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had spoken the night before.
‘I’m drifting to a big position—that of the Queen of
American Journalism. If my next letter isn’t copied all over
the West I’ll swallow my pen-wiper!’
She had arranged with her friend Miss Annie Climber,
the young lady of the continental offers, that they should go
together to make those purchases which were to constitute
Miss Climber’s farewell to a hemisphere in which she at least
had been appreciated; and she presently repaired to Jermyn
Street to pick up her companion. Shortly after her departure
Ralph Touchett was announced, and as soon as he came in
Isabel saw he had something on his mind. He very soon
took his cousin into his confidence. He had received from
his mother a telegram to the effect that his father had had a
sharp attack of his old malady, that she was much alarmed
and that she begged he would instantly return to Garden-
court. On this occasion at least Mrs. Touchett’s devotion to
the electric wire was not open to criticism.
‘I’ve judged it best to see the great doctor, Sir Matthew
Hope, first,’ Ralph said; ‘by great good luck he’s in town.
He’s to see me at half-past twelve, and I shall make sure of
his coming down to Gardencourt—which he will do the
more readily as he has already seen my father several times,
both there and in London. There’s an express at two-forty-
five, which I shall take; and you’ll come back with me or
remain here a few days longer, exactly as you prefer.’
‘I shall certainly go with you,’ Isabel returned. ‘I don’t
suppose I can be of any use to my uncle, but if he’s ill I shall
like to be near him.’

234 The Portrait of a Lady