Page 779 - the-portrait-of-a-lady

that you’d come, and her father as well; still, I had not been
told other visitors were forbidden. The good woman-what’s
her name? Madame Catherine-made no objection whatev-
er. I stayed twenty minutes with Pansy; she has a charming
little room, not in the least conventual, with a piano and
flowers. She has arranged it delightfully; she has so much
taste. Of course it’s all none of my business, but I feel hap-
pier since I’ve seen her. She may even have a maid if she
likes; but of course she has no occasion to dress. She wears a
little black frock; she looks so charming. I went afterwards
to see Mother Catherine, who has a very good room too;
I assure you I don’t find the poor sisters at all monastic.
Mother Catherine has a most coquettish little toilet-table,
with something that looked uncommonly like a bottle of
eau-de-Cologne. She speaks delightfully of Pansy; says it’s
a great happiness for them to have her. She’s a little saint of
heaven and a model to the oldest of them. just as I was leav-
ing Madame Catherine the portress came to say to her that
there was a lady for the signorina. Of course I knew it must
be you, and I asked her to let me go and receive you in her
place. She demurred greatly-I must tell you that-and said it
was her duty to notify the Mother Superior; it was of such
high importance that you should be treated with respect. I
requested her to let the Mother Superior alone and asked
her how she supposed I would treat you!’
So Madame Merle went on, with much of the brillian-
cy of a woman who had long been a mistress of the art of
conversation. But there were phases and gradations in her
speech, not one of which was lost upon Isabel’s ear, though

779