MadameMerleslowlyseatedherself，withherarmsfoldedandherwhitehandsarrangedasasupporttooneofthemandanornament，asitwere，totheother。Shelookedexquisitelycalmbutimpressivelysad。Onyourside，don’ttrytofrightenme。Iwonderifyouguesssomeofmythoughts。
ItroubleaboutthemnomorethanIcanhelp。I’vequiteenoughofmyown。
That’sbecausethey’resodelightful。
Osmondrestedhisheadagainstthebackofhischairandlookedathiscompanionwithacynicaldirectnesswhichseemedalsopartlyanexpressionoffatigue。Youdoaggravateme，heremarkedinamoment。
I’mverytired。
Ehmoidonc！criedMadameMerle。
Withyouit’sbecauseyoufatigueyourself。Withmeit’snotmyownfault。
WhenIfatiguemyselfit’sforyou。I’vegivenyouaninterest。
That’sagreatgift。
Doyoucallitaninterest？Osmondenquiredwithdetachment。
Certainly，sinceithelpsyoutopassyourtime。
Thetimehasneverseemedlongertomethanthiswinter。
You’veneverlookedbetter。you’veneverbeensoagreeable，sobrilliant。
Damnmybrilliancy！hethoughtfullymurmured。Howlittle，afterall，youknowme！
IfIdon’tknowyouIknownothing，smiledMadameMerle。You’vethefeelingofcompletesuccess。
No，IshallnothavethattillI’vemadeyoustopjudgingme。
Ididthatlongago。Ispeakfromoldknowledge。Butyouexpressyourselfmoretoo。
Osmondjusthungfire。Iwishyou’dexpressyourselfless！
Youwishtocondemnmetosilence？RememberthatI’veneverbeenachatterbox。AtanyratetherearethreeorfourthingsIshouldliketosaytoyoufirst。Yourwifedoesn’tknowwhattodowithherself，shewentonwithachangeoftone。
Pardonme。sheknowsperfectly。Shehasalinesharplydrawn。Shemeanstocarryoutherideas。
Herideasto-daymustberemarkable。
Certainlytheyare。Shehasmoreofthemthanever。
Shewasunabletoshowmeanythismorning，saidMadameMerle。
Sheseemedinaverysimple，almostinastupid，stateofmind。Shewascompletelybewildered。
Youhadbettersayatoncethatshewaspathetic。
Ahno，Idon’twanttoencourageyoutoomuch。
Hestillhadhisheadagainstthecushionbehindhim。theankleofonefootrestedontheotherknee。Sohesatforawhile。Ishouldliketoknowwhat’sthematterwithyou，hesaidatlast。
Thematter-thematter-！AndhereMadameMerlestopped。Thenshewentonwithasuddenoutbreakofpassion，aburstofsummerthunderinaclearsky：ThematteristhatIwouldgivemyrighthandtobeabletoweep，andthatIcan’t！
Whatgoodwoulditdoyoutoweep？
ItwouldmakemefeelasIfeltbeforeIknewyou。
IfI’vedriedyourtears，that’ssomething。ButI’veseenyoushedthem。
Oh，Ibelieveyou’llmakemecrystill。Imeanmakemehowllikeawolf。I’veagreathope，I’veagreatneed，ofthat。Iwasvilethismorning。Iwashorrid，shesaid。
IfIsabelwasinthestupidstateofmindyoumentionsheprobablydidn’tperceiveit，Osmondanswered。
Itwaspreciselymydeviltrythatstupefiedher。Icouldn’thelpit。Iwasfullofsomethingbad。Perhapsitwassomethinggood。I
don’tknow。You’venotonlydriedupmytears。you’vedriedupmysoul。
It’snotIthenthatamresponsibleformywife’scondition，
Osmondsaid。It’spleasanttothinkthatIshallgetthebenefitofyourinfluenceuponher。Don’tyouknowthesoulisanimmortalprinciple？Howcanitsufferalteration？
Idon’tbelieveatallthatit’sanimmortalprinciple。Ibelieveitcanperfectlybedestroyed。That’swhathashappenedtomine，whichwasaverygoodonetostartwith。andit’syouIhavetothankforit。You’reverybad，sheaddedwithgravityinheremphasis。
Isthisthewaywe’retoend？Osmondaskedwiththesamestudiedcoldness。
Idon’tknowhowwe’retoend。IwishIdid！Howdobadpeopleend？-especiallyastotheircommoncrimes。Youhavemademeasbadasyourself。
Idon’tunderstandyou。Youseemtomequitegoodenough，saidOsmond，hisconsciousindifferencegivinganextremeeffecttothewords。
MadameMerle’sself-possessiontendedonthecontrarytodiminish，andshewasnearerlosingitthanonanyoccasiononwhichwehavehadthepleasureofmeetingher。Theglowofhereyeturnedsombre。hersmilebetrayedapainfuleffort。GoodenoughforanythingthatI’vedonewithmyself？Isupposethat’swhatyoumean。
Goodenoughtobealwayscharming！Osmondexclaimed，smilingtoo。
OhGod！hiscompanionmurmured。and，sittingthereinherripefreshness，shehadrecoursetothesamegestureshehadprovokedonIsabel’spartinthemorning：shebentherfaceandcovereditwithherhands。
Areyougoingtoweepafterall？Osmondasked。andonherremainingmotionlesshewenton：
HaveIevercomplainedtoyou？
Shedroppedherhandquickly。No，you’vetakenyourrevengeotherwise-youhavetakenitonher。
Osmondthrewbackhisheadfurther。helookedawhileattheceilingandmighthavebeensupposedtobeappealing，inaninformalway，totheheavenlypowers。Oh，theimaginationofwomen！It’salwaysvulgar，atbottom。Youtalkofrevengelikeathird-ratenovelist。
Ofcourseyouhaven’tcomplained。You’veenjoyedyourtriumphtoomuch。
I’mrathercurioustoknowwhatyoucallmytriumph。
You’vemadeyourwifeafraidofyou。
Osmondchangedhisposition。heleanedforward，restinghiselbowsonhiskneesandlookingawhileatabeautifuloldPersianrug，athisfeet。Hehadanairofrefusingtoacceptanyone’svaluationofanything，evenoftime，andofpreferringtoabidebyhisown。apeculiaritywhichmadehimatmomentsanirritatingpersontoconversewith。Isabel’snotafraidofme，andit’snotwhatIwish，hesaidatlast。Towhatdoyouwanttoprovokemewhenyousaysuchthingsasthat？
I’vethoughtoveralltheharmyoucandome，MadameMerleanswered。Yourwifewasafraidofmethismorning，butinmeitwasreallyyoushefeared。
Youmayhavesaidthingsthatwereinverybadtaste。I’mnotresponsibleforthat。Ididn’tseetheuseofyourgoingtoseeheratall：you’recapableofactingwithouther。I’venotmadeyouafraidofmethatIcansee，hewenton。howthenshouldIhavemadeher？
You’reatleastasbrave。Ican’tthinkwhereyou’vepickedupsuchrubbish。onemightsupposeyouknewmebythistime。Hegotupashespokeandwalkedtothechimney，wherehestoodamomentbendinghiseye，asifhehadseenthemforthefirsttime，onthedelicatespecimensofrareporcelainwithwhichitwascovered。Hetookupasmallcupandhelditinhishand。then，stillholdingitandleaninghisarmonthemantel，hepursued：Youalwaysseetoomuchineverything。youoverdoit。youlosesightofthereal。I’mmuchsimplerthanyouthink。
Ithinkyou’reverysimple。AndMadameMerlekepthereyeonhercup。I’vecometothatwithtime。Ijudgedyou，asIsay，ofold。butit’sonlysinceyourmarriagethatI’veunderstoodyou。I’veseenbetterwhatyouhavebeentoyourwifethanIeversawwhatyouwereforme。Pleasebeverycarefulofthatpreciousobject。
Italreadyhasaweebitofatinycrack，saidOsmonddrylyasheputitdown。Ifyoudidn’tunderstandmebeforeImarrieditwascruellyrashofyoutoputmeintosuchabox。However，Itookafancytomyboxmyself。Ithoughtitwouldbeacomfortablefit。Iaskedverylittle。Ionlyaskedthatsheshouldlikeme。
Thatsheshouldlikeyousomuch！
