THE PORTRAIT OF A LADY

YOUNG ADULT

READERS

STAGE 3

HENRY JAMES

Henry James

The Portrait of a Lady

In this reader you will also find: - Information about Henry James’ life - Focus On Sections: The Portrait of a Lady – an analysis, The year 1881, Cities in the 1800s - Glossary of difficult words - Appreciation and Extension Activities - Cambridge (PET) Activities

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Relationships

Family

Travel

Love

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1800 headwords

B2

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2500 headwords

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STAGE 6

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Unabridged Texts

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YO IS

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ELT B 1

S ER AD y l. RE ad -5 .r. I L 11 I s EL f a 21 EL LT it o 36U ra -5 AD rt 88 G Po 78N U The N 9 B

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YOUNG ADULT ELI READERS

STAGE 1

Classic

THE PORTRAIT OF A LADY

One sleepy summer, an American woman arrives in England, and wakes everybody up. Isabel Archer is an interesting woman. Everybody thinks so.

She is an independent woman. Everybody agrees. And she changes the lives of everyone she meets in England. But will England change her?

STAGE 3

Eli Readers is a beautifully illustrated series of timeless classics and specially written stories for learners of English.

HENRY JAMES THE PORTRAIT OF A LADY

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YOUNG ADULT

READERS

YOUNG ADULT

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The ELI Readers collection is a complete range of books and plays for readers of all ages, ranging from captivating contemporary stories to timeless classics.

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Adaptation and activities by Michael Lacey Freeman

Illustrations by Lizzy Stewart

YOUNG ADULT

READERS

The Portrait of a Lady Henry James Adaptation and activities by Michael Lacey Freeman Illustrated by Lizzy Stewart Language Consultant: Lisa Suett ELI Readers Founder and Series Editors Paola Accattoli, Grazia Ancillani, Daniele Garbuglia (Art Director) Graphic Design Airone Comunicazione - Sergio Elisei Layout Airone Comunicazione Production Manager Francesco Capitano Photo credits Shutterstock © 2016 ELI s.r.l.

P.O. Box 6 62019 Recanati MC Italy T +39 071750701 F +39 071977851 info@elionline.com www.elionline.com Typeset in 11,5 / 15 pt Monotype Dante Printed in Italy by Tecnostampa – Pigini Group Printing Division Loreto – Trevi – ERA326.01 ISBN 978-88-536-2111-5 First edition: March 2016 www.eligradedreaders.com

Contents 6

Main Characters

8

Before you read

10 Chapter One 18

An Interesting Woman

Activities

20 Chapter Two

An Independent Woman

28 Activities 30 Chapter Three

One Woman Out of Twenty

38 Activities 40 Chapter Four

A Small Risk

48 Activities 50 Chapter Five

Gilbert Osmond

58 Activities 60 Chapter Six

The Cage

68 Activities 70 Chapter Seven

The Word Love

78 Activities 80 Chapter Eight

Poor Little Pansy!

88 Activities 90 Chapter Nine

The Ghost

100 Activities 102 Focus on...

Henry James

104 Focus on...

The Portrait of a Lady

106 Focus on...

1881

108 Focus on...

Cities

110 Test yourself 111 Syllabus

These icons indicate the parts of the story that are recorded start stop

MAIN CHARACTERS

BEFORE YOU READ

Reading 1

Read the comments of five people who have read, The Portrait of a Lady and decide which person: 1 2 3 4 5

talks about why the book is different from other stories. prefers the book to the film version. thinks that it is a modern story. talks about the historical background. didn’t think they would like the book.

Andrew: The book really speaks about two different worlds.

England, which represents the past, and America, which represents the future. Some characters are more English, and others are more American. This makes the story really interesting, and you get to learn a lot about the past, I mean what it was like for people in those times. ____ Jacqueline: Isabel is the main character. She’s an independent woman trying to succeed in a man’s world. Although it was written a long time ago, it could be written today. Isabel is an American woman who comes to England, and changes everyone’s lives. She’s interesting because I can understand her, what she does, and how she acts even if she comes from a different time. ____ Charlotte: I like this story because unlike other classic books I have read, what people are thinking is just as important as what they do. I think this makes the story more interesting. It makes it more real. ____ Thomas: I started reading the book two weeks ago. I don’t usually like reading classic stories, and I wasn’t looking forward to it. But once I started reading, I couldn’t stop. The dialogues were really funny, much funnier than a lot of modern stories. ____ Laura: I had already seen the film version. I thought that I wouldn’t like the book as much, but I did. In fact it was even 2 better, because I really got to know the characters. ____

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2a

Look at the pictures of the main characters on pages 6 and 7, and then read the descriptions. Which characters are being described?

1

He’s quite thin, and doesn’t look very well, but he has got kind eyes. He has got long, fair hair, and a moustache, but he hasn’t got a beard. _____ 2 She’s quite young, tall, and very pretty. She looks sure of herself. She’s not shy. She has brown hair, and is wearing a necklace. _____ 3 This man is quite handsome. He has got short hair, a beard, and a moustache. _____ 4 This man looks quite old. He has a kind face. He is wearing glasses because he can’t see very well, and he hasn’t got any hair. _____

2b

You have just read a description of the first four characters that we meet in the story. Look at the picture on page 15.

Which characters are in this picture?

Speaking 3

Describe the picture on page 15 in one minute. Use the suggestions below help you. Explain: – Where they are – What they are doing – How they are feeling

Writing 4

Now write a description of the other characters on pages 6 and 7. _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________

9

Chapter 1

An Interesting Woman

2 Mr Touchett sat in the garden, enjoying his afternoon cup of tea.

He looked at the house in front of him. The house was like an old friend. It even had a name – Gardencourt. And it had been his house for thirty years.

Thirty years for a man is a long time. Now Mr Touchett was an old man. But for a house, thirty years isn’t very long. The house was built in the 1500s. It had lived through war and peace. It had seen Kings and Queens come and go. But for now, Gardencourt was his house. And he liked it very much.

Thirty years ago, Mr Touchett had moved from America to London, to start a new life. His story, and so much of his life was connected to this house near London, on the Thames. And it had given him so much happiness.

He looked around the garden. He wasn’t alone. There were two other people taking tea. His son, Ralph, and Ralph’s friend, Lord Warburton.

Ralph looked at his father, sitting in his chair with a blanket over him. ‘Are you alright father?’ he asked. ‘Do you need another blanket?

Or some more tea?’

‘I’m fine,’ replied Mr Touchett. ‘Why don’t you stop worrying about me, and sit down. You don’t look well yourself.’

In fact Ralph wasn’t a healthy man. He was young but, just like his father, it was difficult for him to stand for too long. When he was a

10

child he caught a bad cold. And now sometimes he found it difficult to breathe. The doctors had tried everything. There was nothing anyone could do. Ralph knew that, like his father, he didn’t have a long future ahead of him.

‘I’m fine father. Nothing to worry about. Why don’t you worry about Lord Warburton? Now here is a man who is really sick.’

Mr Touchett looked at Lord Warburton. He saw a tall, healthy and handsome man in front of him. ‘Sick? Lord Warburton? What could possibly be the matter with him?’

‘Oh no, he’s not sick like us,’ said Ralph. ‘He has a different kind of sickness. He’s sick of life.’

‘It’s true,’ said Lord Warburton. ‘I am bored with life, totally bored.’

Lord Warburton was very rich. He had a hundred thousand pounds a year. He owned a lot of land and he had six houses to live in. Everything was so easy for him. Everything was so boring.

‘Oh that’s your problem is it?’ said Mr Touchett. ‘You’re bored.

Well there’s an easy cure* for your kind of sickness.’

‘Really, do tell me what it is,’ said Lord Warburton.

‘You need to find an interesting woman. That would change everything.’

‘You may be right,’ replied Warburton. ‘But where do I find such a woman?’

‘You can find an interesting woman anywhere you want,’ said Mr Touchett. ‘But don’t look for her at Gardencourt. My niece is coming here soon, and I don’t want you to think of her.’

Lord Warburton turned towards Mr Touchett. For the first time he seemed interested in this conversation. ‘Your niece? Have I met her?’ he asked. cure this makes someone better

11

‘No, Ralph hasn’t even met her. She lives in America, and will arrive any day now, and well; it’s just that I don’t want you to fall in love with her.’

‘Now I am curious,’ replied Lord Warburton.

‘Take your curiosity, and use it to find another interesting woman.

Believe me, this will give you back your interest in life.’

It was strange that Mr Touchett had thought of this solution to Lord Warburton’s problem. He himself had married an interesting woman, but he didn’t have a happy marriage. He hardly ever saw his wife. She was often abroad and they saw each other for about one month a year, in the summer.

The summer had arrived. And so, Mrs Touchett was also arriving.

She was coming to Gardencourt with her niece.

‘So Ralph, do you know anything about this niece of yours?’ asked Lord Warburton.

‘Miss Archer?’

‘Yes, Miss Archer.’

‘No, I’m afraid not. All the information we have is from my mother’s telegrams*. And believe me, my mother’s telegrams don’t tell you much. Sometimes I don’t even understand them, you know.’

‘Really!’ said Lord Warburton.

‘Yes, I’ll read you one we recently received.’

Ralph looked in his pockets. ‘Now let me see, ah! Here it is.’

TIRED AMERICA – HOT WEATHER AWFUL – RETURN ENGLAND WITH NIECE – FIRST BOAT – DECENT ROOM ‘Ah, and here’s another,’ said Ralph. ‘This one is the most recent.’

CHANGED HOTEL – VERY BAD. RECEPTIONIST RUDE – TAKEN SISTER’S GIRL – DIED LAST YEAR – GO TO EUROPE – TWO SISTERS – QUITE INDEPENDENT telegram a way to send messages, used in the past

12

‘There is only one thing that’s clear from your mother’s telegrams,’ said Mr Touchett.

‘What’s that?’ asked Ralph.

‘That I wouldn’t want to be the hotel receptionist. The poor thing.’

‘Yes, but everything else remains a mystery,’ said Ralph. ‘Is the sister the sister of the receptionist, or is it one of my aunts? And then; who is quite independent? And what does she mean by independent?

Independent financially, or emotionally?’

‘Oh well, we shall find out soon enough,’ said the old man. ‘Now that my wife finally wants to see me.’

‘Well, my mother is certainly independent. She always wants to arrive alone. She never wants me to meet her. We have no idea when she’s coming,’ said Ralph.

‘Will you let me know when this niece arrives?’ asked Lord Warburton.

‘Only if you promise,’ repeated Mr Touchett. ‘That you don’t fall in love with her.’

As the three men were speaking they heard a noise. It was one of Ralph’s dogs. He suddenly started running up the garden towards the house. They looked at where the dog was going, and in front of the house they saw a woman. When the dog reached the woman, she picked him up, and started playing with him.

‘Maybe that’s her,’ said Ralph. ‘I’ll go and introduce myself.’

‘Good afternoon,’ said Ralph when he reached the woman. She was tall, and pretty, and wore a black dress. She wasn’t wearing a hat which meant that she hadn’t just arrived at the house. She had been there for some time. The woman was playing with the dog but when she saw Ralph she looked straight at him. She smiled. It was the smile of a woman who was not afraid of anything. Maybe, an independent

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woman. But it was not a smile that was arrogant*. It was kind and sincere. ‘So … you must be the independent one,’ said Ralph.

‘Sorry, I don’t know what you mean.’

‘No, what I mean is, well, what I want to ask you is, are you … are you who I think you are?’

‘Miss Archer. Miss Isabel Archer. Pleased to meet you … cousin? … cousin Ralph?’

‘Yes, pleased to meet you.’ Ralph felt a little bit shy. He couldn’t look into his cousin’s eyes. ‘Have you come with mother? Or has she left you here?’ he asked.

‘No, she went straight to her room and said that you must go and meet her at a quarter to seven,’ replied Isabel.

Ralph looked at his watch. ‘Thank you. I’ll be on time,’ he said.

While they were talking Isabel was looking at everything – at Ralph, at the dogs, at the other two gentlemen under the trees, and at the beautiful scene that surrounded her.

‘I have never seen anything so lovely,’ she said. ‘I have been all over the house – it’s so beautiful. Your mother told me that in England people arrive very quietly, so I thought it would be alright. Who are the other gentlemen over there?’ she said, looking at Mr Touchett and Lord Warburton.

‘That’s my father, and a friend – Lord Warburton,’ Ralph replied.

‘Oh I hoped that I would meet a Lord; it’s like being in a book,’ said Miss Archer. After saying this, Isabel started playing with the dog again. She seemed to have no intention of going to introduce herself to Mr Touchett and Lord Warburton.

‘Perhaps she is waiting for my father to come to her,’ he thought.

