"I'm really very glad to see you."
"It's very pleasant. You're very kind."
"Do you know that you're changed-a little?"
She just hesitated. "Yes-a good deal."
"I don't mean for the worse, of course; and yet how can I say for
the better?"
"I think I shall have no scruple in saying that to you," she bravely
returned.
"Ah well, for me-it's a long time. It would be a pity there
shouldn't be something to show for it." They sat down and she asked
him about his sisters, with other enquiries of a somewhat
perfunctory kind. He answered her questions as if they interested him,
and in a few moments she saw-or believed she saw-that he would press
with less of his whole weight than of yore. Time had breathed upon his
heart and, without chilling it, given it a relieved sense of having
taken the air. Isabel felt her usual esteem for Time rise at a
bound. Her friend's manner was certainly that of a contented man,
one who would rather like people, or like her at least, to know him
for such.
"There's something I must tell you without more delay," he resumed.
"I've brought Ralph Touchett with me."
"Brought him with you?" Isabel's surprise was great.
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