshewishedtoresistherexcitement，andtheattitudeofdevotion，whichshekeptforsometime，seemedtohelphertobestill。SheintenselyrejoicedthatCasparGoodwoodwasgone。therewassomethinginhavingthusgotridofhimthatwaslikethepayment，forastampedreceipt，ofsomedebttoolongonhermind。Asshefeltthegladreliefshebowedherheadalittlelower。thesensewasthere，throbbinginherheart。itwaspartofheremotion，butitwasathingtobeashamedof-itwasprofaneandoutofplace。Itwasnotforsometenminutesthatsherosefromherknees，andevenwhenshecamebacktothesitting-roomhertremorhadnotquitesubsided。Ithadhad，verily，twocauses：partofitwastobeaccountedforbyherlongdiscussionwithMr。Goodwood，butitmightbefearedthattherestwassimplytheenjoymentshefoundintheexerciseofherpower。Shesatdowninthesamechairagainandtookupherbook，butwithoutgoingthroughtheformofopeningthevolume。
Sheleanedback，withthatlow，soft，aspiringmurmurwithwhichsheoftenutteredherresponsetoaccidentsofwhichthebrightersidewasnotsuperficiallyobvious，andyieldedtothesatisfactionofhavingrefusedtwoardentsuitorsinafortnight。ThatloveoflibertyofwhichshehadgivenCasparGoodwoodsoboldasketchwasasyetalmostexclusivelytheoretic。shehadnotbeenabletoindulgeitonalargescale。Butitappearedtohershehaddonesomething。shehadtastedofthedelight，ifnotofbattle，atleastofvictory。shehaddonewhatwastruesttoherplan。IntheglowofthisconsciousnesstheimageofMr。Goodwoodtakinghissadwalkhomewardthroughthedingytownpresenteditselfwithacertainreproachfulforce。sothat，asatthesamemomentthedooroftheroomwasopened，sherosewithanapprehensionthathehadcomeback。ButitwasonlyHenriettaStackpolereturningfromherdinner。
MissStackpoleimmediatelysawthatouryoungladyhadbeenthroughsomething，andindeedthediscoverydemandednogreatpenetration。Shewentstraightuptoherfriend，whoreceivedherwithoutagreeting。Isabel’selationinhavingsentCasparGoodwoodbacktoAmericapresupposedherbeinginamannergladhehadcometoseeher。butatthesametimesheperfectlyrememberedHenriettahadhadnorighttosetatrapforher。Hashebeenhere，dear？
thelatteryearninglyasked。
Isabelturnedawayandforsomemomentsanswerednothing。Youactedverywrongly，shedeclaredatlast。
Iactedforthebest。Ionlyhopeyouactedaswell。
You’renotthejudge。Ican’ttrustyou，saidIsabel。
Thisdeclarationwasunflattering，butHenriettawasmuchtoounselfishtoheedthechargeitconveyed。shecaredonlyforwhatitintimatedwithregardtoherfriend。IsabelArcher，sheobservedwithequalabruptnessandsolemnity，ifyoumarryoneofthesepeopleI’llneverspeaktoyouagain！
BeforemakingsoterribleathreatyouhadbetterwaittillI’masked，Isabelreplied。NeverhavingsaidawordtoMissStackpoleaboutLordWarburton’sovertures，shehadnownoimpulsewhatevertojustifyherselftoHenriettabytellingherthatshehadrefusedthatnobleman。
Oh，you’llbeaskedquickenough，onceyougetoffontheContinent。AnnieClimberwasaskedthreetimesinItaly-poorplainlittleAnnie。
Well，ifAnnieClimberwasn’tcapturedwhyshouldIbe？
Idon’tbelieveAnniewaspressed。butyou’llbe。
That’saflatteringconviction，saidIsabelwithoutalarm。
Idon’tflatteryou，Isabel，Itellyouthetruth！criedherfriend。Ihopeyoudon’tmeantotellmethatyoudidn’tgiveMr。
Goodwoodsomehope。
Idon’tseewhyIshouldtellyouanything。asIsaidtoyoujustnow，Ican’ttrustyou。Butsinceyou’resomuchinterestedinMr。
GoodwoodIwon’tconcealfromyouthathereturnsimmediatelytoAmerica。
Youdon’tmeantosayyou’vesenthimoff？Henriettaalmostshrieked。
Iaskedhimtoleavemealone。andIaskyouthesame，Henrietta。MissStackpoleglitteredforaninstantwithdismayandthenpassedtothemirroroverthechimney-pieceandtookoffherbonnet。Ihopeyou’veenjoyedyourdinner，Isabelwenton。
Buthercompanionwasnottobedivertedbyfrivolouspropositions。Doyouknowwhereyou’regoing，IsabelArcher？
JustnowI’mgoingtobed，saidIsabelwithpersistentfrivolity。
Doyouknowwhereyou’redrifting？Henriettapursued，holdingoutherbonnetdelicately。
No，Ihaven’ttheleastidea，andIfinditverypleasantnottoknow。Aswiftcarriage，ofadarknight，rattlingwithfourhorsesoverroadsthatonecan’tsee-that’smyideaofhappiness。
Mr。Goodwoodcertainlydidn’tteachyoutosaysuchthingsasthat-
liketheheroineofanimmoralnovel，saidMissStackpole。You’redriftingtosomegreatmistake。
Isabelwasirritatedbyherfriend’sinterference，yetshestilltriedtothinkwhattruththisdeclarationcouldrepresent。Shecouldthinkofnothingthatdivertedherfromsaying：Youmustbeveryfondofme，Henrietta，tobewillingtobesoaggressive。
Iloveyouintensely，Isabel，saidMissStackpolewithfeeling。
Well，ifyoulovemeintenselyletmeasintenselyalone。IaskedthatofMr。Goodwood，andImustalsoaskitofyou。
Takecareyou’renotletalonetoomuch。
That’swhatMr。Goodwoodsaidtome。ItoldhimImusttaketherisks。
You’reacreatureofrisks-youmakemeshudder！criedHenrietta。WhendoesMr。GoodwoodreturntoAmerica？