He had heard that American girls were used to a great deal of respect.

He could see that from her face. arrogant when you think you are better than someone else

14

‘Would you like to meet my father?’ he asked. ‘He’s old, and finds it difficult to walk.’

‘Oh I’m sorry,’ said Isabel. ‘Your mother told me that he was quite strong.’

Ralph was silent for a moment. ‘She has not seen him for a year,’ he said.

‘Well,’ replied Isabel. ‘He’s got a lovely place to sit. Come with me little dog.’

Mr Touchett slowly got up from his chair to introduce himself.

‘It’s a great pleasure to see you,’ he said. ‘I’m sorry I didn’t welcome you personally when you arrived.’

‘Oh we were welcomed,’ said the girl. ‘There were about ten servants in the hall, and there was an old woman at the gate.’

‘We can do better than that. We didn’t know you were here,’ replied the old man. ‘But my wife always likes to surprise us.’

‘She went straight to her room,’ said Isabel.

‘Yes,’ said Mr Touchett. ‘She always does that. Well, I suppose I shall see her some time next week.’

‘Before that. She is coming down to dinner at eight o clock. Don’t you forget, Ralph, a quarter to seven,’ she added, turning to him with a smile. Then the young woman looked again at Mr Touchett. ‘I am sorry you are unwell,’ she said to him.

‘Yes, I’m an old man, my dear. It’s time for me to be ill.’

‘How old is this house?’ asked Isabel, changing the subject. ‘Is it Elizabethan?’

‘It’s early Tudor,’ said Ralph.

‘How lovely! And are there any more like this?’

‘There are many, and much better ones than this,’ Ralph replied.

‘I have a very good one,’ said Lord Warburton, who had until that

16

moment been silent. ‘It is even better than this. I would like to show it to you.’

After the introductions Ralph and Isabel went for a walk around the garden. Something was worrying him.

‘I can’t understand,’ he said. ‘Why have we never met?’

‘I was there,’ said Isabel. ‘You only had to come and see me.’

‘I’ve been to America often, but I’ve never seen you.’

‘My mother died, when I was a child, and your mother and my father didn’t get on with each other. And so I never thought I would see you.’

‘And your father died recently?’

‘Yes, more than a year ago. And your mother has been very kind to me. She suggested that I come to Europe.’

‘I see’ said Ralph. ‘She has adopted* you.’

‘Adopted me?’ Isabel said. Ralph’s words seemed to worry Isabel.

‘I don’t need to be looked after,’ said Isabel.

‘I’m sorry,’ said Ralph. ‘I meant,’ but he didn’t know how to explain what he meant.

‘She has been very kind to me,’ said Isabel. ‘But I am very fond of my liberty.’

At that moment Mr Touchett called out to her from the other end of the garden. ‘Are you talking about Mrs Touchett?’ he shouted. ‘Tell me. I’m always interested in any information about my wife.’ Isabel went to Ralph’s father to speak to him again, leaving Ralph alone.

After a few minutes, Isabel left to prepare herself for dinner. The three men watched her leave. ‘You wanted me to find an interesting woman,’ said Lord Warburton to the other two men. ‘Well, there she is!’

to adopt when a child needs a new mother and/or father

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AFTER-READING ACTIVITIES

Reading 1

Are these statements true (T) or false (F)?

1

Gardencourt is an old house.

Mr Touchett is an American.

2 3 4 5 6

Ralph is tall, healthy and handsome.

Mr and Mrs Touchett have a happy marriage.

Ralph knows when his mother is arriving.

Mr Touchett is going to meet his wife at dinner.

Isabel’s father and Ralph’s mother didn’t like each other.

2

T 3 ■

F

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

■

■

Use the right word in the box to finish each sentence. aunt • cousin • friend • niece • son • uncle

1 2 3 4 5

son Ralph is Mr Touchett’s __________.

Isabel is Ralph’s __________.

Lord Warburton is Ralph’s __________.

Mrs Touchett is Isabel’s __________.

Mr Touchett is Isabel’s __________.

Isabel is Mr and Mrs Touchett’s __________.

Grammar 3

Read the sentences and underline the correct form of the verb.

1 2 3 4 5

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Gardencourt was built/has been built in the 1400s.

Mr Touchett lived/has lived in England for 30 years.

Isabel’s father died/has died last year.

Ralph caught/has caught a bad cold when he was young.

Mrs Touchett wrote/has written Ralph a telegram.

Ralph never saw/has never seen Isabel when he went to America.

Vocabulary: Look 4

Choose a preposition from the box below to complete the sentences. You can use some of the prepositions more than once. after • at (2) • for • in • into

1 2 3 4 5 6

at the house in front of him.

Mr Touchett looked _____ ‘Don’t look _____ an interesting woman at Gardencourt,’ said Mr Touchett.

Ralph looked _____ his pockets for his mother’s telegrams.

When Isabel saw Ralph she looked straight _____ him.

Ralph couldn’t look _____ his cousin’s eyes.

Ralph looked _____ his watch, and said, ‘Thank you, I’ll be on time.’

‘I don’t need to be looked _____’ said Isabel to Ralph.

Writing 5

Look at Mr Touchett’s telegrams again and write them in correct English.

TIRED AMERICA – HOT WEATHER AWFUL – RETURN ENGLAND WITH NIECE – FIRST BOAT – DECENT ROOM CHANGED HOTEL – VERY BAD. RECEPTIONIST RUDE – TAKEN SISTER’S GIRL – DIED LAST YEAR – GO TO EUROPE – TWO SISTERS – QUITE INDEPENDENT

PRE-READING ACTIVITY

Listening 3

6

Listen to Ralph and Isabel speaking about ghosts. Why does Ralph think that she won’t see a ghost? a Because ghosts don’t exist. b Because Isabel is too happy. c Because there aren’t any ghosts at Gardencourt.

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Chapter 2

An Independent Woman

Ralph also thought that Isabel was an interesting woman. And he wanted to know more about her. He arrived at his mother’s door at exactly a quarter to seven. He had to be on time. Mrs Touchett didn’t like people who were late. He went into his mother’s room and saw that she was already dressed for dinner.

The first questions that Mrs Touchett asked were about Ralph’s health. But Ralph didn’t want to talk about that. He wanted to talk about Isabel Archer.

‘I’m fine Mother. But tell me about the young lady. What are you going to do with her?’

‘I’m going to ask your father if she can stay for three or four weeks at Gardencourt. Then I’d like to take her to Paris to get some clothes, then in the autumn we’ll go to Florence.’

‘No, mother, I mean in general. What do you want to do with her?’

‘My duty of course,’ replied the mother. ‘She’s a clever girl, interested in learning new things.’

‘How do you get on with her?’

‘We get on well because I understand her. We’re both honest. Do you think she’s pretty?’

‘Very pretty,’ said Ralph. ‘But it’s her character that interests me.’

Ralph had so many questions to ask. And so he asked them, all at the

20

same time. ‘Who is she? What is she? Where did you find her? How did you meet her?’

‘You know I hadn’t seen my sister’s children for years. I want to show her something of the world. She thinks she knows it well, but like most American girls she’s wrong. I always meant to do something for them when their father died. When that happened I found them and introduced myself.’

‘There are two other sisters,’ she continued. ‘But it was Isabel who wanted to come with me. You ask what I want to do with her. Well, I’ll do absolutely nothing with her. She’ll do what she chooses. She’s very independent’ ‘So, your telegram was talking about her … being independent?’

‘I never know what I mean by my telegrams.’

‘So, you have no plans to find a husband for her?’

‘She can decide these things for herself.’

‘Do you mean that she’s already decided? Is there a man in her life?’

‘I know there is a young man in Boston who’s interested in her. His name is Caspar Goodwood. He’s a businessman. He asked her to marry him, but she said that she needed time. Time to see something of life.’

After dinner, Ralph and Isabel were alone again. He showed her the paintings in the house. Isabel loved looking at them, but Ralph was more interested in her. She was better to look at than most works of art.

After studying each painting carefully she said. ‘Well, now I know more.’

‘You have a great interest in knowledge.’

‘I think you’re right. Most girls don’t seem to care. Please tell me.

3 Is there a ghost?’

‘A ghost?’

‘Yes, will you show me a ghost?’

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‘You’re too happy to see a ghost. You must suffer* first. You need to have more sadness in your life to see a ghost. I saw one long ago,’ said Ralph smiling.

‘I told you I was very fond of knowledge.’

‘Yes, of happy knowledge, but you haven’t suffered and you are not made to suffer. I hope you’ll never see a ghost.’

‘I’m not afraid!’

‘You’re not afraid of suffering?’

‘Yes, I’m afraid of that, but I’m not afraid of ghosts. And I think people suffer too easily,’ she added. ‘It’s not necessary to suffer. We were not made for that.’

‘You weren’t certainly,’ said Ralph. ‘The point is to be as happy as possible.’

‘Well, that’s what I came to Europe for, to be happy. Goodnight Ralph.’

Ralph watched her as she turned away. And then with his hands in his pockets he went back to the empty drawing room.

Isabel had a quick mind. Her uncle’s house seemed like a picture that was real. She really wanted to explore it. She thought she was lucky to be independent, and never worried about being alone. She didn’t want to think too much about marriage. A woman should be able to live without it. In her short life she had met very few men who seemed special. People thought that Caspar Goodwood was one of those men. But she wasn’t sure. She needed time, and Europe seemed to give her a perfect opportunity. Deep in her heart she believed that if she met someone, she would give herself to him completely, but this thought frightened her.

Soon Isabel became friends with her uncle. She often sat by his chair in the garden. Mr Touchett enjoyed her company. Isabel was fresh, to suffer to be very unhappy

22

natural and quick to understand. She reminded him of Mrs Touchett when she was young. Through Isabel he remembered why he had fallen in love with his wife. He wanted to help her, to do something for her, but Isabel asked nothing but questions, and she had many of them.

She asked him about England, about the government, the English character, the royal family, and the English way of life, asking if it was as she had read in books.

Ralph was also fascinated by Isabel. Her arrival had given him something. ‘Lord Warburton was right. She is an interesting woman,’ he thought. ‘I know my health is bad, but Isabel has given me something to live for. Most women just wait, they wait for the right man to arrive, and give them a future. Isabel has her own ideas.

Whatever she decides to do, I hope I’m there to see it.’

And so, Ralph spent a lot of time with his cousin, going on long walks and taking the boat out on the river. After one of these long walks a visitor arrived at Gardencourt. It was Lord Warburton.

Lord Warburton shook Isabel’s hand warmly. He seemed very happy to see her. The Lord spent two nights at Gardencourt. During this time he spoke a lot with Isabel. On the second evening, at around ten thirty, Isabel sat with Ralph, Lord Warburton, and Mrs Touchett in the drawing room. It was late, and Mrs Touchett was tired.

‘It’s time to go to bed Isabel,’ she said. ‘I suppose you’re tired too.’

‘Can I stay a little longer?’ asked Isabel.

‘Yes, stay here for a while,’ said the Lord.

‘You cannot stay alone with the gentlemen,’ said Mrs Touchett.

‘You’re not in America my dear.’

‘I suppose you’re angry with me,’ said Mrs Touchett, as the two women went up to their rooms.

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‘No I’m not,’ replied Isabel. ‘But I am surprised. Was it wrong to remain in the drawing room?’

‘Young girls don’t sit alone with gentlemen late at night.’

‘You were right to tell me then,’ said Isabel.

‘I’ll always tell you,’ replied Mrs Touchett.

‘Well, I’m happy about that. But I won’t always think you’re right.’

‘I understand. You’re too fond of your liberty.’

‘Yes I am. But I always want to know what I shouldn’t do.’

‘So that you can do it?’ asked Mrs Touchett.

‘No, so that I can choose,’ replied Isabel.

The next day, Lord Warburton left. ‘Isabel’ he said, shaking her hand again, as she said goodbye. ‘I would very much like you to meet my sisters. Maybe you can come to visit me soon, with Ralph and Mrs Touchett of course. My house is called, ‘Lockleigh.’

‘I would like that,’ said Isabel.

Isabel thought that Lord Warburton was a very interesting man.

And she was happy to visit his house. And so, a few days later, she went to Lockleigh with Ralph and his mother.

After lunch, Lord Warburton went for a walk with Isabel in the garden. ‘Isabel, I enjoy being with you. I wish you could stay here longer. My sisters like you too,’ said Lord Warburton.

‘I would like that,’ said Isabel. ‘But I have to think of my Aunt and her plans for me.’

‘Oh I’m sure you can do what you want.’

‘Why do you think that?’

‘Well …it leaves me some hope,’ replied the Lord. ‘Hope that I’ll see you often.’

Isabel was a little worried about these last words. She had heard similar words before, from Caspar Goodwood.

