Page:The Novels and Tales of Henry James, Volume 1 (New York, Charles Scribner's Sons, 1907).djvu/370

 "Oh, I 've thought of that," she said. "It may be that I shall always live here—among the most beautiful things in the world."

"Very possibly. I should like to see you ten years hence."

"I dare say that many things will by that time have come to me, and I certainly hope it. But I 'm nevertheless sure—!"

"Of what?" he asked as she paused.

"That for the most part I shall be quite stupidly unaltered by them. I ask nothing better than to believe the fine things you say about my understanding, but even if they 're true it won't matter. I shall be what I was made, what I am now—a young woman from the very heart of New England. The fruit of a civilisation as different as possible from this so strangely-mixed Roman."

"I 'm delighted to hear it. The heart of New England 's an excellent basis."

"Perhaps if you show me anything more you 'll grow rather tired of my basis. Therefore I warn you."

"I 'm not frightened. I should like extremely to make a request of you. Be what you are, what you like, what you must—be your very worst. But do, sometimes, as I tell you."

If Rowland was not frightened neither perhaps was his companion; but she brought their talk to an end as if not to make this promise. She proposed they should join the others.

Mrs. Hudson spoke under her breath; she could not be accused of the want of reverence often 336