She was a good creature, not clever at all; but since when had that been a ground of exclusion from the best society?
For ever so long now one had heard nothing about her, and there could be no better proof of her having renounced the error of her ways than her desire to become a member of Mrs.Touchett's circle.

Isabel could contribute nothing to this interesting dispute, not even a patient attention; she contented herself with having given a friendly welcome to the unfortunate lady, who, whatever her defects, had at least the merit of being Mr.Osmond's sister.

As she liked the brother Isabel thought it proper to try and like the sister: in spite of the growing complexity of things she was still capable of these primitive sequences.

She had not received the happiest impression of the Countess on meeting her at the villa, but was thankful for an opportunity to repair the accident.
Had not Mr.Osmond remarked that she was a respectable person?
To have proceeded from Gilbert Osmond this was a crude proposition, but Madame Merle bestowed upon it a certain improving polish.

She told Isabel more about the poor Countess than Mr.Osmond had done, and related the history of her marriage and its consequences.