Page 596 - the-portrait-of-a-lady

This was more offensive still; but she felt the great natu-
ralness of his saying it, and it was after all extremely like
what she had said to herself. ‘Why should I have influence?’
she asked. ‘What have I ever done to put him under an ob-
ligation to me?’
‘You refused to marry him,’ said Osmond with his eyes
on his book.
‘I must not presume too much on that,’ she replied.
He threw down the book presently and got up, standing
before the fire with his hands behind him. ‘Well, I hold that
it lies in your hands. I shall leave it there. With a little good-
will you may manage it. Think that over and remember how
much I count on you.’ He waited a little, to give her time to
answer; but she answered nothing, and he presently strolled
out of the room.

596 The Portrait of a Lady