A rebuke might possibly have been irritating, though it is much more probable that Isabel would have taken it in good part; but, strange to say, the words that Madame Merle actually used caused her the昀rst feeling of displeasure she had known this ally to excite. "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 昀ushed, 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."