Ralph，however，resentedthischargewithmoreapparentearnestnessthanhecommonlyused。IspeakofMadameMerleexactlyasIspeaktoher：withanevenexaggeratedrespect。
Exaggerated，precisely。That’swhatIcomplainof。
IdosobecauseMadameMerle’smeritsareexaggerated。
Bywhom，pray？Byme？IfsoIdoherapoorservice。
No，no。byherself。
Ah，Iprotest！Isabelearnestlycried。Ifevertherewasawomanwhomadesmallclaims-！
Youputyourfingeronit，Ralphinterrupted。Hermodesty’sexaggerated。Shehasnobusinesswithsmallclaims-shehasaperfectrighttomakelargeones。
Hermeritsarelargethen。Youcontradictyourself。
Hermeritsareimmense，saidRalph。She’sindescribablyblameless。apathlessdesertofvirtue。theonlywomanIknowwhonevergivesoneachance。
Achanceforwhat？
Well，saytocallherafool！She’stheonlywomanIknowwhohasbutthatonelittlefault。
Isabelturnedawaywithimpatience。Idon’tunderstandyou。
you’retooparadoxicalformyplainmind。
Letmeexplain。WhenIsaysheexaggeratesIdon’tmeanitinthevulgarsense-thatsheboasts，overstates，givestoofineanaccountofherself。Imeanliterallythatshepushesthesearchforperfectiontoofar-thathermeritsareinthemselvesoverstrained。She’stoogood，tookind，tooclever，toolearned，tooaccomplished，tooeverything。She’stoocomplete，inaword。IconfesstoyouthatsheactsonmynervesandthatIfeelaboutheragooddealasthatintenselyhumanAthenianfeltaboutAristidestheJust。
Isabellookedhardathercousin。butthemockingspirit，ifitlurkedinhiswords，failedonthisoccasiontopeepfromhisface。
DoyouwishMadameMerletobebanished？
Bynomeans。She’smuchtoogoodcompany。IdelightinMadameMerle，saidRalphTouchettsimply。
You’reveryodious，sir！Isabelexclaimed。Andthensheaskedhimifheknewanythingthatwasnottothehonourofherbrilliantfriend。
Nothingwhatever。Don’tyouseethat’sjustwhatImean？Onthecharacterofeveryoneelseyoumayfindsomelittleblackspeck。ifI
weretotakehalfanhourtoit，someday，I’venodoubtIshouldbeabletofindoneonyours。Formyown，ofcourse，I’mspottedlikealeopard。ButonMadameMerle’snothing，nothing，nothing！
That’sjustwhatIthink！saidIsabelwithatossofherhead。
ThatiswhyIlikehersomuch。
She’sacapitalpersonforyoutoknow。Sinceyouwishtoseetheworldyoucouldn’thaveabetterguide。
Isupposeyoumeanbythatthatshe’sworldly？
Worldly？No，saidRalph，she’sthegreatroundworlditself！
Ithadcertainlynot，asIsabelforthemomenttookitintoherheadtobelieve，beenarefinementofmaliceinhimtosaythathedelightedinMadameMerle。RalphTouchetttookhisrefreshmentwhereverhecouldfindit，andhewouldnothaveforgottenhimselfifhehadbeenleftwhollyunbeguiledbysuchamistressofthesocialart。Therearedeep-lyingsympathiesandantipathies，anditmayhavebeenthat，inspiteoftheadministeredjusticesheenjoyedathishands，herabsencefromhismother’shousewouldnothavemadelifebarrentohim。ButRalphTouchetthadlearnedmoreorlessinscrutablytoattend，andtherecouldhavebeennothingsosustainedtoattendtoasthegeneralperformanceofMadameMerle。
Hetastedherinsips，heletherstand，withanopportunenesssheherselfcouldnothavesurpassed。Thereweremomentswhenhefeltalmostsorryforher。andthese，oddlyenough，werethemomentswhenhiskindnesswasleastdemonstrative。Hewassureshehadbeenyearninglyambitiousandthatwhatshehadvisiblyaccomplishedwasfarbelowhersecretmeasure。Shehadgotherselfintoperfecttraining，buthadwonnoneoftheprizes。ShewasalwaysplainMadameMerle，thewidowofaSwissnegociant，withasmallincomeandalargeacquaintance，whostayedwithpeopleagreatdealandwasalmostasuniversallylikedassomenewvolumeofsmoothtwaddle。Thecontrastbetweenthispositionandanyoneofsomehalf-dozenothersthathesupposedtohaveatvariousmomentsengagedherhopehadanelementofthetragical。Hismotherthoughthegotonbeautifullywiththeirgenialguest。toMrs。Touchett’ssensetwopersonswhodealtsolargelyintoo-ingenioustheoriesofconduct-
thatisoftheirown-wouldhavemuchincommon。HehadgivendueconsiderationtoIsabel’sintimacywithhereminentfriend，havinglongsincemadeuphismindthathecouldnot，withoutopposition，keephiscousintohimself。andhemadethebestofit，ashehaddoneofworsethings。Hebelieveditwouldtakecareofitself。itwouldn’tlastforever。Neitherofthesetwosuperiorpersonsknewtheotheraswellasshesupposed，andwheneachhadmadeanimportantdiscoveryortwotherewouldbe，ifnotarupture，atleastarelaxation。
Meanwhilehewasquitewillingtoadmitthattheconversationoftheelderladywasanadvantagetotheyounger，whohadagreatdealtolearnandwoulddoubtlesslearnitbetterfromMadameMerlethanfromsomeotherinstructorsoftheyoung。ItwasnotprobablethatIsabelwouldbeinjured。
CHAPTER24
ItwouldcertainlyhavebeenhardtoseewhatinjurycouldarisetoherfromthevisitshepresentlypaidtoMr。Osmond’shill-top。
Nothingcouldhavebeenmorecharmingthanthisoccasion-asoftafternooninthefullmaturityoftheTuscanspring。ThecompanionsdroveoutoftheRomanGate，beneaththeenormousblanksuperstructurewhichcrownsthefinecleararchofthatportalandmakesitnakedlyimpressive，andwoundbetweenhigh-walledlanesintowhichthewealthofblossomingorchardsoverdroopedandflungafragrance，untiltheyreachedthesmallsuperurbanpiazza，ofcrookedshape，wherethelongbrownwallofthevillaoccupiedinpartbyMr。Osmondformedaprincipal，oratleastaveryimposing，object。Isabelwentwithherfriendthroughawide，highcourt，whereaclearshadowrestedbelowandapairoflight-archedgalleries，facingeachotherabove，caughttheuppersunshineupontheirslimcolumnsandthefloweringplantsinwhichtheyweredressed。Therewassomethinggraveandstrongintheplace。itlookedsomehowasif，onceyouwerein，youwouldneedanactofenergytogetout。ForIsabel，however，therewasofcourseasyetnothoughtofgettingout，butonlyofadvancing。Mr。
Osmondmetherinthecoldante-chamber-itwascoldeveninthemonthofMay-andusheredher，withherconductress，intotheapartmenttowhichwehavealreadybeenintroduced。MadameMerlewasinfront，andwhileIsabellingeredalittle，talkingwithhim，shewentforwardfamiliarlyandgreetedtwopersonswhowereseatedinthesaloon。
OneofthesewaslittlePansy，onwhomshebestowedakiss。theotherwasaladywhomMr。OsmondindicatedtoIsabelashissister，theCountessGemini。
Andthat’smylittlegirl，hesaid，whohasjustcomeoutofherconvent。
Pansyhadonascantwhitedress，andherfairhairwasneatlyarrangedinanet。sheworehersmallshoestiedsandal-fashionaboutherankles。ShemadeIsabelalittleconventualcurtseyandthencametobekissed。TheCountessGeminisimplynoddedwithoutgettingup：Isabelcouldseeshewasawomanofhighfashion。Shewasthinanddarkandnotatallpretty，havingfeaturesthatsuggestedsometropicalbird-alongbeak-likenose，small，quickly-movingeyesandamouthandchinthatrecededextremely。Herexpression，however，thankstovariousintensitiesofemphasisandwonder，ofhorrorandjoy，wasnotinhuman，and，asregardsherappearance，itwasplainsheunderstoodherselfandmadethemostofherpoints。Herattire，voluminousanddelicate，bristlingwithelegance，hadthelookofshimmeringplumage，andherattitudeswereaslightandsuddenasthoseofacreaturewhoperchedupontwigs。Shehadagreatdealofmanner。Isabel，whohadneverknownanyonewithsomuchmanner，immediatelyclassedherasthemostaffectedofwomen。SherememberedthatRalphhadnotrecommendedherasanacquaintance。
butshewasreadytoacknowledgethattoacasualviewtheCountessGeminirevealednodepths。Herdemonstrationssuggestedtheviolentwavingofsomeflagofgeneraltruce-whitesilkwithflutteringstreamers。
You’llbelieveI’mgladtoseeyouwhenItellyouit’sonlybecauseIknewyouweretobeherethatIcamemyself。Idon’tcomeandseemybrother-Imakehimcomeandseeme。Thishillofhisisimpossible-Idon’tseewhatpossesseshim。Really，Osmond，you’llbetheruinofmyhorsessomeday，andifithurtsthemyou’llhavetogivemeanotherpair。Iheardthemwheezingto-day。IassureyouI
