Henriettashowednosignsofbreakingdown。HerprospectshadbrightenedonherleavingEngland，andshewasnowinthefullenjoymentofhercopiousresources。Shehadindeedbeenobligedtosacrificeherhopeswithregardtotheinnerlife。thesocialquestion，ontheContinent，bristledwithdifficultiesevenmorenumerousthanthoseshehadencounteredinEngland。ButontheContinenttherewastheouterlife，whichwaspalpableandvisibleateveryturn，andmoreeasilyconvertibletoliteraryusesthanthecustomsofthoseopaqueislanders。Outofdoorsinforeignlands，assheingeniouslyremarked，oneseemedtoseetherightsideofthetapestry。outofdoorsinEnglandoneseemedtoseethewrongside，whichgaveonenonotionofthefigure。Theadmissioncostsherhistorianapang，butHenrietta，despairingofmoreoccultthings，wasnowpayingmuchattentiontotheouterlife。ShehadbeenstudyingitfortwomonthsatVenice，fromwhichcityshesenttotheIntervieweraconscientiousaccountofthegondolas，thePiazza，theBridgeofSighs，thepigeonsandtheyoungboatmanwhochantedTasso。TheInterviewerwasperhapsdisappointed，butHenriettawasatleastseeingEurope。HerpresentpurposewastogetdowntoRomebeforethemalariashouldcomeon-heapparentlysupposedthatitbeganonafixedday。andwiththisdesignshewastospendatpresentbutfewdaysinFlorence。Mr。BantlingwastogowithhertoRome，andshepointedouttoIsabelthatashehadbeentherebefore，ashewasamilitarymanandashehadhadaclassicaleducation-hehadbeenbredatEton，wheretheystudynothingbutLatinandWhyte-Melville，saidMissStackpole-hewouldbeamostusefulcompanioninthecityoftheCaesars。AtthisjunctureRalphhadthehappyideaofproposingtoIsabelthatshealso，underhisownescort，shouldmakeapilgrimagetoRome。Sheexpectedtopassaportionofthenextwinterthere-thatwasverywell。butmeantimetherewasnoharminsurveyingthefield。ThereweretendaysleftofthebeautifulmonthofMay-themostpreciousmonthofalltothetrueRomelover。
IsabelwouldbecomeaRome-lover。thatwasaforegoneconclusion。
Shewasprovidedwithatrustycompanionofherownsex，whosesociety，thankstothefactofothercallsonthislady’sattention，wouldprobablynotbeoppressive。MadameMerlewouldremainwithMrs。Touchett。shehadleftRomeforthesummerandwouldn’tcaretoreturn。SheprofessedherselfdelightedtobeleftatpeaceinFlorence。shehadlockedupherapartmentandsenthercookhometoPalestrina。SheurgedIsabel，however，toassenttoRalph’sproposal，andassuredherthatagoodintroductiontoRomewasnotathingtobedespised。Isabelintruthneedednourging，andthepartyoffourarrangeditslittlejourney。Mrs。Touchett，onthisoccasion，hadresignedherselftotheabsenceofaduenna。wehaveseenthatshenowinclinedtothebeliefthathernieceshouldstandalone。OneofIsabel’spreparationsconsistedofherseeingGilbertOsmondbeforeshestartedandmentioningherintentiontohim。
IshouldliketobeinRomewithyou，hecommented。Ishouldliketoseeyouonthatwonderfulground。
Shescarcelyfaltered。Youmightcomethen。
Butyou’llhavealotofpeoplewithyou。
Ah，Isabeladmitted，ofcourseIshallnotbealone。
Foramomenthesaidnothingmore。You’lllikeit，hewentonatlast。They’vespoiledit，butyou’llraveaboutit。
OughtItodislikeitbecause，poorolddear-theNiobeofNations，youknow-ithasbeenspoiled？sheasked。
No，Ithinknot。Ithasbeenspoiledsooften，hesmiled：IfI
weretogo，whatshouldIdowithmylittlegirl？
Can’tyouleaveheratthevilla？
Idon’tknowthatIlikethat-thoughthere’saverygoodoldwomanwholooksafterher。Ican’taffordagoverness。
Bringherwithyouthen，saidIsabelpromptly。
Mr。Osmondlookedgrave。ShehasbeeninRomeallwinter，atherconvent。andshe’stooyoungtomakejourneysofpleasure。
Youdon’tlikebringingherforward？Isabelenquired。
No，Ithinkyounggirlsshouldbekeptoutoftheworld。
Iwasbroughtuponadifferentsystem。
You？Oh，withyouitsucceeded，becauseyou-youwereexceptional。
Idon’tseewhy，saidIsabel，who，however，wasnotsuretherewasnotsometruthinthespeech。
Mr。Osmonddidn’texplain。hesimplywenton：IfIthoughtitwouldmakeherresembleyoutojoinasocialgroupinRomeI’dtakehertheretomorrow。
Don’tmakeherresembleme，saidIsabel。Keepherlikeherself。
Imightsendhertomysister，Mr。Osmondobserved。Hehadalmosttheairofaskingadvice。heseemedtoliketotalkoverhisdomesticmatterswithMissArcher。
Yes，sheconcurred。Ithinkthatwouldn’tdomuchtowardsmakingherresembleme！
AftershehadleftFlorenceGilbertOsmondmetMadameMerleattheCountessGemini’s。Therewereotherpeoplepresent。theCountess’sdrawing-roomwasusuallywellfilled，andthetalkhadbeengeneral，butafterawhileOsmondlefthisplaceandcameandsatonanottomanhalf-behind，half-besideMadameMerle’schair：ShewantsmetogotoRomewithher，heremarkedinalowvoice。
Togowithher？
Tobetherewhileshe’sthere。Sheproposedit。
Isupposeyoumeanthatyouproposeditandsheassented。
OfcourseIgaveherachance。Butshe’sencouraging-she’sveryencouraging。
Irejoicetohearit-butdon’tcryvictorytoosoon。Ofcourseyou’llgotoRome。
Ah，saidOsmond，itmakesonework，thisideaofyours！
Don’tpretendyoudon’tenjoyit-you’reveryungrateful。You’venotbeensowelloccupiedthesemanyyears。
Thewayyoutakeit’sbeautiful，saidOsmond。Ioughttobegratefulforthat。
Nottoomuchso，however，MadameMerleanswered。Shetalkedwithherusualsmile，leaningbackinherchairandlookingroundtheroom。
You’vemadeaverygoodimpression，andI’veseenformyselfthatyou’vereceivedone。You’venotcometoMrs。Touchett’sseventimestoobligeme。
Thegirl’snotdisagreeable，Osmondquietlyconceded。
MadameMerledroppedhereyeonhimamoment，duringwhichherlipsclosedwithacertainfirmness。Isthatallyoucanfindtosayaboutthatfinecreature？
All？Isn’titenough？Ofhowmanypeoplehaveyouheardmesaymore？
Shemadenoanswertothis，butstillpresentedhertalkativegracetotheroom。You’reunfathomable，shemurmuredatlast。I’mfrightenedattheabyssintowhichIshallhavecasther。
Hetookitalmostgaily。Youcan’tdrawback-you’vegonetoofar。
Verygood。butyoumustdotherestyourself。
Ishalldoit，saidGilbertOsmond。
MadameMerleremainedsilentandhechangedhisplaceagain。butwhensherosetogohealsotookleave。Mrs。Touchett’svictoriawasawaitingherguestinthecourt，andafterhehadhelpedhisfriendintoithestoodtheredetainingher。You’reveryindiscreet，shesaidratherwearily。youshouldn’thavemovedwhenIdid。
Hehadtakenoffhishat。hepassedhishandoverhisforehead。I
alwaysforget。I’moutofthehabit。
You’requiteunfathomable，sherepeated，glancingupatthewindowsofthehouse，amodernstructureinthenewpartofthetown。
Hepaidnoheedtothisremark，butspokeinhisownsense。She’sreallyverycharming。I’vescarcelyknownanyonemoregraceful。
Itdoesmegoodtohearyousaythat。Thebetteryoulikeherthebetterforme。
Ilikeherverymuch。She’sallyoudescribedher，andintothebargaincapable，Ifeel，ofgreatdevotion。Shehasonlyonefault。
What’sthat？
Toomanyideas。
Iwarnedyoushewasclever。
Fortunatelythey’reverybadones，saidOsmond。
Whyisthatfortunate？
Dame，iftheymustbesacrificed！