Somuch，ofcourse。insuchacaseoneasksthemaximum。Thatsheshouldadoreme，ifyouwill。Ohyes，Iwantedthat。
Ineveradoredyou，saidMadameMerle。
Ah，butyoupretendedto！
It’struethatyouneveraccusedmeofbeingacomfortablefit，
MadameMerlewenton。
Mywifehasdeclined-declinedtodoanythingofthesort，saidOsmond。Ifyou’redeterminedtomakeatragedyofthat，thetragedy’shardlyforher。
Thetragedy’sforme！MadameMerleexclaimed，risingwithalonglowsighbuthavingaglanceatthesametimeforthecontentsofhermantel-shelf。ItappearsthatI’mtobeseverelytaughtthedisadvantagesofafalseposition。
Youexpressyourselflikeasentenceinacopy-book。Wemustlookforourcomfortwherewecanfindit。Ifmywifedoesn’tlikeme，atleastmychilddoes。IshalllookforcompensationsinPansy。
FortunatelyIhaven’tafaulttofindwithher。
Ah，shesaidsoftly，ifIhadachild-！
Osmondwaited，andthen，withalittleformalair，Thechildrenofothersmaybeagreatinterest！heannounced。
You’remorelikeacopy-bookthanI。There’ssomethingafterallthatholdsustogether。
IsittheideaoftheharmImaydoyou？Osmondasked。
No。it’stheideaofthegoodImaydoforyou。It’sthat，
MadameMerlepursued，thatmademesojealousofIsabel。Iwantittobemywork，sheadded，withherface，whichhadgrownhardandbitter，relaxingtoitshabitofsmoothness。
Herfriendtookuphishatandhisumbrella，andaftergivingtheformerarticletwoorthreestrokeswithhiscoat-cuff，Onthewhole，Ithink，hesaid，youhadbetterleaveittome。
Afterhehadlefthershewent，thefirstthing，andliftedfromthemantel-shelftheattenuatedcoffee-cupinwhichhehadmentionedtheexistenceofacrack。butshelookedatitratherabstractedly。
HaveIbeensovileallfornothing？shevaguelywailed。
CHAPTER50
AstheCountessGeminiwasnotacquaintedwiththeancientmonumentsIsabeloccasionallyofferedtointroducehertotheseinterestingrelicsandtogivetheirafternoondriveanantiquarianaim。TheCountess，whoprofessedtothinkhersister-in-lawaprodigyoflearning，nevermadeanobjection，andgazedatmassesofRomanbrickworkaspatientlyasiftheyhadbeenmoundsofmoderndrapery。
Shehadnotthehistoricsense，thoughshehadinsomedirectionstheanecdotic，andasregardsherselftheapologetic，butshewassodelightedtobeinRomethatsheonlydesiredtofloatwiththecurrent。ShewouldgladlyhavepassedanhoureverydayinthedampdarknessoftheBathsofTitusifithadbeenaconditionofherremainingatPalazzoRoccanera。Isabel，however，wasnotaseverecicerone。sheusedtovisittheruinschieflybecausetheyofferedanexcusefortalkingaboutothermattersthanthelove-affairsoftheladiesofFlorence，astowhichhercompanionwasneverwearyofofferinginformation。ItmustbeaddedthatduringthesevisitstheCountessforbadeherselfeveryformofactiveresearch。herpreferencewastositinthecarriageandexclaimthateverythingwasmostinteresting。ItwasinthismannerthatshehadhithertoexaminedtheColiseum，totheinfiniteregretofherniece，who-withalltherespectthatsheowedher-couldnotseewhysheshouldnotdescendfromthevehicleandenterthebuilding。Pansyhadsolittlechancetoramblethatherviewofthecasewasnotwhollydisinterested。itmaybedivinedthatshehadasecrethopethat，onceinside，herparents’guestmightbeinducedtoclimbtotheuppertiers。TherecameadaywhentheCountessannouncedherwillingnesstoundertakethisfeat-amildafternooninMarchwhenthewindymonthexpresseditselfinoccasionalpuffsofspring。ThethreeladieswentintotheColiseumtogether，butIsabellefthercompanionstowanderovertheplace。ShehadoftenascendedtothosedesolateledgesfromwhichtheRomancrowdusedtobellowapplauseandwherenowthewildflowerswhentheyareallowedbloominthedeepcrevices。andto-dayshefeltwearyanddisposedtositinthedespoiledarena。Itmadeanintermissiontoo，fortheCountessoftenaskedmorefromone’sattentionthanshegaveinreturn。andIsabelbelievedthatwhenshewasalonewithherniecesheletthedustgatherforamomentontheancientscandalsoftheArnide。Shesoremainedbelowtherefore，whilePansyguidedherundiscriminatingaunttothesteepbrickstaircaseatthefootofwhichthecustodianunlocksthetallwoodengate。Thegreatenclosurewashalfinshadow。thewesternsunbroughtoutthepaleredtoneofthegreatblocksoftravertine-thelatentcolourthatistheonlylivingelementintheimmenseruin。Hereandtherewanderedapeasantoratourist，lookingupatthefarsky-linewhere，intheclearstillness，amultitudeofswallowskeptcirclingandplunging。Isabelpresentlybecameawarethatoneoftheothervisitors，plantedinthemiddleofthearena，hadturnedhisattentiontoherownpersonandwaslookingatherwithacertainlittlepoiseoftheheadwhichshehadsomeweeksbeforeperceivedtobecharacteristicofbaffledbutindestructiblepurpose。Suchanattitude，today，couldbelongonlytoMr。EdwardRosier。andthisgentlemanprovedinfacttohavebeenconsideringthequestionofspeakingtoher。Whenhehadassuredhimselfthatshewasunaccompaniedhedrewnear，remarkingthatthoughshewouldnotanswerhislettersshewouldperhapsnotwhollycloseherearstohisspokeneloquence。Sherepliedthatherstepdaughterwascloseathandandthatshecouldonlygivehimfiveminutes。whereuponhetookouthiswatchandsatdownuponabrokenblock。
It’sverysoontold，saidEdwardRosier。I’vesoldallmybibelots！Isabelgaveinstinctivelyanexclamationofhorror。itwasasifhehadtoldherhehadhadallhisteethdrawn。I’vesoldthembyauctionattheHotelDrouot，hewenton。Thesaletookplacethreedaysago，andthey’vetelegraphedmetheresult。It’smagnificent。
I’mgladtohearit。butIwishyouhadkeptyourprettythings。
Ihavethemoneyinstead-fiftythousanddollars。WillMr。Osmondthinkmerichenoughnow？
Isitforthatyoudidit？Isabelaskedgently。
Forwhatelseintheworldcoulditbe？That’stheonlythingI
thinkof。IwenttoParisandmademyarrangements。Icouldn’tstopforthesale。Icouldn’thaveseenthemgoingoff。Ithinkitwouldhavekilledme。ButIputthemintogoodhands，andtheybroughthighprices。IshouldtellyouIhavekeptmyenamels。NowIhavethemoneyinmypocket，andhecan’tsayI’mpoor！theyoungmanexclaimeddefiantly。
He’llsaynowthatyou’renotwise，saidIsabel，asifGilbertOsmondhadneversaidthisbefore。
Rosiergaveherasharplook。DoyoumeanthatwithoutmybibelotsI’mnothing？Doyoumeantheywerethebestthingaboutme？
That’swhattheytoldmeinParis。ohtheywereveryfrankaboutit。
Buttheyhadn’tseenher！
Mydearfriend，youdeservetosucceed，saidIsabelverykindly。
Yousaythatsosadlythatit’sthesameasifyousaidI
shouldn’t。Andhequestionedhereyeswiththecleartrepidationofhisown。HehadtheairofamanwhoknowshehasbeenthetalkofParisforaweekandisfullhalfaheadtallerinconsequence，butwhoalsohasapainfulsuspicionthatinspiteofthisincreaseofstatureoneortwopersonsstillhavetheperversitytothinkhimdiminutive。IknowwhathappenedherewhileIwasaway，hewenton。WhatdoesMr。OsmondexpectaftershehasrefusedLordWarburton？
