The Portrait of a Lady

Despite wanting to spend the evening in solitude, Isabel is surprised to receive a servant’s notice that Caspar Goodwood is waiting to see her at the inn. She instructs the waiter to let him up to her rooms.

Upon their meeting, Isabel asks how Goodwood knew where to find he in London. He replies that Henrietta informed him of their whereabouts. Isabel is frustrated by her friend’s betrayal and by Goodwood’s unexpected visit.

Isabel asks Goodwood why he is here, and he replies that he is intent upon their union, for he does not want to lose Isabel, although she tartly responds that he has “no right to lose what’s not yours.” She thinks about the reason for her lack of delight at seeing him, identifying Goodwood as a man who is “naturally plated and steeled, armed essentially for aggression.”

Goodwood reiterates that he is “infernally in love” with Isabel. He strength of character means that he loves Isabel even more “strongly” than an ordinary man. Isabel feels the force of his declarations, but insists that Goodwood leave her alone. When he asks how long he must stay away, she states that it needs to be two years. She becomes quite sharp with Goodwood, and he finally flushes in embarrassment. Isabel notes that she does not want to treat him in such a way, but he forces her to do so; she does not like to cause others pain.

Isabel also reveals that she has rejected a “dazzling” marriage proposal last week from an English nobleman, trying to demonstrate that she is not being fickle in her treatment of Goodwood. She values her personal freedoms greatly and is going to travel Europe. Goodwood states that he has no wish to restrict her liberties.

Isabel is also shocked when Goodwood reveals that, at Henrietta’s urging, Ralph previously invited him to visit Gardencourt. Isabel is appalled when she considers the awkward possibility that Goodward and Lord Warburton could have crossed paths there.

Caspar Goodwood takes his leave, refusing to give in to despair by convincingly affirming that he will seek Isabel out in two year’s time. He believes that she will be truly fed up with her independence by then. Isabel reminds him that she has promised him nothing. They have an intimate moment of clasping hands, where Isabel feels great respect and admiration for him, although she does not return his depth of feeling. Upon Goodwood’s exit from her rooms, Isabel stands for a moment, before dropping to her knees and buries her face in her arms.