MadameMerleleanedback，lookingstraightbeforeher。thenshespoketothecoachman。Butherfriendagaindetainedher。IfIgotoRomewhatshallIdowithPansy？
I’llgoandseeher，saidMadameMerle。
CHAPTER27
Imaynotattempttoreportinitsfulnessouryoungwoman’sresponsetothedeepappealofRome，toanalyzeherfeelingsasshetrodthepavementoftheForumortonumberherpulsationsasshecrossedthethresholdofSaintPeter’s。Itisenoughtosaythatherimpressionwassuchasmighthavebeenexpectedofapersonofherfreshnessandhereagerness。Shehadalwaysbeenfondofhistory，andherewashistoryinthestonesofthestreetandtheatomsofthesunshine。Shehadanimaginationthatkindledatthementionofgreatdeeds，andwhereversheturnedsomegreatdeedhadbeenacted。
Thesethingsstronglymovedher，butmovedherallinwardly。Itseemedtohercompanionsthatshetalkedlessthanusual，andRalphTouchett，whenheappearedtobelookinglistlesslyandawkwardlyoverherhead，wasreallydroppingonheranintensityofobservation。Byherownmeasureshewasveryhappy。shewouldevenhavebeenwillingtotakethesehoursforthehappiestshewasevertoknow。Thesenseoftheterriblehumanpastwasheavytoher，butthatofsomethingaltogethercontemporarywouldsuddenlygiveitwingsthatitcouldwaveintheblue。Herconsciousnesswassomixedthatshescarcelyknewwherethedifferentpartsofitwouldleadher，andshewentaboutinarepressedecstasyofcontemplation，seeingofteninthethingsshelookedatagreatdealmorethanwasthere，andyetnotseeingmanyoftheitemsenumeratedinherMurray。Rome，asRalphsaid，confessedtothepsychologicalmoment。Theherdofreechoingtouristshaddepartedandmostofthesolemnplaceshadrelapsedintosolemnity。
Theskywasablazeofblue，andtheplashofthefountainsintheirmossynicheshadlostitschillanddoubleditsmusic。Onthecornersofthewarm，brightstreetsonestumbledonbundlesofflowers。Ourfriendshadgoneoneafternoon-itwasthethirdoftheirstay-tolookatthelatestexcavationsintheForum，theselabourshavingbeenforsometimepreviouslargelyextended。TheyhaddescendedfromthemodernstreettotheleveloftheSacredWay，alongwhichtheywanderedwithareverenceofstepwhichwasnotthesameonthepartofeach。HenriettaStackpolewasstruckwiththefactthatancientRomehadbeenpavedagooddeallikeNewYork，andevenfoundananalogybetweenthedeepchariot-rutstraceableintheantiquestreetandtheover-jangledirongrooveswhichexpresstheintensityofAmericanlife。Thesunhadbeguntosink，theairwasagoldenhaze，andthelongshadowsofbrokencolumnandvaguepedestalleanedacrossthefieldofruin。HenriettawanderedawaywithMr。Bantling，whomitwasapparentlydelightfultohertohearspeakofJuliusCaesarasacheekyoldboy，andRalphaddressedsuchelucidationsashewaspreparedtooffertotheattentiveearofourheroine。Oneofthehumblearchaeologistswhohoverabouttheplacehadputhimselfatthedisposalofthetwo，andrepeatedhislessonwithafluencywhichthedeclineoftheseasonhaddonenothingtoimpair。AprocessofdiggingwasonviewinaremotecorneroftheForum，andhepresentlyremarkedthatifitshouldpleasethesignoritogoandwatchitalittletheymightseesomethingofinterest。TheproposalcommendeditselfmoretoRalphthantoIsabel，wearywithmuchwandering。sothatsheadmonishedhercompaniontosatisfyhiscuriositywhileshepatientlyawaitedhisreturn。Thehourandtheplaceweremuchtohertaste-sheshouldenjoybeingbrieflyalone。RalphaccordinglywentoffwiththeciceronewhileIsabelsatdownonaprostratecolumnnearthefoundationsoftheCapitol。Shewantedashortsolitude，butshewasnotlongtoenjoyit。KeenaswasherinterestintheruggedrelicsoftheRomanpastthatlayscatteredaboutherandinwhichthecorrosionofcenturieshadstillleftsomuchofindividuallife，herthoughts，afterrestingawhileonthesethings，hadwandered，byaconcatenationofstagesitmightrequiresomesubtletytotrace，toregionsandobjectschargedwithamoreactiveappeal。FromtheRomanpasttoIsabelArcher’sfuturewasalongstride，butherimaginationhadtakenitinasingleflightandnowhoveredinslowcirclesoverthenearerandricherfield。Shewassoabsorbedinherthoughts，asshebenthereyesuponarowofcrackedbutnotdislocatedslabscoveringthegroundatherfeet，thatshehadnotheardthesoundofapproachingfootstepsbeforeashadowwasthrownacrossthelineofhervision。Shelookedupandsawagentleman-agentlemanwhowasnotRalphcomebacktosaythattheexcavationswereabore。Thispersonagewasstartledasshewasstartled。hestoodtherebaringhisheadtoherperceptiblypalesurprise。
LordWarburton！Isabelexclaimedassherose。
Ihadnoideaitwasyou。Iturnedthatcornerandcameuponyou。
Shelookedabouthertoexplain。I’malone，butmycompanionshavejustleftme。Mycousin’sgonetolookattheworkoverthere。
Ahyes。Isee。AndLordWarburton’seyeswanderedvaguelyinthedirectionshehadindicated。Hestoodfirmlybeforehernow。hehadrecoveredhisbalanceandseemedtowishtoshowit，thoughverykindly。Don’tletmedisturbyou，hewenton，lookingatherdejectedpillar。I’mafraidyou’retired。
Yes，I’mrathertired。Shehesitatedamoment，butsatdownagain。
Don’tletmeinterruptyou，sheadded。
Ohdear，I’mquitealone，I’venothingonearthtodo。IhadnoideayouwereinRome。I’vejustcomefromtheEast。I’monlypassingthrough。
You’vebeenmakingalongjourney，saidIsabel，whohadlearnedfromRalphthatLordWarburtonwasabsentfromEngland。
Yes，Icameabroadforsixmonths-soonafterIsawyoulast。
I’vebeeninTurkeyandAsiaMinor。IcametheotherdayfromAthens。
Hemanagednottobeawkward，buthewasn’teasy，andafteralongerlookatthegirlhecamedowntonature。Doyouwishmetoleaveyou，orwillyouletmestayalittle？
Shetookitallhumanely。Idon’twishyoutoleaveme，LordWarburton。I’mverygladtoseeyou。
Thankyouforsayingthat。MayIsitdown？
Theflutedshaftonwhichshehadtakenherseatwouldhaveaffordedaresting-placetoseveralpersons，andtherewasplentyofroomevenforahighly-developedEnglishman。Thisfinespecimenofthatgreatclassseatedhimselfnearouryounglady，andinthecourseoffiveminuteshehadaskedherseveralquestions，takenratheratrandomandtowhich，asheputsomeofthemtwiceover，heapparentlysomewhatmissedcatchingtheanswer。hadgivenhertoosomeinformationabouthimselfwhichwasnotwasteduponhercalmerfemininesense。Herepeatedmorethanoncethathehadnotexpectedtomeether，anditwasevidentthattheencountertouchedhiminawaythatwouldhavemadepreparationadvisable。Hebeganabruptlytopassfromtheimpunityofthingstotheirsolemnity，andfromtheirbeingdelightfultotheirbeingimpossible。Hewassplendidlysunburnt。evenhismultitudinousbeardhadbeenburnishedbythefireofAsia。Hewasdressedintheloose-fitting，heterogeneousgarmentsinwhichtheEnglishtravellerinforeignlandsiswonttoconsulthiscomfortandaffirmhisnationality。andwithhispleasantsteadyeyes，hisbronzedcomplexion，freshbeneathitsseasoning，hismanlyfigure，hisminimizingmannerandhisgeneralairofbeingagentlemanandanexplorer，hewassucharepresentativeoftheBritishraceasneednotinanyclimehavebeendisavowedbythosewhohaveakindnessforit。Isabelnotedthesethingsandwasgladshehadalwayslikedhim。Hehadkept，evidentlyinspiteofshocks，everyoneofhismerits-thesepropertiespartakingoftheessenceofgreatdecenthouses，asonemightputit。resemblingtheirinnermostfixturesandornaments，notsubjecttovulgarshiftingandremovableonlybysomewholebreak-up。Theytalkedofthemattersnaturallyinorder。heruncle’sdeath，Ralph’sstateofhealth，thewayshehadpassedherwinter，hervisittoRome，herreturntoFlorence，herplansforthesummer，thehotelshewasstayingat。andthenofLordWarburton’sownadventures，movements，intentions，impressionsandpresentdomicile。Atlasttherewasasilence，anditsaidsomuchmorethaneitherhadsaidthatitscarceneededhisfinalwords。I’vewrittentoyouseveraltimes。