Isabeldebated。Thatshe’llmarryanothernobleman。
Whatothernobleman？
Onethathe’llpickout。
Rosierslowlygotup，puttinghiswatchintohiswaistcoat-pocket。
You’relaughingatsomeone，butthistimeIdon’tthinkit’satme。
Ididn’tmeantolaugh，saidIsabel。Ilaughveryseldom。Nowyouhadbettergoaway。
Ifeelverysafe！Rosierdeclaredwithoutmoving。Thismightbe。
butitevidentlymadehimfeelmoresotomaketheannouncementinratheraloudvoice，balancinghimselfalittlecomplacentlyonhistoesandlookingallroundtheColiseumasifitwerefilledwithanaudience。SuddenlyIsabelsawhimchangecolour。therewasmoreofanaudiencethanhehadsuspected。Sheturnedandperceivedthathertwocompanionshadreturnedfromtheirexcursion。Youmustreallygoaway，shesaidquickly。
Ah，mydearlady，pityme！EdwardRosiermurmuredinavoicestrangelyatvariancewiththeannouncementIhavejustquoted。Andthenheaddedeagerly，likeamanwhointhemidstofhismiseryisseizedbyahappythought：IsthatladytheCountessGemini？I’veagreatdesiretobepresentedtoher。
Isabellookedathimamoment。Shehasnoinfluencewithherbrother。
Ah，whatamonsteryoumakehimout！AndRosierfacedtheCountess，whoadvanced，infrontofPansy，withananimationpartlydueperhapstothefactthatsheperceivedhersister-in-lawtobeengagedinconversationwithaveryprettyyoungman。
I’mgladyou’vekeptyourenamels！Isabelcalledasshelefthim。ShewentstraighttoPansy，who，onseeingEdwardRosier，hadstoppedshort，withloweredeyes。We’llgobacktothecarriage，shesaidgently。
Yes，it’sgettinglate，Pansyreturnedmoregentlystill。Andshewentonwithoutamurmur，withoutfalteringorglancingback。
Isabel，however，allowingherselfthislastliberty，sawthatameetinghadimmediatelytakenplacebetweentheCountessandMr。
Rosier。Hehadremovedhishatandwasbowingandsmiling。hehadevidentlyintroducedhimself，whiletheCountess’sexpressivebackdisplayedtoIsabel’seyeagraciousinclination。Thesefacts，nonetheless，werepresentlylosttosight，forIsabelandPansytooktheirplacesagaininthecarriage。Pansy，whofacedherstepmother，atfirstkepthereyesfixedonherlap。thensheraisedthemandrestedthemonIsabel’s。Thereshoneoutofeachofthemalittlemelancholyray-asparkoftimidpassionwhichtouchedIsabeltotheheart。Atthesametimeawaveofenvypassedoverhersoul，asshecomparedthetremulouslonging，thedefiniteidealofthechildwithherowndrydespair。PoorlittlePansy！sheaffectionatelysaid。
Ohnevermind！Pansyansweredinthetoneofeagerapology。
Andthentherewasasilence。theCountesswasalongtimecoming。
Didyoushowyouraunteverything，anddidsheenjoyit？Isabelaskedatlast。
Yes，Ishowedhereverything。Ithinkshewasverymuchpleased。
Andyou’renottired，Ihope。
Ohno，thankyou，I’mnottired。
TheCountessstillremainedbehind，sothatIsabelrequestedthefootmantogointotheColiseumandtellhertheywerewaiting。HepresentlyreturnedwiththeannouncementthattheSignoraContessabeggedthemnottowait-shewouldcomehomeinacab！
Aboutaweekafterthislady’squicksympathieshadenlistedthemselveswithMr。Rosier，Isabel，goingratherlatetodressfordinner，foundPansysittinginherroom。Thegirlseemedtohavebeenawaitingher。shegotupfromherlowchair。Pardonmytakingtheliberty，shesaidinasmallvoice。Itwillbethelast-forsometime。
Hervoicewasstrange，andhereyes，widelyopened，hadanexcited，frightenedlook。You’renotgoingaway！Isabelexclaimed。
I’mgoingtotheconvent。
Totheconvent？
Pansydrewnearer，tillshewasnearenoughtoputherarmsroundIsabelandrestherheadonhershoulder。Shestoodthiswayamoment，perfectlystill。buthercompanioncouldfeelhertremble。Thequiverofherlittlebodyexpressedeverythingshewasunabletosay。Isabelneverthelesspressedher。Whyareyougoingtotheconvent？
Becausepapathinksitbest。Hesaysayounggirl’sbetter，everynowandthen，formakingalittleretreat。Hesaystheworld，alwaystheworld，isverybadforayounggirl。Thisisjustachanceforalittleseclusion-alittlereflexion。Pansyspokeinshortdetachedsentences，asifshecouldscarcetrustherself。andthensheaddedwithatriumphofself-control：Ithinkpapa’sright。I’vebeensomuchintheworldthiswinter。
HerannouncementhadastrangeeffectonIsabel。itseemedtocarryalargermeaningthanthegirlherselfknew。Whenwasthisdecided？sheasked。I’veheardnothingofit。
Papatoldmehalfanhourago。hethoughtitbetteritshouldn’tbetoomuchtalkedaboutinadvance。MadameCatherine’stocomeformeataquarterpastseven，andI’monlytotaketwofrocks。It’sonlyforafewweeks。I’msureitwillbeverygood。Ishallfindallthoseladieswhousedtobesokindtome，andIshallseethelittlegirlswhoarebeingeducated。I’mveryfondoflittlegirls，saidPansywithaneffectofdiminutivegrandeur。AndI’malsoveryfondofMotherCatherine。Ishallbeveryquietandthinkagreatdeal。
Isabellistenedtoher，holdingherbreath。shewasalmostawe-struck。
Thinkofmesometimes。
Ah，comeandseemesoon！criedPansy。andthecrywasverydifferentfromtheheroicremarksofwhichshehadjustdeliveredherself。
Isabelcouldsaynothingmore。sheunderstoodnothing。sheonlyfelthowlittlesheyetknewherhusband。Heranswertohisdaughterwasalong，tenderkiss。
HalfanhourlatershelearnedfromhermaidthatMadameCatherinehadarrivedinacabandhaddepartedagainwiththesignorina。Ongoingtothedrawing-roombeforedinnershefoundtheCountessGeminialone，andthisladycharacterizedtheincidentbyexclaiming，withawonderfultossofthehead，Envoila，machere，unepose！Butifitwasanaffectationshewasatalosstoseewhatherhusbandaffected。Shecouldonlydimlyperceivethathehadmoretraditionsthanshesupposed。Ithadbecomeherhabittobesocarefulastowhatshesaidtohimthat，strangeasitmayappear，shehesitated，forseveralminutesafterhehadcomein，toalludetohisdaughter’ssuddendeparture：shespokeofitonlyaftertheywereseatedattable。ButshehadforbiddenherselfevertoaskOsmondaquestion。Allshecoulddowastomakeadeclaration，andtherewasonethatcameverynaturally。IshallmissPansyverymuch。
Helookedawhile，withhisheadinclinedalittle，atthebasketofflowersinthemiddleofthetable。Ahyes，hesaidatlast，I
hadthoughtofthat。Youmustgoandseeher，youknow。butnottoooften。IdaresayyouwonderwhyIsenthertothegoodsisters。butI
doubtifIcanmakeyouunderstand。Itdoesn’tmatter。don’ttroubleyourselfaboutit。That’swhyIhadnotspokenofit。Ididn’tbelieveyouwouldenterintoit。ButI’vealwayshadtheidea。I’vealwaysthoughtitapartoftheeducationofone’sdaughter。One’sdaughtershouldbefreshandfair。sheshouldbeinnocentandgentle。Withthemannersofthepresenttimesheisliabletobecomesodustyandcrumpled。Pansy’salittledusty，alittledishevelled。shehasknockedabouttoomuch。Thisbustling，pushingrabblethatcallsitselfsociety-oneshouldtakeheroutofitoccasionally。Conventsareveryquiet，veryconvenient，verysalutary。Iliketothinkofherthere，intheoldgarden，underthearcade，amongthosetranquilvirtuouswomen。Manyofthemaregentlewomenborn。severalofthemarenoble。Shewillhaveherbooksandherdrawing，shewillhaveherpiano。I’vemadethemostliberalarrangements。Thereistobenothingascetic。there’sjusttobeacertainlittlesenseofsequestration。
