Sheclosedhereyesasshesatinoneoftheduskycornersofthequietparlour。butitwasnotwithadesirefordozingforgetfulness。Itwasonthecontrarybecauseshefelttoowide-eyedandwishedtocheckthesenseofseeingtoomanythingsatonce。Herimaginationwasbyhabitridiculouslyactive。whenthedoorwasnotopenitjumpedoutofthewindow。Shewasnotaccustomedindeedtokeepitbehindbolts。andatimportantmoments，whenshewouldhavebeenthankfultomakeuseofherjudgementalone，shepaidthepenaltyofhavinggivenundueencouragementtothefacultyofseeingwithoutjudging。Atpresent，withhersensethatthenoteofchangehadbeenstruck，camegraduallyahostofimagesofthethingsshewasleavingbehindher。Theyearsandhoursofherlifecamebacktoher，andforalongtime，inastillnessbrokenonlybythetickingofthebigbronzeclock，shepassedtheminreview。Ithadbeenaveryhappylifeandshehadbeenaveryfortunateperson-thiswasthetruththatseemedtoemergemostvividly。Shehadhadthebestofeverything，andinaworldinwhichthecircumstancesofsomanypeoplemadethemunenviableitwasanadvantagenevertohaveknownanythingparticularlyunpleasant。ItappearedtoIsabelthattheunpleasanthadbeeneventooabsentfromherknowledge，forshehadgatheredfromheracquaintancewithliteraturethatitwasoftenasourceofinterestandevenofinstruction。Herfatherhadkeptitawayfromher-herhandsome，much-lovedfather，whoalwayshadsuchanaversiontoit。Itwasagreatfelicitytohavebeenhisdaughter。

Isabelroseeventoprideinherparentage。Sincehisdeathshehadseemedtoseehimasturninghisbraversidetohischildrenandasnothavingmanagedtoignoretheuglyquitesomuchinpracticeasinaspiration。Butthisonlymadehertendernessforhimgreater。itwasscarcelyevenpainfultohavetosupposehimtoogenerous，toogood-natured，tooindifferenttosordidconsiderations。Manypersonshadheldthathecarriedthisindifferencetoofar，especiallythelargenumberofthosetowhomheowedmoney。OftheiropinionsIsabelwasneververydefinitelyinformed。butitmayinterestthereadertoknowthat，whiletheyhadrecognizedinthelateMr。

Archeraremarkablyhandsomeheadandaverytakingmanner(indeed，asoneofthemhadsaid，hewasalwaystakingsomething)，theyhaddeclaredthathewasmakingaverypooruseofhislife。Hehadsquanderedasubstantialfortune，hehadbeendeplorablyconvivial，hewasknowntohavegambledfreely。Afewveryharshcriticswentsofarastosaythathehadnotevenbroughtuphisdaughters。Theyhadhadnoregulareducationandnopermanenthome。theyhadbeenatoncespoiledandneglected。theyhadlivedwithnursemaidsandgovernesses(usuallyverybadones)orhadbeensenttosuperficialschools，keptbytheFrench，fromwhich，attheendofamonth，theyhadbeenremovedintears。ThisviewofthematterwouldhaveexcitedIsabel’sindignation，fortoherownsenseheropportunitieshadbeenlarge。EvenwhenherfatherhadlefthisdaughtersforthreemonthsatNeufchatelwithaFrenchbonnewhohadelopedwithaRussiannoblemanstayingatthesamehotel-eveninthisirregularsituation(anincidentofthegirl’seleventhyear)shehadbeenneitherfrightenednorashamed，buthadthoughtitaromanticepisodeinaliberaleducation。Herfatherhadalargewayoflookingatlife，ofwhichhisrestlessnessandevenhisoccasionalincoherencyofconducthadbeenonlyaproof。Hewishedhisdaughters，evenaschildren，toseeasmuchoftheworldaspossible。anditwasforthispurposethat，beforeIsabelwasfourteen，hehadtransportedthemthreetimesacrosstheAtlantic，givingthemoneachoccasion，however，butafewmonths’viewofthesubjectproposed：acoursewhichhadwhettedourheroine’scuriositywithoutenablinghertosatisfyit。Sheoughttohavebeenapartisanofherfather，forshewasthememberofhistriowhomostmadeuptohimforthedisagreeableshedidn’tmention。Inhislastdayshisgeneralwillingnesstotakeleaveofaworldinwhichthedifficultyofdoingasonelikedappearedtoincreaseasonegrewolderhadbeensensiblymodifiedbythepainofseparationfromhisclever，hissuperior，hisremarkablegirl。Later，whenthejourneystoEuropeceased，hestillhadshownhischildrenallsortsofindulgence，andifhehadbeentroubledaboutmoney-mattersnothingeverdisturbedtheirirreflectiveconsciousnessofmanypossessions。

Isabel，thoughshedancedverywell，hadnottherecollectionofhavingbeeninNewYorkasuccessfulmemberofthechoregraphiccircle。hersisterEdithwas，aseveryonesaid，soverymuchmorefetching。EdithwassostrikinganexampleofsuccessthatIsabelcouldhavenoillusionsastowhatconstitutedthisadvantage，orastothelimitsofherownpowertofriskandjumpandshriek-aboveallwithrightnessofeffect。Nineteenpersonsoutoftwenty(includingtheyoungersisterherselfpronouncedEdithinfinitelytheprettierofthetwo。butthetwentieth，besidesreversingthisjudgement，hadtheentertainmentofthinkingalltheothersaestheticvulgarians。

IsabelhadinthedepthsofhernatureanevenmoreunquenchabledesiretopleasethanEdith。butthedepthsofthisyounglady’snaturewereaveryout-of-the-wayplace，betweenwhichandthesurfacecommunicationwasinterruptedbyadozencapriciousforces。Shesawtheyoungmenwhocameinlargenumberstoseehersister。butasageneralthingtheywereafraidofher。theyhadabeliefthatsomespecialpreparationwasrequiredfortalkingwithher。Herreputationofreadingagreatdealhungaboutherlikethecloudyenvelopeofagoddessinanepic。itwassupposedtoengenderdifficultquestionsandtokeeptheconversationatalowtemperature。

Thepoorgirllikedtobethoughtclever，butshehatedtobethoughtbookish。sheusedtoreadinsecretand，thoughhermemorywasexcellent，toabstainfromshowyreference。Shehadagreatdesireforknowledge，butshereallypreferredalmostanysourceofinformationtotheprintedpage。shehadanimmensecuriosityaboutlifeandwasconstantlystaringandwondering。Shecarriedwithinherselfagreatfundoflife，andherdeepestenjoymentwastofeelthecontinuitybetweenthemovementsofherownsoulandtheagitationsoftheworld。

Forthisreasonshewasfondofseeinggreatcrowdsandlargestretchesofcountry，ofreadingaboutrevolutionsandwars，oflookingathistoricalpictures-aclassofeffortsastowhichshehadoftencommittedtheconscioussolecismofforgivingthemmuchbadpaintingforthesakeofthesubject。WhiletheCivilWarwentonshewasstillaveryyounggirl。butshepassedmonthsofthislongperiodinastateofalmostpassionateexcitement，inwhichshefeltherselfattimes(toherextremeconfusion)stirredalmostindiscriminatelybythevalourofeitherarmy。Ofcoursethecircumspectionofsuspiciousswainshadnevergonethelengthofmakingherasocialproscript。forthenumberofthosewhosehearts，astheyapproachedher，beatonlyjustfastenoughtoremindthemtheyhadheadsaswell，hadkeptherunacquaintedwiththesupremedisciplineofhersexandage。Shehadhadeverythingagirlcouldhave：kindness，admiration，bonbons，bouquets，thesenseofexclusionfromnoneoftheprivilegesoftheworldshelivedin，abundantopportunityfordancing，plentyofnewdresses，theLondonSpectator，thelatestpublications，themusicofGounod，thepoetryofBrowning，theproseofGeorgeEliot。

Thesethingsnow，asmemoryplayedoverthem，resolvedthemselvesintoamultitudeofscenesandfigures。Forgottenthingscamebacktoher。manyothers，whichshehadlatelythoughtofgreatmoment，droppedoutofsight。Theresultwaskaleidoscopic，butthemovementoftheinstrumentwascheckedatlastbytheservant’scominginwiththenameofagentleman。ThenameofthegentlemanwasCasparGoodwood。hewasastraightyoungmanfromBoston，whohadknownMissArcherforthelasttwelvemonthandwho，thinkingherthemostbeautifulyoungwomanofhertime，hadpronouncedthetime，accordingtotheruleIhavehintedat，afoolishperiodofhistory。

