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XII 86 THE PORTRAIT OF A LADY. the change. You admitted that you were unreasonable, and it was the only concessi >n you would make ; but it was a very cheap one, because you are not unreasonable. No, you are not, and you never will be. Therefore it is that I believe you will let me see you again. You told me that I am not disagreeable to you, and I believe it ; for I don't see why that should be. I shall always think of you ; I shall never think of any one else. I came to England simply because you are here ; I couldn't stay at home after you had gone ; I hated the country because you were not in it. If I like this country at present, it is only because you are here. I have been to England before, but I have never enjoyed it much. May I not come and see you for half-an- hour 1 This at present is the dearest wish of, yours faithfully, " CASPAR GOODWOOD." Isabel read Mr. Goodwood's letter with such profound atten- tion that she had not perceived an approaching tread on the soft grass. Looking up, however, as she mechanically folded the paper, she saw Lord Warburton standing before her. XII. SHE put the letter into her pocket, and offered her visitor a smile of welcome, exhibiting no trace of discomposure, and half surprised at her self-possession. " They told me you were out here," said Lord Warburton ; " and as there was no one in the drawing-room, and it is really you that I wish to see, I came out with no more ado." Isabel had got up ; she felt a wish, for the moment, that he should not sit down beside her. " I was just going in-doors," she said. "Please don't do that; it is much pleasanter here; I have ridden over from Lockleigh ; it's a lovely day." His smile was peculiarly friendly and pleasing, and his whole person seemed to emit that radiance of good-feeling and good fare which had formed the charm of the girl's lirst impression of him. It surrounded him like a zone of fine June weather. " We will walk about a little, then," said Isabel, who could not divest herself of the sense of an intention on the part of her visitor, and who wished both to elude the intention and to satisfy hei curiosity regarding it. It had flashed upon her vision once before, and it had given her on that occasion, as we know, a