Writtentome？I’veneverhadyourletters。
Ineversentthem。Iburnedthemup。
Ah，laughedIsabel，itwasbetterthatyoushoulddothatthanI！
Ithoughtyouwouldn’tcareforthem，hewentonwithasimplicitythattouchedher。ItseemedtomethatafterallIhadnorighttotroubleyouwithletters。
Ishouldhavebeenverygladtohavenewsofyou。YouknowhowI
hopedthat-that-Butshestopped。therewouldbesuchaflatnessintheutteranceofherthought。
Iknowwhatyou’regoingtosay。Youhopedweshouldalwaysremaingoodfriends。Thisformula，asLordWarburtonutteredit，wascertainlyflatenough。butthenhewasinterestedinmakingitappearso。
ShefoundherselfreducedsimplytoPleasedon’ttalkofallthat。
aspeechwhichhardlystruckherasimprovementontheother。
It’sasmallconsolationtoallowme！hercompanionexclaimedwithforce。
Ican’tpretendtoconsoleyou，saidthegirl，who，allstillasshesatthere，threwherselfbackwithasortofinwardtriumphontheanswerthathadsatisfiedhimsolittlesixmonthsbefore。Hewaspleasant，hewaspowerful，hewasgallant。therewasnobettermanthanhe。Butheranswerremained。
It’sverywellyoudon’ttrytoconsoleme。itwouldn’tbeinyourpower，sheheardhimsaythroughthemediumofherstrangeelation。
Ihopedweshouldmeetagain，becauseIhadnofearyouwouldattempttomakemefeelIhadwrongedyou。Butwhenyoudothat-thepain’sgreaterthanthepleasure。Andshegotupwithasmallconsciousmajesty，lookingforhercompanions。
Idon’twanttomakeyoufeelthat。ofcourseIcan’tsaythat。I
onlyjustwantyoutoknowoneortwothings-infairnesstomyself，asitwere。Iwon’treturntothesubjectagain。IfeltverystronglywhatIexpressedtoyoulastyear。Icouldn’tthinkofanythingelse。Itriedtoforget-energetically，systematically。I
triedtotakeaninterestinsomebodyelse。ItellyouthisbecauseIwantyoutoknowIdidmyduty。Ididn’tsucceed。ItwasforthesamepurposeIwentabroad-asfarawayaspossible。Theysaytravellingdistractsthemind，butitdidn’tdistractmine。I’vethoughtofyouperpetually，eversinceIlastsawyou。I’mexactlythesame。Iloveyoujustasmuch，andeverythingIsaidtoyouthenisjustastrue。ThisinstantatwhichIspeaktoyoushowsmeagainexactlyhow，tomygreatmisfortune，youjustinsuperablycharmme。
There-Ican’tsayless。Idon’tmean，however，toinsist。it’sonlyforamoment。ImayaddthatwhenIcameuponyouafewminutessince，withoutthesmallestideaofseeingyou，Iwas，uponmyhonour，intheveryactofwishingIknewwhereyouwere。Hehadrecoveredhisself-control，andwhilehespokeitbecamecomplete。Hemighthavebeenaddressingasmallcommittee-makingallquietlyandclearlyastatementofimportance。aidedbyanoccasionallookatapaperofnotesconcealedinhishat，whichhehadnotagainputon。Andthecommittee，assuredly，wouldhavefeltthepointproved。
I’veoftenthoughtofyou，LordWarburton，Isabelanswered。YoumaybesureIshallalwaysdothat。Andsheaddedinatoneofwhichshetriedtokeepupthekindnessandkeepdownthemeaning：
There’snoharminthatoneitherside。
Theywalkedalongtogether，andshewasprompttoaskabouthissistersandrequesthimtoletthemknowshehaddoneso。Hemadeforthemomentnofurtherreferencetotheirgreatquestion，butdippedagainintoshallowerandsaferwaters。ButhewishedtoknowwhenshewastoleaveRome，andonhermentioningthelimitofherstaydeclaredhewasgladitwasstillsodistant。
Whydoyousaythatifyouyourselfareonlypassingthrough？
sheenquiredwithsomeanxiety。
Ah，whenIsaidIwaspassingthroughIdidn’tmeanthatonewouldtreatRomeasifitwereClaphamJunction。TopassthroughRomeistostopaweekortwo。
SayfranklythatyoumeantostayaslongasIdo！
Hisflushedsmile，foralittle，seemedtosoundher。Youwon’tlikethat。You’reafraidyou’llseetoomuchofme。
Itdoesn’tmatterwhatIlike。Icertainlycan’texpectyoutoleavethisdelightfulplaceonmyaccount。ButIconfessI’mafraidofyou。
AfraidI’llbeginagain？Ipromisetobeverycareful。
Theyhadgraduallystoppedandtheystoodamomentfacetoface。
PoorLordWarburton！shesaidwithacompassionintendedtobegoodforbothofthem。
PoorLordWarburtonindeed！ButI’llbecareful。
Youmaybeunhappy，butyoushallnotmakemeso。ThatIcan’tallow。
IfIbelievedIcouldmakeyouunhappyIthinkIshouldtryit。Atthisshewalkedinadvanceandhealsoproceeded。I’llneversayawordtodispleaseyou。
Verygood。Ifyoudo，ourfriendship’satanend。
Perhapssomeday-afterawhile-you’llgivemeleave。
Giveyouleavetomakemeunhappy？
Hehesitated。Totellyouagain-Buthecheckedhimself。I’llkeepitdown。I’llkeepitdownalways。
RalphTouchetthadbeenjoinedinhisvisittotheexcavationbyMissStackpoleandherattendant，andthesethreenowemergedfromamongthemoundsofearthandstonecollectedroundtheapertureandcameintosightofIsabelandhercompanion。PoorRalphhailedhisfriendwithjoyqualifiedbywonder，andHenriettaexclaimedinahighvoiceGracious，there’sthatlord！RalphandhisEnglishneighbourgreetedwiththeausteritywithwhich，afterlongseparation，Englishneighboursgreet，andMissStackpolerestedherlargeintellectualgazeuponthesunburnttraveller。Butshesoonestablishedherrelationtothecrisis。Idon’tsupposeyourememberme，sir。
IndeedIdorememberyou，saidLordWarburton。Iaskedyoutocomeandseeme，andyounevercame。
Idon’tgoeverywhereI’masked，MissStackpoleansweredcoldly。
Ahwell，Iwon’taskyouagain，laughedthemasterofLockleigh。
IfyoudoI’llgo。sobesure！
LordWarburton，forallhishilarity，seemedsureenough。Mr。
Bantlinghadstoodbywithoutclaimingarecognition，buthenowtookoccasiontonodtohislordship，whoansweredhimwithafriendlyOh，youhere，Bantling？andahand-shake。
Well，saidHenrietta，Ididn’tknowyouknewhim！
Iguessyoudon’tknoweveryoneIknow，Mr。Bantlingrejoinedfacetiously。
IthoughtthatwhenanEnglishmanknewalordhealwaystoldyou。
Ah，I’mafraidBantlingwasashamedofme，LordWarburtonlaughedagain。Isabeltookpleasureinthatnote。shegaveasmallsighofreliefastheykepttheircoursehomeward。
ThenextdaywasSunday。shespenthermorningovertwolongletters-onetohersisterLily，theothertoMadameMerle。butinneitheroftheseepistlesdidshementionthefactthatarejectedsuitorhadthreatenedherwithanotherappeal。OfaSundayafternoonallgoodRomansandthebestRomansareoftenthenorthernbarbariansfollowthecustomofgoingtovespersatSaintPeter’s。