She’llhavetimetothink，andthere’ssomethingIwanthertothinkabout。Osmondspokedeliberately，reasonably，stillwithhisheadononeside，asifhewerelookingatthebasketofflowers。Histone，however，wasthatofamannotsomuchofferinganexplanationasputtingathingintowords-almostintopictures-tosee，himself，howitwouldlook。Heconsideredawhilethepicturehehadevokedandseemedgreatlypleasedwithit。Andthenhewenton：TheCatholicsareverywiseafterall。Theconventisagreatinstitution。wecan’tdowithoutit。itcorrespondstoanessentialneedinfamilies，insociety。It’saschoolofgoodmanners。it’saschoolofrepose。Oh，Idon’twanttodetachmydaughterfromtheworld，
headded。Idon’twanttomakeherfixherthoughtsonanyother。
Thisone’sverywell，assheshouldtakeit，andshemaythinkofitasmuchasshelikes。Onlyshemustthinkofitintherightway。
Isabelgaveanextremeattentiontothislittlesketch。shefounditindeedintenselyinteresting。Itseemedtoshowherhowfarherhusband’sdesiretobeeffectivewascapableofgoing-tothepointofplayingtheoretictricksonthedelicateorganismofhisdaughter。Shecouldnotunderstandhispurpose，no-notwholly。butsheunderstooditbetterthanhesupposedordesired，inasmuchasshewasconvincedthatthewholeproceedingwasanelaboratemystification，addressedtoherselfanddestinedtoactuponherimagination。Hehadwantedtodosomethingsuddenandarbitrary，somethingunexpectedandrefined。tomarkthedifferencebetweenhissympathiesandherown，andshowthatifheregardedhisdaughterasapreciousworkofartitwasnaturalheshouldbemoreandmorecarefulaboutthefinishingtouches。Ifhewishedtobeeffectivehehadsucceeded。theincidentstruckachillintoIsabel’sheart。Pansyhadknowntheconventinherchildhoodandhadfoundahappyhomethere。shewasfondofthegoodsisters，whowereveryfondofher，andtherewasthereforeforthemomentnodefinitehardshipinherlot。Butallthesamethegirlhadtakenfright。theimpressionherfatherdesiredtomakewouldevidentlybesharpenough。TheoldProtestanttraditionhadneverfadedfromIsabel’simagination，andasherthoughtsattachedthemselvestothisstrikingexampleofherhusband’sgenius-shesatlooking，likehim，atthebasketofflowers-poorlittlePansybecametheheroineofatragedy。Osmondwishedittobeknownthatheshrankfromnothing，andhiswifefoundithardtopretendtoeatherdinner。Therewasacertainreliefpresently，inhearingthehigh，strainedvoiceofhersister-in-law。
TheCountesstoo，apparently，hadbeenthinkingthethingout，buthadarrivedatadifferentconclusionfromIsabel。
It’sveryabsurd，mydearOsmond，shesaid，toinventsomanyprettyreasonsforpoorPansy’sbanishment。Whydon’tyousayatoncethatyouwanttogetheroutofmyway？Haven’tyoudiscoveredthatIthinkverywellofMr。Rosier？Idoindeed。heseemstomesimpaticissimo。Hehasmademebelieveintruelove。Ineverdidbefore！Ofcourseyou’vemadeupyourmindthatwiththoseconvictionsI’mdreadfulcompanyforPansy。
Osmondtookasipofaglassofwine。helookedperfectlygoodhumoured。MydearAmy，heanswered，smilingasifhewereutteringapieceofgallantry，Idon’tknowanythingaboutyourconvictions，butifIsuspectedthattheyinterferewithmineitwouldbemuchsimplertobanishyou。
CHAPTER51
TheCountesswasnotbanished，butshefelttheinsecurityofhertenureofherbrother’shospitality。AweekafterthisincidentIsabelreceivedatelegramfromEngland，datedfromGardencourtandbearingthestampofMrs。Touchett’sauthorship。Ralphcannotlastmanydays，itran，andifconvenientwouldliketoseeyou。Wishesmetosaythatyoumustcomeonlyifyou’venototherduties。Say，formyself，thatyouusedtotalkagooddealaboutyourdutyandtowonderwhatitwas。shallbecurioustoseewhetheryou’vefounditout。Ralphisreallydying，andthere’snoothercompany。Isabelwaspreparedforthisnews，havingreceivedfromHenriettaStackpoleadetailedaccountofherjourneytoEnglandwithherappreciativepatient。Ralphhadarrivedmoredeadthanalive，butshehadmanagedtoconveyhimtoGardencourt，wherehehadtakentohisbed，which，asMissStackpolewrote，heevidentlywouldneverleaveagain。Sheaddedthatshehadreallyhadtwopatientsonherhandsinsteadofone，inasmuchasMr。Goodwood，whohadbeenofnoearthlyuse，wasquiteasailing，inadifferentway，asMr。Touchett。AfterwardsshewrotethatshehadbeenobligedtosurrenderthefieldtoMrs。
Touchett，whohadjustreturnedfromAmericaandhadpromptlygivenhertounderstandthatshedidn’twishanyinterviewingatGardencourt。IsabelhadwrittentoherauntshortlyafterRalphcametoRome，lettingherknowofhiscriticalconditionandsuggestingthatsheshouldlosenotimeinreturningtoEurope。Mrs。Touchetthadtelegraphedanacknowledgementofthisadmonition，andtheonlyfurthernewsIsabelreceivedfromherwasthesecondtelegramIhavejustquoted。
Isabelstoodamomentlookingatthelattermissive。then，thrustingitintoherpocket，shewentstraighttothedoorofherhusband’sstudy。Heresheagainpausedaninstant，afterwhichsheopenedthedoorandwentin。Osmondwasseatedatthetablenearthewindowwithafoliovolumebeforehim，proppedagainstapileofbooks。
Thisvolumewasopenatapageofsmallcolouredplates，andIsabelpresentlysawthathehadbeencopyingfromitthedrawingofanantiquecoin。Aboxofwater-coloursandfinebrusheslaybeforehim，andhehadalreadytransferredtoasheetofimmaculatepaperthedelicate，finely-tinteddisk。Hisbackwasturnedtowardthedoor，butherecognizedhiswifewithoutlookinground。
Excusemefordisturbingyou，shesaid。
WhenIcometoyourroomIalwaysknock，heanswered，goingonwithhiswork。
Iforgot。Ihadsomethingelsetothinkof。Mycousin’sdying。
Ah，Idon’tbelievethat，saidOsmond，lookingathisdrawingthroughamagnifyingglass。Hewasdyingwhenwemarried。he’lloutliveusall。
Isabelgaveherselfnotime，nothought，toappreciatethecarefulcynicismofthisdeclaration。shesimplywentonquickly，fullofherownintention：Myaunthastelegraphedforme。ImustgotoGardencourt。
WhymustyougotoGardencourt？Osmondaskedinthetoneofimpartialcuriosity。
ToseeRalphbeforehedies。
Tothis，forsometime，hemadenorejoinder。hecontinuedtogivehischiefattentiontohiswork，whichwasofasortthatwouldbrooknonegligence。
Idon’tseetheneedofit，hesaidatlast。Hecametoseeyouhere。didn’tlikethat。IthoughthisbeinginRomeagreatmistake。
ButItolerateditbecauseitwastobethelasttimeyoushouldseehim。Nowyoutellmeit’snottohavebeenthelast。Ah，you’renotgrateful！