did。It’sverydisagreeabletohearone’shorseswheezingwhenone’ssittinginthecarriage。itsoundstooasiftheyweren’twhattheyshouldbe。ButI’vealwayshadgoodhorses。whateverelseImayhavelackedI’vealwaysmanagedthat。Myhusbanddoesn’tknowmuch，butI
thinkheknowsahorse。IngeneralItaliansdon’t，butmyhusbandgoesin，accordingtohispoorlight，foreverythingEnglish。MyhorsesareEnglish-soit’sallthegreaterpitytheyshouldberuined。Imusttellyou，shewenton，directlyaddressingIsabel，thatOsmonddoesn’tofteninviteme。Idon’tthinkhelikestohaveme。Itwasquitemyownidea，comingto-day。Iliketoseenewpeople，andI’msureyou’reverynew。Butdon’tsitthere。thatchair’snotwhatitlooks。Therearesomeverygoodseatshere，buttherearealsosomehorrors。
Theseremarksweredeliveredwithaseriesoflittlejerksandpecks，ofrouladesofshrillness，andinanaccentthatwasassomefondrecallofgoodEnglish，orratherofgoodAmerican，inadversity。
Idon’tliketohaveyou，mydear？saidherbrother。I’msureyou’reinvaluable。
Idon’tseeanyhorrorsanywhere，Isabelreturned，lookingabouther。Everythingseemstomebeautifulandprecious。
I’veafewgoodthings，Mr。Osmondallowed。indeedI’venothingverybad。ButI’venotwhatIshouldhaveliked。
Hestoodtherealittleawkwardly，smilingandglancingabout。hismannerwasanoddmixtureofthedetachedandtheinvolved。Heseemedtohintthatnothingbuttherightvalueswasofanyconsequence。Isabelmadearapidinduction：perfectsimplicitywasnotthebadgeofhisfamily。Eventhelittlegirlfromtheconvent，who，inherprimwhitedress，withhersmallsubmissivefaceandherhandslockedbeforeher，stoodthereasifshewereabouttopartakeofherfirstcommunion，evenMr。Osmond’sdiminutivedaughterhadakindoffinishthatwasnotentirelyartless。
You’dhavelikedafewthingsfromtheUffiziandthePitti-that’swhatyou’dhaveliked，saidMadameMerle。
PoorOsmond，withhisoldcurtainsandcrucifixes！theCountessGeminiexclaimed：sheappearedtocallherbrotheronlybyhisfamily-name。Herejaculationhadnoparticularobject。shesmiledatIsabelasshemadeitandlookedatherfromheadtofoot。
Herbrotherhadnotheardher。heseemedtobethinkingwhathecouldsaytoIsabel：
Won’tyouhavesometea？-youmustbeverytired，heatlastbethoughthimselfofremarking。
No，indeed，I’mnottired。whathaveIdonetotireme？Isabelfeltacertainneedofbeingverydirect，ofpretendingtonothing。
therewassomethingintheair，inhergeneralimpressionofthings-
shecouldhardlyhavesaidwhatitwas-thatdeprivedherofalldispositiontoputherselfforward。Theplace，theoccasion，thecombinationofpeople，signifiedmorethanlayonthesurface。shewouldtrytounderstand-shewouldnotsimplyuttergracefulplatitudes。PoorIsabelwasdoubtlessnotawarethatmanywomenwouldhaveutteredgracefulplatitudestocovertheworkingoftheirobservation。Itmustbeconfessedthatherpridewasatriflealarmed。
Amanshehadheardspokenofintermsthatexcitedinterestandwhowasevidentlycapableofdistinguishinghimself，hadinvitedher，ayoungladynotlavishofherfavours，tocometohishouse。Nowthatshehaddonesotheburdenoftheentertainmentrestednaturallyonhiswit。Isabelwasnotrenderedlessobservant，andforthemoment，wejudge，shewasnotrenderedmoreindulgent，byperceivingthatMr。Osmondcarriedhisburdenlesscomplacentlythanmighthavebeenexpected。WhatafoolIwastohaveletmyselfsoneedlesslyin-！
shecouldfancyhisexclaimingtohimself。
You’llbetiredwhenyougohome，ifheshowsyouallhisbibelotsandgivesyoualectureoneach，saidtheCountessGemini。
I’mnotafraidofthat。butifI’mtiredIshallatleasthavelearnedsomething。
Verylittle，Isuspect。Butmysister’sdreadfullyafraidoflearninganything，saidMr。Osmond。
Oh，Iconfesstothat。Idon’twanttoknowanythingmore-Iknowtoomuchalready。Themoreyouknowthemoreunhappyyouare。
YoushouldnotundervalueknowledgebeforePansy，whohasnotfinishedhereducation，MadameMerleinterposedwithasmile。
Pansywillneverknowanyharm，saidthechild’sfather。
Pansy’salittleconvent-flower。
Oh，theconvents，theconvents！criedtheCountesswithaflutterofherruffles。Speaktomeoftheconvents！Youmaylearnanythingthere。I’maconvent-flowermyself。Idon’tpretendtobegood，butthenunsdo。Don’tyouseewhatImean？shewenton，appealingtoIsabel。
Isabelwasnotsureshesaw，andsheansweredthatshewasverybadatfollowingarguments。TheCountessthendeclaredthatsheherselfdetestedarguments，butthatthiswasherbrother’staste-
hewouldalwaysdiscuss。Forme，shesaid，oneshouldlikeathingoroneshouldn’t。onecan’tlikeeverything，ofcourse。Butoneshouldn’tattempttoreasonitout-youneverknowwhereitmayleadyou。Therearesomeverygoodfeelingsthatmayhavebadreasons，don’tyouknow？Andthenthereareverybadfeelings，sometimes，thathavegoodreasons。Don’tyouseewhatImean？Idon’tcareanythingaboutreasons，butIknowwhatIlike。
Ah，that’sthegreatthing，saidIsabel，smilingandsuspectingthatheracquaintancewiththislightly-flittingpersonagewouldnotleadtointellectualrepose。IftheCountessobjectedtoargumentIsabelatthismomenthadaslittletasteforit，andsheputoutherhandtoPansywithapleasantsensethatsuchagesturecommittedhertonothingthatwouldadmitofadivergenceofviews。
GilbertOsmondapparentlytookaratherhopelessviewofhissister’stone。heturnedtheconversationtoanothertopic。Hepresentlysatdownontheothersideofhisdaughter，whohadshylybrushedIsabel’sfingerswithherown。butheendedbydrawingheroutofherchairandmakingherstandbetweenhisknees，leaningagainsthimwhilehepassedhisarmroundherslimness。ThechildfixedhereyesonIsabelwithastill，disinterestedgazewhichseemedvoidofanintention，yetconsciousofanattraction。Mr。Osmondtalkedofmanythings。MadameMerlehadsaidhecouldbeagreeablewhenhechose，andto-day，afteralittle，heappearednotonlytohavechosenbuttohavedetermined。MadameMerleandtheCountessGeminisatalittleapart，conversingintheeffortlessmannerofpersonswhokneweachotherwellenoughtotaketheirease。buteverynowandthenIsabelheardtheCountess，atsomethingsaidbyhercompanion，plungeintothelatter’slucidityasapoodlesplashesafterathrownstick。ItwasasifMadameMerlewereseeinghowfarshewouldgo。Mr。OsmondtalkedofFlorence，ofItaly，ofthepleasureoflivinginthatcountryandoftheabatementstothepleasure。Therewerebothsatisfactionsanddrawbacks。thedrawbackswerenumerous。
strangersweretooapttoseesuchaworldasallromantic。Itmetthecasesoothinglyforthehuman，forthesocialfailure-bywhichhemeantthepeoplewhocouldn’trealize，astheysaid，ontheirsensibility：theycouldkeepitaboutthemthere，intheirpoverty，withoutridicule，asyoumightkeepanheirloomoraninconveniententailedplacethatbroughtyouinnothing。Thustherewereadvantagesinlivinginthecountrywhichcontainedthegreatestsumofbeauty。
Certainimpressionsyoucouldgetonlythere。Others，favourabletolife，younevergot，andyougotsomethatwereverybad。Butfromtimetotimeyougotoneofaqualitythatmadeupforeverything。
Italy，allthesame，hadspoiledagreatmanypeople。hewasevenfatuousenoughtobelieveattimesthathehimselfmighthavebeenabettermanifhehadspentlessofhislifethere。Itmadeoneidleanddilettantishandsecond-rate。ithadnodisciplineforthecharacter，didn’tcultivateinyou，otherwiseexpressed，thesuccessfulsocialandothercheekthatflourishedinParisandLondon。We’resweetlyprovincial，saidMr。Osmond，andI’mperfectlyawarethatImyselfamasrustyasakeythathasnolocktofitit。Itpolishesmeupalittletotalkwithyou-notthatI
