The light was insufficient to show the pictures to advantage, and the visit might have stood over to the morrow.
This suggestion Ralph had ventured to make; but Isabel looked disappointed--smiling still, however--and said: "If you please I should like to see them just a little." She was eager, she knew she was eager and now seemed so; she couldn't help it.

"She doesn't take suggestions," Ralph said to himself; but he said it without irritation; her pressure amused and even pleased him.

The lamps were on brackets, at intervals, and if the light was imperfect it was genial.

It fell upon the vague squares of rich colour and on the faded gilding of heavy frames; it made a sheen on the polished floor of the gallery.

Ralph took a candlestick and moved about, pointing out the things he liked; Isabel, inclining to one picture after another, indulged in little exclamations and murmurs.
She was evidently a judge; she had a natural taste; he was struck with that.