about the room--at the old cabinets, pictures, tapestries, surfaces
of faded silk. "Your rooms at least are perfect. I'm struck with that
afresh whenever I come back; I know none better anywhere. You understand
this sort of thing as nobody anywhere does. You've such adorable taste."

"I'm sick of my adorable taste," said Gilbert Osmond.

"You must nevertheless let Miss Archer come and see it. I've told her
about it."

"I don't object to showing my things--when people are not idiots."

"You do it delightfully. As cicerone of your museum you appear to
particular advantage."

Mr. Osmond, in return for this compliment, simply looked at once colder
and more attentive. "Did you say she was rich?"

"She has seventy thousand pounds."

"En ecus bien comptes?"

"There's no doubt whatever about her fortune. I've seen it, as I may
say."

"Satisfactory woman!--I mean you. And if I go to see her shall I see the
mother?"

"The mother? She has none--nor father either."

"The aunt then--whom did you say?--Mrs. Touchett. I can easily keep her
out of the way."

"I don't object to her," said Osmond; "I rather like Mrs. Touchett.
She has a sort of old-fashioned character that's passing away--a vivid
identity. But that long jackanapes the son--is he about the place?"

"He's there, but he won't trouble you."

"He's a good deal of a donkey."

"I think you're mistaken. He's a very clever man. But he's not fond of
being about when I'm there, because he doesn't like me."

"What could he be more asinine than that? Did you say she has looks?"
Osmond went on.

"Yes; but I won't say it again, lest you should be disappointed in them.
Come and make a beginning; that's all I ask of you."

"A beginning of what?"

Madame Merle was silent a little. "I want you of course to marry her."

"The beginning of the end? Well, I'll see for myself. Have you told her
that?"

"For what do you take me? She's not so coarse a piece of machinery--nor
am I."

"Really," said Osmond after some meditation, "I don't understand your
ambitions."

"I think you'll understand this one after you've seen Miss Archer.
Suspend your judgement." Madame Merle, as she spoke, had drawn near the
open door of the garden, where she stood a moment looking out. "Pansy
has really grown pretty," she presently added.

"So it seemed to me."

"But she has had enough of the convent."

"I don't know," said Osmond. "I like what they've made of her. It's very
charmin