Madame Merle had been a dweller in many lands and had
social ties in a dozen different countries. "I don't pretend to be
educated," she would say, "but I think I know my Europe"; and she
spoke one day of going to Sweden to stay with an old friend, and
another of proceeding to Malta to follow up a new acquaintance. With
England, where she had often dwelt, she was thoroughly familiar, and
for Isabel's benefit threw a great deal of light upon the customs of
the country and the character of the people, who "after all," as she
was fond of saying, were the most convenient in the world to live
with.
"You mustn't think it strange her remaining here at such a time as
this, when Mr. Touchett's passing away," that gentleman's wife
remarked to her niece. "She is incapable of a mistake; she's the
most tactful woman I know. It's a favour to me that she stays; she's
putting off a lot of visits at great houses," said Mrs. Touchett,
who never forgot that when she herself was in England her social value
sank two or three degrees in the scale. "She has her pick of places;
she's not in want of a shelter. But I've asked her to put in this time
because I wish you to know her.
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