ed to wake from a long pernicious dream. What was
it that brought home to her that Madame Merle's intention had not been
good? Nothing but the mistrust which had lately taken body and which
married itself now to the fruitful wonder produced by her visitor's
challenge on behalf of poor Pansy. There was something in this challenge
which had at the very outset excited an answering defiance; a nameless
vitality which she could see to have been absent from her friend's
professions of delicacy and caution. Madame Merle had been unwilling to
interfere, certainly, but only so long as there was nothing to interfere
with. It will perhaps seem to the reader that Isabel went fast in
casting doubt, on mere suspicion, on a sincerity proved by several
years of good offices. She moved quickly indeed, and with reason, for a
strange truth was filtering into her soul. Madame Merle's interest was
identical with Osmond's: that was enough. "I think Pansy will tell
you nothing that will make you more angry," she said in answer to her
companion's last remark.

"I'm not in the least angry. I've only a great desire to retrieve the
situation. Do you consider that Warburton has left us for ever?"

"I can't tell you; I don't understand you. It's all over; please let it
rest. Osmond has talked to me a great deal about it, and I've nothing
more to say or to hear. I've no doubt," Isabel added, "that he'll be
very happy to discuss the subject with you."

"I know what he thinks; he came to see me last evening."

"As soon as you had arrived? Then you know all about it and you needn't
apply to me for information."

"It isn't information I want. At bottom it's sympathy. I had set my
heart on that marriage; the idea did what so few things do--it satisfied
the imagination."

"Your imagination, yes. But not that of the persons concerned."

"You mean by that of course that I'm not concerned. Of course not
directly. But when one's such an old friend one can't help having
something at stake. You forget how long I've known Pansy. You mean,
of course," Madame Merle added, "that YOU are one of the persons
concerned."

"No; that's the last thing I mean. I'm very weary of it all."

Madame Merle hesitated a little. "Ah yes, your work's done."

"Take care what you say," said Isabel very gravely.

"Oh, I take care; never perhaps more than when it appears least. Your
husband judges you severely."

Isabel made for a moment no answer to this; she felt choked