venturetopretendIcanturnthatverycomplicatedlockIsuspectyourintellectofbeing！Butyou’llbegoingawaybeforeI’veseenyouthreetimes，andIshallperhapsneverseeyouafterthat。That’swhatitistoliveinacountrythatpeoplecometo。Whenthey’redisagreeablehereit’sbadenough。whenthey’reagreeableit’sstillworse。Assoonasyoulikethemthey’reoffagain！I’vebeendeceivedtoooften。I’veceasedtoformattachments，topermitmyselftofeelattractions。Youmeantostay-tosettle？Thatwouldbereallycomfortable。Ahyes，youraunt’sasortofguarantee。Ibelieveshemaybedependedon。Oh，she’sanoldFlorentine。Imeanliterallyanoldone。notamodernoutsider。She’sacontemporaryoftheMedici。shemusthavebeenpresentattheburningofSavonarola，andI’mnotsureshedidn’tthrowahandfulofchipsintotheflame。
Herfaceisverymuchlikesomefacesintheearlypictures。little，dry，definitefacesthatmusthavehadagooddealofexpression，butalmostalwaysthesameone。IndeedIcanshowyouherportraitinafrescoofGhirlandaio’s。Ihopeyoudon’tobjecttomyspeakingthatwayofyouraunt，eh？I’veanideayoudon’t。Perhapsyouthinkthat’sevenworse。Iassureyouthere’snowantofrespectinit，toeitherofyou。YouknowI’maparticularadmirerofMrs。Touchett。
WhileIsabel’shostexertedhimselftoentertainherinthissomewhatconfidentialfashionshelookedoccasionallyatMadameMerle，whomethereyeswithaninattentivesmileinwhich，onthisoccasion，therewasnoinfelicitousintimationthatourheroineappearedtoadvantage。MadameMerleeventuallyproposedtotheCountessGeminithattheyshouldgointothegarden，andtheCountess，risingandshakingoutherfeathers，begantorustletowardthedoor。PoorMissArcher！sheexclaimed，surveyingtheothergroupwithexpressivecompassion。Shehasbeenbroughtquiteintothefamily。
MissArchercancertainlyhavenothingbutsympathyforafamilytowhichyoubelong，Mr。Osmondanswered，withalaughwhich，thoughithadsomethingofamockingring，hadalsoafinerpatience。
Idon’tknowwhatyoumeanbythat！I’msureshe’llseenoharminmebutwhatyoutellher。I’mbetterthanhesays，MissArcher，
theCountesswenton。I’monlyratheranidiotandabore。Isthatallhehassaid？Ahthen，youkeephimingood-humour。Hasheopenedononeofhisfavouritesubjects？Igiveyounoticethattherearetwoorthreethathetreatsafond。Inthatcaseyouhadbettertakeoffyourbonnet。
Idon’tthinkIknowwhatMr。Osmond’sfavouritesubjectsare，
saidIsabel，whohadrisentoherfeet。
TheCountessassumedforaninstantanattitudeofintensemeditation，pressingoneofherhands，withthefinger-tipsgatheredtogether，toherforehead。I’lltellyouinamoment。One’sMachiavelli。theother’sVittoriaColonna。thenextisMetastasio。
Ah，withme，saidMadameMerle，passingherarmintotheCountessGemini’sasiftoguidehercoursetothegarden，Mr。
Osmond’sneversohistorical。
Ohyou，theCountessansweredastheymovedaway，youyourselfareMachiavelli-youyourselfareVittoriaColonna！
WeshallhearnextthatpoorMadameMerleisMetastasio！GilbertOsmondresignedlysighed。
Isabelhadgotupontheassumptionthattheytooweretogointothegarden。butherhoststoodtherewithnoapparentinclinationtoleavetheroom，hishandsinthepocketsofhisjacketandhisdaughter，whohadnowlockedherarmintooneofhisown，clingingtohimandlookingupwhilehereyesmovedfromhisownfacetoIsabel’s。Isabelwaited，withacertainunutteredcontentedness，tohavehermovementsdirected。shelikedMr。Osmond’stalk，hiscompany：
shehadwhatalwaysgaveheraveryprivatethrill，theconsciousnessofanewrelation。ThroughtheopendoorsofthegreatroomshesawMadameMerleandtheCountessstrollacrossthefinegrassofthegarden。thensheturned，andhereyeswanderedoverthethingsscatteredabouther。TheunderstandinghadbeenthatMr。Osmondshouldshowherhistreasures。hispicturesandcabinetsalllookedliketreasures。Isabelafteramomentwenttowardoneofthepicturestoseeitbetter。butjustasshehaddonesohesaidtoherabruptly：MissArcher，whatdoyouthinkofmysister？
Shefacedhimwithsomesurprise。Ah，don’taskmethat-I’veseenyoursistertoolittle。
Yes，you’veseenherverylittle。butyoumusthaveobservedthatthereisnotagreatdealofhertosee。Whatdoyouthinkofourfamilytone？hewentonwithhiscoolsmile。Ishouldliketoknowhowitstrikesafresh，unprejudicedmind。Iknowwhatyou’regoingtosay-you’vehadalmostnoobservationofit。Ofcoursethisisonlyaglimpse。Butjusttakenotice，infuture，ifyouhaveachance。I
sometimesthinkwe’vegotintoaratherbadway，livingoffhereamongthingsandpeoplenotourown，withoutresponsibilitiesorattachments，withnothingtoholdustogetherorkeepusup。
marryingforeigners，formingartificialtastes，playingtrickswithournaturalmission。Letmeadd，though，thatIsaythatmuchmoreformyselfthanformysister。She’saveryhonestlady-moresothansheseems。She’sratherunhappy，andasshe’snotofaseriousturnshedoesn’ttendtoshowittragically：sheshowsitcomicallyinstead。Shehasgotahorridhusband，thoughI’mnotsureshemakesthebestofhim。Ofcourse，however，ahorridhusband’sanawkwardthing。MadameMerlegivesherexcellentadvice，butit’sagooddeallikegivingachildadictionarytolearnalanguagewith。Hecanlookoutthewords，buthecan’tputthemtogether。Mysisterneedsagrammar，butunfortunatelyshe’snotgrammatical。Pardonmytroublingyouwiththesedetails。mysisterwasveryrightinsayingyou’vebeentakenintothefamily。Letmetakedownthatpicture。
youwantmorelight。
Hetookdownthepicture，carriedittowardthewindow，relatedsomecuriousfactsaboutit。Shelookedattheotherworksofart，andhegavehersuchfurtherinformationasmightappearmostacceptabletoayoungladymakingacallonasummerafternoon。Hispictures，hismedallionsandtapestrieswereinteresting。butafterawhileIsabelfelttheownermuchmoreso，andindependentlyofthem，thicklyastheyseemedtooverhanghim。Heresemblednooneshehadeverseen。
mostofthepeoplesheknewmightbedividedintogroupsofhalfadozenspecimens。Therewereoneortwoexceptionstothis。shecouldthinkforinstanceofnogroupthatwouldcontainherauntLydia。
Therewereotherpeoplewhowere，relativelyspeaking，original-
original，asonemightsay，bycourtesy-suchasMr。Goodwood，ashercousinRalph，asHenriettaStackpole，asLordWarburton，asMadameMerle。Butinessentials，whenonecametolookatthem，theseindividualsbelongedtotypesalreadypresenttohermind。HermindcontainednoclassofferinganaturalplacetoMr。Osmond-hewasaspecimenapart。Itwasnotthatsherecognizedallthesetruthsatthehour，buttheywerefallingintoorderbeforeher。Forthemomentsheonlysaidtoherselfthatthisnewrelationwouldperhapsproveherverymostdistinguished。MadameMerlehadhadthatnoteofrarity，butwhatquiteotherpoweritimmediatelygainedwhensoundedbyaman！Itwasnotsomuchwhathesaidanddid，butratherwhathewithheld，thatmarkedhimforherasbyoneofthosesignsofthehighlycuriousthathewasshowingherontheundersideofoldplatesandinthecornerofsixteenth-centurydrawings：heindulgedinnostrikingdeflectionsfromcommonusage，hewasanoriginalwithoutbeinganeccentric。Shehadnevermetapersonofsofineagrain。Thepeculiaritywasphysical，tobeginwith，anditextendedtoimpalpabilities。Hisdense，delicatehair，hisoverdrawn，retouchedfeatures，hisclearcomplexion，ripewithoutbeingcoarse，theveryevennessofthegrowthofhisbeard，andthatlight，smoothslendernessofstructurewhichmadethemovementofasingleoneofhisfingersproducetheeffectofanexpressivegesture-
thesepersonalpointsstruckoursensitiveyoungwomanassignsofquality，ofintensity，somehowaspromisesofinterest。Hewascertainlyfastidiousandcritical。hewasprobablyirritable。Hissensibilityhadgovernedhim-possiblygovernedhimtoomuch。ithadmadehimimpatientofvulgartroublesandhadledhimtolivebyhimself，inasorted，sifted，arrangedworld，thinkingaboutartandbeautyandhistory。Hehadconsultedhistasteineverything-histastealoneperhaps，asasickmanconsciouslyincurableconsultsatlastonlyhislawyer：thatwaswhatmadehimsodifferentfromeveryoneelse。Ralphhadsomethingofthissamequality，thisappearanceofthinkingthatlifewasamatterofconnoisseurship。butinRalphitwasananomaly，akindofhumorousexcrescence，whereasinMr。
Osmonditwasthekeynote，andeverythingwasinharmonywithit。