andithadbeenagreedamongourfriendsthattheywoulddrivetogethertothegreatchurch。Afterlunch，anhourbeforethecarriagecame，LordWarburtonpresentedhimselfattheHoteldeParisandpaidavisittothetwoladies，RalphTouchettandMr。Bantlinghavinggoneouttogether。ThevisitorseemedtohavewishedtogiveIsabelaproofofhisintentiontokeepthepromisemadehertheeveningbefore。hewasbothdiscreetandfrank-notevendumblyimportunateorremotelyintense。Hethuslefthertojudgewhatameregoodfriendhecouldbe。Hetalkedabouthistravels，aboutPersia，aboutTurkey，andwhenMissStackpoleaskedhimwhetheritwouldpayforhertovisitthosecountriesassuredhertheyofferedagreatfieldtofemaleenterprise。Isabeldidhimjustice，butshewonderedwhathispurposewasandwhatheexpectedtogainevenbyprovingthesuperiorstrainofhissincerity。Ifheexpectedtomeltherbyshowingwhatagoodfellowhewas，hemightsparehimselfthetrouble。
Sheknewthesuperiorstrainofeverythingabouthim，andnothinghecouldnowdowasrequiredtolighttheview。MoreoverhisbeinginRomeatallaffectedherasacomplicationofthewrongsort-shelikedsocomplicationsoftheright。Nevertheless，when，onbringinghiscalltoaclose，hesaidhetooshouldbeatSaintPeter’sandshouldlookoutforherandherfriends，shewasobligedtoreplythathemustfollowhisconvenience。
Inthechurch，asshestrolledoveritstesselatedacres，hewasthefirstpersonsheencountered。ShehadnotbeenoneofthesuperiortouristswhoaredisappointedinSaintPeter’sandfinditsmallerthanitsfame。thefirsttimeshepassedbeneaththehugeleatherncurtainthatstrainsandbangsattheentrance，thefirsttimeshefoundherselfbeneaththefar-archingdomeandsawthelightdrizzledownthroughtheairthickenedwithincenseandwiththereflectionsofmarbleandgilt，ofmosaicandbronze，herconceptionofgreatnessroseanddizzilyrose。Afterthisitneverlackedspacetosoar。Shegazedandwonderedlikeachildorapeasant，shepaidhersilenttributetotheseatedsublime。LordWarburtonwalkedbesideherandtalkedofSaintSophiaofConstantinople。shefearedforinstancethathewouldendbycallingattentiontohisexemplaryconduct。Theservicehadnotyetbegun，butatSaintPeter’sthereismuchtoobserve，andasthereissomethingalmostprofaneinthevastnessoftheplace，whichseemsmeantasmuchforphysicalasforspiritualexercise，thedifferentfiguresandgroups，themingledworshippersandspectators，mayfollowtheirvariousintentionswithoutconflictorscandal。Inthatsplendidimmensityindividualindiscretioncarriesbutashortdistance。Isabelandhercompanions，however，wereguiltyofnone。forthoughHenriettawasobligedincandourtodeclarethatMichaelAngelo’sdomesufferedbycomparisonwiththatoftheCapitolatWashington，sheaddressedherprotestchieflytoMr。Bantling’searandreserveditinitsmoreaccentuatedformforthecolumnsoftheInterviewer。Isabelmadethecircuitofthechurchwithhislordship，andastheydrewnearthechoirontheleftoftheentrancethevoicesofthePope’ssingerswerebornetothemovertheheadsofthelargenumberofpersonsclusteredoutsidethedoors。Theypausedawhileontheskirtsofthiscrowd，composedinequalmeasureofRomancockneysandinquisitivestrangers，andwhiletheystoodtherethesacredconcertwentforward。
Ralph，withHenriettaandMr。Bantling，wasapparentlywithin，whereIsabel，lookingbehindthedensegroupinfrontofher，sawtheafternoonlight，silveredbycloudsofincensethatseemedtominglewiththesplendidchant，slopethroughtheembossedrecessesofhighwindows。AfterawhilethesingingstoppedandthenLordWarburtonseemeddisposedtomoveoffwithher。Isabelcouldonlyaccompanyhim。
whereuponshefoundherselfconfrontedwithGilbertOsmond，whoappearedtohavebeenstandingatashortdistancebehindher。Henowapproachedwithalltheforms-heappearedtohavemultipliedthemonthisoccasiontosuittheplace。
Soyoudecidedtocome？shesaidassheputoutherhand。
Yes，Icamelastnightandcalledthisafternoonatyourhotel。
Theytoldmeyouhadcomehere，andIlookedaboutforyou。
Theothersareinside，shedecidedtosay。
Ididn’tcomefortheothers，hepromptlyreturned。
Shelookedaway。LordWarburtonwaswatchingthem。perhapshehadheardthis。SuddenlysherememberedittobejustwhathehadsaidtoherthemorninghecametoGardencourttoaskhertomarryhim。Mr。
Osmond’swordshadbroughtthecolourtohercheek，andthisreminiscencehadnottheeffectofdispellingit。Sherepairedanybetrayalbymentioningtoeachcompanionthenameoftheother，andfortunatelyatthismomentMr。Bantlingemergedfromthechoir，cleavingthecrowdwithBritishvalourandfollowedbyMissStackpoleandRalphTouchett。Isayfortunately，becausethisisperhapsasuperficialviewofthematter。sinceonperceivingthegentlemanfromFlorenceRalphTouchettappearedtotakethecaseasnotcommittinghimtojoy。Hedidn’thangback，however，fromcivility，andpresentlyobservedtoIsabel，withduebenevolence，thatshewouldsoonhaveallherfriendsabouther。MissStackpolehadmetMr。OsmondinFlorence，butshehadalreadyfoundoccasiontosaytoIsabelthatshelikedhimnobetterthanherotheradmirers-
thanMr。TouchettandLordWarburton，andeventhanlittleMr。
RosierinParis。Idon’tknowwhatit’sinyou，shehadbeenpleasedtoremark，butforanice-girlyoudoattractthemostunnaturalpeople。Mr。Goodwood’stheonlyoneI’veanyrespectfor，andhe’sjusttheoneyoudon’tappreciate。
What’syouropinionofSaintPeter’s？Mr。Osmondwasmeanwhileenquiringofouryounglady。
It’sverylargeandverybright，shecontentedherselfwithreplying。
It’stoolarge。itmakesonefeellikeanatom。
Isn’tthattherightwaytofeelinthegreatestofhumantemples？
sheaskedwithratheralikingforherphrase。
Isupposeit’stherightwaytofeeleverywhere，whenoneisnobody。ButIlikeitinachurchaslittleasanywhereelse。
YououghtindeedtobeaPope！Isabelexclaimed，rememberingsomethinghehadreferredtoinFlorence。
Ah，Ishouldhaveenjoyedthat！saidGilbertOsmond。
LordWarburtonmeanwhilehadjoinedRalphTouchett，andthetwostrolledawaytogether。Who’sthefellowspeakingtoMissArcher？
hislordshipdemanded。
Hisname’sGilbertOsmond-helivesinFlorence，Ralphsaid。
Whatishebesides？
Nothingatall。Ohyes，he’sanAmerican。butoneforgetsthat-
he’ssolittleofone。
HasheknownMissArcherlong？
Threeorfourweeks。
Doesshelikehim？
She’stryingtofindout。
Andwillshe？
Findout-？Ralphasked。
Willshelikehim？
Doyoumeanwillsheaccepthim？
Yes，saidLordWarburtonafteraninstant。Isupposethat’swhatIhorriblymean。
Perhapsnotifonedoesnothingtopreventit，Ralphreplied。
Hislordshipstaredamoment，butapprehended。Thenwemustbeperfectlyquiet？
Asquietasthegrave。Andonlyonthechance！Ralphadded。
Thechanceshemay？
Thechanceshemaynot？
LordWarburtontookthisatfirstinsilence，buthespokeagain。
Isheawfullyclever？
Awfully，saidRalph。
Hiscompanionthought。Andwhatelse？
Whatmoredoyouwant？Ralphgroaned。
Doyoumeanwhatmoredoesshe？
Ralphtookhimbythearmtoturnhim：theyhadtorejointheothers。Shewantsnothingthatwecangiveher。
Ahwell，ifshewon’thaveYou-！saidhislordshiphandsomelyastheywent。
CHAPTER28
