She was struck with his remaining so long, but at last she saw him appear in the portico, stand a moment slowly drawing on his gloves and looking at the knees of his horse, and then get into the vehicle and roll away.

Isabel kept her place for half an hour; there was a great stillness in the house.

It was so great that when she at last heard a soft, slow step on the deep carpet of the room she was almost startled by the sound.

She turned quickly away from the window and saw Ralph Touchett standing there with his hands still in his pockets, but with a face absolutely void of its usual latent smile.

She got up and her movement and glance were a question.
"It's all over," said Ralph.
"Do you mean that my uncle... ?" And Isabel stopped.
"My dear father died an hour ago." "Ah, my poor Ralph!" she gently wailed, putting out her two hands to him..