THE PORTRAIT OF A LADY. 485 " I am going to Gardencourt. Kalph Touchett is dying." " Ah, you will feel that." Madame Merle recovered herself ; she had a chance to express sympathy. "Do you go alone 1" sh.e asked. " Yes ; without my. husband." Madame Merle gave a low, vague murmur ; a sort of recogni- tion of the general sadness of things. " Mr. Touchett never liked me ; but I am sorry he is dying. Shall you see his mother 1 " " Yes ; she has returned from America." " She used to be very kind to me ; but she has changed. Others, too, have changed," said Madame Merle, with a quiet, noble pathos. She paused a moment, and then she said, " And you will see dear old Gardencourt again ! " " I shall not enjoy it much," Isabel answered. " Naturally in your grief. But it is on the whole, of all the houses I know, and I know many, the one I should have liked best to live in. I don't venture to send a message to the people," Madame Merle added ; " but I should like to give my love to the place." Isabel turned away. " I had Better go to Pansy," she said. " I have not much time." And while she looked about her for the proper egress, the door opened and admitted one of the ladies of the house, who advanced with a discreet smile, gently rubbing, under her long loose sleeves, a pair of plump white hands. Isabel recognised her as Madame Catherine, whose acquaintance she had already made, and begged that she would immediately let her see Miss Osmond. Madame Catherine looked doubly discreet, but smiled very blandly and said^ " It will be good for her to see you. I will take you to her myself." Then she directed her pleasant, cautious little eye towards Madame Merle. " Will you let me remain a little 1 " this lady asked. "It is so good to be here." "You may remain always, if you "like!" And the good sister gave a knowing laugh. She led Isabel out of the room, through several corridors, and up a long staircase. All these departments were solid and bare, light and clean ; so, thought Isabel, are the great penal establish- ments. Madame Catherine gently pushed open the door of Pansy's room and ushered in the visitor ; then stood smiling with folded hands, while the two others met and embraced.