Onthemorrow，intheevening，LordWarburtonwentagaintoseehisfriendsattheirhotel，andatthisestablishmenthelearnedthattheyhadgonetotheopera。HedrovetotheoperawiththeideaofpayingthemavisitintheirboxaftertheeasyItalianfashion。
andwhenhehadobtainedhisadmittance-itwasoneofthesecondarytheatres-lookedaboutthelarge，bare，ill-lightedhouse。Anacthadjustterminatedandhewasatlibertytopursuehisquest。Afterscanningtwoorthreetiersofboxesheperceivedinoneofthelargestofthesereceptaclesaladywhomheeasilyrecognized。MissArcherwasseatedfacingthestageandpartlyscreenedbythecurtainofthebox。andbesideher，leaningbackinhischair，wasMr。
GilbertOsmond。Theyappearedtohavetheplacetothemselves，andWarburtonsupposedtheircompanionshadtakenadvantageoftherecesstoenjoytherelativecoolnessofthelobby。Hestoodawhilewithhiseyesontheinterestingpair。heaskedhimselfifheshouldgoupandinterrupttheharmony。AtlasthejudgedthatIsabelhadseenhim，andthisaccidentdeterminedhim。Thereshouldbenomarkedholdingoff。HetookhiswaytotheupperregionsandonthestaircasemetRalphTouchettslowlydescending，hishatattheinclinationofennuiandhishandswheretheyusuallywere。
Isawyoubelowamomentsinceandwasgoingdowntoyou。Ifeellonelyandwantcompany，wasRalph’sgreeting。
You’vesomethat’sverygoodwhichyou’veyetdeserted。
Doyoumeanmycousin？Oh，shehasavisitoranddoesn’twantme。
ThenMissStackpoleandBantlinghavegoneouttoacafetoeatanice-MissStackpoledelightsinanice。Ididn’tthinktheywantedmeeither。Theopera’sverybad。thewomenlooklikelaundressesandsinglikepeacocks。Ifeelverylow。
Youhadbettergohome，LordWarburtonsaidwithoutaffectation。
Andleavemyyoungladyinthissadplace？Ahno，Imustwatchoverher。
Sheseemstohaveplentyoffriends。
Yes，that’swhyImustwatch，saidRalphwiththesamelargemock-melancholy。
Ifshedoesn’twantyouit’sprobableshedoesn’twantme。
No，you’redifferent。GototheboxandstaytherewhileIwalkabout。
LordWarburtonwenttothebox，whereIsabel’swelcomewasastoafriendsohonourablyoldthathevaguelyaskedhimselfwhatqueertemporalprovinceshewasannexing。HeexchangedgreetingswithMr。
Osmond，towhomhehadbeenintroducedthedaybeforeandwho，afterhecamein，satblandlyapartandsilent，asifrepudiatingcompetenceinthesubjectsofallusionnowprobable。ItstruckhersecondvisitorthatMissArcherhad，inoperaticconditions，aradiance，evenaslightexaltation。asshewas，however，atalltimesakeenly-glancing，quickly-moving，completelyanimatedyoungwoman，hemayhavebeenmistakenonthispoint。Hertalkwithhimmoreoverpointedtopresenceofmind。itexpressedakindnesssoingeniousanddeliberateastoindicatethatshewasinundisturbedpossessionofherfaculties。PoorLordWarburtonhadmomentsofbewilderment。Shehaddiscouragedhim，formally，asmuchasawomancould。whatbusinesshadshethenwithsuchartsandsuchfelicities，aboveallwithsuchtonesofreparation-preparation？Hervoicehadtricksofsweetness，butwhyplaythemonhim？Theotherscameback。thebare，familiar，trivialoperabeganagain。Theboxwaslarge，andtherewasroomforhimtoremainifhewouldsitalittlebehindandinthedark。Hedidsoforhalfanhour，whileMr。Osmondremainedinfront，leaningforward，hiselbowsonhisknees，justbehindIsabel。LordWarburtonheardnothing，andfromhisgloomycornersawnothingbuttheclearprofileofthisyoungladydefinedagainstthedimilluminationofthehouse。Whentherewasanotherintervalnoonemoved。Mr。OsmondtalkedtoIsabel，andLordWarburtonkepthiscorner。Hedidsobutforashorttime，however。afterwhichhegotupandbadegood-nighttotheladies。Isabelsaidnothingtodetainhim，butitdidn’tpreventhisbeingpuzzledagain。Whyshouldshemarksooneofhisvalues-
quitethewrongone-whenshewouldhavenothingtodowithanother，whichwasquitetheright？Hewasangrywithhimselfforbeingpuzzled，andthenangryforbeingangry。Verdi’smusicdidlittletocomforthim，andheleftthetheatreandwalkedhomeward，withoutknowinghisway，throughthetortuous，tragicstreetsofRome，whereheaviersorrowsthanhishadbeencarriedunderthestars。
What’sthecharacterofthatgentleman？OsmondaskedofIsabelafterhehadretired。
Irreproachable-don’tyouseeit？
HeownsabouthalfEngland。that’shischaracter，Henriettaremarked。That’swhattheycallafreecountry！
Ah，he’sagreatproprietor？Happyman！saidGilbertOsmond。
Doyoucallthathappiness-theownershipofwretchedhumanbeings？criedMissStackpole。Heownshistenantsandhasthousandsofthem。It’spleasanttoownsomething，butinanimateobjectsareenoughforme。Idon’tinsistonfleshandbloodandmindsandconsciences。
Itseemstomeyouownahumanbeingortwo，Mr。Bantlingsuggestedjocosely。IwonderifWarburtonordershistenantsaboutasyoudome。
LordWarburton’sagreatradical，Isabelsaid。Hehasveryadvancedopinions。
Hehasveryadvancedstonewalls。Hispark’senclosedbyagiganticironfence，somethirtymilesround，HenriettaannouncedfortheinformationofMr。Osmond。IshouldlikehimtoconversewithafewofourBostonradicals。
Don’ttheyapproveofironfences？askedMr。Bantling。
Onlytoshutupwickedconservatives。IalwaysfeelasifIweretalkingtoyouoversomethingwithaneattop-finishofbrokenglass。
Doyouknowhimwell，thisunreformedreformer？Osmondwenton，questioningIsabel。
WellenoughforalltheuseIhaveforhim。
Andhowmuchofauseisthat？
Well，Iliketolikehim。
’Likingtolike’-why，itmakesapassion！saidOsmond。
No-sheconsidered-keepthatforlikingtodislike。
Doyouwishtoprovokemethen，Osmondlaughed，toapassionforhim？
Shesaidnothingforamoment，butthenmetthelightquestionwithadisproportionategravity。No，Mr。Osmond。Idon’tthinkI
shouldeverdaretoprovokeyou。LordWarburton，atanyrate，shemoreeasilyadded，isaveryniceman。
Ofgreatability？herfriendenquired。
Ofexcellentability，andasgoodashelooks。
Asgoodashe’sgood-lookingdoyoumean？He’sverygood-looking。
Howdetestablyfortunate！-tobeagreatEnglishmagnate，tobecleverandhandsomeintothebargain，and，bywayoffinishingoff，toenjoyyourhighfavour！That’samanIcouldenvy。
Isabelconsideredhimwithinterest。Youseemtometobealwaysenvyingsomeone。YesterdayitwasthePope。todayit’spoorLordWarburton。
Myenvy’snotdangerous。itwouldn’thurtamouse。Idon’twanttodestroythepeople-Ionlywanttobethem。Youseeitwoulddestroyonlymyself。
You’dliketobethePope？saidIsabel。
Ishouldloveit-butIshouldhavegoneinforitearlier。Butwhy-Osmondreverted-doyouspeakofyourfriendaspoor？
Women-whentheyarevery，verygood-sometimespitymenafterthey’vehurtthem。that’stheirgreatwayofshowingkindness，saidRalph，joiningintheconversationforthefirsttimeandwithacynicismsotransparentlyingeniousastobevirtuallyinnocent。
Pray，haveIhurtLordWarburton？Isabelasked，raisinghereyebrowsasiftheideawereperfectlyfresh。
Itserveshimrightifyouhave，saidHenriettawhilethecurtainrosefortheballet。
