Page 684 - the-portrait-of-a-lady

Chapter 47

It was from Henrietta Stackpole that she learned how Cas-
par Goodwood had come to Rome; an event that took place
three days after Lord Warburton’s departure. This latter fact
had been preceded by an incident of mg I some importance
to Isabel-the temporary absence, once again, of Madame
Merle, who had gone to Naples to stay with a friend, the
happy possessor of a villa at Posilippo. Madame Merle had
ceased to minister to Isabel’s happiness, who found herself
wondering whether the most discreet of women might not
also by chance be the most dangerous. Sometimes, at night,
she had strange visions; she seemed to see her husband and
her friend-his friend-in dim, indistinguishable combina-
tion. It seemed to her that she had not done with her; this
lady had something in reserve. Isabel’s imagination ap-
plied itself actively to this elusive point, but every now and
then it was checked by a nameless dread, so that when the
charming woman was away from Rome she had almost a
consciousness of respite. She had already learned from Miss
Stackpole that Caspar Goodwood was in Europe, Henrietta
having written to make it known to her immediately after
meeting him in Paris. He himself never wrote to Isabel, and
though he was in Europe she thought it very possible he
might not desire to see her. Their last interview, before her
marriage, had had quite the character of a complete rupture;

684 The Portrait of a Lady