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‘I don’t think I’ll be able to come here again,’ said Isabel. ‘I suppose that I’ll go abroad soon, with Mrs Touchett.’

‘May I come to see you next week then,’ asked Warburton.

‘Of course,’ replied Isabel. === The day after her visit to Lockleigh, Isabel received a letter from a friend in America, who was a writer. Her name was Henrietta Stackpole. This friend worked for the newspaper, ‘The Interviewer.’

Henrietta had for some time wanted to come to Europe to see another continent, another reality. When Isabel read the letter, it was no surprise to her to learn that her friend was in England.

‘Here I am, my lovely friend,’ Miss Stackpole wrote. ‘I suppose you’re visiting castles and things like that, and you’ve changed the way you speak, and perhaps you’ve married a Lord. I almost hope you have, because I want to be introduced to the most important people.

‘The Interviewer’ wants to know some more about England and its people. Come to London to meet me, or let me come to you.’

The best solution was for Henrietta to come to Gardencourt.

After a few days, she arrived. Isabel spent a lot of time with her. She liked Henrietta. She was friendly and positive. But Henrietta hadn’t come to Gardencourt for a holiday. She had two reasons to be there.

She wanted to write something for her newspaper, and she wanted to tell Isabel something important.

‘I’ve got something to tell you. Caspar Goodwood came with me to England on the boat.’

‘Ah,’ was all Isabel could say.

‘He’s come after you,’ added Henrietta. ‘He really wants to meet you.’

25

That day Isabel thought about Caspar. ‘He could arrive at Gardencourt at any moment,’ she thought. Every noise she heard made her jump. She wasn’t looking forward to seeing him. It was too soon.

During the next day however, she calmed down. She went to a park with one of the dogs. Things always seemed better after a good walk. She sat on a bench*, just in front of Gardencourt.

But she was soon interrupted* by a servant. ‘I am sorry Miss Archer,’ said the servant. But this letter arrived. I knew you were in the park, and so I came to look for you.’ The servant gave her a letter from London. She recognised the handwriting immediately. It was Caspar Goodwood.

My Dear Miss Archer, I don’t know if you have heard of my arrival in England. I’ve come with the hope that I can convince* you to change your mind about me. Will you let me see you again?

I always think of you. I’ll never think of anyone else. I couldn’t stay in America when you left. I hated my country because you weren’t in it. If I like this country at the moment, it’s only because you’re here.

May I come and see you for half an hour? This is my greatest wish.

Caspar Goodwood.

Isabel read Caspar’s letter very carefully. So carefully, that she didn’t hear someone coming towards her. Looking up as she put the letter away, she saw a gentleman standing in front of her.

bench a place to sit in a park

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interrupted something happens that makes you stop what you are doing to convince to make someone believe what you believe

AFTER-READING ACTIVITIES

Reading 1

Put the events in the story in the correct order.

a ■ b ■ c ■ d ■ e ■ f ■ g ■ 8 h ■

2

Lord Warburton arrives.

Henrietta tells Isabel about Caspar Goodwood.

Ralph goes to see his mother.

Isabel reads Caspar Goodwood’s letter.

Isabel asks Ralph about ghosts.

Isabel goes to Lockleigh.

Henrietta Stackpole arrives.

A man arrives at the park.

Who is the mystery man at the park at the end of Chapter 2?

Can you guess?

A Caspar Goodwood B Lord Warburton C Mr Touchett

3

Read Henrietta Stackpole’s notes about the characters in the story. Match the description to the character.

Isabel • Lord Warburton • Mr Touchett • Mrs Touchett • Ralph 1 2 3 4 5

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An old man, American. Very kind, owner of Gardencourt Quite rude, does what she wants, be careful with her A bit shy, not very well, but friendly Handsome and tall, really rich Very independent, excited about being in England

Mr Touchett _______________ _______________ _______________ _______________ _______________

Writing 4

Put Henrietta’s notes into correct English.

Grammar 5a

Read the sentences and underline the correct form of the verb.

1 2 3 4 5 6

5b

You know I didn’t see/hadn't seen my sister’s children for years.

Tell me about the young lady. What do you do/are you going to do with her?

It’s not necessary to suffer. We was/were not made for that.

I would very much like you to visit/visiting Lockleigh.

I suppose you are visiting castles, and you changed/have changed the way you speak.

I am sorry Miss Archer, but this letter arrived/was arrived.

If I like/liked this country at the moment, it is only because you are in it.

Look at each sentence again and write down who is speaking.

PRE-READING ACTIVITY

Listening 4

6

Listen to the first part of Chapter 3. Do you want to change your answer to exercise 2?

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Chapter 3

One Woman Out of Twenty 4 It was Lord Warburton. He had done the one thing that Mr Touchett

asked him not to do. He had fallen in love with Isabel Archer. Isabel put the letter in her pocket and smiled at Lord Warburton, doing her best to hide her feelings.

‘They told me you were here,’ said Warburton. ‘And it’s really you that I came to see – so I went to look for you at once.’

‘I was just going indoors,’ replied Isabel.

‘Don’t do that. It’s much nicer here,’ said the Lord.

They walked around the park for a little while. But for Isabel it wasn’t an enjoyable walk. ‘What is he doing here?’ Isabel thought.

Isabel was sure that he’d come to Gardencourt for a reason. And that reason was her.

They walked in silence for a while. Lord Warburton looked at Isabel. This young lady came from a strange country across the sea. She had no fortune*. And he had only spent about twenty six hours in her company. But he didn’t care about this, or what his friends might say.

Isabel felt that she had to break the silence. ‘Are you fond of Gardencourt?’ she asked. She was more and more certain that the Lord was about to ask her for something. Something that she couldn’t give him.

A few weeks ago she would have thought this moment to be very romantic. A woman in the park of an old English country house, fortune a lot of money

30

walking with a lord. It was romantic in a book. But it didn’t feel so romantic in real life.

‘I care nothing for Gardencourt,’ said Lord Warburton suddenly.

‘I care only for you.’

‘You have only known me for a short time. How can you say that?’ replied Isabel. In reality she knew he was serious. But she didn’t think anybody else, looking from the outside, would believe it.

‘Time is not important,’ continued Lord Warburton. ‘It’s the feeling itself that is important. If I wait three months it will make no difference. Of course, I’ve seen you very little, but I had feelings for you from the first hour we met. I fell in love with you then.’

Now that Lord Warburton had finally said what he wanted to say it was difficult to stop him. ‘I’ve thought hard about his. I don’t make mistakes about such things. I don’t fall in love easily. But when I do – it’s for life. It’s for life, Miss Archer. It’s for life.’

He said this is in the kindest voice that Isabel had ever heard. Isabel had never met anyone like him. His eyes burned with the light of passion*, as he took her hand.

‘Oh Lord Warburton, how little you know me,’ Isabel said.

‘Don’t say that. This is what I want. I want you to be my wife, then I’ll know you better.’

‘I thank you for your offer,’ Isabel replied.

‘I was afraid you would say something like that. Why should you thank me? It is I who should thank you for listening to me. Of course it’s a great question. Easier to ask than to answer. But at least you have listened. It gives me some hope. You don’t have to answer now. Think about it. Only remember! My happiness depends on your answer.’

‘I’m not sure I want to marry anyone Lord Warburton, let’s not talk about this anymore today. But I must tell you that I’ll probably passion when you are really in love

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think of some way of saying no to you without making you sad.’

‘There is no way to do that Miss Archer. If you refuse me, you’ll kill me. I won’t die, but it will be worse. I’ll live with nothing to live for.’

‘You’ll live to marry a better woman than me. I’ll speak to you soon about this,’ said Isabel. ‘Perhaps I’ll write to you.’

‘As you wish,’ ‘Don’t worry. I just need a little time to make up my mind.’

‘Do you know I’m very afraid of that mind of yours?’

‘So am I,’ replied Isabel.

Isabel was certain. She could not marry Warburton. It wouldn’t make her happy. What worried her was that it had cost her so little to refuse such a great opportunity. ‘Nineteen women out of twenty would say yes to such an offer,’ she thought.

But she was going to say no. She was going to be that one person out of twenty who said no. Lots of questions came to her mind. Who was she? What was she? Did she think herself better? And what better future could she see?

If she didn’t marry him, she had to do something really special with her life. She liked Lord Warburton too much to marry him. That was the point. She didn’t want to hurt him. She wouldn’t be happy as his wife. Was she too cold? Too hard? Isabel went back quickly to the house. She was getting really frightened of herself ?

There were two letters to write. One to Lord Warburton, the other to Caspar Goodwood. In both cases the answer was, No! Isabel decided not to write to Goodwood for the moment. Instead she sat down to write her letter to Warburton. While Isabel was writing, Henrietta Stackpole invited Ralph to take a walk with her in the garden. She wanted to ask him a favour.

32

‘I want you to help me with Isabel,’ she said. ‘She’s changed so much since she came here. She’s not the same.’

‘Do you want to change her back again?’ asked Ralph.

‘Of course I do, and I want you to help me. I’m worried that she’s going to marry one of these Europeans – and I want to stop it. I want to go to London, with you and Isabel. A friend is there at the moment, a dear friend of mine.’

‘Who is this friend you speak of ?’ he asked.

‘Mr Caspar Goodwood from Boston. He’s very much in love with Isabel.’

‘I’ve never heard of him. Is she very fond of him?’

‘If she’s not, then she should be.’

‘Well, as he’s a friend of yours, I’ll do as you ask.’

When Henrietta suggested a trip to London, Isabel was very excited. She had always wanted to see London. And now she had the opportunity. But she would go there, not knowing about Henrietta’s plans for her. She thought the journey was simply for pleasure.

But Isabel could not leave immediately. Lord Warburton was coming to Gardencourt the next day, and she believed it to be her duty to remain there and see him.

Warburton arrived with his sisters. During lunch he neither looked at Isabel nor spoke to her. But he had plenty of talk for all the others at the table.

‘Do you know you are the first Lord I have ever seen?’ said Henrietta.

‘Then you have escaped seeing some very ugly men,’ Lord Warburton answered – laughing.

‘Are they very ugly? People in America believe that they are all handsome and wear wonderful clothes.’

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‘Oh, that’s not true,’ said the Lord. Warburton didn’t feel like a Lord at that moment. He was just a man, an ordinary man, with a problem. A problem that everybody has at some time in their life. He was in love. And he really needed to speak to Isabel.

After lunch, Lord Warburton and Isabel were finally alone. They spent a few minutes walking together without saying anything. And then suddenly he asked, ‘Why did you write to me that way?’

‘It was the only way Lord Warburton. Try to believe me.’

‘May I ask you a question? Do you prefer someone else?’

‘No No’ answered Isabel. ‘It’s just that … I can’t escape my fate*.’

‘Your fate?’

‘It’s not my fate to give up. I know it can’t be.’

‘Do you call marrying me giving up?’

‘Not in the usual sense. I cannot be happy by separating myself.’

‘From what?’

‘From life, from the usual chances, and dangers – from what most people know and suffer.’ === Isabel’s departure from Warburton gave her no pleasure. But it gave her a feeling of freedom. She was in London and the feeling excited her. The group found a quiet hotel near Piccadilly.

Henrietta met some friends and left Ralph and Isabel alone to explore London. They went to the galleries, and museums, and sat in Trafalgar Square. But in the evening Isabel wanted to be alone.

‘It’s getting very dark, I must go back’ said Isabel. Ralph found her a taxi and left her to spend the evening alone with her thoughts.

Isabel had no particular reason to be alone. She just wanted some fate what is meant to happen to you

34

time to herself. She had missed that since being in England. But she wasn’t to be alone for long.

At around nine o’clock she was sitting in Pratt’s Hotel, reading by the light of two candles. She heard a knock at the door. It was a servant. He had a card in his hand. She looked at the card, and the name on it – Mr Caspar Goodwood.

‘Shall I ask the gentleman in?’ asked the servant.

Isabel didn’t want to see Caspar Goodwood. She wasn’t ready to speak to him. But she had no choice. She had to ask him to come in.

When Caspar came in he shook Isabel’s hand. But he seemed quite angry. ‘Why didn’t you answer my letter?’ he asked immediately.

But Isabel answered him with another question.

‘How did you know I was here?’

‘Miss Stackpole let me know. She wrote to me and told me you would probably be alone this evening.’

‘She never told me that she was writing to you. This isn’t kind of her.’

‘Is it such a terrible thing to see me?’

‘I don’t like such surprises.’

‘Apparently you don’t even like writing to me.’

Isabel didn’t answer. She was still very angry with Henrietta.

They sat down. Caspar couldn’t look at her at first. He looked down at the floor, as if he was really trying hard to say what he needed to say.