HesometimeswrotetoherandhadwithinaweekortwowrittenfromNewYork。Shehadthoughtitverypossiblehewouldcomein-hadindeedalltherainydaybeenvaguelyexpectinghim。Nowthatshelearnedhewasthere，nevertheless，shefeltnoeagernesstoreceivehim。Hewasthefinestyoungmanshehadeverseen，wasindeedquiteasplendidyoungman。heinspiredherwithasentimentofhigh，ofrarerespect。Shehadneverfeltequallymovedtoitbyanyotherperson。Hewassupposedbytheworldingeneraltowishtomarryher，butthisofcoursewasbetweenthemselves。ItatleastmaybeaffirmedthathehadtravelledfromNewYorktoAlbanyexpresslytoseeher。havinglearnedintheformercity，wherehewasspendingafewdaysandwherehehadhopedtofindher，thatshewasstillattheStatecapital。Isabeldelayedforsomeminutestogotohim。shemovedabouttheroomwithanewsenseofcomplications。Butatlastshepresentedherselfandfoundhimstandingnearthelamp。Hewastall，strongandsomewhatstiff。hewasalsoleanandbrown。Hewasnotromantically，hewasmuchratherobscurely，handsome。buthisphysiognomyhadanairofrequestingyourattention，whichitrewardedaccordingtothecharmyoufoundinblueeyesofremarkablefixedness，theeyesofacomplexionotherthanhisown，andajawofthesomewhatangularmouldwhichissupposedtobespeakresolution。Isabelsaidtoherselfthatitbespokeresolutionto-night。inspiteofwhich，inhalfanhour，CasparGoodwood，whohadarrivedhopefulaswellasresolute，tookhiswaybacktohislodgingwiththefeelingofamandefeated。Hewasnot，itmaybeadded，amanweaklytoacceptdefeat。

CHAPTER5

RalphTouchettwasaphilosopher，butneverthelessheknockedathismother’sdoor(ataquartertoseven)withagooddealofeagerness。

Evenphilosophershavetheirpreferences，anditmustbeadmittedthatofhisprogenitorshisfatherministeredmosttohissenseofthesweetnessoffilialdependence。Hisfather，ashehadoftensaidtohimself，wasthemoremotherly。hismother，ontheotherhand，waspaternal，andeven，accordingtotheslangoftheday，gubernatorial。Shewasneverthelessveryfondofheronlychildandhadalwaysinsistedonhisspendingthreemonthsoftheyearwithher。

Ralphrenderedperfectjusticetoheraffectionandknewthatinherthoughtsandherthoroughlyarrangedandservantedlifehisturnalwayscameaftertheothernearestsubjectsofhersolicitude，thevariouspunctualitiesofperformanceoftheworkersofherwill。Hefoundhercompletelydressedfordinner，butsheembracedherboywithherglovedhandsandmadehimsitonthesofabesideher。Sheenquiredscrupulouslyaboutherhusband’shealthandabouttheyoungman’sown，and，receivingnoverybrilliantaccountofeither，remarkedthatshewasmorethaneverconvincedofherwisdominnotexposingherselftotheEnglishclimate。Inthiscaseshealsomighthavegivenway。

Ralphsmiledattheideaofhismother’sgivingway，butmadenopointofremindingherthathisowninfirmitywasnottheresultoftheEnglishclimate，fromwhichheabsentedhimselfforaconsiderablepartofeachyear。

Hehadbeenaverysmallboywhenhisfather，DanielTracyTouchett，anativeofRutland，intheStateofVermont，cametoEnglandassubordinatepartnerinabanking-housewheresometenyearslaterhegainedpreponderantcontrol。DanielTouchettsawbeforehimalife-longresidenceinhisadoptedcountry，ofwhich，fromthefirst，hetookasimple，saneandaccommodatingview。But，ashesaidtohimself，hehadnointentionofdis-americanizing，norhadheadesiretoteachhisonlysonanysuchsubtleart。IthadbeenforhimselfsoverysolubleaproblemtoliveinEnglandassimilatedyetunconvertedthatitseemedtohimequallysimplehislawfulheirshouldafterhisdeathcarryonthegreyoldbankinthewhiteAmericanlight。Hewasatpainstointensifythislight，however，bysendingtheboyhomeforhiseducation。RalphspentseveraltermsatanAmericanschoolandtookadegreeatanAmericanuniversity，afterwhich，ashestruckhisfatheronhisreturnasevenredundantlynative，hewasplacedforsomethreeyearsinresidenceatOxford。

OxfordswallowedupHarvard，andRalphbecameatlastEnglishenough。Hisoutwardconformitytothemannersthatsurroundedhimwasnonethelessthemaskofamindthatgreatlyenjoyeditsindependence，onwhichnothinglongimposeditself，andwhich，naturallyinclinedtoadventureandirony，indulgedinaboundlesslibertyofappreciation。Hebeganwithbeingayoungmanofpromise。

atOxfordhedistinguishedhimself，tohisfather’sineffablesatisfaction，andthepeopleabouthimsaiditwasathousandpitiessocleverafellowshouldbeshutoutfromacareer。Hemighthavehadacareerbyreturningtohisowncountry(thoughthispointisshroudedinuncertainty)andevenifMr。Touchetthadbeenwillingtopartwithhim(whichwasnotthecase)itwouldhavegonehardwithhimtoputawaterywastepermanentlybetweenhimselfandtheoldmanwhomheregardedashisbestfriend。Ralphwasnotonlyfondofhisfather，headmiredhim-heenjoyedtheopportunityofobservinghim。DanielTouchett，tohisperception，wasamanofgenius，andthoughhehimselfhadnoaptitudeforthebankingmysteryhemadeapointoflearningenoughofittomeasurethegreatfigurehisfatherhadplayed。Itwasnotthis，however，hemainlyrelished。itwasthefineivorysurface，polishedasbytheEnglishair，thattheoldmanhadopposedtopossibilitiesofpenetration。DanielTouchetthadbeenneitheratHarvardnoratOxford，anditwashisownfaultifhehadplacedinhisson’shandsthekeytomoderncriticism。Ralph，whoseheadwasfullofideaswhichhisfatherhadneverguessed，hadahighesteemforthelatter’soriginality。Americans，rightlyorwrongly，arecommendedfortheeasewithwhichtheyadaptthemselvestoforeignconditions。butMr。Touchetthadmadeoftheverylimitsofhispliancyhalfthegroundofhisgeneralsuccess。Hehadretainedintheirfreshnessmostofhismarksofprimarypressure。histone，ashissonalwaysnotedwithpleasure，wasthatofthemoreluxuriantpartsofNewEngland。Attheendofhislifehehadbecome，onhisownground，asmellowashewasrich。hecombinedconsummateshrewdnesswiththedispositionsuperficiallytofraternize，andhissocialposition，onwhichhehadneverwastedacare，hadthefirmperfectionofanunthumbedfruit。Itwasperhapshiswantofimaginationandofwhatiscalledthehistoricconsciousness。buttomanyoftheimpressionsusuallymadebyEnglishlifeuponthecultivatedstrangerhissensewascompletelyclosed。Therewerecertaindifferenceshehadneverperceived，certainhabitshehadneverformed，certainobscuritieshehadneversounded。Asregardstheselatter，onthedayhehadsoundedthemhissonwouldhavethoughtlesswellofhim。

Ralph，onleavingOxford，hadspentacoupleofyearsintravelling。

afterwhichhehadfoundhimselfperchedonahighstoolinhisfather’sbank。Theresponsibilityandhonourofsuchpositionsisnot，Ibelieve，measuredbytheheightofthestool，whichdependsuponotherconsiderations：Ralph，indeed，whohadverylonglegs，wasfondofstanding，andevenofwalkingabout，athiswork。Tothisexercise，however，hewasobligedtodevotebutalimitedperiod，forattheendofsomeeighteenmonthshehadbecomeawareofhisbeingseriouslyoutofhealth。Hehadcaughtaviolentcold，whichfixeditselfonhislungsandthrewthemintodireconfusion。Hehadtogiveupworkandapply，totheletter，thesorryinjunctiontotakecareofhimself。Atfirstheslightedthetask。itappearedtohimitwasnothimselfintheleasthewastakingcareof，butanuninterestinganduninterestedpersonwithwhomhehadnothingincommon。Thisperson，however，improvedonacquaintance，andRalphgrewatlasttohaveacertaingrudgingtolerance，evenanundemonstrativerespect，forhim。Misfortunemakesstrangebedfellows，andouryoungman，feelingthathehadsomethingatstakeinthematter-itusuallystruckhimashisreputationforordinarywit-

devotedtohisgracelesschargeanamountofattentionofwhichnotewasdulytakenandwhichhadatleasttheeffectofkeepingthepoorfellowalive。Oneofhislungsbegantoheal，theotherpromisedtofollowitsexample，andhewasassuredhemightoutweatheradozenwintersifhewouldbetakehimselftothoseclimatesinwhichconsumptiveschieflycongregate。AshehadgrownextremelyfondofLondon，hecursedtheflatnessofexile：butatthesametimethathecursedheconformed，andgradually，whenhefoundhissensitiveorgangratefulevenforgrimfavours，heconferredthemwithalighterhand。Hewinteredabroad，asthephraseis。baskedinthesun，stoppedathomewhenthewindblew，wenttobedwhenitrained，andonceortwice，whenithadsnowedovernight，almostnevergotupagain。

