re not bound to do so."

"If she should marry Lord Warburton I should be very glad," Isabel went
on frankly. "He's an excellent man. You say, however, that she has only
to sit perfectly still. Perhaps she won't sit perfectly still. If she
loses Mr. Rosier she may jump up!"

Osmond appeared to give no heed to this; he sat gazing at the fire.
"Pansy would like to be a great lady," he remarked in a moment with a
certain tenderness of tone. "She wishes above all to please," he added.

"To please Mr. Rosier, perhaps."

"No, to please me."

"Me too a little, I think," said Isabel.

"Yes, she has a great opinion of you. But she'll do what I like."

"If you're sure of that, it's very well," she went on.

"Meantime," said Osmond, "I should like our distinguished visitor to
speak."

"He has spoken--to me. He has told me it would be a great pleasure to
him to believe she could care for him."

Osmond turned his head quickly, but at first he said nothing. Then, "Why
didn't you tell me that?" he asked sharply.

"There was no opportunity. You know how we live. I've taken the first
chance that has offered."

"Did you speak to him of Rosier?"

"Oh yes, a little."

"That was hardly necessary."

"I thought it best he should know, so that, so that--" And Isabel
paused.

"So that what?"

"So that he might act accordingly."

"So that he might back out, do you mean?"

"No, so that he might advance while there's yet time."

"That's not the effect it seems to have had."

"You should have patience," said Isabel. "You know Englishmen are shy."

"This one's not. He was not when he made love to YOU."

She had been afraid Osmond would speak of that; it was disagreeable to
her. "I beg your pardon; he was extremely so," she returned.

He answered nothing for some time; he took up a book and fingered the
pages while she sat silent and occupied herself with Pansy's tapestry.
"You must have a great deal of influence with him," Osmond went on at
last. "The moment you really wish it you can bring him to the point."

This was more offensive still; but she felt the great naturalness of
his saying it, and it was after all extremely like what she had said
to herself. "Why should I have influence?" she asked. "What have I ever
done to put him under an obligation to me?"

"You refused to marry him," said Osmond with his eyes on his book.

"I must not presume too much on that," she replied.

He threw down the book presently and