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 Rosier I won’t admit that she deserves it. That will be too perverse.’
‘Mr Rosier’s a nuisance!’ Isabel cried abruptly.
‘I quite agree with you, and I’m delighted to know that I’m not expected to feed his flame. For the future, when he calls on me, my door shall be closed to him.’ And gathering her mantle together Madame Merle