Asecrethoardofindifference-likeathickcakeafondoldnursemighthaveslippedintohisfirstschooloutfit-cametohisaidandhelpedtoreconcilehimtosacrifice。sinceatthebesthewastooillforaughtbutthatarduousgame。Ashesaidtohimself，therewasreallynothinghehadwantedverymuchtodo，sothathehadatleastnotrenouncedthefieldofvalour。Atpresent，however，thefragranceofforbiddenfruitseemedoccasionallytofloatpasthimandremindhimthatthefinestofpleasuresistherushofaction。

Livingashenowlivedwaslikereadingagoodbookinapoortranslation-ameagreentertainmentforayoungmanwhofeltthathemighthavebeenanexcellentlinguist。Hehadgoodwintersandpoorwinters，andwhiletheformerlastedhewassometimesthesportofavisionofvirtualrecovery。Butthisvisionwasdispelledsomethreeyearsbeforetheoccurrenceoftheincidentswithwhichthishistoryopens：hehadonthatoccasionremainedlaterthanusualinEnglandandhadbeenovertakenbybadweatherbeforereachingAlgiers。Hearrivedmoredeadthanaliveandlaythereforseveralweeksbetweenlifeanddeath。Hisconvalescencewasamiracle，butthefirstusehemadeofitwastoassurehimselfthatsuchmiracleshappenbutonce。Hesaidtohimselfthathishourwasinsightandthatitbehovedhimtokeephiseyesuponit，yetthatitwasalsoopentohimtospendtheintervalasagreeablyasmightbeconsistentwithsuchapreoccupation。Withtheprospectoflosingthemthesimpleuseofhisfacultiesbecameanexquisitepleasure。itseemedtohimthejoysofcontemplationhadneverbeensounded。Hewasfarfromthetimewhenhehadfoundithardthatheshouldbeobligedtogiveuptheideaofdistinguishinghimself。anideanonethelessimportunateforbeingvagueandnonethelessdelightfulforhavinghadtostruggleinthesamebreastwithburstsofinspiringself-criticism。

Hisfriendsatpresentjudgedhimmorecheerful，andattributedittoatheory，overwhichtheyshooktheirheadsknowingly，thathewouldrecoverhishealth。Hisserenitywasbutthearrayofwildflowersnichedinhisruin。

Itwasveryprobablythissweet-tastingpropertyoftheobservedthinginitselfthatwasmainlyconcernedinRalph’squickly-stirredinterestintheadventofayoungladywhowasevidentlynotinsipid。Ifhewasconsideringlydisposed，somethingtoldhim，herewasoccupationenoughforasuccessionofdays。Itmaybeadded，insummaryfashion，thattheimaginationofloving-asdistinguishedfromthatofbeingloved-hadstillaplaceinhisreducedsketch。Hehadonlyforbiddenhimselftheriotofexpression。However，heshouldn’tinspirehiscousinwithapassion，norwouldshebeable，evenshouldshetry，tohelphimtoone。Andnowtellmeabouttheyounglady，hesaidtohismother。Whatdoyoumeantodowithher？

Mrs。Touchettwasprompt。ImeantoaskyourfathertoinvitehertostaythreeorfourweeksatGardencourt。

Youneedn’tstandonanysuchceremonyasthat，saidRalph。Myfatherwillaskherasamatterofcourse。

Idon’tknowaboutthat。She’smyniece。she’snothis。

GoodLord，dearmother。whatasenseofproperty！That’sallthemorereasonforhisaskingher。Butafterthat-Imeanafterthreemonths(forit’sabsurdaskingthepoorgirltoremainbutforthreeorfourpaltryweeks)-whatdoyoumeantodowithher？

ImeantotakehertoParis。Imeantogetherclothing。

Ahyes，that’sofcourse。Butindependentlyofthat？

IshallinvitehertospendtheautumnwithmeinFlorence。

Youdon’triseabovedetail，dearmother，saidRalph。Ishouldliketoknowwhatyoumeantodowithherinageneralway。

Myduty！Mrs。Touchettdeclared。Isupposeyoupityherverymuch，sheadded。

No，Idon’tthinkIpityher。Shedoesn’tstrikemeasinvitingcompassion。IthinkIenvyher。Beforebeingsure，however，givemeahintofwhereyouseeyourduty。

InshowingherfourEuropeancountries-Ishallleaveherthechoiceoftwoofthem-andingivinghertheopportunityofperfectingherselfinFrench，whichshealreadyknowsverywell。

Ralphfrownedalittle。Thatsoundsratherdry-evenallowingherthechoiceoftwoofthecountries。

Ifit’sdry，saidhismotherwithalaugh，youcanleaveIsabelalonetowaterit！Sheisasgoodasasummerrain，anyday。

Doyoumeanshe’sagiftedbeing？

Idon’tknowwhethershe’sagiftedbeing，butshe’saclevergirl-

withastrongwillandahightemper。Shehasnoideaofbeingbored。

Icanimaginethat，saidRalph。andthenheaddedabruptly：Howdoyoutwogeton？

DoyoumeanbythatthatI’mabore？Idon’tthinkshefindsmeone。Somegirlsmight，Iknow。butIsabel’stoocleverforthat。I

thinkIgreatlyamuseher。WegetonbecauseIunderstandher。I

knowthesortofgirlsheis。She’sveryfrank，andI’mveryfrank：weknowjustwhattoexpectofeachother。

Ah，dearmother，Ralphexclaimed，onealwaysknowswhattoexpectofyou！You’veneversurprisedmebutonce，andthat’sto-day-inpresentingmewithaprettycousinwhoseexistenceIhadneversuspected。

Doyouthinkhersoverypretty？

Veryprettyindeed。butIdon’tinsistuponthat。It’shergeneralairofbeingsomeoneinparticularthatstrikesme。Whoisthisrarecreature，andwhatisshe？Wheredidyoufindher，andhowdidyoumakeheracquaintance？

IfoundherinanoldhouseatAlbany，sittinginadrearyroomonarainyday，readingaheavybookandboringherselftodeath。

Shedidn’tknowshewasbored，butwhenIlefthernodoubtofitsheseemedverygratefulfortheservice。YoumaysayIshouldn’thaveenlightenedher-Ishouldhaveletheralone。There’sagooddealinthat，butIactedconscientiously。Ithoughtshewasmeantforsomethingbetter。Itoccurredtomethatitwouldbeakindnesstotakeheraboutandintroducehertotheworld。Shethinkssheknowsagreatdealofit-likemostAmericangirls。butlikemostAmericangirlsshe’sridiculouslymistaken。Ifyouwanttoknow，Ithoughtshewoulddomecredit。Iliketobewellthoughtof，andforawomanofmyagethere’snogreaterconvenience，insomeways，thananattractiveniece。YouknowIhadseennothingofmysister’schildrenforyears。Idisapprovedentirelyofthefather。ButIalwaysmeanttodosomethingforthemwhenheshouldhavegonetohisreward。

Iascertainedwheretheyweretobefoundand，withoutanypreliminaries，wentandintroducedmyself。Therearetwoothersofthem，bothofwhomaremarried。butIsawonlytheelder，whohas，bytheway，averyuncivilhusband。Thewife，whosenameisLily，jumpedattheideaofmytakinganinterestinIsabel。shesaiditwasjustwhathersisterneeded-thatsomeoneshouldtakeaninterestinher。Shespokeofherasyoumightspeakofsomeyoungpersonofgenius-inwantofencouragementandpatronage。ItmaybethatIsabel’sagenius。butinthatcaseI’venotyetlearnedherspecialline。Mrs。LudlowwasespeciallykeenaboutmytakinghertoEurope。

theyallregardEuropeoverthereasalandofemigration，ofrescue，arefugefortheirsuperfluouspopulation。Isabelherselfseemedverygladtocome，andthethingwaseasilyarranged。Therewasalittledifficultyaboutthemoney-question，assheseemedaversetobeingunderpecuniaryobligations。Butshehasasmallincomeandshesupposesherselftobetravellingatherownexpense。

Ralphhadlistenedattentivelytothisjudiciousreport，bywhichhisinterestinthesubjectofitwasnotimpaired。Ah，ifshe’sagenius，hesaid，wemustfindoutherspecialline。Isitbychanceforflirting？

Idon’tthinkso。Youmaysuspectthatatfirst，butyou’llbewrong。Youwon’t，Ithink，inanyway，beeasilyrightabouther。

Warburton’swrongthen！Ralphrejoicinglyexclaimed。Heflattershimselfhehasmadethatdiscovery。