Idon’tknow-hedidn’ttellme。
Perhapsyoudidn’tenquire，saidHenriettawiththenoteofrighteousirony。
Igavehimtoolittlesatisfactiontohavetherighttoaskquestionsofhim。
ThisassertionseemedtoMissStackpoleforamomenttobiddefiancetocomment。butatlastsheexclaimed：Well，Isabel，ifIdidn’tknowyouImightthinkyouwereheartless！
Takecare，saidIsabel。you’respoilingme。
I’mafraidI’vedonethatalready。Ihope，atleast，MissStackpoleadded，thathemaycrosswithAnnieClimber！
IsabellearnedfromherthenextmorningthatshehaddeterminednottoreturntoGardencourtwhereoldMr。Touchetthadpromisedherarenewedwelcome，buttoawaitinLondonthearrivaloftheinvitationthatMr。BantlinghadpromisedherfromhissisterLadyPensil。MissStackpolerelatedveryfreelyherconversationwithRalphTouchett’ssociablefriendanddeclaredtoIsabelthatshereallybelievedshehadnowgotholdofsomethingthatwouldleadtosomething。OnthereceiptofLadyPensil’sletter-Mr。Bantlinghadvirtuallyguaranteedthearrivalofthisdocument-shewouldimmediatelydepartforBedfordshire，andifIsabelcaredtolookoutforherimpressionsintheInterviewershewouldcertainlyfindthem。Henriettawasevidentlygoingtoseesomethingoftheinnerlifethistime。
Doyouknowwhereyou’redrifting，HenriettaStackpole？Isabelasked，imitatingthetoneinwhichherfriendhadspokenthenightbefore。
I’mdriftingtoabigposition-thatoftheQueenofAmericanJournalism。Ifmynextletterisn’tcopiedallovertheWestI’llswallowmypen-wiper！
ShehadarrangedwithherfriendMissAnnieClimber，theyoungladyofthecontinentaloffers，thattheyshouldgotogethertomakethosepurchaseswhichweretoconstituteMissClimber’sfarewelltoahemisphereinwhichsheatleasthadbeenappreciated。andshepresentlyrepairedtoJermynStreettopickuphercompanion。
ShortlyafterherdepartureRalphTouchettwasannounced，andassoonashecameinIsabelsawhehadsomethingonhismind。Heverysoontookhiscousinintohisconfidence。Hehadreceivedfromhismotheratelegramtotheeffectthathisfatherhadhadasharpattackofhisoldmalady，thatshewasmuchalarmedandthatshebeggedhewouldinstantlyreturntoGardencourt。OnthisoccasionatleastMrs。Touchett’sdevotiontotheelectricwirewasnotopentocriticism。
I’vejudgeditbesttoseethegreatdoctor，SirMatthewHope，first，Ralphsaid。bygreatgoodluckhe’sintown。He’stoseemeathalf-pasttwelve，andIshallmakesureofhiscomingdowntoGardencourt-whichhewilldothemorereadilyashehasalreadyseenmyfatherseveraltimes，boththereandinLondon。There’sanexpressattwo-forty-five，whichIshalltake。andyou’llcomebackwithmeorremainhereafewdayslonger，exactlyasyouprefer。
Ishallcertainlygowithyou，Isabelreturned。Idon’tsupposeI
canbeofanyusetomyuncle，butifhe’sillIshallliketobenearhim。
Ithinkyou’refondofhim，saidRalphwithacertainshypleasureinhisface。Youappreciatehim，whichalltheworldhasn’tdone。Thequality’stoofine。
Iquiteadorehim，Isabelafteramomentsaid。
That’sverywell。Afterhissonhe’syourgreatestadmirer。
Shewelcomedthisassurance，butshegavesecretlyasmallsighofreliefatthethoughtthatMr。Touchettwasoneofthoseadmirerswhocouldn’tproposetomarryher。This，however，wasnotwhatshespoke。shewentontoinformRalphthattherewereotherreasonsforhernotremaininginLondon。Shewastiredofitandwishedtoleaveit。andthenHenriettawasgoingaway-goingtostayinBedfordshire。
InBedfordshire？
WithLadyPensil，thesisterofMr。Bantling，whohasansweredforaninvitation。
Ralphwasfeelinganxious，butatthishebrokeintoalaugh。
Suddenly，nonetheless，hisgravityreturned。Bantling’samanofcourage。Butiftheinvitationshouldgetlostontheway？
IthoughttheBritishpost-officewasimpeccable。
ThegoodHomersometimesnods，saidRalph。However，hewentonmorebrightly，thegoodBantlingneverdoes，and，whateverhappens，he’lltakecareofHenrietta。
RalphwenttokeephisappointmentwithSirMatthewHope，andIsabelmadeherarrangementsforquittingPratt’sHotel。Heruncle’sdangertouchedhernearly，andwhileshestoodbeforeheropentrunk，lookingabouthervaguelyforwhatsheshouldputintoit，thetearssuddenlyrosetohereyes。ItwasperhapsforthisreasonthatwhenRalphcamebackattwoo’clocktotakehertothestationshewasnotyetready。HefoundMissStackpole，however，inthesitting-room，whereshehadjustrisenfromherluncheon，andthisladyimmediatelyexpressedherregretathisfather’sillness。
He’sagrandoldman，shesaid。he’sfaithfultothelast。Ifit’sreallytobethelast-pardonmyalludingtoit，butyoumustoftenhavethoughtofthepossibility-I’msorrythatIshallnotbeatGardencourt。
You’llamuseyourselfmuchmoreinBedfordshire。
Ishallbesorrytoamusemyselfatsuchatime，saidHenriettawithmuchpropriety。Butsheimmediatelyadded：Ishouldlikesotocommemoratetheclosingscene。
Myfathermaylivealongtime，saidRalphsimply。Then，advertingtotopicsmorecheerful，heinterrogatedMissStackpoleastoherownfuture。
