THE PORTRAIT OF A LADY. 115 apparently not having heard her; he was preoccupied with good reason. Miss Molyneux looked lady-like and patient, and awaited his pleasure. " Well, I never, Miss Molyneux ! " said Henrietta Stackpole. " If I wanted to go, he would have 10 go. If I wanted my brother to do a thing, he would have to do it." " Oh, Warburton does everything one wants," Miss Molyneux answered, with a quick, shy laugh. " How very many pictures you have ! " she went on, turning to Ralph. " They look a good many, because they are all put together," said Ralph. " But it's really a bad way." " Oh, I think it's so nice. I wish we had a gallery at Lock- leigh. I am so very fond of pictures," Miss Molyneux went on, persistently, to Ralph, as if she were afraid that Miss Stackpole would address her again. Henrietta appeared at once to fascinate and to frighten her. " Oh yes, pictures are very indispensable," said Ralph, who appeared to know better what style of reflection was acceptable to her. " They are so very pleasant when it rains," the young lady continued. " It rains so very often." "I am sorry you are going away, Lord Warburton," said Henrietta. " I wanted to get a great deal more out of you." " I am not going away," Lord Warburton answered. " Your sister says you must. In America the gentlemen obey the ladies." " I am afraid we have got some people to tea," said Miss Molyneux, looking at her brother. " Very good, my dear. We'll go." " I hoped you would resist ! " Henrietta exclaimed. " I wanted to see what Miss Molyneux would do." " I never do anything," said this young lady. " I suppose in your position it's sufficient for you to exist ! " Miss Stackpole rejoined. " I should like very much to see you at home." " You must come to Lockleigh again," said Miss Molyneux, very sweetly, to Isabel, ignoring this remark of Isabel's friend. Isabel looked into her quiet eyes a moment, and for that moment seemed to see in their grey depths the reflection of everything she had rejected in rejecting Lord Warburton the peace, the kindness, the honour, tlie possessions, a deep security and a great exclusion. She kissed Miss Molyneux, and then she said " I <im afraid I can never come again." I 2
