368 THE POETRAIT OF A LADY. would not glide. And yet she knew exactly the effect on his mind of her question : it would operate as a humiliation. Never mind ; he was terribly capable of humiliating her all the more so that he was also capable of waiting for great opportuni- ties and of showing, sometimes, an almost unaccountable indif- ference to small ones. Isabel perhaps took a small opportunity because she would not have availed herself of a great one. Osmond at present acquitted himself very honourably. " I should like it extremely ; it would be a great marriage. And then Lord Warburton has another advantage; he is an old friend of yours. It would be pleasant for him to come into the family. It is very singular that Pansy's admirers should all be your old friends." " It is natural that they should come to see me. In coming to see me, they see Pansy. Seeing her, it is natural that they should fall in love with her." " So I think. But you are not bound to do so." "If she should marry Lord Warburton, I should be very glad," Isabel went on, frankly. " He's an excellent man. You say, however, that she has only to sit still. Perhaps she won't sit still ; if she loses Mr. Eosier she may jump up ! " Osmond appeared to give no heed to this ; he sat gazing at the fire. " Pansy would like to be a great lady," he remarked in a moment, with a certain tenderness of tone. " She wishes, above all, to please," he added. " To please Mr. Rosier, perhaps." " No, to please me." " Me too a little, I think," said Isabel. "Yes, she has a great opinion of you. But she will do what I like." " If you are sure of that, it's very well," Isabel said. " Meantime," said Osmond, " I should like our distinguished visitor to speak." " He has spoken to me. He has told me that it would be a great pleasure to him to believe she could care for him." Osmond turned his head quickly; but at first he said nothing. Then " Why didn't you tell me that?" he asked, quickly. " There was no opportunity. You know how we live. I have taken the first chance that has offered." " Did you speak to him of Eosier ? " "Oh yes, a little." "That was hardly necessary."
