The Portrait of a Lady

Osmond makes for good company in Rome. Despite his apprehensions, even Ralph acknowledges that Gilbert Osmond is an entertaining and sociable companion to the group.

Osmond likes Isabel very much, noting that only a few small faults keep her from being perfect. He is surprised to find that he feels some happiness in life at the present time, even taking pleasure in composing Isabel a sonnet. Osmond has come to believe that Isabel is a good influence, and that she can help him and his exquisite tastes to influence the world around them.

Mrs. Touchett writes to Isabel to suggest that they travel to Bellagio in Lombardy. Before Isabel departs, Osmond comments that she is probably intending to experience the world through travel. He has no inclination to travel, instructing her to reconnect with him once she has achieved all the travel that she needs. Isabel criticizes Osmond for thinking that travel is a wasteful passion, but he responds that this is not the case, and that he believes in ensuring one lives life as though it is a work of art. He advises Isabel that she must follow her desires.

Osmond then shocks Isabel by revealing that he loves her. He doesn’t have anything to offer her but his feelings. Isabel stands, panicked, but becomes caught in Osmond’s stare. They lock eyes for some time. Osmond then reaffirms his love for Isabel despite her pleas not to. He furthermore states that he will always love Isabel, for she is “the most important woman in the world” to him.

Isabel reacts coolly, stating that she is concerned but unoffended by Osmond’s revelations. Osmond requests that she grant him a favor when she returns to Florence, asking her to visit Pansy, which Isabel agrees to.

Osmond respectfully takes his quick leave from Isabel. Left alone, she sits down slowly and remains in place until the rest of her party return. Isabel realizes that she has imagined Osmond’s declaration of feeling to her, but in the moment has been rendered entirely in shock. The narrator suggests that Isabel’s odd reaction can be explained by her active imagination’s refusal to enter “treacherous” territory.