The latter clause of
Ralph's argument might have seemed incoherent; but it embodied his
conviction that if Mr. Goodwood were interested in Isabel in the
serious manner described by Miss Stackpole he would not care to
present himself at Gardencourt on a summons from the latter lady.
"On this supposition," said Ralph, "he must regard her as a thorn on
the stem of his rose; as an intercessor he must find her wanting in
tact."
Two days after he had sent his invitation he received a very short
note from Caspar Goodwood, thanking him for it, regretting that
other engagements made a visit to Gardencourt impossible and
presenting many compliments to Miss Stackpole. Ralph handed the note
to Henrietta, who, when she had read it, exclaimed: "Well, I never
have heard of anything so stiff!"
"I'm afraid he doesn't care so much about my cousin as you suppose,"
Ralph observed.
"No, it's not that; it's some subtler motive. His nature's very
deep. But I'm determined to fathom it, and I shall write to him to
know what he means."
His refusal of Ralph's overtures was vaguely disconcerting; from the
moment he declined to come to Gardencourt our friend began to think
him of importance.
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