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ally care for your cousin here’s an opportunity to prove it. I
don’t expect you to understand her; that’s too much to ask.
But you needn’t do that to grant my favour. I’ll supply the
necessary intelligence.’
‘I shall enjoy that immensely!’ Ralph exclaimed. ‘I’ll be
Caliban and you shall be Ariel.’
‘You’re not at all like Caliban, because you’re sophis-
ticated, and Caliban was not. But I’m not talking about
imaginary characters; I’m talking about Isabel. Isabel’s
intensely real. What I wish to tell you is that I find her fear-
fully changed.’
‘Since you came, do you mean?’
‘Since I came and before I came. She’s not the same as she
once so beautifully was.’
‘As she was in America?’
‘Yes, in America. I suppose you know she comes from
there. She can’t help it, but she does.’
‘Do you want to change her back again?’
‘Of course I do, and I want you to help me.’
‘Ah,’ said Ralph, ‘I’m only Caliban; I’m not Prospero.’
‘You were Prospero enough to make her what she has be-
come. You’ve acted on Isabel Archer since she came here,
Mr. Touchett.’
‘I, my dear Miss Stackpole? Never in the world. Isabel
Archer has acted on me—yes; she acts on every one. But I’ve
been absolutely passive.’
‘You’re too passive then. You had better stir yourself
and be careful. Isabel’s changing every day; she’s drifting
away—right out to sea. I’ve watched her and I can see it.

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