470 THE PORTRAIT OF A LADY. time you should see him. Now you tell me it is not to have been the last. Ah, you are not grateful ! " " What am I to be grateful for 1 " Gilbert Osmond laid down his little implements, blew a speck of dust from his drawing, slowly got up, and for the first time looked at his wife. " For my not having interfered while he was here." " Oh yes, I am. I remember perfectly how distinctly you let me know you didn't like* it. I was very glad when he went away." " Leave him alone then. Don't run after him." Isabel turned her eyes away from him ; they rested upon his little drawing. " I must go to England," she said, with a full consciousness that her tone might strike an irritable man of taste as stupidly obstinate. " I shall not like it if you do," Osmond remarked. " Why should I mind that ? You won't like it if I don't. You like nothing I do or don't do. You pretend to think I lie." Osmond turned slightly pale ; he gave a cold smile. " That's why you must go then 1 Not to see your cousin, but to take a revenge on me." " I know nothing about revenge." " I do," said Osmond. " Don't give me an occasion." " You are only too eager to take one. You wish immensely that I would commit some folly." " I shall be gratified then if you disobey me." " If I disobey you 1 " said Isabel, in a low tone, which had the effect of gentleness. " Let it be clear. If you leave Borne to-day it will be a piece of the most deliberate, the most calculated, opposition." " How can you call it calculated 1 I received my aunt's telegram but three minutes ago." " You calculate rapidly ; it's a great accomplishment. I don't see why we should prolong our discussion ; you know my wish." And he stood there as if he expected to see her withdraw. But she never moved ; she couldn't, move, strange as it may seem ; she still wished to justify herself ; he had the power, in an extraordinary degree, of making her feel this need. There was something in her imagination that he could always appeal to against her judgment. " You have no reason for such a wish," said Isabel, " and I
