360 THE PORTRAIT OF A LADY. " Ah yes," said Madame Merle, " I forgot that, though it's the burden of his lamentation. He says Osmond has insulted him. All the same," she went on, " Osmond doesn't dislike him as much as he thinks." She had got up, as if to close the con- versation, but she lingered, looking about her, and had evidently more to say. Isabel perceived this, and even saw the point she had in view; but Isabel also had her own reasons for not opening the way. " That must have pleased 'him, if you have told him," she answered, smiling. " Certainly I have told him ; as far as that goes, I have en- couraged him. I have preached patience, have said that his case is not desperate, if he will only hold his tongue and be quiet. Unfortunately he has taken it into his head to be jealous." " Jealous ? " "Jealous of Lord Warburton, who, he says, is always here." Isabel, who was tired, had remained sitting ; but at this she also rose. " Ah ! " she exclaimed simply, moving slowly to the fireplace. Madame Merle observed her as she passed and as she stood a moment before the mantel-glass, pushing into its place a wandering tress of hair. " Poor Mr. Rosier keeps saying that there is nothing impossible in Lord "Warburton falling in love with Pansy," Madame Merle went on. Isabel was silent a little; she turned away from the glass. "It is true there is nothing impossible," she rejoined at last, gravely and more gently. " So I have had to admit to Mr. Eosier. So, too, your husband thinks." "That I don't know." "Ask him, and you will see." " I shall not ask him/' said Isabel. " Excuse me ; I forgot that you had pointed that out. Of course," Madame Merle added, " you have had infinitely more observation of Lord Warburton's behaviour than I." " I see no reason why I shouldn't tell you that he likes my step-daughter very much." Madame Merle gave one of her quick looks again. " Likes her, you mean as Mr. Rosier means'?" " I don't know how Mr. Rosier means ; but Lord Warburton has let me know that he is charmed with Pansy." " And you have never told Osmond ? " This observation was immediate, precipitate ; it almost burst from Madame Merle's lips.
