THE PORTRAIT OF A LADY. 439 Henrietta. "The great thing is that he shouldn't die in the cars." " He won't do that," Isabel said, shaking her head, with an extension of faith. " He won't if I can help it. I see you want us all to go. I don't know what you want to do." " I want to be alone," said Isabel. " You won't be that so long as you have got so much company at home." " Ah, they are part of the comedy. You others are spec- tators." " Do you call it a comedy, Isabel Archer 1 " Henrietta inquired, severely. " The tragedy, then, if you like. You are all looking at me ; it makes me uncomfortable." Henrietta contemplated her a while. " You are like the stricken deer, seeking the innermost shade. Oh, you do give me such a sense of helplessness ! " she broke out. " I am not at all helpless. There are many things I mean to do." " It's not yon I am speaking of; it's myself. It's too much, having come on purpose, to leave you just as I find you." " You don't do that ; you leave me much refreshed," Isabel said. " Very mild refreshment sour lemonade ! I want you to promise me something." " I can't do that. I shall never make another promise. I made such a solemn one four years ago, and I have succeeded so ill in keeping it." "You have had no encouragement. In this case I should give you the greatest. Leave your husband before the worst comes ; that's what I want you to promise." " The worst 1 What do you call the worst 1 " " Before your character gets spoiled." " Do you mean my disposition 1 It won't get spoiled," Isabel answered, smiling. "I am taking very good care of it. I am extremely struck," she added, turning away, " with the off-hand way in which you speak of a woman leaving her husband. It's easy to see you have never had one ! " " Well," said Henrietta, as if she were beginning an argument, "nothing is more common in our western cities, and it is tc them, after all, that we must look in the future." Her argument, however, does not concern this history, which has too many