‘Why are you insisting?’ asked Isabel.

‘I don’t want to lose you.’

‘You cannot lose what is not yours. Can you see that? You’re strong for everything else, why aren’t you strong for this?’

‘Because I’m in love with you,’ said Caspar. ‘If one is strong, one loves only more strongly.’

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‘I need you to leave me alone,’ replied Isabel.

‘For how long?’

‘For a year, or two.’

Caspar was in pain, and Isabel felt sorry for her visitor. ‘I don’t want to marry,’ she said. ‘I shall probably never marry. If I give you pain, I’m sorry. But I cannot marry you just to please you.’

‘I’ll wait for two years,’ he said finally. ‘I’ll come back in two years, wherever you are,’ he added.

‘Remember, I promise nothing, absolutely nothing,’ she said.

When Caspar left, Isabel was alone again. When she heard the door open the next time, it was not Caspar, but Henrietta at the door.

‘Has he been here?’ asked Henrietta.

‘You acted very wrongly,’ said Isabel.

‘I acted for the best dear, I hope you did as well.’

‘You aren’t my judge. I can’t trust you.’ said Isabel.

‘I’m worried about you. Do you know where you’re going?’ asked Henrietta.

‘No, I don’t. And I like that feeling. But for now I do know where I’m going. I’m going to bed.’

Shortly after, Ralph arrived looking very worried. He had received a telegram from his mother. This time her telegram was very clear.

His father was ill. Ralph had to get back to Gardencourt as soon as possible.

‘I’ll go with you,’ said Isabel. ‘I’ll not be of much use. But I would at least like to be near him.’

‘I think you like him a lot,’ said Ralph.

‘I do. He’s really special to me,’ Isabel replied.

‘That’s good. Let’s hope he gets better soon. Then you can tell him that,’ said Ralph.

36

AFTER-READING ACTIVITIES

Reading 1

Read the sentences and decide who is speaking, and who they are speaking to.

‘I care nothing for Gardencourt. I only care for you.’

Lord Warburton speaking to Isabel _______________________________ 1 2 3 4 5

‘Do you know you are the first Lord I have ever seen?’ _______________________________ ‘It’s not my fate to give up.’ _______________________________ ‘I’m worried she’s going to marry one of these Europeans.’ _______________________________ ‘If one is strong, one loves only more strongly.’ _______________________________ ‘She never told me that she was writing to you.’ _______________________________

Vocabulary 2

Match the verb with the right noun phrase, to make expressions from Chapter 3. f break 1 ■ 2 ■ fall 3 ■ refuse 4 ■ do 5 ■ take 6 ■ spend 7 ■ ask 8 ■ promise

38

a b c d e f g h

a great opportunity absolutely nothing the gentleman in the evening alone a walk in the garden the silence something really good in love

Grammar 3

Read some sentences from Chapter 3 and underline the correct form of the verb.

1 2 3 4 5 6

‘I want you to be/be/being my wife,’ said Lord Warburton.

Lord Warburton really needed to speak/speak/speaking to Isabel.

‘You have escaped to see/see/seeing some very ugly men,’ said Lord Warburton.

They spent a few minutes walking together without to say/ say/saying anything.

‘It’s not my fate to give up. I know it can’t to be/be/being,’ said Isabel.

Henrietta left Ralph and Isabel alone to explore/explore/ exploring London.

‘I’ll not be of much use, but I would like to be/be/being near to him.’

Writing 4a

How good is your memory? Fill in the gaps to complete the last part of Chapter 3.

Shortly after, Ralph (1) ________ looking very worried. He had (2) ________ a telegram from his mother. This time her telegram (3) ________ very clear. His father was (4) ________ .

Ralph (5) ________ to go back to Gardencourt as (6) ________ as possible.

‘I’ll (7) ________ with you,’ said Isabel.

4b

Now re-read the last part of Chapter 3 to see if you were right.

PRE-READING ACTIVITY

5

We learn at the end of the chapter that Mr Touchett is not well.

What do you think will happen to him? Read Chapter 4 to find out.

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Chapter 4

A Small Risk

5 Ralph and Isabel made the journey back to Gardencourt in silence.

When they arrived, a servant met them at the station. But he didn’t have any good news about Mr Touchett’s health.

As soon as they arrived, Ralph went to see his father and sat by his side. Isabel was left alone. She used the time to look around the house. It seemed different this time – much sadder. As she was walking, she heard some music coming from the drawing room. She made her way there.

It was a woman playing some Beethoven, quite beautifully. The woman stopped when she saw Isabel.

‘That is very beautiful,’ said Isabel.

‘Thank you! I hope I did not disturb* Mr Touchett,’ said the woman. ‘But this house is so large, and his room so far away, that I thought I could play.’

‘I am very glad that you came back. I have heard a lot about you,’ she continued. ‘I have been here for three days. Mr Touchett has talked constantly of you.’

Soon a servant came in with some tea, followed by Mrs Touchett.

‘I’m glad you’ve met each other,’ said Mrs Touchett. ‘While my husband is ill, you’ll not see much of Ralph and I – so it’s good that you both have some company.

‘I am an old friend of your aunt’s,’ said the lady. ‘I am American, but I have lived in Florence for many years. My name is Madame Merle.’ to disturb to cause a problem for someone

40

The conversation was interrupted by the arrival of the doctor from London. Mrs Touchett went to the library to talk with him in private. And Madame Merle and Isabel went to their rooms, and agreed to meet again at dinner.

Ralph was worried. His father’s health had got worse over the last 24 hours, and the doctor didn’t have much hope for him. Ralph began to believe that the end was near. His father slept most of the time, and he rarely spoke.

One evening, when Mr Touchett was awake for longer than usual, Ralph had a chance to talk with his father.

‘Who is that with me? Is it my son?’ said Mr Touchett.

‘Yes it is daddy,’ replied Ralph.

‘It won’t be long,’ said Mr Touchett.

‘Oh daddy, don’t talk about that. You’re getting better.’

‘I’ve got to die some time. And it’s better to die when you’re sick, than when you’re well. I know I’m very sick.’ said Mr Touchett. ‘And I want to talk to you a little.’

‘But you’ll get too tired,’ said Ralph.

‘It doesn’t matter. Soon I shall have a long rest. Ralph, listen to me.

You must get a new interest. Soon you’ll be very rich.’

‘Yes, I know,’ said Ralph. ‘But I hope you remember the talk we had a year ago. When I told you exactly how much money I’ll need.

And I asked you to make good use of the rest.’

‘Well, you’ll have more than enough – enough for two perhaps?’

‘Are you asking me to get married? No father. If there is one thing I am certain of it’s this. People who are ill shouldn’t marry at all.’

‘What do you want me to do then?’ asked the father.

‘I take a great interest in my cousin. I shall not live for many more years. But I hope I live long enough to see what she does with her life.

41

I would like to put some money in her purse.’

‘I’ve already thought of that. I’ve left her five thousand pounds.’

‘That’s very kind of you. But I would like to do a little more. I would like to make her rich. Give half of your money to her. Then she won’t have to marry for money. I want to make her free.’

‘Well son, soon you’ll be rich. Why not give her the money yourself ?’

‘Dear father, I cannot give Isabel money. I don’t want her to think it was my idea.’

‘A young lady would have to be careful about fortune hunters* with 70,000 pounds,’ said Mr Touchett.

‘It’s a risk,’ said Ralph. But I think it is a small one.’ === The weather got worse. The days grew shorter – and soon there was no more tea in the garden. But Isabel enjoyed herself by having long conversations with Madame Merle. During the illness of Mr Touchett, their friendship grew. Isabel thought that Madame Merle was very interesting. Madame Merle was positive about everything – even the rain. ‘There’s always a little of it – and never too much at once. It always smells good,’ she would say.

Ralph’s reaction to the bad weather was not so good. He couldn’t leave the house. He often stood by the window, with his hands in his pockets, watching Isabel and Madame Merle walking around the garden.

Madame Merle had many talents*. She wrote long letters, she painted, played the piano, and she seemed to have read all the right books.

But Isabel was certain that Madame Merle had suffered in life, even though she wouldn’t talk to Isabel about this. ‘Not yet,’ she would say.

‘Later, when we get to know each other better – and we will.’ fortune hunters people interested in you only for your money

42

talents abilities

Merle was happy however, to talk about the people she knew – and she knew a great many people. One of the people she talked about a lot was a man called Gilbert Osmond.

‘I must introduce you one day to a friend of mine, an American like us. He’s one of the most interesting men I know. His name is Gilbert Osmond. He lives in a villa in Italy, and he’s very clever. His villa is full of beautiful things. He has a great love of beauty. But he has no career, no name, no position in society, no future, no anything. Well, he paints, but he’s too lazy to paint very much. And he has a little girl, a dear little girl. Her name is Pansy.’

‘And his wife?’ asked Isabel.

‘His wife died. A terrible story,’ replied Madame Merle.

Madame Merle talked about Florence, about places and people.

They also talked about romance but Isabel didn’t tell her friend about Lord Warburton or Caspar Goodwood.

‘You’re a beautiful woman. You’re so clever, but you have no money. You could marry anyone you wanted, if only you had a little money,’ said Madame Merle.

After some days, Madame Merle left Gardencourt. She had other people to visit. Isabel was sad to see her go. She had learnt so much from her. Now she felt very alone. The library soon became the most important room in the house for her. She spent most of her time reading there.

One afternoon, less than a week after Merle’s departure, Isabel was sitting in the library, reading by the window. She saw the doctor come to visit Mr Touchett. Normally the visits were short. But this time he was there for two hours before he left and drove away.

Isabel remained by the window for about half an hour. There was a great stillness* in the house. Then she heard a noise and turned stillness when nothing seems to move

43

quickly away from the window. It was Ralph. He was standing by the door, with his hands in his pockets.

‘It’s all over.’ He said.

‘Do you mean that my uncle is …’ but Isabel couldn’t finish her sentence.

‘He died an hour ago,’ said Ralph. === Two weeks later, Madame Merle visited Mrs Touchett at a house in London. It had been one of Mr Touchett’s houses. As she entered, she saw a For Sale sign next to the house.

Merle knew that Mr Touchett had left many people money when he died. But she was not one of them. It made her angry to think she was not included.

She found Mrs Touchett at home. ‘Ah Madame Merle. It’s so good to see you. You’ve heard the news then, about my husband’s death. I was with him, when he died. I did my duty as a wife. He has left me this house, but of course I shall not live in it. I’ve decided to sell it. I have a much better house in Florence.’

‘Ralph of course has Gardencourt,’ she continued. ‘But his father has given away a lot of money. He’s left my niece a fortune!’

‘A fortune!’

‘Yes – almost 70,000 pounds!’

‘Well!’ cried Madame Merle. ‘The clever girl. Does she know what she wants to do with the money?’

‘I don’t think she has considered it at all. When she found out she cried.’

‘Can I see your lucky niece?’ asked Madame Merle.

‘You may see her, but you’ll hardly recognise her. She’s looked so sad recently.’

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Isabel smiled when she saw Madame Merle. But her face looked pale and serious. Madame Merle immediately went up to her. She put her hand on Isabel’s shoulder and said, ‘I’m so sorry about your uncle.

We’ll talk soon. I hear you’re going to Paris. I’m going to Florence, to see that friend I told you about, Mr Osmond. But I’m sure we’ll see each other soon.’

‘Thank you,’ was all that Isabel could say. === Mrs Touchett and Isabel made their preparations and soon left for Paris. Isabel was now rich, and could go anywhere she wanted. With money there was power and freedom. But she didn’t feel ready to enjoy these things just yet.

In Paris, Isabel met some new people. One of them was a young man, Mr Edward Rosier. His father had been a friend of Mr Touchett.

He was a very gentle youth, with perfect tastes in art and literature.

He was a gentleman.

Henrietta was there in Paris as well. Again she was worried about her friend. She didn’t like the fact that Isabel was now very rich. ‘Your money will shut you up more and more away from the world. You will be in the society of a few selfish and cruel people.’ she said.

By the middle of February, Mrs Touchett and Isabel were ready to move to Florence. On the way they stopped to meet Ralph at San Remo. Isabel was happy to see her cousin again. As soon as she saw him she asked him a question.

‘Ralph, there is something that I want to ask you. I’ve wanted to ask you this since your father died. Did you know that your father was going to leave me so much money?’

‘Why is it so important?’

46

‘So you did know?’

‘Yes, he told me. I was very happy about it.’

‘Is that why your father did it? To make you happy? I don’t know if it’s right…’

‘You think too much about what is right or wrong. Just live your life.’

‘It’s true,’ said Isabel. Why should I be so worried about doing right or wrong? It doesn’t matter to the world. Why should it matter to me?’

