The Portrait of a Lady

Although Osmond does not banish the Countess Gemini from his house, she feels that her hospitality in Rome is vulnerable. A week after this episode, Mrs. Touchett sends Isabel a telegram to let her know that Ralph is nearing his death and would like to see his cousin if possible. Isabel tells Osmond that she needs to travel immediately to Gardencourt, but he does not allow her to. He thinks she is visiting Ralph just to spite him. If she disobeys his wishes, he informs her that he will view it as a “calculated opposition” to her husband. Isabel suggests that it is Osmond who is “calculating” in his opposition of Isabel.

Osmond claims that Isabel cares greatly for her cousin because Ralph does not give weight to her marriage with Osmond. Osmond contends that he, on the other hand, takes their marriage very seriously and values honor above all else. Isabel exits the room, infuriated.

Isabel talks to the Countess Gemini about her predicament. The Countess comforts Isabel somewhat. She also thinks of the consequence of Isabel mourning Ralph without having wished him a proper goodbye.

The Countess Gemini then encourages Isabel to defy Osmond’s instructions by traveling to Gardencourt. She also decides to reveal an enormous truth to Isabel about Osmond and Madame Merle’s past: Pansy is their child and the result of a long-time affair. Pansy was in fact born to Madame Merle after Osmond’s first wife died, but the parents have kept the truth a secret because of the public scandal it would cause. Pansy has no idea that Merle is her mother, and Monsieur Merle was similarly unaware of his wife’s deceit due to his long absences from home.

Shocked, Isabel asks why the Countess Gemini is revealing this secret to her now. The Countess merely claims that she is tired of Isabel not knowing. Isabel weeps openly and feels increased pity for Madame Merle. The Countess Gemini is surprised by Isabel’s compassionate reaction. Isabel also wonders if Osmond has been faithful to Isabel during their marriage, with the Countess Gemini indicating that he and Madame Merle were no longer lovers by the time he met Isabel.

When Isabel questions why Osmond and Madame Merle never married, the Countess Gemini explains that Merle had no wealth to interest Osmond, and that she fell out of love with him quickly and desired to one day marry a “great man.”

Before Isabel takes her leave of the Countess Gemini, the Countess asks if Isabel still plans to visit Ralph against Osmond’s will. With an air of “infinite sadness” Isabel reveals that she must. She appears physically ill at the revelation of Osmond and Madame Merle’s treachery, having become quite pale and dizzy.