Florence was not an austere city; but, as Mrs.Touchett said, she had to draw the line somewhere.
Madame Merle defended the luckless lady with a great deal of zeal and wit.

She couldn't see why Mrs.Touchett should make a scapegoat of a woman who had really done no harm, who had only done good in the wrong way.

One must certainly draw the line, but while one was about it one should draw it straight: it was a very crooked chalk-mark that would exclude the Countess Gemini.

In that case Mrs.Touchett had better shut up her house; this perhaps would be the best course so long as she remained in Florence.

One must be fair and not make arbitrary differences: the Countess had doubtless been imprudent, she had not been so clever as other women.