Shewascertainlyfarfromunderstandinghimcompletely。hismeaningwasnotatalltimesobvious。Itwashardtoseewhathemeantforinstancebyspeakingofhisprovincialside-whichwasexactlythesideshewouldhavetakenhimmosttolack。Wasitaharmlessparadox，intendedtopuzzleher？orwasitthelastrefinementofhighculture？
Shetrustedsheshouldlearnintime。itwouldbeveryinterestingtolearn。Ifitwasprovincialtohavethatharmony，whatthenwasthefinishofthecapital？Andshecouldputthisquestioninspiteofsofeelingherhostaslypersonage。sincesuchshynessashis-theshynessofticklishnervesandfineperceptions-wasperfectlyconsistentwiththebestbreeding。Indeeditwasalmostaproofofstandardsandtouchstonesotherthanthevulgar：hemustbesosurethevulgarwouldbefirstontheground。Hewasn’tamanofeasyassurance，whochattedandgossipedwiththefluencyofasuperficialnature。hewascriticalofhimselfaswellasofothers，and，exactingagooddealofothers，tothinkthemagreeable，probablytookaratherironicalviewofwhathehimselfoffered：aproofintothebargainthathewasnotgrosslyconceited。Ifhehadnotbeenshyhewouldn’thaveeffectedthatgradual，subtle，successfulconversionofittowhichsheowedbothwhatpleasedherinhimandwhatmystifiedher。IfhehadsuddenlyaskedherwhatshethoughtoftheCountessGemini，thatwasdoubtlessaproofthathewasinterestedinher。itcouldscarcelybeasahelptoknowledgeofhisownsister。
Thatheshouldbesointerestedshowedanenquiringmind。butitwasalittlesingularheshouldsacrificehisfraternalfeelingtohiscuriosity。Thiswasthemosteccentricthinghehaddone。
Thereweretwootherrooms，beyondtheoneinwhichshehadbeenreceived，equallyfullofromanticobjects，andintheseapartmentsIsabelspentaquarterofanhour。Everythingwasinthelastdegreecuriousandprecious，andMr。Osmondcontinuedtobethekindestofciceroniasheledherfromonefinepiecetoanotherandstillheldhislittlegirlbythehand。Hiskindnessalmostsurprisedouryoungfriend，whowonderedwhyheshouldtakesomuchtroubleforher。andshewasoppressedatlastwiththeaccumulationofbeautyandknowledgetowhichshefoundherselfintroduced。Therewasenoughforthepresent。shehadceasedtoattendtowhathesaid。shelistenedtohimwithattentiveeyes，butwasnotthinkingofwhathetoldher。Heprobablythoughtherquicker，clevererineveryway，moreprepared，thanshewas。MadameMerlewouldhavepleasantlyexaggerated。whichwasapity，becauseintheendhewouldbesuretofindout，andthenperhapsevenherrealintelligencewouldn’treconcilehimtohismistake。ApartofIsabel’sfatiguecamefromtheefforttoappearasintelligentasshebelievedMadameMerlehaddescribedher，andfromthefearveryunusualwithherofexposing-notherignorance。forthatshecaredcomparativelylittle-butherpossiblegrossnessofperception。Itwouldhaveannoyedhertoexpressalikingforsomethinghe，inhissuperiorenlightenment，wouldthinksheoughtn’ttolike。ortopassbysomethingatwhichthetrulyinitiatedmindwouldarrestitself。Shehadnowishtofallintothatgrotesqueness-inwhichshehadseenwomenanditwasawarningserenely，yetignobly，flounder。Shewasverycarefulthereforeastowhatshesaid，astowhatshenoticedorfailedtonotice。morecarefulthanshehadeverbeenbefore。
Theycamebackintothefirstoftherooms，wheretheteahadbeenserved。butasthetwootherladieswerestillontheterrace，andasIsabelhadnotyetbeenmadeacquaintedwiththeview，theparamountdistinctionoftheplace，Mr。Osmonddirectedherstepsintothegardenwithoutmoredelay。MadameMerleandtheCountesshadhadchairsbroughtout，andastheafternoonwaslovelytheCountessproposedtheyshouldtaketheirteaintheopenair。Pansythereforewassenttobidtheservantbringoutthepreparations。Thesunhadgotlow，thegoldenlighttookadeepertone，andonthemountainsandtheplainthatstretchedbeneaththemthemassesofpurpleshadowglowedasrichlyastheplacesthatwerestillexposed。Thescenehadanextraordinarycharm。Theairwasalmostsolemnlystill，andthelargeexpanseofthelandscape，withitsgardenlikecultureandnoblenessofoutline，itsteemingvalleyanddelicately-frettedhills，itspeculiarlyhuman-lookingtouchesofhabitation，laythereinsplendidharmonyandclassicgrace。YouseemsowellpleasedthatI
thinkyoucanbetrustedtocomeback，Osmondsaidasheledhiscompaniontooneoftheanglesoftheterrace。
Ishallcertainlycomeback，shereturned，inspiteofwhatyousayaboutitsbeingbadtoliveinItaly。Whatwasthatyousaidaboutone’snaturalmission？IwonderifIshouldforsakemynaturalmissionifIweretosettleinFlorence。
Awoman’snaturalmissionistobewhereshe’smostappreciated。
Thepoint’stofindoutwherethatis。
Verytrue-sheoftenwastesagreatdealoftimeintheenquiry。
Peopleoughttomakeitveryplaintoher。
Suchamatterwouldhavetobemadeveryplaintome，smiledIsabel。
I’mglad，atanyrate，tohearyoutalkofsettling。MadameMerlehadgivenmeanideathatyouwereofaratherrovingdisposition。I
thoughtshespokeofyourhavingsomeplanofgoingroundtheworld。
I’mratherashamedofmyplans。Imakeanewoneeveryday。
Idon’tseewhyyoushouldbeashamed。it’sthegreatestofpleasures。
Itseemsfrivolous，Ithink，saidIsabel。Oneoughttochoosesomethingverydeliberately，andbefaithfultothat。
Bythatrulethen，I’venotbeenfrivolous。
Haveyounevermadeplans？
Yes，Imadeoneyearsago，andI’mactingonitto-day。
Itmusthavebeenaverypleasantone，Isabelpermittedherselftoobserve。
Itwasverysimple。Itwastobeasquietaspossible。
Asquiet？thegirlrepeated。
Nottoworry-nottostrivenorstruggle。Toresignmyself。Tobecontentwithlittle。Hespokethesesentencesslowly，withshortpausesbetween，andhisintelligentregardwasfixedonhisvisitor’swiththeconsciousairofamanwhohasbroughthimselftoconfesssomething。
Doyoucallthatsimple？sheaskedwithmildirony。
Yes，becauseit’snegative。
Hasyourlifebeennegative？
Callitaffirmativeifyoulike。Onlyithasaffirmedmyindifference。Mindyou，notmynaturalindifference-Ihadnone。Butmystudied，mywilfulrenunciation。
Shescarcelyunderstoodhim。itseemedaquestionwhetherhewerejokingornot。Whyshouldamanwhostruckherashavingagreatfundofreservesuddenlybringhimselftobesoconfidential？Thiswashisaffair，however，andhisconfidenceswereinteresting。Idon’tseewhyyoushouldhaverenounced，shesaidinamoment。
BecauseIcoulddonothing。Ihadnoprospects，Iwaspoor，andI
wasnotamanofgenius。Ihadnotalentseven。Itookmymeasureearlyinlife。Iwassimplythemostfastidiousyounggentlemanliving。ThereweretwoorthreepeopleintheworldIenvied-theEmperorofRussia，forinstance，andtheSultanofTurkey！TherewereevenmomentswhenIenviedthePopeofRome-fortheconsiderationheenjoys。Ishouldhavebeendelightedtobeconsideredtothatextent。butsincethatcouldn’tbeIdidn’tcareforanythingless，andImadeupmymindnottogoinforhonours。Theleanestgentlemancanalwaysconsiderhimself，andfortunatelyI
was，thoughlean，agentleman。IcoulddonothinginItaly-Icouldn’tevenbeanItalianpatriot。TodothatIshouldhavehadtogetoutofthecountry。andIwastoofondofittoleaveit，tosaynothingofmybeingtoowellsatisfiedwithit，onthewhole，asitthenwas，towishitaltered。SoI’vepassedagreatmanyyearshereonthatquietplanIspokeof。I’venotbeenatallunhappy。Idon’tmeantosayI’vecaredfornothing。butthethingsI’vecaredforhavebeendefinite-limited。Theeventsofmylifehavebeenabsolutelyunperceivedbyanyonesavemyself。gettinganoldsilvercrucifixatabargainI’veneverboughtanythingdear，ofcourse，ordiscovering，asIoncedid，asketchbyCorreggioonapaneldaubedoverbysomeinspiredidiot。
ThiswouldhavebeenratheradryaccountofMr。Osmond’s’careerifIsabelhadfullybelievedit。butherimaginationsuppliedthehumanelementwhichshewassurehadnotbeenwanting。Hislifehadbeenmingledwithotherlivesmorethanheadmitted。naturallyshecouldn’texpecthimtoenterintothis。Forthepresentsheabstainedfromprovokingfurtherrevelations。tointimatethathehadnottoldhereverythingwouldbemorefamiliarandlessconsideratethanshenowdesiredtobe-wouldinfactbeuproariouslyvulgar。Hehadcertainlytoldherquiteenough。Itwasherpresentinclination，however，toexpressameasuredsympathyforthesuccesswithwhichhehadpreservedhisindependence。That’saverypleasantlife，
