that they were old friends, intimate friends. It was very much as an intimate friend that he said to her, suddenly, after a short pause which he had occupied in smiling, as he looked about him, like a person amused, at a provincial entertainment, by some innocent game of guesses—
‘Well now, I suppose you’re very happy and all that sort of thing?’
Isabel answered with a quick laugh; the tone of his remark struck her almost as the accent of comedy. ‘Do you suppose if I were not I’d tell you?’
‘Well, I don’t know. I don’t see why not.’
‘I do then. Fortunately, however, I’m very happy.’
‘You’ve got an awfully good house.’
‘Yes, it’s very pleasant. But that’s not my merit—it’s my husband’s.’
‘You mean he has arranged it?’
‘Yes, it was nothing when we came.’
‘He must be very clever.’
‘He has a genius for upholstery,’ said Isabel.
‘There’s a great rage for that sort of thing now. But you must have a taste of your own.’
‘I enjoy things when they’re done, but I’ve no ideas. I can never propose anything.’
‘Do you mean you accept what others propose?’
‘Very willingly, for the most part.’
‘That’s a good thing to know. I shall propose to you something.’
‘It will be very kind. I must say, however, that I’ve in a few small ways a certain initiative. I should like for instance to introduce you to some of these people.’
‘Oh, please don’t; I prefer sitting here. Unless it be to that young lady in the blue dress. She has a charming face.’
‘The one talking to the rosy young man? That’s my husband’s daughter.’
‘Lucky man, your husband. What a dear little maid!’
‘You must make her acquaintance.’
‘In a moment—with pleasure. I like looking at her from here.’ He ceased to look at her, however, very soon; his eyes constantly reverted to Mrs Osmond. ‘Do you know I was wrong just now in saying you had changed?’ he presently went on. ‘You seem to me, after all, very much the same.’
‘And yet I find it a great change to be married,’ said Isabel with mild gaiety.
‘It affects most people more than it has affected you. You see I haven’t gone in for that.’
‘It rather surprises me.’