as convenient," said Mrs. Touchett. "But I
shall talk to Madame Merle."

"I don't see why you keep bringing her in. She has been a very good
friend to me."

"Possibly; but she has been a poor one to me."

"What has she done to you?"

"She has deceived me. She had as good as promised me to prevent your
engagement."

"She couldn't have prevented it."

"She can do anything; that's what I've always liked her for. I knew she
could play any part; but I understood that she played them one by one. I
didn't understand that she would play two at the same time."

"I don't know what part she may have played to you," Isabel said;
"that's between yourselves. To me she has been honest and kind and
devoted."

"Devoted, of course; she wished you to marry her candidate. She told me
she was watching you only in order to interpose."

"She said that to please you," the girl answered; conscious, however, of
the inadequacy of the explanation.

"To please me by deceiving me? She knows me better. Am I pleased
to-day?"

"I don't think you're ever much pleased," Isabel was obliged to reply.
"If Madame Merle knew you would learn the truth what had she to gain by
insincerity?"

"She gained time, as you see. While I waited for her to interfere you
were marching away, and she was really beating the drum."

"That's very well. But by your own admission you saw I was marching, and
even if she had given the alarm you wouldn't have tried to stop me."

"No, but some one else would."

"Whom do you mean?" Isabel asked, looking very hard at her aunt. Mrs.
Touchett's little bright eyes, active as they usually were, sustained
her gaze rather than returned it. "Would you have listened to Ralph?"

"Not if he had abused Mr. Osmond."

"Ralph doesn't abuse people; you know that perfectly. He cares very much
for you."

"I know he does," said Isabel; "and I shall feel the value of it now,
for he knows that whatever I do I do with reason."

"He never believed you would do this. I told him you were capable of it,
and he argued the other way."

"He did it for the sake of argument," the girl smiled. "You don't accuse
him of having deceived you; why should you accuse Madame Merle?"

"He never pretended he'd prevent it."

"I'm glad of that!" cried Isabel gaily. "I wish very much," she
presently added, "that when he comes you'd tell him first of my
engagement."

"Of course I'll mention it," said Mrs. Touchett. "I shall say nothing
more to you