NowthatRalphwasintroublesheaddressedhiminatoneoflargerallowanceandtoldhimthatshewasmuchindebtedtohimforhavingmadeheracquaintedwithMr。Bantling。HehastoldmejustthethingsIwanttoknow，shesaid。allthesociety-itemsandallabouttheroyalfamily。Ican’tmakeoutthatwhathetellsmeabouttheroyalfamilyismuchtotheircredit。buthesaysthat’sonlymypeculiarwayoflookingatit。Well，allIwantisthatheshouldgivemethefacts。Icanputthemtogetherquickenough，onceI’vegotthem。AndsheaddedthatMr。Bantlinghadbeensogoodastopromisetocomeandtakeheroutthatafternoon。
Totakeyouwhere？Ralphventuredtoenquire。
ToBuckinghamPalace。He’sgoingtoshowmeoverit，sothatI
maygetsomeideahowtheylive。
Ah，saidRalph，weleaveyouingoodhands。Thefirstthingweshallhearisthatyou’reinvitedtoWindsorCastle。
Iftheyaskme，Ishallcertainlygo。OnceIgetstartedI’mnotafraid。Butforallthat，Henriettaaddedinamoment，I’mnotsatisfied。I’mnotatpeaceaboutIsabel。
Whatisherlastmisdemeanour？
Well，I’vetoldyoubefore，andIsupposethere’snoharminmygoingon。IalwaysfinishasubjectthatItakeup。Mr。Goodwoodwasherelastnight。
Ralphopenedhiseyes。heevenblushedalittle-hisblushbeingthesignofanemotionsomewhatacute。HerememberedthatIsabel，inseparatingfromhiminWinchesterSquare，hadrepudiatedhissuggestionthathermotiveindoingsowastheexpectationofavisitoratPratesHotel，anditwasanewpangtohimtohavetosuspectherofduplicity。Ontheotherhand，hequicklysaidtohimself，whatconcernwasitofhisthatsheshouldhavemadeanappointmentwithalover？Haditnotbeenthoughtgracefulineveryagethatyoungladiesshouldmakeamysteryofsuchappointments？
RalphgaveMissStackpoleadiplomaticanswer。Ishouldhavethoughtthat，withtheviewsyouexpressedtometheotherday，thiswouldsatisfyyouperfectly。
Thatheshouldcometoseeher？Thatwasverywell，asfarasitwent。Itwasalittleplotofmine。IlethimknowthatwewereinLondon，andwhenithadbeenarrangedthatIshouldspendtheeveningoutIsenthimaword-thewordwejustuttertothe’wise。’I
hopedhewouldfindheralone。Iwon’tpretendIdidn’thopethatyou’dbeoutoftheway。Hecametoseeher，buthemightaswellhavestayedaway。
Isabelwascruel？-andRalph’sfacelightedwiththereliefofhiscousin’snothavingshownduplicity。
Idon’texactlyknowwhatpassedbetweenthem。Butshegavehimnosatisfaction-shesenthimbacktoAmerica。
PoorMr。Goodwood！Ralphsighed。
Heronlyideaseemstobetogetridofhim，Henriettawenton。
PoorMr。Goodwood！Ralphrepeated。Theexclamation，itmustbeconfessed，wasautomatic。itfailedexactlytoexpresshisthoughts，whichweretakinganotherline。
Youdon’tsaythatasifyoufeltit。Idon’tbelieveyoucare。
Ah，saidRalph，youmustrememberthatIdon’tknowthisinterestingyoungman-thatI’veneverseenhim。
Well，Ishallseehim，andIshalltellhimnottogiveup。IfI
didn’tbelieveIsabelwouldcomeround，MissStackpoleadded-
well，I’dgiveupmyself。ImeanI’dgiveherup！
CHAPTER18
IthadoccurredtoRalphthat，intheconditions，Isabel’spartingwithherfriendmightbeofaslightlyembarrassednature，andhewentdowntothedoorofthehotelinadvanceofhiscousin，who，afteraslightdelay，followedwiththetracesofanunacceptedremonstrance，ashethought，inhereyes。ThetwomadethejourneytoGardencourtinalmostunbrokensilence，andtheservantwhometthematthestationhadnobetternewstogivethemofMr。Touchett-afactwhichcausedRalphtocongratulatehimselfafreshonSirMatthewHope’shavingpromisedtocomedowninthefiveo’clocktrainandspendthenight。Mrs。Touchett，helearned，onreachinghome，hadbeenconstantlywiththeoldmanandwaswithhimatthatmoment。andthisfactmadeRalphsaytohimselfthat，afterall，whathismotherwantedwasjusteasyoccasion。Thefinernatureswerethosethatshoneatthelargertimes。Isabelwenttoherownroom，notingthroughoutthehousethatperceptiblehushwhichprecedesacrisis。Attheendofanhour，however，shecamedownstairsinsearchofheraunt，whomshewishedtoaskaboutMr。Touchett。Shewentintothelibrary，butMrs。Touchettwasnotthere，andastheweather，whichhadbeendampandchill，wasnowaltogetherspoiled，itwasnotprobableshehadgoneforherusualwalkinthegrounds。
Isabelwasonthepointofringingtosendaquestiontoherroom，whenthispurposequicklyyieldedtoanunexpectedsound-thesoundoflowmusicproceedingapparentlyfromthesaloon。Sheknewherauntnevertouchedthepiano，andthemusicianwasthereforeprobablyRalph，whoplayedforhisownamusement。Thatheshouldhaveresortedtothisrecreationatthepresenttimeindicatedapparentlythathisanxietyabouthisfatherhadbeenrelieved。sothatthegirltookherway，almostwithrestoredcheer，towardthesourceoftheharmony。Thedrawing-roomatGardencourtwasanapartmentofgreatdistances，and，asthepianowasplacedattheendofitfurthestremovedfromthedooratwhichsheentered，herarrivalwasnotnoticedbythepersonseatedbeforetheinstrument。ThispersonwasneitherRalphnorhismother。itwasaladywhomIsabelimmediatelysawtobeastrangertoherself，thoughherbackwaspresentedtothedoor。Thisback-anampleandwell-dressedone-Isabelviewedforsomemomentswithsurprise。Theladywasofcourseavisitorwhohadarrivedduringherabsenceandwhohadnotbeenmentionedbyeitheroftheservants-oneofthemheraunt’smaid-ofwhomshehadhadspeechsinceherreturn。Isabelhadalreadylearned，however，withwhattreasuresofreservethefunctionofreceivingordersmaybeaccompanied，andshewasparticularlyconsciousofhavingbeentreatedwithdrynessbyheraunt’smaid，throughwhosehandsshehadslippedperhapsalittletoomistrustfullyandwithaneffectofplumagebutthemorelustrous。