WhatamItobegratefulfor？
GilbertOsmondlaiddownhislittleimplements，blewaspeckofdustfromhisdrawing，slowlygotup，andforthefirsttimelookedathiswife。Formynothavinginterferedwhilehewashere。
Ohyes，Iam。Irememberperfectlyhowdistinctlyyouletmeknowyoudidn’tlikeit。Iwasverygladwhenhewentaway。
Leavehimalonethen。Don’trunafterhim。
Isabelturnedhereyesawayfromhim。theyresteduponhislittledrawing。ImustgotoEngland，shesaid，withafullconsciousnessthathertonemightstrikeanirritablemanoftasteasstupidlyobstinate。
Ishallnotlikeitifyoudo，Osmondremarked。
WhyshouldImindthat？Youwon’tlikeitifIdon’t。Youlikenothingdoordon’tdo。YoupretendtothinkIlie。
Osmondturnedslightlypale。hegaveacoldsmile。That’swhyyoumustgothen？Nottoseeyourcousin，buttotakearevengeonme。
Iknownothingaboutrevenge。
Ido，saidOsmond。Don’tgivemeanoccasion。
You’reonlytooeagertotakeone。YouwishimmenselythatI
wouldcommitsomefolly。
Ishouldbegratifiedinthatcaseifyoudisobeyedme。
IfIdisobeyedyou？saidIsabelinalowtonewhichhadtheeffectofmildness。
Letitbeclear。IfyouleaveRometo-dayitwillbeapieceofthemostdeliberate，themostcalculated，opposition。
Howcanyoucallitcalculated？Ireceivedmyaunt’stelegrambutthreeminutesago。
Youcalculaterapidly。it’sagreataccomplishment。Idon’tseewhyweshouldprolongourdiscussion。youknowmywish。Andhestoodthereasifheexpectedtoseeherwithdraw。
Butshenevermoved。shecouldn’tmove，strangeasitmayseem。
shestillwishedtojustifyherself。hehadthepower，inanextraordinarydegree，ofmakingherfeelthisneed。Therewassomethinginherimaginationhecouldalwaysappealtoagainstherjudgement。You’venoreasonforsuchawish，saidIsabel，andI’veeveryreasonforgoing。Ican’ttellyouhowunjustyouseemtome。ButIthinkyouknow。It’syourownoppositionthat’scalculated。It’smalignant。
Shehadneverutteredherworstthoughttoherhusbandbefore，andthesensationofhearingitwasevidentlynewtoOsmond。Butheshowednosurprise，andhiscoolnesswasapparentlyaproofthathehadbelievedhiswifewouldinfactbeunabletoresistforeverhisingeniousendeavourtodrawherout。It’sallthemoreintensethen，
heanswered。Andheaddedalmostasifheweregivingherafriendlycounsel：Thisisaveryimportantmatter。Sherecognizedthat。shewasfullyconsciousoftheweightoftheoccasion。sheknewthatbetweenthemtheyhadarrivedatacrisis。Itsgravitymadehercareful。shesaidnothing，andhewenton。YousayI’venoreason？
Ihavetheverybest。Idislike，fromthebottomofmysoul，whatyouintendtodo。It’sdishonourable。it’sindelicate。it’sindecent。Yourcousinisnothingwhatevertome，andI’mundernoobligationtomakeconcessionstohim。I’vealreadymadetheveryhandsomest。Yourrelationswithhim，whilehewashere，keptmeonpinsandneedles。butIletthatpass，becausefromweektoweekI
expectedhimtogo。I’veneverlikedhimandhehasneverlikedme。
That’swhyyoulikehim-becausehehatesme，saidOsmondwithaquick，barelyaudibletremorinhisvoice。I’veanidealofwhatmywifeshoulddoandshouldnotdo。SheshouldnottravelacrossEuropealone，indefianceofmydeepestdesire，tositatthebedsideofothermen。Yourcousin’snothingtoyou。he’snothingtous。YousmilemostexpressivelywhenItalkaboutus，butIassureyouthatwe，Mrs。Osmond，isallIknow。Itakeourmarriageseriously。
youappeartohavefoundawayofnotdoingso。I’mnotawarethatwe’redivorcedorseparated。formewe’reindissolublyunited。Youarenearertomethananyhumancreature，andI’mnearertoyou。Itmaybeadisagreeableproximity。it’sone，atanyrate，ofourowndeliberatemaking。Youdon’tliketoberemindedofthat，Iknow。butI’mperfectlywilling，because-because-Andhepausedamoment，lookingasifhehadsomethingtosaywhichwouldbeverymuchtothepoint。
BecauseIthinkweshouldaccepttheconsequencesofouractions，andwhatIvaluemostinlifeisthehonourofathing！
Hespokegravelyandalmostgently。theaccentofsarcasmhaddroppedoutofhistone。Ithadagravitywhichcheckedhiswife’squickemotion。theresolutionwithwhichshehadenteredtheroomfounditselfcaughtinameshoffinethreads。Hislastwordswerenotcommand，theyconstitutedakindofappeal。and，thoughshefeltthatanyexpressionofrespectonhispartcouldonlybearefinementofegotism，theyrepresentedsomethingtranscendentandabsolute，likethesignofthecrossortheflagofone’scountry。
Hespokeinthenameofsomethingsacredandprecious-theobservanceofamagnificentform。Theywereasperfectlyapartinfeelingastwodisillusionedlovershadeverbeen。buttheyhadneveryetseparatedinact。Isabelhadnotchanged。heroldpassionforjusticestillabodewithinher。andnow，intheverythickofhersenseofherhusband’sblasphemoussophistry，itbegantothrobtoatunewhichforamomentpromisedhimthevictory。Itcameoverherthatinhiswishtopreserveappearanceshewasafterallsincere，andthatthis，asfarasitwent，wasamerit。Tenminutesbeforeshehadfeltallthejoyofirreflectiveaction-ajoytowhichshehadsolongbeenastranger。butactionhadbeensuddenlychangedtoslowrenunciation，transformedbytheblightofOsmond’stouch。Ifshemustrenounce，however，shewouldlethimknowshewasavictimratherthanadupe。Iknowyou’reamasteroftheartofmockery，shesaid。
Howcanyouspeakofanindissolubleunion-howcanyouspeakofyourbeingcontented？Where’sourunionwhenyouaccusemeoffalsity？
Where’syourcontentmentwhenyouhavenothingbuthideoussuspicioninyourheart？
Itisinourlivingdecentlytogether，inspiteofsuchdrawbacks。
Wedon’tlivedecentlytogether！criedIsabel。
Indeedwedon’tifyougotoEngland。
That’sverylittle。that’snothing。Imightdomuchmore。
Heraisedhiseyebrowsandevenhisshouldersalittle：hehadlivedlongenoughinItalytocatchthistrick。Ah，ifyou’vecometothreatenmeIprefermydrawing。Andhewalkedbacktohistable，wherehetookupthesheetofpaperonwhichhehadbeenworkingandstoodstudyingit。IsupposethatifIgoyou’llnotexpectmetocomeback，saidIsabel。
Heturnedquicklyaround，andshecouldseethismovementatleastwasnotdesigned。Helookedatheralittle，andthen，Areyououtofyourmind？heenquired。
Howcanitbeanythingbutarupture？shewenton。especiallyifallyousayistrue？Shewasunabletoseehowitcouldbeanythingbutarupture。shesincerelywishedtoknowwhatelseitmightbe。
Hesatdownbeforehistable。Ireallycan’targuewithyouonthehypothesisofyourdefyingme，hesaid。Andhetookuponeofhislittlebrushesagain。
Shelingeredbutamomentlonger。longenoughtoembracewithhereyehiswholedeliberatelyindifferentyetmostexpressivefigure。
