Page:The Portrait of a Lady (1882).djvu/343

335 THE PORTRAIT OF A LADY. 335 ' ' I am as fond of Ralph as ever," Isabel answered. " But why has lie come to Rome ? " The declaration was very gentle ; the question a little sharp. " Because he is very far gone, Mrs. Osmond." " Rome, then, is no place for him. I heard from him that he had determined to give up his custom of wintering abroad, and remain in England, indoors, in what he called an artificial climate." " Poor fellow* he doesn't succeed with the artificial ! I went to see him three weeks ago, at Gardencourt, and found him extremely ill. He has been getting worse every year, and now he has no strength left. He smokes no more cigarettes ! He had got up an artificial climate indeed; the house was as hot as Calcutta. Nevertheless, he had suddenly taken it into his head to start for Sicily. I didn't believe in it neither did the doctors, nor any of his friends, His mother, as I suppose you know, is in America, so there was no one to prevent him. He stuck to his idea that it would be the saving of him to spend the winter at Catania. He said he could take servants and furni- ture, and make himself comfortable ; but in point of fact he hasn't brought anything. I wanted him at least to go by sea, to save fatigue ; but he said he hated the sea, and wished to stop at Rome. After that, though I thought it all rubbish, I made up my mind to come with him. I am acting as what do you call it in America ? as a kind of moderator. Poor Touchett's very moderate now. We left England a fortnight ago, and he has been very bad on the way. He can't keep warm, and the further south we come the more he feels the cold. He has got a rather good man, but I'm afraid he's' beyond human help. If you don't mind my saying so, I think it was a most extraordinary time for Mrs. Touchett to choose for going to America." Isabel had listened eagerly ; her face was full of pain and wonder. " My aunt does that at fixed periods, and she lets nothing turn her aside. When the date comes round she starts ; I think she would have started if Ralph had been dying." " I sometimes think he is dying," Lord Warburton* said. Isabel started up. " I will go to him now ! " He checked her; he was a little disconcerted at the quicK effect of his words. " I don't mean that I thought so to-night. On the contrary, to-day, in the train, he seemed particularly well; the idea pf our reaching Rome he is very fond of Rome, you know gave him