I know how one is charmed with her. But you must have
done a great deal for her."
"I've taken her out with me," said Isabel, smiling still. "And
I've seen that she has proper clothes."
"Your society must have been a great benefit to her. You've talked
to her, advised her, helped her to develop."
"Ah yes, if she isn't the rose she has lived near it."
She laughed, and her companion did as much; but there was a
certain visible preoccupation in his face which interfered with
complete hilarity. "We all try to live as near it as we can," he
said after a moment's hesitation.
Isabel turned away; Pansy was about to be restored to her, and she
welcomed the diversion. We know how much she liked Lord Warburton; she
thought him pleasanter even than the sum of his merits warranted;
there was something in his friendship that appeared a kind of resource
in case of indefinite need; it was like having a large balance at
the bank. She felt happier when he was in the room; there was
something reassuring in his approach; the sound of his voice
reminded her of the beneficence of nature. Yet for all that it
didn't suit her that he should be too near her, that he should take
too much of her good-will for granted.
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