Undercertaincircumstancestherearefewhoursinlifemoreagreeablethanthehourdedicatedtotheceremonyknownasafternoontea。Therearecircumstancesinwhich，whetheryoupartakeoftheteaornot-somepeopleofcourseneverdo-thesituationisinitselfdelightful。ThosethatIhaveinmindinbeginningtounfoldthissimplehistoryofferedanadmirablesettingtoaninnocentpastime。
TheimplementsofthelittlefeasthadbeendisposeduponthelawnofanoldEnglishcountry-house，inwhatIshouldcalltheperfectmiddleofasplendidsummerafternoon。Partoftheafternoonhadwaned，butmuchofitwasleft，andwhatwasleftwasofthefinestandrarestquality。Realduskwouldnotarriveformanyhours。butthefloodofsummerlighthadbeguntoebb，theairhadgrownmellow，theshadowswerelonguponthesmooth，denseturf。Theylengthenedslowly，however，andthesceneexpressedthatsenseofleisurestilltocomewhichisperhapsthechiefsourceofone’senjoymentofsuchasceneatsuchanhour。Fromfiveo’clocktoeightisoncertainoccasionsalittleeternity。butonsuchanoccasionasthistheintervalcouldbeonlyaneternityofpleasure。Thepersonsconcernedinitweretakingtheirpleasurequietly，andtheywerenotofthesexwhichissupposedtofurnishtheregularvotariesoftheceremonyIhavementioned。Theshadowsontheperfectlawnwerestraightandangular。theyweretheshadowsofanoldmansittinginadeepwicker-chairnearthelowtableonwhichtheteahadbeenserved，andoftwoyoungermenstrollingtoandfro，indesultorytalk，infrontofhim。Theoldmanhadhiscupinhishand。itwasanunusuallylargecup，ofadifferentpatternfromtherestofthesetandpaintedinbrilliantcolours。Hedisposedofitscontentswithmuchcircumspection，holdingitforalongtimeclosetohischin，withhisfaceturnedtothehouse。Hiscompanionshadeitherfinishedtheirteaorwereindifferenttotheirprivilege。theysmokedcigarettesastheycontinuedtostroll。Oneofthem，fromtimetotime，ashepassed，lookedwithacertainattentionattheelderman，who，unconsciousofobservation，restedhiseyesupontherichredfrontofhisdwelling。ThehousethatrosebeyondthelawnwasastructuretorepaysuchconsiderationandwasthemostcharacteristicobjectinthepeculiarlyEnglishpictureIhaveattemptedtosketch。
Itstooduponalowhill，abovetheriver-theriverbeingtheThamesatsomefortymilesfromLondon。Alonggabledfrontofredbrick，withthecomplexionofwhichtimeandtheweatherhadplayedallsortsofpictorialtricks，only，however，toimproveandrefineit，presentedtothelawnitspatchesofivy，itsclusteredchimneys，itswindowssmotheredincreepers。Thehousehadanameandahistory。theoldgentlemantakinghisteawouldhavebeendelightedtotellyouthesethings：howithadbeenbuiltunderEdwardtheSixth，hadofferedanight’shospitalitytothegreatElizabeth(whoseaugustpersonhadextendeditselfuponahuge，magnificent，andterriblyangularbedwhichstillformedtheprincipalhonourofthesleepingapartments)，hadbeenagooddealbruisedanddefacedinCromwell’swars，andthen，undertheRestoration，repairedandmuchenlarged。andhow，finally，afterhavingbeenremodelledanddisfiguredintheeighteenthcentury，ithadpassedintothecarefulkeepingofashrewdAmericanbanker，whohadboughtitoriginallybecause(owingtocircumstancestoocomplicatedtosetforth)itwasofferedatagreatbargain：boughtitwithmuchgrumblingatitsugliness，itsantiquity，itsincommodity，andwhonow，attheendoftwentyyears，hadbecomeconsciousofarealaestheticpassionforit，sothatheknewallitspointsandwouldtellyoujustwheretostandtoseethemincombinationandjustthehourwhentheshadowsofitsvariousprotuberances-whichfellsosoftlyuponthewarm，wearybrickwork-wereoftherightmeasure。Besidesthis，asIhavesaid，hecouldhavecountedoffmostofthesuccessiveownersandoccupants，severalofwhomwereknowntogeneralfame。doingso，however，withanundemonstrativeconvictionthatthelatestphaseofitsdestinywasnottheleasthonourable。Thefrontofthehouseoverlookingthatportionofthelawnwithwhichweareconcernedwasnottheentrance-front。thiswasinquiteanotherquarter。Privacyherereignedsupreme，andthewidecarpetofturfthatcoveredthelevelhill-topseemedbuttheextensionofaluxuriousinterior。Thegreatstilloaksandbeechesflungdownashadeasdenseasthatofvelvetcurtains。andtheplacewasfurnished，likearoom，withcushionedseats，withrich-colouredrugs，withthebooksandpapersthatlayuponthegrass。Theriverwasatsomedistance。wherethegroundbegantoslope，thelawn，properlyspeaking，ceased。Butitwasnonethelessacharmingwalkdowntothewater。
Theoldgentlemanatthetea-table，whohadcomefromAmericathirtyyearsbefore，hadbroughtwithhim，atthetopofhisbaggage，hisAmericanphysiognomy。andhehadnotonlybroughtitwithhim，buthehadkeptitinthebestorder，sothat，ifnecessary，hemighthavetakenitbacktohisowncountrywithperfectconfidence。Atpresent，obviously，nevertheless，hewasnotlikelytodisplacehimself。hisjourneyswereover，andhewastakingtherestthatprecedesthegreatrest。Hehadanarrow，clean-shavenface，withfeaturesevenlydistributedandanexpressionofplacidacuteness。
Itwasevidentlyafaceinwhichtherangeofrepresentationwasnotlarge，sothattheairofcontentedshrewdnesswasallthemoreofamerit。Itseemedtotellthathehadbeensuccessfulinlife，yetitseemedtotellalsothathissuccesshadnotbeenexclusiveandinvidious，buthadhadmuchoftheinoffensivenessoffailure。Hehadcertainlyhadagreatexperienceofmen，buttherewasanalmostrusticsimplicityinthefaintsmilethatplayeduponhislean，spaciouscheekandlighteduphishumorouseyeasheatlastslowlyandcarefullydepositedhisbigtea-cupuponthetable。Hewasneatlydressed，inwell-brushedblack。butashawlwasfoldeduponhisknees，andhisfeetwereencasedinthick，embroideredslippers。A
beautifulcolliedoglayuponthegrassnearhischair，watchingthemaster’sfacealmostastenderlyasthemastertookinthestillmoremagisterialphysiognomyofthehouse。andalittlebristling，bustlingterrierbestowedadesultoryattendanceupontheothergentlemen。
Oneofthesewasaremarkablywell-mademanoffive-and-thirty，withafaceasEnglishasthatoftheoldgentlemanIhavejustsketchedwassomethingelse。anoticeablyhandsomeface，fresh-coloured，fairandfrank，withfirm，straightfeatures，alivelygreyeyeandtherichadornmentofachestnutbeard。Thispersonhadacertainfortunate，brilliantexceptionallook-theairofahappytemperamentfertilizedbyahighcivilization-whichwouldhavemadealmostanyobserverenvyhimataventure。Hewasbootedandspurred，asifhehaddismountedfromalongride。heworeawhitehat，whichlookedtoolargeforhim。heheldhistwohandsbehindhim，andinoneofthem-alarge，white，well-shapedfist-wascrumpledapairofsoileddog-skingloves。
