CHAPTER21
Mrs。Touchett，beforearrivinginParis，hadfixedthedayforherdepartureandbythemiddleofFebruaryhadbeguntotravelsouthward。
Sheinterruptedherjourneytopayavisittoherson，whoatSanRemo，ontheItalianshoreoftheMediterranean，hadbeenspendingadull，brightwinterbeneathaslow-movingwhiteumbrella。Isabelwentwithherauntasamatterofcourse，thoughMrs。Touchett，withhomely，customarylogic，hadlaidbeforeherapairofalternatives。
Now，ofcourse，you’recompletelyyourownmistressandareasfreeasthebirdonthebough。Idon’tmeanyouwerenotsobefore，butyou’reatpresentonadifferentfooting-propertyerectsakindofbarrier。Youcandoagreatmanythingsifyou’rerichwhichwouldbeseverelycriticizedifyouwerepoor。Youcangoandcome，youcantravelalone，youcanhaveyourownestablishment：Imeanofcourseifyou’lltakeacompanion-somedecayedgentlewoman，withadarnedcashmereanddyedhair，whopaintsonvelvet。Youdon’tthinkyou’dlikethat？Ofcourseyoucandoasyouplease。Ionlywantyoutounderstandhowmuchyou’reatliberty。YoumighttakeMissStackpoleasyourdamedecompagnie。she’dkeeppeopleoffverywell。Ithink，however，thatit’sagreatdealbetteryoushouldremainwithme，inspiteoftherebeingnoobligation。It’sbetterforseveralreasons，quiteapartfromyourlikingit。Ishouldn’tthinkyou’dlikeit，butIrecommendyoutomakethesacrifice。Ofcoursewhatevernoveltytheremayhavebeenatfirstinmysocietyhasquitepassedaway，andyouseemeasIam-adull，obstinate，narrow-mindedoldwoman。
Idon’tthinkyou’reatalldull，Isabelhadrepliedtothis。