SuddenlyIreceiveaTitian，bythepost，tohangonmywall-aGreekbas-relieftostickovermychimney-piece。Thekeyofabeautifuledificeisthrustintomyhand，andI’mtoldtowalkinandadmire。Mypoorboy，you’vebeensadlyungrateful，andnowyouhadbetterkeepveryquietandnevergrumbleagain。Thesentimentofthesereflexionswasveryjust。butitwasnotexactlytruethatRalphTouchetthadhadakeyputintohishand。Hiscousinwasaverybrilliantgirl，whowouldtake，ashesaid，agooddealofknowing。
butsheneededtheknowing，andhisattitudewithregardtoher，thoughitwascontemplativeandcritical，wasnotjudicial。Hesurveyedtheedificefromtheoutsideandadmireditgreatly。helookedinatthewindowsandreceivedanimpressionofproportionsequallyfair。Buthefeltthathesawitonlybyglimpsesandthathehadnotyetstoodundertheroof。Thedoorwasfastened，andthoughhehadkeysinhispockethehadaconvictionthatnoneofthemwouldfit。Shewasintelligentandgenerous。itwasafinefreenature。butwhatwasshegoingtodowithherself？Thisquestionwasirregular，forwithmostwomenonehadnooccasiontoaskit。Mostwomendidwiththemselvesnothingatall。theywaited，attitudesmoreorlessgracefullypassive，foramantocomethatwayandfurnishthemwithadestiny。Isabel’soriginalitywasthatshegaveoneanimpressionofhavingintentionsofherown。Wheneversheexecutesthem，saidRalph，mayIbetheretosee！
Itdevolveduponhimofcoursetodothehonoursoftheplace。Mr。
Touchettwasconfinedtohischair，andhiswife’spositionwasthatofratheragrimvisitor。sothatinthelineofconductthatopeneditselftoRalphdutyandinclinationwereharmoniouslymixed。Hewasnotagreatwalker，buthestrolledaboutthegroundswithhiscousin-
apastimeforwhichtheweatherremainedfavourablewithapersistencynotallowedforinIsabel’ssomewhatlugubriousprevisionoftheclimate。andinthelongafternoons，ofwhichthelengthwasbutthemeasureofhergratifiedeagerness，theytookaboatontheriver，thedearlittleriver，asIsabelcalledit，wheretheoppositeshoreseemedstillapartoftheforegroundofthelandscape。ordroveoverthecountryinaphaeton-alow，capacious，thick-wheeledphaetonformerlymuchusedbyMr。Touchett，butwhichhehadnowceasedtoenjoy。Isabelenjoyeditlargelyand，handlingthereinsinamannerwhichapproveditselftothegroomasknowing，wasneverwearyofdrivingheruncle’scapitalhorsesthroughwindinglanesandbywaysfulloftheruralincidentsshehadconfidentlyexpectedtofind。pastcottagesthatchedandtimbered，pastale-houseslatticedandsanded，pastpatchesofancientcommonandglimpsesofemptyparks，betweenhedgerowsmadethickbymidsummer。WhentheyreachedhometheyusuallyfoundteahadbeenservedonthelawnandthatMrs。Touchetthadnotshrunkfromtheextremityofhandingherhusbandhiscup。Butthetwoforthemostpartsatsilent。theoldmanwithhisheadbackandhiseyesclosed，hiswifeoccupiedwithherknittingandwearingthatappearanceofrareprofunditywithwhichsomeladiesconsiderthemovementoftheirneedles。
Oneday，however，avisitorhadarrived。Thetwoyoungpersons，afterspendinganhourontheriver，strolledbacktothehouseandperceivedLordWarburtonsittingunderthetreesandengagedinconversation，ofwhichevenatadistancethedesultorycharacterwasappreciable，withMrs。Touchett。Hehaddrivenoverfromhisownplacewithaportmanteauandhadasked，asthefatherandsonofteninvitedhimtodo，foradinnerandalodging。Isabel，seeinghimforhalfanhouronthedayofherarrival，haddiscoveredinthisbriefspacethatshelikedhim。hehadindeedrathersharplyregisteredhimselfonherfinesenseandshehadthoughtofhimseveraltimes。Shehadhopedsheshouldseehimagain-hopedtoothatsheshouldseeafewothers。Gardencourtwasnotdull。theplaceitselfwassovereign，herunclewasmoreandmoreasortofgoldengrandfather，andRalphwasunlikeanycousinshehadeverencountered-herideaofcousinshavingtendedtogloom。Thenherimpressionswerestillsofreshandsoquicklyrenewedthattherewasasyethardlyahintofvacancyintheview。ButIsabelhadneedtoremindherselfthatshewasinterestedinhumannatureandthatherforemosthopeincomingabroadhadbeenthatsheshouldseeagreatmanypeople。WhenRalphsaidtoher，ashehaddoneseveraltimes，Iwonderyoufindthisendurable。yououghttoseesomeoftheneighboursandsomeofourfriends，becausewehavereallygotafew，thoughyouwouldneversupposeit-whenheofferedtoinvitewhathecalledalotofpeopleandmakeheracquaintedwithEnglishsociety，sheencouragedthehospitableimpulseandpromisedinadvancetohurlherselfintothefray。Little，however，forthepresent，hadcomeofhisoffers，anditmaybeconfidedtothereaderthatiftheyoungmandelayedtocarrythemoutitwasbecausehefoundthelabourofprovidingforhiscompanionbynomeanssosevereastorequireextraneoushelp。Isabelhadspokentohimveryoftenaboutspecimens。itwasawordthatplayedaconsiderablepartinhervocabulary。shehadgivenhimtounderstandthatshewishedtoseeEnglishsocietyillustratedbyeminentcases。
Wellnow，there’saspecimen，hesaidtoherastheywalkedupfromtheriversideandherecognizedLordWarburton。
Aspecimenofwhat？askedthegirl。
AspecimenofanEnglishgentleman。
Doyoumeanthey’realllikehim？
Ohno。they’renotalllikehim。
He’safavourablespecimenthen，saidIsabel。becauseI’msurehe’snice。
Yes，he’sverynice。Andhe’sveryfortunate。
ThefortunateLordWarburtonexchangedahandshakewithourheroineandhopedshewasverywell。ButIneedn’taskthat，hesaid，sinceyou’vebeenhandlingtheoars。
I’vebeenrowingalittle，Isabelanswered。buthowshouldyouknowit？
Oh，Iknowhedoesn’trow。he’stoolazy，saidhislordship，indicatingRalphTouchettwithalaugh。
Hehasagoodexcuseforhislaziness，Isabelrejoined，loweringhervoicealittle。
Ah，hehasagoodexcuseforeverything！criedLordWarburton，stillwithhissonorousmirth。
Myexcusefornotrowingisthatmycousinrowssowell，saidRalph。Shedoeseverythingwell。Shetouchesnothingthatshedoesn’tadorn！
Itmakesonewanttobetouched，MissArcher，LordWarburtondeclared。
Betouchedintherightsenseandyou’llneverlooktheworseforit，saidIsabel，who，ifitpleasedhertohearitsaidthatheraccomplishmentswerenumerous，washappilyabletoreflectthatsuchcomplacencywasnottheindicationofafeeblemind，inasmuchastherewereseveralthingsinwhichsheexcelled。Herdesiretothinkwellofherselfhadatleasttheelementofhumilitythatitalwaysneededtobesupportedbyproof。
LordWarburtonnotonlyspentthenightatGardencourt，buthewaspersuadedtoremainoverthesecondday。andwhentheseconddaywasendedhedeterminedtopostponehisdeparturetillthemorrow。
DuringthisperiodheaddressedmanyofhisremarkstoIsabel，whoacceptedthisevidenceofhisesteemwithaverygoodgrace。Shefoundherselflikinghimextremely。thefirstimpressionhehadmadeonherhadhadweight，butattheendofaneveningspentinhissocietyshescarcefellshortofseeinghim-thoughquitewithoutluridity-asaheroofromance。Sheretiredtorestwithasenseofgoodfortune，withaquickenedconsciousnessofpossiblefelicities。
