history, sentiments, opinions,
prospects. She made her chatter and listened to her chatter with
infinite good nature. This flattered and quickened the girl, who was
struck with all the distinguished people her friend had known and with
her having lived, as Mrs. Touchett said, in the best company in Europe.
Isabel thought the better of herself for enjoying the favour of a person
who had so large a field of comparison; and it was perhaps partly to
gratify the sense of profiting by comparison that she often appealed to
these stores of reminiscence. Madame Merle had been a dweller in many
lands and had social ties in a dozen different countries. "I don't
pretend to be educated," she would say, "but I think I know my Europe;"
and she spoke one day of going to Sweden to stay with an old friend,
and another of proceeding to Malta to follow up a new acquaintance. With
England, where she had often dwelt, she was thoroughly familiar, and
for Isabel's benefit threw a great deal of light upon the customs of
the country and the character of the people, who "after all," as she was
fond of saying, were the most convenient in the world to live with.

"You mustn't think it strange her remaining here at such a time as this,
when Mr. Touchett's passing away," that gentleman's wife remarked to her
niece. "She is incapable of a mistake; she's the most tactful woman I
know. It's a favour to me that she stays; she's putting off a lot of
visits at great houses," said Mrs. Touchett, who never forgot that when
she herself was in England her social value sank two or three degrees in
the scale. "She has her pick of places; she's not in want of a shelter.
But I've asked her to put in this time because I wish you to know her. I
think it will be a good thing for you. Serena Merle hasn't a fault."

"If I didn't already like her very much that description might alarm
me," Isabel returned.

"She's never the least little bit 'off.' I've brought you out here and I
wish to do the best for you. Your sister Lily told me she hoped I would
give you plenty of opportunities. I give you one in putting you in
relation with Madame Merle. She's one of the most brilliant women in
Europe."

"I like her better than I like your description of her," Isabel
persisted in saying.

"Do you flatter yourself that you'll ever feel her open to criticism? I
hope you'll let me know when you do."

"That will be cruel--to you," said Isabel.

"You needn't mind me. You won't