Hismothershookherhead。LordWarburtonwon’tunderstandher。

Heneedn’ttry。

He’sveryintelligent，saidRalph。butit’srightheshouldbepuzzledonceinawhile。

Isabelwillenjoypuzzlingalord，Mrs。Touchettremarked。

Hersonfrownedalittle。Whatdoessheknowaboutlords？

Nothingatall：thatwillpuzzlehimallthemore。

Ralphgreetedthesewordswithalaughandlookedoutofthewindow。

Then，Areyounotgoingdowntoseemyfather？heasked。

Ataquartertoeight，saidMrs。Touchett。

Hersonlookedathiswatch。You’veanotherquarterofanhourthen。TellmesomemoreaboutIsabel。Afterwhich，asMrs。Touchettdeclinedhisinvitation，declaringthathemustfindoutforhimself，Well，hepursued，she’llcertainlydoyoucredit。Butwon’tshealsogiveyoutrouble？

Ihopenot。butifshedoesIshallnotshrinkfromit。Ineverdothat。

Shestrikesmeasverynatural，saidRalph。

Naturalpeoplearenotthemosttrouble。

No，saidRalph。youyourselfareaproofofthat。You’reextremelynatural，andI’msureyouhavenevertroubledanyone。Ittakestroubletodothat。Buttellmethis。itjustoccurstome。IsIsabelcapableofmakingherselfdisagreeable？

Ah，criedhismother，youasktoomanyquestions！Findthatoutforyourself。

Hisquestions，however，werenotexhausted。Allthistime，hesaid，you’venottoldmewhatyouintendtodowithher。

Dowithher？Youtalkasifshewereayardofcalico。Ishalldoabsolutelynothingwithher，andsheherselfwilldoeverythingshechooses。Shegavemenoticeofthat。

Whatyoumeantthen，inyourtelegram，wasthathercharacter’sindependent。

IneverknowwhatImeaninmytelegrams-especiallythoseIsendfromAmerica。Clearnessistooexpensive。Comedowntoyourfather。

It’snotyetaquartertoeight，saidRalph。

Imustallowforhisimpatience，Mrs。Touchettanswered。

Ralphknewwhattothinkofhisfather’simpatience。but，makingnorejoinder，heofferedhismotherhisarm。Thisputitinhispower，astheydescendedtogether，tostopheramomentonthemiddlelandingofthestaircase-thebroad，low，wide-armedstaircaseoftime-blackenedoakwhichwasoneofthemoststrikingfeaturesofGardencourt。You’venoplanofmarryingher？hesmiled。

Marryingher？Ishouldbesorrytoplayhersuchatrick！Butapartfromthat，she’sperfectlyabletomarryherself。Shehaseveryfacility。

Doyoumeantosayshehasahusbandpickedout？

Idon’tknowaboutahusband，butthere’sayoungmaninBoston-！

Ralphwenton。hehadnodesiretohearabouttheyoungmaninBoston。Asmyfathersays，they’realwaysengaged！

Hismotherhadtoldhimthathemustsatisfyhiscuriosityatthesource，anditsoonbecameevidentheshouldnotwantforoccasion。Hehadagooddealoftalkwithhisyoungkinswomanwhenthetwohadbeenlefttogetherinthedrawing-room。LordWarburton，whohadriddenoverfromhisownhouse，sometenmilesdistant，remountedandtookhisdeparturebeforedinner。andanhourafterthismealwasendedMr。andMrs。Touchett，whoappearedtohavequiteemptiedthemeasureoftheirforms，withdrew，underthevalidpretextoffatigue，totheirrespectiveapartments。Theyoungmanspentanhourwithhiscousin。

thoughshehadbeentravellinghalfthedaysheappearedinnodegreespent。Shewasreallytired。sheknewit，andknewsheshouldpayforitonthemorrow。butitwasherhabitatthisperiodtocarryexhaustiontothefurtherestpointandconfesstoitonlywhendissimulationbrokedown。Afinehypocrisywasforthepresentpossible。shewasinterested。shewas，asshesaidtoherself，floated。SheaskedRalphtoshowherthepictures。therewereagreatmanyinthehouse，mostofthemofhisownchoosing。Thebestwerearrangedinanoakengallery，ofcharmingproportions，whichhadasitting-roomateitherendofitandwhichintheeveningwasusuallylighted。Thelightwasinsufficienttoshowthepicturestoadvantage，andthevisitmighthavestoodovertothemorrow。ThissuggestionRalphhadventuredtomake。butIsabellookeddisappointed-

smilingstill，however-andsaid：IfyoupleaseIshouldliketoseethemjustalittle。Shewaseager，sheknewshewaseagerandnowseemedso。shecouldn’thelpit。Shedoesn’ttakesuggestions，Ralphsaidtohimself。buthesaiditwithoutirritation。herpressureamusedandevenpleasedhim。Thelampswereonbrackets，atintervals，andifthelightwasimperfectitwasgenial。Itfelluponthevaguesquaresofrichcolourandonthefadedgildingofheavyframes。itmadeasheenonthepolishedfloorofthegallery。Ralphtookacandlestickandmovedabout，pointingoutthethingsheliked。Isabel，incliningtoonepictureafteranother，indulgedinlittleexclamationsandmurmurs。Shewasevidentlyajudge。shehadanaturaltaste。hewasstruckwiththat。Shetookacandlestickherselfandhelditslowlyhereandthere。sheliftedithigh，andasshedidsohefoundhimselfpausinginthemiddleoftheplaceandbendinghiseyesmuchlessuponthepicturesthanonherpresence。Helostnothing，intruth，bythesewanderingglances，forshewasbetterworthlookingatthanmostworksofart。Shewasundeniablyspare，andponderablylight，andproveablytall。whenpeoplehadwishedtodistinguishherfromtheothertwoMissArcherstheyhadalwayscalledherthewillowyone。Herhair，whichwasdarkeventoblackness，hadbeenanobjectofenvytomanywomen。herlightgreyeyes，alittletoofirmperhapsinhergravermoments，hadanenchantingrangeofconcession。Theywalkedslowlyuponesideofthegalleryanddowntheother，andthenshesaid：

Well，nowIknowmorethanIdidwhenIbegan！

Youapparentlyhaveagreatpassionforknowledge，hercousinreturned。

IthinkIhave。mostgirlsarehorridlyignorant。

Youstrikemeasdifferentfrommostgirls。

Ah，someofthemwould-butthewaythey’retalkedto！murmuredIsabel，whopreferrednottodilatejustyetonherself。Theninamoment，tochangethesubject，Pleasetellme-isn’tthereaghost？shewenton。

Aghost？

Acastle-spectre，athingthatappears。WecallthemghostsinAmerica。

Sowedohere，whenweseethem。

Youdoseethemthen？Yououghtto，inthisromanticoldhouse。

It’snotaromanticoldhouse，saidRalph。You’llbedisappointedifyoucountonthat。It’sadismallyprosaicone。there’snoromanceherebutwhatyoumayhavebroughtwithyou。

I’vebroughtagreatdeal。butitseemstomeI’vebroughtittotherightplace。

Tokeepitoutofharm，certainly。nothingwilleverhappentoithere，betweenmyfatherandme。

Isabellookedathimamoment。Isthereneveranyoneherebutyourfatherandyou？

Mymother，ofcourse。

Oh，Iknowyourmother。she’snotromantic。Haven’tyouotherpeople？

Veryfew。

I’msorryforthat。Ilikesomuchtoseepeople。

Oh，we’llinviteallthecountytoamuseyou，saidRalph。

Nowyou’remakingfunofme，thegirlansweredrathergravely。

WhowasthegentlemanonthelawnwhenIarrived？

Acountyneighbour。hedoesn’tcomeveryoften。

I’msorryforthat。Ilikedhim，saidIsabel。

Why，itseemedtomethatyoubarelyspoketohim，Ralphobjected。

Nevermind，Ilikehimallthesame。Ilikeyourfathertoo，immensely。

Youcan’tdobetterthanthat。He’sthedearestofthedear。

I’msosorryheisill，saidIsabel。

Youmusthelpmetonursehim。yououghttobeagoodnurse。

Idon’tthinkIam。I’vebeentoldI’mnot。I’msaidtohavetoomanytheories。Butyouhaven’ttoldmeabouttheghost，sheadded。

Ralph，however，gavenoheedtothisobservation。YoulikemyfatherandyoulikeLordWarburton。Iinferalsothatyoulikemymother。

Ilikeyourmotherverymuch，because-because-AndIsabelfoundherselfattemptingtoassignareasonforheraffectionforMrs。

Touchett。

Ah，weneverknowwhy！saidhercompanion，laughing。

Ialwaysknowwhy，thegirlanswered。It’sbecauseshedoesn’texpectonetolikeher。Shedoesn’tcarewhetheronedoesornot。

Soyouadoreher-outofperversity？Well，Itakegreatlyaftermymother，saidRalph。

Idon’tbelieveyoudoatall。Youwishpeopletolikeyou，andyoutrytomakethemdoit。

Goodheavens，howyouseethroughone！hecriedwithadismaythatwasnotaltogetherjocular。

ButIlikeyouallthesame，hiscousinwenton。Thewaytoclinchthematterwillbetoshowmetheghost。