Isabel’s conversation with Ralph had helped her. Thanks to him, she began to feel better about being rich. She began to look forward to going to Florence. === Meanwhile, Madame Merle’s friend, Gilbert Osmond sat in the drawing room of his villa in Florence. He felt very satisfied. He looked around the room. It was full of beautiful things. His daughter Pansy was there with him. She was looking at one of his paintings in silence.

Gilbert was a man of 40, with a thin, delicate face. He looked at his daughter. He was pleased with her. She was a good girl, and she was ready to enter the world.

‘Well, my dear what do you think of the painting?’ he asked Pansy.

‘It’s very pretty Papa. Did you do it yourself ?’

‘Yes my child. I did it. Don’t you think I’m clever?’

‘Yes Papa. Very clever.’

The gentleman looked out of the window. In the distance he could see a woman coming towards the house. He waited by the door, and smiled when he saw her.’

‘Ah Madame Merle,’ said Osmond. ‘What a pleasant surprise to see you!’

47

AFTER-READING ACTIVITIES

Reading 1

Tick (3) the sentences that are correct.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Isabel heard Madame Merle playing the piano.

Madame Merle is a friend of Henrietta Stackpole.

Mr Touchett agreed to give Isabel half of his money.

Ralph went out for long walks.

Mr Touchett died two weeks after Madame Merle’s departure.

Mr Touchett had another house in London.

Isabel was happy when she heard about becoming rich.

Isabel knows that the money was Ralph’s idea.

3 ■ ■ ■ ■

■ ■ ■ ■

Vocabulary 2

Look at some of the words used in Chapter 4. Match them to similar words. e beautiful 1 ■ 2 ■ clever 3 ■ certain 4 ■ journey 5 ■ news 6 ■ risk 7 ■ sick

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a b c d e f g

trip information ill intelligent pretty danger sure

Grammar 3

Read a passage from Chapter 4 and put the verbs in brackets in the right tense.

As soon as they arrived, Ralph (1) (go) __________ to see his father and (2) (sit) __________ by his side. Isabel (3) (be) __________ left alone. As she (4) (walk) __________ she (5) (hear) __________ some music coming from the drawing room. She (6) (make) __________ her way there.

It was a woman playing some Beethoven, quite beautifully. The woman stopped when she saw Isabel.

PRE-READING ACTIVITIES

4

In Chapter 4 we are introduced to a new character, Gilbert Osmond. Are these statements true (T) or false (F)?

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

5

He’s American.

He lives in a villa in Italy.

He hasn’t got a lot of money.

He has got an important job.

He is hardworking.

He has a daughter named Pansy.

He is a friend of Madame Merle.

He is married.

He likes painting.

T

F

3 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Look at the picture on page 57 and answer the questions. a Who are the people in the picture? b What are they doing?

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Chapter 5

Gilbert Osmond

Madame Merle seemed very happy to see Gilbert Osmond, and his daughter Pansy. She held out her hands to Pansy, and kissed her on the cheek.

‘You’re looking well,’ said Osmond.

‘I always look the same,’ said Madame Merle.

‘You are always the same. You’re a wonderful woman!’

‘Yes, I think I am. I’ve come to Florence to meet some friends who are arriving soon. But I came back mainly for you. There is something I would like you to do. I’d like you to make a new friend.’

‘And what good will that do me?’ replied Osmond, looking out of the window.

‘I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.’

‘Who is your friend?’

‘She’s a niece of Mrs Touchett, Miss Isabel Archer.’

‘A niece. She’s young then.’

‘Yes. She’s 22 years old. I met her in England, several months ago.

I like her. You’ll like her as well.’

‘Why? I don’t want to. Is she beautiful, rich, intelligent, and perfect? It’s so boring to meet new people. I already know enough.’

‘She’s perfect for you. She’s beautiful, generous, clever, likeable, and rich.’

Osmond listened in silence, not taking his eyes off Madame Merle.

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‘What do you want to do with her?’ he asked.

‘I want her to fall in love with you.’

‘Isn’t she meant for something better than that?’

‘I don’t know what people are meant for. I only know what I can do with them.’

‘Then I’m sorry for Miss Archer,’ said Osmond.

The two stood there in the room. Face to face. They knew each other well. Madame Merle looked at a painting that Osmond had completed the year before. It was a painting of the Venetian Alps.

She didn’t like Osmond’s paintings. She didn’t like them, because the only thing he did was paint. And he could do so much more with his life. She looked around the room. The furniture, the curtains, the paintings, and the beautiful things he had. He had an eye for beauty.

He understood it more than anyone else.

‘You must invite Miss Archer to come and see this. I’ve told her about it.’

‘Did you say she was rich?’

‘She has 70,000 pounds. Just try. That’s all I ask.’

‘Try what?’

‘I want you to marry her of course. Wait until you see her.’

Madame Merle wasted no time. She knew what she wanted. She wanted Osmond to marry Isabel. When Isabel arrived in Florence, Madame Merle was waiting for her. She spoke again to Isabel about Osmond, reminding her that he was an old friend. ‘He’s one of the cleverest and most interesting men one could meet. He isn’t perfect. He’s easily bored, but a girl like you would be interesting for him,’ she said.

Osmond kept his promise and soon came to visit Isabel. Isabel thought he was a very interesting man. His conversation was brilliant, and Isabel found him charming.

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He was different from other men she had met. He didn’t have a position in society like Lord Warburton. And he wasn’t a successful businessman like Caspar Goodwood. He was not known for being anything in particular. He was a mystery. And that made him interesting. Isabel wanted to know more. And so she went to speak about him to her cousin, Ralph.

‘I don’t know much about him,’ said Ralph. ‘Why don’t you ask Madame Merle? She knows much more than I.’ ‘I’m asking you because I want your opinion as well.’

‘My opinion isn’t important.’

‘I don’t agree. The more information I have, the better I know a person.’

‘No, we know too much about people these days. It’s better to decide for yourself.’

‘You’re right,’ said Isabel. ‘I’ve promised to visit him soon. And I will.’

And so, one afternoon in May, Isabel went to Osmond’s villa.

Osmond lived on a hill. As she made her way to the villa she turned to enjoy the view of Florence below. It was so beautiful.

Although it was May, and it was warm outside, the villa was cold.

Isabel met Pansy. There was also another guest. It was Osmond’s sister, Countess Gemini.

Osmond stood in the middle of the room, smiling. He seemed very relaxed, and happy to see Isabel again. When everybody had been introduced, he offered Isabel some tea. ‘You must be very tired,’ he said.

‘You will be tired when you go home,’ said Osmond’s sister. ‘If he shows you all of his paintings, and talks about them.’

‘I am not afraid of that. But if I get tired, at least I will learn something,’ replied Isabel.

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‘Very little I think,’ said Osmond. ‘But don’t listen to my sister.

She’s afraid of learning anything.’

‘It is true,’ said the countess. ‘I know too much already. The more you know, the unhappier you are.’

Isabel liked Osmond’s talk, his company. She felt that she was being entertained. The other guests went into the garden and she remained alone with him. She went to look at a painting, to see it better.

Osmond took down the painting. And then he began to explain it to her. The painting was interesting. But Isabel felt that the owner of the painting was even more interesting. He was original. He knew so much about art.

Osmond showed Isabel two other rooms, each full of beautiful objects. And he continued to explain every object to her. Isabel didn’t speak very much and just listened. Osmond was very intelligent, and she didn’t want to say anything stupid. Should she say that she liked this object, or that object? She didn’t know, so she tried not to say very much at all.

Over the next two weeks, Osmond visited Isabel’s house five times.

It was something that could not escape the attention of Mrs Touchett and her son, Ralph. Ralph wasn’t worried. Isabel had refused two men.

Why not three, or four, or five? Mrs Touchett however, was worried.

She didn’t like Osmond. Isabel had refused a Lord. How could she be interested in a middle-aged American with no money? And that is why Isabel’s aunt, was happy about the next thing that Isabel decided to do.

Isabel decided to leave Florence for a while. She wanted to see more of the world, and this was her chance. She was going to go to Rome, ‘the Eternal City,’ and Ralph and Henrietta were going with her.

Isabel was excited, and told Osmond about the trip when they next met. ‘I’d like to be in Rome with you,’ he said.

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‘Oh, really,’ replied Isabel. She wasn’t sure of what to say at first.

‘Well, why don’t you come with us then?’

‘But you’ll have a lot of people with you.’

‘Of course, I won’t be alone.’

For the moment, Osmond said nothing more. He needed time to think. And to speak to Madame Merle.

Later that day, Osmond went to speak to his old friend. ‘Isabel is going to Rome, and she wants me to go with her,’ he said.

‘Then go,’ said Merle. ‘Of course you must go.’

‘It’s hard work, this plan of yours.’

‘But you’re enjoying yourself.’

‘I suppose I am. The girl isn’t bad.’

‘Not bad! Is that all you can say about that fine woman?’

‘All! Isn’t it enough? I like her very much. There is only one problem with her.’

‘And what is that?’

‘She has too many ideas.’

‘I warned you she was clever.’

‘Fortunately they’re bad ideas,’ said Osmond. ‘They’re easier to change.’ === Isabel, Ralph and Henrietta had been in Rome for three days. They had seen so many interesting places. But over the next few days, the group of three, became a group of five.

One afternoon, the three tourists were in the centre. Ralph and Henrietta were looking at a statue, and Isabel was sitting nearby resting. But Isabel couldn’t rest for long. She saw a shadow in front of her, and looked up. It was Lord Warburton. ‘It’s you!’ Isabel cried.

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‘What a surprise!’ replied Lord Warburton.

‘I’m with my cousin, and Henrietta. They are just over there.’

‘I’m alone. I’ve been to Turkey and Greece, and I’ve just arrived here. Do you want me to leave or will you let me stay a while.’

Isabel looked at him gently. ‘I don’t want you to leave. I’m very happy to see you.’

They talked for a while. Of normal things. Mr Touchett’s death, Ralph’s health, her love of Italy. Then there was a pause. Lord Warburton obviously wanted to say something. But it wasn’t easy. ‘I wrote you many letters,’ he said. But I never sent them.’

‘It’s a pity I didn’t get them. I hoped, I always hop…’

‘That we’ll remain friends,’ said Warburton. ‘I tried to fall in love with someone else. I travelled. But I feel exactly the same. I love you just as much. But, I won’t speak of my feelings any more.’

They walked together for a while and then they parted. Lord Warburton promised to visit Isabel again while they were in Rome.

The next day, Isabel and the rest of the group went to the Vatican.

Isabel stood in St. Peter’s. It was such a beautiful place to be. She heard some music and went to listen. And it was there that she saw Osmond.

‘So you decided to come,’ she said, putting out her hand.

‘Yes I came last night, and called this afternoon at your hotel. They told me you were here, and I came to look for you.’

‘The others are inside as well,’ said Isabel.

‘I didn’t come for the others,’ said Osmond smiling.

In the evening, Lord Warburton went to see Isabel at her hotel.

But everybody had gone to the opera. He decided to meet her there, to visit Isabel and Ralph in their box*.

He arrived at the theatre, and looked up at the boxes. He soon saw box the best place in the theatre

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Isabel. But he didn’t see Ralph next to her. He saw another man. It was Osmond.

On his way up, he saw Ralph, who was coming down. ‘I saw you below,’ said Ralph. ‘I was coming down to keep you company.’

‘You have some very good company already.’

‘Oh, you mean my cousin. She has got a visitor and doesn’t want me. Why don’t you go to the box and stay there while I go for a walk?’

Lord Warburton went to meet Isabel and was introduced to Osmond.

The box was large, and there was room for him. And so he stayed with them. The music started, and he sat behind them in the dark.

But after only a few moments, he got up and said goodbye. Then he walked out of the theatre, towards his hotel. ‘It’s time to go home!’ he said to himself.

He knew. At that moment, he knew. He knew something that Ralph, Mrs Touchett, Madame Merle and even Isabel herself didn’t know. Isabel was falling in love.

The romance between Isabel and Osmond however, had to be interrupted. The next day, Isabel received a telegram from Mrs Touchett. Isabel’s aunt was leaving for Greece. And she wanted Isabel to go with her. It was time for Isabel to leave Italy. It was time to discover a different country. To have a different adventure.

Osmond was unhappy to see Isabel leave. ‘Enjoy yourself,’ he said.

‘You’ll be tired of it one day. And then I’ll see you, and tell you something.’

‘Tell me now,’ demanded Isabel.

For a few moments, Osmond looked at the floor. Then he looked up and said, ‘I’m in love with you.’

Tears came into Isabel’s eyes. ‘Don’t say that please,’ she said. She was frightened because once again she had to choose and decide.

