"That will arrange it." Mrs.Touchett gave a little look of despair and sat down again.

"Oh, if it's necessary I'll stay up till midnight." Ralph meanwhile handed Isabel her candlestick.

He had been watching her; it had seemed to him her temper was involved--an accident that might be interesting.

But if he had expected anything of a flare he was disappointed, for the girl simply laughed a little, nodded good-night and withdrew accompanied by her aunt.

For himself he was annoyed at his mother, though he thought she was right.