Page:The Portrait of a Lady (1882).djvu/75

67 THE PORTRAIT OF A LADY. 67 " Ah, excuse me if I say I don't exactly believe that. I am pretty sure you can do whatever you want." " I am sorry if I make that impression on you ; I don't think it's a nice impression to make." "It has the merit of permitting me to hope." And Lord Warburton paused a moment. "To hope what?" " That in future I may see you often." " Ah," said Isabel, " to enjoy that pleasure, I needn't be so terribly emancipated." " Doubtless not ; and yet, at the same time, I don't think your uncle likes me." " You are very much mistaken. I have heard him speak very highly of you." " I am glad you have talked about me," said Lord Warburton. " But, all the same, I don't think he would like me to keep coming to Gardencourt." " I can't answer for my uncle's tastes," the girl rejoined, " though I ought, as far as possible, to take them into account. But, for myself, I shall be very glad to see you." " Now that's what I like to hear you say. I am charmed when you say that." " You are easily charmed, my lord," said Isabel. " No, I am not easily charmed ! " And then he stopped a moment. "But you have charmed me, Miss Archer," he added. These words were uttered with an indefinable sound which startled the girl ; it struck her as the prelude to something grave ; she Lad heard the sound before, and she recognised it. She had no wish, however, that for the moment such a prelude should have a sequel, and she said, as gaily as possible and as quickly as an appreciable degree of agitation would allow her, " I am afraid there is no prospect of my being able to come here again." " Never 1 " said Lord Warburton. "I won't say 'never'; I should feel very melodramatic." " May I come and see you then some day next week 1 " " Most assuredly. "What is there to prevent it ? " " Nothing tangible. But with you I never feel safe. I have a sort of sense that you are always judging people." " You don't of necessity lose by that." " It is very kind of you to say so ; but even if I gain, stern justice is not what I most love. Is Mrs. Touchett going to take you abroad 1 " F 2