Jealous of Lord Warburton, who, he says, is always here."

Isabel, who was tired, had remained sitting; but at this she also rose.
"Ah!" she exclaimed simply, moving slowly to the fireplace. Madame
Merle observed her as she passed and while she stood a moment before the
mantel-glass and pushed into its place a wandering tress of hair.

"Poor Mr. Rosier keeps saying there's nothing impossible in Lord
Warburton's falling in love with Pansy," Madame Merle went on. Isabel
was silent a little; she turned away from the glass. "It's true--there's
nothing impossible," she returned at last, gravely and more gently.

"So I've had to admit to Mr. Rosier. So, too, your husband thinks."

"That I don't know."

"Ask him and you'll see."

"I shall not ask him," said Isabel.

"Pardon me; I forgot you had pointed that out. Of course," Madame Merle
added, "you've had infinitely more observation of Lord Warburton's
behaviour than I."

"I see no reason why I shouldn't tell you that he likes my stepdaughter
very much."

Madame Merle gave one of her quick looks again. "Likes her, you mean--as
Mr. Rosier means?"

"I don't know how Mr. Rosier means; but Lord Warburton has let me know
that he's charmed with Pansy."

"And you've never told Osmond?" This observation was immediate,
precipitate; it almost burst from Madame Merle's lips.

Isabel's eyes rested on her. "I suppose he'll know in time; Lord
Warburton has a tongue and knows how to express himself."

Madame Merle instantly became conscious that she had spoken more quickly
than usual, and the reflection brought the colour to her cheek. She gave
the treacherous impulse time to subside and then said as if she had been
thinking it over a little: "That would be better than marrying poor Mr.
Rosier."

"Much better, I think."

"It would be very delightful; it would be a great marriage. It's really
very kind of him."

"Very kind of him?"

"To drop his eyes on a simple little girl."

"I don't see that."

"It's very good of you. But after all, Pansy Osmond--"

"After all, Pansy Osmond's the most attractive person he has ever
known!" Isabel exclaimed.

Madame Merle stared, and indeed she was justly bewildered. "Ah, a moment
ago I thought you seemed rather to disparage her."

"I said she was limited. And so she is. And so's Lord Warburton."

"So are we all, if you come to that. If it's no more than Pansy
deserves, all the better. But if she fixes her affections on Mr. Rosi