Isabel recognized Madame Catherine, whose
acquaintance she had already made, and begged that she would
immediately let her see Miss Osmond. Madame Catherine looked doubly
discreet, but smiled very blandly and said: "It will be good for her
to see you. I'll take you to her myself" Then she directed her pleased
guarded vision to Madame Merle.
"Will you let me remain a little?" this lady asked. "It's so good to
be here."
"You may remain always if you like!" And the good sister gave a
knowing laugh.
She led Isabel out of the room, through several corridors, and up
a long staircase. All these departments were solid and bare, light and
clean; so, thought Isabel, are the great penal establishments.
Madame Catherine gently pushed open the door of Pansy's room and
ushered in the visitor; then stood smiling with folded hands while the
two others met and embraced.
"She's glad to see you," she repeated; "it will do her good." And
she placed the best chair carefully for Isabel. But she made no
movement to seat herself; she seemed ready to retire. "How does this
dear child look?" she asked of Isabel, lingering a moment.
"She looks pale," Isabel answered.
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