Chapters 48 – 50
Isabel asks
her friends to check on Ralph, who is preparing to leave Rome for England; Henrietta
not only checks on him, but she plans to escort him and care for him all the
way. Casper Goodwood will travel with
him, too, because it is what Isabel desires. She declares Ralph her best friend, and he
states that it was because of her that he wanted to live. Now he is useless.
For some
reason, Osmond was interested in Mr. Goodwood, and spent a great deal speaking to
him about private, personal issues concerning Isabel. Goodwood “at times had wished Osmond were
dead, and would have liked to kill him…”
He even considered Osmond demoniac in his ideas.
In private
conversation, Goodwood reveals to Isabel that he still loves her; he knows of
her unhappiness even though she tried to hide it.
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Nicole Kidman as Isabel in The Portrait of a Lady, 1996 |
Then the
witch returns, Madame Merle, and throws a tantrum because Lord Warburton left
to England. “…let us have him!” she
demands. Merle provokes Isabel with her
insolent, insulting words, and it is apparent to Isabel that Merle was behind
the match making of Osmond and herself.
Isabel ponders if Merle is wicked.
I don’t think it is even questionable.
Finally,
Countess Gemini arrives in Rome and spends time with Isabel. While visiting the Coliseum with Pansy,
Isabel runs into Mr. Rosier; he has sold his bibelots (collection) and acquired
some money, which he believes may please Osmond. But Isabel tells him it will not matter.
Not too
much later, Pansy tells Isabel that she is being sent back to the convent. Osmond gives a long-winded justification why
he chose to send her back, while Countess Gemini bravely speaks out against her brother.
To be continued…
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