Page:The Portrait of a Lady (1882).djvu/136

128 128 THE PORTRAIT OF A LADY. Warburton s state of mind is superficial, because I am pretty sure you don't think that." Isabel certainly was unable to say that she thought it ; but presently she said something else. " If you have not been requested by Lord Warburton to argue with me, then you are doing it disinterestedly or for the love of argument." " I have no wish to argue with you at all. I only wish to leave you alone. I am simply greatly interested in your OTVH sentiments." <: I am greatly obliged to you ! " cried Isabel, with a laugh. . " Of course you mean that I am meddling in what doesn't concern me. But why shouldn't I speak to you of this matter without annoying you or embarrassing myself ? What's the use of being your cousin, if I can't have a few privileges ? What is the use of adoring you without the hope of a reward, if I can't have a few compensations'? What is the use of being ill and disabled, and restricted to mere spectatorship at the game of life, if I really can't see the show when I have paid so much for my 'ticket? Tell me this," Ealph went on, while Isabel listened to him with quickened attention : " What had you in your mind when you refused Lord Warburton 1 " " What had I in my mind ? " "What was the logic the view of your situation that dictated so remarkable an act? " " I didn't wish to marry him if that is logic." " No, that is not logic and I knew that before. What was it you said to yourself? You certainly said more than that." Isabel reflected a moment and then she answered this inquiry with a question of her own. " Why do you call it a remarkable act? That is what your mother thinks, too." " Warburton is such a fine fellow ; as a man I think he has hardly a fault. And then, he is what they call here a swell. He has immense possessions, and his wife would be thought a superior being. He unites the intrinsic and the extrinsic advantages." Isabel watched her cousin while he spoke, as if to see how far he would go. "I refused him because he was too perfect then. I am not perfect myself, and he is too good for me. Besides, his perfection would irritate me." " That is ingenious rather than candid," said Ralph. "As a fact, you think nothing in the world too perfect for you." " Do you think I am so good 1 " " No, but you are exacting, all the same, without the excuse of thinking yourself pood. Nineteen women out of twenty