Page 786 - the-portrait-of-a-lady

‘That’s what I say to myself. What does it matter? But I
should like to come out.’
‘I wish indeed you might.’
‘Don’t leave me here,’ Pansy went on gently.
Isabel said nothing for a minute; her heart beat fast. ‘Will
you come away with me now?’ she asked.
Pansy looked at her pleadingly. ‘Did papa tell you to
bring me?’
‘No; it’s my own proposal.’
‘I think I had better wait then. Did papa send me no mes-
sage?’
‘I don’t think he knew I was coming.’
‘He thinks I’ve not had enough,’ said Pansy. ‘But I have.
The ladies are very kind to me and the little girls come to
see me. There are some very little ones-such charming chil-
dren. Then my room-you can see for yourself. All that’s very
delightful. But I’ve had enough. Papa wished me to think a
little-and I’ve thought a great deal.’
‘What have you thought?’
‘Well, that I must never displease papa.’
‘You knew that before.’
‘Yes; but I know it better. I’ll do anything-I’ll do any-
thing,’ said Pansy. Then, as she heard her own words, a deep,
pure blush came into her face. Isabel read the meaning of it;
she saw the poor girl had been vanquished. It was well that
Mr. Edward Rosier had kept his enamels! Isabel looked into
her eyes and saw there mainly a prayer to be treated easily.
She laid her hand on Pansy’s as if to let her know that her
look conveyed diminution of esteem; for the collapse of the

786 The Portrait of a Lady