Page 206 - the-portrait-of-a-lady

‘That’s to your glory.’
‘It’s not for that I say it.’
‘What then do you say it for? Not to prove that poor War-
burton’s state of mind’s superficial, because I’m pretty sure
you don’t think that.’
Isabel certainly was unable to say she thought it but pres-
ently she said something else. ‘If you’ve not been requested
by Lord Warburton to argue with me, then you’re doing it
disinterestedly—or for the love of argument.’
‘I’ve no wish to argue with you at all. I only wish to leave
you alone. I’m simply greatly interested in your own senti-
ments.’
‘I’m greatly obliged to you!’ cried Isabel with a slightly
nervous laugh.
‘Of course you mean that I’m meddling in what doesn’t
concern me. But why shouldn’t I speak to you of this mat-
ter without annoying you or embarrassing myself? What’s
the use of being your cousin if I can’t have a few privileges?
What’s the use of adoring you without hope of a reward if
I can’t have a few compensations? What’s the use of being
ill and disabled and restricted to mere spectatorship at the
game of life if I really can’t see the show when I’ve paid so
much for my ticket? Tell me this,’ Ralph went on while she
listened to him with quickened attention. ‘What had you in
mind when you refused Lord Warburton?’
‘What had I in mind?’
‘What was the logic—the view of your situation—that
dictated so remarkable an act?’
‘I didn’t wish to marry him—if that’s logic.’

206 The Portrait of a Lady