Theadventofaguestwasinitselffarfromdisconcerting。shehadnotyetdivestedherselfofayoungfaiththateachnewacquaintancewouldexertsomemomentousinfluenceonherlife。Bythetimeshehadmadethesereflexionsshebecameawarethattheladyatthepianoplayedremarkablywell。ShewasplayingsomethingofSchubert’s-Isabelknewnotwhat，butrecognizedSchubert-andshetouchedthepianowithadiscretionofherown。Itshowedskill，itshowedfeeling。Isabelsatdownnoiselesslyonthenearestchairandwaitedtilltheendofthepiece。Whenitwasfinishedshefeltastrongdesiretothanktheplayer，androsefromherseattodoso，whileatthesametimethestrangerturnedquicklyround，asifbutjustawareofherpresence。
That’sverybeautiful，andyourplayingmakesitmorebeautifulstill，saidIsabelwithalltheyoungradiancewithwhichsheusuallyutteredatruthfulrapture。
Youdon’tthinkIdisturbedMr。Touchettthen？themusicianansweredassweetlyasthiscomplimentdeserved。ThehouseissolargeandhisroomsofarawaythatIthoughtImightventure，especiallyasIplayedjust-justduboutdesdoigts。
She’saFrenchwoman，Isabelsaidtoherself。shesaysthatasifshewereFrench。Andthissuppositionmadethevisitormoreinterestingtoourspeculativeheroine。Ihopemyuncle’sdoingwell，Isabeladded。Ishouldthinkthattohearsuchlovelymusicasthatwouldreallymakehimfeelbetter。
Theladysmiledanddiscriminated。I’mafraidtherearemomentsinlifewhenevenSchuberthasnothingtosaytous。Wemustadmit，however，thattheyareourworst。
I’mnotinthatstatenowthen，saidIsabel。OnthecontraryI
shouldbesogladifyouwouldplaysomethingmore。
Ifitwillgiveyoupleasure-delighted。Andthisobligingpersontookherplaceagainandstruckafewchords，whileIsabelsatdownnearertheinstrument。Suddenlythenew-comerstoppedwithherhandsonthekeys，half-turningandlookingoverhershoulder。Shewasfortyyearsoldandnotpretty，thoughherexpressioncharmed。
Pardonme，shesaid。butareyoutheniece-theyoungAmerican？
I’mmyaunt’sniece，Isabelrepliedwithsimplicity。
Theladyatthepianosatstillamomentlonger，castingherairofinterestoverhershoulder。That’sverywell。we’recompatriots。Andthenshebegantoplay。
Ahthenshe’snotFrench，Isabelmurmured。andastheoppositesuppositionhadmadeherromanticitmighthaveseemedthatthisrevelationwouldhavemarkedadrop。Butsuchwasnotthefact。
rarereventhantobeFrenchseemedittobeAmericanonsuchinterestingterms。
Theladyplayedinthesamemannerasbefore，softlyandsolemnly，andwhilesheplayedtheshadowsdeepenedintheroom。Theautumntwilightgatheredin，andfromherplaceIsabelcouldseetherain，whichhadnowbeguninearnest，washingthecold-lookinglawnandthewindshakingthegreattrees。Atlast，whenthemusichadceased，hercompaniongotupand，comingnearerwithasmile，beforeIsabelhadtimetothankheragain，said：I’mverygladyou’vecomeback。I’veheardagreatdealaboutyou。
Isabelthoughtheraveryattractiveperson，butneverthelessspokewithacertainabruptnessinreplytothisspeech。Fromwhomhaveyouheardaboutme？
Thestrangerhesitatedasinglemomentandthen，Fromyouruncle，sheanswered。I’vebeenherethreedays，andthefirstdayheletmecomeandpayhimavisitinhisroom。Thenhetalkedconstantlyofyou。
Asyoudidn’tknowmethatmustratherhaveboredyou。
Itmademewanttoknowyou。Allthemorethatsincethen-yourauntbeingsomuchwithMr。Touchett-I’vebeenquitealoneandhavegotrathertiredofmyownsociety。I’venotchosenagoodmomentformyvisit。
Aservanthadcomeinwithlampsandwaspresentlyfollowedbyanotherbearingthetea-tray。OntheappearanceofthisrepastMrs。
Touchetthadapparentlybeennotified，forshenowarrivedandaddressedherselftothetea-pot。Hergreetingtoherniecedidnotdiffermateriallyfromhermannerofraisingthelidofthisreceptacleinordertoglanceatthecontents：inneitheractwasitbecomingtomakeashowofavidity。Questionedaboutherhusbandshewasunabletosayhewasbetter。butthelocaldoctorwaswithhim，andmuchlightwasexpectedfromthisgentleman’sconsultationwithSirMatthewHope。
Isupposeyoutwoladieshavemadeacquaintance，shepursued。
Ifyouhaven’tIrecommendyoutodoso。forsolongaswecontinue-RalphandI-toclusteraboutMr。Touchett’sbedyou’renotlikelytohavemuchsocietybuteachother。
Iknownothingaboutyoubutthatyou’reagreatmusician，
Isabelsaidtothevisitor。
