Page 826 - the-portrait-of-a-lady

condition of the grounds, which indeed was not what it
should be, while Lord Warburton hesitated a little. Isabel
fancied he had been on the point of asking about her hus-
band-rather confusedly-and then had checked himself. He
continued immitigably grave, either because he thought
it becoming in a place over which death had just passed,
or for more personal reasons. If he was conscious of per-
sonal reasons it was very fortunate that he had the cover of
the former motive; he could make the most of that. Isabel
thought of all this. It was not that his face was sad, for that
was another matter; but it was strangely inexpressive.
‘My sisters would have been so glad to come if they had
known you were still here-if they had thought you would
see them,’ Lord Warburton went on. ‘Do kindly let them see
you before you leave England.’
‘It would give me great pleasure; I have such a friendly
recollection of them.’
‘I don’t know whether you would come to Lockleigh for a
day or two? You know there’s always that old promise.’ And
his lordship coloured a little as he made this suggestion,
which gave his face a somewhat more familiar air. ‘Perhaps
I’m not right in saying that just now; of course you’re not
thinking of visiting. But I meant what would hardly be a
visit. My sisters are to be at Lockleigh at Whitsuntide for
five days; and if you could come then you say you’re not to
be very long in England-I would see that there should be lit-
erally no one else.’
Isabel wondered if not even the young lady he was to
marry would be there with her mamma; but she did not ex-

826 The Portrait of a Lady