Hiscompanion，measuringthelengthofthelawnbesidehim，wasapersonofquiteadifferentpattern，who，althoughhemighthaveexcitedgravecuriosity，wouldnot，liketheother，haveprovokedyoutowishyourself，almostblindly，inhisplace。Tall，lean，looselyandfeeblyputtogether，hehadanugly，sickly，witty，charmingface，furnished，butbynomeansdecorated，withastragglingmoustacheandwhisker。Helookedcleverandill-acombinationbynomeansfelicitous。andheworeabrownvelvetjacket。Hecarriedhishandsinhispockets，andtherewassomethinginthewayhediditthatshowedthehabitwasinveterate。Hisgaithadashambling，wanderingquality。hewasnotveryfirmonhislegs。AsIhavesaid，wheneverhepassedtheoldmaninthechairherestedhiseyesuponhim。andatthismoment，withtheirfacesbroughtintorelation，youwouldeasilyhaveseentheywerefatherandson。Thefathercaughthisson’seyeatlastandgavehimamild，responsivesmile。
I’mgettingonverywell，hesaid。
Haveyoudrunkyourtea？askedtheson。
Yes，andenjoyedit。
ShallIgiveyousomemore？
Theoldmanconsidered，placidly。Well，IguessI’llwaitandsee。
Hehad，inspeaking，theAmericantone。
Areyoucold？thesonenquired。
Thefatherslowlyrubbedhislegs。Well，Idon’tknow。Ican’ttelltillIfeel。
Perhapssomeonemightfeelforyou，saidtheyoungerman，laughing。
Oh，Ihopesomeonewillalwaysfeelforme！Don’tyoufeelforme，LordWarburton？
Ohyes，immensely，saidthegentlemanaddressedasLordWarburton，promptly。I’mboundtosayyoulookwonderfullycomfortable。
Well，IsupposeIam，inmostrespects。Andtheoldmanlookeddownathisgreenshawlandsmootheditoverhisknees。ThefactisI’vebeencomfortablesomanyyearsthatIsupposeI’vegotsousedtoitIdon’tknowit。
Yes，that’stheboreofcomfort，saidLordWarburton。Weonlyknowwhenwe’reuncomfortable。
Itstrikesmewe’reratherparticular，hiscompanionremarked。
Ohyes，there’snodoubtwe’reparticular，LordWarburtonmurmured。Andthenthethreemenremainedsilentawhile。thetwoyoungeronesstandinglookingdownattheother，whopresentlyaskedformoretea。Ishouldthinkyouwouldbeveryunhappywiththatshawl，LordWarburtonresumedwhilehiscompanionfilledtheoldman’scupagain。
Ohno，hemusthavetheshawl！criedthegentlemaninthevelvetcoat。Don’tputsuchideasasthatintohishead。
Itbelongstomywife，saidtheoldmansimply。
Oh，ifit’sforsentimentalreasons-AndLordWarburtonmadeagestureofapology。
IsupposeImustgiveittoherwhenshecomes，theoldmanwenton。
You’llpleasetodonothingofthekind。You’llkeepittocoveryourpooroldlegs。
Well，youmustn’tabusemylegs，saidtheoldman。Iguesstheyareasgoodasyours。
Oh，you’reperfectlyfreetoabusemine，hissonreplied，givinghimhistea。
Well，we’retwolameducks。Idon’tthinkthere’smuchdifference。
I’mmuchobligedtoyouforcallingmeaduck。How’syourtea？
Well，it’sratherhot。
That’sintendedtobeamerit。
Ah，there’sagreatdealofmerit，murmuredtheoldman，kindly。
He’saverygoodnurse，LordWarburton。
Isn’theabitclumsy？askedhislordship。
Ohno，he’snotclumsy-consideringthathe’saninvalidhimself。
He’saverygoodnurse-forasick-nurse。Icallhimmysick-nursebecausehe’ssickhimself。
Oh，come，daddy！theuglyyoungmanexclaimed。
Well，youare。Iwishyouweren’t。ButIsupposeyoucan’thelpit。
Imighttry：that’sanidea，saidtheyoungman。
Wereyoueversick，LordWarburton？hisfatherasked。
LordWarburtonconsideredamoment。Yes，sir，once，inthePersianGulf。
He’smakinglightofyou，daddy，saidtheotheryoungman。
That’sasortofjoke。
Well，thereseemtobesomanysortsnow，daddyreplied，serenely。
Youdon’tlookasifyouhadbeensick，anyway，LordWarburton。
He’ssickoflife。hewasjusttellingmeso。goingonfearfullyaboutit，saidLordWarburton’sfriend。
Isthattrue，sir？askedtheoldmangravely。
Ifitis，yoursongavemenoconsolation。He’sawretchedfellowtotalkto-aregularcynic。Hedoesn’tseemtobelieveinanything。
That’sanothersortofjoke，saidthepersonaccusedofcynicism。
It’sbecausehishealthissopoor，hisfatherexplainedtoLordWarburton。Itaffectshismindandcolourshiswayoflookingatthings。heseemstofeelasifhehadneverhadachance。Butit’salmostentirelytheoretical，youknow。itdoesn’tseemtoaffecthisspirits。I’vehardlyeverseenhimwhenhewasn’tcheerful-aboutasheisatpresent。Heoftencheersmeup。
TheyoungmansodescribedlookedatLordWarburtonandlaughed。Isitaglowingeulogyoranaccusationoflevity？Shouldyoulikemetocarryoutmytheories，daddy？
ByJove，weshouldseesomequeerthings！criedLordWarburton。
Ihopeyouhaven’ttakenupthatsortoftone，saidtheoldman。
Warburton’stoneisworsethanmine。hepretendstobebored。I’mnotintheleastbored。Ifindlifeonlytoointeresting。
Ah，toointeresting。youshouldn’tallowittobethat，youknow！
I’mneverboredwhenIcomehere，saidLordWarburton。Onegetssuchuncommonlygoodtalk。
Isthatanothersortofjoke？askedtheoldman。You’venoexcuseforbeingboredanywhere。WhenIwasyourageIhadneverheardofsuchathing。
Youmusthavedevelopedverylate。
No，Idevelopedveryquick。thatwasjustthereason。WhenIwastwentyyearsoldIwasveryhighlydevelopedindeed。Iwasworkingtoothandnail。Youwouldn’tbeboredifyouhadsomethingtodo。
butallyouyoungmenaretooidle。Youthinktoomuchofyourpleasure。You’retoofastidious，andtooindolent，andtoorich。
Oh，Isay，criedLordWarburton，you’rehardlythepersontoaccuseafellow-creatureofbeingtoorich！
DoyoumeanbecauseI’mabanker？askedtheoldman。
Becauseofthat，ifyoulike。andbecauseyouhave-haven’tyou？-
suchunlimitedmeans。
Heisn’tveryrich，theotheryoungmanmercifullypleaded。Hehasgivenawayanimmensedealofmoney。
Well，Isupposeitwashisown，saidLordWarburton。andinthatcasecouldtherebeabetterproofofwealth？Letnotapublicbenefactortalkofone’sbeingtoofondofpleasure。
Daddy’sveryfondofpleasure-ofotherpeople’s。
Theoldmanshookhishead。Idon’tpretendtohavecontributedanythingtotheamusementofmycontemporaries。
Mydearfather，you’retoomodest！
That’sakindofjoke，sir，saidLordWarburton。
Youyoungmenhavetoomanyjokes。Whentherearenojokesyou’venothingleft。
Fortunatelytherearealwaysmorejokes，theuglyyoungmanremarked。
Idon’tbelieveit-Ibelievethingsaregettingmoreserious。
Youyoungmenwillfindthatout。
Theincreasingseriousnessofthings，then-that’sthegreatopportunityofjokes。