There’sagooddealmorethanthattoknow，Mrs。Touchettaffirmedinherlittledrytone。
Averylittleofit，Iamsure，willcontentMissArcher！theladyexclaimedwithalightlaugh。I’manoldfriendofyouraunt’s。
I’velivedmuchinFlorence。I’mMadameMerle。Shemadethislastannouncementasifshewerereferringtoapersonoftolerablydistinctidentity。ForIsabel，however，itrepresentedlittle。shecouldonlycontinuetofeelthatMadameMerlehadascharmingamannerasanyshehadeverencountered。
She’snotaforeignerinspiteofhername，saidMrs。Touchett。
Shewasborn-Ialwaysforgetwhereyouwereborn。
It’shardlyworthwhilethenIshouldtellyou。
Onthecontrary，saidMrs。Touchett，whorarelymissedalogicalpoint。ifIrememberedyourtellingmewouldbequitesuperfluous。
MadameMerleglancedatIsabelwithasortofworld-widesmile，athingthatover-reachedfrontiers。Iwasbornundertheshadowofthenationalbanner。
She’stoofondofmystery，saidMrs。Touchett。that’shergreatfault。
Ah，exclaimedMadameMerle，I’vegreatfaults，butIdon’tthinkthat’soneofthem。itcertainlyisn’tthegreatest。IcameintotheworldintheBrooklynnavy-yard。MyfatherwasahighofficerintheUnitedStatesNavy，andhadapost-apostofresponsibility-inthatestablishmentatthetime。IsupposeIoughttolovethesea，butIhateit。That’swhyIdon’treturntoAmerica。Ilovetheland。
thegreatthingistolovesomething。
Isabel，asadispassionatewitness，hadnotbeenstruckwiththeforceofMrs。Touchett’scharacterizationofhervisitor，whohadanexpressive，communicative，responsiveface，bynomeansofthesortwhich，toIsabel’smind，suggestedasecretivedisposition。Itwasafacethattoldofanamplitudeofnatureandofquickandfreemotionsand，thoughithadnoregularbeauty，wasinthehighestdegreeengagingandattaching。MadameMerlewasatall，fair，smoothwoman。
everythinginherpersonwasroundandreplete，thoughwithoutthoseaccumulationswhichsuggestheaviness。Herfeatureswerethickbutinperfectproportionandharmony，andhercomplexionhadahealthyclearness。Hergreyeyesweresmallbutfulloflightandincapableofstupidity-incapable，accordingtosomepeople，evenoftears。shehadaliberal，full-rimmedmouthwhichwhenshesmileddrewitselfupwardtotheleftsideinamannerthatmostpeoplethoughtveryodd，someveryaffectedandafewverygraceful。Isabelinclinedtorangeherselfinthelastcategory。MadameMerlehadthick，fairhair，arrangedsomehowclassicallyandasifshewereaBust，Isabeljudged-aJunooraNiobe。andlargewhitehands，ofaperfectshape，ashapesoperfectthattheirpossessor，preferringtoleavethemunadorned，worenojewelledrings。Isabelhadtakenheratfirst，aswehaveseen，foraFrenchwoman。butextendedobservationmighthaverankedherasaGerman-aGermanofhighdegree，perhapsanAustrian，abaroness，acountess，aprincess。ItwouldneverhavebeensupposedshehadcomeintotheworldinBrooklyn-thoughonecoulddoubtlessnothavecarriedthroughanyargumentthattheairofdistinctionmarkingherinsoeminentadegreewasinconsistentwithsuchabirth。Itwastruethatthenationalbannerhadfloatedimmediatelyoverhercradle，andthebreezyfreedomofthestarsandstripesmighthaveshedaninfluenceupontheattitudeshetheretooktowardslife。Andyetshehadevidentlynothingofthefluttered，flappingqualityofamorselofbuntinginthewind。hermannerexpressedthereposeandconfidencewhichcomefromalargeexperience。Experience，however，hadnotquenchedheryouth。ithadsimplymadehersympatheticandsupple。Shewasinawordawomanofstrongimpulseskeptinadmirableorder。ThiscommendeditselftoIsabelasanidealcombination。
Thegirlmadethesereflectionswhilethethreeladiessatattheirtea，butthatceremonywasinterruptedbeforelongbythearrivalofthegreatdoctorfromLondon，whohadbeenimmediatelyusheredintothedrawing-room。Mrs。Touchetttookhimofftothelibraryforaprivatetalk。andthenMadameMerleandIsabelparted，tomeetagainatdinner。TheideaofseeingmoreofthisinterestingwomandidmuchtomitigateIsabel’ssenseofthesadnessnowsettlingonGardencourt。
Whenshecameintothedrawing-roombeforedinnershefoundtheplaceempty。butinthecourseofamomentRalpharrived。Hisanxietyabouthisfatherhadbeenlightened。SirMatthewHope’sviewofhisconditionwaslessdepressedthanhisownhadbeen。Thedoctorrecommendedthatthenursealoneshouldremainwiththeoldmanforthenextthreeorfourhours。sothatRalph，hismotherandthegreatphysicianhimselfwerefreetodineattable。Mrs。TouchettandSirMatthewappeared。MadameMerlewasthelast。
BeforeshecameIsabelspokeofhertoRalph，whowasstandingbeforethefireplace。PraywhoisthisMadameMerle？
ThecleverestwomanIknow，notexceptingyourself，saidRalph。
Ithoughtsheseemedverypleasant。
Iwassureyou’dthinkherverypleasant。
Isthatwhyyouinvitedher？
Ididn’tinviteher，andwhenwecamebackfromLondonIdidn’tknowshewashere。Nooneinvitedher。She’safriendofmymother’s，andjustafteryouandIwenttotownmymothergotanotefromher。ShehadarrivedinEnglandsheusuallylivesabroad，thoughshehasfirstandlastspentagooddealoftimehere，andaskedleavetocomedownforafewdays。She’sawomanwhocanmakesuchproposalswithperfectconfidence。she’ssowelcomewherevershegoes。