shesaid，torenounceeverythingbutCorreggio！
Oh，I’vemadeinmywayagoodthingofit。Don’timagineI’mwhiningaboutit。It’sone’sownfaultifoneisn’thappy。
Thiswaslarge。shekeptdowntosomethingsmaller。Haveyoulivedherealways？
No，notalways。IlivedalongtimeatNaples，andmanyyearsinRome。ButI’vebeenhereagoodwhile。PerhapsIshallhavetochange，however。todosomethingelse。I’venolongermyselftothinkof。Mydaughter’sgrowingupandmayverypossiblynotcaresomuchfortheCorreggiosandcrucifixesasI。Ishallhavetodowhat’sbestforPansy。
Yes，dothat，saidIsabel。She’ssuchadearlittlegirl。
Ah，criedGilbertOsmondbeautifully，she’salittlesaintofheaven！Sheismygreathappiness！
CHAPTER25
WhilethissufficientlyintimatecolloquyprolongedforsometimeafterweceasetofollowitwentforwardMadameMerleandhercompanion，breakingasilenceofsomeduration，hadbeguntoexchangeremarks。Theyweresittinginanattitudeofunexpressedexpectancy。anattitudeespeciallymarkedonthepartoftheCountessGemini，who，beingofamorenervoustemperamentthanherfriend，practisedwithlesssuccesstheartofdisguisingimpatience。Whattheseladieswerewaitingforwouldnothavebeenapparentandwasperhapsnotverydefinitetotheirownminds。
MadameMerlewaitedforOsmondtoreleasetheiryoungfriendfromhertete-a-tete，andtheCountesswaitedbecauseMadameMerledid。TheCountess，moreover，bywaiting，foundthetimeripeforoneofherprettyperversities。Shemighthavedesiredforsomeminutestoplaceit。HerbrotherwanderedwithIsabeltotheendofthegarden，towhichpointhereyesfollowedthem。
Mydear，shethenobservedtohercompanion，you’llexcusemeifIdon’tcongratulateyou！
Verywillingly，forIdon’tintheleastknowwhyyoushould。
Haven’tyoualittleplanthatyouthinkratherwellof？AndtheCountessnoddedatthesequesteredcouple。
MadameMerle’seyestookthesamedirection。thenshelookedserenelyatherneighbour。YouknowIneverunderstandyouverywell，shesmiled。
Noonecanunderstandbetterthanyouwhenyouwish。Iseethatjustnowyoudon’twish。
Yousaythingstomethatnooneelsedoes，saidMadameMerlegravely，yetwithoutbitterness。
Youmeanthingsyoudon’tlike？Doesn’tOsmondsometimessaysuchthings？
Whatyourbrothersayshasapoint。
Yes，apoisonedonesometimes。IfyoumeanthatI’mnotsocleverasheyoumustn’tthinkIshallsufferfromyoursenseofourdifference。Butitwillbemuchbetterthatyoushouldunderstandme。
Whyso？askedMadameMerle。Towhatwillitconduce？
IfIdon’tapproveofyourplanyououghttoknowitinordertoappreciatethedangerofmyinterferingwithit。
MadameMerlelookedasifshewerereadytoadmitthattheremightbesomethinginthis。butinamomentshesaidquietly：YouthinkmemorecalculatingthanIam。
It’snotyourcalculatingIthinkillof。it’syourcalculatingwrong。You’vedonesointhiscase。
Youmusthavemadeextensivecalculationsyourselftodiscoverthat。
No，I’venothadtime。I’veseenthegirlbutthisonce，saidtheCountess，andtheconvictionhassuddenlycometome。Ilikeherverymuch。
SodoI，MadameMerlementioned。
You’veastrangewayofshowingit。
SurelyI’vegivenhertheadvantageofmakingyouracquaintance。
Thatindeed，pipedtheCountess，isperhapsthebestthingthatcouldhappentoher！
MadameMerlesaidnothingforsometime。TheCountess’smannerwasodious，wasreallylow。butitwasanoldstory，andwithhereyesuponthevioletslopeofMonteMorelloshegaveherselfuptoreflection。Mydearlady，shefinallyresumed，Iadviseyounottoagitateyourself。Thematteryoualludetoconcernsthreepersonsmuchstrongerofpurposethanyourself。
Threepersons？YouandOsmondofcourse。ButisMissArcheralsoverystrongofpurpose？
Quiteasmuchsoaswe。
Ahthen，saidtheCountessradiantly，ifIconvinceherit’sherinteresttoresistyoushe’lldososuccessfully！
Resistus？Whydoyouexpressyourselfsocoarsely？She’snotexposedtocompulsionordeception。
I’mnotsureofthat。You’recapableofanything，youandOsmond。I
don’tmeanOsmondbyhimself，andIdon’tmeanyoubyyourself。Buttogetheryou’redangerous-likesomechemicalcombination。
Youhadbetterleaveusalonethen，smiledMadameMerle。
Idon’tmeantotouchyou-butIshalltalktothatgirl。
MypoorAmy，MadameMerlemurmured，Idon’tseewhathasgotintoyourhead。
Itakeaninterestinher-that’swhathasgotintomyhead。Ilikeher。
MadameMerlehesitatedamoment。Idon’tthinkshelikesyou。
TheCountess’sbrightlittleeyesexpandedandherfacewassetinagrimace。Ah，youaredangerous-evenbyyourself！
Ifyouwanthertolikeyoudon’tabuseyourbrothertoher，
saidMadameMerle。
Idon’tsupposeyoupretendshehasfalleninlovewithhimintwointerviews。
MadameMerlelookedamomentatIsabelandatthemasterofthehouse。Hewasleaningagainsttheparapet，facingher，hisarmsfolded。andsheatpresentwasevidentlynotlostinthemereimpersonalview，persistentlyasshegazedatit。AsMadameMerlewatchedhersheloweredhereyes。shewaslistening，possiblywithacertainembarrassment，whileshepressedthepointofherparasolintothepath。MadameMerlerosefromherchair。Yes，Ithinkso！shepronounced。
Theshabbyfootboy，summonedbyPansy-hemight，tarnishedastoliveryandquaintastotype，haveissuedfromsomestraysketchofold-timemanners，beenputinbythebrushofaLonghioraGoya-
hadcomeoutwithasmalltableandplaceditonthegrass，andthenhadgonebackandfetchedthetea-tray。afterwhichhehadagaindisappeared，toreturnwithacoupleofchairs。Pansyhadwatchedtheseproceedingswiththedeepestinterest，standingwithhersmallhandsfoldedtogetheruponthefrontofherscantyfrock。butshehadnotpresumedtoofferassistance。Whenthetea-tablehadbeenarranged，however，shegentlyapproachedheraunt。
Doyouthinkpapawouldobjecttomymakingthetea？
TheCountesslookedatherwithadeliberatelycriticalgazeandwithoutansweringherquestion。
Mypoorniece，shesaid，isthatyourbestfrock？
Ahno，Pansyanswered，it’sjustalittletoiletteforcommonoccasions。
DoyoucallitacommonoccasionwhenIcometoseeyou？-tosaynothingofMadameMerleandtheprettyladyyonder。
Pansyreflectedamoment，turninggravelyfromoneofthepersonsmentionedtotheother。Thenherfacebrokeintoitsperfectsmile。I
haveaprettydress，buteventhatone’sverysimple。WhyshouldI
exposeitbesideyourbeautifulthings？
Becauseit’stheprettiestyouhave。formeyoumustalwaysweartheprettiest。Pleaseputitonthenexttime。Itseemstometheydon’tdressyousowellastheymight。
Thechildsparinglystrokeddownherantiquatedskirt。It’sagoodlittledresstomaketea-don’tyouthink？Don’tyoubelievepapawouldallowme？
Impossibleformetosay，mychild，saidtheCountess。Forme，yourfather’sideasareunfathomable。MadameMerleunderstandsthembetter。Askher。
MadameMerlesmiledwithherusualgrace。It’saweightyquestion-letmethink。Itseemstomeitwouldpleaseyourfathertoseeacarefullittledaughtermakinghistea。It’stheproperdutyofthedaughterofthehouse-whenshegrowsup。
Soitseemstome，MadameMerle！Pansycried。YoushallseehowwellI’llmakeit。Aspoonfulforeach。Andshebegantobusyherselfatthetable。
Twospoonfulsforme，saidtheCountess，who，withMadameMerle，remainedforsomemomentswatchingher。Listentome，Pansy，theCountessresumedatlast。Ishouldliketoknowwhatyouthinkofyourvisitor。
Ah，she’snotmine-she’spapa’s，Pansyobjected。
MissArchercametoseeyouaswell，saidMadameMerle。
I’mveryhappytohearthat。Shehasbeenverypolitetome。
Doyoulikeherthen？theCountessasked。
She’scharming-charming，Pansyrepeatedinherlittleneatconversationaltone。Shepleasesmethoroughly。
Andhowdoyouthinkshepleasesyourfather？
Ahreally，Countess！murmuredMadameMerledissuasively。Goandcallthemtotea，shewentontothechild。
