You must remember that and must think as well of me as possible.

You must reward me by believing in me." By way of answer Isabel kissed her, and, though some women kiss with facility, there are kisses and kisses, and this embrace was satisfactory to Madame Merle.

Our young lady, after this, was much alone; she saw her aunt and cousin only at meals, and discovered that of the hours during which Mrs.Touchett was invisible only a minor portion was now devoted to nursing her husband.

She spent the rest in her own apartments, to which access was not allowed even to her niece, apparently occupied there with mysterious and inscrutable exercises.

At table she was grave and silent; but her solemnity was not an attitude--Isabel could see it was a conviction.