afterwhichshequicklylefttheroom。Herfaculties，herenergy，herpassion，werealldispersedagain。shefeltasifacold，darkmisthadsuddenlyencompassedher。Osmondpossessedinasupremedegreetheartofelicitinganyweakness。OnherwaybacktoherroomshefoundtheCountessGeministandingintheopendoorwayofalittleparlourinwhichasmallcollectionofheterogeneousbookshadbeenarranged。TheCountesshadanopenvolumeinherhand。sheappearedtohavebeenglancingdownapagewhichfailedtostrikeherasinteresting。AtthesoundofIsabel’sstepsheraisedherhead。
Ahmydear，shesaid，you，whoaresoliterary，dotellmesomeamusingbooktoread！Everythinghere’sofadreariness-！Doyouthinkthiswoulddomeanygood？
Isabelglancedatthetitleofthevolumesheheldout，butwithoutreadingorunderstandingit。I’mafraidIcan’tadviseyou。
I’vehadbadnews。Mycousin，RalphTouchett，isdying。
TheCountessthrewdownherbook。Ah，hewassosimpatico。I’mawfullysorryforyou。
Youwouldbesorrierstillifyouknew。
Whatistheretoknow？Youlookverybadly，theCountessadded。
YoumusthavebeenwithOsmond。
HalfanhourbeforeIsabelwouldhavelistenedverycoldlytoanintimationthatsheshouldeverfeeladesireforthesympathyofhersister-in-law，andtherecanbenobetterproofofherpresentembarrassmentthanthefactthatshealmostclutchedatthislady’sflutteringattention。I’vebeenwithOsmond，shesaid，whiletheCountess’sbrighteyesglitteredather。
I’msurethenhehasbeenodious！theCountesscried。DidhesayhewasgladpoorMr。Touchett’sdying？
Hesaidit’simpossibleIshouldgotoEngland。
TheCountess’smind，whenherinterestswereconcerned，wasagile。
shealreadyforesawtheextinctionofanyfurtherbrightnessinhervisittoRome。RalphTouchettwoulddie，Isabelwouldgointomourning，andthentherewouldbenomoredinner-parties。Suchaprospectproducedforamomentinhercountenanceanexpressivegrimace。butthisrapid，picturesqueplayoffeaturewasheronlytributetodisappointment。Afterall，shereflected，thegamewasalmostplayedout。shehadalreadyoverstayedherinvitation。AndthenshecaredenoughforIsabel’stroubletoforgetherown，andshesawthatIsabel’stroublewasdeep。Itseemeddeeperthanthemeredeathofacousin，andtheCountesshadnohesitationinconnectingherexasperatingbrotherwiththeexpressionofhersister-in-law’seyes。Herheartbeatwithanalmostjoyousexpectation，forifshehadwishedtoseeOsmondovertoppedtheconditionslookedfavourablenow。OfcourseifIsabelshouldgotoEnglandsheherselfwouldimmediatelyleavePalazzoRoccanera。nothingwouldinducehertoremaintherewithOsmond。NeverthelessshefeltanimmensedesiretohearthatIsabelwouldgotoEngland。
Nothing’simpossibleforyou，mydear，shesaidcaressingly。
Whyelseareyourichandcleverandgood？
Whyindeed？Ifeelstupidlyweak。
WhydoesOsmondsayit’simpossible？theCountessaskedinatonewhichsufficientlydeclaredthatshecouldn’timagine。
Fromthemomentshethusbegantoquestionher，however，Isabeldrewback。shedisengagedherhand，whichtheCountesshadaffectionatelytaken。Butsheansweredthisenquirywithfrankbitterness。Becausewe’resohappytogetherthatwecan’tseparateevenforafortnight。
Ah，criedtheCountesswhileIsabelturnedaway，whenIwanttomakeajourneymyhusbandsimplytellsmeIcanhavenomoney！
Isabelwenttoherroom，whereshewalkedupanddownforanhour。
Itmayappeartosomereadersthatshegaveherselfmuchtrouble，anditiscertainthatforawomanofahighspiritshehadallowedherselfeasilytobearrested。Itseemedtoherthatonlynowshefullymeasuredthegreatundertakingofmatrimony。Marriagemeantthatinsuchacaseasthis，whenonehadtochoose，onechoseasamatterofcourseforone’shusband。I’mafraid-yes，I’mafraid，
shesaidtoherselfmorethanonce，stoppingshortinherwalk。Butwhatshewasafraidofwasnotherhusband-hisdispleasure，hishatred，hisrevenge。itwasnotevenherownlaterjudgementofherconduct-aconsiderationwhichhadoftenheldherincheck。itwassimplytheviolencetherewouldbeingoingwhenOsmondwishedhertoremain。Agulfofdifferencehadopenedbetweenthem，butneverthelessitwashisdesirethatsheshouldstay，itwasahorrortohimthatsheshouldgo。Sheknewthenervousfinenesswithwhichhecouldfeelanobjection。Whathethoughtofhersheknew，whathewascapableofsayingtohershehadfelt。yettheyweremarried，forallthat，andmarriagemeantthatawomanshouldcleavetothemanwithwhom，utteringtremendousvows，shehadstoodatthealtar。Shesankdownonhersofaatlastandburiedherheadinapileofcushions。
WhensheraisedherheadagaintheCountessGeminihoveredbeforeher。Shehadcomeinallunperceived。shehadastrangesmileonherthinlipsandherwholefacehadgrowninanhourashiningintimation。Shelivedassuredly，itmightbesaid，atthewindowofherspirit，butnowshewasleaningfarout。Iknocked，shebegan，butyoudidn’tanswerme。SoIventuredin。I’vebeenlookingatyouforthelastfiveminutes。You’reveryunhappy。
Yes。butIdon’tthinkyoucancomfortme。
Willyougivemeleavetotry？AndtheCountesssatdownonthesofabesideher。Shecontinuedtosmile，andtherewassomethingcommunicativeandexultantinherexpression。Sheappearedtohaveadealtosay，anditoccurredtoIsabelforthefirsttimethathersister-in-lawmightsaysomethingreallyhuman。Shemadeplaywithherglitteringeyes，inwhichtherewasanunpleasantfascination。
Afterall，shesoonresumed，Imusttellyou，tobeginwith，thatI
don’tunderstandyourstateofmind。Youseemtohavesomanyscruples，somanyreasons，somanyties。WhenIdiscovered，tenyearsago，thatmyhusband’sdearestwishwastomakememiserableoflatehehassimplyletmealone-ah，itwasawonderfulsimplification！MypoorIsabel，you’renotsimpleenough。
No，I’mnotsimpleenough，saidIsabel。
There’ssomethingIwantyoutoknow，theCountessdeclared-becauseIthinkyououghttoknowit。Perhapsyoudo。
perhapsyou’veguessedit。Butifyouhave，allIcansayisthatI
understandstilllesswhyyoushouldn’tdoasyoulike。
Whatdoyouwishmetoknow？Isabelfeltaforebodingthatmadeherheartbeatfaster。TheCountesswasabouttojustifyherself，andthisalonewasportentous。
Butshewasneverthelessdisposedtoplayalittlewithhersubject。
InyourplaceIshouldhaveguesseditagesago。Haveyouneverreallysuspected？
I’veguessednothing。WhatshouldIhavesuspected？Idon’tknowwhatyoumean。
That’sbecauseyou’vesuchabeastlypuremind。Ineversawawomanwithsuchapuremind！criedtheCountess。
Isabelslowlygotup。You’regoingtotellmesomethinghorrible。
Youcancallitbywhatevernameyouwill！AndtheCountessrosealso，whilehergatheredperversitygrewvividanddreadful。Shestoodamomentinasortofglareofintentionand，asseemedtoIsabeleventhen，ofugliness。afterwhichshesaid：Myfirstsister-in-lawhadnochildren。
Isabelstaredbackather。theannouncementwasananticlimax。Yourfirstsister-in-law？
Isupposeyouknowatleast，ifonemaymentionit，thatOsmondhasbeenmarriedbefore！I’veneverspokentoyouofhiswife。Ithoughtitmightn’tbedecentorrespectful。Butothers，lessparticular，musthavedoneso。Thepoorlittlewomanlivedhardlythreeyearsanddiedchildless。Itwasn’ttillafterherdeaththatPansyarrived。