Andwithmymothertherecouldbenoquestionofhesitating。she’stheonepersonintheworldwhommymotherverymuchadmires。Ifshewerenotherselfwhichsheafterallmuchprefers，shewouldliketobeMadameMerle。Itwouldindeedbeagreatchange。
Well，she’sverycharming，saidIsabel。Andsheplaysbeautifully。
Shedoeseverythingbeautifully。She’scomplete。
Isabellookedathercousinamoment。Youdon’tlikeher。
Onthecontrary，Iwasonceinlovewithher。
Andshedidn’tcareforyou，andthat’swhyyoudon’tlikeher。
Howcanwehavediscussedsuchthings？MonsieurMerlewasthenliving。
Ishedeadnow？
Soshesays。
Don’tyoubelieveher？
Yes，becausethestatementagreeswiththeprobabilities。ThehusbandofMadameMerlewouldbelikelytopassaway。
Isabelgazedathercousinagain。Idon’tknowwhatyoumean。Youmeansomething-thatyoudon’tmean。WhatwasMonsieurMerle？
ThehusbandofMadame。
You’reveryodious。Hassheanychildren？
Nottheleastlittlechild-fortunately。
Fortunately？
Imeanfortunatelyforthechild。She’dbesuretospoilit。
Isabelwasapparentlyonthepointofassuringhercousinforthethirdtimethathewasodious。butthediscussionwasinterruptedbythearrivaloftheladywhowasthetopicofit。Shecamerustlinginquickly，apologizingforbeinglate，fasteningabracelet，dressedindarkbluesatin，whichexposedawhitebosomthatwasineffectuallycoveredbyacurioussilvernecklace。Ralphofferedherhisarmwiththeexaggeratedalertnessofamanwhowasnolongeralover。
Evenifthishadstillbeenhiscondition，however，Ralphhadotherthingstothinkabout。ThegreatdoctorspentthenightatGardencourtand，returningtoLondononthemorrow，afteranotherconsultationwithMr。Touchett’sownmedicaladviser，concurredinRalph’sdesirethatheshouldseethepatientagainonthedayfollowing。OnthedayfollowingSirMatthewHopereappearedatGardencourt，andnowtookalessencouragingviewoftheoldman，whohadgrownworseinthetwenty-fourhours。Hisfeeblenesswasextreme，andtohisson，whoconstantlysatbyhisbedside，itoftenseemedthathisendmustbeathand。Thelocaldoctor，averysagaciousman，inwhomRalphhadsecretlymoreconfidencethaninhisdistinguishedcolleague，wasconstantlyinattendance，andSirMatthewHopecamebackseveraltimes。Mr。Touchettwasmuchofthetimeunconscious。hesleptagreatdeal。herarelyspoke。IsabelhadagreatdesiretobeusefultohimandwasallowedtowatchwithhimathourswhenhisotherattendantsofwhomMrs。Touchettwasnottheleastregularwenttotakerest。Heneverseemedtoknowher，andshealwayssaidtoherself，SupposeheshoulddiewhileI’msittinghere。anideawhichexcitedherandkeptherawake。Onceheopenedhiseyesforawhileandfixedthemuponherintelligently，butwhenshewenttohim，hopinghewouldrecognizeher，heclosedthemandrelapsedintostupor。Thedayafterthis，however，herevivedforalongertime。butonthisoccasionRalphonlywaswithhim。Theoldmanbegantotalk，muchtohisson’ssatisfaction，whoassuredhimthattheyshouldpresentlyhavehimsittingup。
No，myboy，saidMr。Touchett，notunlessyouburymeinasittingposture，assomeoftheancients-wasittheancients？-usedtodo。
Ah，daddy，don’ttalkaboutthat，Ralphmurmured。Youmustn’tdenythatyou’regettingbetter。
Therewillbenoneedofmydenyingitifyoudon’tsayit，theoldmananswered。Whyshouldweprevaricatejustatthelast？Weneverprevaricatedbefore。I’vegottodiesometime，andit’sbettertodiewhenone’ssickthanwhenone’swell。I’mverysick-
assickasIshalleverbe。Ihopeyoudon’twanttoprovethatI
shalleverbeworsethanthis？Thatwouldbetoobad。Youdon’t？
Wellthen。
Havingmadethisexcellentpointhebecamequiet。butthenexttimethatRalphwaswithhimheagainaddressedhimselftoconversation。ThenursehadgonetohersupperandRalphwasaloneincharge，havingjustrelievedMrs。Touchett，whohadbeenonguardsincedinner。Theroomwaslightedonlybytheflickeringfire，whichoflatehadbecomenecessary，andRalph’stallshadowwasprojectedoverwallandceilingwithanoutlineconstantlyvaryingbutalwaysgrotesque。
Who’sthatwithme-isitmyson？theoldmanasked。
Yes，it’syourson，daddy。
Andistherenooneelse？
Nooneelse。
Mr。Touchettsaidnothingforawhile。andthen，Iwanttotalkalittle，hewenton。
Won’tittireyou？Ralphdemurred。
Itwon’tmatterifitdoes。Ishallhavealongrest。Iwanttotalkaboutyou。
Ralphhaddrawnnearertothebed。hesatleaningforwardwithhishandonhisfather’s。Youhadbetterselectabrightertopic。
Youwerealwaysbright。Iusedtobeproudofyourbrightness。I
shouldlikesomuchtothinkyou’ddosomething。
Ifyouleaveus，saidRalph，Ishalldonothingbutmissyou。
That’sjustwhatIdon’twant。it’swhatIwanttotalkabout。
Youmustgetanewinterest。
Idon’twantanewinterest，daddy。IhavemoreoldonesthanI
knowwhattodowith。
Theoldmanlaytherelookingathisson。hisfacewasthefaceofthedying，buthiseyesweretheeyesofDanielTouchett。HeseemedtobereckoningoverRalph’sinterests。Ofcourseyouhaveyourmother，
