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Henrietta. ‘When does Mr. Goodwood return to America?’
‘I don’t know—he didn’t tell me.’
‘Perhaps you didn’t enquire,’ said Henrietta with the note
of righteous irony.
‘I gave him too little satisfaction to have the right to ask
questions of him.’
This assertion seemed to Miss Stackpole for a moment
to bid defiance to comment; but at last she exclaimed: ‘Well,
Isabel, if I didn’t know you I might think you were heart-
less!’
‘Take care,’ said Isabel; ‘you’re spoiling me.’
‘I’m afraid I’ve done that already. I hope, at least,’ Miss
Stackpole added, ‘that he may cross with Annie Climber!’
Isabel learned from her the next morning that she had
determined not to return to Gardencourt (where old Mr.
Touchett had promised her a renewed welcome), but to await
in London the arrival of the invitation that Mr. Bantling had
promised her from his sister Lady Pensil. Miss Stackpole
related very freely her conversation with Ralph Touchett’s
sociable friend and declared to Isabel that she really believed
she had now got hold of something that would lead to some-
thing. On the receipt of Lady Pensil’s letter—Mr. Bantling
had virtually guaranteed the arrival of this document—she
would immediately depart for Bedfordshire, and if Isabel
cared to look out for her impressions in the Interviewer she
would certainly find them. Henrietta was evidently going to
see something of the inner life this time.
‘Do you know where you’re drifting, Henrietta Stack-
pole?’ Isabel asked, imitating the tone in which her friend

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