They’llhavetobegrimjokes，saidtheoldman。I’mconvincedtherewillbegreatchanges。andnotallforthebetter。
Iquiteagreewithyou，sir，LordWarburtondeclared。I’mverysuretherewillbegreatchanges，andthatallsortsofqueerthingswillhappen。That’swhyIfindsomuchdifficultyinapplyingyouradvice。youknowyoutoldmetheotherdaythatIoughtto’takehold’
ofsomething。Onehesitatestotakeholdofathingthatmaythenextmomentbeknockedsky-high。
Yououghttotakeholdofaprettywoman，saidhiscompanion。
He’stryinghardtofallinlove，headded，bywayofexplanation，tohisfather。
Theprettywomenthemselvesmaybesentflying！LordWarburtonexclaimed。
No，no，they’llbefirm，theoldmanrejoined。they’llnotbeaffectedbythesocialandpoliticalchangesIjustreferredto。
Youmeantheywon’tbeabolished？Verywell，then，I’lllaymyhandsononeassoonaspossibleandtieherroundmyneckasalife-preserver。
Theladieswillsaveus，saidtheoldman。thatisthebestofthemwill-forImakeadifferencebetweenthem。Makeuptoagoodoneandmarryher，andyourlifewillbecomemuchmoreinteresting。
Amomentarysilencemarkedperhapsonthepartofhisauditorsasenseofthemagnanimityofthisspeech，foritwasasecretneitherforhissonnorforhisvisitorthathisownexperimentinmatrimonyhadnotbeenahappyone。Ashesaid，however，hemadeadifference。
andthesewordsmayhavebeenintendedasaconfessionofpersonalerror。thoughofcourseitwasnotinplaceforeitherofhiscompanionstoremarkthatapparentlytheladyofhischoicehadnotbeenoneofthebest。
IfImarryaninterestingwomanIshallbeinterested：isthatwhatyousay？LordWarburtonasked。I’mnotatallkeenaboutmarrying-
yoursonmisrepresentedme。butthere’snoknowingwhataninterestingwomanmightdowithme。
Ishouldliketoseeyourideaofaninterestingwoman，saidhisfriend。
Mydearfellow，youcan’tseeideas-especiallysuchhighlyetherealonesasmine。IfIcouldonlyseemyself-thatwouldbeagreatstepinadvance。
Well，youmayfallinlovewithwhomsoeveryouplease。butyoumustn’tfallinlovewithmyniece，saidtheoldman。
Hissonbrokeintoalaugh。He’llthinkyoumeanthatasaprovocation！Mydearfather，you’velivedwiththeEnglishforthirtyyears，andyou’vepickedupagoodmanyofthethingstheysay。
Butyou’veneverlearnedthethingstheydon’tsay！
IsaywhatIplease，theoldmanreturnedwithallhisserenity。
Ihaven’tthehonourofknowingyourniece，LordWarburtonsaid。
Ithinkit’sthefirsttimeI’veheardofher。
She’sanieceofmywife’s。Mrs。TouchettbringshertoEngland。
ThenyoungMr。Touchettexplained。Mymother，youknow，hasbeenspendingthewinterinAmerica，andwe’reexpectingherback。Shewritesthatshehasdiscoveredanieceandthatshehasinvitedhertocomeoutwithher。
Isee-verykindofher，saidLordWarburton。Istheyoungladyinteresting？
Wehardlyknowmoreaboutherthanyou。mymotherhasnotgoneintodetails。Shechieflycommunicateswithusbymeansoftelegrams，andhertelegramsareratherinscrutable。Theysaywomendon’tknowhowtowritethem，butmymotherhasthoroughlymasteredtheartofcondensation。’TiredAmerica，hotweatherawful，returnEnglandwithniece，firststeamerdecentcabin。’That’sthesortofmessagewegetfromher-thatwasthelastthatcame。Buttherehadbeenanotherbefore，whichIthinkcontainedthefirstmentionoftheniece。’Changedhotel，verybad，impudentclerk，addresshere。Takensister’sgirl，diedlastyear，gotoEurope，twosisters，quiteindependent。’OverthatmyfatherandIhavescarcelystoppedpuzzling。itseemstoadmitofsomanyinterpretations。
There’sonethingveryclearinit，saidtheoldman。shehasgiventhehotel-clerkadressing。
I’mnotsureevenofthat，sincehehasdrivenherfromthefield。Wethoughtatfirstthatthesistermentionedmightbethesisteroftheclerk。butthesubsequentmentionofanieceseemstoprovethattheallusionistooneofmyaunts。Theretherewasaquestionastowhosethetwoothersisterswere。theyareprobablytwoofmylateaunt’sdaughters。Butwho’s’quiteindependent，’andinwhatsenseisthetermused？-thatpoint’snotyetsettled。Doestheexpressionapplymoreparticularlytotheyoungladymymotherhasadopted，ordoesitcharacterizehersistersequally？-andisitusedinamoralorinafinancialsense？Doesitmeanthatthey’vebeenleftwelloff，orthattheywishtobeundernoobligations？ordoesitsimplymeanthatthey’refondoftheirownway？
Whateverelseitmeans，it’sprettysuretomeanthat，Mr。
Touchettremarked。
You’llseeforyourself，saidLordWarburton。WhendoesMrs。
Touchettarrive？
We’requiteinthedark。assoonasshecanfindadecentcabin。
Shemaybewaitingforityet。ontheotherhandshemayalreadyhavedisembarkedinEngland。
Inthatcaseshewouldprobablyhavetelegraphedtoyou。
Shenevertelegraphswhenyouwouldexpectit-onlywhenyoudon’t，saidtheoldman。Shelikestodropinonmesuddenly。shethinksshe’llfindmedoingsomethingwrong。Shehasneverdonesoyet，butshe’snotdiscouraged。
It’shershareinthefamilytrait，theindependenceshespeaksof。Herson’sappreciationofthematterwasmorefavourable。
Whateverthehighspiritofthoseyoungladiesmaybe，herownisamatchforit。Shelikestodoeverythingforherselfandhasnobeliefinanyone’spowertohelpher。Shethinksmeofnomoreusethanapostage-stampwithoutgum，andshewouldneverforgivemeifI
shouldpresumetogotoLiverpooltomeether。
Willyouatleastletmeknowwhenyourcousinarrives？LordWarburtonasked。
OnlyontheconditionI’vementioned-thatyoudon’tfallinlovewithher！Mr。Touchettreplied。
Thatstrikesmeashard。Don’tyouthinkmegoodenough？
Ithinkyoutoogood-becauseIshouldn’tlikehertomarryyou。
Shehasn’tcomeheretolookforahusband，Ihope。somanyyoungladiesaredoingthat，asiftherewerenogoodonesathome。Thenshe’sprobablyengaged。Americangirlsareusuallyengaged，Ibelieve。
MoreoverI’mnotsure，afterall，thatyou’dbearemarkablehusband。
Verylikelyshe’sengaged。I’veknownagoodmanyAmericangirls，andtheyalwayswere。butIcouldneverseethatitmadeanydifference，uponmyword！Asformybeingagoodhusband，Mr。
Touchett’svisitorpursued，I’mnotsureofthateither。Onecanbuttry！
Tryasmuchasyouplease，butdon’ttryonmyniece，smiledtheoldman，whoseoppositiontotheideawasbroadlyhumorous。
Ah，well，saidLordWarburtonwithahumourbroaderstill，perhapsafterall，she’snotworthtryingon！
CHAPTER2
