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328 328 THE PORTKAIT OF A LADY. situation, just as it was her habit to interpose a good many blank-looking pauses. A long pause followed the last words I have quoted; and before it was broken again, she saw Pansy come out of the adjoining room, followed by Edward Eosier. Pansy advanced a few steps and then stopped and stood looking at Madame Merle and at her father. "He has spoken to her," Madame Merle said, simply, to Osmond. Her companion never turned his head. " So much for your belief in his promises. He ought to be horsewhipped." " He intends to confess, poor little man ! " Osmond got up ; he had now taken a sharp look at his daughter. " It doesn't matter," he murmured, turning away. Pansy after a moment came up to Madame Merle with her little manner of unfamiliar politeness. This lady's reception of her was not more intimate ; she simply, as she rose from the sofa, gave her a friendly smile. " You are very late," said the young girl, gently. " My dear child, I am never later than I intend to be." Madame Merle had not got up to be gracious to Pansy ; she moved towards Edward Rosier. He came to meet her, and, very quickly, as if to get it off his mind " I have spoken to her ! " he whispered. "I know it, Mr. Hosier." "Did she tell you?" "Yes, she told me. Behave properly for the rest of the evening, and come and see me to-morrow at a quarter past five." She was severe, and in the manner in which she turned her back to him there was a degree of conte'mpt which caused him to mutter a decenb imprecation. He had 110 intention of speaking to Osmond ; it was neither the time nor the place. But he instinctively wandered towards Isabel, who sat talking with an old lady. He sat down on the other side of her ; the old lady was an Italian, and Eosier took for granted that she understood no English. " You said just now you wouldn't help me," he began, to Mrs. Osmond. " Perhaps you will feel differently when you know when you know " He hesitated a little. "When I know what ?" Isabel asked, gently. " That she is all right." " What do you mean by that ? " "Well, -that we have come to an understanding," " She is all wrong," said Isabel. " It won't do."