Page 703 - the-portrait-of-a-lady

Chapter 48

One day, toward the end of February, Ralph Touchett
made up his mind to return to England. He had his own
reasons for this decision, which he was not bound to com-
municate; but Henrietta Stackpole, to whom he mentioned
his intention, flattered herself that she guessed them. She
forebore to express them, however; she only said, after a
moment, as she sat by his sofa:
‘I suppose you know you can’t go alone?’
‘I’ve no idea of doing that,’ Ralph answered. ‘I shall have
people with me.’
‘What do you mean by ‘people’? Servants whom you
pay?’
‘Ah,’ said Ralph jocosely, ‘after all, they’re human be-
ings.’
‘Are there any women among them?’ Miss Stackpole de-
sired to know.
‘You speak as if I had a dozen! No, I confess I haven’t a
soubrette in my employment.’
‘Well,’ said Henrietta calmly, ‘you can’t go to England
that way. You must have a woman’s care.’
‘I’ve had so much of yours for the past fortnight that it
will last me a good while.’
‘You’ve not had enough of it yet. I guess I’ll go with you,’
said Henrietta.

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