WhilethisexchangeofpleasantriestookplacebetweenthetwoRalphTouchettwanderedawayalittle，withhisusualslouchinggait，hishandsinhispocketsandhislittlerowdyishterrierathisheels。Hisfacewasturnedtowardthehouse，buthiseyeswerebentmusinglyonthelawn。sothathehadbeenanobjectofobservationtoapersonwhohadjustmadeherappearanceintheampledoorwayforsomemomentsbeforeheperceivedher。Hisattentionwascalledtoherbytheconductofhisdog，whohadsuddenlydartedforwardwithalittlevolleyofshrillbarks，inwhichthenoteofwelcome，however，wasmoresensiblethanthatofdefiance。Thepersoninquestionwasayounglady，whoseemedimmediatelytointerpretthegreetingofthesmallbeast。Headvancedwithgreatrapidityandstoodatherfeet，lookingupandbarkinghard。whereupon，withouthesitation，shestoopedandcaughthiminherhands，holdinghimfacetofacewhilehecontinuedhisquickchatter。HismasternowhadhadtimetofollowandtoseethatBunchie’snewfriendwasatallgirlinablackdress，whoatfirstsightlookedpretty。Shewasbareheaded，asifshewerestayinginthehouse-afactwhichconveyedperplexitytothesonofitsmaster，consciousofthatimmunityfromvisitorswhichhadforsometimebeenrenderednecessarybythelatter’sill-health。Meantimethetwoothergentlemenhadalsotakennoteofthenew-comer。
Dearme，who’sthatstrangewoman？Mr。Touchetthadasked。
Perhapsit’sMrs。Touchett’sniece-theindependentyounglady，
LordWarburtonsuggested。Ithinkshemustbe，fromthewayshehandlesthedog。
Thecollie，too，hadnowallowedhisattentiontobediverted，andhetrottedtowardtheyoungladyinthedoorway，slowlysettinghistailinmotionashewent。
Butwhere’smywifethen？murmuredtheoldman。
Isupposetheyoungladyhaslefthersomewhere：that’sapartoftheindependence。
ThegirlspoketoRalph，smiling，whileshestillhelduptheterrier。Isthisyourlittledog，sir？
Hewasmineamomentago。butyou’vesuddenlyacquiredaremarkableairofpropertyinhim。
Couldn’twesharehim？askedthegirl。He’ssuchaperfectlittledarling。
Ralphlookedatheramoment。shewasunexpectedlypretty。Youmayhavehimaltogether，hethenreplied。
Theyoungladyseemedtohaveagreatdealofconfidence，bothinherselfandinothers。butthisabruptgenerositymadeherblush。I
oughttotellyouthatI’mprobablyyourcousin，shebroughtout，puttingdownthedog。Andhere’sanother！sheaddedquickly，asthecolliecameup。
Probably？theyoungmanexclaimed，laughing。Isupposeditwasquitesettled！Haveyouarrivedwithmymother？
Yes，halfanhourago。
Andhasshedepositedyouanddepartedagain？
No，shewentstraighttoherroom，andshetoldmethat，ifI
shouldseeyou，Iwastosaytoyouthatyoumustcometoherthereataquartertoseven。
Theyoungmanlookedathiswatch。Thankyouverymuch。Ishallbepunctual。Andthenhelookedathiscousin。You’reverywelcomehere。I’mdelightedtoseeyou。
Shewaslookingateverything，withaneyethatdenotedclearperception-athercompanion，atthetwodogs，atthetwogentlemenunderthetrees，atthebeautifulscenethatsurroundedher。I’veneverseenanythingsolovelyasthisplace。I’vebeenalloverthehouse。it’stooenchanting。
Imsorryyoushouldhavebeenheresolongwithoutourknowingit。
YourmothertoldmethatinEnglandpeoplearrivedveryquietly。soIthoughtitwasallright。Isoneofthosegentlemenyourfather？
Yes，theelderone-theonesittingdown，saidRalph。
Thegirlgavealaugh。Idon’tsupposeit’stheother。Who’stheother？
He’safriendofours-LordWarburton。
Oh，Ihopedtherewouldbealord。it’sjustlikeanovel！Andthen，Ohyouadorablecreature！shesuddenlycried，stoopingdownandpickingupthesmalldogagain。
Sheremainedstandingwheretheyhadmet，makingnooffertoadvanceortospeaktoMr。Touchett，andwhileshelingeredsonearthethreshold，slimandcharming，herinterlocutorwonderedifsheexpectedtheoldmantocomeandpayherhisrespects。Americangirlswereusedtoagreatdealofdeference，andithadbeenintimatedthatthisonehadahighspirit。Indeed，Ralphcouldseethatinherface。
Won’tyoucomeandmakeacquaintancewithmyfather？heneverthelessventuredtoask。He’soldandinfirm-hedoesn’tleavehischair。
Ah，poorman，I’mverysorry！thegirlexclaimed，immediatelymovingforward。Igottheimpressionfromyourmotherthathewasrather-ratherintenselyactive。
RalphTouchettwassilentamoment。Shehasn’tseenhimforayear。
Well，hehasalovelyplacetosit。Comealong，littlehound。
It’sadearoldplace，saidtheyoungman，lookingsidewiseathisneighbour。
What’shisname？sheasked，herattentionhavingagainrevertedtotheterrier。
Myfather’sname？
Yes，saidtheyoungladywithamusement。butdon’ttellhimI
askedyou。
TheyhadcomebythistimetowhereoldMr。Touchettwassitting，andheslowlygotupfromhischairtointroducehimself。
Mymotherhasarrived，saidRalph，andthisisMissArcher。
Theoldmanplacedhistwohandsonhershoulders，lookedatheramomentwithextremebenevolenceandthengallantlykissedher。It’sagreatpleasuretometoseeyouhere。butIwishyouhadgivenusachancetoreceiveyou。
Oh，wewerereceived，saidthegirl。Therewereaboutadozenservantsinthehall。Andtherewasanoldwomancurtseyingatthegate。
Wecandobetterthanthat-ifwehavenotice！Andtheoldmanstoodtheresmiling，rubbinghishandsandslowlyshakinghisheadather。ButMrs。Touchettdoesn’tlikereceptions。
Shewentstraighttoherroom。
Yes-andlockedherselfin。Shealwaysdoesthat。Well，IsupposeI
shallseehernextweek。AndMrs。Touchett’shusbandslowlyresumedhisformerposture。
Beforethat，saidMissArcher。She’scomingdowntodinner-ateighto’clock。Don’tyouforgetaquartertoseven，sheadded，turningwithasmiletoRalph。
What’stohappenataquartertoseven？
I’mtoseemymother，saidRalph。
Ah，happyboy！theoldmancommented。Youmustsitdown-youmusthavesometea，heobservedtohiswife’sniece。
TheygavemesometeainmyroomthemomentIgotthere，thisyoungladyanswered。I’msorryyou’reoutofhealth，sheadded，restinghereyesuponhervenerablehost。
Oh，I’manoldman，mydear。it’stimeformetobeold。ButI
shallbethebetterforhavingyouhere。
Shehadbeenlookingallroundheragain-atthelawn，thegreattrees，thereedy，silveryThames，thebeautifuloldhouse。andwhileengagedinthissurveyshehadmaderoominitforhercompanions。acomprehensivenessofobservationeasilyconceivableonthepartofayoungwomanwhowasevidentlybothintelligentandexcited。Shehadseatedherselfandhadputawaythelittledog。herwhitehands，inherlap，werefoldeduponherblackdress。herheadwaserect，hereyelighted，herflexiblefigureturneditselfeasilythiswayandthat，insympathywiththealertnesswithwhichsheevidentlycaughtimpressions。Herimpressionswerenumerous，andtheywereallreflectedinaclear，stillsmile。I’veneverseenanythingsobeautifulasthis。
It’slookingverywell，saidMr。Touchett。Iknowthewayitstrikesyou。I’vebeenthroughallthat。Butyou’reverybeautifulyourself，headdedwithapolitenessbynomeanscrudelyjocularandwiththehappyconsciousnessthathisadvancedagegavehimtheprivilegeofsayingsuchthings-eventoyoungpersonswhomightpossiblytakealarmatthem。