hesaidatlast。You’lltakecareofher。
Mymotherwillalwaystakecareofherself，Ralphreturned。
Well，saidhisfather，perhapsasshegrowsoldershe’llneedalittlehelp。
Ishallnotseethat。She’lloutliveme。
Verylikelyshewill。butthat’snoreason-！Mr。Touchettlethisphrasedieawayinahelplessbutnotquitequeruloussighandremainedsilentagain。
Don’ttroubleyourselfaboutus，saidhisson。MymotherandI
getonverywelltogether，youknow。
Yougetonbyalwaysbeingapart。that’snotnatural。
Ifyouleaveusweshallprobablyseemoreofeachother。
Well，theoldmanobservedwithwanderingirrelevance，itcan’tbesaidthatmydeathwillmakemuchdifferenceinyourmother’slife。
Itwillprobablymakemorethanyouthink。
Well，she’llhavemoremoney，saidMr。Touchett。I’veleftheragoodwife’sportion，justasifshehadbeenagoodwife。
Shehasbeenone，daddy，accordingtoherowntheory。Shehasnevertroubledyou。
Ah，sometroublesarepleasant，Mr。Touchettmurmured。Thoseyou’vegivenmeforinstance。Butyourmotherhasbeenless-less-
whatshallIcallit？lessoutofthewaysinceI’vebeenill。I
presumesheknowsI’venoticedit。
Ishallcertainlytellherso。I’msogladyoumentionit。
Itwon’tmakeanydifferencetoher。shedoesn’tdoittopleaseme。Shedoesittoplease-toplease-Andhelayawhiletryingtothinkwhyshedidit。Shedoesitbecauseitsuitsher。Butthat’snotwhatIwanttotalkabout，headded。It’saboutyou。You’llbeverywelloff。
Yes，saidRalph，Iknowthat。ButIhopeyou’venotforgottenthetalkwehadayearago-whenItoldyouexactlywhatmoneyIshouldneedandbeggedyoutomakesomegooduseoftherest。
Yes，yes，Iremember。Imadeanewwill-inafewdays。Isupposeitwasthefirsttimesuchathinghadhappened-ayoungmantryingtogetawillmadeagainsthim。
Itisnotagainstme，saidRalph。Itwouldbeagainstmetohavealargepropertytotakecareof。It’simpossibleforamaninmystateofhealthtospendmuchmoney，andenoughisasgoodasafeast。
Well，you’llhaveenough-andsomethingover。Therewillbemorethanenoughforone-therewillbeenoughfortwo。
That’stoomuch，saidRalph。
Ah，don’tsaythat。Thebestthingyoucando，whenI’mgone，willbetomarry。
Ralphhadforeseenwhathisfatherwascomingto，andthissuggestionwasbynomeansfresh。IthadlongbeenMr。Touchett’smostingeniouswayoftakingthecheerfulviewofhisson’spossibleduration。Ralphhadusuallytreateditfacetiously。butpresentcircumstancesproscribedthefacetious。Hesimplyfellbackinhischairandreturnedhisfather’sappealinggaze。
IfI，withawifewhohasn’tbeenveryfondofme，havehadaveryhappylife，saidtheoldman，carryinghisingenuityfurtherstill，whatalifemightn’tyouhaveifyoushouldmarryapersondifferentfromMrs。Touchett。Therearemoredifferentfromherthantherearelikeher。Ralphstillsaidnothing。andafterapausehisfatherresumedsoftly：Whatdoyouthinkofyourcousin？
AtthisRalphstarted，meetingthequestionwithastrainedsmile。
DoIunderstandyoutoproposethatIshouldmarryIsabel？
Well，that’swhatitcomestointheend。Don’tyoulikeIsabel？
Yes，verymuch。AndRalphgotupfromhischairandwanderedovertothefire。Hestoodbeforeitaninstantandthenhestoopedandstirreditmechanically。
IlikeIsabelverymuch，herepeated。
Well，saidhisfather，Iknowshelikesyou。Shehastoldmehowmuchshelikesyou。
Didsheremarkthatshewouldliketomarryme？
No，butshecan’thaveanythingagainstyou。Andshe’sthemostcharmingyoungladyI’veeverseen。Andshewouldbegoodtoyou。I
havethoughtagreatdealaboutit。
SohaveI，saidRalph，comingbacktothebedsideagain。I
don’tmindtellingyouthat。
Youareinlovewithherthen？Ishouldthinkyouwouldbe。It’sasifshecameoveronpurpose。
No，I’mnotinlovewithher。butIshouldbeif-ifcertainthingsweredifferent。
Ah，thingsarealwaysdifferentfromwhattheymightbe，saidtheoldman。Ifyouwaitforthemtochangeyou’llneverdoanything。
Idon’tknowwhetheryouknow，hewenton。butIsupposethere’snoharminmyalludingtoitatsuchanhourasthis：therewassomeonewantedtomarryIsabeltheotherday，andshewouldn’thavehim。
IknowsherefusedWarburton：hetoldmehimself。
Well，thatprovesthere’sachanceforsomebodyelse。
SomebodyelsetookhischancetheotherdayinLondon-andgotnothingbyit。
Wasityou？Mr。Touchetteagerlyasked。
No，itwasanolderfriend。apoorgentlemanwhocameoverfromAmericatoseeaboutit。
Well，I’msorryforhim，whoeverhewas。ButitonlyproveswhatIsay-thattheway’sopentoyou。
Ifitis，dearfather，it’sallthegreaterpitythatI’munabletotreadit。Ihaven’tmanyconvictions。butIhavethreeorfourthatIholdstrongly。Oneisthatpeople，onthewhole，hadbetternotmarrytheircousins。Anotheristhatpeopleinanadvancedstageofpulmonarydisorderhadbetternotmarryatall。
Theoldmanraisedhisweakhandandmovedittoandfrobeforehisface。Whatdoyoumeanbythat？Youlookatthingsinawaythatwouldmakeeverythingwrong。Whatsortofacousinisacousinthatyouhadneverseenformorethantwentyyearsofherlife？