It’sverynicetoknowtwosuchcharmingpeopleasthose，shesaid，meaningbythosehercousinandhercousin’sfriend。Itmustbeaddedmoreoverthatanincidenthadoccurredwhichmighthaveseemedtoputhergood-humourtothetest。Mr。Touchettwenttobedathalf-pastnineo’clock，buthiswiferemainedinthedrawing-roomwiththeothermembersoftheparty。Sheprolongedhervigilforsomethinglessthananhour，andthen，rising，observedtoIsabelthatitwastimetheyshouldbidthegentlemengood-night。Isabelhadasyetnodesiretogotobed。theoccasionwore，tohersense，afestivecharacter，andfeastswerenotinthehabitofterminatingsoearly。
So，withoutfurtherthought，shereplied，verysimply-
NeedIgo，dearaunt？I’llcomeupinhalfanhour。
It’simpossibleIshouldwaitforyou，Mrs。Touchettanswered。
Ah，youneedn’twait！Ralphwilllightmycandle，Isabelgailyengaged。
I’lllightyourcandle。doletmelightyourcandle，MissArcher！LordWarburtonexclaimed。OnlyIbegitshallnotbebeforemidnight。
Mrs。Touchettfixedherbrightlittleeyesuponhimamomentandtransferredthemcoldlytoherniece。Youcan’tstayalonewiththegentlemen。You’renot-you’renotatyourblestAlbany，mydear。
Isabelrose，blushing。IwishIwere，shesaid。
Oh，Isay，mother！Ralphbrokeout。
MydearMrs。Touchett！LordWarburtonmurmured。
Ididn’tmakeyourcountry，mylord，Mrs。Touchettsaidmajestically。ImusttakeitasIfindit。
Can’tIstaywithmyowncousin？Isabelenquired。
I’mnotawarethatLordWarburtonisyourcousin。
PerhapsIhadbettergotobed！thevisitorsuggested。Thatwillarrangeit。
Mrs。Touchettgavealittlelookofdespairandsatdownagain。Oh，ifit’snecessaryI’llstayuptillmidnight。
RalphmeanwhilehandedIsabelhercandlestick。Hehadbeenwatchingher。ithadseemedtohimhertemperwasinvolved-anaccidentthatmightbeinteresting。Butifhehadexpectedanythingofaflarehewasdisappointed，forthegirlsimplylaughedalittle，noddedgood-nightandwithdrewaccompaniedbyheraunt。Forhimselfhewasannoyedathismother，thoughhethoughtshewasright。
Above-stairsthetwoladiesseparatedatMrs。Touchett’sdoor。
Isabelhadsaidnothingonherwayup。
Ofcourseyou’revexedatmyinterferingwithyou，saidMrs。
Touchett。
Isabelconsidered。I’mnotvexed，butI’msurprised-andagooddealmystified。Wasn’titproperIshouldremaininthedrawing-room？
Notintheleast。Younggirlshere-indecenthouses-don’tsitalonewiththegentlemenlateatnight。
Youwereveryrighttotellmethen，saidIsabel。Idon’tunderstandit，butI’mverygladtoknowit。
Ishallalwaystellyou，herauntanswered，wheneverIseeyoutakingwhatseemstometoomuchliberty。
Praydo。butIdon’tsayIshallalwaysthinkyourremonstrancejust。
Verylikelynot。You’retoofondofyourownways。
Yes，IthinkI’mveryfondofthem。ButIalwayswanttoknowthethingsoneshouldn’tdo。
Soastodothem？askedheraunt。
Soastochoose，saidIsabel。
CHAPTER8
AsshewasdevotedtoromanticeffectsLordWarburtonventuredtoexpressahopethatshewouldcomesomedayandseehishouse，averycuriousoldplace。HeextractedfromMrs。TouchettapromisethatshebringherniecetoLockleigh，andRalphsignifiedhiswillingnesstoattendtheladiesifhisfathershouldbeabletosparehim。LordWarburtonassuredourheroinethatinthemeantimehissisters，wouldcomeandseeher。Sheknewsomethingabouthissisters，havingsoundedhim，duringthehourstheyspenttogetherwhilehewasatGardencourt，onmanypointsconnectedwithhisfamily。WhenIsabelwasinterestedsheaskedagreatmanyquestions，andashercompanionwasacopioustalkersheurgedhimonthisoccasionbynomeansinvain。Hetoldherhehadfoursistersandtwobrothersandhadlostbothhisparents。Thebrothersandsisterswereverygoodpeople-notparticularlyclever，youknow，hesaid，butverydecentandpleasant。andhewassogoodastohopeMissArchermightknowthemwell。OneofthebrotherswasintheChurch，settledinthefamilyliving，thatofLockleigh，whichwasaheavy，sprawlingparish，andwasanexcellentfellowinspiteofhisthinkingdifferentlyfromhimselfoneveryconceivabletopic。AndthenLordWarburtonmentionedsomeoftheopinionsheldbyhisbrother，whichwereopinionsIsabelhadoftenheardexpressedandthatshesupposedtobeentertainedbyaconsiderableportionofthehumanfamily。Manyofthemindeedshesupposedshehadheldherself，tillheassuredhershewasquitemistaken，thatitwasreallyimpossible，thatshehaddoubtlessimaginedsheentertainedthem，butthatshemightdependthat，ifshethoughtthemoveralittle，shewouldfindtherewasnothinginthem。Whensheansweredthatshehadalreadythoughtseveralofthequestionsinvolvedoververyattentivelyhedeclaredthatshewasonlyanotherexampleofwhathehadoftenbeenstruckwith-thefactthat，ofallthepeopleintheworld，theAmericanswerethemostgrosslysuperstitious。TheywererankToriesandbigots，everyoneofthem。therewerenoconservativeslikeAmericanconservatives。Heruncleandhercousinweretheretoproveit。
nothingcouldbemoremediaevalthanmanyoftheirviews。theyhadideasthatpeopleinEnglandnowadayswereashamedtoconfessto。
andtheyhadtheimpudencemoreover，saidhislordship，laughing，topretendtheyknewmoreabouttheneedsanddangersofthispoordearstupidoldEnglandthanhewhowasborninitandownedaconsiderablesliceofit-themoreshametohim！FromallofwhichIsabelgatheredthatLordWarburtonwasanoblemanofthenewestpattern，areformer，aradical，acontemnerofancientways。Hisotherbrother，whowasinthearmyinIndia，wasratherwildandpig-headedandhadnotbeenofmuchuseasyetbuttomakedebtsforWarburtontopay-
oneofthemostpreciousprivilegesofanelderbrother。Idon’tthinkIshallpayanymore，saidherfriend。helivesamonstrousdealbetterthanIdo，enjoysunheard-ofluxuriesandthinkshimselfamuchfinergentlemanthanI。AsI’maconsistentradicalIgoinonlyforequality。Idon’tgoinforthesuperiorityoftheyoungerbrothers。Twoofhisfoursisters，thesecondandfourth，weremarried，oneofthemhavingdoneverywell，astheysaid，theotheronlyso-so。Thehusbandoftheelder，LordHaycock，wasaverygoodfellow，butunfortunatelyahorridTory。andhiswife，likeallgoodEnglishwives，wasworsethanherhusband。TheotherhadespousedasmallishsquireinNorfolkand，thoughmarriedbuttheotherday，hadalreadyfivechildren。ThisinformationandmuchmoreLordWarburtonimpartedtohisyoungAmericanlistener，takingpainstomakemanythingsclearandtolaybaretoherapprehensionthepeculiaritiesofEnglishlife。Isabelwasoftenamusedathisexplicitnessandatthesmallallowanceheseemedtomakeeitherforherownexperienceorforherimagination。HethinksI’mabarbarian，shesaid，andthatI’veneverseenforksandspoons。andsheusedtoaskhimartlessquestionsforthepleasureofhearinghimanswerseriously。Thenwhenhehadfallenintothetrap，It’sapityyoucan’tseemeinmywar-paintandfeathers，sheremarked。ifIhadknownhowkindyouaretothepoorsavagesIwouldhavebroughtovermynativecostume！LordWarburtonhadtravelledthroughtheUnitedStatesandknewmuchmoreaboutthemthanIsabel。
hewassogoodastosaythatAmericawasthemostcharmingcountryintheworld，buthisrecollectionsofitappearedtoencouragetheideathatAmericansinEnglandwouldneedtohaveagreatmanythingsexplainedtothem。IfIhadonlyhadyoutoexplainthingstomeinAmerica！hesaid。Iwasratherpuzzledinyourcountry。