Whatdegreeofalarmthisyoungpersontookneednotbeexactlymeasured。sheinstantlyrose，however，withablushwhichwasnotarefutation。Ohyes，ofcourseI’mlovely！shereturnedwithaquicklaugh。Howoldisyourhouse？IsitElizabethan？
It’searlyTudor，saidRalphTouchett。
Sheturnedtowardhim，watchinghisface。EarlyTudor？Howverydelightful！AndIsupposethereareagreatmanyothers。
Therearemanymuchbetterones。
Don’tsaythat，myson！theoldmanprotested。There’snothingbetterthanthis。
I’vegotaverygoodone。Ithinkinsomerespectsit’sratherbetter，saidLordWarburton，whoasyethadnotspoken，butwhohadkeptanattentiveeyeuponMissArcher。Heslightlyinclinedhimself，smiling。hehadanexcellentmannerwithwomen。Thegirlappreciateditinaninstant。shehadnotforgottenthatthiswasLordWarburton。Ishouldlikeverymuchtoshowittoyou，headded。
Don’tbelievehim，criedtheoldman。don’tlookatit！It’sawretchedoldbarrack-nottobecomparedwiththis。
Idon’tknow-Ican’tjudge，saidthegirl，smilingatLordWarburton。
InthisdiscussionRalphTouchetttooknointerestwhatever。hestoodwithhishandsinhispockets，lookinggreatlyasifheshouldliketorenewhisconversationwithhisnew-foundcousin。Areyouveryfondofdogs？heenquiredbywayofbeginning。Heseemedtorecognizethatitwasanawkwardbeginningforacleverman。
Veryfondofthemindeed。
Youmustkeeptheterrier，youknow，hewenton，stillawkwardly。
I’llkeephimwhileI’mhere，withpleasure。
Thatwillbeforalongtime，Ihope。
You’reverykind。Ihardlyknow。Myauntmustsettlethat。
I’llsettleitwithher-ataquartertoseven。AndRalphlookedathiswatchagain。
I’mgladtobehereatall，saidthegirl。
Idon’tbelieveyouallowthingstobesettledforyou。
Ohyes。ifthey’resettledasIlikethem。
IshallsettlethisasIlikeit，saidRalph。It’smostunaccountablethatweshouldneverhaveknownyou。
Iwasthere-youhadonlytocomeandseeme。
There？Wheredoyoumean？
IntheUnitedStates：inNewYorkandAlbanyandotherAmericanplaces。
I’vebeenthere-allover，butIneversawyou。Ican’tmakeitout。
MissArcherjusthesitated。Itwasbecausetherehadbeensomedisagreementbetweenyourmotherandmyfather，aftermymother’sdeath，whichtookplacewhenIwasachild。Inconsequenceofitweneverexpectedtoseeyou。
Ah，butIdon’tembraceallmymother’squarrels-heavenforbid！
theyoungmancried。You’velatelylostyourfather？hewentonmoregravely。
Yes，morethanayearago。Afterthatmyauntwasverykindtome。shecametoseemeandproposedthatIshouldcomewithhertoEurope。
Isee，saidRalph。Shehasadoptedyou。
Adoptedme？Thegirlstared，andherblushcamebacktoher，togetherwithamomentarylookofpainwhichgaveherinterlocutorsomealarm。Hehadunderestimatedtheeffectofhiswords。LordWarburton，whoappearedconstantlydesirousofanearerviewofMissArcher，strolledtowardthetwocousinsatthemoment，andashedidsosherestedherwidereyesonhim。Ohno。shehasnotadoptedme。
I’mnotacandidateforadoption。
Ibegathousandpardons，Ralphmurmured。Imeant-Imeant-Hehardlyknewwhathemeant。
Youmeantshehastakenmeup。Yes。shelikestotakepeopleup。
Shehasbeenverykindtome。but，sheaddedwithacertainvisibleeagernessofdesiretobeexplicit，I’mveryfondofmyliberty。
AreyoutalkingaboutMrs。Touchett？theoldmancalledoutfromhischair。Comehere，mydear，andtellmeabouther。I’malwaysthankfulforinformation。
Thegirlhesitatedagain，smiling。She’sreallyverybenevolent，
sheanswered。afterwhichshewentovertoheruncle，whosemirthwasexcitedbyherwords。
LordWarburtonwasleftstandingwithRalphTouchett，towhominamomenthesaid：Youwishedawhileagotoseemyideaofaninterestingwoman。Thereitis！
CHAPTER3
Mrs。Touchettwascertainlyapersonofmanyoddities，ofwhichherbehaviouronreturningtoherhusband’shouseaftermanymonthswasanoticeablespecimen。Shehadherownwayofdoingallthatshedid，andthisisthesimplestdescriptionofacharacterwhich，althoughbynomeanswithoutliberalmotions，rarelysucceededingivinganimpressionofsuavity。Mrs。Touchettmightdoagreatdealofgood，butsheneverpleased。Thiswayofherown，ofwhichshewassofond，wasnotintrinsicallyoffensive-itwasjustunmistakeablydistinguishedfromthewaysofothers。Theedgesofherconductweresoveryclear-cutthatforsusceptiblepersonsitsometimeshadaknife-likeeffect。ThathardfinenesscameoutinherdeportmentduringthefirsthoursofherreturnfromAmerica，undercircumstancesinwhichitmighthaveseemedthatherfirstactwouldhavebeentoexchangegreetingswithherhusbandandson。Mrs。
Touchett，forreasonswhichshedeemedexcellent，alwaysretiredonsuchoccasionsintoimpenetrableseclusion，postponingthemoresentimentalceremonyuntilshehadrepairedthedisorderofdresswithacompletenesswhichhadthelessreasontobeofhighimportanceasneitherbeautynorvanitywereconcernedinit。Shewasaplain-facedoldwoman，withoutgracesandwithoutanygreatelegance，butwithanextremerespectforherownmotives。Shewasusuallypreparedtoexplainthese-whentheexplanationwasaskedasafavour。andinsuchacasetheyprovedtotallydifferentfromthosethathadbeenattributedtoher。Shewasvirtuallyseparatedfromherhusband，butsheappearedtoperceivenothingirregularinthesituation。Ithadbecomeclear，atanearlystageoftheircommunity，thattheyshouldneverdesirethesamethingatthesamemoment，andthisappearancehadpromptedhertorescuedisagreementfromthevulgarrealmofaccident。Shedidwhatshecouldtoerectitintoalaw-amuchmoreedifyingaspectofit-bygoingtoliveinFlorence，wheresheboughtahouseandestablishedherself。andbyleavingherhusbandtotakecareoftheEnglishbranchofhisbank。
Thisarrangementgreatlypleasedher。itwassofelicitouslydefinite。
Itstruckherhusbandinthesamelight，inafoggysquareinLondon，whereitwasattimesthemostdefinitefacthediscerned。buthewouldhavepreferredthatsuchunnaturalthingsshouldhaveagreatervagueness。Toagreetodisagreehadcosthimaneffort。hewasreadytoagreetoalmostanythingbutthat，andsawnoreasonwhyeitherassentordissentshouldbesoterriblyconsistent。Mrs。