Isabel’sbrowhadcontractedtoafrown。herlipswerepartedinpale，vaguewonder。Shewastryingtofollow。thereseemedsomuchmoretofollowthanshecouldsee。Pansy’snotmyhusband’schildthen？
Yourhusband’s-inperfection！Butnooneelse’shusband’s。Someoneelse’swife’s。Ah，mygoodIsabel，criedtheCountess，withyouonemustdotone’si’s！
Idon’tunderstand。Whosewife’s？Isabelasked。
ThewifeofahorridlittleSwisswhodied-howlong？-adozen，morethanfifteen，yearsago。HeneverrecognizedMissPansy，nor，knowingwhathewasabout，wouldhaveanythingtosaytoher。andtherewasnoreasonwhyheshould。Osmonddid，andthatwasbetter。
thoughhehadtofitonafterwardsthewholerigmaroleofhisownwife’shavingdiedinchildbirth，andofhishaving，ingriefandhorror，banishedthelittlegirlfromhissightforaslongaspossiblebeforetakingherhomefromnurse。Hiswifehadreallydied，youknow，ofquiteanothermatterandinquiteanotherplace：inthePiedmontesemountains，wheretheyhadgone，oneAugust，becauseherhealthappearedtorequiretheair，butwhereshewassuddenlytakenworse-fatallyill。Thestorypassed，sufficiently。itwascoveredbytheappearancessolongasnobodyheeded，asnobodycaredtolookintoit。ButofcourseIknew-withoutresearches，theCountesslucidlyproceeded。asalso，you’llunderstand，withoutawordsaidbetweenus-ImeanbetweenOsmondandme。Don’tyouseehimlookingatme，insilence，thatway，tosettleit？-thatistosettlemeifIshouldsayanything。Isaidnothing，rightorleft-neverawordtoacreature，ifyoucanbelievethatofme：onmyhonour，mydear，Ispeakofthethingtoyounow，afterallthistime，asI’venever，neverspoken。Itwastobeenoughforme，fromthefirst，thatthechildwasmyniece-fromthemomentshewasmybrother’sdaughter。Asforherveritablemother-！ButwiththisPansy’swonderfulauntdroppedinvoluntarily，fromtheimpressionofhersister-in-law’sface，outofwhichmoreeyesmighthaveseemedtolookatherthanshehadeverhadtomeet。
Shehadspokennoname，yetIsabelcouldbutcheck，onherownlips，anechooftheunspoken。Shesanktoherseatagain，hangingherhead。
Whyhaveyoutoldmethis？sheaskedinavoicetheCountesshardlyrecognized。
BecauseI’vebeensoboredwithyournotknowing。I’vebeenbored，frankly，mydear，withnothavingtoldyou。asif，stupidly，allthistimeIcouldn’thavemanaged！Camedepasse，ifyoudon’tmindmysayingso，thethings，allroundyou，thatyou’veappearedtosucceedinnotknowing。It’sasortofassistance-aidtoinnocentignorance-thatI’vealwaysbeenabadhandatrendering。andinthisconnexion，thatofkeepingquietformybrother，myvirtuehasatanyratefinallyfounditselfexhausted。It’snotablacklie，moreover，youknow，theCountessinimitablyadded。ThefactsareexactlywhatItellyou。
Ihadnoidea，saidIsabelpresently。andlookedupatherinamannerthatdoubtlessmatchedtheapparentwitlessnessofthisconfession。
SoIbelieved-thoughitwashardtobelieve。Haditneveroccurredtoyouthathewasforsixorsevenyearsherlover？
Idon’tknow。Thingshaveoccurredtome，andperhapsthatwaswhattheyallmeant。
Shehasbeenwonderfullyclever，shehasbeenmagnificent，aboutPansy！theCountess，beforeallthisviewofit，cried。
Oh，noidea，forme，Isabelwenton，everdefinitelytookthatform。Sheappearedtobemakingouttoherselfwhathadbeenandwhathadn’t。Andasitis-Idon’tunderstand。
Shespokeasonetroubledandpuzzled，yetthepoorCountessseemedtohaveseenherrevelationfallbelowitspossibilitiesofeffect。Shehadexpectedtokindlesomeresponsiveblaze，buthadbarelyextractedaspark。
Isabelshowedasscarcemoreimpressedthanshemighthavebeen，asayoungwomanofapprovedimagination，withsomefinesinisterpassageofpublichistory。Don’tyourecognizehowthechildcouldneverpassforherhusband’s？-thatiswithM。Merlehimself，hercompanionresumed。Theyhadbeenseparatedtoolongforthat，andhehadgonetosomefarcountry-IthinktoSouthAmerica。Ifshehadeverhadchildren-whichI’mnotsureof-shehadlostthem。Theconditionshappenedtomakeitworkable，understressImeanatsoawkwardapinch，thatOsmondshouldacknowledgethelittlegirl。
Hiswifewasdead-verytrue。butshehadnotbeendeadtoolongtoputacertainaccommodationofdatesoutofthequestion-fromthemoment，Imean，thatsuspicionwasn’tstarted。whichwaswhattheyhadtotakecareof。WhatwasmorenaturalthanthatpoorMrs。Osmond，atadistanceandforaworldnottroublingabouttrifles，shouldhaveleftbehindher，poverina，thepledgeofherbriefhappinessthathadcostherlife？Withtheaidofachangeofresidence-OsmondhadbeenlivingwithheratNaplesatthetimeoftheirstayintheAlps，andheinduecourseleftitforever-thewholehistorywassuccessfullysetgoing。Mypoorsister-in-law，inhergrave，couldn’thelpherself，andtherealmother，tosaveherskin，renouncedallvisiblepropertyinthechild。
Ah，poor，poorwoman！criedIsabel，whoherewithburstintotears。
Itwasalongtimesinceshehadshedany。shehadsufferedahighreactionfromweeping。ButnowtheyflowedwithanabundanceinwhichtheCountessGeminifoundonlyanotherdiscomfiture。
It’sverykindofyoutopityher！shediscordantlylaughed。
Yesindeed，youhaveawayofyourown-！
Hemusthavebeenfalsetohiswife-andsoverysoon！saidIsabelwithasuddencheck。
That’sallthat’swanting-thatyoushouldtakeuphercause！theCountesswenton。Iquiteagreewithyou，however，thatitwasmuchtoosoon。Buttome，tome-？AndIsabelhesitatedasifshehadnotheard。asifherquestion-thoughitwassufficientlythereinhereyes-wereallforherself。
Toyouhehasbeenfaithful？Well，itdepends，mydear，onwhatyoucallfaithful。Whenhemarriedyouhewasnolongertheloverofanotherwoman-suchaloverashehadbeen，caramia，betweentheirrisksandtheirprecautions，whilethethinglasted！Thatstateofaffairshadpassedaway。theladyhadrepented，oratallevents，forreasonsofherown，drawnback：shehadalwayshad，too，aworshipofappearancessointensethatevenOsmondhimselfhadgotboredwithit。Youmaythereforeimaginewhatitwas-whenhecouldn’tpatchitonconvenientlytoanyofthosehegoesinfor！Butthewholepastwasbetweenthem。
Yes，Isabelmechanicallyechoed，thewholepastisbetweenthem。
Ah，thislaterpastisnothing。Butforsixorsevenyears，asI
say，theyhadkeptitup。
Shewassilentalittle。Whythendidshewanthimtomarryme？
Ahmydear，that’shersuperiority！Becauseyouhadmoney。andbecauseshebelievedyouwouldbegoodtoPansy。
Poorwoman-andPansywhodoesn’tlikeher！criedIsabel。
That’sthereasonshewantedsomeonewhomPansywouldlike。Sheknowsit。sheknowseverything。
Willsheknowthatyou’vetoldmethis？
Thatwilldependuponwhetheryoutellher。She’spreparedforit，anddoyouknowwhatshecountsuponforherdefence？OnyourbelievingthatIlie。Perhapsyoudo。don’tmakeyourselfuncomfortabletohideit。Only，asithappensthistime，Idon’t。I’vetoldplentyoflittleidioticfibs，butthey’veneverhurtanyonebutmyself。
