Page 653 - the-portrait-of-a-lady

Chapter 45

I have already had reason to say that Isabel knew her hus-
band to be displeased by the continuance of Ralph’s visit to
Rome. That knowledge was very present to her as she went
to her cousin’s hotel the day after she had invited Lord War-
burton to give a tangible proof of his sincerity; and at this
moment, as at others, she had a sufficient perception of the
sources of Osmond’s opposition. He wished her to have no
freedom of mind, and he knew perfectly well that Ralph was
an apostle of freedom. It was just because he was this, Isa-
bel said to herself, that it was a refreshment to go and see
him. It will be perceived that she partook of this refresh-
ment in spite of her husband’s aversion to it, that is partook
of it, as she flattered herself, discreetly. She had not as yet
undertaken to act in direct opposition to his wishes; he was
her appointed and inscribed master; she gazed at moments
with a sort of incredulous blankness at this fact. It weighed
upon her imagination, however; constantly present to her
mind were all the traditionary decencies and sanctities of
marriage. The idea of violating them filled her with shame
as well as with dread, for on giving herself away she had lost
sight of this contingency in the perfect belief that her hus-
band’s intentions were as generous as her own. She seemed
to see, none the less, the rapid approach of the day when she
should have to take back something she had solemnly be-

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