Touchettindulgedinnoregretsnorspeculations，andusuallycameonceayeartospendamonthwithherhusband，aperiodduringwhichsheapparentlytookpainstoconvincehimthatshehadadoptedtherightsystem。ShewasnotfondoftheEnglishstyleoflife，andhadthreeorfourreasonsforittowhichshecurrentlyalluded。theyboreuponminorpointsofthatancientorder，butforMrs。Touchetttheyamplyjustifiednon-residence。Shedetestedbread-sauce，which，asshesaid，lookedlikeapoulticeandtastedlikesoap。sheobjectedtotheconsumptionofbeerbyhermaid-servants。andsheaffirmedthattheBritishlaundress(Mrs。Touchettwasveryparticularabouttheappearanceofherlinen)wasnotamistressofherart。Atfixedintervalsshepaidavisittoherowncountry。butthislasthadbeenlongerthananyofitspredecessors。
Shehadtakenupherniece-therewaslittledoubtofthat。Onewetafternoon，somefourmonthsearlierthantheoccurrencelatelynarrated，thisyoungladyhadbeenseatedalonewithabook。Tosayshewassooccupiedistosaythathersolitudedidnotpressuponher。forherloveofknowledgehadafertilizingqualityandherimaginationwasstrong。Therewasatthistime，however，awantoffreshtasteinhersituationwhichthearrivalofanunexpectedvisitordidmuchtocorrect。Thevisitorhadnotbeenannounced。thegirlheardheratlastwalkingabouttheadjoiningroom。ItwasinanoldhouseatAlbany，alarge，square，doublehouse，withanoticeofsaleinthewindowsofoneofthelowerapartments。Thereweretwoentrances，oneofwhichhadlongbeenoutofusebuthadneverbeenremoved。Theywereexactlyalike-largewhitedoors，withanarchedframeandwideside-lights，percheduponlittlestoopsofredstone，whichdescendedsidewisetothebrickpavementofthestreet。
Thetwohousestogetherformedasingledwelling，theparty-wallhavingbeenremovedandtheroomsplacedincommunication。Theserooms，above-stairs，wereextremelynumerous，andwerepaintedalloverexactlyalike，inayellowishwhitewhichhadgrownsallowwithtime。Onthethirdfloortherewasasortofarchedpassage，connectingthetwosidesofthehouse，whichIsabelandhersistersusedintheirchildhoodtocallthetunnelandwhich，thoughitwasshortandwell-lighted，alwaysseemedtothegirltobestrangeandlonely，especiallyonwinterafternoons。Shehadbeeninthehouse，atdifferentperiods，asachild。inthosedayshergrandmotherlivedthere。Thentherehadbeenanabsenceoftenyears，followedbyareturntoAlbanybeforeherfather’sdeath。Hergrandmother，oldMrs。Archer，hadexercised，chieflywithinthelimitsofthefamily，alargehospitalityintheearlyperiod，andthelittlegirlsoftenspentweeksunderherroof-weeksofwhichIsabelhadthehappiestmemory。Themanneroflifewasdifferentfromthatofherownhome-
larger，moreplentiful，practicallymorefestal。thedisciplineofthenurserywasdelightfullyvagueandtheopportunityoflisteningtotheconversationofone’selders(whichwithIsabelwasahighly-valuedpleasure)almostunbounded。Therewasaconstantcomingandgoing。hergrandmother’ssonsanddaughtersandtheirchildrenappearedtobeintheenjoymentofstandinginvitationstoarriveandremain，sothatthehouseofferedtoacertainextenttheappearanceofabustlingprovincialinnkeptbyagentleoldlandladywhosighedagreatdealandneverpresentedabill。
Isabelofcourseknewnothingaboutbills。butevenasachildshethoughthergrandmother’shomeromantic。Therewasacoveredpiazzabehindit，furnishedwithaswingwhichwasasourceoftremulousinterest。andbeyondthiswasalonggarden，slopingdowntothestableandcontainingpeach-treesofbarelycrediblefamiliarity。
Isabelhadstayedwithhergrandmotheratvariousseasons，butsomehowallhervisitshadaflavourofpeaches。Ontheotherside，acrossthestreet，wasanoldhousethatwascalledtheDutchHouse-apeculiarstructuredatingfromtheearliestcolonialtime，composedofbricksthathadbeenpaintedyellow，crownedwithagablethatwaspointedouttostrangers，defendedbyaricketywoodenpalingandstandingsidewisetothestreet。Itwasoccupiedbyaprimaryschoolforchildrenofbothsexes，keptorratherletgo，byademonstrativeladyofwhomIsabel’schiefrecollectionwasthatherhairwasfastenedwithstrangebedroomycombsatthetemplesandthatshewasthewidowofsomeoneofconsequence。Thelittlegirlhadbeenofferedtheopportunityoflayingafoundationofknowledgeinthisestablishment。
buthavingspentasingledayinit，shehadprotestedagainstitslawsandhadbeenallowedtostayathome，where，intheSeptemberdays，whenthewindowsoftheDutchHousewereopen，sheusedtohearthehumofchildishvoicesrepeatingthemultiplication-table-anincidentinwhichtheelationoflibertyandthepainofexclusionwereindistinguishablymingled。Thefoundationofherknowledgewasreallylaidintheidlenessofhergrandmother’shouse，where，asmostoftheotherinmateswerenotreadingpeople，shehaduncontrolleduseofalibraryfullofbookswithfrontispieces，whichsheusedtoclimbuponachairtotakedown。Whenshehadfoundonetohertaste-shewasguidedintheselectionchieflybythefrontispiece-shecarrieditintoamysteriousapartmentwhichlaybeyondthelibraryandwhichwascalled，traditionally，nooneknewwhy，theoffice。Whoseofficeithadbeenandatwhatperiodithadflourished，sheneverlearned。itwasenoughforherthatitcontainedanechoandapleasantmustysmellandthatitwasachamberofdisgraceforoldpiecesoffurniturewhoseinfirmitieswerenotalwaysapparent(sothatthedisgraceseemedunmeritedandrenderedthemvictimsofinjustice)andwithwhich，inthemannerofchildren，shehadestablishedrelationsalmosthuman，certainlydramatic。Therewasanoldhairclothsofainespecial，towhichshehadconfidedahundredchildishsorrows。Theplaceowedmuchofitsmysteriousmelancholytothefactthatitwasproperlyenteredfromtheseconddoorofthehouse，thedoorthathadbeencondemned，andthatitwassecuredbyboltswhichaparticularlyslenderlittlegirlfounditimpossibletoslide。Sheknewthatthissilent，motionlessportalopenedintothestreet。ifthesidelightshadnotbeenfilledwithgreenpapershemighthavelookedoutuponthelittlebrownstoopandthewell-wornbrickpavement。Butshehadnowishtolookout，forthiswouldhaveinterferedwithhertheorythattherewasastrange，unseenplaceontheotherside-aplacewhichbecametothechild’simagination，accordingtoitsdifferentmoods，aregionofdelightofterror。
ItwasintheofficestillthatIsabelwassittingonthatmelancholyafternoonofearlyspringwhichIhavejustmentioned。Atthistimeshemighthavehadthewholehousetochoosefrom，andtheroomshehadselectedwasthemostdepressedofitsscenes。Shehadneveropenedthebolteddoornorremovedthegreenpaper(renewedbyotherhands)fromitssidelights。shehadneverassuredherselfthatthevulgarstreetlaybeyond。Acrude，coldrainfellheavily。thespring-timewasindeedanappeal-anditseemedacynical，insincereappeal-topatience。Isabel，however，gaveaslittleheedaspossibletocosmictreacheries。shekepthereyesonherbookandtriedtofixhermind。Ithadlatelyoccurredtoherthathermindwasagooddealofavagabond，andshehadspentmuchingenuityintrainingittoamilitarystepandteachingittoadvance，tohalt，toretreat，toperformevenmorecomplicatedmanoeuvres，atthewordofcommand。JustnowshehadgivenitmarchingordersandithadbeentrudgingoverthesandyplainsofahistoryofGermanThought。
