That will be too perverse."
"Mr. Rosier's a nuisance!" Isabel cried abruptly.
"I quite agree with you, and I'm delighted to know that I'm not
expected to feed his flame. For the future, when he calls on me, my
door shall be closed to him." And gathering her mantle together Madame
Merle prepared to depart. She was checked, however, on her progress to
the door, by an inconsequent request from Isabel.
"All the same, you know, be kind to him."
She lifted her shoulders and eyebrows and stood looking at her
friend. "I don't understand your contradictions! Decidedly I shan't be
kind to him, for it will be a false kindness. I want to see her
married to Lord Warburton."
"You had better wait till he asks her."
"If what you say's true, he'll ask her. Especially," said Madame
Merle in a moment, "if you make him."
"If I make him?"
"It's quite in your power. You've great influence with him."
Isabel frowned a little. "Where did you learn that?"
"Mrs. Touchett told me. Not you-never!" said Madame Merle, smiling.
"I certainly never told you anything of the sort."
"You might have done far as opportunity went-when we were by way
of being confidential with each other.
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