We’realleachother’scousins，andifwestoppedatthatthehumanracewoulddieout。It’sjustthesamewithyourbadlung。You’reagreatdealbetterthanyouusedtobe。Allyouwantistoleadanaturallife。Itisagreatdealmorenaturaltomarryaprettyyoungladythatyou’reinlovewiththanitistoremainsingleonfalseprinciples。
I’mnotinlovewithIsabel，saidRalph。
Yousaidjustnowthatyouwouldbeifyoudidn’tthinkitwrong。I
wanttoprovetoyouthatitisn’twrong。
Itwillonlytireyou，deardaddy，saidRalph，whomarvelledathisfather’stenacityandathisfindingstrengthtoinsist。Thenwhereshallweallbe？
WhereshallyoubeifIdon’tprovideforyou？Youwon’thaveanythingtodowiththebank，andyouwon’thavemetotakecareof。
Yousayyou’vesomanyinterests。butIcan’tmakethemout。
Ralphleanedbackinhischairwithfoldedarms。hiseyeswerefixedforsometimeinmeditation。Atlast，withtheairofamanfairlymusteringcourage，Itakeagreatinterestinmycousin，hesaid，butnotthesortofinterestyoudesire。Ishallnotlivemanyyears。
butIhopeIshalllivelongenoughtoseewhatshedoeswithherself。
She’sentirelyindependentofme。Icanexerciseverylittleinfluenceuponherlife。ButIshouldliketodosomethingforher。
Whatshouldyouliketodo？
Ishouldliketoputalittlewindinhersails。
Whatdoyoumeanbythat？
Ishouldliketoputitintoherpowertodosomeofthethingsshewants。Shewantstoseetheworldforinstance。Ishouldliketoputmoneyinherpurse。
Ah，I’mgladyou’vethoughtofthat，saidtheoldman。ButI’vethoughtofittoo。I’veleftheralegacy-fivethousandpounds。
That’scapital。it’sverykindofyou。ButIshouldliketodoalittlemore。
SomethingofthatveiledacutenesswithwhichithadbeenonDanielTouchett’spartthehabitofalifetimetolistentoafinancialpropositionstilllingeredinthefaceinwhichtheinvalidhadnotobliteratedthemanofhappiness。Ishallbehappytoconsiderit，hesaidsoftly。
Isabel’spoorthen。Mymothertellsmethatshehasbutafewhundreddollarsayear。Ishouldliketomakeherrich。
Whatdoyoumeanbyrich？
Icallpeoplerichwhenthey’reabletomeettherequirementsoftheirimagination。Isabelhasagreatdealofimagination。
Sohaveyou，myson，saidMr。Touchett，listeningveryattentivelybutalittleconfusedly。
YoutellmeIshallhavemoneyenoughfortwo。WhatIwantisthatyoushouldkindlyrelievemeofmysuperfluityandmakeitovertoIsabel。Dividemyinheritanceintotwoequalhalvesandgiveherthesecond。
Todowhatshelikeswith？
Absolutelywhatshelikes。
Andwithoutanequivalent？
Whatequivalentcouldtherebe？
TheoneI’vealreadymentioned。
Hermarrying-someoneorother？It’sjusttodoawaywithanythingofthatsortthatImakemysuggestion。Ifshehasaneasyincomeshe’llneverhavetomarryforasupport。That’swhatIwantcannilytoprevent。Shewishestobefree，andyourbequestwillmakeherfree。
Well，youseemtohavethoughtitout，saidMr。Touchett。ButI
don’tseewhyyouappealtome。Themoneywillbeyours，andyoucaneasilygiveittoheryourself。
Ralphopenlystared。Ah，dearfather，Ican’tofferIsabelmoney！
Theoldmangaveagroan。Don’ttellmeyou’renotinlovewithher！Doyouwantmetohavethecreditofit？
Entirely。Ishouldlikeitsimplytobeaclauseinyourwill，withouttheslightestreferencetome。
Doyouwantmetomakeanewwillthen？
Afewwordswilldoit。youcanattendtoitthenexttimeyoufeelalittlelively。
YoumusttelegraphtoMr。Hilarythen。I’lldonothingwithoutmysolicitor。
YoushallseeMr。Hilaryto-morrow。
He’llthinkwe’vequarrelled，youandI，saidtheoldman。
Veryprobably。Ishalllikehimtothinkit，saidRalph，smiling。and，tocarryouttheidea，IgiveyounoticethatIshallbeverysharp，quitehorridandstrange，withyou。
Thehumourofthisappearedtotouchhisfather，wholayalittlewhiletakingitin。I’lldoanythingyoulike，Mr。Touchettsaidatlast。butI’mnotsureit’sright。Yousayyouwanttoputwindinhersails。butaren’tyouafraidofputtingtoomuch？
Ishouldliketoseehergoingbeforethebreeze！Ralphanswered。
Youspeakasifitwereforyourmereamusement。
Soitis，agooddeal。
Well，Idon’tthinkIunderstand，saidMr。Touchettwithasigh。
YoungmenareverydifferentfromwhatIwas。WhenIcaredforagirl-whenIwasyoung-Iwantedtodomorethanlookather。You’vescruplesthatIshouldn’thavehad，andyou’veideasthatI
shouldn’thavehadeither。YousayIsabelwantstobefree，andthatherbeingrichwillkeepherfrommarryingformoney。Doyouthinkthatshe’sagirltodothat？
Bynomeans。Butshehaslessmoneythanshehaseverhadbefore。
Herfatherthengavehereverything，becauseheusedtospendhiscapital。Shehasnothingbutthecrumbsofthatfeasttoliveon，andshedoesn’treallyknowhowmeagretheyare-shehasyettolearnit。Mymotherhastoldmeallaboutit。Isabelwilllearnitwhenshe’sreallythrownupontheworld，anditwouldbeverypainfultometothinkofhercomingtotheconsciousnessofalotofwantssheshouldbeunabletosatisfy。
I’veleftherfivethousandpounds。Shecansatisfyagoodmanywantswiththat。
Shecanindeed。Butshewouldprobablyspenditintwoorthreeyears。
Youthinkshe’dbeextravagantthen？
Mostcertainly，saidRalph，smilingserenely。