se, your
attractions, and he would never have presumed to think of you if she
hadn't put him up to it. He has a very good opinion of himself, but he
was not a man to take trouble. Madame Merle took the trouble for him."

"He has taken a great deal for himself!" cried Isabel with a voluntary
laugh.

Mrs. Touchett gave a sharp nod. "I think he must, after all, to have
made you like him so much."

"I thought he even pleased YOU."

"He did, at one time; and that's why I'm angry with him."

"Be angry with me, not with him," said the girl.

"Oh, I'm always angry with you; that's no satisfaction! Was it for this
that you refused Lord Warburton?"

"Please don't go back to that. Why shouldn't I like Mr. Osmond, since
others have done so?"

"Others, at their wildest moments, never wanted to marry him. There's
nothing OF him," Mrs. Touchett explained.

"Then he can't hurt me," said Isabel.

"Do you think you're going to be happy? No one's happy, in such doings,
you should know."

"I shall set the fashion then. What does one marry for?"

"What YOU will marry for, heaven only knows. People usually marry as
they go into partnership--to set up a house. But in your partnership
you'll bring everything."

"Is it that Mr. Osmond isn't rich? Is that what you're talking about?"
Isabel asked.

"He has no money; he has no name; he has no importance. I value such
things and I have the courage to say it; I think they're very precious.
Many other people think the same, and they show it. But they give some
other reason."

Isabel hesitated a little. "I think I value everything that's valuable.
I care very much for money, and that's why I wish Mr. Osmond to have a
little."

"Give it to him then; but marry some one else."

"His name's good enough for me," the girl went on. "It's a very pretty
name. Have I such a fine one myself?"

"All the more reason you should improve on it. There are only a dozen
American names. Do you marry him out of charity?"

"It was my duty to tell you, Aunt Lydia, but I don't think it's my duty
to explain to you. Even if it were I shouldn't be able. So please don't
remonstrate; in talking about it you have me at a disadvantage. I can't
talk about it."

"I don't remonstrate, I simply answer you: I must give some sign of
intelligence. I saw it coming, and I said nothing. I never meddle."

"You never do, and I'm greatly obliged to you. You've been very
considerate."

"It was not considerate--it w