248 THE PORTKAIT OF A LADY. good old woman who looks after her. I can't afford a governess." " Bring her with you, then," said Isabel, smiling. Mr. Osmond looked grave. " She has been in Eome all winter, at her convent ; and she is too young to make journeys of pleasure." " You don't like bringing her forward ? " Isabel suggested. "No, I think young girls should be kept out of the world." " I was brought up on a different system." "You? Oh, with you it succeeded, because you you were exceptional." " I don't see why," said Isabel, who, however, was not sure there was not some truth in the speech. Mr. Osmond did not explain ; he simply went on. " If I thought it would make her resemble you to join a social group in Eorae, I would take her there to-morrow." " Don't make her resemble me," said Isabel ; " keep her like herself." " I might send her to my sister," Mr. Osmond suggested. He had almost the air of asking advice ; he seemed to like to talk over his domestic matters with Isabel. " Yes," said the girl ; " I think that would not do much towards making her resemble me ! " After she had left Florence, Gilbert Osmond met Madame Merle at the Countess Gemini's. There were other people present ; the Countess's drawing-room was usually well filled, and the talk had been general ; but after a while Osmond left his place and came and sat on an ottoman half-behind, half- beside, Madame Merle's chair. " She wants me to go to Rome with her," he announced, in a low voice. "Togo with her 1 ?" "To be there while she is there. She proposed it." " I suppose you mean that you proposed it, and that she assented." " Of course I gave her a chance. But she is encouraging she is very encouraging." " I am glad to hear it but don't cry victory too soon. Of course you will go to Eome." " Ah," said Osmond, " it makes one work, this idea of yours !" " Don't pretend you don't enjoy it you are very ungrateful. You have not been so well occupied these many years." " The way you take it is beautiful," said Osmond. " I ought to be grateful for that."
