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488 488 THE PORTRAIT OF A LADY. is very delightful. But I liave had enough. Papa wished me to think a little and I have thought a great deal." " What have you thought 1 " " Well, that I must never displease papa." " You knew that before." " Yes ; but I know it better. I will do anything I will do anything," said Pansy. Then, as she heard her own words, a deep, pure blush came into her face. Isabel read the meaning of it ; she saw that the poor girl had been vanquished. It was well that Mr. Edward Rosier had kept his enamels ! Isabel looked into her eyes and saw there mainly a prayer to be treated easily. She laid her hand on Pansy's, as if to let her know that her look conveyed no diminution of esteem ; for the collapse of the girl's momentary resistance (mute and modest though it had been), seemed only her tribute to the truth of things. She didn't presume to judge others, but she had judged herself ; she had seen the reality. She had no vocation for struggling with combinations ; in the solemnity of sequestration there was some- thing that overwhelmed her. She bowed her pretty head to authority, and only asked of authority to be merciful. Yes ; it was very well that Edward Rosier had reserved a few articles ! Isabel got up ; her time was rapidly shortening. " Good-bye, then," she said ; " I leave Rome to-night." Pansy took hold of her dress ; there was a sudden change in the girl's face. " You look strange ; you frighten me." " Oh, I am very harmless," said Isabel. " Perhaps you won't come back 1 " " Perhaps not. I can't tell" " Ah, Mrs. Osmond, you won't leave me ! " Isabel now saw that she had guessed everything. "My dear child, what can I do for you 1 " she asked. " I don't know but I am happier when I think of you." " You can always think of me." " Not when you are so far. I am a little afraid," said Pansy. " What are you afraid of?" " Of papa a little. And of Madame Merle. She has just been to see me." " You must not say that," Isabel observed. " Oh, I will do everything they want. Only if you arc here I shall do it more easily." Isabel reflected a little. " I won't desert you," she said at last. " Good-bye, my Child,",