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‘Surely I’ve given her the advantage of making your ac-
quaintance.’
‘That indeed,’ piped the Countess, ‘is perhaps the best
thing that could happen to her!’
Madame Merle said nothing for some time. The Count-
ess’s manner was odious, was really low; but it was an old
story, and with her eyes upon the violet slope of Monte Mo-
rello she gave herself up to reflection. ‘My dear lady,’ she
finally resumed, ‘I advise you not to agitate yourself. The
matter you allude to concerns three persons much stronger
of purpose than yourself.’
‘Three persons? You and Osmond of course. But is Miss
Archer also very strong of purpose?’
‘Quite as much so as we.’
‘Ah then,’ said the Countess radiantly, ‘if I convince her
it’s her interest to resist you she’ll do so successfully!’
‘Resist us? Why do you express yourself so coarsely? She’s
not exposed to compulsion or deception.’
‘I’m not sure of that. You’re capable of anything, you
and Osmond. I don’t mean Osmond by himself, and I don’t
mean you by yourself. But together you’re dangerous—like
some chemical combination.’
‘You had better leave us alone then,’ smiled Madame
Merle.
‘I don’t mean to touch you—but I shall talk to that girl.’
‘My poor Amy,’ Madame Merle murmured, ‘I don’t see
what has got into your head.’
‘I take an interest in her—that’s what has got into my
head. I like her.’

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