infactIwasquitebewildered，andthetroublewasthattheexplanationsonlypuzzledmemore。YouknowIthinktheyoftengavemethewrongonesonpurpose。they’rerathercleveraboutthatoverthere。ButwhenIexplainyoucantrustme。aboutwhatItellyouthere’snomistake。Therewasnomistakeatleastabouthisbeingveryintelligentandcultivatedandknowingalmosteverythingintheworld。AlthoughhegavethemostinterestingandthrillingglimpsesIsabelfeltheneverdidittoexhibithimself，andthoughhehadhadrarechancesandhadtumbledin，assheputit，forhighprizes，hewasasfaraspossiblefrommakingameritofit。Hehadenjoyedthebestthingsoflife，buttheyhadnotspoiledhissenseofproportion。Hisqualitywasamixtureoftheeffectofrichexperienced，soeasilycomeby！-withamodestyattimesalmostboyish。thesweetandwholesomesavourofwhich-itwasasagreeableassomethingtasted-lostnothingfromtheadditionofatoneofresponsiblekindness。
IlikeyourspecimenEnglishgentlemanverymuch，IsabelsaidtoRalphafterLordWarburtonhadgone。
Ilikehimtoo-Ilovehimwell，Ralphreturned。ButIpityhimmore。
Isabellookedathimaskance。Why，thatseemstomehisonlyfault-
thatonecan’tpityhimalittle。Heappearstohaveeverything，toknoweverything，tobeeverything。
Oh，he’sinabadway！Ralphinsisted。
Isupposeyoudon’tmeaninhealth？
No，astothathe’sdetestablysound。WhatImeanisthathe’samanwithagreatpositionwho’splayingallsortsoftrickswithit。
Hedoesn’ttakehimselfseriously。
Doesheregardhimselfasajoke？
Muchworse。heregardshimselfasanimposition-asanabuse。
Well，perhapsheis，saidIsabel。
Perhapsheis-thoughonthewholeIdon’tthinkso。Butinthatcasewhat’smorepitiablethanasentient，self-consciousabuseplantedbyotherhands，deeplyrootedbutachingwithasenseofitsinjustice？Forme，inhisplace，IcouldbeassolemnasastatueofBuddha。Heoccupiesapositionthatappealstomyimagination。Greatresponsibilities，greatopportunities，greatconsideration，greatwealth，greatpower，anaturalshareinthepublicaffairsofagreatcountry。Buthe’sallinamuddleabouthimself，hisposition，hispower，andindeedabouteverythingintheworld。He’sthevictimofacriticalage。hehasceasedtobelieveinhimselfandhedoesn’tknowwhattobelievein。WhenIattempttotellhim(becauseifIwereheIknowverywellwhatIshouldbelievein)hecallsmeapamperedbigot。IbelieveheseriouslythinksmeanawfulPhilistine。hesaysIdon’tunderstandmytime。Iunderstanditcertainlybetterthanhe，whocanneitherabolishhimselfasanuisancenormaintainhimselfasaninstitution。
Hedoesn’tlookverywretched，Isabelobserved。
Possiblynot。though，beingamanofagooddealofcharmingtaste，Ithinkheoftenhasuncomfortablehours。Butwhatisittosayofabeingofhisopportunitiesthathe’snotmiserable？Besides，Ibelieveheis。
Idon’t，saidIsabel。
Well，hercousinrejoined，ifheisn’theoughttobe！
Intheafternoonshespentanhourwithheruncleonthelawn，wheretheoldmansat，asusual，withhisshawloverhislegsandhislargecupofdilutedteainhishands。Inthecourseofconversationheaskedherwhatshethoughtoftheirlatevisitor。
Isabelwasprompt。Ithinkhe’scharming。
He’saniceperson，saidMr。Touchett，butIdon’trecommendyoutofallinlovewithhim。
Ishallnotdoitthen。Ishallneverfallinlovebutonyourrecommendation。Moreover，Isabeladded，mycousingivesmeratherasadaccountofLordWarburton。
Oh，indeed？Idon’tknowwhattheremaybetosay，butyoumustrememberthatRalphmusttalk。
Hethinksyourfriend’stoosubversive-ornotsubversiveenough！I
don’tquiteunderstandwhich，saidIsabel。
Theoldmanshookhisheadslowly，smiledandputdownhiscup。I
don’tknowwhicheither。Hegoesveryfar，butit’squitepossiblehedoesn’tgofarenough。Heseemstowanttodoawaywithagoodmanythings，butheseemstowanttoremainhimself。Isupposethat’snatural，butratherinconsistent。
Oh，Ihopehe’llremainhimself，saidIsabel。Ifheweretobedoneawaywithhisfriendswouldmisshimsadly。
Well，saidtheoldman，Iguesshe’llstayandamusehisfriends。
IshouldcertainlymisshimverymuchhereatGardencourt。Healwaysamusesmewhenhecomesover，andIthinkheamuseshimselfaswell。
There’saconsiderablenumberlikehim，roundinsociety。they’reveryfashionablejustnow。Idon’tknowwhatthey’retryingtodo-
whetherthey’retryingtogetuparevolution。Ihopeatanyratethey’llputitofftillafterI’mgone。Youseetheywanttodisestablisheverything。butI’maprettybiglandownerhere，andI
don’twanttobedisestablished。Iwouldn’thavecomeoverifIhadthoughttheyweregoingtobehavelikethat，Mr。Touchettwentonwithexpandinghilarity。IcameoverbecauseIthoughtEnglandwasasafecountry。Icallitaregularfraudiftheyaregoingtointroduceanyconsiderablechanges。there’llbealargenumberdisappointedinthatcase。
Oh，Idohopethey’llmakearevolution！IsabelexclaimedI
shoulddelightinseeingarevolution。
Letmesee，saidheruncle，withahumorousintention。Iforgetwhetheryou’reonthesideoftheoldoronthesideofthenew。
I’veheardyoutakesuchoppositeviews。
I’monthesideofboth。IguessI’malittleonthesideofeverything。Inarevolution-afteritwaswellbegun-IthinkIshouldbeahigh，proudloyalist。Onesympathizesmorewiththem，andthey’veachancetobehavesoexquisitely。Imeansopicturesquely。
Idon’tknowthatIunderstandwhatyoumeanbybehavingpicturesquely，butitseemstomethatyoudothatalways，mydear。
Oh，youlovelyman，ifIcouldbelievethat！thegirlinterrupted。
I’mafraid，afterall，youwon’thavethepleasureofgoinggracefullytotheguillotineherejustnow，Mr。Touchettwenton。Ifyouwanttoseeabigoutbreakyoumustpayusalongvisit。Yousee，whenyoucometothepointitwouldn’tsuitthemtobetakenattheirword。
Ofwhomareyouspeaking？
Well，ImeanLordWarburtonandhisfriends-theradicalsoftheupperclass。OfcourseIonlyknowthewayitstrikesme。Theytalkaboutthechanges，butIdon’tthinktheyquiterealize。YouandI，youknow，weknowwhatitistohavelivedunderdemocraticinstitutions：Ialwaysthoughtthemverycomfortable，butIwasusedtothemfromthefirst。AndthenIain’talord。you’realady，mydear，butIain’talord。NowoverhereIdon’tthinkitquitecomeshometothem。It’samatterofeverydayandeveryhour，andIdon’tthinkmanyofthemwouldfinditaspleasantaswhatthey’vegot。Ofcourseiftheywanttotry，it’stheirownbusiness。butIexpecttheywon’ttryveryhard。
Don’tyouthinkthey’resincere？Isabelasked。
Well，theywanttofeelearnest，Mr。Touchettallowed。butitseemsasiftheytookitoutintheoriesmostly。Theirradicalviewsareakindofamusement。they’vegottohavesomeamusement，andtheymighthavecoarsertastesthanthat。Youseethey’reveryluxurious，andtheseprogressiveideasareabouttheirbiggestluxury。
Theymakethemfeelmoralandyetdon’tdamagetheirposition。Theythinkagreatdealoftheirposition。don’tletoneofthemeverpersuadeyouhedoesn’t，forifyouweretoproceedonthatbasisyou’dbepulledupveryshort。
Isabelfollowedheruncle’sargument，whichheunfoldedwithhisquaintdistinctness，mostattentively，andthoughshewagunacquaintedwiththeBritisharistocracyshefounditinharmonywithhergeneralimpressionsofhumannature。ButshefeltmovedtoputinaprotestonLordWarburton’sbehalf。Idon’tbelieveLordWarburton’sahumbug。Idon’tcarewhattheothersare。IshouldliketoseeLordWarburtonputtothetest。
