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you and I should come and walk here together simply as good friends. There seems to me something enchantingly innocent in that; its the way I like her to be. No, Im not a failure, as I used to think; Ive succeeded in two things. Im to marry the woman I adore, and Ive brought up my child, as I wished, in the old way. He was very fond, in all things, of the old way; that had struck Isabel as one of his fine, quiet, sincere notes. It occurs to me that youll not know whether youve succeeded until youve told her, she said. You must see how she takes your news. She may be horrifiedshe may be jealous. Im not afraid of that; shes too fond of you on her own account. I should like to leave her in the dark a little longerto see if it will come into her head that if were not engaged we ought to be. Isabel was impressed by Osmonds artistic, the plastic view, as it somehow appeared, of Pansys innocenceher own appreciation of it being more anxiously moral. She was perhaps not the less pleased when he told her a few days later that he had communicated the fact to his daughter, who had made such a pretty little speechOh, then I shall have a beautiful sister! She was neither surprised nor alarmed; she had not cried, as he expected. Perhaps she had guessed it, said Isabel. Dont say that; I should be disgusted if I believed that. I thought it would be just a little shock; but the way she took it proves that her good manners are paramount. Thats also what I wished. You shall see for yourself; to-morrow she shall make you her congratulations in person. The meeting, on the morrow, took place at the Countess Geminis, whither Pansy had been conducted by her father, who knew that Isabel was to come in the afternoon to return a visit made her by the Countess on learning that they were to become sisters-in-law. Calling at Casa Touchett the visitor had not found Isabel at home; but after our young woman had been ushered into the Countesss drawing-room Pansy arrived to say that her aunt would presently appear. Pansy was spending the day with that lady, who thought her of an age to begin to learn how to carry herself in company. It was Isabels view that the little girl might have given lessons in deportment to her relative, and nothing could have justified this conviction more than the manner in which Pansy acquitted herself while they waited together for the Countess. Her fathers decision, the year before, had finally been to send her back to the convent to receive the last graces, and Madame Catherine had evidently carried out her theory that Pansy was to be fitted for the great world. Papa has told me that youve kindly consented to marry him, said this excellent womans pupil. Its very delightful; I think youll suit very well. You think I shall suit you? Youll suit me beautifully; but what I mean is that you and papa will suit each other. Youre both so quiet and so serious. Youre not so quiet as heor even as Madame Merle; but youre more quiet than many others. He should not for instance have a wife like my aunt. Shes always in motion, in agitationto-day especially; youll see when she comes in. They told us at the convent it was wrong to judge our elders, but I suppose theres no harm if we judge them favourably. Youll be a delightful companion for papa. For you too, I hope, Isabel said. I speak first of him on purpose. Ive told you already what I myself think of you; I liked you from the first. I admire you so much that I think it will be a good fortune to have you always before me. Youll be my model; I shall try to imitate you though Im afraid it will be very feeble. Im very glad for papahe needed something more than me. Without you I dont see how he could have got it. Youll be my stepmother, but we mustnt use that word. Theyre always said to be cruel; but I dont think youll ever so much as pinch or even push me. Im not afraid at all. |
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