The Portrait of A Lady by Henry James Page B

If you want to know, I thought she would do me credit. I like to be well thought of, and for a woman of my age there is no more becoming ornament than an attractive niece. You know I had seen nothing of my sister’s children for years; I disapproved entirely of the father. But I always meant to do something for them when he should have gone to his reward. I ascertained where they were to be found, and, without any preliminaries, went and introduced myself. There are two other sisters, both of whom are married; but I saw only the elder, who has, by the way, a very uncivil husband. The wife, whose name is Lily, jumped at the idea of my taking an interest in Isabel; she said it was just what her sister needed—that some one should take an interest in her. She spoke of her as you might speak of some young person of genius, in want of encouragement and patronage. It may be that Isabel is a genius; but in that case I have not yet learned her special line. Mrs. Ludlow was especially keen about my taking her to Europe; they all regard Europe over there as a sort of land of emigration, a refuge for their superfluous population. Isabel herself seemed very glad to come, and the thing was easily arranged. There was a little difficulty about the money question, as she seemed averse to being under pecuniary obligations. But she has a small income, and she supposes herself to be travelling at her own expense.’’
    Ralph had listened attentively to this judicious account of his pretty cousin, by which his interest in her was not impaired. ‘‘Ah, if she is a genius,’’ he said, ‘‘we must find out her special line. Is it, by chance, for flirting?’’
    â€˜â€˜I don’t think so. You may suspect that at first, but you will be wrong.’’
    â€˜â€˜Warburton is wrong, then!’’ Ralph Touchett exclaimed. ‘‘He flatters himself he has made that discovery.’’
    His mother shook her head. ‘‘Lord Warburton won’t understand her; he needn’t try.’’
    â€˜â€˜He is very intelligent,’’ said Ralph; ‘‘but it’s right he should be puzzled once in a while.’’
    â€˜â€˜Isabel will enjoy puzzling a lord,’’ Mrs. Touchett remarked.
    Her son frowned a little. ‘‘What does she know about lords?’’
    â€˜â€˜Nothing at all; that will puzzle him all the more.’’
    Ralph greeted these words with a laugh, and looked out of the window a little. Then—‘‘Are you not going down to see my father?’’ he asked.
    â€˜â€˜At a quarter to eight,’’ said Mrs. Touchett.
    Her son looked at his watch. ‘‘You have another quarter of an hour, then; tell me some more about Isabel.’’
    But Mrs. Touchett declined his invitation, declaring that he must find out for himself.
    â€˜â€˜Well,’’ said Ralph, ‘‘she will certainly do you credit. But won’t she also give you trouble?’’
    â€˜â€˜I hope not; but if she does, I shall not shrink from it. I never do that.’’
    â€˜â€˜She strikes me as very natural,’’ said Ralph.
    â€˜â€˜Natural people are not the most trouble.’’
    â€˜â€˜No,’’ said Ralph; ‘‘you yourself are a proof of that. You are extremely natural, and I am sure you have never troubled any one. But tell me this; it just occurs to me. Is Isabel capable of making herself disagreeable?’’
    â€˜â€˜Ah,’’ cried his mother, ‘‘you ask too many questions! Find that out for yourself.’’
    His questions, however, were not exhausted. ‘‘All this time,’’ he said, ‘‘you have not told me what you intend to do with her.’’
    â€˜â€˜Do with her? You talk as if she were a yard of calico. I shall do absolutely nothing with her, and she herself will do everything that