Madame Merle took the
trouble for him."
"He has taken a great deal for himself!" cried Isabel with a
voluntary laugh.
Mrs. Touchett gave a sharp nod. "I think he must, after all, to have
made you like him so much."
"I thought he even pleased you."
"He did, at one time; and that's why I'm angry with him."
"Be angry with me, not with him," said the girl.
"Oh, I'm always angry with you; that's no satisfaction! Was it for
this that you refused Lord Warburton?"
"Please don't go back to that. Why shouldn't I like Mr. Osmond,
since others have done so?"
"Others, at their wildest moments, never wanted to marry him.
There's nothing of him," Mrs. Touchett explained.
"Then he can't hurt me," said Isabel.
"Do you think you're going to be happy? No one's happy, in such
doings, you should know."
"I shall set the fashion then. What does one marry for?"
"What you will marry for, heaven only knows. People usually marry as
they go into partnership-to set up a house. But in your partnership
you'll bring everything."
"Is it that Mr. Osmond isn't rich? Is that what you're talking
about?" Isabel asked.
"He has no money; he has no name; he has no importance.
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