Page 536 - the-portrait-of-a-lady

abruptly and with a quickened light in her eyes which di-
rectly contradicted the word.
‘Pardon me if I don’t believe that. Where’s Miss Os-
mond?’
‘In the corner, making tea. Please leave her there.’
Rosier instantly discovered his friend, who had been hid-
den by intervening groups. He watched her, but her own
attention was entirely given to her occupation. ‘What on
earth has he done to her?’ he asked again imploringly. ‘He
declares to me she has given me up.’
‘She has not given you up,’ Isabel said in a low tone and
without looking at him.
‘Ah, thank you for that! Now I’ll leave her alone as long
as you think proper!’
He had hardly spoken when he saw her change colour,
and became aware that Osmond was coming toward her
accompanied by the gentleman who had just entered. He
judged the latter, in spite of the advantage of good looks and
evident social experience, a little embarrassed. ‘Isabel,’ said
her husband, ‘I bring you an old friend.’
Mrs. Osmond’s face, though it wore a smile, was, like her
old friend’s, not perfectly confident. ‘I’m very happy to see
Lord Warburton,’ she said. Rosier turned away and, now
that his talk with her had been interrupted, felt absolved
from the little pledge he had just taken. He had a quick im-
pression that Mrs. Osmond wouldn’t notice what he did.
Isabel in fact, to do him justice, for some time quite
ceased to observe him. She had been startled; she hardly
knew if she felt a pleasure or a pain. Lord Warburton, how-

536 The Portrait of a Lady