"You appreciate him, which all the world hasn't done. The
quality's too fine."
"I quite adore him," Isabel after a moment said.
"That's very well. After his son he's your greatest admirer."
She welcomed this assurance, but she gave secretly a small sigh of
relief at the thought that Mr. Touchett was one of those admirers
who couldn't propose to marry her. This, however, was not what she
spoke; she went on to inform Ralph that there were other reasons for
her not remaining in London. She was tired of it and wished to leave
it; and then Henrietta was going away- going to stay in Bedfordshire.
"In Bedfordshire?"
"With Lady Pensil, the sister of Mr. Bantling, who has answered
for an invitation."
Ralph was feeling anxious, but at this he broke into a laugh.
Suddenly, none the less, his gravity returned. "Bantling's a man of
courage. But if the invitation should get lost on the way?"
"I thought the British post-office was impeccable."
"The good Homer sometimes nods," said Ralph. "However," he went on
more brightly, "the good Bantling never does, and, whatever happens,
he'll take care of Henrietta."
Ralph went to keep his appointment with Sir Matthew Hope, and Isabel
made her arrangements for quitting Pratt's Hotel.
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