"You can leave us alone," she said to the portress; "in five minutes
this lady will ring for you." And then she turned to Isabel, who,
after noting what has just been mentioned, had ceased to notice and
had let her eyes wander as far as the limits of the room would
allow. She wished never to look at Madame Merle again. "You're
surprised to find me here, and I'm afraid you're not pleased," this
lady went on. "You don't see why I should have come; it's as if I
had anticipated you. I confess I've been rather indiscreet-I ought
to have asked your permission." There was none of the oblique movement
of irony in this; it was said simply and mildly; but Isabel, far
afloat on a sea of wonder and pain, could not have told herself with
what intention it was uttered. "But I've not been sitting long,"
Madame Merle continued; "that is I've not been long with Pansy. I came
to see her because it occurred to me this afternoon that she must be
rather lonely and perhaps even a little miserable. It may be good
for a small girl; I know so little about small girls; I can't tell. At
any rate it's a little dismal. Therefore I cam the chance. I knew of
course that you'd come, and her father as well; still, I had not
been told other visitors were forbidden.
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