204 THE PORTRAIT OF A LADY. scrutiny of this imposing, brilliant woman, who seemed to bring in with her something of the radiance of the outer world. " These ladies have brought my daughter home, and now they return to the convent/' the gentleman explained. " Ah, you go back to Eome ? I have lately come from there. It is very lovely now," said Madame Merle. The good sisters, standing with their hands folded into their sleeves, accepted this statement uncritically ; and the master of the house asked Madame Merle how long it was since she had left Rome. " She came to see me at the convent," said the young girl, before her father's visitors had time to reply. " I have been more than once, Pansy," Madame Merle answered. " Am I not your great friend in Rome ? " "I remember the last time best," said Pansy, "because you told me I should leave the place." "Did you tell her that?" the child's father asked. " I hardly remember. I told her what I thought would please her. I have been in Florence a week. I hoped you would come and see me." " I should have done so if I had known you were here. One doesn't know such things by inspiration though I suppose one ought. You had better sit down." These two speeches were made in a peculiar tone of voice a tone half-lowered, and carefully quiet, but as from habit rather than from any definite need. Madame Merle looked about her, choosing her seat. " You are going to the door with these women 1 Let me of course not interrupt the ceremony. Je vous salue, mesdames" she added, in French, to the nuns, as if to dismiss them. " This lady is a great friend of ours ; you will have seen her at the convent," said the host. " We have much faith in her judgment, and she will help me to decide whether my daughter shall return to you at the end of the holidays." " I hope you will decide in our favour, madam," the sister in spectacles ventured to remark. " That is Mr. Osmond's pleasantry ; I decide nothing," said Madame Merle, smiling still. " I believe you have a very good school, but Miss Osmond's friends must remember that she is meant for the world." " That is what I have told monsieur," sister Catherine answered "It is precisely to fit her for the world," she murmured, glancing at Pansy, who stood at a little distance looking at Madame Merle's elegant apparel.