Isabelsawnomoreofherattributivevictimforthenexttwenty-fourhours，butontheseconddayafterthevisittotheoperasheencounteredhiminthegalleryoftheCapitol，wherehestoodbeforethelionofthecollection，thestatueoftheDyingGladiator。Shehadcomeinwithhercompanions，amongwhom，onthisoccasionagain，GilbertOsmondhadhisplace，andtheparty，havingascendedthestaircase，enteredthefirstandfinestoftherooms。
LordWarburtonaddressedheralertlyenough，butsaidinamomentthathewasleavingthegallery。AndI’mleavingRome，headded。I
mustbidyougood-bye。Isabel，inconsequentlyenough，wasnowsorrytohearit。Thiswasperhapsbecauseshehadceasedtobeafraidofhisrenewinghissuit。shewasthinkingofsomethingelse。Shewasonthepointofnamingherregret，butshecheckedherselfandsimplywishedhimahappyjourney。whichmadehimlookatherratherunlightedly。I’mafraidyou’llthinkmevery’volatile。’ItoldyoutheotherdayIwantedsomuchtostop。
Ohno。youcouldeasilychangeyourmind。
That’swhatIhavedone。
Bonvoyagethen。
You’reinagreathurrytogetridofme，saidhislordshipquitedismally。
Notintheleast。ButIhatepartings。
Youdon’tcarewhatIdo，hewentonpitifully。
Isabellookedathimamoment。Ah，shesaid，you’renotkeepingyourpromise！
Hecolouredlikeaboyoffifteen。IfI’mnot，thenit’sbecauseIcan’t。andthat’swhyI’mgoing。
Good-byethen。
Good-bye。Helingeredstill，however。WhenshallIseeyouagain？
Isabelhesitated，butsoon，asifshehadhadahappyinspiration：
Somedayafteryou’remarried。
Thatwillneverbe。Itwillbeafteryouare。
Thatwilldoaswell，shesmiled。
Yes，quiteaswell。Good-bye。
Theyshookhands，andheleftheraloneinthegloriousroom，amongtheshiningantiquemarbles。Shesatdowninthecentreofthecircleofthesepresences，regardingthemvaguely，restinghereyesontheirbeautifulblankfaces。listening，asitwere，totheireternalsilence。Itisimpossible，inRomeatleast，tolooklongatagreatcompanyofGreeksculptureswithoutfeelingtheeffectoftheirnoblequietude。which，aswithahighdoorclosedfortheceremony，slowlydropsonthespiritthelargewhitemantleofpeace。IsayinRomeespecially，becausetheRomanairisanexquisitemediumforsuchimpressions。Thegoldensunshinemingleswiththem，thedeepstillnessofthepast，sovividyet，thoughitisnothingbutavoidfullofnames，seemstothrowasolemnspelluponthem。TheblindswerepartlyclosedinthewindowsoftheCapitol，andaclear，warmshadowrestedonthefiguresandmadethemmoremildlyhuman。Isabelsattherealongtime，underthecharmoftheirmotionlessgrace，wonderingtowhat，oftheirexperience，theirabsenteyeswereopen，andhow，toourears，theiralienlipswouldsound。Thedarkredwallsoftheroomthrewthemintorelief。thepolishedmarblefloorreflectedtheirbeauty。Shehadseenthemallbefore，butherenjoymentrepeateditself，anditwasallthegreaterbecauseshewasgladagain，forthetime，tobealone。Atlast，however，herattentionlapsed，drawnoffbyadeepertideoflife。Anoccasionaltouristcamein，stoppedandstaredamomentattheDyingGladiator，andthenpassedoutoftheotherdoor，creakingoverthesmoothpavement。AttheendofhalfanhourGilbertOsmondreappeared，apparentlyinadvanceofhiscompanions。Hestrolledtowardherslowly，withhishandsbehindhimandhisusualenquiring，yetnotquiteappealingsmile。I’msurprisedtofindyoualone，Ithoughtyouhadcompany。
SoIhave-thebest。AndsheglancedattheAntinousandtheFaun。
DoyoucallthembettercompanythananEnglishpeer？
Ah，myEnglishpeerleftmesometimeago。Shegotup，speakingwithintentionalittledryly。
Mr。Osmondnotedherdryness，whichcontributedforhimtotheinterestofhisquestion。I’mafraidthatwhatIheardtheothereveningistrue：you’rerathercrueltothatnobleman。
IsabellookedamomentatthevanquishedGladiator。It’snottrue。I’mscrupulouslykind。
That’sexactlywhatImean！GilbertOsmondreturned，andwithsuchhappyhilaritythathisjokeneedstobeexplained。Weknowthathewasfondoforiginals，ofrarities，ofthesuperiorandtheexquisite。
andnowthathehadseenLordWarburton，whomhethoughtaveryfineexampleofhisraceandorder，heperceivedanewattractionintheideaoftakingtohimselfayoungladywhohadqualifiedherselftofigureinhiscollectionofchoiceobjectsbydecliningsonobleahand。GilbertOsmondhadahighappreciationofthisparticularpatriciate。notsomuchforitsdistinction，whichhethoughteasilysurpassable，asforitssolidactuality。HehadneverforgivenhisstarfornotappointinghimtoanEnglishdukedom，andhecouldmeasuretheunexpectednessofsuchconductasIsabel’s。Itwouldbeproperthatthewomanhemightmarryshouldhavedonesomethingofthatsort。
CHAPTER29
RalphTouchett，intalkwithhisexcellentfriend，hadrathermarkedlyqualified，asweknow，hisrecognitionofGilbertOsmond’spersonalmerits。buthemightreallyhavefelthimselfilliberalinthelightofthatgentleman’sconductduringtherestofthevisittoRome。OsmondspentaportionofeachdaywithIsabelandhercompanions，andendedbyaffectingthemastheeasiestofmentolivewith。Whowouldn’thaveseenthathecouldcommand，asitwere，bothtactandgaiety？-whichperhapswasexactlywhyRalphhadmadehisold-timelookofsuperficialsociabilityareproachtohim。EvenIsabel’sinvidiouskinsmanwasobligedtoadmitthathewasjustnowadelightfulassociate。Hisgood-humourwasimperturbable，hisknowledgeoftherightfact，hisproductionoftherightword，asconvenientasthefriendlyflickerofamatchforyourcigarette。Clearlyhewasamused-asamusedasamancouldbewhowassolittleeversurprised，andthatmadehimalmostapplausive。Itwasnotthathisspiritswerevisiblyhigh-hewouldnever，intheconcertofpleasure，touchthebigdrumbysomuchasaknuckle：hehadamortaldisliketothehigh，raggednote，towhathecalledrandomravings。HethoughtMissArchersometimesoftooprecipitateareadiness。Itwaspityshehadthatfault，becauseifshehadnothaditshewouldreallyhavehadnone。shewouldhavebeenassmoothtohisgeneralneedofherashandledivorytothepalm。Ifhewasnotpersonallyloud，however，hewasdeep，andduringtheseclosingdaysoftheRomanMayheknewacomplacencythatmatchedwithslowirregularwalksunderthepinesoftheVillaBorghese，amongthesmallsweetmeadow-flowersandthemossymarbles。Hewaspleasedwitheverything。hehadneverbeforebeenpleasedwithsomanythingsatonce。Oldimpressions，oldenjoyments，renewedthemselves。oneevening，goinghometohisroomattheinn，hewrotedownalittlesonnettowhichheprefixedthetitleofRomeRevisited。AdayortwolaterheshowedthispieceofcorrectandingeniousversetoIsabel，explainingtoherthatitwasanItalianfashiontocommemoratetheoccasionsoflifebyatributetothemuse。
Hetookhispleasuresingeneralsingly。hewastoooften-hewouldhaveadmittedthat-toosorelyawareofsomethingwrong，somethingugly。thefertilizingdewofaconceivablefelicitytooseldomdescendedonhisspirit。Butatpresenthewashappy-happierthanhehadperhapseverbeeninhislife，andthefeelinghadalargefoundation。Thiswassimplythesenseofsuccess-themostagreeableemotionofthehumanheart。Osmondhadneverhadtoomuchofit。inthisrespecthehadtheirritationofsatiety，asheknewperfectlywellandoftenremindedhimself。Ahno，I’venotbeenspoiled。