Ralphshookhisheadsadly。Imightshowittoyou，butyou’dneverseeit。Theprivilegeisn’tgiventoeveryone。it’snotenviable。

Ithasneverbeenseenbyayoung，happy，innocentpersonlikeyou。

Youmusthavesufferedfirst，havesufferedgreatly，havegainedsomemiserableknowledge。Inthatwayyoureyesareopenedtoit。I

sawitlongago，saidRalph。

ItoldyoujustnowI’mveryfondofknowledge，Isabelanswered。

Yes，ofhappyknowledge-ofpleasantknowledge。Butyouhaven’tsuffered，andyou’renotmadetosuffer。Ihopeyou’llneverseetheghost！

Shehadlistenedtohimattentively，withasmileonherlips，butwithacertaingravityinhereyes。Charmingashefoundher，shehadstruckhimasratherpresumptuous-indeeditwasapartofhercharm。andhewonderedwhatshewouldsay。I’mnotafraid，youknow，

shesaid：whichseemedquitepresumptuousenough。

You’renotafraidofsuffering？

Yes，I’mafraidofsuffering。ButI’mnotafraidofghosts。AndI

thinkpeoplesuffertooeasily，sheadded。

Idon’tbelieveyoudo，saidRalph，lookingatherwithhishandsinhispockets。

Idon’tthinkthat’safault，sheanswered。It’snotabsolutelynecessarytosuffer。wewerenotmadeforthat。

Youwerenot，certainly。

I’mnotspeakingofmyself。Andshewanderedoffalittle。

No，itisn’tafault，saidhercousin。It’samerittobestrong。

Only，ifyoudon’tsuffertheycallyouhard，Isabelremarked。

Theypassedoutofthesmallerdrawing-room，intowhichtheyhadreturnedfromthegallery，andpausedinthehall，atthefootofthestaircase。HereRalphpresentedhiscompanionwithherbedroomcandle，whichhehadtakenfromaniche。Nevermindwhattheycallyou。Whenyoudosuffertheycallyouanidiot。Thegreatpoint’stobeashappyaspossible。

Shelookedathimalittle。shehadtakenhercandleandplacedherfootontheoakenstair。Well，shesaid，that’swhatIcametoEuropefor，tobeashappyaspossible。Good-night。

Good-night！Iwishyouallsuccess，andshallbeverygladtocontributetoit！

Sheturnedaway，andhewatchedherassheslowlyascended。Then，withhishandsalwaysinhispockets，hewentbacktotheemptydrawing-room。

CHAPTER6

IsabelArcherwasayoungpersonofmanytheories。herimaginationwasremarkablyactive。Ithadbeenherfortunetopossessafinermindthanmostofthepersonsamongwhomherlotwascast。tohavealargerperceptionofsurroundingfactsandtocareforknowledgethatwastingedwiththeunfamiliar。Itistruethatamonghercontemporariesshepassedforayoungwomanofextraordinaryprofundity。fortheseexcellentpeopleneverwithheldtheiradmirationfromareachofintellectofwhichtheythemselveswerenotconscious，andspokeofIsabelasaprodigyoflearning，acreaturereportedtohavereadtheclassicauthors-intranslations。Herpaternalaunt，Mrs。

Varian，oncespreadtherumourthatIsabelwaswritingabook-Mrs。

Varianhavingareverenceforbooks，andaverredthatthegirlwoulddistinguishherselfinprint。Mrs。Varianthoughthighlyofliterature，forwhichsheentertainedthatesteemthatisconnectedwithasenseofprivation。Herownlargehouse，remarkableforitsassortmentofmosaictablesanddecoratedceilings，wasunfurnishedwithalibrary，andinthewayofprintedvolumescontainednothingbuthalfadozennovelsinpaperonashelfintheapartmentofoneoftheMissVarians。Practically，Mrs。Varian’sacquaintancewithliteraturewasconfinedtoTheNewYorkInterviewer。assheveryjustlysaid，afteryouhadreadtheIntervieweryouhadlostallfaithinculture。Hertendency，withthis，wasrathertokeeptheIntervieweroutofthewayofherdaughters。shewasdeterminedtobringthemupproperly，andtheyreadnothingatall。HerimpressionwithregardtoIsabel’slabourswasquiteillusory。thegirlhadneverattemptedtowriteabookandhadnodesireforthelaurelsofauthorship。Shehadnotalentforexpressionandtoolittleoftheconsciousnessofgenius。sheonlyhadageneralideathatpeoplewererightwhentheytreatedherasifshewererathersuperior。

Whetherornosheweresuperior，peoplewererightinadmiringheriftheythoughtherso。foritseemedtoheroftenthathermindmovedmorequicklythantheirs，andthisencouragedanimpatiencethatmighteasilybeconfoundedwithsuperiority。ItmaybeaffirmedwithoutdelaythatIsabelwasprobablyveryliabletothesinofself-esteem。sheoftensurveyedwithcomplacencythefieldofherownnature。shewasinthehabitoftakingforgranted，onscantyevidence，thatshewasright。shetreatedherselftooccasionsofhomage。Meanwhilehererrorsanddelusionswerefrequentlysuchasabiographerinterestedinpreservingthedignityofhissubjectmustshrinkfromspecifying。Herthoughtswereatangleofvagueoutlineswhichhadneverbeencorrectedbythejudgementofpeoplespeakingwithauthority。Inmattersofopinionshehadhadherownway，andithadledherintoathousandridiculouszigzags。Atmomentsshediscoveredshewasgrotesquelywrong，andthenshetreatedherselftoaweekofpassionatehumility。Afterthissheheldherheadhigherthaneveragain。foritwasofnouse，shehadanunquenchabledesiretothinkwellofherself。Shehadatheorythatitwasonlyunderthisprovisionlifewasworthliving。thatoneshouldbeoneofthebest，shouldbeconsciousofafineorganization(shecouldn’thelpknowingherorganizationwasfine)，shouldmoveinarealmoflight，ofnaturalwisdom，ofhappyimpulse，ofinspirationgracefullychronic。Itwasalmostasunnecessarytocultivatedoubtofone’sselfastocultivatedoubtofone’sbestfriend：oneshouldtrytobeone’sownbestfriendandtogiveone’sself，inthismanner，distinguishedcompany。Thegirlhadacertainnoblenessofimaginationwhichrenderedheragoodmanyservicesandplayedheragreatmanytricks。Shespenthalfhertimeinthinkingofbeautyandbraveryandmagnanimity。shehadafixeddeterminationtoregardtheworldasaplaceofbrightness，offreeexpansion，ofirresistibleaction：shehelditmustbedetestabletobeafraidorashamed。Shehadaninfinitehopethatsheshouldneverdoanythingwrong。Shehadresentedsostrongly，afterdiscoveringthem，hermereerrorsoffeeling(thediscoveryalwaysmadehertrembleasifshehadescapedfromatrapwhichmighthavecaughtherandsmotheredher)thatthechanceofinflictingasensibleinjuryuponanotherperson，presentedonlyasacontingency，causedheratmomentstoholdherbreath。Thatalwaysstruckherastheworstthingthatcouldhappentoher。Onthewhole，reflectively，shewasinnouncertaintyaboutthethingsthatwerewrong。Shehadnoloveoftheirlook，butwhenshefixedthemhardsherecognizedthem。Itwaswrongtobemean，tobejealous，tobefalse，tobecruel。shehadseenverylittleoftheeviloftheworld，butshehadseenwomenwholiedandwhotriedtohurteachother。Seeingsuchthingshadquickenedherhighspirit。

itseemedindecentnottoscornthem。Ofcoursethedangerofahighspiritwasthedangerofinconsistency-thedangerofkeepinguptheflagaftertheplacehassurrendered。asortofbehavioursocrookedastobealmostadishonourtotheflag。ButIsabel，whoknewlittleofthesortsofartillerytowhichyoungwomenareexposed，flatteredherselfthatsuchcontradictionswouldneverbenotedinherownconduct。Herlifeshouldalwaysbeinharmonywiththemostpleasingimpressionsheshouldproduce。shewouldbewhatsheappeared，andshewouldappearwhatshewas。Sometimesshewentsofarastowishthatshemightfindherselfsomedayinadifficultposition，sothatsheshouldhavethepleasureofbeingasheroicastheoccasiondemanded。Altogether，withhermeagreknowledge，herinflatedideals，herconfidenceatonceinnocentanddogmatic，hertemperatonceexactingandindulgent，hermixtureofcuriosityandfastidiousness，ofvivacityandindifference，herdesiretolookverywellandtobeifpossibleevenbetter，herdeterminationtosee，totry，toknow，hercombinationofthedelicate，desultory，flame-likespiritandtheeagerandpersonalcreatureofconditions：

shewouldbeaneasyvictimofscientificcriticismifshewerenotintendedtoawakenonthereader’spartanimpulsemoretenderandmorepurelyexpectant。

