Page 474 - the-portrait-of-a-lady

‘That’s very well. But by your own admission you saw
I was marching, and even if she had given the alarm you
wouldn’t have tried to stop me.’
‘No, but some one else would.’
‘Whom do you mean?’ Isabel asked, looking very hard
at her aunt.
Mrs. Touchett’s little bright eyes, active as they usual-
ly were, sustained her gaze rather than returned it. ‘Would
you have listened to Ralph?’
‘Not if he had abused Mr. Osmond.’
‘Ralph doesn’t abuse people; you know that perfectly. He
cares very much for you.’
‘I know he does,’ said Isabel; ‘and I shall feel the value of
it now, for he knows that whatever I do I do with reason.’
‘He never believed you would do this. I told him you were
capable of it, and he argued the other way.’
‘He did it for the sake of argument,’ the girl smiled. ‘You
don’t accuse him of having deceived you; why should you
accuse Madame Merle?’
‘He never pretended he’d prevent it.’
‘I’m glad of that!’ cried Isabel gaily. ‘I wish very much,’
she presently added, ‘that when he comes you’d tell him first
of my engagement.’
‘Of course I’ll mention it,’ said Mrs. Touchett. ‘I shall say
nothing more to you about it, but I give you notice I shall
talk to others.’
‘That’s as you please. I only meant that it’s rather better
the announcement should come from you than from me.’
‘I quite agree with you; it’s much more proper!’ And on

474 The Portrait of a Lady