494 THE PORTRAIT OF A LADY. seemed to say that lie wished her to remember that he was an old friend of her cousin that he understood that it ^as all right. Isabel gave him her hand ; she thought him so kind. " Oh, I always agree," said Mr. Bantling. "But she doesn't, you know." " Didn't I tell you that a maid was a nuisance ? " Henrietta inquired. " Your young lady has probably remained at Calais." " I don't care," said Isabel, looking at Mr. Bantling, whom she had never thought so interesting. " Stay with her while I go and see," Henrietta commanded, leaving the two for a moment together. They stood there at first in silence, and then Mr. Bantling asked Isabel how it had been on the Channel. " Very fine. No, I think it was rather rough," said Isabel, to her companion's obvious surprise. After which she added, " You have been to Gardencourt, I know." " Now how do you know that 1 " 11 1 can't tell you except that you look like a person who has been there." " Do you think I look sad ] It's very sad there, you know." " I don't believe you ever look sad. You look kind," said Isabel, with a frankness that cost her no effort. It seemed to her that she should never again feel a superficial embarrassment. Poor Mr. Bantling, however, was still in this inferior stage. He blushed a good deal, and laughed, and assured her that he was often very blue, and that when he was blue he was awfully fierce. " You can ask Miss Stackpole, you know," he said. " I was at Gardencourt two days ago." " Did you see my cousin ] " " Only for a little. But he had been seeing people ; Warbur- ton was there the day before. Touchett was just the s'ame as usual, except that he was in bed, and that he looks tremendously ill, and that he can't speak," Mr. Bantling pursued. " He was immensely friendly all the same. He was just as clever as ever. It's awfully sad." Even in the crowded, noisy station this simple picture was vivid. " Was that late in the day ? " " Yes ; I went on purpose ; we thought you would like to know." " I am very much obliged to you. Can I go down to- night V " Ah, I don't think she'll let you go," said Mr. Bantling
