And, what's more, to-day she knows it. So you needn't be
jealous!" the Countess added humorously.
Isabel rose from her sofa again; she felt bruised and scant of
breath; her head was humming with new knowledge. "I'm much obliged
to you," she repeated. And then she added abruptly, in quite a
different tone: "How do you know all this?"
This enquiry appeared to ruffle the Countess more than Isabel's
expression of gratitude pleased her. She gave her companion a bold
stare, with which, "Let us assume that I've invented it!" she cried.
She too, however, suddenly changed her tone and, laying her hand on
Isabel's arm, said with the penetration of her sharp bright smile:
"Now will you give up your journey?"
Isabel started a little; she turned away. But she felt weak and in a
moment had to lay her arm upon the mantel-shelf for support. She stood
a minute so, and then upon her arm she dropped her dizzy head, with
closed eyes and pale lips.
"I've done wrong to speak-I've made you ill!" the Countess cried.
"Ah, I must see Ralph!" Isabel wailed; not in resentment, not in the
quick passion her companion had looked for; but in a tone of
far-reaching, infinite sadness.
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