Page:The Portrait of a Lady (1882).djvu/406

398 898 THE PORTRAIT OF A LADY. Isabel in that way. I am only afraid she is unhappy that's what I want to get at." The Countess gave a dozen turns of the head; she looked impatient and sarcastic. " That may very well be ; for my part I should like to know whether Osmond is." Miss Stackpole had begun to bore her a little. " If she is really changed that must be at the bottom of it," Henrietta went on. " You will see ; she will tell you," said the Countess. " Ah, she may not tell me that's what I am afraid of ! " " Well, if Osmond isn't enjoying himself I natter myself I shall discover it," the Countess rejoined. " I don't care for that," said Henrietta. " I do immensely ! If Isabel is unhappy I am very sorry for her, but I can't help it. I might tell her something that would make her worse, but I can't tell her anything that would console her. What did she go and marry him for 1 ? If she had listened to me she would have got rid of him. I will forgive her, how- ever, if I find she has made things hot for him ! If she has simply allowed him to trample upon her I don't know that I shall even pity her. But I don't think that's very likely. I count upon finding that if she is miserable she has at least made him so." Henrietta got up ; these seemed to her, naturally, very dread ful expectations. She honestly believed that she had no desire to see Mr. Osmond unhappy ; and indeed he could not be for her the subject of a flight of fancy. She was on the wholo rather disappointed in the Countess, whose mind moved in a narrower circle than she had imagined. " It will be better if they love each other," she said gravely. " They can't. He can't love any one." ' ' I presumed that was the case. But it only increases my fear for Isabel. I shall positively start to-morrow." " Isabel certainly has devotees," said the Countess, smiling very vividly. " I declare : don't pity her." " It may be that I can't assist her," said Miss Stackpole, as if it were well not to have illusions. " You can have wanted to, at any rate ; that's something. I believe that's what you came from America for," the Countess suddenly added. " Yes, I wanted to look after her," Henrietta said, serenely. Her hostess stood there smiling at her, with her small bright