"He'd be very good to her," said Ralph."He has been good to her already. Fortunately, however, he has not said a word to disturb her. Hecould come and bid her good-bye to-morrow with perfect propriety.""How would your husband like that?""Not at all; and he may be right in not liking it. Only he must obtain satisfaction himself.""Has he commissioned you to obtain it?" Ralph ventured to ask."It was natural that as an old friend of Lord Warburton's--an older friend, that is, than Gilbert--Ishould take an interest in his intentions.""Take an interest in his renouncing them, you mean?"Isabel hesitated, frowning a little. "Let me understand. Are you pleading his cause?""Not in the least. I'm very glad he shouldn't become your stepdaughter's husband. It makes such avery queer relation to you!" said Ralph, smiling. "But I'm rather nervous lest your husband shouldthink you haven't pushed him enough."第 309 页 共 391 页原版英语阅读网Isabel found herself able to smile as well as he. "He knows me well enough not to have expectedme to push. He himself has no intention of pushing, I presume. I'm not afraid I shall not be able tojustify myself!" she said lightly.Her mask had dropped for an instant, but she had put it on again, to Ralph's infinitedisappointment. He had caught a glimpse of her natural face and he wished immensely to look intoit. He had an almost savage desire to hear her complain of her husband--hear her say that sheshould be held accountable for Lord Warburton's defection. Ralph was certain that this was hersituation; he knew by instinct, in advance, the form that in such an event Osmond's displeasurewould take. It could only take the meanest and cruellest. He would have liked to warn Isabel of it-tolet her see at least how he judged for her and how he knew. It little mattered that Isabel wouldknow much better; it was for his own satisfaction more than for hers that he longed to show her hewas not deceived. He tried and tried again to make her betray Osmond; he felt cold-blooded, cruel,dishonourable almost, in doing so. But it scarcely mattered, for be only failed. What had she comefor then, and why did she seem almost to offer him a chance to violate their tacit convention? Whydid she ask him his advice if she gave him no liberty to answer her? How could they talk of herdomestic embarrassments, as it pleased her humorously to designate them, if the principal factorwas not to be mentioned? These contradictions were themselves but an indication of her trouble,and her cry for help, just before, was the only thing he was bound to consider. "You'll be decidedlyat variance, all the same," he said in a moment. And as she answered nothing, looking as if shescarce understood, "You'll find yourselves thinking very differently," he continued."That may easily happen, among the most united couples!" She took up her parasol; he saw shewas nervous, afraid of what he might say. "It's a matter we can hardly quarrel about, however," sheadded; "for almost all the interest is on his side. That's very natural. Pansy's after all his daughter-notmine." And she put out her hand to wish him goodbye.Ralph took an inward resolution that she shouldn't leave him without his letting her know that heknew everything: it seemed too great an opportunity to lose. "Do you know what his interest willmake him say?" he asked as he took her hand. She shook her head, rather dryly--notdiscouragingly--and he went on. "It will make him say that your want of zeal is owing to jealousy."He stopped a moment; her face made him afraid."To jealousy?""To jealousy of his daughter."She blushed red and threw back her head. "You're not kind," she said in a voice that he had neverheard on her lips."Be frank with me and you'll see," he answered.But she made no reply; she only pulled her hand out of his own, which he tried still to hold, andrapidly withdrew from the room. She made up her mind to speak to Pansy, and she took anoccasion on the same day, going to the girl's room before dinner. Pansy was already dressed; shewas always in advance of the time: it seemed to illustrate her pretty patience and the gracefulstillness with which she could sit and wait. At present she was seated, in her fresh array, before thebed-room fire; she had blown out her candles on the completion of her toilet, in accordance withthe economical habits in which she had been brought up sand which she was now more careful第 310 页 共 391 页原版英语阅读网than ever to observe; so that the room was lighted only by a couple of logs. The rooms in PalazzoRoccanera were as spacious as they were numerous, and Pansy's virginal bower was an immensechamber with a dark, heavily-timbered ceiling. Its diminutive mistress, in the midst of it, appearedbut a speck of humanity, and as she got up, with