Page:The Portrait of a Lady (1882).djvu/340

332 832 THE PORTRAIT OF A LADY. They had been standing with their faces to the fire, and after he had uttered these last words Osmdhd turned round again to the room. Before Rosier had time to rejoin he perceived that a gentleman a stranger had just come in, unannounced, accord- ing to the Roman custom, and was about to present himself to the master of the house. The latter smiled blandly, but some- what blankly ; the visitor was a handsome man, with a large, fair beard evidently an Englishman. " You apparently don't recognise me," he said, with a smile that expressed more than Osmond's. "Ah yes, now I do ; I expected so little to see you." Rosier departed, and went in direct pursuit of Pansy. He sought her, as usual, in the neighbouring room, but he again encountered Mrs. Osmond in his path. He gave this gracious lady no greeting he was too righteously indignant ; but said to her crudely " Your husband is awfully cold-blooded." She gave the same mystical smile that he had noticed before. " You can't expect every one to be as hot as yourself." " I don't pretend to be cold, but I am cool. What has he been doing to his daughter ? " " I have no idea." "Don't you take any interest 1 }" Rosier demanded, feeling that she too was irritating. For a moment she answered nothing. Then " No ! " she said abruptly, and with a quickened light in her eye which directly contradicted the word. "Excuse me if I don't believe that. Where is Miss Osmond?" " In the corner, making tea. Please leave her there." Rosier instantly discovered the young girl, who had been hidden by intervening groups. He watched her, but her own attention was entirely given to her occupation. " What on earth has he done to her ? " he asked again implor- ingly. " He declares to me that she has given me up." "She has not given you up," Isabel said, in a low tone, without looking at him. " Ah, thank you for that ! Now I will leave her alone as long as you think proper ! " He had hardly spoken when he saw her change colour, and became aware that Osmond was coming towards her, accompanied by the gentleman who had just entered. He thought the latter, in spite of the advantage of good looks and evide.nt social expe- rience, was a little embarrassed. " Isabel," said Osmond, " I bring you an old friend."