lived with the English for thirty years, and you've picked up a good many of the things they say.
But you've never learned the things they don't say!"
"I say what I please," the old man returned with all his serenity.
"I haven't the honour of knowing your niece," Lord Warburton said. "I think it's the first time I've
heard of her."
"She's a niece of my wife's; Mrs. Touchett brings her to England."
Then young Mr. Touchett explained. "My mother, you know, has been spending the winter in
America, and we're expecting her back. She writes that she has discovered a niece and that she has
invited her to come out with her."
"I see,--very kind of her," said Lord Warburton. Is the young lady interesting?"
"We hardly know more about her than you; my mother has not gone into details. She chiefly
communicates with us by means of telegrams, and her telegrams are rather inscrutable. They say
women don't know how to write them, but my mother has thoroughly mastered the art of
condensation. 'Tired America, hot weather awful, return England with niece, first steamer decent
cabin.' That's the sort of message we get from her--that was the last that came. But there had been
another before, which I think contained the first mention of the niece. 'Changed hotel, very bad,
impudent clerk, address here. Taken sister's girl, died last year, go to Europe, two sisters, quite
independent.' Over that my father and I have scarcely stopped puzzling; it seems to admit of so
many interpretations."
"There's one thing very clear in it," said the old man; "she has given the hotel-clerk a dressing."
"I'm not sure even of that, since he has driven her from the field. We thought at first that the sister
mentioned might be the sister of the clerk; but the subsequent mention of a niece seems to prove
that the allusion is to one of my aunts. Then there was a question as to whose the two other sisters
were; they are probably two of my late aunt's daughters. But who's 'quite independent,' and in what
sense is the term used?--that point's not yet settled. Does the expression apply more particularly to
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the young lady my mother has adopted, or does it characterise her sisters equally?--and is it used in
a moral or in a financial sense? Does it mean that they've been left well off, or that they wish to be
under no obligations? or does it simply mean that they're fond of their own way?"
"Whatever else it means, it's pretty sure to mean that," Mr. Touchett remarked.
"You'll see for yourself," said Lord Warburton. "When does Mrs. Touchett arrive?"
"We're quite in the dark; as soon as she can find a decent cabin. She may be waiting for it yet; on
the other hand she may already have disembarked in England."
"In that case she would probably have telegraphed to you."
"She never telegraphs when you would expect it--only when you don't," said the old man. "She
likes to drop on me suddenly; she thinks she'll find me doing something wrong. She has never
done so yet, but she's not discouraged."
"It's her share in the family trait, the independence she speaks of." Her son's appreciation of the
matter was more favourable. "Whatever the high spirit of those young ladies may be, her own is a
match for it. She likes to do everything for herself and has no belief in any one's power to help her.
She thinks me of no more use than a postage-stamp without gum, and she would never forgive me
if I should presume to go to Liverpool to meet her."
"Will you at least let me know when your cousin arrives?" Lord Warburton asked.
"Only on the condition I've mentioned--that you don't fall in love with her!" Mr. Touchett replied.
"That strikes me as hard, don't you think me good enough?"
"I think you too good--because I shouldn't like her to marry you. She hasn't come here to look for a
husband, I hope; so many young ladies are doing that, as if there were no good ones at home. Then
she's probably engaged; American girls are usually engaged, I believe. Moreover I'm not sure, after
all, that you'd be a remarkable husband."
"Very likely she's engaged; I've known a good many American girls, and they always were; but I
could never see that it made any difference, upon my word! As for my being a good husband," Mr.
Touchett's visitor pursued, "I'm not sure of that either. One can but try!"
"Try as much as you please, but don't try on my niece," smiled the old man, whose opposition to
the idea was broadly humorous.
"Ah, well," said Lord Warburton with a humour broader still, "perhaps, after all, she's not worth
trying on!"
