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consistently strenuous. ‘Ah, I thought you liked me for my-
self!’
‘I like you very much; but, if you please, we won’t an-
alyze. Pardon me if I seem patronizing, but I think you a
perfect little gentleman. I must tell you, however, that I’ve
not the marrying of Pansy Osmond.’
‘I didn’t suppose that. But you’ve seemed to me intimate
with her family, and I thought you might have influence.’
Madame Merle considered. ‘Whom do you call her fam-
ily?’
‘Why, her father; and-how do you say it in English?-her
bellemere.’
‘Mr. Osmond’s her father, certainly; but his wife can
scarcely be termed a member of her family. Mrs. Osmond
has nothing to do with marrying her.’ ‘I’m sorry for that,’
said Rosier with an amiable sigh of good faith. ‘I think Mrs.
Osmond would favour me.’
‘Very likely-if her husband doesn’t.’
He raised his eyebrows. ‘Does she take the opposite line
from him?’
‘In everything. They think quite differently.’
‘Well,’ said Rosier, ‘I’m sorry for that; but it’s none of my
business.
She’s very fond of Pansy.’
‘Yes, she’s very fond of Pansy.’
‘And Pansy has a great affection for her. She has told me
how she loves her as if she were her own mother.’
‘You must, after all, have had some very intimate talk
with the poor child,’ said Madame Merle. ‘Have you de-

508 The Portrait of a Lady