Suddenlyshebecameawareofastepverydifferentfromherownintellectualpace。shelistenedalittleandperceivedthatsomeonewasmovinginthelibrary，whichcommunicatedwiththeoffice。Itstruckherfirstasthestepofapersonfromwhomshewaslookingforavisit，thenalmostimmediatelyannounceditselfasthetreadofawomanandastranger-herpossiblevisitorbeingneither。Ithadaninquisitive，experimentalqualitywhichsuggestedthatitwouldnotstopshortofthethresholdoftheoffice。andinfactthedoorwayofthisapartmentwaspresentlyoccupiedbyaladywhopausedthereandlookedveryhardatourheroine。Shewasaplain，elderlywoman，dressedinacomprehensivewaterproofmantle。shehadafacewithagooddealofratherviolentpoint。
Oh，shebegan，isthatwhereyouusuallysit？Shelookedaboutattheheterogeneouschairsandtables。
NotwhenIhavevisitors，saidIsabel，gettinguptoreceivetheintruder。
Shedirectedtheircoursebacktothelibrarywhilethevisitorcontinuedtolookabouther。Youseemtohaveplentyofotherrooms。they’reinratherbettercondition。Buteverything’simmenselyworn。
Haveyoucometolookatthehouse？Isabelasked。Theservantwillshowittoyou。
Sendheraway。Idon’twanttobuyit。Shehasprobablygonetolookforyouandiswanderingaboutupstairs。shedidn’tseematallintelligent。Youhadbettertellherit’snomatter。Andthen，sincethegirlstoodtherehesitatingandwondering，thisunexpectedcriticsaidtoherabruptly：Isupposeyou’reoneofthedaughters？
Isabelthoughtshehadverystrangemanners。Itdependsuponwhosedaughtersyoumean。
ThelateMr。Archer’s-andmypoorsister’s。
Ah，saidIsabelslowly，youmustbeourcrazyAuntLydia！
Isthatwhatyourfathertoldyoutocallme？I’myourAuntLydia，butI’mnotatallcrazy：Ihaven’tadelusion！Andwhichofthedaughtersareyou？
I’mtheyoungestofthethree，andmyname’sIsabel。
Yes。theothersareLilianandEdith。Andareyoutheprettiest？
Ihaven’ttheleastidea，saidthegirl。
Ithinkyoumustbe。Andinthiswaytheauntandtheniecemadefriends。Theaunthadquarrelledyearsbeforewithherbrother-in-law，afterthedeathofhersister，takinghimtotaskforthemannerinwhichhebroughtuphisthreegirls。Beingahigh-temperedmanhehadrequestedhertomindherownbusiness，andshehadtakenhimathisword。Formanyyearssheheldnocommunicationwithhimandafterhisdeathhadaddressednotawordtohisdaughters，whohadbeenbredinthatdisrespectfulviewofherwhichwehavejustseenIsabelbetray。Mrs。Touchett’sbehaviourwas，asusual，perfectlydeliberate。SheintendedtogotoAmericatolookafterherinvestments(withwhichherhusband，inspiteofhisgreatfinancialposition，hadnothingtodo)andwouldtakeadvantageofthisopportunitytoenquireintotheconditionofhernieces。Therewasnoneedofwriting，forsheshouldattachnoimportancetoanyaccountofthemsheshouldelicitbyletter。shebelieved，always，inseeingforone’sself。Isabelfound，however，thatsheknewagooddealaboutthem，andknewaboutthemarriageofthetwoeldergirls。knewthattheirpoorfatherhadleftverylittlemoney，butthatthehouseinAlbany，whichhadpassedintohishands，wastobesoldfortheirbenefit。knew，finally，thatEdmundLudlow，Lilian’shusband，hadtakenuponhimselftoattendtothismatter，inconsiderationofwhichtheyoungcouple，whohadcometoAlbanyduringMr。Archer’sillness，wereremainingthereforthepresentand，aswellasIsabelherself，occupyingtheoldplace。
Howmuchmoneydoyouexpectforit？Mrs。Touchettaskedofhercompanion，whohadbroughthertositinthefrontparlour，whichshehadinspectedwithoutenthusiasm。
Ihaven’ttheleastidea，saidthegirl。
That’sthesecondtimeyouhavesaidthattome，herauntrejoined。Andyetyoudon’tlookatallstupid。
I’mnotstupid。butIdon’tknowanythingaboutmoney。
Yes，that’sthewayyouwerebroughtup-asifyouweretoinheritamillion。Whathaveyouinpointoffactinherited？
Ireallycan’ttellyou。YoumustaskEdmundandLilian。they’llbebackinhalfanhour。
InFlorenceweshouldcallitaverybadhouse，saidMrs。
Touchett。buthere，Idaresay，itwillbringahighprice。Itoughttomakeaconsiderablesumforeachofyou。Inadditiontothatyoumusthavesomethingelse。it’smostextraordinaryyournotknowing。Theposition’sofvalue，andthey’llprobablypullitdownandmakearowofshops。Iwonderyoudon’tdothatyourself。youmightlettheshopstogreatadvantage。
Isabelstared。theideaoflettingshopswasnewtoher。Ihopetheywon’tpullitdown，shesaid。I’mextremelyfondofit。
Idon’tseewhatmakesyoufondofit。yourfatherdiedhere。
Yes，butIdon’tdislikeitforthat，thegirlratherstrangelyreturned。Ilikeplacesinwhichthingshavehappened-evenifthey’resadthings。Agreatmanypeoplehavediedhere。theplacehasbeenfulloflife。
Isthatwhatyoucallbeingfulloflife？
Imeanfullofexperience-ofpeople’sfeelingsandsorrows。Andnotoftheirsorrowsonly，forI’vebeenveryhappyhereasachild。
YoushouldgotoFlorenceifyoulikehousesinwhichthingshavehappened-especiallydeaths。Iliveinanoldpalaceinwhichthreepeoplehavebeenmurdered。threethatwereknownandIdon’tknowhowmanymorebesides。
Inanoldpalace？Isabelrepeated。
Yes，mydear。averydifferentaffairfromthis。Thisisverybourgeois。
Isabelfeltsomeemotion，forshehadalwaysthoughthighlyofhergrandmother’shouse。Buttheemotionwasofakindwhichledhertosay：IshouldlikeverymuchtogotoFlorence。
Well，ifyou’llbeverygood，anddoeverythingItellyouI’lltakeyouthere，Mrs。Touchettdeclared。
Ouryoungwoman’semotiondeepened。sheflushedalittleandsmiledatherauntinsilence。Doeverythingyoutellme？Idon’tthinkIcanpromisethat。
No，youdon’tlooklikeapersonofthatsort。You’refondofyourownway。butit’snotformetoblameyou。
Andyet，togotoFlorence，thegirlexclaimedinamoment，I’dpromisealmostanything！