certainlyI’venotbeenspoiled，heusedinwardlytorepeat。IfIdosucceedbeforeIdieIshallthoroughlyhaveearnedit。Hewastooapttoreasonasifearningthisboonconsistedaboveallofcovertlyachingforitandmightbeconfinedtothatexercise。
Absolutelyvoidofit，also，hiscareerhadnotbeen。hemightindeedhavesuggestedtoaspectatorhereandtherethathewasrestingonvaguelaurels。Buthistriumphswere，someofthem，nowtooold。othershadbeentooeasy。Thepresentonehadbeenlessarduousthanmighthavebeenexpected，buthadbeeneasy-thatishadbeenrapid-onlybecausehehadmadeanaltogetherexceptionaleffort，agreatereffortthanhehadbelieveditinhimtomake。Thedesiretohavesomethingorothertoshowforhisparts-toshowsomehoworother-hadbeenthedreamofhisyouth。butastheyearswentontheconditionsattachedtoanymarkedproofofrarityhadaffectedhimmoreandmoreasgrossanddetestable。liketheswallowingofmugsofbeertoadvertisewhatonecouldstand。Ifananonymousdrawingonamuseumwallhadbeenconsciousandwatchfulitmighthaveknownthispeculiarpleasureofbeingatlastandallofasuddenidentified-asfromthehandofagreatmaster-bythesohighandsounnoticedfactofstyle。Hisstylewaswhatthegirlhaddiscoveredwithalittlehelp。andnow，besideherselfenjoyingit，sheshouldpublishittotheworldwithouthishavinganyofthetrouble。Sheshoulddothethingforhim，andhewouldnothavewaitedinvain。
ShortlybeforethetimefixedinadvanceforherdeparturethisyoungladyreceivedfromMrs。Touchettatelegramrunningasfollows：LeaveFlorence4thJuneforBellaggio，andtakeyouifyouhavenototherviews。Butcan’twaitifyoudawdleinRome。ThedawdlinginRomewasverypleasant，butIsabelhaddifferentviews，andsheletherauntknowshewouldimmediatelyjoinher。ShetoldGilbertOsmondthatshehaddoneso，andherepliedthat，spendingmanyofhissummersaswellashiswintersinItaly，hehimselfwouldloiteralittlelongerinthecoolshadowofSaintPeter’s。HewouldnotreturntoFlorencefortendaysmore，andinthattimeshewouldhavestartedforBellaggio。Itmightbemonthsinthiscasebeforeheshouldseeheragain。Thisexchangetookplaceinthelargedecoratedsitting-roomoccupiedbyourfriendsatthehotel。
itwaslateintheevening，andRalphTouchettwastotakehiscousinbacktoFlorenceonthemorrow。Osmondhadfoundthegirlalone。MissStackpolehadcontractedafriendshipwithadelightfulAmericanfamilyonthefourthfloorandhadmountedtheinterminablestaircasetopaythemavisit。Henriettacontractedfriendships，intravelling，withgreatfreedom，andhadformedinrailway-carriagesseveralthatwereamonghermostvaluedties。Ralphwasmakingarrangementsforthemorrow’sjourney，andIsabelsataloneinawildernessofyellowupholstery。Thechairsandsofaswereorange。thewallsandwindowsweredrapedinpurpleandgilt。Themirrors，thepictureshadgreatflamboyantframes。theceilingwasdeeplyvaultedandpaintedoverwithnakedmusesandcherubs。ForOsmondtheplacewasuglytodistress。thefalsecolours，theshamsplendourwerelikevulgar，bragging，lyingtalk。IsabelhadtakeninhandavolumeofAmpere，presented，ontheirarrivalinRome，byRalph。butthoughshehelditinherlapwithherfingervaguelykeptintheplaceshewasnotimpatienttopursueherstudy。Alampcoveredwithadroopingveilofpinktissue-paperburnedonthetablebesideheranddiffusedastrangepalerosinessoverthescene。
Yousayyou’llcomeback。butwhoknows？GilbertOsmondsaid。I
thinkyou’remuchmorelikelytostartonyourvoyageroundtheworld。
You’reundernoobligationtocomeback。youcandoexactlywhatyouchoose。youcanroamthroughspace。
Well，Italy’sapartofspace，Isabelanswered。Icantakeitontheway。
Onthewayroundtheworld？No，don’tdothat。Don’tputusinaparenthesis-giveusachaptertoourselves。Idon’twanttoseeyouonyourtravels。I’dratherseeyouwhenthey’reover。Ishouldliketoseeyouwhenyou’retiredandsatiated，Osmondaddedinamoment。Ishallpreferyouinthatstate。
Isabel，withhereyesbent，fingeredthepagesofM。Ampere。Youturnthingsintoridiculewithoutseemingtodoit，thoughnot，I
think，withoutintendingit。You’venorespectformytravels-youthinkthemridiculous。
Wheredoyoufindthat？
Shewentoninthesametone，frettingtheedgeofherbookwiththepaper-knife。Youseemyignorance，myblunders，thewayIwanderaboutasiftheworldbelongedtome，simplybecause-becauseithasbeenputintomypowertodoso。Youdon’tthinkawomanoughttodothat。Youthinkitboldandungraceful。
Ithinkitbeautiful，saidOsmond。Youknowmyopinions-I’vetreatedyoutoenoughofthem。Don’tyouremembermytellingyouthatoneoughttomakeone’slifeaworkofart？Youlookedrathershockedatfirst。butthenItoldyouthatitwasexactlywhatyouseemedtometobetryingtodowithyourown。
Shelookedupfromherbook。Whatyoudespisemostintheworldisbad，isstupidart。
Possibly。Butyoursseemtomeveryclearandverygood。
IfIweretogotoJapannextwinteryouwouldlaughatme，shewenton。
Osmondgaveasmile-akeenone，butnotalaugh，forthetoneoftheirconversationwasnotjocose。Isabelhadinfacthersolemnity。
hehadseenitbefore。Youhaveanimaginationthatstartlesone！
That’sexactlywhatIsay。Youthinksuchanideaabsurd。
IwouldgivemylittlefingertogotoJapan。it’soneofthecountriesIwantmosttosee。Can’tyoubelievethat，withmytasteforoldlacquer？
Ihaven’tatasteforoldlacquertoexcuseme，saidIsabel。
You’veabetterexcuse-themeansofgoing。You’requitewronginyourtheorythatIlaughatyou。Idon’tknowwhathasputitintoyourhead。
Itwouldn’tberemarkableifyoudidthinkitridiculousthatI
shouldhavethemeanstotravelwhenyou’venot。foryouknoweverything，andIknownothing。
Themorereasonwhyyoushouldtravelandlearn，smiledOsmond。
Besides，headdedasifitwereapointtobemade，Idon’tknoweverything。
Isabelwasnotstruckwiththeoddityofhissayingthisgravely。
shewasthinkingthatthepleasantestincidentofherlife-soitpleasedhertoqualifythesetoofewdaysinRome，whichshemightmusinglyhavelikenedtothefigureofsomesmallprincessofoneoftheagesofdressover-muffledinamantleofstateanddraggingatrainthatittookpagesorhistorianstoholdup-thatthisfelicitywascomingtoanend。ThatmostoftheinterestofthetimehadbeenowingtoMr。Osmondwasareflexionshewasnotjustnowatpainstomake。shehadalreadydonethepointabundantjustice。Butshesaidtoherselfthatiftherewereadangertheyshouldnevermeetagain，perhapsafterallitwouldbeaswell。Happythingsdon’trepeatthemselves，andheradventureworealreadythechanged，theseawardfaceofsomeromanticislandfromwhich，afterfeastingonpurplegrapes，shewasputtingoffwhilethebreezerose。ShemightcomebacktoItalyandfindhimdifferent-thisstrangemanwhopleasedherjustashewas。anditwouldbebetternottocomethanruntheriskofthat。Butifshewasnottocomethegreaterthepitythatthechapterwasclosed。shefeltforamomentapangthattouchedthesourceoftears。Thesensationkepthersilent，andGilbertOsmondwassilenttoo。hewaslookingather。Goeverywhere，
hesaidatlast，inalow，kindvoice。doeverything。geteverythingoutoflife。Behappy-betriumphant。
Whatdoyoumeanbybeingtriumphant？
Well，doingwhatyoulike。