Heavendelivermefrommyfriends！Mr。Touchettanswered。LordWarburton’saveryamiableyoungman-averyfineyoungman。Hehasahundredthousandayear。Heownsfiftythousandacresofthesoilofthislittleislandandeversomanyotherthingsbesides。Hehashalfadozenhousestolivein。HehasaseatinParliamentasI
haveoneatmyowndinner-table。Hehaseleganttastes-caresforliterature，forart，forscience，forcharmingyoungladies。Themostelegantishistasteforthenewviews。Itaffordshimagreatdealofpleasure-moreperhapsthananythingelse，excepttheyoungladies。Hisoldhouseoverthere-whatdoeshecallit，Lockleigh？-isveryattractive。butIdon’tthinkit’saspleasantasthis。Thatdoesn’tmatter，however-hehassomanyothers。Hisviewsdon’thurtanyoneasfarasIcansee。theycertainlydon’thurthimself。Andifthereweretobearevolutionhewouldcomeoffveryeasily。Theywouldn’ttouchhim，they’dleavehimasheis：he’stoomuchliked。
Ah，hecouldn’tbeamartyrevenifhewished！Isabelsighed。
That’saverypoorposition。
He’llneverbeamartyrunlessyoumakehimone，saidtheoldman。
Isabelshookherhead。theremighthavebeensomethinglaughableinthefactthatshediditwithatouchofmelancholy。Ishallnevermakeanyoneamartyr。
You’llneverbeone，Ihope。
Ihopenot。Butyoudon’tpityLordWarburtonthenasRalphdoes？
Herunclelookedatherawhilewithgenialacuteness。Yes，Ido，afterall！
CHAPTER9
ThetwoMissesMolyneux，thisnobleman’ssisters，camepresentlytocalluponher，andIsabeltookafancytotheyoungladies，whoappearedtohertoshowamostoriginalstamp。ItistruethatwhenshedescribedthemtohercousinbythattermhedeclaredthatnoepithetcouldbelessapplicablethanthistothetwoMissesMolyneux，sincetherewerefiftythousandyoungwomeninEnglandwhoexactlyresembledthem。Deprivedofthisadvantage，however，Isabel’svisitorsretainedthatofanextremesweetnessandshynessofdemeanour，andofhaving，asshethought，eyeslikethebalancedbasins，thecirclesofornamentalwater，set，inparterres，amongthegeraniums。
They’renotmorbid，atanyrate，whatevertheyare，ourheroinesaidtoherself。andshedeemedthisagreatcharm，fortwoorthreeofthefriendsofhergirlhoodhadbeenregrettablyopentothecharge(theywouldhavebeensonicewithoutit)，tosaynothingofIsabel’shavingoccasionallysuspecteditasatendencyofherown。
TheMissesMolyneuxwerenotintheirfirstyouth，buttheyhadbright，freshcomplexionsandsomethingofthesmileofchildhood。
Yes，theireyes，whichIsabeladmired，wereround，quietandcontented，andtheirfigures，alsoofagenerousroundness，wereencasedinsealskinjackets。Theirfriendlinesswasgreat，sogreatthattheywerealmostembarrassedtoshowit。theyseemedsomewhatafraidoftheyoungladyfromtheothersideoftheworldandratherlookedthanspoketheirgoodwishes。ButtheymadeitcleartoherthattheyhopedshewouldcometoluncheonatLockleigh，wheretheylivedwiththeirbrother，andthentheymightseehervery，veryoften。Theywonderedifshewouldn’tcomeoversomedayandsleep：
theywereexpectingsomepeopleonthetwenty-ninth，soperhapsshewouldcomewhilethepeoplewerethere。
I’mafraiditisn’tanyoneveryremarkable，saidtheeldersister。butIdaresayyou’lltakeusasyoufindus。
Ishallfindyoudelightful。Ithinkyou’reenchantingjustasyouare，repliedIsabel，whooftenpraisedprofusely。
Hervisitorsflushed，andhercousintoldher，aftertheyweregone，thatifshesaidsuchthingstothosepoorgirlstheywouldthinkshewasinsomewild，freemannerpractisingonthem：hewassureitwasthefirsttimetheyhadbeencalledenchanting。
Ican’thelpit，Isabelanswered。Ithinkit’slovelytobesoquietandreasonableandsatisfied。Ishouldliketobelikethat。
Heavenforbid！criedRalphwithardour。
Imeantotryandimitatethem，saidIsabel。Iwantverymuchtoseethemathome。
Shehadthispleasureafewdayslater，when，withRalphandhismother，shedroveovertoLockleigh。ShefoundtheMissesMolyneuxsittinginavastdrawing-room(sheperceivedafterwardsitwasoneofseveral)inawildernessoffadedchintz。theyweredressedonthisoccasioninblackvelveteen。IsabellikedthemevenbetterathomethanshehaddoneatGardencourt，andwasmorethaneverstruckwiththefactthattheywerenotmorbid。Ithadseemedtoherbeforethatiftheyhadafaultitwasawantofplayofmind。butshepresentlysawtheywerecapableofdeepemotion。Beforeluncheonshewasalonewiththemforsometime，ononesideoftheroom，whileLordWarburton，atadistance，talkedtoMrs。Touchett。
Isittrueyourbrother’ssuchagreatradical？Isabelasked。
Sheknewitwastrue，butwehaveseenthatherinterestinhumannaturewaskeen，andshehadadesiretodrawtheMissesMolyneuxout。
Ohdear，yes。he’simmenselyadvanced，saidMildred，theyoungersister。
AtthesametimeWarburton’sveryreasonable。MissMolyneuxobserved。
Isabelwatchedhimamomentattheothersideoftheroom。hewasclearlytryinghardtomakehimselfagreeabletoMrs。Touchett。
RalphhadmetthefrankadvancesofoneofthedogsbeforethefirethatthetemperatureofanEnglishAugust，intheancientexpanses，hadnotmadeanimpertinence。Doyousupposeyourbrother’ssincere？
Isabelenquiredwithasmile。
Oh，hemustbe，youknow！Mildredexclaimedquickly，whiletheeldersistergazedatourheroineinsilence。
Doyouthinkhewouldstandthetest？
Thetest？
Imeanforinstancehavingtogiveupallthis。
HavingtogiveupLockleigh？saidMissMolyneux，findinghervoice。
Yes，andtheotherplaces。whataretheycalled？
Thetwosistersexchangedanalmostfrightenedglance。Doyoumean-
doyoumeanonaccountoftheexpense？theyoungeroneasked。
Idaresayhemightletoneortwoofhishouses，saidtheother。
Letthemfornothing？Isabeldemanded。
Ican’tfancyhisgivinguphisproperty，saidMissMolyneux。
Ah，I’mafraidheisanimpostor！Isabelreturned。Don’tyouthinkit’safalseposition？
Hercompanions，evidently，hadlostthemselves。Mybrotherposition？MissMolyneuxenquired。
It’sthoughtaverygoodposition，saidtheyoungersister。
It’sthefirstpositioninthispartofthecountry。
Idaresayyouthinkmeveryirreverent，Isabeltookoccasiontoremark。Isupposeyourevereyourbrotherandareratherafraidofhim。
Ofcourseonelooksuptoone’sbrother，saidMissMolyneuxsimply。
Ifyoudothathemustbeverygood-becauseyou，evidently，arebeautifullygood。
He’smostkind。Itwillneverbeknown，thegoodhedoes。
Hisabilityisknown，Mildredadded。everyonethinksit’simmense。
Oh，Icanseethat，saidIsabel。ButifIwereheIshouldwishtofighttothedeath：Imeanfortheheritageofthepast。Ishouldholdittight。
Ithinkoneoughttobeliberal，Mildredarguedgently。We’vealwaysbeenso，evenfromtheearliesttimes。
Ahwell，saidIsabel，you’vemadeagreatsuccessofit。I
don’twonderyoulikeit。Iseeyou’reveryfondofcrewels。
