The Portrait of a Lady

Isabel returns to the hotel and is reading alone when Caspar arrives. She asks how he knew she was there, and he says that Henrietta wrote to him. Isabel feels betrayed by her friend. Caspar presses her, and she tells him she doesn’t want to marry him and will almost certainly never marry at all. In part to convince and in part to comfort the upset Caspar, she tells him about having refused Lord Warburton as well.

Isabel tells Caspar she values her independence; he suggests that marrying him will increase it. She asks him repeatedly for time and space, asking that he leave her alone for at least a year or two. He tells her he will come to her in two years. She again emphasizes that she doesn’t promise him anything until then.

Isabel trembles with excitement and relief. She feels satisfied at having taken a tangible step in favor of her liberty by refusing two proposals. Henrietta returns and is upset to learn what transpired. Isabel tells Henrietta she doesn’t trust her and that she acted wrongly. Henrietta says she won’t return to Gardencourt. She plans to remain in London until the promised invitation from Mr. Bantling’s sister arrives.

Ralph receives a telegram from his mother, saying his father is unwell. He plans to speak to a doctor who happens to be in London, then return home. Isabel decides to accompany him.

Ralph and Isabel return to Gardencourt. While Mrs. Touchett, Ralph, and the doctor are with Mr. Touchett, Isabel finds a woman she doesn’t know playing the piano. She introduces herself as Madame Merle, a friend of Mrs. Touchett’s who lives primarily in Florence.

Mr. Touchett is usually unconscious but wakes up for a conversation with Ralph. Mr. Touchett tells his son he wants him to find a new interest and to get married after his death. Mr. Touchett suggests Isabel. Ralph argues against this, given his lung condition and the fact that she is his cousin, but doesn’t deny that he would be in love with her if he didn’t think it was wrong to be so.

Ralph asks his father to provide some money for his cousin, so she can do the things she wants to do. He replies that he has already allocated 5,000 pounds to Isabel, but Ralph suggests that it should be enough to make her rich. He proposes that his father split Ralph’s inheritance between himself and Isabel. Mr. Touchett raises a few objections, like the possibility of fortune hunters, but accepts Ralph’s request.

Isabel and Madame Merle spend time together. Isabel is dazzled by the woman and thinks her only fault is a lack of naturalness. Isabel feels certain Henrietta would dislike her new acquaintance but isn’t sure why.

During one of their conversations, Isabel comments that Madame Merle must have suffered. Madame Merle suggests she’ll tell Isabel her story when they know each other better. Much later in the narrative, Isabel learns that Madame Merle had an affair with Gilbert Osmond, whom Isabel eventually marries. Madame Merle is also the real mother of Pansy, Gilbert’s daughter, and eventually schemes to ensure a marriage between Isabel and Gilbert in part to provide for her daughter. At this point in the narrative, however, Madame Merle ensures that their conversations are primarily focused on Isabel. Madame Merle mentions that Ralph doesn’t like her but says she doesn’t know why.

They discuss Isabel’s rejected proposals. Madame Merle suggests that it’s good to have refused some good offers, but that Isabel shouldn’t refuse for the sake of it. Madame Merle leaves but says that she plans to see Isabel again. Isabel continues her correspondence with Henrietta, who intends to go to the continent with Mr. Bantling, the promised invitation from his sister never having arrived. Almost a week after Madame Merle’s departure, Mr. Touchett dies.

Two weeks later, Madame Merle visits Mrs. Touchett, who has taken up residence in their London house. Mrs. Touchett tells her friend about her late husband’s will, and that he left a fortune to Isabel. Mrs. Touchett also says that Isabel seems shocked, like “a big gun were suddenly fired off behind her; she’s feeling herself to see if she be hurt” (215).

Isabel travels with her aunt to Paris. They visit the home of Mrs. Touchett’s friend, Mrs. Luce, and Isabel meets Ned Rosier. Ned is an American who has lived in Paris since his youth, and he remembers Isabel and her father from one of the trips to Europe during her childhood. Isabel spends time with Henrietta, who has also traveled to Paris. Henrietta tells Isabel she is worried about the fortune Mr. Touchett left her; she thinks it will maintain Isabel’s illusions and ensure that she lives in a world of her own dreams.

Mrs. Touchett tells Isabel that she has freedom to decide how, where, and with whom to travel now that she is rich. However, Isabel accompanies her aunt to San Remo, Italy, to visit Ralph, where he has been spending the winter. Isabel asks Ralph whether he knew his father intended to leave her the fortune. He says he did but is purposefully vague. Isabel asks him if he thinks it’s good for her. He tells her to live as she likes best and to enjoy her freedom without worrying about such things.