She
could think of nothing that diverted her from saying: "You must be
very fond of me, Henrietta, to be willing to be so aggressive."
"I love you intensely, Isabel," said Miss Stackpole with feeling.
"Well, if you love me intensely let me as intensely alone. I asked
that of Mr. Goodwood, and I must also ask it of you."
"Take care you're not let alone too much."
"That's what Mr. Goodwood said to me. I told him I must take the
risks."
"You're a creature of risks- you make me shudder!" cried
Henrietta. "When does Mr. Goodwood return to America?"
"I don't know- he didn't tell me."
"Perhaps you didn't enquire," said Henrietta with the note of
righteous irony.
"I gave him too little satisfaction to have the right to ask
questions of him."
This assertion seemed to Miss Stackpole for a moment to bid defiance
to comment; but at last she exclaimed: "Well, Isabel, if I didn't know
you I might think you were heartless!"
"Take care," said Isabel; "you're spoiling me."
"I'm afraid I've done that already. I hope, at least," Miss
Stackpole added, "that he may cross with Annie Climber!"
Isabel learned from her the next morning that she had determined not
to return to Gardencourt (where old Mr.
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