He judged the latter, in spite of the advantage of
good looks and evident social experience, a little embarrassed.
"Isabel," said her husband, "I bring you an old friend."
Mrs. Osmond's face, though it wore a smile, was, like her old
friend's, not perfectly confident. "I'm very happy to see Lord
Warburton," she said. Rosier turned away and, now that his talk with
her had been interrupted, felt absolved from the little pledge he
had just taken. He had a quick impression that Mrs. Osmond wouldn't
notice what he did.
Isabel in fact, to do him justice, for some time quite ceased to
observe him. She had been startled; she hardly knew if she felt a
pleasure or a pain. Lord Warburton, however, now that he was face to
face with her, was plainly quite sure of his own sense of the
matter; though his grey eyes had still their fine original property of
keeping recognition and attestation strictly sincere. He was "heavier"
than of yore and looked older; he stood there very solidly and
sensibly.
"I suppose you didn't expect to see me," he said; "I've but just
arrived. Literally, I only got here this evening. You see I've lost no
time in coming to pay you my respects.
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