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tion. If I had known he wished to marry you I’d never have
alluded to them. I think I said that as regards that position
he was rather a sceptic. It would have been in your power to
make him a believer.’
‘I think not. I don’t understand the matter, and I’m not
conscious of any mission of that sort. You’re evidently dis-
appointed,’ Isabel added, looking at her cousin with rueful
gentleness. ‘You’d have liked me to make such a marriage.’
‘Not in the least. I’m absolutely without a wish on the
subject. I don’t pretend to advise you, and I content myself
with watching youwith the deepest interest.’
She gave rather a conscious sigh. ‘I wish I could be as in-
teresting to myself as I am to you!’
‘There you’re not candid again; you’re extremely interest-
ing to yourself. Do you know, however,’ said Ralph, ‘that if
you’ve really given Warburton his final answer I’m rather
glad it has been what it was. I don’t mean I’m glad for you,
and still less of course for him. I’m glad for myself.’
‘Are you thinking of proposing to me?’
‘By no means. From the point of view I speak of that
would be fatal; I should kill the goose that supplies me with
the material of my inimitable omelettes. I use that animal
as the symbol of my insane illusions. What I mean is that I
shall have the thrill of seeing what a young lady does who
won’t marry Lord Warburton.’
‘That’s what your mother counts upon too,’ said Isabel.
‘Ah, there will be plenty of spectators! We shall hang on
the rest of your career. I shall not see all of it, but I shall
probably see the most interesting years. Of course if you

208 The Portrait of a Lady