The Portrait of a Lady

Mrs. Touchett invites Madame Merle to stay in Florence. Merle makes sure to tell Isabel she has spoken about her to Gilbert Osmond, although gives no indication of her secret hope that she desires to one day see the two married. Isabel’s curiosity is piqued regarding the history between Merle and Osmond, but Merle speaks of nothing but a long friendship with the American gentleman.

Gilbert Osmond visits at Mrs. Touchett’s Florence home. Isabel barely takes part in group conversation. She does not want to play into Madame Merle’s expectation Isabel will amuse and charm Osmond, but she inadvertently fascinates him with her silence. Before he leaves, Osmond invited her to visit his villa with Madame Merle and suggests he would like Isabel to meet his daughter, Pansy.

When Madame Merle congratulates Isabel on her captivating behavior, Isabel replies coolly, “that’s more than I intended,” feeling irritated with her friend Merle for the first time. Merle blushes with embarrassment at Isabel’s unexpected displeasure, but says she thought that Isabel liked Osmond.

Isabel asks Ralph what he knows about Gilbert Osmond. Ralph can only say that he is a mysterious American who has lived in Italy for the past thirty years, and that he believes Osmond dreads “vulgar” tastes. However, Ralph advises Isabel that she must make judgments for herself without relying on other people’s opinions.

Ralph goes on to throw barbed insults about Madame Merle, and Isabel charges him with either speaking plainly or holding his tongue. All he will say is that Merle is too ambitious and that her merits are exaggerated; overall, he feels pity for Merle’s failures to achieve her life desires.

Ralph imagines that the friendship between Isabel and Madame Merle will not be long-lasting. He does not believe it necessary to take any action regarding their friendship, as he assumes Isabel will discover Merle’s true nature in time. Until then, it is unlikely that Isabel will be hurt.