Only this time the latter saw nothing. "Ask him the next time,
and you'll see."
"I can't ask him; he has ceased to come to the house. Gilbert has
let him know that he's not welcome."
"Ah yes," said Madame Merle, "I forgot that-though it's the burden
of his lamentation. He says Osmond has insulted him. All the same,"
she went on, "Osmond doesn't dislike him so much as he thinks." She
had got up as if to close the conversation, but she lingered,
looking about her, and had evidently more to say. Isabel perceived
this and even saw the point she had in view; but Isabel also had her
own reasons for not opening the way.
"That must have pleased him, if you've told him," she answered,
smiling.
"Certainly I've told him; as far as that goes I've encouraged him.
I've preached patience, have said that his case isn't desperate if
he'll only hold his tongue and be quiet. Unfortunately he has taken it
into his head to be jealous."
"Jealous?
"Jealous of Lord Warburton, who, he says, is always here."
Isabel, who was tired, had remained sitting; but at this she also
rose. "Ah!" she exclaimed simply, moving slowly to the fireplace.
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