I'm staying at Mrs.
Touchett's--Palazzo Crescentini--and the girl will be there." "Why didn't you ask me that at first simply, without speaking of the girl ?" said Osmond.

"You could have had her there at any rate." Madame Merle looked at him in the manner of a woman whom no question he could ever put would find unprepared.

"Do you wish to know why?
Because I've spoken of you to her." Osmond frowned and turned away.

"I'd rather not know that." Then in a moment he pointed out the easel supporting the little water-colour drawing.

"Have you seen what's there--my last ?" Madame Merle drew near and considered.