CHAPTER II
While this exchange of pleasantries took place between the two Ralph Touchett wandered away a
little, with his usual slouching gait, his hands in his pockets and his little rowdyish terrier at his
heels. His face was turned toward the house, but his eyes were bent musingly on the lawn; so that
he had been an object of observation to a person who had just made her appearance in the ample
doorway for some moments before he perceived her. His attention was called to her by the conduct
of his dog, who had suddenly darted forward with a little volley of shrill barks, in which the note
of welcome, however, was more sensible than that of defiance. The person in question was a
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young lady, who seemed immediately to interpret the greeting of the small beast. He advanced
with great rapidity and stood at her feet, looking up and barking hard; whereupon, without
hesitation, she stooped and caught him in her hands, holding him face to face while he continued
his quick chatter. His master now had had time to follow and to see that Bunchie's new friend was
a tall girl in a black dress, who at first sight looked pretty. She was bareheaded, as if she were
staying in the house--a fact which conveyed perplexity to the son of its master, conscious of that
immunity from visitors which had for some time been rendered necessary by the latter's ill-health.
Meantime the two other gentlemen had also taken note of the new-comer.
"Dear me, who's that strange woman?" Mr. Touchett had asked.
"Perhaps it's Mrs. Touchett's niece--the independent young lady," Lord Warburton suggested. "I
think she must be, from the way she handles the dog."
The collie, too, had now allowed his attention to be diverted, and he trotted toward the young lady
in the doorway, slowly setting his tail in motion as he went.
"But where's my wife then?" murmured the old man.
"I suppose the young lady has left her somewhere: that's a part of the independence."
The girl spoke to Ralph, smiling, while she still held up the terrier. "Is this your little dog, sir?"
"He was mine a moment ago; but you've suddenly acquired a remarkable air of property in him."
"Couldn't we share him?" asked the girl. "He's such a perfect little darling."
Ralph looked at her a moment; she was unexpectedly pretty. "You may have him altogether," he
then replied.
The young lady seemed to have a great deal of confidence, both in herself and in others; but this
abrupt generosity made her blush. "I ought to tell you that I'm probably your cousin," she brought
out, putting down the dog. "And here's another!" she added quickly, as the collie came up.
"Probably?" the young man exclaimed, laughing. "I supposed it was quite settled! Have you
arrived with my mother?"
"Yes, half an hour ago."
"And has she deposited you and departed again?"
"No, she went straight to her room, and she told me that, if I should see you, I was to say to you
that you must come to her there at a quarter to seven."
The young man looked at his watch. "Thank you very much; I shall be punctual." And then he
looked at his cousin. "You're very welcome here. I'm delighted to see you."
She was looking at everything, with an eye that denoted clear perception--at her companion, at the
two dogs, at the two gentlemen under the trees, at the beautiful scene that surrounded her. "I've
never seen anything so lovely as this place. I've been all over the house; it's too enchanting."
"I'm sorry you should have been here so long without our knowing it."
"Your mother told me that in England people arrived very quietly; so I thought it was all right. Is
one of those gentlemen your father?"
"Yes, the elder one--the one sitting down," said Ralph.
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The girl gave a laugh. "I don't suppose it's the other. Who's the other?"
"He's a friend of ours--Lord Warburton."
"Oh, I hoped there would be a lord; it's just like a novel!" And then, "Oh you adorable creature!"
she suddenly cried, stooping down and picking up the small dog again.
She remained standing where they had met, making no offer to advance or to speak to Mr.
Touchett, and while she lingered so near the threshold, slim and charming, her interlocutor
wondered if she expected the old man to come and pay her his respects. American girls were used
to a great deal of deference, and it had been intimated that this one had a high spirit. Indeed Ralph
could see that in her face.
"Won't you come and make acquaintance with my father?" he nevertheless ventured to ask. "He's
old and infirm--he doesn't leave his chair."
"Ah, poor man, I'm very sorry!" the girl exclaimed, immediately moving forward. "I got the
impression from your mother that he was rather intensely active."
Ralph Touchett was silent a moment. "She hasn't seen him for a year."
"Well, he has a lovely place to sit. Come along, little hound."
"It's a dear old place," said the young man, looking sidewise at his neighbour.
"What's his name?" she asked, her attention having again reverted to the terrier.
