Page 578 - the-portrait-of-a-lady

‘Especially other people’s; I know very well. But neither
do you, I suppose. At any rate, whether you do or not, you
must help me. It’s about poor Mr. Rosier.’
‘Ah,’ said Isabel reflectively, ‘it’s his trouble then, not
yours.’
‘He has succeeded in saddling me with it. He comes to
see me ten times a week, to talk about Pansy.’
‘Yes, he wants to marry her. I know all about it.’
Madame Merle hesitated. ‘I gathered from your husband
that perhaps you didn’t.’
‘How should he know what I know? He has never spoken
to me of the matter.’
‘It’s probably because he doesn’t know how to speak of
it.’
‘It’s nevertheless the sort of question in which he’s rarely
at fault.’
‘Yes, because as a general thing he knows perfectly well
what to think.
To-day he doesn’t.’
‘Haven’t you been telling him?’ Isabel asked.
Madame Merle gave a bright, voluntary smile. ‘Do you
know you’re a little dry?’
‘Yes; I can’t help it. Mr. Rosier has also talked to me.’
‘In that there’s some reason. You’re so near the child.’
‘Ah,’ said Isabel, ‘for all the comfort I’ve given him! If you
think me dry, I wonder what he thinks.’
‘I believe he thinks you can do more than you have
done.’
‘I can do nothing.’

578 The Portrait of a Lady