You’llseeiftheydon’tlikeit！Pansydeclared。anddepartedtosummontheothers，whohadstilllingeredattheendoftheterrace。
IfMissArcher’stobecomehermotherit’ssurelyinterestingtoknowifthechildlikesher，saidtheCountess。
Ifyourbrothermarriesagainitwon’tbeforPansy’ssake，MadameMerlereplied。She’llsoonbesixteen，andafterthatshe’llbegintoneedahusbandratherthanastepmother。
Andwillyouprovidethehusbandaswell？
Ishallcertainlytakeaninterestinhermarryingfortunately。I
imagineyou’lldothesame。
IndeedIshan’t！criedtheCountess。WhyshouldI，ofallwomen，setsuchapriceonahusband？
Youdidn’tmarryfortunately。that’swhatI’mspeakingof。WhenI
sayahusbandImeanagoodone。
Therearenogoodones。Osmondwon’tbeagoodone。
MadameMerleclosedhereyesamoment。You’reirritatedjustnow。I
don’tknowwhy，shepresentlysaid。Idon’tthinkyou’llreallyobjecteithertoyourbrother’sortoyourniece’smarryingwhenthetimecomesforthemtodoso。andasregardsPansyI’mconfidentthatweshallsomedayhavethepleasureoflookingforahusbandforhertogether。Yourlargeacquaintancewillbeagreathelp。
Yes，I’mirritated，theCountessanswered。Youoftenirritateme。
Yourowncoolnessisfabulous。You’reastrangewoman。
It’smuchbetterthatweshouldalwaysacttogether，MadameMerlewenton。
Doyoumeanthatasathreat？askedtheCountessrising。
MadameMerleshookherheadasforquietamusement。Noindeed，you’venotmycoolness！
IsabelandMr。OsmondwerenowslowlycomingtowardthemandIsabelhadtakenPansybythehand。Doyoupretendtobelievehe’dmakeherhappy？theCountessdemanded。
IfheshouldmarryMissArcherIsupposehe’dbehavelikeagentleman。
TheCountessjerkedherselfintoasuccessionofattitudes。Doyoumeanasmostgentlemenbehave？Thatwouldbemuchtobethankfulfor！OfcourseOsmond’sagentleman。hisownsisterneedn’tberemindedofthat。Butdoeshethinkhecanmarryanygirlhehappenstopickout？Osmond’sagentleman，ofcourse。butImustsayI’venever，no，no，never，seenanyoneofOsmond’spretensions！Whatthey’reallfoundedonismorethanIcansay。I’mhisownsister。I
mightbesupposedtoknow。Whoishe，ifyouplease？Whathasheeverdone？Iftherehadbeenanythingparticularlygrandinhisorigin-ifheweremadeofsomesuperiorclay-IpresumeIshouldhavegotsomeinklingofit。IftherehadbeenanygreathonoursorsplendoursinthefamilyIshouldcertainlyhavemadethemostofthem：theywouldhavebeenquiteinmyline。Butthere’snothing，nothing，nothing。One’sparentswerecharmingpeopleofcourse。butsowereyours，I’venodoubt。Everyone’sacharmingpersonnow-a-days。
EvenI’macharmingperson。don’tlaugh，ithasliterallybeensaid。
AsforOsmond，hehasalwaysappearedtobelievethathe’sdescendedfromthegods。
Youmaysaywhatyouplease，saidMadameMerle，whohadlistenedtothisquickoutbreaknonethelessattentively，wemaybelieve，becausehereyewanderedawayfromthespeakerandherhandsbusiedthemselveswithadjustingtheknotsofribbononherdress。YouOsmondsareafinerace-yourbloodmustflowfromsomeverypuresource。Yourbrother，likeanintelligentman，hashadtheconvictionofitifhehasnothadtheproofs。You’remodestaboutit，butyouyourselfareextremelydistinguished。Whatdoyousayaboutyourniece？Thechild’salittleprincess。Nevertheless，MadameMerleadded，itwon’tbeaneasymatterforOsmondtomarryMissArcher。
Yethecantry。
Ihopeshe’llrefusehim。Itwilltakehimdownalittle。
Wemustn’tforgetthatheisoneofthecleverestofmen。
I’veheardyousaythatbefore，butIhaven’tyetdiscoveredwhathehasdone。
Whathehasdone？Hehasdonenothingthathashadtobeundone。
Andhehasknownhowtowait。
TowaitforMissArcher’smoney？Howmuchofitisthere？
That’snotwhatImean，saidMadameMerle。MissArcherhasseventythousandpounds。
Well，it’sapityshe’ssocharming，theCountessdeclared。Tobesacrificed，anygirlwoulddo。Sheneedn’tbesuperior。
Ifsheweren’tsuperioryourbrotherwouldneverlookather。Hemusthavethebest。
Yes，returnedtheCountessastheywentforwardalittletomeettheothers，he’sveryhardtosatisfy。Thatmakesmetrembleforherhappiness！
CHAPTER26
GilbertOsmondcametoseeIsabelagain。thatishecametoPalazzoCrescentini。Hehadotherfriendsthereaswell，andtoMrs。
TouchettandMadameMerlehewasalwaysimpartiallycivil。buttheformeroftheseladiesnotedthefactthatinthecourseofafortnighthecalledfivetimes，andcompareditwithanotherfactthatshefoundnodifficultyinremembering。TwovisitsayearhadhithertoconstitutedhisregulartributetoMrs。Touchett’sworth，andshehadneverobservedhimselectforsuchvisitsthosemoments，ofalmostperiodicalrecurrence，whenMadameMerlewasunderherroof。ItwasnotforMadameMerlethathecame。thesetwowereoldfriendsandheneverputhimselfoutforher。HewasnotfondofRalph-Ralphhadtoldherso-anditwasnotsupposablethatMr。Osmondhadsuddenlytakenafancytoherson。Ralphwasimperturbable-Ralphhadakindofloose-fittingurbanitythatwrappedhimaboutlikeanill-madeovercoat，butofwhichheneverdivestedhimself。hethoughtMr。
Osmondverygoodcompanyandwaswillingatanytimetolookathiminthelightofhospitality。Buthedidn’tflatterhimselfthatthedesiretorepairapastinjusticewasthemotiveoftheirvisitor’scalls。hereadthesituationmoreclearly。Isabelwastheattraction，andinallconscienceasufficientone。Osmondwasacritic，astudentoftheexquisite，anditwasnaturalheshouldbecuriousofsorareanapparition。SowhenhismotherobservedtohimthatitwasplainwhatMr。Osmondwasthinkingof，Ralphrepliedthathewasquiteofheropinion。Mrs。Touchetthadfromfarbackfoundaplaceonherscantlistforthisgentleman，thoughwonderingdimlybywhatartandwhatprocess-sonegativeandsowiseastheywere-hehadeverywhereeffectivelyimposedhimself。Ashehadneverbeenanimportunatevisitorhehadhadnochancetobeoffensive，andhewasrecommendedtoherbyhisappearanceofbeingaswellabletodowithoutherasshewastodowithouthim-aqualitythatalways，oddlyenough，affectedherasprovidinggroundforarelationwithher。Itgavehernosatisfaction，however，tothinkthathehadtakenitintohisheadtomarryherniece。Suchanalliance，onIsabel’spart，wouldhaveanairofalmostmorbidperversity。Mrs。
TouchetteasilyrememberedthatthegirlhadrefusedanEnglishpeer。andthatayoungladywithwhomLordWarburtonhadnotsuccessfullywrestledshouldcontentherselfwithanobscureAmericandilettante，amiddle-agedwidowerwithanuncannychildandanambiguousincome，thisansweredtonothinginMrs。Touchett’sconceptionofsuccess。Shetook，itwillbeobserved，notthesentimental，butthepolitical，viewofmatrimony-aviewwhichhasalwayshadmuchtorecommendit。Itrustshewon’thavethefollytolistentohim，shesaidtoherson。towhichRalphrepliedthatIsabel’slisteningwasonethingandIsabel’sansweringquiteanother。
Heknewshehadlistenedtoseveralparties，ashisfatherwouldhavesaid，buthadmadethemlisteninreturn。andhefoundmuchentertainmentintheideathatinthesefewmonthsofhisknowingherheshouldobserveafreshsuitorathergate。Shehadwantedtoseelife，andfortunewasservinghertohertaste。asuccessionoffinegentlemengoingdownontheirkneestoherwoulddoaswellasanythingelse。Ralphlookedforwardtoafourth，afifth，atenthbesieger。hehadnoconvictionshewouldstopatathird。Shewouldkeepthegateajarandopenaparley。shewouldcertainlynotallownumberthreetocomein。Heexpressedthisview，somewhatafterthisfashion，tohismother，wholookedathimasifhehadbeendancingajig。Hehadsuchafanciful，pictorialwayofsayingthingsthathemightaswelladdressherinthedeaf-mute’salphabet。
Idon’tthinkIknowwhatyoumean，shesaid。youusetoomanyfiguresofspeech。Icouldneverunderstandallegories。ThetwowordsinthelanguageImostrespectareYesandNo。IfIsabelwantstomarryMr。Osmondshe’lldosoinspiteofallyourcomparisons。Letheralonetofindafineoneherselfforanythingsheundertakes。I
knowverylittleabouttheyoungmaninAmerica。Idon’tthinkshespendsmuchofhertimeinthinkingofhim，andIsuspecthehasgottiredofwaitingforher。There’snothinginlifetopreventhermarryingMr。Osmondifsheonlylooksathiminacertainway。