WhenLordWarburtonshowedherthehouse，afterluncheon，seemedtoheramatterofcoursethatitshouldbeanoblepicture。Within，ithadbeenagooddealmodernized-someofitsbestpointshadlosttheirpurity。butastheysawitfromthegardens，astoutgreypile，ofthesoftest，deepest，mostweather-frettedhue，risingfromabroad，stillmoat，itaffectedtheyoungvisitorasacastleinalegend。Thedaywascoolandratherlustreless。thefirstnoteofautumnhadbeenstruck，andthewaterysunshinerestedonthewallsinblurredanddesultorygleams，washingthem，asitwere，inplacestenderlychosen，wheretheacheofantiquitywaskeenest。Herhost’sbrother，theVicar，hadcometoluncheon，andIsabelhadhadfiveminutes’talkwithhim-timeenoughtoinstituteasearchforarichecclesiasticismandgiveitupasvain。ThemarksoftheVicarofLockleighwereabig，athleticfigure，acandid，naturalcountenance，acapaciousappetiteandatendencytoindiscriminatelaughter。Isabellearnedafterwardsfromhercousinthatbeforetakingordershehadbeenamightywrestlerandthathewasstill，onoccasion-intheprivacyofthefamilycircleasitwere-quitecapableofflooringhisman。Isabellikedhim-shewasinthemoodforlikingeverything。butherimaginationwasagooddealtaxedtothinkofhimasasourceofspiritualaid。Thewholeparty，onleavinglunch，wenttowalkinthegrounds。butLordWarburtonexercisedsomeingenuityinengaginghisleastfamiliarguestinastrollapartfromtheothers。
Iwishyoutoseetheplaceproperly，seriously，hesaid。Youcan’tdosoifyourattentionisdistractedbyirrelevantgossip。Hisownconversation(thoughhetoldIsabelagooddealaboutthehouse，whichhadaverycurioushistory)wasnotpurelyarchaeological。herevertedatintervalstomattersmorepersonal-matterspersonaltotheyoungladyaswellastohimself。Butatlast，afterapauseofsomeduration，returningforamomenttotheirostensibletheme，Ah，well，hesaid，I’mverygladindeedyouliketheoldbarrack。I
wishyoucouldseemoreofit-thatyoucouldstayhereawhile。Mysistershavetakenanimmensefancytoyou-ifthatwouldbeanyinducement。
There’snowantofinducements，Isabelanswered。butI’mafraidI
can’tmakeengagements。I’mquiteinmyaunt’shands。
Ah，pardonmeifIsayIdon’texactlybelievethat。I’mprettysureyoucandowhateveryouwant。
I’msorryifImakethatimpressiononyou。Idon’tthinkit’saniceimpressiontomake。
Ithasthemeritofpermittingmetohope。AndLordWarburtonpausedamoment。
Tohopewhat？
ThatinfutureImayseeyouoften。
Ah，saidIsabel，toenjoythatpleasureIneedn’tbesoterriblyemancipated。
Doubtlessnot。andyet，atthesametime，Idon’tthinkyourunclelikesme。
You’reverymuchmistaken。I’veheardhimspeakveryhighlyofyou。
I’mgladyouhavetalkedaboutme，saidLordWarburton。But，I
neverthelessdon’tthinkhe’dlikemetokeepcomingtoGardencourt。
Ican’tanswerformyuncle’stastes，thegirlrejoined，thoughI
oughtasfaraspossibletotakethemintoaccount。ButformyselfI
shallbeverygladtoseeyou。
Nowthat’swhatIliketohearyousay。I’mcharmedwhenyousaythat。
You’reeasilycharmed，mylord，saidIsabel。
No，I’mnoteasilycharmed！Andthenhestoppedamoment。Butyou’vecharmedme，MissArcher。
Thesewordswereutteredwithanindefinablesoundwhichstartledthegirl。itstruckherasthepreludetosomethinggrave：shehadheardthesoundbeforeandsherecognizedit。Shehadnowish，however，thatforthemomentsuchapreludeshouldhaveasequel，andshesaidasgailyaspossibleandasquicklyasanappreciabledegreeofagitationwouldallowher：I’mafraidthere’snoprospectofmybeingabletocomehereagain。
Never？saidLordWarburton。
Iwon’tsay’never’。Ishouldfeelverymelodramatic。
MayIcomeandseeyouthensomedaynextweek？
Mostassuredly。Whatistheretopreventit？
Nothingtangible。ButwithyouIneverfeelsafe。I’veasortofsensethatyou’realwayssummingpeopleup。
Youdon’tofnecessitylosebythat。
It’sverykindofyoutosayso。but，evenifIgain，sternjusticeisnotwhatImostlove。IsMrs。Touchettgoingtotakeyouabroad？
Ihopeso。
IsEnglandnotgoodenoughforyou？
That’saveryMachiavellianspeech。itdoesn’tdeserveananswer。I
wanttoseeasmanycountriesasIcan。
Thenyou’llgoonjudging，Isuppose。
Enjoying，Ihope，too。
Yes，that’swhatyouenjoymost。Ican’tmakeoutwhatyou’reupto，saidLordWarburton。Youstrikemeashavingmysteriouspurposes-vastdesigns。
You’resogoodastohaveatheoryaboutmewhichIdon’tatallfillout。Isthereanythingmysteriousinapurposeentertainedandexecutedeveryyear，inthemostpublicmanner，byfiftythousandofmyfellow-countrymen-thepurposeofimprovingone’smindbyforeigntravel？
Youcan’timproveyourmind，MissArcher，hercompaniondeclared。It’salreadyamostformidableinstrument。Itlooksdownonusall。itdespisesus。
Despisesyou？You’remakingfunofme，saidIsabelseriously。
Well，youthinkus’quaint’-that’sthesamething。Iwon’tbethought’quaint，’tobeginwith。I’mnotsointheleast。Iprotest。
ThatprotestisoneofthequaintestthingsI’veeverheard，
Isabelansweredwithasmile。
LordWarburtonwasbrieflysilent。Youjudgeonlyfromtheoutside-
youdon’tcare，hesaidpresently。Youonlycaretoamuseyourself。
Thenoteshehadheardinhisvoiceamomentbeforereappeared，andmixedwithitnowwasanaudiblestrainofbitterness-abitternesssoabruptandinconsequentthatthegirlwasafraidshehadhurthim。ShehadoftenheardthattheEnglishareahighlyeccentricpeople，andshehadevenreadinsomeingeniousauthorthattheyareatbottomthemostromanticofraces。WasLordWarburtonsuddenlyturningromantic-washegoingtomakeherascene，inhisownhouse，onlythethirdtimetheyhadmet？Shewasreassuredquicklyenoughbyhersenseofhisgreatgoodmanners，whichwasnotimpairedbythefactthathehadalreadytouchedthefurthestlimitofgoodtasteinexpressinghisadmirationofayoungladywhohadconfidedinhishospitality。Shewasrightintrustingtohisgoodmanners，forhepresentlywenton，laughingalittleandwithoutatraceoftheaccentthathaddiscomposedher：Idon’tmeanofcoursethatyouamuseyourselfwithtrifles。Youselectgreatmaterials。thefoibles，theafflictionsofhumannature，thepeculiaritiesofnations！
Asregardsthat，saidIsabel，Ishouldfindinmyownnationentertainmentforalifetime。Butwe’vealongdrive，andmyauntwillsoonwishtostart。SheturnedbacktowardtheothersandLordWarburtonwalkedbesideherinsilence。Butbeforetheyreachedtheothers，Ishallcomeandseeyounextweek，hesaid。
Shehadreceivedanappreciableshock，butasitdiedawayshefeltthatshecouldn’tpretendtoherselfthatitwasaltogetherapainfulone。Neverthelessshemadeanswertohisdeclaration，coldlyenough，Justasyouplease。Andhercoldnesswasnotthecalculationofhereffect-agamesheplayedinamuchsmallerdegreethanwouldhaveseemedprobabletomanycritics。Itcamefromacertainfear。
CHAPTER10
ThedayafterhervisittoLockleighshereceivedanotefromherfriendMissStackpole-anoteofwhichtheenvelope，exhibitinginconjunctionthepostmarkofLiverpoolandtheneatcalligraphyofthequick-fingeredHenrietta，causedhersomelivelinessofemotion。
HereIam，mylovelyfriend，MissStackpolewrote。Imanagedtogetoffatlast。IdecidedonlythenightbeforeIleftNewYork-theInterviewerhavingcomeroundtomyfigure。Iputafewthingsintoabag，likeaveteranjournalist，andcamedowntothesteamerinastreet-car。Whereareyouandwherecanwemeet？Isupposeyou’revisitingatsomecastleorotherandhavealreadyacquiredthecorrectaccent。Perhapsevenyouhavemarriedalord。Ialmosthopeyouhave，forIwantsomeintroductionstothefirstpeopleandshallcountonyouforafew。TheInterviewerwantssomelightonthenobility。Myfirstimpressions(ofthepeopleatlarge)arenotrose-coloured。butIwishtotalkthemoverwithyou，andyouknowthat，whateverIam，atleastI’mnotsuperficial。I’vealsosomethingveryparticulartotellyou。Doappointameetingasquicklyasyoucan。cometoLondon(Ishouldlikesomuchtovisitthesightswithyou)orelseletmecometoyou，whereveryouare。Iwilldosowithpleasure。foryouknoweverythinginterestsmeandIwishtoseeasmuchaspossibleoftheinnerlife。