ItwasoneofhertheoriesthatIsabelArcherwasveryfortunateinbeingindependent，andthatsheoughttomakesomeveryenlighteneduseofthatstate。Shenevercalleditthestateofsolitude，muchlessofsingleness。shethoughtsuchdescriptionsweak，and，besides，hersisterLilyconstantlyurgedhertocomeandabide。Shehadafriendwhoseacquaintanceshehadmadeshortlybeforeherfather’sdeath，whoofferedsohighanexampleofusefulactivitythatIsabelalwaysthoughtofherasamodel。HenriettaStackpolehadtheadvantageofanadmiredability。shewasthoroughlylaunchedinjournalism，andherletterstotheInterviewer，fromWashington，Newport，theWhiteMountainsandotherplaces，wereuniversallyquoted。Isabelpronouncedthemwithconfidenceephemeral，butsheesteemedthecourage，energyandgood-humourofthewriter，who，withoutparentsandwithoutproperty，hadadoptedthreeofthechildrenofaninfirmandwidowedsisterandwaspayingtheirschool-billsoutoftheproceedsofherliterarylabour。Henriettawasinthevanofprogressandhadclear-cutviewsonmostsubjects。hercherisheddesirehadlongbeentocometoEuropeandwriteaseriesofletterstotheInterviewerfromtheradicalpointofview-anenterprisethelessdifficultassheknewperfectlyinadvancewhatheropinionswouldbeandtohowmanyobjectionsmostEuropeaninstitutionslayopen。WhensheheardthatIsabelwascomingshewishedtostartatonce。thinking，naturally，thatitwouldbedelightfulthetwoshouldtraveltogether。Shehadbeenobliged，however，topostponethisenterprise。ShethoughtIsabelagloriouscreature，andhadspokenofhercovertlyinsomeofherletters，thoughshenevermentionedthefacttoherfriend，whowouldnothavetakenpleasureinitandwasnotaregularstudentoftheInterviewer。Henrietta，forIsabel，waschieflyaproofthatawomanmightsufficetoherselfandbehappy。Herresourceswereoftheobviouskind。butevenifonehadnotthejournalistictalentandageniusforguessing，asHenriettasaid，whatthepublicwasgoingtowant，onewasnotthereforetoconcludethatonehadnovocation，nobeneficentaptitudeofanysort，andresignone’sselftobeingfrivolousandhollow。Isabelwasstoutlydeterminednottobehollow。Ifoneshouldwaitwiththerightpatienceonewouldfindsomehappyworktoone’shand。Ofcourse，amonghertheories，thisyoungladywasnotwithoutacollectionofviewsonthesubjectofmarriage。

Thefirstonthelistwasaconvictionofthevulgarityofthinkingtoomuchofit。Fromlapsingintoeagernessonthispointsheearnestlyprayedshemightbedelivered。sheheldthatawomanoughttobeabletolivetoherself，intheabsenceofexceptionalflimsiness，andthatitwasperfectlypossibletobehappywithoutthesocietyofamoreorlesscoarse-mindedpersonofanothersex。Thegirl’sprayerwasverysufficientlyanswered。somethingpureandproudthattherewasinher-somethingcoldanddryanunappreciatedsuitorwithatasteforanalysismighthavecalledit-hadhithertokeptherfromanygreatvanityofconjectureonthearticleofpossiblehusbands。Fewofthemenshesawseemedwortharuinousexpenditure，anditmadehersmiletothinkthatoneofthemshouldpresenthimselfasanincentivetohopeandarewardofpatience。Deepinhersoul-itwasthedeepestthingthere-layabeliefthatifacertainlightshoulddawnshecouldgiveherselfcompletely。butthisimage，onthewhole，wastooformidabletobeattractive。

Isabel’sthoughtshoveredaboutit，buttheyseldomrestedonitlong。

afteralittleitendedinalarms。Itoftenseemedtoherthatshethoughttoomuchaboutherself。youcouldhavemadehercolour，anydayintheyear，bycallingherarankegoist。Shewasalwaysplanningoutherdevelopment，desiringherperfection，observingherprogress。Hernaturehad，inherconceit，acertaingarden-likequality，asuggestionofperfumeandmurmuringboughs，ofshadybowersandlengtheningvistas，whichmadeherfeelthatintrospectionwas，afterall，anexerciseintheopenair，andthatavisittotherecessesofone’sspiritwasharmlesswhenonereturnedfromitwithalapfulofroses。Butshewasoftenremindedthattherewereothergardensintheworldthanthoseofherremarkablesoul，andthatthereweremoreoveragreatmanyplaceswhichwerenotgardensatall-

onlyduskypestiferoustracts，plantedthickwithuglinessandmisery。

Inthecurrentofthatrepaidepisodeoncuriosityonwhichshehadlatelybeenfloating，whichhadconveyedhertothisbeautifuloldEnglandandmightcarryhermuchfurtherstill，sheoftencheckedherselfwiththethoughtofthethousandsofpeoplewhowerelesshappythanherself-athoughtwhichforthemomentmadeherfine，fullconsciousnessappearakindofimmodesty。Whatshouldonedowiththemiseryoftheworldinaschemeoftheagreeableforone’sself？

Itmustbeconfessedthatthisquestionneverheldherlong。Shewastooyoung，tooimpatienttolive，toounacquaintedwithpain。Shealwaysreturnedtohertheorythatayoungwomanwhomafteralleveryonethoughtclevershouldbeginbygettingageneralimpressionoflife。Thisimpressionwasnecessarytopreventmistakes，andafteritshouldbesecuredshemightmaketheunfortunateconditionofothersasubjectofspecialattention。

Englandwasarevelationtoher，andshefoundherselfasdivertedasachildatapantomime。InherinfantineexcursionstoEuropeshehadseenonlytheContinent，andseenitfromthenurserywindow。

Paris，notLondon，washerfather’sMecca，andintomanyofhisintereststherehischildrenhadnaturallynotentered。Theimagesofthattimemoreoverhadgrownfaintandremote，andtheold-worldqualityineverythingthatshenowsawhadallthecharmofstrangeness。Heruncle’shouseseemedapicturemadereal。norefinementoftheagreeablewaslostuponIsabel。therichperfectionofGardencourtatoncerevealedaworldandgratifiedaneed。Thelarge，lowrooms，withbrownceilingsandduskycorners，thedeepembrasuresandcuriouscasements，thequietlightondark，polishedpanels，thedeepgreennessoutside，thatseemedalwayspeepingin，thesenseofwell-orderedprivacyinthecentreofaproperty-aplacewheresoundswerefelicitouslyaccidental，wherethetreadwasmuffledbytheearthitselfandinthethickmildairallfrictiondroppedoutofcontactandallshrillnessoutoftalk-

thesethingsweremuchtothetasteofouryounglady，whosetasteplayedaconsiderablepartinheremotions。Sheformedafastfriendshipwithheruncle，andoftensatbyhischairwhenhehadhaditmovedouttothelawn。Hepassedhoursintheopenair，sittingwithfoldedhandslikeaplacid，homelyhouseholdgod，agodofservice，whohaddonehisworkandreceivedhiswagesandwastryingtogrowusedtoweeksandmonthsmadeuponlyofoff-days。Isabelamusedhimmorethanshesuspected-theeffectsheproduceduponpeoplewasoftendifferentfromwhatshesupposed-andhefrequentlygavehimselfthepleasureofmakingherchatter。Itwasbythistermthathequalifiedherconversation，whichhadmuchofthepoint

observableinthatoftheyoungladiesofhercountry，towhomtheearoftheworldismoredirectlypresentedthantotheirsistersinotherlands。LikethemassofAmericangirlsIsabelhadbeenencouragedtoexpressherself。herremarkshadbeenattendedto。shehadbeenexpectedtohaveemotionsandopinions。Manyofheropinionshaddoubtlessbutaslendervalue，manyofheremotionspassedawayintheutterance。buttheyhadleftatraceingivingherthehabitofseemingatleasttofeelandthink，andinimpartingmoreovertoherwordswhenshewasreallymovedthatpromptvividnesswhichsomanypeoplehadregardedasasignofsuperiority。Mr。Touchettusedtothinkthatsheremindedhimofhiswifewhenhiswifewasinherteens。Itwasbecauseshewasfreshandnaturalandquicktounderstand，tospeak-somanycharacteristicsofherniece-thathehadfalleninlovewithMrs。Touchett。Heneverexpressedthisanalogytothegirlherself，however。forifMrs。TouchetthadoncebeenlikeIsabel，IsabelwasnotatalllikeMrs。Touchett。Theoldmanwasfullofkindnessforher。itwasalongtime，ashesaid，sincetheyhadhadanyyounglifeinthehouse。andourrustling，quickly-moving，clear-voicedheroinewasasagreeabletohissenseasthesoundofflowingwater。Hewantedtodosomethingforherandwishedshewouldaskitofhim。Shewouldasknothingbutquestions。itistruethatofthesesheaskedaquantity。Herunclehadagreatfundofanswers，thoughherpressuresometimescameinformsthatpuzzledhim。