That’sallverywell。nooneapprovesmorethanIofone’spleasingone’sself。Butshetakesherpleasureinsuchoddthings。she’scapableofmarryingMr。OsmondforthebeautyofhisopinionsorforhisautographofMichaelAngelo。Shewantstobedisinterested：asifsheweretheonlypersonwho’sindangerofnotbeingso！Willhebesodisinterestedwhenhehasthespendingofhermoney？Thatwasherideabeforeyourfather’sdeath，andithasacquirednewcharmsforhersince。Sheoughttomarrysomeoneofwhosedisinterestednesssheshallherselfbesure。andtherewouldbenosuchproofofthatashishavingafortuneofhisown。
Mydearmother，I’mnotafraid，Ralphanswered。She’smakingfoolsofusall。She’llpleaseherself，ofcourse。butshe’lldosobystudyinghumannatureatclosequartersandyetretainingherliberty。
Shehasstartedonanexploringexpedition，andIdon’tthinkshe’llchangehercourse，attheoutset，atasignalfromGilbertOsmond。Shemayhaveslackenedspeedforanhour，butbeforeweknowitshe’llbesteamingawayagain。Excuseanothermetaphor。
Mrs。Touchettexcuseditperhaps，butwasnotsomuchreassuredastowithholdfromMadameMerletheexpressionofherfears。Youwhoknoweverything，shesaid，youmustknowthis：whetherthatcuriouscreature’sreallymakinglovetomyniece。
GilbertOsmond？MadameMerlewidenedhercleareyesand，withafullintelligence，Heavenhelpus，sheexclaimed，that’sanidea！
Hadn’titoccurredtoyou？
Youmakemefeelanidiot，butIconfessithadn’t。Iwonder，
sheadded，ifithasoccurredtoIsabel。
Oh，Ishallnowaskher，saidMrs。Touchett。
MadameMerlereflected。Don’tputitintoherhead。ThethingwouldbetoaskMr。Osmond。
Ican’tdothat，saidMrs。Touchett。Iwon’thavehimenquireofme-asheperfectlymaywiththatairofhis，givenIsabel’ssituation-whatbusinessitisofmine。
I’llaskhimmyself，MadameMerlebravelydeclared。
Butwhatbusiness-forhim-isitofyours？
It’sbeingnonewhateverisjustwhyIcanaffordtospeak。It’ssomuchlessmybusinessthananyone’selsethathecanputmeoffwithanythinghechooses。ButitwillbebythewayhedoesthisthatIshallknow。
Prayletmehearthen，saidMrs。Touchett，ofthefruitsofyourpenetration。IfIcan’tspeaktohim，however，atleastIcanspeaktoIsabel。
Hercompanionsoundedatthisthenoteofwarning。Don’tbetooquickwithher。Don’tinflameherimagination。
Ineverdidanythinginmylifetoanyone’simagination。ButI’malwayssureofherdoingsomething-well，notofmykind。
No，youwouldn’tlikethis，MadameMerleobservedwithoutthepointofinterrogation。
WhyintheworldshouldI，pray？Mr。Osmondhasnothingtheleastsolidtooffer。
AgainMadameMerlewassilentwhileherthoughtfulsmiledrewuphermouthevenmorecharminglythanusualtowardtheleftcorner。Letusdistinguish。GilbertOsmond’scertainlynotthefirstcomer。He’samanwhoinfavourableconditionsmightverywellmakeagreatimpression。Hehasmadeagreatimpression，tomyknowledge，morethanonce。
Don’ttellmeabouthisprobablyquitecold-bloodedlove-affairs。
they’renothingtome！Mrs。Touchettcried。Whatyousay’spreciselywhyIwishhewouldceasehisvisits。HehasnothingintheworldthatIknowofbutadozenortwoofearlymastersandamoreorlesspertlittledaughter。
Theearlymastersarenowworthagooddealofmoney，saidMadameMerle，andthedaughter’saveryyoungandveryinnocentandveryharmlessperson。
Inotherwordsshe’saninsipidlittlechit。Isthatwhatyoumean？
Havingnofortuneshecan’thopetomarryastheymarryhere。sothatIsabelwillhavetofurnishhereitherwithamaintenanceorwithadowry。
Isabelprobablywouldn’tobjecttobeingkindtoher。Ithinkshelikesthepoorchild。
AnotherreasonthenforMr。Osmond’sstoppingathome！Otherwise，aweekhence，weshallhavemyniecearrivingattheconvictionthathermissioninlife’stoprovethatastepmothermaysacrificeherself-
andthat，toproveit，shemustfirstbecomeone。
Shewouldmakeacharmingstepmother，smiledMadameMerle。butIquiteagreewithyouthatshehadbetternotdecideuponhermissiontoohastily。Changingtheformofone’smission’salmostasdifficultaschangingtheshapeofone’snose：theretheyare，each，inthemiddleofone’sfaceandone’scharacter-onehastobegintoofarback。ButI’llinvestigateandreporttoyou。
AllthiswentonquiteoverIsabel’shead。shehadnosuspicionsthatherrelationswithMr。Osmondwerebeingdiscussed。MadameMerlehadsaidnothingtoputheronherguard。shealludednomorepointedlytohimthantotheothergentlemenofFlorence，nativeandforeign，whonowarrivedinconsiderablenumberstopaytheirrespectstoMissArcher’saunt。Isabelthoughthiminteresting-shecamebacktothat。shelikedsotothinkofhim。Shehadcarriedawayanimagefromhervisittohishill-topwhichhersubsequentknowledgeofhimdidnothingtoeffaceandwhichputonforheraparticularharmonywithothersupposedanddivinedthings，historieswithinhistories：
theimageofaquiet，clever，sensitive，distinguishedman，strollingonamoss-grownterraceabovethesweetVald’Arnoandholdingbythehandalittlegirlwhosebell-likeclearnessgaveanewgracetochildhood。Thepicturehadnoflourishes，butshelikeditslownessoftoneandtheatmosphereofsummertwilightthatpervadedit。Itspokeofthekindofpersonalissuethattouchedhermostnearly。ofthechoicebetweenobjects，subjects，contacts-whatmightshecallthem？-ofathinandthoseofarichassociation。ofalonely，studiouslifeinalovelyland。ofanoldsorrowthatsometimesachedto-day。ofafeelingofpridethatwasperhapsexaggerated，butthathadanelementofnobleness。ofacareforbeautyandperfectionsonaturalandsocultivatedtogetherthatthecareerappearedtostretchbeneathitinthedisposedvistasandwiththerangesofstepsandterracesandfountainsofaformalItaliangarden-allowingonlyforaridplacesfreshenedbythenaturaldewsofaquainthalf-anxious，half-helplessfatherhood。AtPalazzoCrescentiniMr。Osmond’smannerremainedthesame。diffidentatfirst-
ohself-consciousbeyonddoubt！andfulloftheeffortvisibleonlytoasympatheticeyetoovercomethisdisadvantage。aneffortwhichusuallyresultedinagreatdealofeasy，lively，verypositive，ratheraggressive，alwayssuggestivetalk。Mr。Osmond’stalkwasnotinjuredbytheindicationofaneagernesstoshine。Isabelfoundnodifficultyinbelievingthatapersonwassincerewhohadsomanyofthesignsofstrongconviction-asforinstanceanexplicitandgracefulappreciationofanythingthatmightbesaidonhisownsideofthequestion，saidperhapsbyMissArcherinespecial。Whatcontinuedtopleasethisyoungwomanwasthatwhilehetalkedsoforamusementhedidn’ttalk，asshehadheardpeople，foreffect。Heutteredhisideasasif，oddastheyoftenappeared，hewereusedtothemandhadlivedwiththem。oldpolishedknobsandheadsandhandles，ofprecioussubstance，thatcouldbefittedifnecessarytonewwalking-sticks-notswitchespluckedindestitutionfromthecommontreeandthentooelegantlywavedabout。Onedayhebroughthissmalldaughterwithhim，andsherejoicedtorenewacquaintancewiththechild，who，asshepresentedherforeheadtobekissedbyeverymemberofthecircle，remindedhervividlyofaningenueinaFrenchplay。Isabelhadneverseenalittlepersonofthispattern。
Americangirlswereverydifferent-differenttoowerethemaidensofEngland。Pansywassoformedandfinishedforhertinyplaceintheworld，andyetinimagination，asonecouldsee，soinnocentandinfantine。ShesatonthesofabyIsabel。sheworeasmallgrenadinemantleandapairoftheusefulglovesthatMadameMerlehadgivenher-littlegreygloveswithasinglebutton。Shewaslikeasheetofblankpaper-theidealjeunefilleofforeignfiction。Isabelhopedthatsofairandsmoothapagewouldbecoveredwithanedifyingtext。
TheCountessGeminialsocametocalluponher，buttheCountesswasquiteanotheraffair。Shewasbynomeansablanksheet。shehadbeenwrittenoverinavarietyofhands，andMrs。Touchett，whofeltbynomeanshonouredbyhervisit，pronouncedthatanumberofunmistakeableblotsweretobeseenuponhersurface。TheCountessgaveriseindeedtosomediscussionbetweenthemistressofthehouseandthevisitorfromRome，inwhichMadameMerlewhowasnotsuchafoolastoirritatepeoplebyalwaysagreeingwiththem