Isabeljudgedbestnottoshowthislettertoheruncle。butsheacquaintedhimwithitspurport，and，assheexpected，hebeggedherinstantlytoassureMissStackpole，inhisname，thatheshouldbedelightedtoreceiveheratGardencourt。Thoughshe’saliterarylady，hesaid，Isupposethat，beinganAmerican，shewon’tshowmeup，asthatotheronedid。Shehasseenotherslikeme。
Shehasseennoothersodelightful！Isabelanswered。butshewasnotaltogetherateaseaboutHenrietta’sreproductiveinstincts，whichbelongedtothatsideofherfriend’scharacterwhichsheregardedwithleastcomplacency。ShewrotetoMissStackpole，however，thatshewouldbeverywelcomeunderMr。Touchett’sroof。andthisalertyoungwomanlostnotimeinannouncingherpromptapproach。
ShehadgoneuptoLondon，anditwasfromthatcentrethatshetookthetrainforthestationnearesttoGardencourt，whereIsabelandRalphwereinwaitingtoreceiveher。
ShallIloveherorshallIhateher？Ralphaskedwhiletheymovedalongtheplatform。
Whicheveryoudowillmatterverylittletoher，saidIsabel。Shedoesn’tcareastrawwhatmenthinkofher。
AsamanI’mboundtodislikeherthen。Shemustbeakindofmonster。Issheveryugly？
No，she’sdecidedlypretty。
Afemaleinterviewer-areporterinpetticoats？I’mverycurioustoseeher，Ralphconceded。
It’sveryeasytolaughatherbutitisnoteasytobeasbraveasshe。
Ishouldthinknot。crimesofviolenceandattacksonthepersonrequiremoreorlesspluck。Doyousupposeshe’llinterviewme？
Neverintheworld。She’llnotthinkyouofenoughimportance。
You’llsee，saidRalph。She’llsendadescriptionofusall，includingBunchie，tohernewspaper。
Ishallaskhernotto，Isabelanswered。
Youthinkshe’scapableofitthen？
Perfectly。
Andyetyou’vemadeheryourbosom-friend？
I’venotmadehermybosom-friend。butIlikeherinspiteofherfaults。
Ahwell，saidRalph，I’mafraidIshalldislikeherinspiteofhermerits。
You’llprobablyfallinlovewithherattheendofthreedays。
Andhavemylove-letterspublishedintheInterviewer？Never！
criedtheyoungman。
Thetrainpresentlyarrived，andMissStackpole，promptlydescending，proved，asIsabelhadpromised，quitedelicately，eventhoughratherprovincially，fair。Shewasaneat，plumpperson，ofmediumstature，witharoundface，asmallmouth，adelicatecomplexion，abunchoflightbrownringletsatthebackofherheadandapeculiarlyopen，surprised-lookingeye。Themoststrikingpointinherappearancewastheremarkablefixednessofthisorgan，whichrestedwithoutimpudenceordefiance，butasifinconscientiousexerciseofanaturalright，uponeveryobjectithappenedtoencounter。ItrestedinthismanneruponRalphhimself，alittlearrestedbyMissStackpole’sgraciousandcomfortableaspect，whichhintedthatitwouldn’tbesoeasyashehadassumedtodisapproveofher。Sherustled，sheshimmered，infresh，dove-coloureddraperies，andRalphsawataglancethatshewasascrispandnewandcomprehensiveasafirstissuebeforethefolding。Fromtoptotoeshehadprobablynomisprint。Shespokeinaclear，highvoice-avoicenotrichbutloud。yetaftershehadtakenherplacewithhercompanionsinMr。Touchett’scarriageshestruckhimasnotallinthelargetype，thetypeofhorridheadings，thathehadexpected。SheansweredtheenquiriesmadeofherbyIsabel，however，andinwhichtheyoungmanventuredtojoin，withcopiouslucidity。andlater，inthelibraryatGardencourt，whenshehadmadetheacquaintanceofMr。Touchett(hiswifenothavingthoughtitnecessarytoappear)
didmoretogivethemeasureofherconfidenceinherpowers。
Well，IshouldliketoknowwhetheryouconsideryourselvesAmericanorEnglish，shebrokeout。IfonceIknewIcouldtalktoyouaccordingly。
Talktousanyhowandweshallbethankful，Ralphliberallyanswered。
Shefixedhereyesonhim，andtherewassomethingintheircharacterthatremindedhimoflargepolishedbuttons-buttonsthatmighthavefixedtheelasticloopsofsometensereceptacle：heseemedtoseethereflectionofsurroundingobjectsonthepupil。Theexpressionofabuttonisnotusuallydeemedhuman，buttherewassomethinginMissStackpole’sgazethatmadehim，asaverymodestman，feelvaguelyembarrassed-lessinviolate，moredishonoured，thanheliked。Thissensation，itmustbeadded，afterhehadspentadayortwoinhercompany，sensiblydiminished，thoughitneverwhollylapsed。Idon’tsupposethatyou’regoingtoundertaketopersuademethatyou’reanAmerican，shesaid。
TopleaseyouI’llbeanEnglishman，I’llbeaTurk！
Well，ifyoucanchangeaboutthatwayyou’reverywelcome，MissStackpolereturned。
I’msureyouunderstandeverythingandthatdifferencesofnationalityarenobarriertoyou，Ralphwenton。
MissStackpolegazedathimstill。Doyoumeantheforeignlanguages？
Thelanguagesarenothing。Imeanthespirit-thegenius。
I’mnotsurethatIunderstandyou，saidthecorrespondentoftheInterviewer。butIexpectIshallbeforeIleave。
He’swhat’scalledacosmopolite，Isabelsuggested。
Thatmeanshe’salittleofeverythingandnotmuchofany。I
mustsayIthinkpatriotismislikecharity-itbeginsathome。
Ah，butwheredoeshomebegin，MissStackpole？Ralphenquired。
Idon’tknowwhereitbegins，butIknowwhereitends。ItendedalongtimebeforeIgothere。
Don’tyoulikeitoverhere？askedMr。Touchettwithhisaged，innocentvoice。
Well，sir，Ihaven’tquitemadeupmymindwhatgroundIshalltake。Ifeelagooddealcramped。IfeltitonthejourneyfromLiverpooltoLondon。
Perhapsyouwereinacrowdedcarriage，Ralphsuggested。
Yes，butitwascrowdedwithfriends-apartyofAmericanswhoseacquaintanceIhadmadeuponthesteamer。alovelygroupfromLittleRock，Arkansas。InspiteofthatIfeltcramped-Ifeltsomethingpressinguponme。Icouldn’ttellwhatitwas。IfeltattheverycommencementasifIwerenotgoingtoaccordwiththeatmosphere。ButIsupposeIshallmakemyownatmosphere。That’sthetrueway-thenyoucanbreathe。Yoursurroundingsseemveryattractive。
Ah，wetooarealovelygroup！saidRalph。Waitalittleandyou’llsee。
MissStackpoleshowedeverydispositiontowaitandevidentlywaspreparedtomakeaconsiderablestayatGardencourt。Sheoccupiedherselfinthemorningswithliterarylabour。butinspiteofthisIsabelspentmanyhourswithherfriend，who，onceherdailytaskperformed，deprecated，infactdefied，isolation。Isabelspeedilyfoundoccasiontodesirehertodesistfromcelebratingthecharmsoftheircommonsojourninprint，havingdiscovered，onthesecondmorningofMissStackpole’svisit，thatshewasengagedonalettertotheInterviewer，ofwhichthetitle，inherexquisitelyneatandlegiblehand(exactlythatofthecopybookswhichourheroinerememberedatschool)wasAmericansandTudors-GlimpsesofGardencourt。MissStackpole，withthebestconscienceintheworld，offeredtoreadherlettertoIsabel，whoimmediatelyputinherprotest。
Idon’tthinkyououghttodothat。Idon’tthinkyououghttodescribetheplace。
Henriettagazedatherasusual。Why，it’sjustwhatthepeoplewant，andit’salovelyplace。