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AFTER-READING ACTIVITIES

Reading 1

Read what some of the characters say about Isabel and match them to the right person.

Caspar Goodwood • Gilbert Osmond • Henrietta Stackpole • Lord Warburton • Mr Touchett • Mrs Touchett • Ralph

1 2 3 4 5

2

I want her to have money so that she’s free Ralph to do what she wants. ____________ I fell in love with her when I first saw her. ____________ She reminds me of my wife when I first met her. ____________ She has some strange ideas, but I can change them. ____________ I worry about her. Europe is changing her. ____________ She thinks she knows about the world, but like most Americans, she’s wrong. ____________

Look at the conversation between Madame Merle and Gilbert Osmond and put it in the right order.

1 Osmond: ‘Who is your friend?’

■ ■ Osmond: ‘Why? I don’t want to. Is she beautiful, rich, intelligent, and perfect? It’s so boring to meet new people.

I already know enough.’

■ Osmond: ‘A niece. She’s young then.’

■ Osmond: ‘What do you want to do with her?’

■ Madame Merle: ‘Yes. She’s 22 years old. I met her in England, several months ago. I like her. You’ll do the same.’

■ Madame Merle: ‘I want her to fall in love with you.’

■ Madame Merle: ‘She’s a niece of Mrs Touchett, Miss Isabel Archer.’

■ Madame Merle: ‘She’s perfect for you. She’s beautiful, generous, clever, likeable, and rich.’

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Writing 3

Look at what Henrietta has written about Lord Warburton, Gilbert Osmond, and Caspar Goodwood, and put the verbs below in the right place. do • find • has • give up • is • owns • talks • trust has six houses and (1) _______ lots of land.

Lord Warburton _______ But he (2) _______ too different from Isabel.

He won’t (3) _______ . He came from America to (4) _______ Isabel. I think he’s just right for Isabel.

He (5) _______ a lot, but what does he (6) _______ ? I don’t (7) _______ him.

Discussion Points 4

Who do you think would be the best husband for Isabel?

PRE-READING ACTIVITIES

5

The next chapter jumps forward in time. We see Isabel again four years after she left Rome. What do you think has happened to these characters in the story? a Isabel b Lord Warburton c Ralph

6

Look at the picture on page 63. What do you think it means?

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Chapter 6

The Cage*

6 And now our story will move forward. We’re going to jump four years

into the future. But before we see what has happened, let us make a smaller jump in time. It’s now one year after Isabel said goodbye to Osmond in Rome.

Isabel had left Italy to go to Greece. And then she went to Turkey and Egypt. She travelled with her aunt for one year. And then, she came back to Florence.

And so now, one year after leaving Rome, we see Isabel again.

She’s alone in the drawing room, looking out of the window. A visitor is going to arrive soon. But it isn’t a visit that Isabel is looking forward to.

She couldn’t sit down to work or to read. She tried to entertain herself by thinking of Ralph. He was coming to see her soon. But she couldn’t stop thinking of something else. It wasn’t the past. It was the future. The very near future. And thinking of this didn’t make her happy.

A servant came in and gave her a card. ‘Let the gentleman come in,’ said Isabel. A few minutes later, she heard the door close behind her, and she looked around.

Caspar Goodwood stood there.

‘I can’t tell you how I hoped that you wouldn’t come,’ said Isabel.

‘You told me to wait for two years. And so I waited,’ said Goodwood. ‘What have you done? Now I shall never feel anything. cage where they put animals in a zoo

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When I read your letter about marrying this man, Gilbert Osmond, I couldn’t believe it. Does Miss Stackpole know him?’

‘A little, and she doesn’t like him. But of course, I don’t marry to please her.’

‘When will the marriage take place?’

‘I don’t know yet. It will be soon. I have only told you, and one other person. A friend of Mr Osmond’s. Why did you come?’

‘I wanted to hear the sound of your voice.’

‘I haven’t broken any promises. I was perfectly free.’

‘You said you would probably never marry. I came in the hope that there was a mistake. I saw that there wasn’t as soon as I came in the room. And now I’ve heard enough. I’m leaving Florence tomorrow.’

Goodwood left. Isabel started crying. She didn’t know why she was crying, but she couldn’t stop. When she did stop, she told her aunt that she was going to marry Gilbert Osmond. Mrs Touchett was angry with her. But she was even angrier with Madame Merle. She realised that she hadn’t been a friend.

Two days later, Ralph arrived. He was disappointed with the news.

‘I didn’t think you would marry,’ he said. ‘Now you’re going to be put in a cage.’ === Isabel often thought of those words of Ralph: ‘You’re going to be put in a cage.’ At first, they made her angry. But little by little she began to realise he had been right. Three years had passed since Isabel had married Gilbert Osmond. Now they lived in Rome in a place called Palazzo Roccanera.

It was a house of darkness. Isabel had lived there for three years.

She was Osmond’s wife, and her world seemed darker now. And it

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was Osmond who had turned the lights off. This house that she lived in – Palazzo Roccanera. Osmond gave it no light and no air.

Sometimes Isabel thought that Osmond didn’t see her as a person.

She was just one of his beautiful things, an object, like a painting, a piece of furniture, or a silver tray*.

Every Thursday evening, Isabel invited guests to dinner. Isabel’s parties were the talk of Rome. Everybody wanted to go, and you were very lucky to be invited. It was on one of these Thursdays that a man called Edward Rosier arrived at Palazzo Roccanera.

You may remember this young man. He was one of the people that Isabel met in Paris some years before. Now he was in love with Pansy, and wanted everyone to know it. The Thursday night party gave him the perfect opportunity to tell the world about his love. He could see Pansy, and get closer to what he wanted most in this world, to marry her.

Madame Merle arrived at the party soon after. She sat down on a small sofa to speak to Osmond. And the first thing the two old friends wanted to talk about was the problem of Mr Rosier.

‘He came nearly an hour ago. But he has disappeared,’ said Osmond. Osmond didn’t like the idea of this young man marrying his daughter. He had decided not to allow such a marriage. Pansy would obey* him. He knew that there would be no marriage.

Madame Merle knew where Mr Rosier was. He was with Pansy, in the other room. As soon as she had finished speaking to Osmond, she went to find the young man.

‘I have spoken to Pansy,’ said Mr Rosier to Madame Merle. ‘She loves me, as I love her.’

‘This is not the place to speak about these things,’ said Madame Merle. ‘Come and see me tomorrow.’ tray look at the picture on page 63. Osmond is holding a tray

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to obey to do what someone says

Mr Rosier agreed. He needed to speak to Madame Merle. She was close to Pansy’s father. Maybe she could help. As Mr Rosier was leaving he saw Isabel. He stopped for a moment to speak to her. She was another person who could help him. And he needed all the help he could get.

‘Mrs Osmond,’ he said. ‘I wanted to give you some good news. I wanted you to know that Pansy loves me!’

Isabel looked at Mr Rosier for a moment, and then she replied in a way that surprised him. ‘You are not rich enough for Pansy,’ she said.

‘She does not care about money,’ said Mr Rosier.

‘Yes, that is true, but her father does care, very much.’

Mr Rosier was angry. Nobody had ever told him that he wasn’t good enough.

Isabel could see that her words had hurt the young man. ‘Listen,’ she continued. ‘It’s not that I won’t help you. It’s just that I can’t.’

Mr Rosier went to see Madame Merle the next day. ‘You must promise to do nothing for now,’ said Madame Merle. ‘Be patient.

Maybe Mr Osmond will change his mind.’

But it’s difficult to be patient when you’re in love. Mr Rosier waited until the next Thursday. He had to speak to Osmond, to convince him.

When he arrived at the party, he saw Osmond. As usual, he was in the first room, by the fire, looking at the door. Rosier went up to speak to him.

‘I think you know about my feelings for your daughter,’ said Mr Rosier.

Osmond stood by the fire for a moment. ‘I have other plans for my daughter. I wish to marry her well.’

‘She will marry well, if she marries me. She couldn’t marry a man who loves her more. And I would like to add, that she loves me. And I have her promise, Sir!’ ‘I think she won’t remember promising anything to you,’ replied Osmond.

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Their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of a man – a handsome man, with a large beard. He went up to speak to Osmond.

‘It seems that you don’t recognise me,’ the man said with a smile.

‘Ah, yes I do,’ said Osmond. ‘It is quite a surprise to see you after all these years.’

While Osmond was speaking to this man, Rosier went to find Pansy. On his way there he saw Isabel. He was angry, and he couldn’t control his feelings.

‘Your husband is so cruel,’ he said. ‘What has he done to his daughter?’ he continued.

‘I have no idea,’ replied Isabel.

‘Don’t you take any interest? Osmond tells me that Pansy has changed her mind.’

‘She has not given you up,’ said Isabel, without looking at him.

‘Ah, thank you for that,’ said Rosier. Then the young man saw Isabel’s face change colour as she saw that Osmond was coming towards her, with the handsome man.

‘Isabel,’ said Osmond. ‘I bring you an old friend.’

‘I’m very happy to see you Lord Warburton,’ said Isabel.

In reality, Isabel didn’t know whether she was happy or not. What did Lord Warburton want? Warburton had just arrived in Rome.

But he had been in the capital long enough to hear about Isabel’s Thursday night parties.

‘It was four years ago, that I last saw you. When I said goodbye,’ said Lord Warburton.

It was true. Isabel hadn’t seen Lord Warburton since that evening at the theatre in Rome. But she often read about him in the newspaper. He was becoming an important person in the government. He seemed different to Isabel this time. He seemed

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happy in life. She hoped that he was happy. Then he wouldn’t ask her any difficult questions.

Lord Warburton had some good news. He had brought Ralph with him to Rome, and Isabel was very happy to hear this.

‘He’s too tired to come today,’ said Warburton.

‘I’ll go and see him,’ said Isabel.

‘I hoped you would say that,’ said Warburton. ‘I hoped that you were still good friends.’

‘I am and always will be Ralph’s friend,’ answered Isabel. ‘Why has he come?’

‘I don’t know. He shouldn’t be here really. He’s not well,’ said Lord Warburton. ‘He’s getting worse every year. But he insisted on coming to Italy. His mother’s gone to America, and he needs his friends. I sometimes think he’s dying.’

‘Go to him in the morning,’ continued Warburton. ‘I didn’t tell him that I was coming here.’

‘I don’t understand Ralph’s plan,’ said Isabel. ‘It seems quite strange. I would prefer him to be in Gardencourt, if he’s ill.’

‘He was completely alone there,’ replied Warburton.

‘Alone! His mother should be there,’ said Isabel.

‘I think so too,’ said Warburton. ‘Isabel,’ Warburton continued, ‘I wanted to ask you if you were happy.’

Isabel answered with a quick laugh. ‘Do you think that if I were unhappy, I would tell you?’

‘I don’t see why not.’

‘Fortunately, I’m very happy.’

Meanwhile at the party, Mr Rosier was talking to Pansy again.

Pansy insisted that nothing had changed. She still felt the same way about him. But, her father had told her that she couldn’t marry him.

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‘Be patient,’ said Pansy.

‘People keep telling me that. But your father will try and make you marry someone else,’ said Rosier.

‘I’ll speak to Isabel. She’ll help us,’ said Pansy.

‘She won’t help us much. She’s afraid,’ replied Mr Rosier.

‘Afraid of what?’

‘Of your father, I think.’

‘She’s not afraid of anyone. We must wait,’ said Pansy.

Rosier, put his head in his hands. He didn’t know what to do.

When he looked up he saw that Pansy was now standing up, being introduced by her father, to Lord Warburton.

The next day, Isabel went to meet Ralph at his hotel. They had written to each other over the last few years. But it was the first time they had seen each other since the marriage. They spent an hour together. It was the first of several visits. And Ralph came more than once to Palazzo Roccanera.

Ralph was very ill. But he wanted to stay in Rome. ‘I’m not interested in my health,’ he said one evening to Lord Warburton. ‘But I am very interested in Isabel. Do you think she’s happy?’

‘She told me she was the other night.’

‘Of course she said that,’ said Ralph smiling. ‘And Pansy. Are you interested in this girl?’

‘Yes,’ said Lord Warburton. ‘She’s very sweet.’

‘Gilbert Osmond will be pleased,’ said Ralph.

‘I’m not going to marry his daughter to please him,’ replied Lord Warburton.

‘And Isabel. Will she be pleased? I hope you’re not interested in Pansy, just because she’s close to Isabel.’

‘Good heavens Touchett!’ said Warburton angrily. ‘What kind of person do you think I am?’

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AFTER-READING ACTIVITIES

Reading 1

Choose the right answer, A, B or C. Isabel went to Greece and Turkey A with Mrs Touchett.

B alone.

C with Gilbert Osmond.