"My father's name?"
"Yes," said the young lady with amusement; "but don't tell him I asked you."
They had come by this time to where old Mr. Touchett was sitting, and he slowly got up from his
chair to introduce himself.
"My mother has arrived," said Ralph, "and this is Miss Archer."
The old man placed his two hands on her shoulders, looked at her a moment with extreme
benevolence and then gallantly kissed her. "It's a great pleasure to me to see you here; but I wish
you had given us a chance to receive you."
"Oh, we were received," said the girl. "There were about a dozen servants in the hall. And there
was an old woman curtseying at the gate."
"We can do better than that--if we have notice!" And the old man stood there smiling, rubbing his
hands and slowly shaking his head at her. "But Mrs. Touchett doesn't like receptions."
"She went straight to her room."
"Yes--and locked herself in. She always does that. Well, I suppose I shall see her next week." And
Mrs. Touchett's husband slowly resumed his former posture.
"Before that," said Miss Archer. "She's coming down to dinner-- at eight o'clock. Don't you forget
a quarter to seven," she added, turning with a smile to Ralph.
"What's to happen at a quarter to seven?"
"I'm to see my mother," said Ralph.
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"Ah, happy boy!" the old man commented. "You must sit down--you must have some tea," he
observed to his wife's niece.
"They gave me some tea in my room the moment I got there," this young lady answered. "I'm sorry
you're out of health," she added, resting her eyes upon her venerable host.
"Oh, I'm an old man, my dear; it's time for me to be old. But I shall be the better for having you
here."
She had been looking all round her again--at the lawn, the great trees, the reedy, silvery Thames,
the beautiful old house; and while engaged in this survey she had made room in it for her
companions; a comprehensiveness of observation easily conceivable on the part of a young woman
who was evidently both intelligent and excited. She had seated herself and had put away the little
dog; her white hands, in her lap, were folded upon her black dress; her head was erect, her eye
lighted, her flexible figure turned itself easily this way and that, in sympathy with the alertness
with which she evidently caught impressions. Her impressions were numerous, and they were all
reflected in a clear, still smile. "I've never seen anything so beautiful as this."
"It's looking very well," said Mr. Touchett. "I know the way it strikes you. I've been through all
that. But you're very beautiful yourself," he added with a politeness by no means crudely jocular
and with the happy consciousness that his advanced age gave him the privilege of saying such
things--even to young persons who might possibly take alarm at them.
What degree of alarm this young person took need not be exactly measured; she instantly rose,
however, with a blush which was not a refutation. "Oh yes, of course I'm lovely!" she returned
with a quick laugh. "How old is your house? Is it Elizabethan?"
"It's early Tudor," said Ralph Touchett.
She turned toward him, watching his face. "Early Tudor? How very delightful! And I suppose
there are a great many others."
"There are many much better ones."
"Don't say that, my son!" the old man protested. "There's nothing better than this."
"I've got a very good one; I think in some respects it's rather better," said Lord Warburton, who as
yet had not spoken, but who had kept an attentive eye upon Miss Archer. He slightly inclined
himself, smiling; he had an excellent manner with women. The girl appreciated it in an instant; she
had not forgotten that this was Lord Warburton. "I should like very much to show it to you," he
added.
"Don't believe him," cried the old man; "don't look at it! It's a wretched old barrack--not to be
compared with this."
"I don't know--I can't judge," said the girl, smiling at Lord Warburton.
In this discussion Ralph Touchett took no interest whatever; he stood with his hands in his pockets,
looking greatly as if he should like to renew his conversation with his new-found cousin.
"Are you very fond of dogs?" he enquired by way of beginning. He seemed to recognise that it was
an awkward beginning for a clever man.
"Very fond of them indeed."
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"You must keep the terrier, you know," he went on, still awkwardly.
"I'll keep him while I'm here, with pleasure."
"That will be for a long time, I hope."
"You're very kind. I hardly know. My aunt must settle that."
"I'll settle it with her--at a quarter to seven." And Ralph looked at his watch again.
"I'm glad to be here at all," said the girl.