It’stoolovelytobeputinthenewspapers，andit’snotwhatmyunclewants。
Don’tyoubelievethat！criedHenrietta。They’realwaysdelightedafterwards。
Myunclewon’tbedelighted-normycousineither。They’llconsideritabreachofhospitality。
MissStackpoleshowednosenseofconfusion。shesimplywipedherpen，veryneatly，uponanelegantlittleimplementwhichshekeptforthepurpose，andputawayhermanuscript。Ofcourseifyoudon’tapproveIwon’tdoit。butIsacrificeabeautifulsubject。
Thereareplentyofothersubjects，therearesubjectsallroundyou。We’lltakesomedrives。I’llshowyousomecharmingscenery。
Scenery’snotmydepartment。Ialwaysneedahumaninterest。YouknowI’mdeeplyhuman，Isabel。Ialwayswas，MissStackpolerejoined。
Iwasgoingtobringinyourcousin-thealienatedAmerican。
There’sagreatdemandjustnowforthealienatedAmerican，andyourcousin’sabeautifulspecimen。Ishouldhavehandledhimseverely。
Hewouldhavediedofit！Isabelexclaimed。Notoftheseverity，butofthepublicity。
Well，Ishouldhavelikedtokillhimalittle。AndIshouldhavedelightedtodoyouruncle，whoseemstomeamuchnoblertype-theAmericanfaithfulstill。He’sagrandoldman。Idon’tseehowhecanobjecttomypayinghimhonour。
Isabellookedathercompanioninmuchwonderment。itstruckherasstrangethatanatureinwhichshefoundsomuchtoesteemshouldbreakdownsoinspots。MypoorHenrietta，shesaid，you’venosenseofprivacy。
Henriettacoloureddeeply，andforamomentherbrillianteyesweresuffused，whileIsabelfoundhermorethaneverinconsequent。
Youdomegreatinjustice，saidMissStackpolewithdignity。I’veneverwrittenawordaboutmyself！
I’mverysureofthat。butitseemstomeoneshouldbemodestforothersalso！
Ah，that’sverygood！criedHenrietta，seizingherpenagain。
JustletmemakeanoteofitandI’llputitinsomewhere。Shewasathoroughlygood-naturedwoman，andhalfanhourlatershewasinascheerfulamoodasshouldhavebeenlookedforinanewspaper-ladyinwantofmatter。I’vepromisedtodothesocialside，shesaidtoIsabel。andhowcanIdoitunlessIgetideas？IfIcan’tdescribethisplacedon’tyouknowsomeplaceIcandescribe？
Isabelpromisedshewouldbethinkherself，andthenextday，inconversationwithherfriend，shehappenedtomentionhervisittoLordWarburton’sancienthouse。Ah，youmusttakemethere-that’sjusttheplaceforme！MissStackpolecried。Imustgetaglimpseofthenobility。
Ican’ttakeyou，saidIsabel。butLordWarburton’scominghere，andyou’llhaveachancetoseehimandobservehim。OnlyifyouintendtorepeathisconversationIshallcertainlygivehimwarning。
Don’tdothat，hercompanionpleaded。Iwanthimtobenatural。
AnEnglishman’sneversonaturalaswhenhe’sholdinghistongue，Isabeldeclared。
Itwasnotapparent，attheendofthreedays，thathercousinhad，accordingtoherprophecy，losthishearttotheirvisitor，thoughhehadspentagooddealoftimeinhersociety。Theystrolledabouttheparktogetherandsatunderthetrees，andintheafternoon，whenitwasdelightfultofloatalongtheThames，MissStackpoleoccupiedaplaceintheboatinwhichhithertoRalphhadhadbutasinglecompanion。HerpresenceprovedsomehowlessirreducibletosoftparticlesthanRalphhadexpectedinthenaturalperturbationofhissenseoftheperfectsolubilityofthatofhiscousin。forthecorrespondentoftheInterviewerpromptedmirthinhim，andhehadlongsincedecidedthatthecrescendoofmirthshouldbetheflowerofhisdecliningdays。Henrietta，onherside，failedalittletojustifyIsabel’sdeclarationwithregardtoherindifferencetomasculineopinion。forpoorRalphappearedtohavepresentedhimselftoherasanirritatingproblem，whichitwouldbealmostimmoralnottoworkout。
Whatdoeshedoforaliving？sheaskedofIsabeltheeveningofherarrival。Doeshegoroundalldaywithhishandsinhispockets？
Hedoesnothing，smiledIsabel。he’sagentlemanoflargeleisure。
Well，Icallthatashame-whenIhavetoworklikeacar-conductor，MissStackpolereplied。Ishouldliketoshowhimup。
He’sinwretchedhealth。he’squiteunfitforwork，Isabelurged。
Pshaw！don’tyoubelieveit。IworkwhenI’msick，criedherfriend。Later，whenshesteppedintotheboatonjoiningthewater-party，sheremarkedtoRalphthatshesupposedhehatedherandwouldliketodrownher。
Ahno，saidRalph，Ikeepmyvictimsforaslowertorture。Andyou’dbesuchaninterestingone！
Well，youdotortureme。Imaysaythat。ButIshockallyourprejudices。that’sonecomfort。
Myprejudices？Ihaven’taprejudicetoblessmyselfwith。
There’sintellectualpovertyforyou。
Themoreshametoyou。I’vesomedeliciousones。OfcourseI
spoilyourflirtation，orwhateveritisyoucallit，withyourcousin。butIdon’tcareforthat，asIrenderhertheserviceofdrawingyouout。She’llseehowthinyouare。
Ah，dodrawmeout！Ralphexclaimed。Sofewpeoplewilltakethetrouble。
MissStackpole，inthisundertaking，appearedtoshrinkfromnoeffort。resortinglargely，whenevertheopportunityoffered，tothenaturalexpedientofinterrogation。Onthefollowingdaytheweatherwasbad，andintheafternoontheyoungman，bywayofprovidingindooramusement，offeredtoshowherthepictures。Henriettastrolledthroughthelonggalleryinhissociety，whilehepointedoutitsprincipalornamentsandmentionedthepaintersandsubjects。MissStackpolelookedatthepicturesinperfectsilence，committingherselftonoopinion，andRalphwasgratifiedbythefactthatshedeliveredherselfofnoneofthelittleready-madeejaculationsofdelightofwhichthevisitorstoGardencourtweresofrequentlylavish。Thisyoungladyindeed，todoherjustice，wasbutlittleaddictedtotheuseofconventionalterms。therewassomethingearnestandinventiveinhertone，whichattimes，initsstraineddeliberation，suggestedapersonofhighculturespeakingaforeignlanguage。RalphTouchettsubsequentlylearnedthatshehadatonetimeofficiatedasart-critictoajournaloftheotherworld。butsheappeared，inspiteofthisfact，tocarryinherpocketnoneofthesmallchangeofadmiration。Suddenly，justafterhehadcalledherattentiontoacharmingConstable，sheturnedandlookedathimasifhehimselfhadbeenapicture。
Doyoualwaysspendyourtimelikethis？shedemanded。
Iseldomspenditsoagreeably。
Well，youknowwhatImean-withoutanyregularoccupation。
Ah，saidRalph，I’mtheidlestmanliving。
MissStackpoledirectedhergazetotheConstableagain，andRalphbespokeherattentionforasmallLancrethangingnearit，whichrepresentedagentlemaninapinkdoubletandhoseandaruff，leaningagainstthepedestalofthestatueofanymphinagardenandplayingtheguitartotwoladiesseatedonthegrass。That’smyidealofaregularoccupation，hesaid。
MissStackpoleturnedtohimagain，and，thoughhereyeshadresteduponthepicture，hesawshehadmissedthesubject。Shewasthinkingofsomethingmuchmoreserious。Idon’tseehowyoucanreconcileittoyourconscience。
Mydearlady，Ihavenoconscience！
Well，Iadviseyoutocultivateone。You’llneeditthenexttimeyougotoAmerica。
Ishallprobablynevergoagain。
Areyouashamedtoshowyourself？
Ralphmeditatedwithamildsmile。Isupposethatifonehasnoconscienceonehasnoshame。
Well，you’vegotplentyofassurance，Henriettadeclared。Doyouconsideritrighttogiveupyourcountry？
