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nately. I imagine you’ll do the same.’
‘Indeed I shan’t!’ cried the Countess. ‘Why should I, of
all women, set such a price on a husband?’
‘You didn’t marry fortunately; that’s what I’m speaking
of. When I say a husband I mean a good one.’
‘There are no good ones. Osmond won’t be a good one.’
Madame Merle closed her eyes a moment. ‘You’re irri-
tated just now; I don’t know why,’ she presently said. ‘I don’t
think you’ll really object either to your brother’s or to your
niece’s marrying when the time comes for them to do so;
and as regards Pansy I’m confident that we shall some day
have the pleasure of looking for a husband for her together.
Your large acquaintance will be a great help.’
‘Yes, I’m irritated,’ the Countess answered. ‘You often ir-
ritate me. Your own coolness is fabulous. You’re a strange
woman.’
‘It’s much better that we should always act together,’ Ma-
dame Merle went on.
‘Do you mean that as a threat?’ asked the Countess ris-
ing.
Madame Merle shook her head as for quiet amusement.
‘No indeed, you’ve not my coolness!’
Isabel and Mr. Osmond were now slowly coming to-
ward them and Isabel had taken Pansy by the hand. ‘Do you
pretend to believe he’d make her happy?’ the Countess de-
manded.
‘If he should marry Miss Archer I suppose he’d behave
like a gentleman.
The Countess jerked herself into a succession of atti-

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