I'm extremely fond of the unexpected, and now that you've kept the game
in your hands I depend on your giving us some grand example of it."

"I don't understand you very well," said Isabel, "but I do so well
enough to be able to say that if you look for grand examples of anything
from me I shall disappoint you."

"You'll do so only by disappointing yourself and that will go hard with
you!"

To this she made no direct reply; there was an amount of truth in it
that would bear consideration. At last she said abruptly: "I don't see
what harm there is in my wishing not to tie myself. I don't want to
begin life by marrying. There are other things a woman can do."

"There's nothing she can do so well. But you're of course so
many-sided."

"If one's two-sided it's enough," said Isabel.

"You're the most charming of polygons!" her companion broke out. At a
glance from his companion, however, he became grave, and to prove it
went on: "You want to see life--you'll be hanged if you don't, as the
young men say."

"I don't think I want to see it as the young men want to see it. But I
do want to look about me."

"You want to drain the cup of experience."

"No, I don't wish to touch the cup of experience. It's a poisoned drink!
I only want to see for myself."

"You want to see, but not to feel," Ralph remarked.

"I don't think that if one's a sentient being one can make the
distinction. I'm a good deal like Henrietta. The other day when I asked
her if she wished to marry she said: 'Not till I've seen Europe!' I too
don't wish to marry till I've seen Europe."

"You evidently expect a crowned head will be struck with you."

"No, that would be worse than marrying Lord Warburton. But it's getting
very dark," Isabel continued, "and I must go home." She rose from her
place, but Ralph only sat still and looked at her. As he remained there
she stopped, and they exchanged a gaze that was full on either side, but
especially on Ralph's, of utterances too vague for words.

"You've answered my question," he said at last. "You've told me what I
wanted. I'm greatly obliged to you."

"It seems to me I've told you very little."

"You've told me the great thing: that the world interests you and that
you want to throw yourself into it."

Her silvery eyes shone a moment in the dusk. "I never said that." "I
think you meant it. Don't repudiate it. It's so fine!"

"I don't know what you're trying to fasten upon me, for I'm not in the