quick deference, to welcome Isabel, the latter wasmore than ever struck with her shy sincerity. Isabel had a difficult task--the only thing was toperform it as simply as possible. She felt bitter and angry, but she warned herself against betrayingthis heat. She was afraid even of looking too grave, or at least too stern; she was afraid of causingalarm. Put Pansy seemed to have guessed she had come more or less as a confessor; for after shehad moved the chair in which she had been sitting a little nearer to the fire and Isabel had taken herplace in it, she kneeled down on a cushion in front of her, looking up and resting her clasped handson her stepmother's knees. What Isabel wished to do was to hear from her own lips that her mindwas not occupied with Lord Warburton; but if she desired the assurance she felt herself by nomeans at liberty to provoke it. The girl's father would have qualified this as rank treachery; andindeed Isabel knew that if Pansy should display the smallest germ of a disposition to encourageLord Warburton her own duty was to hold her tongue. It was difficult to interrogate withoutappearing to suggest; Pansy's supreme simplicity, an innocence even more complete than Isabelhad yet judged it, gave to the most tentative enquiry something of the effect of an admonition. Asshe knelt there in the vague firelight, with her pretty dress dimly shining, her hands folded half inappeal and half in submission, her soft eyes, raised and fixed, full of the seriousness of thesituation, she looked to Isabel like a childish martyr decked out for sacrifice and scarcelypresuming even to hope to avert it. When Isabel said to her that she had never yet spoken to her ofwhat might have been going on in relation to her getting married, but that her silence had not beenindifference or ignorance, had only been the desire to leave her at liberty, Pansy bent forward,raised her face nearer and nearer, and with a little murmur which evidently expressed a deeplonging, answered that she had greatly wished her to speak and that she begged her to advise hernow."It's difficult for me to advise you," Isabel returned. "I don't know how I can undertake that. That'sfor your father; you must get his advice and, above all, you must act on it."At this Pansy dropped her eyes; for a moment she said nothing. "I think I should like your advicebetter than papa's," she presently remarked."That's not as it should be," said Isabel coldly. "I love you very much, but your father loves youbetter.""It isn't because you love me--it's because you're a lady," Pansy answered with the air of sayingsomething very reasonable. "A lady can advise a young girl better than a man.""I advise you then to pay the greatest respect to your father's wishes.""Ah yes," said the child eagerly, "I must do that.""But if I speak to you now about your getting married it's not for your own sake, it's for mine,"Isabel went on. "If I try to learn from you what you expect, what you desire, it's only that I may actaccordingly."Pansy stared, and then very quickly, "Will you do everything I want?" she asked.第 311 页 共 391 页原版英语阅读网"Before I say yes I must know what such things are."Pansy presently told her that the only thing she wanted in life was to marry Mr. Rosier. He hadasked her and she had told him she would do so if her papa would allow it. Now her papa wouldn'tallow it."Very well then, it's impossible," Isabel pronounced."Yes, it's impossible," said Pansy without a sigh and with the same extreme attention in her clearlittle face."You must think of something else then," Isabel went on; but Pansy, sighing at this, told her thatshe had attempted that feat without the least success."You think of those who think of you," she said with a faint smile. "I know Mr. Rosier thinks ofme.""He ought not to," said Isabel loftily. "Your father has expressly requested he shouldn't.""He can't help it, because he knows I think of HIM.""You shouldn't think of him. There's some excuse for him, perhaps; but there's none for you.""I wish you would try to find one," the girl exclaimed as if she were praying to the Madonna."I should be very sorry to attempt it," said the Madonna with unusual frigidity. "If you knew someone else was thinking of you, would you think of him?""No one can think of me as Mr. Rosier does; no one has the right.""Ah, but I don't admit Mr. Rosier's right!" Isabel hypocritically cried.Pansy only gazed at her, evidently much puzzled; and Isabel, taking advantage of it, began torepresent to her the wretched consequences of disobeying her father. At this Pansy stopped herwith the assurance that she would never disobey him, would never marry without his consent. Andshe announced, in the serenest, simplest tone, that, though she might never marry