‘I don’t object to her,’ said Osmond; ‘I rather like Mrs Touchett. She has a sort of old-fashioned character that’s passing away—a vivid identity. But that long jackanapes the son—is he about the place?’

‘He’s there, but he won’t trouble you.’

‘He’s a good deal of a donkey.’

‘I think you’re mistaken. He’s a very clever man. But he’s not fond of being about when I’m there, because he doesn’t like me.’

‘What could be more asinine than that? Did you say she has looks?’ Osmond went on.

‘Yes; but I won’t say it again, lest you should be disappointed in them. Come and make a beginning; that’s all I ask of you.’

‘A beginning of what?’

Madame Merle was silent a little. ‘I want you of course to marry her.’

‘The beginning of the end? Well, I’ll see for myself. Have you told her that?’

‘For what do you take me? She’s not so coarse a piece of machinery—nor am I.’

‘Really,’ said Osmond after some meditation, ‘I don’t understand your ambitions.’

‘I think you’ll understand this one after you’ve seen Miss Archer. Suspend your judgement.’ Madame Merle, as she spoke, had drawn near the open door of the garden, where she stood a moment looking out. ‘Pansy has really grown pretty,’ she presently added.

‘So it seemed to me.’

‘But she has had enough of the convent.’

‘I don’t know,’ said Osmond. ‘I like what they’ve made of her. It’s very charming.’

‘That’s not the convent. It’s the child’s nature.’

‘It’s the combination, I think. She’s as pure as a pearl.’

‘Why doesn’t she come back with my flowers then?’ Madame Merle asked. ‘She’s not in a hurry.’

‘We’ll go and get them.’

‘She doesn’t like me,’ the visitor murmured as she raised her parasol and they passed into the garden.