"I don't believe you allow things to be settled for you."
"Oh yes; if they're settled as I like them."
"I shall settle this as I like it," said Ralph. It's most unaccountable that we should never have
known you."
"I was there--you had only to come and see me."
"There? Where do you mean?"
"In the United States: in New York and Albany and other American places."
"I've been there--all over, but I never saw you. I can't make it out."
Miss Archer just hesitated. "It was because there had been some disagreement between your
mother and my father, after my mother's death, which took place when I was a child. In
consequence of it we never expected to see you."
"Ah, but I don't embrace all my mother's quarrels--heaven forbid!" the young man cried. "You've
lately lost your father?" he went on more gravely.
"Yes; more than a year ago. After that my aunt was very kind to me; she came to see me and
proposed that I should come with her to Europe."
"I see," said Ralph. "She has adopted you."
"Adopted me?" The girl stared, and her blush came back to her, together with a momentary look of
pain which gave her interlocutor some alarm. He had underestimated the effect of his words. Lord
Warburton, who appeared constantly desirous of a nearer view of Miss Archer, strolled toward the
two cousins at the moment, and as he did so she rested her wider eyes on him.
"Oh no; she has not adopted me. I'm not a candidate for adoption."
"I beg a thousand pardons," Ralph murmured. "I meant--I meant--" He hardly knew what he
meant.
"You meant she has taken me up. Yes; she likes to take people up. She has been very kind to me;
but," she added with a certain visible eagerness of desire to be explicit, "I'm very fond of my
liberty."
"Are you talking about Mrs. Touchett?" the old man called out from his chair. "Come here, my
dear, and tell me about her. I'm always thankful for information."
The girl hesitated again, smiling. "She's really very benevolent," she answered; after which she
went over to her uncle, whose mirth was excited by her words.
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Lord Warburton was left standing with Ralph Touchett, to whom in a moment he said: "You
wished a while ago to see my idea of an interesting woman. There it is!"
CHAPTER III
Mrs. Touchett was certainly a person of many oddities, of which her behaviour on returning to her
husband's house after many months was a noticeable specimen. She had her own way of doing all
that she did, and this is the simplest description of a character which, although by no means
without liberal motions, rarely succeeded in giving an impression of suavity. Mrs. Touchett might
do a great deal of good, but she never pleased. This way of her own, of which she was so fond, was
not intrinsically offensive--it was just unmistakeably distinguished from the ways of others. The
edges of her conduct were so very clear-cut that for susceptible persons it sometimes had a knife-
like effect. That hard fineness came out in her deportment during the first hours of her return from
America, under circumstances in which it might have seemed that her first act would have been to
exchange greetings with her husband and son. Mrs. Touchett, for reasons which she deemed
excellent, always retired on such occasions into impenetrable seclusion, postponing the more
sentimental ceremony until she had repaired the disorder of dress with a completeness which had
the less reason to be of high importance as neither beauty nor vanity were concerned in it. She was
a plain-faced old woman, without graces and without any great elegance, but with an extreme
respect for her own motives. She was usually prepared to explain these--when the explanation was
asked as a favour; and in such a case they proved totally different from those that had been
attributed to her. She was virtually separated from her husband, but she appeared to perceive
nothing irregular in the situation. It had become clear, at an early stage of their community, that
they should never desire the same thing at the same moment, and this appearance had prompted
her to rescue disagreement from the vulgar realm of accident. She did what she could to erect it
into a law--a much more edifying aspect of it--by going to live in Florence, where she bought a
house and established herself; and by leaving her husband to take care of the English branch of his
bank. This arrangement greatly pleased her; it was so felicitously definite. It struck her husband in
the same light, in a foggy square in London, where it was at times the most definite fact he
discerned; but he would have preferred that such unnatural things should have a greater vagueness.
To agree to disagree had cost him an effort; he was ready to agree to almost anything but that, and
saw no reason why either assent or dissent should be so terribly consistent. Mrs. Touchett indulged
in no regrets nor speculations, and usually came once a year to spend a month with her husband, a