Mr. Rosier, shewould never cease to think of him. She appeared to have accepted the idea of eternal singleness;but Isabel of course was free to reflect that she had no conception of its meaning. She wasperfectly sincere; she was prepared to give up her lover. This might seem an important step towardtaking another, but for Pansy, evidently, it failed to lead in that direction. She felt no bitternesstoward her father; there was no bitterness in her heart; there was only the sweetness of fidelity toEdward Rosier, and a strange, exquisite intimation that she could prove it better by remainingsingle than even by marrying him."Your father would like you to make a better marriage," said Isabel. "Mr. Rosier's fortune is not atall large.""How do you mean better--if that would be good enough? And I have myself so little money; whyshould I look for a fortune?""Your having so little is a reason for looking for more." With which Isabel was grateful for thedimness of the room; she felt as if her face were hideously insincere. It was what she was doing forOsmond; it was what one had to do for Osmond! Pansy's solemn eyes, fixed on her own, almostembarrassed her; she was ashamed to think she had made so light of the girl's preference."What should you like me to do?" her companion softly demanded.第 312 页 共 391 页原版英语阅读网The question was a terrible one, and Isabel took refuge in timorous vagueness. "To remember allthe pleasure it's in your power to give your father.""To marry some one else, you mean--if he should ask me?"For a moment Isabel's answer caused itself to be waited for; then she heard herself utter it in thestillness that Pansy's attention seemed to make. "Yes--to marry some one else."The child's eyes grew more penetrating; Isabel believed she was doubting her sincerity, and theimpression took force from her slowly getting up from her cushion. She stood there a moment withher small hands unclasped and then quavered out: "Well, I hope no one will ask me!""There has been a question of that. Some one else would have been ready to ask you.""I don't think he can have been ready," said Pansy."It would appear so if he had been sure he'd succeed.""If he had been sure? Then he wasn't ready!"Isabel thought this rather sharp; she also got up and stood a moment looking into the fire. "LordWarburton has shown you great attention," she resumed; "of course you know it's of him I speak."She found herself, against her expectation, almost placed in the position of justifying herself;which led her to introduce this nobleman more crudely than she had intended."He has been very kind to me, and I like him very much. But if you mean that he'll propose for meI think you're mistaken.""Perhaps I am. But your father would like it extremely."Pansy shook her head with a little wise smile. "Lord Warburton won't propose simply to pleasepapa.""Your father would like you to encourage him," Isabel went on mechanically."How can I encourage him?""I don't know. Your father must tell you that."Pansy said nothing for a moment; she only continued to smile as if she were in possession of abright assurance. "There's no danger--no danger!" she declared at last.There was a conviction in the way she said this, and a felicity in her believing it, which conducedto Isabel's awkwardness. She felt accused of dishonesty, and the idea was disgusting. To repair herself-respect she was on the point of saying that Lord Warburton had let her know that there was adanger. But she didn't; she only said--in her embarrassment rather wide of the mark--that he surelyhad been most kind, most friendly."Yes, he has been very kind," Pansy answered. "That's what I like him for.""Why then is the difficulty so great?""I've always felt sure of his knowing that I don't want--what did you say I should do?--toencourage him. He knows I don't want to marry, and he wants me to know that he therefore won'ttrouble me. That's the meaning of his kindness. It's as if he said to me: 'I like you very much, but ifit doesn't please you I'll never say it again.' I think that's very kind, very noble," Pansy went on第 313 页 共 391 页原版英语阅读网with deepening positiveness. "That is all we've said to each other. And he doesn't care for meeither. Ah no, there's no danger."Isabel was touched with wonder at the depths of perception of which this submissive little personwas capable; she felt afraid of Pansy's wisdom--began almost to retreat before it. "You must tellyour father that," she remarked reservedly."I think I'd rather not," Pansy unreservedly answered."You oughtn't to let him have false hopes.""Perhaps not; but it will be good for me that he should. So long as he believes that Lord Warburtonintends anything of the kind you say, papa won't propose any one else. And that will be anadvantage