Page 720 - the-portrait-of-a-lady

There was absolutely no appearance of one. She met his eyes
with her clear hospitable smile, which seemed almost to ask
that he would come and help her to entertain some of her
visitors. To such suggestions, however, he opposed but a stiff
impatience. He wandered about and waited; he talked to the
few people he knew, who found him for the first time rather
self-contradictory. This was indeed rare with Caspar Good-
wood, though he often contradicted others. There was often
music at Palazzo Roccanera, and it was usually very good.
Under cover of the music he managed to contain himself;
but toward the end, when he saw the people beginning to
go, he drew near to Isabel and asked her in a low tone if he
might not speak to her in one of the other rooms, which
he had just assured himself was empty. She smiled as if she
wished to oblige him but found herself absolutely prevent-
ed. ‘I’m afraid it’s impossible. People are saying good-night,
and I must be where they can see me.’
‘I shall wait till they are all gone then.’
She hesitated a moment.
‘Ah, that will be delightful!’ she exclaimed.
And he waited, though it took a long time yet. There
were several people, at the end, who seemed tethered to the
carpet. The Countess Gemini, who was never herself till
midnight, as she said, displayed no consciousness that the
entertainment was over; she had still a little circle of gentle-
men in front of the fire, who every now and then broke into
a united laugh. Osmond had disappeared—he never bade
good-bye to people; and as the Countess was extending her
range, according to her custom at this period of the eve-

720 The Portrait of a Lady