THE PORTE AIT OF A LADY. 501 tell them the truth," said Isabel. " Lily wrote me that you had dined with her." " She invited me four times, and I went once. After the second time she should have let me alone. The dinner was very good ; it must have been expensive. Her husband has a very bad manner. Did I enjoy my visit to America 1 Why should I have enjoyed itl I didn't go for my pleasure." These were interesting items, but Mrs. Touchett soon left her niece, whom she was to meet in half-an-hour at the midday meal. At this repast the two ladies faced each other at an abbreviated table in the melancholy dining-room. Here, after a little, Isabel saw that her aunt was not so dry as she appeared, and her old pity for the poor woman's inexpressiveness, her want of regret, of disappointment, came back to her. It seemed to her she would find it a blessing to-day to be able to indulge a regret. She wondered whether Mrs. Touchett were not trying, whether she had not a desire for the recreation of grief. On the other hand, perhaps, she was afraid ; if she began to regret, it might take her too far. Isabel could perceive, however, that it had come over her that she had missed something, that she saw herself in the future as an old woman without memories. Her little sharp face looked tragical. She told her niece that Ralph as yet had not moved, but that he probably would be able to see her before dinner. And then in a moment she added that he had seen Lord "Wai-burton the day before; an announcement which startled Isabel a little, as it seemed an intimation that this personage was in the neighbourhood and that an accident might bring them together. Such an accident would not be happy; she had not come to England to converse with Lord Warburton. She presently said to her aunt that he had been very kind to Ralph ; she had seen something of that in Rome. " He has something else to think of now," Mrs. Touchett rejoined. And she paused, with a gaze like a gimlet. Isabel saw that she meant something, and instantly guessed what sue meant. But her reply concealed her guess ; her heart beat faster, and she wished to gain a moment. " Ah yes the House of Lords, and all that." " He is not thinking of the Lords ; he is thinking of the ladies. At least he is thinking of one of them ; he told Ralph he was engaged to be married." " Ah, to be married ! " Isabel gently exclaimed. " Unless he breaks it off. He seemed to think Ralph would like to know. Poor Ralph can't go to the wedding, though I believe it is to take place very soon."
