For Isabel, however, it represented little; she could only continue to feel that Madame Merle had as charming a manner as any she had ever encountered.
"She's not a foreigner in spite of her name," said Mrs.Touchett.
"She was born--I always forget where you were born." "It's hardly worth while then I should tell you." "On the contrary," said Mrs.Touchett, who rarely missed a logical point; "if I remembered your telling me would be quite superfluous." Madame Merle glanced at Isabel with a sort of world-wide smile, a thing that over-reached frontiers.

"I was born under the shadow of the national banner." "She's too fond of mystery," said Mrs.Touchett; "that's her great fault." "Ah," exclaimed Madame Merle, "I've great faults, but I don't think that's one of then; it certainly isn't the greatest.

I came into the world in the Brooklyn navy-yard.

My father was a high officer in the United States Navy, and had a post--a post of responsibility--in that establishment at the time.

I suppose I ought to love the sea, but I hate it.