Many of her opinions had doubtless but a slender value, many of her emotions passed away in the utterance; but they had left a trace in giving her the habit of seeming at least to feel and think, and in imparting moreover to her words when she was really moved that prompt vividness which so many people had regarded as a sign of superiority.

Mr.Touchett used to think that she reminded him of his wife when his wife was in her teens.

It was because she was fresh and natural and quick to understand, to speak--so many characteristics of her niece--that he had fallen in love with Mrs.
Touchett.

He never expressed this analogy to the girl herself, however; for if Mrs.Touchett had once been like Isabel, Isabel was not at all like Mrs.Touchett.The old man was full of kindness for her; it was a long time, as he said, since they had had any young life in the house; and our rustling, quickly-moving, clear-voiced heroine was as agreeable to his sense as the sound of flowing water.

He wanted to do something for her and wished she would ask it of him.