The Portrait of a Lady

Osmond and Isabel take another walk together. Isabel feels somewhat isolated in her family and friends’ disapproval of her engagement. For example, she believes that her sisters, Lilian and Edith, have only written to her out of a sense of duty, wondering why their sister has not picked a more traditionally suitable husband. Isabel also tells herself that she does not care about Mrs. Touchett and Ralph’s strong objections to her engagement. In fact, she decides that she is even more adamant in her decision to marry Osmond, again reminding herself that she marries for her own desire and not the satisfaction of others.

Meanwhile, Osmond is experiencing an elated sense of achievement at having successfully charmed Isabel into marrying him. He knows that he will profit greatly from his marriage to the young woman: in fortune, and in the way that appreciates Isabel’s original spirit. He compares her to a “silver plate” that reflects his own ideas back at him in an even better form. Despite his good spirits, he never forgets himself by stepping out of the character he has built up for her. Osmond is aware of others’ objections to their engagement, although Isabel never mentions them to him. He tries to allay any concerns by reminding Isabel that he has never cared for money and will not start doing so now. Of course, his scheming with Madame Merle to win Isabel’s hand in marriage proves otherwise, but his future wife remains unaware of his true character.

Isabel and Osmond plan for the future, deciding to reside in Italy together. Isabel is buoyed by the thought that she is giving back to the world by marrying Osmond and enabling his noble ideas to come to fruition.

Osmond brings Pansy to see Isabel; he still treats her as a small child, despite her now being sixteen years old. Pansy is delighted at the news of her father’s engagement to Isabel. She believes that they suit each other wonderfully, both being “quiet and so serious.” Isabel promises that she will always be a kind stepmother to Pansy.

The Countess Gemini reacts quite differently to the news of her brother Osmond’s engagement. She tells Isabel directly that she is pleased for herself that Isabel will marry Osmond, as it means she will be closer to Isabel, whom she admires greatly. However, the Countess thinks that Isabel is far too brilliant to marry into their “fallen” family. She also thinks of marriage as an oppressive institution in general, not even caring that Pansy can hear her when she describes marriage as an “awful steel trap” full of “horrors.”

Strangely, the Countess Gemini suggests that Isabel will shortly see the truth of Osmond, and that if Isabel is strong enough, then the Countess will one day tell her all about her brother. When the Countess Gemini seems intent on telling Isabel of her brother’s ills at once, instructing Pansy to leave the room, Isabel begs the girl to stay so that she cannot hear the apparently awful tales that the Countess has to share about Osmond.