Isabelsatstaringathercompanion’sstoryasatabaleoffantasticwaressomestrollinggypsymighthaveunpackedonthecarpetatherfeet。WhydidOsmondnevermarryher？shefinallyasked。
Becauseshehadnomoney。TheCountesshadananswerforeverything，andifsheliedsheliedwell。Nooneknows，noonehaseverknown，whatsheliveson，orhowshehasgotallthosebeautifulthings。Idon’tbelieveOsmondhimselfknows。Besides，shewouldn’thavemarriedhim。
Howcanshehavelovedhimthen？
Shedoesn’tlovehiminthatway。Shedidatfirst，andthen，I
suppose，shewouldhavemarriedhim。butatthattimeherhusbandwasliving。BythetimeM。Merlehadrejoined-Iwon’tsayhisancestors，becauseheneverhadany-herrelationswithOsmondhadchanged，andshehadgrownmoreambitious。Besides，shehasneverhad，abouthim，theCountesswenton，leavingIsabeltowinceforitsotragicallyafterwards-shehadneverhad，whatyoumightcallanyillusionsofintelligence。Shehopedshemightmarryagreatman。thathasalwaysbeenheridea。Shehaswaitedandwatchedandplottedandprayed。butshehasneversucceeded。Idon’tcallMadameMerleasuccess，youknow。Idon’tknowwhatshemayaccomplishyet，butatpresentshehasverylittletoshow。Theonlytangibleresultshehaseverachieved-except，ofcourse，gettingtoknoweveryoneandstayingwiththemfreeofexpense-hasbeenherbringingyouandOsmondtogether。Oh，shedidthat，mydear。youneedn’tlookasifyoudoubtedit。I’vewatchedthemforyears。Iknoweverything-everything。
I’mthoughtagreatscatterbrain，butI’vehadenoughapplicationofmindtofollowupthosetwo。Shehatesme，andherwayofshowingitistopretendtobeforeverdefendingme。WhenpeoplesayI’vehadfifteenloversshelookshorrifiedanddeclaresthatquitehalfofthemwereneverproved。Shehasbeenafraidofmeforyears，andshehastakengreatcomfortinthevile，falsethingspeoplehavesaidaboutme。ShehasbeenafraidI’dexposeher，andshethreatenedmeonedaywhenOsmondbegantopayhiscourttoyou。ItwasathishouseinFlorence。doyourememberthatafternoonwhenshebroughtyouthereandwehadteainthegarden？SheletmeknowthenthatifIshouldtelltalestwocouldplayatthatgame。Shepretendsthere’sagooddealmoretotellaboutmethanabouther。Itwouldbeaninterestingcomparison！Idon’tcareafigaboutwhatshemaysay，simplybecauseIknowyoudon’tcareafig。Youcan’ttroubleyourheadaboutmelessthanyoudoalready。Soshemaytakeherrevengeasshechooses。Idon’tthinkshe’llfrightenyouverymuch。Hergreatideahasbeentobetremendouslyirreproachable-akindoffull-blownlily-theincarnationofpropriety。Shehasalwaysworshippedthatgod。
ThereshouldbenoscandalaboutCaesar’swife，youknow。and，asI
say，shehasalwayshopedtomarryCaesar。Thatwasonereasonshewouldn’tmarryOsmond。thefearthatonseeingherwithPansypeoplewouldputthingstogether-wouldevenseearesemblance。Shehashadaterrorlestthemothershouldbetrayherself。Shehasbeenawfullycareful。themotherhasneverdoneso。
Yes，yes，themotherhasdoneso，saidIsabel，whohadlistenedtoallthiswithafacemoreandmorewan。Shebetrayedherselftometheotherday，thoughIdidn’trecognizeher。ThereappearedtohavebeenachanceofPansy’smakingagreatmarriage，andinherdisappointmentatitsnotcomingoffshealmostdroppedthemask。
Ah，that’swhereshe’ddishherself！criedtheCountess。Shehasfailedsodreadfullythatshe’sdeterminedherdaughtershallmakeitup。
Isabelstartedatthewordsherdaughter，whichherguestthrewoffsofamiliarly。Itseemsverywonderful，shemurmured。andinthisbewilderingimpressionshehadalmostlosthersenseofbeingpersonallytouchedbythestory。
Nowdon’tgoandturnagainstthepoorinnocentchild！theCountesswenton。She’sverynice，inspiteofherdeplorableorigin。
ImyselfhavelikedPansy。not，naturally，becauseshewashers，butbecauseshehadbecomeyours。
Yes，shehasbecomemine。Andhowthepoorwomanmusthavesufferedatseeingme-！Isabelexclaimedwhilesheflushedatthethought。
Idon’tbelieveshehassuffered。onthecontrary，shehasenjoyed。
Osmond’smarriagehasgivenhisdaughteragreatlittlelift。Beforethatshelivedinahole。Anddoyouknowwhatthemotherthought？
Thatyoumighttakesuchafancytothechildthatyou’ddosomethingforher。Osmondofcoursecouldnevergiveheraportion。
Osmondwasreallyextremelypoor。butofcourseyouknowallaboutthat。Ah，mydear，criedtheCountess，whydidyoueverinheritmoney？ShestoppedamomentasifshesawsomethingsingularinIsabel’sface。Don’ttellmenowthatyou’llgiveheradot。You’recapableofthat，butIwouldrefusetobelieveit。Don’ttrytobetoogood。Bealittleeasyandnaturalandnasty。feelalittlewicked，forthecomfortofit，onceinyourlife！
It’sverystrange。IsupposeIoughttoknow，butI’msorry，
Isabelsaid。I’mmuchobligedtoyou。
Yes，youseemtobe！criedtheCountesswithamockinglaugh。
Perhapsyouare-perhapsyou’renot。Youdon’ttakeitasIshouldhavethought。
HowshouldItakeit？Isabelasked。
Well，IshouldsayasawomanwhohasbeenmadeuseofIsabelmadenoanswertothis。sheonlylistened，andtheCountesswenton。
They’vealwaysbeenboundtoeachother。theyremainedsoevenaftershebrokeoff-orhedid。Buthehasalwaysbeenmoreforherthanshehasbeenforhim。Whentheirlittlecarnivalwasovertheymadeabargainthateachshouldgivetheothercompleteliberty，butthateachshouldalsodoeverythingpossibletohelptheotheron。YoumayaskmehowIknowsuchathingasthat。Iknowitbythewaythey’vebehaved。Nowseehowmuchbetterwomenarethanmen！ShehasfoundawifeforOsmond，butOsmondhasneverliftedalittlefingerforher。Shehasworkedforhim，plottedforhim，sufferedforhim。
shehasevenmorethanoncefoundmoneyforhim。andtheendofitisthathe’stiredofher。She’sanoldhabit。therearemomentswhenheneedsher，butonthewholehewouldn’tmissherifshewereremoved。And，what’smore，to-daysheknowsit。Soyouneedn’tbejealous！theCountessaddedhumorously。
Isabelrosefromhersofaagain。shefeltbruisedandscantofbreath。herheadwashummingwithnewknowledge。I’mmuchobligedtoyou，sherepeated。Andthensheaddedabruptly，inquiteadifferenttone：Howdoyouknowallthis？
ThisenquiryappearedtoruffletheCountessmorethanIsabel’sexpressionofgratitudepleasedher。Shegavehercompanionaboldstare，withwhich，LetusassumethatI’veinventedit！shecried。
Shetoo，however，suddenlychangedhertoneand，layingherhandonIsabel’sarm，saidwiththepenetrationofhersharpbrightsmile：
Nowwillyougiveupyourjourney？
Isabelstartedalittle。sheturnedaway。Butshefeltweakandinamomenthadtolayherarmuponthemantel-shelfforsupport。Shestoodaminuteso，andthenuponherarmshedroppedherdizzyhead，withclosedeyesandpalelips。
I’vedonewrongtospeak-I’vemadeyouill！theCountesscried。
Ah，ImustseeRalph！Isabelwailed。notinresentment，notinthequickpassionhercompanionhadlookedfor。butinatoneoffar-reaching，infinitesadness。