56 THE PORTRAIT OF A LADY. charming people as those," she said, meaning by " those " her cousin and her cousin's friend. It must be added, moreover, that an incident had occurred which might have seemed to put her good humour to the test. Mr. Touchett went to bed at half-past nine o'clock, but his wife remained in the drawing- room with the other members of the party. She prolonged her vigil for something less than an hour, and then rising, she said to Isabel that it was time they should bid the gentlemen good- night. Isabel had as yet no desire to go to bed ; the occasion wore, to her sense, a festive character, and feasts were not in the habit of terminating so early. So, without further thought, she replied, very simply " Need I go, dear aunt 1 I will come up in half-an-hour." "It's impossible I should wait for you," Mrs. Touchett answered. " Ah, you needn't wait 1 Ealph will light my candle/' said Isabel, smiling. " I will light your candle ; do let me light your candle, Miss Archer ! " Lord Warburton exclaimed. " Only I beg it shall not be before midnight. " Mrs. Touchett fixed her bright little eyes upon him for a moment, and then transferred them to her niece. " You can't stay alone with the gentlemen. You are not you are not at Albany, my dear." Isabel rose, blushing. " I wish I were," she said. " Oh, I say, mother ! " Ealph broke out. " My dear Mrs. Touchett," Lord Warburton murmured. " I didn't make your country, my lord," Mrs. Touchett said majestically. " I must take it as I find it." " Can't I stay with my own cousin 1 " Isabel inquired. "I am not aware that Lord Warburton is your cousin." " Perhaps I had better go to bed ! " the visitor exclaimed. " That will arrange it." Mrs. Touchett gave a little look of despair, and sat down again. " Oh, if it's necessary, I will stay up till midnight," she said. Ealph meanwhile handed Isabel her candlestick. He had been watching her; it had seemed to him that her temper was stirred an accident that might be interesting. But if he had expected an exhibition of temper, he was disappointed, for the girl simply laughed a little, nodded good night, and withdrew accompanied by her aunt. For himself he was annoyed at his mother, though he thought she was right. Above-stairs, the two