Ah，onedoesn’tgiveupone’scountryanymorethanonegivesupone’sgrandmother。They’rebothantecedenttochoice-elementsofone’scompositionthatarenottobeeliminated。
Isupposethatmeansthatyou’vetriedandbeenworsted。Whatdotheythinkofyouoverhere？
Theydelightinme。
That’sbecauseyoutruckletothem。
Ah，setitdownalittletomynaturalcharm！Ralphsighed。
Idon’tknowanythingaboutyournaturalcharm。Ifyou’vegotanycharmit’squiteunnatural。It’swhollyacquired-oratleastyou’vetriedhardtoacquireit，livingoverhere。Idon’tsayyou’vesucceeded。It’sacharmthatIdon’tappreciate，anyway。Makeyourselfusefulinsomeway，andthenwe’lltalkaboutit。
Well，now，tellmewhatIshalldo，saidRalph。
Gorighthome，tobeginwith。
Yes，Isee。Andthen？
Takerightholdofsomething。
Well，now，whatsortofthing？
Anythingyouplease，solongasyoutakehold。Somenewidea，somebigwork。
Isitverydifficulttotakehold？Ralphenquired。
Notifyouputyourheartintoit。
Ah，myheart，saidRalph。Ifitdependsuponmyheart-！
Haven’tyougotaheart？
Ihadoneafewdaysago，butI’velostitsince。
You’renotserious，MissStackpoleremarked。that’swhat’sthematterwithyou。Butforallthis，inadayortwo，sheagainpermittedhimtofixherattentionandonthelateroccasionassignedadifferentcausetohermysteriousperversity。
Iknowwhat’sthematterwithyou，Mr。Touchett，shesaid。Youthinkyou’retoogoodtogetmarried。
IthoughtsotillIknewyou，MissStackpole，Ralphanswered。andthenIsuddenlychangedmymind。
Ohpshaw！Henriettagroaned。
Thenitseemedtome，saidRalph，thatIwasnotgoodenough。
Itwouldimproveyou。Besides，it’syourduty。
Ah，criedtheyoungman，onehassomanyduties！Isthatadutytoo？
Ofcourseitis-didyouneverknowthatbefore？It’severyone’sdutytogetmarried。
Ralphmeditatedamoment。hewasdisappointed。TherewassomethinginMissStackpolehehadbeguntolike。itseemedtohimthatifshewasnotacharmingwomanshewasatleastaverygoodsort。Shewaswantingindistinction，but，asIsabelhadsaid，shewasbrave：
shewentintocages，sheflourishedlashes，likeaspangledlion-tamer。Hehadnotsupposedhertobecapableofvulgararts，buttheselastwordsstruckhimasafalsenote。Whenamarriageableyoungwomanurgesmatrimonyonanunencumberedyoungmanthemostobviousexplanationofherconductisnotthealtruisticimpulse。
Ah，wellnow，there’sagooddealtobesaidaboutthat，Ralphrejoined。
Theremaybe，butthat’stheprincipalthing。ImustsayIthinkitlooksveryexclusive，goingroundallalone，asifyouthoughtnowomanwasgoodenoughforyou。Doyouthinkyou’rebetterthananyoneelseintheworld？InAmericait’susualforpeopletomarry。
Ifit’smyduty，Ralphasked，isitnot，byanalogy，yoursaswell？
MissStackpole’socularsurfacesunwinkinglycaughtthesun。Haveyouthefondhopeoffindingaflawinmyreasoning？OfcourseI’veasgoodarighttomarryasanyoneelse。
Wellthen，saidRalph，Iwon’tsayitvexesmetoseeyousingle。
Itdelightsmerather。
You’renotseriousyet。Youneverwillbe。
ShallyounotbelievemetobesoonthedayItellyouIdesiretogiveupthepracticeofgoingaroundalone？
MissStackpolelookedathimforamomentinamannerwhichseemedtoannounceareplythatmighttechnicallybecalledencouraging。
Buttohisgreatsurprisethisexpressionsuddenlyresolveditselfintoanappearanceofalarmandevenofresentment。No，noteventhen，sheanswereddryly。Afterwhichshewalkedaway。
I’venotconceivedapassionforyourfriend，RalphsaidthateveningtoIsabel，thoughwetalkedsometimethismorningaboutit。
Andyousaidsomethingshedidn’tlike，thegirlreplied。
Ralphstared。Hasshecomplainedofme？
Shetoldmeshethinksthere’ssomethingverylowinthetoneofEuropeanstowardswomen。
DoesshecallmeaEuropean？
Oneoftheworst。ShetoldmeyouhadsaidtohersomethingthatanAmericanneverwouldhavesaid。Butshedidn’trepeatit。
Ralphtreatedhimselftoaluxuryoflaughter。She’sanextraordinarycombination。DidshethinkIwasmakinglovetoher？
No。IbelieveevenAmericansdothat。Butsheapparentlythoughtyoumistooktheintentionofsomethingshehadsaid，andputanunkindconstructiononit。
IthoughtshewasproposingmarriagetomeandIacceptedher。
Wasthatunkind？
Isabelsmiled。Itwasunkindtome。Idon’twantyoutomarry。
Mydearcousin，what’sonetodoamongyouall？Ralphdemanded。
MissStackpoletellsmeit’smyboundenduty，andthatit’shers，ingeneral，toseeIdomine！
Shehasagreatsenseofduty，saidIsabelgravely。Shehasindeed，andit’sthemotiveofeverythingshesays。That’swhatIlikeherfor。Shethinksit’sunworthyofyoutokeepsomanythingstoyourself。That’swhatshewantedtoexpress。Ifyouthoughtshewastryingto-toattractyou，youwereverywrong。
It’strueitwasanoddway，butIdidthinkshewastryingtoattractme。Forgivemydepravity。
You’reveryconceited。Shehadnointerestedviews，andneversupposedyouwouldthinkshehad。
Onemustbeverymodestthentotalkwithsuchwomen，Ralphsaidhumbly。Butit’saverystrangetype。She’stoopersonal-consideringthatsheexpectsotherpeoplenottobe。Shewalksinwithoutknockingatthedoor。
Yes，Isabeladmitted，shedoesn’tsufficientlyrecognizetheexistenceofknockers。andindeedI’mnotsurethatshedoesn’tthinkthemratherapretentiousornament。Shethinksone’sdoorshouldstandajar。ButIpersistinlikingher。
Ipersistinthinkinghertoofamiliar，Ralphrejoined，naturallysomewhatuncomfortableunderthesenseofhavingbeendoublydeceivedinMissStackpole。
Well，saidIsabel，smiling，I’mafraidit’sbecauseshe’srathervulgarthatIlikeher。
Shewouldbeflatteredbyyourreason！
IfIshouldtellherIwouldn’texpressitinthatway。Ishouldsayit’sbecausethere’ssomethingofthe’people’inher。
Whatdoyouknowaboutthepeople？andwhatdoesshe，forthatmatter？
Sheknowsagreatdeal，andIknowenoughtofeelthatshe’sakindofemanationofthegreatdemocracy-ofthecontinent，thecountry，thenation。Idon’tsaythatshesumsitallup，thatwouldbetoomuchtoaskofher。Butshesuggestsit。shevividlyfiguresit。
Youlikeherthenforpatrioticreasons。I’mafraiditisonthoseverygroundsIobjecttoher。
Ah，saidIsabelwithakindofjoyoussigh，Ilikesomanythings！IfathingstrikesmewithacertainintensityIacceptit。
Idon’twanttoswagger，butIsupposeI’mratherversatile。IlikepeopletobetotallydifferentfromHenrietta-inthestyleofLordWarburton’ssistersforinstance。SolongasIlookattheMissesMolyneuxtheyseemtometoanswerakindofideal。ThenHenriettapresentsherself，andI’mstraightwayconvincedbyher。notsomuchinrespecttoherselfasinrespecttowhatmassesbehindher。
Ah，youmeanthebackviewofher，Ralphsuggested。
Whatshesaysistrue，hiscousinanswered。you’llneverbeserious。Ilikethegreatcountrystretchingawaybeyondtheriversandacrosstheprairies，bloomingandsmiling，andspreadingtillitstopsatthegreenPacific！Astrong，sweet，freshodourseemstorisefromit，andHenrietta-pardonmysimile-hassomethingofthatodourinhergarments。
Isabelblushedalittleassheconcludedthisspeech，andtheblush，togetherwiththemomentaryardourshehadthrownintoit，wassobecomingtoherthatRalphstoodsmilingatherforamomentaftershehadceasedspeaking。I’mnotsurethePacific’ssogreenasthat，hesaid。butyou’reayoungwomanofimagination。Henrietta，however，doessmelloftheFuture-italmostknocksonedown！
返回顶部