"That's more than I intended," she answered coldly.

"I'm under no obligation that I know of to charm Mr.Osmond." Madame Merle perceptibly flushed, but we know it was not her habit to retract.

"My dear child, I didn't speak for him, poor man; I spoke for yourself.

It's not of course a question as to his liking you; it matters little whether he likes you or not! But I thought you liked HIM." "I did," said Isabel honestly.

"But I don't see what that matters either." "Everything that concerns you matters to me," Madame Merle returned with her weary nobleness; "especially when at the same time another old friend's concerned." Whatever Isabel's obligations may have been to Mr.Osmond, it must be admitted that she found them sufficient to lead her to put to Ralph sundry questions about him.