EdmundandLilianwereslowtoreturn，andMrs。Touchetthadanhour’suninterruptedtalkwithherniece，whofoundherastrangeandinterestingfigure：afigureessentially-almostthefirstshehadevermet。ShewasaseccentricasIsabelhadalwayssupposed。andhitherto，wheneverthegirlhadheardpeopledescribedaseccentric，shehadthoughtofthemasoffensiveoralarming。Thetermhadalwayssuggestedtohersomethinggrotesqueandevensinister。Butherauntmadeitamatterofhighbuteasyirony，orcomedy，andledhertoaskherselfifthecommontone，whichwasallshehadknown，hadeverbeenasinteresting。Noonecertainlyhadonanyoccasionsoheldherasthislittlethin-lipped，bright-eyed，foreign-lookingwoman，whoretrievedaninsignificantappearancebyadistinguishedmannerand，sittingthereinawell-wornwaterproof，talkedwithstrikingfamiliarityofthecourtsofEurope。TherewasnothingflightyaboutMrs。Touchett，butsherecognizednosocialsuperiors，and，judgingthegreatonesoftheearthinawaythatspokeofthis，enjoyedtheconsciousnessofmakinganimpressiononacandidandsusceptiblemind。Isabelatfirsthadansweredagoodmanyquestions，anditwasfromheranswersapparentlythatMrs。Touchettderivedahighopinionofherintelligence。Butafterthisshehadaskedagoodmany，andheraunt’sanswers，whateverturntheytook，struckherasfoodfordeepreflexion。Mrs。Touchettwaitedforthereturnofherothernieceaslongasshethoughtreasonable，butasatsixo’clockMrs。
Ludlowbadnotcomeinshepreparedtotakeherdeparture。
Yoursistermustbeagreatgossip。Issheaccustomedtostayingoutsomanyhours？
You’vebeenoutalmostaslongasshe，Isabelreplied。shecanhaveleftthehousebutashorttimebeforeyoucamein。
Mrs。Touchettlookedatthegirlwithoutresentment。sheappearedtoenjoyaboldretortandtobedisposedtobegracious。Perhapsshehasn’thadsogoodanexcuseasI。Tellheratanyratethatshemustcomeandseemethiseveningatthathorridhotel。Shemaybringherhusbandifshelikes，butsheneedn’tbringyou。Ishallseeplentyofyoulater。
CHAPTER4
Mrs。Ludlowwastheeldestofthethreesisters，andwasusuallythoughtthemostsensible。theclassificationbeingingeneralthatLilianwasthepracticalone，EdiththebeautyandIsabeltheintellectualsuperior。Mrs。Keyes，thesecondofthegroup，wasthewifeofanofficeroftheUnitedStatesEngineers，andasourhistoryisnotfurtherconcernedwithheritwillsufficethatshewasindeedveryprettyandthatsheformedtheornamentofthosevariousmilitarystations，chieflyintheunfashionableWest，towhich，toherdeepchagrin，herhusbandwassuccessivelyrelegated。LilianhadmarriedaNewYorklawyer，ayoungmanwithaloudvoiceandanenthusiasmforhisprofession。thematchwasnotbrilliant，anymorethanEdith’s，butLilianhadoccasionallybeenspokenofasayoungwomanwhomightbethankfultomarryatall-shewassomuchplainerthanhersisters。Shewas，however，veryhappy，andnow，asthemotheroftwoperemptorylittleboysandthemistressofawedgeofbrownstoneviolentlydrivenintoFifty-thirdStreet，seemedtoexultinherconditionasinaboldescape。Shewasshortandsolid，andherclaimtofigurewasquestioned，butshewasconcededpresence，thoughnotmajesty。shehadmoreover，aspeoplesaid，improvedsincehermarriage，andthetwothingsinlifeofwhichshewasmostdistinctlyconsciouswereherhusband’sforceinargumentandhersisterIsabel’soriginality。I’veneverkeptupwithIsabel-itwouldhavetakenallmytime，shehadoftenremarked。inspiteofwhich，however，sheheldherratherwistfullyinsight。watchingherasamotherlyspanielmightwatchafreegreyhound。Iwanttoseehersafelymarried-that’swhatIwanttosee，shefrequentlynotedtoherhusband。
Well，ImustsayIshouldhavenoparticulardesiretomarryher，EdmundLudlowwasaccustomedtoanswerinanextremelyaudibletone。
Iknowyousaythatforargument。youalwaystaketheoppositeground。Idon’tseewhatyou’veagainstherexceptthatshe’ssooriginal。
Well，Idon’tlikeoriginals。Iliketranslations，Mr。Ludlowhadmorethanoncereplied。Isabel’swritteninaforeigntongue。I
can’tmakeherout。SheoughttomarryanArmenianoraPortuguese。
That’sjustwhatI’mafraidshe’lldo！criedLilian，whothoughtIsabelcapableofanything。
Shelistenedwithgreatinteresttothegirl’saccountofMrs。
Touchett’sappearanceandintheeveningpreparedtocomplywiththeiraunt’scommands。OfwhatIsabelthensaidnoreporthasremained，buthersister’swordshaddoubtlesspromptedawordspokentoherhusbandasthetwoweremakingreadyfortheirvisit。Idohopeimmenselyshe’lldosomethinghandsomeforIsabel。shehasevidentlytakenagreatfancytoher。
Whatisityouwishhertodo？EdmundLudlowasked。Makeherabigpresent？
Noindeed。nothingofthesort。Buttakeaninterestinher-
sympathizewithher。She’sevidentlyjustthesortofpersontoappreciateher。Shehaslivedsomuchinforeignsociety。shetoldIsabelallaboutit。Youknowyou’vealwaysthoughtIsabelratherforeign。
Youwanthertogiveheralittleforeignsympathy，eh？Don’tyouthinkshegetsenoughathome？
Well，sheoughttogoabroad，saidMrs。Ludlow。She’sjustthepersontogoabroad。
Andyouwanttheoldladytotakeher，isthatit？
Shehasofferedtotakeher-she’sdyingtohaveIsabelgo。ButwhatIwanthertodowhenshegetsherthereistogiveheralltheadvantages。I’msureallwe’vegottodo，saidMrs。Ludlow，istogiveherachance。
Achanceforwhat？
Achancetodevelop。
Oh，Moses！EdmundLudlowexclaimed。Ihopesheisn’tgoingtodevelopanymore！
IfIwerenotsureyouonlysaidthatforargumentIshouldfeelverybadly，hiswifereplied。Butyouknowyouloveher。
DoyouknowIloveyou？theyoungmansaid，jocosely，toIsabelalittlelater，whilehebrushedhishat。
I’msureIdon’tcarewhetheryoudoornot！exclaimedthegirl。
whosevoiceandsmile，however，werelesshaughtythanherwords。
Oh，shefeelssograndsinceMrs。Touchett’svisit，saidhersister。
ButIsabelchallengedthisassertionwithagooddealofseriousness。Youmustnotsaythat，Lily。Idon’tfeelgrandatall。
I’msurethere’snoharm，saidtheconciliatoryLily。
Ah，butthere’snothinginMrs。Touchett’svisittomakeonefeelgrand。
Oh，exclaimedLudlow，she’sgranderthanever！
WheneverIfeelgrand，saidthegirl，itwillbeforabetterreason。
Whethershefeltgrandorno，sheatanyratefeltdifferent，feltasifsomethinghadhappenedtoher。Lefttoherselffortheeveningshesatawhileunderthelamp，herhandsempty，herusualavocationsunheeded。Thensheroseandmovedabouttheroom，andfromoneroomtoanother，preferringtheplaceswherethevaguelamplightexpired。Shewasrestlessandevenagitated。atmomentsshetrembledalittle。Theimportanceofwhathadhappenedwasoutofproportiontoitsappearance。therehadreallybeenachangeinherlife。Whatitwouldbringwithitwasasyetextremelyindefinite。butIsabelwasinasituationthatgaveavaluetoanychange。Shehadadesiretoleavethepastbehindherand，asshesaidtoherself，tobeginafresh。Thisdesireindeedwasnotabirthofthepresentoccasion。itwasasfamiliarasthesoundoftherainuponthewindowandithadledtoherbeginningafreshagreatmanytimes。
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