for me," said the child very lucidly.There was something brilliant in her lucidity, and it made her companion draw a long breath. Itrelieved this friend of a heavy responsibility. Pansy had a sufficient illumination of her own, andIsabel felt that she herself just now had no light to spare from her small stock. Nevertheless it stillclung to her that she must be loyal to Osmond, that she was on her honour in dealing with hisdaughter. Under the influence of this sentiment she threw out another suggestion before sheretired--a suggestion with which it seemed to her that she should have done her utmost."Your father takes for granted at least that you would like to marry a nobleman."Pansy stood in the open doorway; she had drawn back the curtain for Isabel to pass. "I think Mr.Rosier looks like one!" she remarked very gravely.CHAPTER XLVILord Warburton was not seen in Mrs. Osmond's drawing-room for several days, and Isabelcouldn't fail to observe that her husband said nothing to her about having received a letter fromhim. She couldn't fail to observe, either, that Osmond was in a state of expectancy and that, thoughit was not agreeable to him to betray it, he thought their distinguished friend kept him waiting quitetoo long. At the end of four days he alluded to his absence."What has become of Warburton? What does he mean by treating one like a tradesman with abill?""I know nothing about him," Isabel said. "I saw him last Friday at the German ball. He told methen that he meant to write to you.""He has never written to me.""So I supposed, from your not having told me.""He's an odd fish," said Osmond comprehensively. And on Isabel's making no rejoinder he wenton to enquire whether it took his lordship five days to indite a letter. "Does he form his words withsuch difficulty?""I don't know," Isabel was reduced to replying. "I've never had a letter from him.""Never had a letter? I had an idea that you were at one time in intimate correspondence."第 314 页 共 391 页原版英语阅读网She answered that this had not been the case, and let the conversation drop. On the morrow,however, coming into the drawing-room late in the afternoon, her husband took it up again."When Lord Warburton told you of his intention of writing what did you say to him?" he asked.She just faltered. "I think I told him not to forget it."Did you believe there was a danger of that?""As you say, he's an odd fish.""Apparently he has forgotten it," said Osmond. "Be so good as to remind him.""Should you like me to write to him?" she demanded."I've no objection whatever.""You expect too much of me.""Ah yes, I expect a great deal of you.""I'm afraid I shall disappoint you," said Isabel."My expectations have survived a good deal of disappointment.""Of course I know that. Think how I must have disappointed myself! If you really wish hands laidon Lord Warburton you must lay them yourself."For a couple of minutes Osmond answered nothing; then he said: "That won't be easy, with youworking against me."Isabel started; she felt herself beginning to tremble. He had a way of looking at her through half-closed eyelids, as if he were thinking of her but scarcely saw her, which seemed to her to have awonderfully cruel intention. It appeared to recognise her as a disagreeable necessity of thought, butto ignore her for the time as a presence. That effect had never been so marked as now. "I think youaccuse me of something very base," she returned."I accuse you of not being trustworthy. If he doesn't after all come forward it will be becauseyou've kept him off. I don't know that it's base: it is the kind of thing a woman always thinks shemay do. I've no doubt you've the finest ideas about it.""I told you I would do what I could," she went on."Yes, that gained you time."It came over her, after he had said this, that she had once thought him beautiful. "How much youmust want to make sure of him!" she exclaimed in a moment.She had no sooner spoken than she perceived the full reach of her words, of which she had notbeen conscious in uttering them. They made a comparison between Osmond and herself, recalledthe fact that she had once held this coveted treasure in her hand and felt herself rich enough to let itfall. A momentary exultation took possession of her--a horrible delight in having wounded him; forhis face instantly told her that none of the force of her exclamation was lost. He expressed nothingotherwise, however; he only said quickly: "Yes, I want it immensely."At this moment a servant came in to usher a visitor, and he was followed the next by LordWarburton, who received a visible check on seeing Osmond. He looked rapidly from the master ofthe house to the mistress; a movement that seemed to denote a reluctance to interrupt or even a第 315 页 共 391 页原版英语阅读网