availedherselffelicitouslyenoughofthatlargelicenceofdissentwhichherhostesspermittedasfreelyasshepractisedit。Mrs。
TouchetthaddeclareditapieceofaudacitythatthishighlycompromisedcharactershouldhavepresentedherselfatsuchatimeofdayatthedoorofahouseinwhichshewasesteemedsolittleasshemustlonghaveknownherselftobeatPalazzoCrescentini。
Isabelhadbeenmadeacquaintedwiththeestimateprevailingunderthatroof：itrepresentedMr。Osmond’ssisterasaladywhohadsomismanagedherimproprietiesthattheyhadceasedtohangtogetheratall-whichwasattheleastwhatoneaskedofsuchmatters-andhadbecomethemerefloatingfragmentsofawreckedrenown，incommodingsocialcirculation。Shehadbeenmarriedbyhermother-amoreadministrativeperson，withanappreciationofforeigntitleswhichthedaughter，todoherjustice，hadprobablybythistimethrownoff-
toItaliannoblemanwhohadperhapsgivenhersomeexcuseforattemptingtoquenchtheconsciousnessofoutrage。TheCountess，however，hadconsoledherselfoutrageously，andthelistofherexcuseshadnowlostitselfinthelabyrinthofheradventures。Mrs。
Touchetthadneverconsentedtoreceiveher，thoughtheCountesshadmadeoverturesofold。Florencewasnotanausterecity。but，asMrs。Touchettsaid，shehadtodrawthelinesomewhere。
MadameMerledefendedthelucklessladywithagreatdealofzealandwit。Shecouldn’tseewhyMrs。Touchettshouldmakeascapegoatofawomanwhohadreallydonenoharm，whohadonlydonegoodinthewrongway。Onemustcertainlydrawtheline，butwhileonewasaboutitoneshoulddrawitstraight：itwasaverycrookedchalk-markthatwouldexcludetheCountessGemini。InthatcaseMrs。Touchetthadbettershutupherhouse。thisperhapswouldbethebestcoursesolongassheremainedinFlorence。Onemustbefairandnotmakearbitrarydifferences：theCountesshaddoubtlessbeenimprudent，shehadnotbeensocleverasotherwomen。Shewasagoodcreature，notcleveratall。butsincewhenhadthatbeenagroundofexclusionfromthebestsociety？Foreversolongnowonehadheardnothingabouther，andtherecouldbenobetterproofofherhavingrenouncedtheerrorofherwaysthanherdesiretobecomeamemberofMrs。Touchett’scircle。Isabelcouldcontributenothingtothisinterestingdispute，notevenapatientattention。shecontentedherselfwithhavinggivenafriendlywelcometotheunfortunatelady，who，whateverherdefects，hadatleastthemeritofbeingMr。
Osmond’ssister。AsshelikedthebrotherIsabelthoughtitpropertotryandlikethesister：inspiteofthegrowingcomplexityofthingsshewasstillcapableoftheseprimitivesequences。ShehadnotreceivedthehappiestimpressionoftheCountessonmeetingheratthevilla，butwasthankfulforanopportunitytorepairtheaccident。HadnotMr。Osmondremarkedthatshewasarespectableperson？TohaveproceededfromGilbertOsmondthiswasacrudeproposition，butMadameMerlebestoweduponitacertainimprovingpolish。ShetoldIsabelmoreaboutthepoorCountessthanMr。Osmondhaddone，andrelatedthehistoryofhermarriageanditsconsequences。TheCountwasamemberofanancientTuscanfamily，butofsuchsmallestatethathehadbeengladtoacceptAmyOsmond，inspiteofthequestionablebeautywhichhadyetnothamperedhercareer，withthemodestdowryhermotherwasabletooffer-asumaboutequivalenttothatwhichhadalreadyformedherbrother’sshareoftheirpatrimony。CountGeminisincethen，however，hadinheritedmoney，andnowtheywerewellenoughoff，asItalianswent，thoughAmywashorriblyextravagant。TheCountwasalow-livedbrute。hehadgivenhiswifeeverypretext。Shehadnochildren。shehadlostthreewithinayearoftheirbirth。Hermother，whohadbristledwithpretensionstoelegantlearningandpublisheddescriptivepoemsandcorrespondedonItaliansubjectswiththeEnglishweeklyjournals，hermotherhaddiedthreeyearsaftertheCountess’smarriage，thefather，lostinthegreyAmericandawnofthesituation，butreputedoriginallyrichandwild，havingdiedmuchearlier。OnecouldseethisinGilbertOsmond，MadameMerleheld-
seethathehadbeenbroughtupbyawoman。though，todohimjustice，onewouldsupposeithadbeenbyamoresensiblewomanthantheAmericanCorinne，asMrs。Osmondhadlikedtobecalled。ShehadbroughtherchildrentoItalyafterherhusband’sdeath，andMrs。
Touchettrememberedherduringtheyearthatfollowedherarrival。Shethoughtherahorriblesnob。butthiswasanirregularityofjudgementonMrs。Touchett’spart，forshe，likeMrs。Osmond，approvedofpoliticalmarriages。TheCountesswasverygoodcompanyandnotreallythefeatherheadsheseemed。allonehadtodowithherwastoobservethesimpleconditionofnotbelievingawordshesaid。
MadameMerlehadalwaysmadethebestofherforherbrother’ssake。
heappreciatedanykindnessshowntoAmy，becauseifithadtobeconfessedforhimheratherfeltsheletdowntheircommonname。
Naturallyhecouldn’tlikeherstyle，hershrillness，heregotism，herviolationsoftasteandabovealloftruth：sheactedbadlyonhisnerves，shewasnothissortofwoman。Whatwashissortofwoman？Oh，theveryoppositeoftheCountess，awomantowhomthetruthshouldbehabituallysacred。Isabelwasunabletoestimatethenumberoftimeshervisitorhad，inhalfanhour，profanedit：theCountessindeedhadgivenheranimpressionofrathersillysincerity。Shehadtalkedalmostexclusivelyaboutherself。howmuchsheshouldliketoknowMissArcher。howthankfulsheshouldbeforarealfriend。howbasethepeopleinFlorencewere。howtiredshewasoftheplace。howmuchsheshouldliketolivesomewhereelse-inParis，inLondon，inWashington。howimpossibleitwastogetanythingnicetowearinItalyexceptalittleoldlace。howdeartheworldwasgrowingeverywhere。whatalifeofsufferingandprivationshehadled。MadameMerlelistenedwithinteresttoIsabel’saccountofthispassage，butshehadnotneededittofeelexemptfromanxiety。OnthewholeshewasnotafraidoftheCountess，andshecouldaffordtodowhatwasaltogetherbest-nottoappearso。
Isabelhadmeanwhileanothervisitor，whomitwasnot，evenbehindherback，soeasyamattertopatronize。HenriettaStackpole，whohadleftParisafterMrs。Touchett’sdepartureforSanRemoandhadworkedherwaydown，asshesaid，throughthecitiesofNorthItaly，reachedthebanksoftheArnoaboutthemiddleofMay。MadameMerlesurveyedherwithasingleglance，tookherinfromheadtofoot，andafterapangofdespairdeterminedtoendureher。Shedeterminedindeedtodelightinher。Shemightn’tbeinhaledasarose，butshemightbegraspedasanettle。MadameMerlegeniallysqueezedherintoinsignificance，andIsabelfeltthatinforeseeingthisliberalityshehaddonejusticetoherfriend’sintelligence。
Henrietta’sarrivalhadbeenannouncedbyMr。Bantling，who，comingdownfromNicewhileshewasatVenice，andexpectingtofindherinFlorence，whichshehadnotyetreached，calledatPalazzoCrescentinitoexpresshisdisappointment。Henrietta’sownadventoccurredtwodayslaterandproducedinMr。BantlinganemotionamplyaccountedforbythefactthathehadnotseenhersincetheterminationoftheepisodeatVersailles。Thehumorousviewofhissituationwasgenerallytaken，butitwasutteredonlybyRalphTouchett，who，intheprivacyofhisownapartment，whenBantlingsmokedacigarthere，indulgedingoodnessknewwhatstrongcomedyonthesubjectoftheall-judgingoneandherBritishbacker。Thisgentlemantookthejokeinperfectlygoodpartandcandidlyconfessedthatheregardedtheaffairasapositiveintellectualadventure。HelikedMissStackpoleextremely。hethoughtshehadawonderfulheadonhershoulders，andfoundgreatcomfortinthesocietyofawomanwhowasnotperpetuallythinkingaboutwhatwouldbesaidandhowwhatshedid，howwhattheydid-andtheyhaddonethings！-wouldlook。MissStackpolenevercaredhowanythinglooked，and，ifshedidn’tcare，praywhyshouldhe？Buthiscuriosityhadbeenroused。hewantedawfullytoseeifsheeverwouldcare。Hewaspreparedtogoasfarasshe-hedidn’tseewhyheshouldbreakdownfirst。