1

Isabel had a party A every Tuesday evening.

B every Wednesday evening.

C every Thursday evening.

2 When Isabel spoke to Caspar Goodwood about her marriage, who else knew about it?

A Ralph Touchett.

B Madame Merle.

C Mrs Touchett.

3 Gilbert Osmond didn’t want Pansy to marry Mr Rosier because A he didn’t have enough money.

B Pansy didn’t love him.

C he was too young.

4 Madame Merle told Mr Rosier A that there was no hope of marrying Pansy.

B that he had to wait.

C that Pansy loved her.

5 Ralph’s mother A was at Gardencourt.

B came to Rome with Ralph.

C was in America.

6 Ralph thinks that Lord Warburton A is in love with Pansy.

B is still in love with Isabel.

C is no longer in love with Isabel.

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2

What did we learn in Chapter 6? Underline the right answer.

1 2 3 4 5 6

Isabel is married/not married to Gilbert Osmond.

Mrs Touchett is still a friend/not a friend of Madame Merle’s.

Isabel lives in Florence/Rome.

Mr Rosier is in love with Pansy/Madame Merle.

Lord Warburton is married/not married.

Ralph is at Gardencourt/in Rome.

Lord Warburton says he likes/doesn't like Pansy.

Grammar 3

Look at some sentences from Chapter 6. Circle the right word that is used.

Isabel had left Italy to go/going to Greece.

1 Isabel couldn’t stop to think/thinking about Caspar Goodwood.

2 Madame Merle sat down on a small sofa to speak/speaking to Osmond.

3 ‘I don’t like the idea of this man to marry/marrying my daughter,’ said Osmond.

4 Madame Merle went to find/finding Mr Rosier.

5 ‘You must promise to do/doing nothing,’ said Madame Merle to Mr Rosier.

6 ‘I think she won’t remember to promise/promising anything to you,’ said Osmond to Mr Rosier.

PRE-READING ACTIVITY

Writing 4

Look at the picture on page 71. Describe what Isabel sees.

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Chapter 7

The Word Love

7 In three years, Isabel had seen little of Madame Merle. This had

given her time to think about her friend. Was she a friend? Had she ever been a friend? Or had she only ever been a friend to Osmond?

She often asked herself these questions. But she wasn’t sure of the answers.

One day, Isabel was walking towards the dining room. As she was passing, she stopped. She saw something strange.

She saw a scene. Madame Merle was standing in the room, near the fire. And Osmond was in a chair, talking to her.

Their positions, and the way they looked at each other were strange. They seemed to be more than friends. They were two people, but they looked like one person, working and thinking together. They seemed close. Too close.

This scene only lasted for a second. Osmond noticed that Isabel was there. He jumped from his seat, and went out, saying something about needing to go for a walk. And Madame Merle remained to speak to her.

‘I do not see much of you any more,’ said Isabel.

‘I have come to you because I have a problem. I want to talk to you. I have talked to your husband about it.’

‘That surprises me,’ said Isabel. He does not like problems.’

‘I know. But you must help me. It is about poor Mr Rosier.’

‘Ah!’ said Isabel. ‘It is his problem then. Not yours.’

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‘Mr Rosier has come to me. In fact he comes to see me ten times a week, to talk about Pansy.’

‘Yes, he wants to marry her. I know all about it.’

Madame Merle was silent for a moment. ‘I did not think you knew.

Your husband does not know what to think.’

Isabel thought of what she had just seen, before they noticed her.

‘I thought you would tell him how to think Madame Merle.’

I cannot speak to Mr Rosier now,’ continued Isabel. ‘Osmond told him that he is not welcome.’

‘Ah yes, I forgot that. But now Rosier is becoming jealous.’

‘Jealous?’

‘Yes, of Lord Warburton,’ replied Madame Merle.

‘I know that Lord Warburton likes Pansy.’

‘In the same way that Mr Rosier likes Pansy?’

‘I do not know,’ said Isabel. ‘But he certainly finds her interesting.’

Isabel found it strange that Madame Merle was so interested in Pansy.

‘You can make him marry Pansy,’ continued Madame Merle. He will do what you say. I know how he feels about you.’

‘What do you mean? I have never told you anything.’

‘Your aunt told me about Lord Warburton, and his feelings for you.

If you would not marry him yourself, help him to marry someone else.’

Pansy as the wife of Lord Warburton. Little by little, Isabel began to like this idea. She knew it would please Osmond. It was surprising how important it was to her, to help her husband, to please him. She wanted to believe that she was a good wife.

At ten o’clock that evening, Lord Warburton went to visit Isabel.

Pansy sat with them as well. Isabel thought of leaving Pansy and

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Warburton alone. ‘That’s what I should do,’ she thought. But, for some reason she remained with them.

After a while, Lord Warburton went to a party, and Pansy went to bed. Why hadn’t she left them alone for half an hour? Did she want this marriage or not? She didn’t know.

Isabel remained alone, looking at the fire, until her husband came in. He moved about for a while in silence, and then sat down. She watched him while he was silent. She wanted to know what he was thinking.

‘Has Lord Warburton been here?’ he asked.

‘Yes, he stayed for half an hour.’

‘Did he see Pansy?’ asked Osmond.

‘Yes, he sat next to her on the sofa.’

Osmond was silent for a moment. ‘Pansy only has to sit still to become Lady Warburton,’ he said.

‘Would you like that?’ Isabel asked.

‘I would like it very much. It would be a great marriage. And Lord Warburton is an old friend of yours. It would be nice for him to come into the family.

‘An old friend of yours,’ he had said. Osmond didn’t like any of Isabel’s old friends. It was strange that he was saying something nice about one of them.

‘He’s an excellent man,’ said Isabel. ‘But you say that Pansy only has to sit still. Maybe she won’t sit still. She has feelings for Rosier.’

But Osmond wasn’t listening and he sat looking at the fire. ‘Pansy would make a great lady,’ he said. ‘We just have to wait for Lord Warburton to speak.’

‘He has spoken,’ said Isabel. ‘He told me that he likes Pansy.’

Osmond turned his head quickly, ‘Why didn’t you tell me that?’

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‘There was no opportunity,’ replied Isabel.

They sat in silence for a while. Osmond started reading. After a few minutes he put down his book and said the same thing as Madame Merle. ‘You can make him. Think about it and remember, I am depending on you. You can do it!’

Isabel said nothing more, and Osmond walked out of the room.

She had said nothing because she was confused. Did Lord Warburton still feel something for her? Was he thinking of marrying Pansy, just to please her? She was frightened of the answer to this question. Because she was sure that the answer was – yes.

For her, nothing had changed. She still felt the same way about Lord Warburton. But if Lord Warburton was in love with her, he couldn’t be in love with Pansy.

Should she try to make Warburton marry Pansy? – that is what her husband was asking her to do. It was a terrible thing to ask.

Maybe it was just her imagination. Of course Lord Warburton wasn’t in love with her. How silly! But something worried her. She didn’t trust her husband. Sometimes she thought that he hated her.

They didn’t really know each other when they got married. When she met him, she made herself small, so there seemed to be less of her than there really was. And she only saw half of him before they were married. She saw the whole man now.

Osmond could be charming when he wanted to be. He had been poor and lonely. He was like a man about to start a journey by sea – looking at the water – but never getting on the boat. She thought that she could help him to get on that boat. But she couldn’t.

Until that morning Osmond hadn’t spoken to her for a week. He was angry because Ralph was in Rome. But she had to see Ralph. She believed he was dying.

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When she saw Ralph, she felt better. And she knew why Osmond was jealous. Ralph was generous and kind-hearted and he wasn’t.

There was something in the way Ralph talked and smiled, it made her feel better.

She remembered Ralph’s comment that day, in the garden, about being put in a cage. How did he know? What a mystery! How intelligent, to understand so well.

She stayed in the drawing room in silence. After the fire had gone out, she couldn’t sleep. At four in the morning, she got up and went to her bedroom. But even then she was thinking about that moment earlier in the day. Her husband and Madame Merle, together, sharing something that she could never have.

Three nights later, Isabel took Pansy to a party. Pansy was extremely excited. She had lots of offers to dance, and Isabel stood there watching. She saw Mr Rosier standing nearby, watching too.

‘She has refused to dance with me,’ he said. ‘But I want her to know something. I still believe in her.’

‘Her father told her not to dance with you,’ said Isabel.

‘I thought you would help me Mrs Osmond.’

‘I don’t think you are right for Pansy,’ she replied.

‘Poor Mr Rosier,’ thought Isabel. She was very sad, but why should anyone else feel unhappy?

‘You feel sorry for me,’ said Mr Rosier.

‘Pansy will always enjoy life. But she will always obey her father, and now she has finished dancing. She is coming back to me. Please leave!’

Mr Rosier stayed for a moment. He stayed long enough just to be able to look at Pansy in the face. Then he went away.

Isabel watched her. ‘She’s in love with him,’ she thought. Pansy went off to dance with another partner, and soon after Isabel saw

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Lord Warburton coming through the crowd. He went up to Isabel and wished her good evening.

‘Where is little Pansy?’ he asked.

‘She’s dancing,’ said Isabel.

Isabel could feel Warburton looking at her. ‘Please help me to understand something,’ she said. ‘Do you like Pansy or not? Are you thinking of marrying her?’

‘I wrote to Mr Osmond this morning.’

‘Strange, he didn’t say anything to me.’

‘I – I didn’t send my letter. I wasn’t satisfied with it. But I’ll send it tomorrow.’

‘So you do want to marry her?’

‘Very much indeed.’

‘Aren’t you afraid that you will bore her? If you can’t dance with her for half an hour, how will she be able to dance with you for life?’

‘I’ll let her dance with other people. I would prefer not to dance,’ said Warburton. Let’s go to the other room. It’s quieter there.’

Isabel agreed. As they went towards the other room, they saw Mr Rosier.

‘You do not like dancing, Mr Rosier,’ said Isabel.

‘Certainly not, if I cannot dance with her,’ he answered.

‘Maybe you should leave then,’ said Isabel.

‘I am not going until she does,’ Mr Rosier replied.

Mr Rosier didn’t look at Warburton. The lord however, noticed him and asked Isabel who he was.

‘It’s the young man I have told you about – who is in love with Pansy.’

‘He’s suffering,’ said Warburton.

‘He has a good reason to suffer. My husband doesn’t like him. He hasn’t got enough money.’

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Lord Warburton listened with interest. He seemed sad about the young man. ‘How much money has he got?’

‘Sixteen hundred pounds.’

‘That’s quite a lot.’

‘My husband has bigger ideas.’

‘Does Pansy care for him?’

‘Yes, she does. Didn’t I tell you that?’

Lord Warburton’s face suddenly went red. ‘No, I didn’t know that,’ he said.

They remained silent for some moments. The room was empty.

The only sound they could hear was the music, coming from the other room.

‘You’re not in love with Pansy,’ Isabel said suddenly.

‘Yes I am,’ replied Warburton.

Isabel shook her head. ‘You like to think you are, while you sit here with me. But I don’t think it’s true.’

‘I’m not in love like that young man, I admit that. But I do like her.’

‘If you were really in love, you would use the word, love.’ said Isabel.

‘Ah, love. You must remember that I’m 40 years old. I’m not the same man I was when I was young.’

‘Well, if you are sure,’ said Isabel.

Warburton looked quickly towards Isabel. ‘Why are you so unsure of my feelings for Pansy?’ he said.

Isabel looked into Lord Warburton’s eyes. And she understood.

She got up and went towards the other room. Lord Warburton didn’t follow her. Before leaving the room, she turned towards Warburton and said, ‘Don’t forget to send your letter to her father.’

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AFTER-READING ACTIVITIES

Reading 1

Are these statements true (T) or false (F)?

T 3 Madame Merle doesn’t want Pansy to marry Mr Rosier. ■ 1 2 3 4 5 6

Isabel wanted to do her duty and do what Osmond asked.

Osmond was jealous of Ralph.

Pansy danced with Mr Rosier at a party.

Lord Warburton wrote a letter to Osmond.

Lord Warburton knew that Pansy loved Mr Rosier.

Isabel knows that Lord Warburton is not in love with Pansy.

F

■

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

■

■

Grammar 2

Read the sentences and underline the correct form.

1 2 3 4 5 6

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As Isabel was passing, she stopped/As Isabel passed, she was stopping.

‘Now Rosier becomes/is becoming jealous,’ said Madame Merle.

‘You must to/have to wait until Lord Warburton asks Pansy to marry him,’ said Isabel.

‘Lord Warburton has spoken/spoke recently,’ said Isabel. He told me he likes Pansy.

Until that morning Osmond didn’t speak to Isabel/hadn’t spoken to Isabel for a week.

