Page 189 - the-portrait-of-a-lady

so, too, Miss Molyneux—she wouldn’t commit herself. You
have been warned, anyway,’ Henrietta continued, address-
ing this young lady; ‘but for you it wasn’t necessary.’
‘I hope not,’ said Miss Molyneux vaguely.
‘Miss Stackpole takes notes,’ Ralph soothingly explained.
‘She’s a great satirist; she sees through us all and she works
us up.’
‘Well, I must say I never have had such a collection of
had material!’ Henrietta declared, looking from Isabel to
Lord Warburton and from this nobleman to his sister and
to Ralph. ‘There’s something the matter with you all; you’re
as dismal as if you had got a bad cable.’
‘You do see through us, Miss Stackpole,’ said Ralph in
a low tone, giving her a little intelligent nod as he led the
party out of the gallery. ‘There’s something the matter with
us all.’
Isabel came behind these two; Miss Molyneux, who de-
cidedly liked her immensely, had taken her arm, to walk
beside her over the polished floor. Lord Warburton strolled
on the other side with his hands behind him and his eyes
lowered. For some moments he said nothing; and then, ‘Is it
true you’re going to London?’ he asked.
‘I believe it has been arranged.’
‘And when shall you come back?’
‘In a few days; but probably for a very short time. I’m go-
ing to Paris with my aunt.’
‘When, then, shall I see you again?’
‘Not for a good while,’ said Isabel. ‘But some day or other,
I hope.’

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