Isabel felt her usual esteem for Time rise at a bound.

Her friend's manner was certainly that of a contented man, one who would rather like people, or like her at least, to know him for such.

"There's something I must tell you without more delay," he resumed.

"I've brought Ralph Touchett with me." "Brought him with you ?" Isabel's surprise was great.
"He's at the hotel; he was too tired to come out and has gone to bed." "I'll go to see him," she immediately said.
"That's exactly what I hoped you'd do.

I had an idea you hadn't seen much of him since your marriage, that in fact your relations were a--a little more formal.