How well she herself, should she only give her mind to it, might criticise this union of her own! She had other employment, however, and Ralph was welcome to relieve her of the care.

Isabel was prepared to be most patient and most indulgent.

He must have seen that, and this made it the more odd he should say nothing.
After three days had elapsed without his speaking our young woman wearied of waiting; dislike it as he would, he might at least go through the form.

We, who know more about poor Ralph than his cousin, may easily believe that during the hours that followed his arrival at Palazzo Crescentini he had privately gone through many forms.

His mother had literally greeted him with the great news, which had been even more sensibly chilling than Mrs.Touchett's maternal kiss.