Totriumph，then，itseemstome，istofail！Doingallthevainthingsonelikesisoftenverytiresome。
Exactly，saidOsmondwithhisquietquickness。AsIintimatedjustnow，you’llbetiredsomeday。Hepausedamomentandthenhewenton：Idon’tknowwhetherIhadbetternotwaittillthenforsomethingIwanttosaytoyou。
Ah，Ican’tadviseyouwithoutknowingwhatitis。ButI’mhorridwhenI’mtired，Isabeladdedwithdueinconsequence。
Idon’tbelievethat。You’reangry，sometimes-thatIcanbelieve，thoughI’veneverseenit。ButI’msureyou’renever’cross。’
NotevenwhenIlosemytemper？
Youdon’tloseit-youfindit，andthatmustbebeautiful。Osmondspokewithanobleearnestness。Theymustbegreatmomentstosee。
IfIcouldonlyfinditnow！Isabelnervouslycried。
I’mnotafraid。Ishouldfoldmyarmsandadmireyou。I’mspeakingveryseriously。Heleanedforward，ahandoneachknee。
forsomemomentshebenthiseyesonthefloor。WhatIwishtosaytoyou，hewentonatlast，lookingup，isthatIfindI’minlovewithyou。
Sheinstantlyrose。Ah，keepthattillIamtired！
Tiredofhearingitfromothers？Hesatthereraisinghiseyestoher。No，youmayheeditnowornever，asyouplease。ButafterallImustsayitnow。Shehadturnedaway，butinthemovementshehadstoppedherselfanddroppedhergazeuponhim。Thetworemainedawhileinthissituation，exchangingalonglook-thelarge，consciouslookofthecriticalhoursoflife。Thenhegotupandcamenearher，deeplyrespectful，asifhewereafraidhehadbeentoofamiliar。I’mabsolutelyinlovewithyou。
Hehadrepeatedtheannouncementinatoneofalmostimpersonaldiscretion，likeamanwhoexpectedverylittlefromitbutwhospokeforhisownneededrelief。Thetearscameintohereyes：thistimetheyobeyedthesharpnessofthepangthatsuggestedtohersomehowtheslippingofafinebolt-backward，forward，shecouldn’thavesaidwhich。Thewordshehadutteredmadehim，ashestoodthere，beautifulandgenerous，investedhimaswiththegoldenairofearlyautumn。but，morallyspeaking，sheretreatedbeforethem-facinghimstill-asshehadretreatedintheothercasesbeforealikeencounter。Ohdon’tsaythat，please，sheansweredwithanintensitythatexpressedthedreadofhaving，inthiscasetoo，tochooseanddecide。Whatmadeherdreadgreatwaspreciselytheforcewhich，asitwouldseem，oughttohavebanishedalldread-thesenseofsomethingwithinherself，deepdown，thatshesupposedtobeinspiredandtrustfulpassion。Itwastherelikealargesumstoredinabank-
whichtherewasaterrorinhavingtobegintospend。Ifshetouchedit，itwouldallcomeout。
Ihaven’ttheideathatitwillmattermuchtoyou，saidOsmond。
I’vetoolittletoofferyou。WhatIhave-it’senoughforme。butit’snotenoughforyou。I’veneitherfortune，norfame，norextrinsicadvantagesofanykind。SoIoffernothing。IonlytellyoubecauseIthinkitcan’toffendyou，andsomedayorotheritmaygiveyoupleasure。Itgivesmepleasure，Iassureyou，hewenton，standingtherebeforeher，consideratelyinclinedtoher，turninghishat，whichhehadtakenup，slowlyroundwithamovementwhichhadallthedecenttremorofawkwardnessandnoneofitsoddity，andpresentingtoherhisfirm，refined，slightlyravagedface。Itgivesmenopain，becauseit’sperfectlysimple。Formeyou’llalwaysbethemostimportantwomanintheworld。
Isabellookedatherselfinthischaracter-lookedintently，thinkingshefilleditwithacertaingrace。Butwhatshesaidwasnotanexpressionofanysuchcomplacency。Youdon’toffendme。butyououghttorememberthat，withoutbeingoffended，onemaybeincommoded，troubled。Incommoded：sheheardherselfsayingthat，anditstruckherasaridiculousword。Butitwaswhatstupidlycametoher。
Irememberperfectly。Ofcourseyou’resurprisedandstartled。
Butifit’snothingbutthat，itwillpassaway。AnditwillperhapsleavesomethingthatImaynotbeashamedof。
Idon’tknowwhatitmayleave。YouseeatalleventsthatI’mnotoverwhelmed，saidIsabelwithratherapalesmile。I’mnottootroubledtothink。AndIthinkthatI’mgladwe’reseparating-thatIleaveRometo-morrow。
OfcourseIdon’tagreewithyouthere。
Idon’tatallknowyou，sheaddedabruptly。andthenshecolouredassheheardherselfsayingwhatshehadsaidalmostayearbeforetoLordWarburton。
Ifyouwerenotgoingawayyou’dknowmebetter。
Ishalldothatsomeothertime。
Ihopeso。I’mveryeasytoknow。
No，no，sheemphaticallyanswered-thereyou’renotsincere。
You’renoteasytoknow。noonecouldbelessso。
Well，helaughed，IsaidthatbecauseIknowmyself。Itmaybeaboast，butIdo。
Verylikely。butyou’reverywise。
Soareyou，MissArcher！Osmondexclaimed。
Idon’tfeelsojustnow。Still，I’mwiseenoughtothinkyouhadbettergo。Good-night。
Godblessyou！saidGilbertOsmond，takingthehandwhichshefailedtosurrender。Afterwhichheadded：Ifwemeetagainyou’llfindmeasyouleaveme。Ifwedon’tIshallbesoallthesame。
Thankyouverymuch。Good-bye。
TherewassomethingquietlyfirmaboutIsabel’svisitor。hemightgoofhisownmovement，butwouldn’tbedismissed。There’sonethingmore。Ihaven’taskedanythingofyou-notevenathoughtinthefuture。youmustdomethatjustice。Butthere’salittleserviceI
shouldliketoask。Ishallnotreturnhomeforseveraldays。Rome’sdelightful，andit’sagoodplaceforamaninmystateofmind。Oh，I
knowyou’resorrytoleaveit。butyou’rerighttodowhatyourauntwishes。
Shedoesn’tevenwishit！Isabelbrokeoutstrangely。
Osmondwasapparentlyonthepointofsayingsomethingthatwouldmatchthesewords，buthechangedhismindandrejoinedsimply：Ahwell，it’sproperyoushouldgowithher，veryproper。Doeverythingthat’sproper。Igoinforthat。Excusemybeingsopatronizing。Yousayyoudon’tknowme，butwhenyoudoyou’lldiscoverwhataworshipIhaveforpropriety。
You’renotconventional？Isabelgravelyasked。
Ilikethewayyouutterthatword！No，I’mnotconventional：I’mconventionitself。Youdon’tunderstandthat？Andhepausedamoment，smiling。Ishouldliketoexplainit。Thenwithasudden，quick，brightnaturalness，Docomebackagain，hepleaded。Therearesomanythingswemighttalkabout。
Shestoodtherewithloweredeyes。Whatservicedidyouspeakofjustnow？
GoandseemylittledaughterbeforeyouleaveFlorence。She’saloneatthevilla。Idecidednottosendhertomysister，whohasn’tatallmyideas。Tellhershemustloveherpoorfatherverymuch，
saidGilbertOsmondgently。
Itwillbeagreatpleasuretometogo，Isabelanswered。I’lltellherwhatyousay。Oncemoregood-bye。
Onthishetookarapid，respectfulleave。Whenhehadgoneshestoodamomentlookingaboutherandseatedherselfslowlyandwithanairofdeliberation。Shesattheretillhercompanionscameback，withfoldedhands，gazingattheuglycarpet。Heragitation-forithadnotdiminished-wasverystill，verydeep。Whathadhappenedwassomethingthatforaweekpastherimaginationhadbeengoingforwardtomeet。
buthere，whenitcame，shestopped-thatsublimeprinciplesomehowbrokedown。Theworkingofthisyounglady’sspiritwasstrange，andI
canonlygiveittoyouasIseeit，nothopingtomakeitseemaltogethernatural。Herimagination，asIsay，nowhungback：therewasalastvaguespaceitcouldn’tcross-adusky，uncertaintractwhichlookedambiguousandevenslightlytreacherous，likeamoorlandseeninthewintertwilight。Butshewastocrossityet。