ShequestionedhimimmenselyaboutEngland，abouttheBritishconstitution，theEnglishcharacter，thestateofpolitics，themannersandcustomsoftheroyalfamily，thepeculiaritiesofthearistocracy，thewayoflivingandthinkingofhisneighbours。andinbeggingtobeenlightenedonthesepointssheusuallyenquiredwhethertheycorrespondedwiththedescriptionsinthebooks。Theoldmanalwayslookedatheralittlewithhisfinedrysmilewhilehesmootheddowntheshawlspreadacrosshislegs。

Thebooks？heoncesaid。well，Idon’tknowmuchaboutthebooks。

YoumustaskRalphaboutthat。I’vealwaysascertainedformyself-gotmyinformationinthenaturalform。Ineveraskedmanyquestionseven。

Ijustkeptquietandtooknotice。OfcourseI’vehadverygoodopportunities-betterthanwhatayoungladywouldnaturallyhave。I’mofaninquisitivedisposition，thoughyoumightn’tthinkitifyouweretowatchme：howevermuchyoumightwatchmeIshouldbewatchingyoumore。I’vebeenwatchingthesepeopleforupwardsofthirty-fiveyears，andIdon’thesitatetosaythatI’veacquiredconsiderableinformation。It’saveryfinecountryonthewhole-finerperhapsthanwhatwegiveitcreditforontheotherside。ThereareseveralimprovementsIshouldliketoseeintroduced。butthenecessityofthemdoesn’tseemtobegenerallyfeltasyet。Whenthenecessityofathingisgenerallyfelttheyusuallymanagetoaccomplishit。buttheyseemtofeelprettycomfortableaboutwaitingtillthen。IcertainlyfeelmoreathomeamongthemthanIexpectedtowhenIfirstcameover。Isupposeit’sbecauseI’vehadaconsiderabledegreeofsuccess。Whenyou’resuccessfulyounaturallyfeelmoreathome。

DoyousupposethatifI’msuccessfulIshallfeelathome？Isabelasked。

Ishouldthinkitveryprobable，andyoucertainlywillbesuccessful。TheylikeAmericanyoungladiesverymuchoverhere。

theyshowthemagreatdealofkindness。Butyoumustn’tfeeltoomuchathome，youknow。

Oh，I’mbynomeanssureitwillsatisfyme，Isabeljudiciallyemphasized。Iliketheplaceverymuch，butI’mnotsureIshalllikethepeople。

Thepeopleareverygoodpeople。especiallyifyoulikethem。

I’venodoubtthey’regood，Isabelrejoined。butaretheypleasantinsociety？Theywon’trobmenorbeatme。butwilltheymakethemselvesagreeabletome？That’swhatIlikepeopletodo。Idon’thesitatetosayso，becauseIalwaysappreciateit。Idon’tbelievethey’reverynicetogirls。they’renotnicetotheminthenovels。

Idon’tknowaboutthenovels，saidMr。Touchett。Ibelievethenovelshaveagreatdealofability，butIdon’tsupposethey’reveryaccurate。Weoncehadaladywhowrotenovelsstayinghere。shewasafriendofRalph’sandheaskedherdown。Shewasverypositive，quiteuptoeverything。butshewasnotthesortofpersonyoucoulddependonforevidence。Toofreeafancy-Isupposethatwasit。Sheafterwardspublishedaworkoffictioninwhichshewasunderstoodtohavegivenarepresentation-somethinginthenatureofacaricature，asyoumightsay-ofmyunworthyself。Ididn’treadit，butRalphjusthandedmethebookwiththeprincipalpassagesmarked。Itwasunderstoodtobeadescriptionofmyconversation。

Americanpeculiarities，nasaltwang，Yankeenotions，starsandstripes。Well，itwasnotatallaccurate。shecouldn’thavelistenedveryattentively。Ihadnoobjectiontohergivingareportofmyconversation，ifsheliked。butIdidn’tliketheideathatshehadn’ttakenthetroubletolistentoit。OfcourseItalklikeanAmerican-Ican’ttalklikeaHottentot。HoweverItalk，I’vemadethemunderstandmeprettywelloverhere。ButIdon’ttalkliketheoldgentlemaninthatlady’snovel。Hewasn’tanAmerican。wewouldn’thavehimoverthereatanyprice。Ijustmentionthatfacttoshowyouthatthey’renotalwaysaccurate。Ofcourse，asI’venodaughters，andasMrs。TouchettresidesinFlorence，Ihaven’thadmuchchancetonoticeabouttheyoungladies。Itsometimesappearsasiftheyoungwomeninthelowerclasswerenotverywelltreated。butIguesstheirpositionisbetterintheupperandeventosomeextentinthemiddle。

Gracious，Isabelexclaimed。howmanyclasseshavethey？Aboutfifty，Isuppose。

Well，Idon’tknowthatIevercountedthem。Inevertookmuchnoticeoftheclasses。That’stheadvantageofbeinganAmericanhere。

youdon’tbelongtoanyclass。

Ihopeso，saidIsabel。Imagineone’sbelongingtoanEnglishclass！

Well，Iguesssomeofthemareprettycomfortable-especiallytowardsthetop。Butformethereareonlytwoclasses：thepeopleI

trustandthepeopleIdon’t。Ofthosetwo，mydearIsabel，youbelongtothefirst。

I’mmuchobligedtoyou，saidthegirlquickly。Herwayoftakingcomplimentsseemedsometimesratherdry。shegotridofthemasrapidlyaspossible。Butasregardsthisshewassometimesmisjudged，shewasthoughtinsensibletothem，whereasinfactshewassimplyunwillingtoshowhowinfinitelytheypleasedher。Toshowthatwastoshowtoomuch。I’msuretheEnglishareveryconventional，

sheadded。

They’vegoteverythingprettywellfixed，Mr。Touchettadmitted。

It’sallsettledbeforehand-theydon’tleaveittothelastmoment。

Idon’tliketohaveeverythingsettledbeforehand，saidthegirl。

Ilikemoreunexpectedness。

Heruncleseemedamusedatherdistinctnessofpreference。Well，it’ssettledbeforehandthatyou’llhavegreatsuccess，herejoined。Isupposeyou’lllikethat。

Ishallnothavesuccessifthey’retoostupidlyconventional。

I’mnotintheleaststupidlyconventional。I’mjustthecontrary。

That’swhattheywon’tlike。

No，no，you’reallwrong，saidtheoldman。Youcan’ttellwhatthey’lllike。They’reveryinconsistent。that’stheirprincipalinterest。

Ahwell，saidIsabel，standingbeforeherunclewithherhandsclaspedaboutthebeltofherblackdressandlookingupanddownthelawn-thatwillsuitmeperfectly！

CHAPTER7

Thetwoamusedthemselves，timeandagain，withtalkingoftheattitudeoftheBritishpublicasiftheyoungladyhadbeeninapositiontoappealtoit。butinfacttheBritishpublicremainedforthepresentprofoundlyindifferenttoMissIsabelArcher，whosefortunehaddroppedher，ashercousinsaid，intothedullesthouseinEngland。Hergoutyunclereceivedverylittlecompany，andMrs。

Touchett，nothavingcultivatedrelationswithherhusband’sneighbours，wasnotwarrantedinexpectingvisitsfromthem。Shehad，however，apeculiartaste。shelikedtoreceivecards。Forwhatisusuallycalledsocialintercourseshehadverylittlerelish。butnothingpleasedhermorethantofindherhall-tablewhitenedwithoblongmorselsofsymbolicpasteboard。Sheflatteredherselfthatshewasaveryjustwoman，andhadmasteredthesovereigntruththatnothinginthisworldisgotfornothing。ShehadplayednosocialpartasmistressofGardencourt，anditwasnottobesupposedthat，inthesurroundingcountry，aminuteaccountshouldbekeptofhercomingsandgoings。Butitisbynomeanscertainthatshedidnotfeelittobewrongthatsolittlenoticewastakenofthemandthatherfailure(reallyverygratuitous)tomakeherselfimportantintheneighbourhoodhad，notmuchtodowiththeacrimonyofherallusionstoherhusband’sadoptedcountry。IsabelpresentlyfoundherselfinthesingularsituationofdefendingtheBritishconstitutionagainstheraunt。Mrs。Touchetthavingformedthehabitofstickingpinsintothisvenerableinstrument。Isabelalwaysfeltanimpulsetopulloutthepins。notthatsheimaginedtheyinflictedanydamageonthetougholdparchment，butbecauseitseemedtoherauntmightmakebetteruseofhersharpness。Shewasverycriticalherself-

itwasincidentaltoherage，hersexandhernationality。butshewasverysentimentalaswell，andtherewassomethinginMrs。Touchett’sdrynessthatsetherownmoralfountainsflowing。

