Page 748 - the-portrait-of-a-lady

and smiling; he had evidently introduced himself, while the
Countess’s expressive back displayed to Isabel’s eye a gra-
cious inclination. These facts, none the less, were presently
lost to sight, for Isabel and Pansy took their places again in
the carriage. Pansy, who faced her stepmother, at first kept
her eyes fixed on her lap; then she raised them and rested
them on Isabel’s. There shone out of each of them a little
melancholy ray-a spark of timid passion which touched Isa-
bel to the heart. At the same time a wave of envy passed over
her soul, as she compared the tremulous longing, the defi-
nite ideal of the child with her own dry despair. ‘Poor little
Pansy!’ she affectionately said.
‘Oh never mind!’ Pansy answered in the tone of eager
apology.
And then there was a silence; the Countess was a long
time coming. ‘Did you show your aunt everything, and did
she enjoy it?’ Isabel asked at last.
‘Yes, I showed her everything. I think she was very much
pleased.’
‘And you’re not tired, I hope.’
‘Oh no, thank you, I’m not tired.’
The Countess still remained behind, so that Isabel re-
quested the footman to go into the Coliseum and tell her
they were waiting. He presently returned with the announce-
ment that the Signora Contessa begged them not to wait-she
would come home in a cab!’
About a week after this lady’s quick sympathies had en-
listed themselves with Mr. Rosier, Isabel, going rather late
to dress for dinner, found Pansy sitting in her room. The

748 The Portrait of a Lady