"You who know everything," she said, "you must know this: whether that curious creature's really making love to my niece." "Gilbert Osmond ?" Madame Merle widened her clear eyes and, with a full intelligence, "Heaven help us," she exclaimed, "that's an idea!" "Hadn't it occurred to you ?" "You make me feel an idiot, but I confess it hadn't.

I wonder," she added, "if it has occurred to Isabel." "Oh, I shall now ask her," said Mrs.Touchett.
Madame Merle reflected.

"Don't put it into her head.

The thing would be to ask Mr.Osmond." "I can't do that," said Mrs.Touchett.

"I won't have him enquire of me--as he perfectly may with that air of his, given Isabel's situation--what business it is of mine." "I'll ask him myself," Madame Merle bravely declared.
"But what business--for HIM--is it of yours ?" "It's being none whatever is just why I can afford to speak.