Nowwhat’syourpointofview？sheaskedofheraunt。Whenyoucriticizeeverythinghereyoushouldhaveapointofview。Yoursdoesn’tseemtobeAmerican-youthoughteverythingovertheresodisagreeable。WhenIcriticizeIhavemine。it’sthoroughlyAmerican！

Mydearyounglady，saidMrs。Touchett，thereareasmanypointsofviewintheworldastherearepeopleofsensetotakethem。

Youmaysaythatdoesn’tmakethemverynumerous！American？Neverintheworld。that’sshockinglynarrow。Mypointofview，thankGod，ispersonal！

Isabelthoughtthisabetteranswerthansheadmitted。itwasatolerabledescriptionofherownmannerofjudging，butitwouldnothavesoundedwellforhertosayso。OnthelipsofapersonlessadvancedinlifeandlessenlightenedbyexperiencethanMrs。Touchettsuchadeclarationwouldsavourofimmodesty，evenofarrogance。SheriskeditneverthelessintalkingwithRalph，withwhomshetalkedagreatdealandwithwhomherconversationwasofasortthatgavealargelicensetoextravagance。Hercousinused，asthephraseis，tochaffher。heverysoonestablishedwithherareputationfortreatingeverythingasajoke，andhewasnotamantoneglecttheprivilegessuchareputationconferred。Sheaccusedhimofanodiouswantofseriousness，oflaughingatallthings，beginningwithhimself。Suchslenderfacultyofreverenceashepossessedcentredwhollyuponhisfather。fortherest，heexercisedhiswitindifferentlyuponhisfather’sson，thisgentleman’sweaklungs，hisuselesslife，hisfantasticmother，hisfriends(LordWarburtoninespecial)，hisadopted，andhisnativecountry，hischarmingnew-foundcousin。I

keepabandofmusicinmyante-room，hesaidoncetoher。Ithasorderstoplaywithoutstopping。itrendersmetwoexcellentservices。

Itkeepsthesoundsoftheworldfromreachingtheprivateapartments，anditmakestheworldthinkthatdancing’sgoingonwithin。Itwasdance-musicindeedthatyouusuallyheardwhenyoucamewithinear-shotofRalph’sband。theliveliestwaltzesseemedtofloatupontheair。Isabeloftenfoundherselfirritatedbythisperpetualfiddling。shewouldhavelikedtopassthroughtheante-room，ashercousincalledit，andentertheprivateapartments。Itmatteredlittlethathehadassuredhertheywereaverydismalplace。shewouldhavebeengladtoundertaketosweepthemandsettheminorder。Itwasbuthalf-hospitalitytoletherremainoutside。topunishhimforwhichIsabeladministeredinnumerabletapswiththeferuleofherstraightyoungwit。Itmustbesaidthatherwitwasexercisedtoalargeextentinself-defence，forhercousinamusedhimselfwithcallingherColumbiaandaccusingherofapatriotismsoheatedthatitscorched。Hedrewacaricatureofherinwhichshewasrepresentedasaveryprettyyoungwomandressed，onthelinesoftheprevailingfashion，inthefoldsofthenationalbanner。

Isabel’schiefdreadinlifeatthisperiodofherdevelopmentwasthatsheshouldappearnarrow-minded。whatshefearednextafterwardswasthatsheshouldreallybeso。Butsheneverthelessmadenoscrupleofaboundinginhercousin’ssenseandpretendingtosighforthecharmsofhernativeland。ShewouldbeasAmericanasitpleasedhimtoregardher，andifhechosetolaughathershewouldgivehimplentyofoccupation。ShedefendedEnglandagainsthismother，butwhenRalphsangitspraisesonpurpose，asshesaid，toworkherup，shefoundherselfabletodifferfromhimonavarietyofpoints。Infact，thequalityofthissmallripecountryseemedassweettoherasthetasteofanOctoberpear。andhersatisfactionwasattherootofthegoodspiritswhichenabledhertotakehercousin’schaffandreturnitinkind。Ifhergood-humourflaggedatmomentsitwasnotbecauseshethoughtherselfill-used，butbecauseshesuddenlyfeltsorryforRalph。Itseemedtoherhewastalkingasablindandhadlittleheartinwhathesaid。

Idon’tknowwhat’sthematterwithyou，sheobservedtohimonce。

butIsuspectyou’reagreathumbug。

That’syourprivilege，Ralphanswered，whohadnotbeenusedtobeingsocrudelyaddressed。

Idon’tknowwhatyoucarefor。Idon’tthinkyoucareforanything。Youdon’treallycareforEnglandwhenyoupraiseit。youdon’tcareforAmericaevenwhenyoupretendtoabuseit。

Icarefornothingbutyou，dearcousin，saidRalph。

IfIcouldbelieveeventhat，Ishouldbeveryglad。

Ahwell，Ishouldhopeso！theyoungmanexclaimed。

Isabelmighthavebelieveditandnothavebeenfarfromthetruth。Hethoughtagreatdealabouther。shewasconstantlypresenttohismind。Atatimewhenhisthoughtshadbeenagooddealofaburdentohimhersuddenarrival，whichpromisednothingandwasanopen-handedgiftoffate，hadrefreshedandquickenedthem，giventhemwingsandsomethingtoflyfor。PoorRalphhadbeenformanyweekssteepedinmelancholy。hisoutlook，habituallysombre，layundertheshadowofadeepercloud。Hehadgrownanxiousabouthisfather，whosegout，hithertoconfinedtohislegs，hadbeguntoascendintoregionsmorevital。Theoldmanhadbeengravelyillinthespring，andthedoctorshadwhisperedtoRalphthatanotherattackwouldbelesseasytodealwith。Justnowheappeareddisburdenedofpain，butRalphcouldnotridhimselfofasuspicionthatthiswasasubterfugeoftheenemy，whowaswaitingtotakehimoffhisguard。Ifthemanoeuvreshouldsucceedtherewouldbelittlehopeofanygreatresistance。Ralphhadalwaystakenforgrantedthathisfatherwouldsurvivehim-thathisownnamewouldbethefirstgrimlycalled。Thefatherandsonhadbeenclosecompanions，andtheideaofbeingleftalonewiththeremnantofatastelesslifeonhishandswasnotgratifyingtotheyoungman，whohadalwaysandtacitlycounteduponhiselder’shelpinmakingthebestofapoorbusiness。AttheprospectoflosinghisgreatmotiveRalphlostindeedhisoneinspiration。Iftheymightdieatthesametimeitwouldbeallverywell。butwithouttheencouragementofhisfather’ssocietyheshouldbarelyhavepatiencetoawaithisownturn。Hehadnottheincentiveoffeelingthathewasindispensabletohismother。itwasarulewithhismothertohavenoregrets。Hebethoughthimselfofcoursethatithadbeenasmallkindnesstohisfathertowishthat，ofthetwo，theactiveratherthanthepassivepartyshouldknowthefeltwound。herememberedthattheoldmanhadalwaystreatedhisownforecastofanearlyendasacleverfallacy，whichheshouldbedelightedtodiscreditsofarashemightbydyingfirst。Butofthetwotriumphs，thatofrefutingasophisticalsonandthatofholdingonawhilelongertoastateofbeingwhich，withallabatements，heenjoyed，RalphdeemeditnosintohopethelattermightbevouchsafedtoMr。Touchett。

Thesewerenicequestions，butIsabel’sarrivalputastoptohispuzzlingoverthem。Itevensuggestedtheremightbeacompensationfortheintolerableennuiofsurvivinghisgenialsire。HewonderedwhetherhewereharbouringloveforthisspontaneousyoungwomanfromAlbany。buthejudgedthatonthewholehewasnot。Afterhehadknownherforaweekhequitemadeuphismindtothis，andeverydayhefeltalittlemoresure。LordWarburtonhadbeenrightabouther。shewasareallyinterestinglittlefigure。Ralphwonderedhowtheirneighbourhadfounditoutsosoon。andthenhesaiditwasonlyanotherproofofhisfriend’shighabilities，whichhehadalwaysgreatlyadmired。Ifhiscousinweretobenothingmorethananentertainmenttohim，Ralphwasconsciousshewasanentertainmentofahighorder。Acharacterlikethat，hesaidtohimself，-areallittlepassionateforcetoseeatplayisthefinestthinginnature。It’sfinerthanthefinestworkofart-thanaGreekbas-relief，thanagreatTitian，thanaGothiccathedral。It’sverypleasanttobesowelltreatedwhereonehadleastlookedforit。I

hadneverbeenmoreblue，morebored，thanforaweekbeforeshecame。

Ihadneverexpectedlessthatanythingpleasantwouldhappen。

【推荐阅读】幽幽深宫，醒来一梦似千年，重生于下堂妃身躯中的她，将如何手刃仇人? 点击阅读