The Portrait of a Lady Page #5

Serena, there is one remarkable clause in my husband's will.

I'll ring for tea?

He has left my niece a fortune.

- A fortune?

- Mm-hmm.

Isabel steps into something like 70,000.

The clever creature.

Man:
She seems to me very genteel.

She's really pretty.

When her mother died, I sent her to see what you'd make of her.

I had faith, you know.

She's perfect. She has no faults.

We've had her since she was so small.

- It's not certain you'll lose her.

- Monsieur,

good as she is, she's not one of us.

She's made for the world.

Nothing's settled yet.

- Buon giorno.

- Buon giorno.

[SPEAKING ITALIAN] Si.

It's only the colour that's different, Mama.

There are just as many in one bunch as in the other.

Grazie.

Is there someone here?

Yes, there is. Someone you may see.

- Madame Merle.

- I've come to welcome you home.

May I not go to the carriage?

It would please me better if you'd remain with me.

I do hope they see that you wear gloves.

Little girls usually dislike them.

I used to dislike them, but I like them now.

I'll make you a present of a dozen.

- And will they be very pretty?

- Not too pretty.

She's going to give me some gloves.

You're very kind to her. But she's supposed to have everything she needs.

I'd think she's had enough of the nuns.

If we're discussing that matter, she'd better go out of the room.

Let her stay. We'll talk of something else.

Go into the garden, mignonne, and pluck a flower for our friend?

That's just what I want to do.

[DOOR CLOSES]

There's something I should like you to do in Florence.

There's a friend of mine I want you to know.

What good will that do me?

It will amuse you.

[FAKE LAUGH]

Oh, if only I could induce you to make an effort.

Ah, I knew something tiresome was coming.

What in the world that's likely to show up here is worth an effort?

Don't be foolish, Osmond.

The person I came to Florence to see.

She's a niece of Mrs Touchett.

She's young, 23 years old. I met her in England six months ago.

I like her immensely.

And I do what I don't do every day, I...

admire her.

You'll do the same.

Not if I can help it.

You won't be able to help it.

Is she beautiful, clever, rich, splendid,

universally intelligent, unprecedentedly virtuous?

It's only on those conditions that I care to make her acquaintance.

I know plenty of dingy people. I don't want to know any more.

Miss Archer isn't dingy.

She fills all your requirements.

More or less, of course.

No. Quite literally.

What do you want to do with her?

What you see. Put her in your way.

Isn't she meant for something better than that?

I don't pretend to know what people are meant for.

I only know what I can do with them.

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