Three nights later, Isabel has taken/took Pansy to a party.

‘If you can’t dance with Pansy for half an hour, how will/would she be able to dance with you for life?’ said Isabel.

3a

Read two things that Madame Merle says to Isabel. One from Chapter 4 and the other Chapter 7. In one of the sentences, Madame Merle is more formal. Which one is it?

Chapter 4: ‘You’re a beautiful woman. You’re so clever, but you have no money. You could marry anyone you wanted, if only you had a little money.

Chapter 7: ‘I have come to you because I have a problem. I want to talk to you. I have talked to your husband about it.’

3b

4

Why does Madame Merle speak more formally to Isabel in one of the sentences? What does it tell us about their relationship?

Read these sentences from Chapter 7. Look at the underlined word and decide who is being spoken about.

They were two people, but they looked like one person, working and thinking together.

Gilbert Osmond (1) _________________ ‘Osmond told him that he is not welcome,’ said Madame Merle (2) _________________ ‘Lord Warburton certainly finds her interesting,’ said Isabel (3) _________________ Why hadn’t she left them alone for half an hour? Did she want this marriage or not?

(4) _________________ (5) _________________ They really didn’t know each other when they got married.

(6) _________________ (7) _________________

PRE-READING ACTIVITIES

5a

Look at the picture in Chapter 8 on page 87. In one minute describe the scene.

5b

Why do you think Isabel is so upset? What do you think Madame Merle has said to her?

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Chapter 8

Poor Little Pansy!

One day, Isabel went to visit her cousin. She knew that Osmond didn’t want her to go. Osmond was her husband. It was her duty to obey him. But he had not told her that she couldn’t see Ralph. She thought that Ralph was dying, and she didn’t want him to die alone.

When she saw Ralph, she had a question for him. ‘I want to ask you something about Lord Warburton,’ she said.

‘I know what you’re going to ask,’ he said.

‘Please answer me then. Is he really in love?’

‘Very much, I think. Can you tell me what you’re talking about?’ asked Ralph.

‘I thought you knew. Lord Warburton tells me he wants to marry Pansy. Do you believe he cares for her?’

‘For Pansy, no.’

‘But you just said that he did.’

‘I thought you meant …that he cares for you, Isabel.’

Isabel shook her head. ‘That’s nonsense, you know.’

‘It’s just my opinion.’

‘Has he also told you that he’s in love with Pansy?’

‘He has spoken well of her. But what Lord Warburton really thinks….’

‘Oh, you’re not helping me,’ cried Isabel.

It was these words that made Ralph realise how much Isabel was suffering. ‘You’re really unhappy aren’t you?’ he said.

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But she didn’t answer. She couldn’t answer. She said goodbye to Ralph and went home. If Ralph couldn’t tell her, she had to speak to Pansy. Pansy would tell her something, anything that would help her to understand. She found Pansy, in her room and already dressed for dinner.

Pansy got up to welcome Isabel. Isabel didn’t want to frighten her, so she sat next to her. She wanted to hear it from Pansy. She wanted to hear that she wasn’t interested in Lord Warburton.

Pansy then told her. The only thing she wished in life was to marry Mr Rosier. If only her father would allow it.

‘It’s impossible!’ said Isabel.

‘Yes it is,’ Pansy replied.

‘You must think of someone else then. Your father would like you to make a better marriage. Mr Rosier doesn’t have a large fortune.’

‘Why should I look for a fortune?’

While Pansy was speaking Isabel was thinking. ‘Is this what I have to do for Osmond?’ she thought. She was ashamed. To think so little of what the girl wanted.

‘What do you want me to do?’ asked Pansy. ‘To marry someone else?’

‘Yes,’ said Isabel.

‘Well, I hope no one asks me,’ Pansy replied.

‘Someone is ready to ask you. Lord Warburton. You know I’m speaking about him.’

‘He has been very kind to me,’ said Pansy. ‘I like him very much.

But I don’t think he wants to marry me.’

‘I know your father would like it Pansy.’

Pansy shook her head slowly. ‘It won’t happen – ever! He knows I don’t want to marry him.’

‘You must tell your father that.’

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‘I’d rather not. While he thinks Lord Warburton is interested, he won’t think of anybody else.’

The only other person that Isabel could speak to about this was Lord Warburton himself. But Warburton didn’t come to Isabel’s house for several days. And Osmond said nothing about receiving a letter from him.

After four days, Osmond asked Isabel about Warburton. But Isabel couldn’t tell him anything. There was no letter, and there was no Warburton.

‘When Lord Warburton said that he would write me a letter, what did you say to him?’ Osmond asked.

‘I think I told him not to forget,’ replied Isabel.

‘It won’t be easy, to make this marriage, with you working against me.’

‘What are you saying?’ she replied.

‘I’m saying that I don’t trust you!’

At that moment, a servant came in to announce a visitor. It was Lord Warburton. He came in and smiled at Osmond and Isabel. It’s very difficult to look happy, when you are very angry. But Osmond and Isabel did it beautifully.

‘Good afternoon Lord Warburton,’ said Osmond, smiling ‘We didn’t know where you were, we were afraid that you had gone away.’

‘No,’ said Warburton, still smiling. ‘But I’m leaving soon.

Important business in England. I’m going to leave tomorrow, or the next day. I wish I didn’t have to leave Ralph here.’

Warburton seemed to be nervous. In fact he couldn’t stop speaking.

‘You should come to England soon – Don’t you remember Isabel what a good time you had there? - You must see Gardencourt again - Ralph isn’t really taking care of it - Why don’t you come and visit Ralph? – I’m really sorry to be going.’ Lord Warburton talked, and talked, and talked.

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Isabel almost felt sorry for Osmond. He sat there listening. He wanted to get angry, but he couldn’t.

Lord Warburton told them he had to go soon, he had many things to do. But he didn’t seem to want to leave. Isabel asked herself why he wouldn’t go. She believed it was not to see Pansy, it was to see her alone. He had something to say to her, and Isabel didn’t want to hear it.

Osmond left the room and gave Warburton the chance to be alone with Isabel. It was only when he was alone with Isabel that he stopped speaking. He moved around in his seat, nervously.

‘I hope Pansy comes, I would like to see her,’ said Lord Warburton.

‘I’m glad it’s for the last time.’

‘So am I. She doesn’t care for me.’

‘No, she doesn’t,’ replied Isabel.

They talked a little of Ralph, and then Pansy came in, already dressed for dinner. She shook hands with Warburton, and smiled.

‘I’m going away,’ he said. ‘I came to say goodbye.’

‘Goodbye Lord Warburton,’ she said.

‘Think of me sometimes,’ he replied. And then he was gone.

That evening, Osmond asked to speak to Isabel. ‘I don’t understand what you want to do. I would like to know, so that I know how to act.’

‘Right now, I just want to go to bed. I’m very tired.’

‘Sit down and rest. This won’t take long. I’ve prepared a chair for you. Osmond offered her the chair. But Isabel sat somewhere else.

The fire had gone out and there wasn’t much light in the room.

‘You think you have won, but the game is not lost yet,’ said Osmond. ‘We’ll see him again.’

‘What have I done wrong?’ Isabel asked.

‘You have stopped Pansy from marrying Lord Warburton.’

‘That’s not true. I tried. I did my best.’

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‘Where is the letter that you told me he had written?’

‘I have no idea.’

‘You stopped it from arriving.’

Isabel slowly got up. ‘Oh Osmond! What has happened to you?

You used to be so fine.’

‘I was never as fine as you. You have done everything you wanted.

And you have put me in this terrible position – of a man who tried to marry his daughter to a Lord – and didn’t succeed.’

‘Is that all you wish to say to me?’ Isabel asked. ‘Are you satisfied?

Am I sad enough for you? Poor little Pansy,’ said Isabel, turning away from him with her candle.

The next day, Madame Merle left to stay with a friend in Naples.

That made Isabel happy. She no longer saw Madame Merle as a friend.

Sometimes at night she had strange dreams, about her husband and Madame Merle. She was happy that Madame Merle wasn’t in Rome at that moment.

But there were two other people in Isabel’s life who had just arrived in Rome. The first was Caspar Goodwood. She was worried. He was too near. She thought that they had already met for the last time.

When she learned he was coming to Rome she was afraid. But four days passed and she still hadn’t seen him. This made her feel better.

She was much happier about seeing Henrietta. Isabel knew exactly why she was here. Henrietta wanted to know if Isabel was unhappy with her marriage. In fact this was the first question she asked Isabel.

‘Yes, I’m very unhappy,’ said Isabel in a soft voice. It was the first time that she had said this to anyone.

‘What does he do to you?’ asked Henrietta.

‘He does nothing. But he doesn’t like me.’

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‘Why don’t you leave him?’

‘I can’t change. I can’t, I won’t, I mustn’t!’

Osmond didn’t like Henrietta. But Henrietta was free to visit Isabel in her sitting room, and they often went out for long walks.

‘I don’t like your friends,’ said Osmond. ‘Especially Ralph. And I can’t tell him this because of his health. As for Henrietta, she is a monster. Is she really a woman? I can’t imagine the things she says about me.’

But Henrietta spoke about Osmond much less than he thought.

She had a lot of other things to talk about.

After nearly a week, Goodwood finally came to Palazzo Roccanera.

Isabel hoped that Goodwood had come to Rome only for a holiday, and not to talk about the past. She hoped that he was no longer in love with her.

She had to introduce Goodwood to Osmond. He came to the Thursday evening party. She was tired of these evenings, but Osmond wanted them to continue. Isabel’s husband didn’t like many people, but he seemed to like Goodwood.

Ralph also had a lot of visitors. Goodwood went to see him, and Henrietta saw him every day. They had become excellent friends, even though they disagreed about everything.

But, it was time for Ralph to go home. One day, towards the end of February, Ralph decided to return. But he wasn’t going to travel alone. Henrietta decided to go with him, so she could look after him.

Before Ralph left, Isabel went to say goodbye to him. ‘My dear Ralph!’ she said when she saw him.

Ralph talked to her about England, and Gardencourt. He wanted to see his house again. He wanted to die at home. Most people believed that the end was near for him.

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Isabel took Ralph’s hand and said, ‘You’ve been my best friend.’

‘It is for you that I wanted, … that I wanted to live,’ replied Ralph.

‘But I’m of no use to you.’

Isabel realised that she might never see him again. She couldn’t accept that. ‘If you send for me, I will come,’ she promised. === When Madame Merle returned from Naples, the first thing she wanted to know from Isabel was what had happened to Lord Warburton.

‘Please don’t talk of him,’ said Isabel. ‘We have heard so much of him lately.’

Madame Merle smiled. ‘You have, but I have not. I hoped to be able to congratulate Pansy.’

‘You can still congratulate her on not marrying him.’

‘How can you say that?’ Do you think it is too late?’

Isabel had never seen Madame Merle like this before. Why was she so interested in Pansy’s marriage?

‘There is nothing more to say.’ said Isabel.

‘I just want the truth. Did Lord Warburton change his mind, or did you change it for him?’

‘Be careful,’ warned Isabel ‘Who are you? What are you?’ Isabel said quietly. ‘What have you to do with my husband?’ What have you to do with me?’

‘Everything,’ said Madame Merle.

Isabel covered her face. She wanted to cry, and then she realised.

She remembered something that Mrs Touchett had said to her, many years ago. It was Madame Merle. Madame Merle had married her to Osmond.

She uncovered her face again. Madame Merle had gone.

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AFTER-READING ACTIVITIES

Reading 1

Put the events in the order that they happen.

1 Isabel asks Ralph about Lord Warburton.

■ ■ Ralph Touchett goes back to England with Henrietta Stackpole.

■ Lord Warburton says goodbye to Pansy.

■ Caspar Goodwood arrives in Rome.

■ Isabel asks Pansy about Lord Warburton.

■ Osmond says that Isabel stopped the marriage between Pansy and Warburton.

■ Madame Merle leaves for Naples.

■ Henrietta Stackpole arrives in Rome.

■ Madame Merle returns and speaks to Isabel.

Grammar 2a

Read this part of Chapter 8 again and put in the verbs in the correct form. be not • go (out) • offer • prepare • rest • sit • take rest ‘Sit down and ___________.

This won’t (1) ___________ long.

I’ve (2) ___________ a chair for you. Osmond (3) ___________ her the chair. But Isabel (4) ___________ somewhere else. The fire (5) ___________ and there (6) ___________ much light in the room.

2b

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Check if your answer is right on page 83. Why do you think Isabel acts the way she does?

3a

Match a part of a sentence in column A with the other half of the sentence in column B. A 1 If my father doesn’t know that Lord Warburton isn't interested in me, 2 If Osmond doesn’t tell me that I can’t visit Ralph, 3 If we see Warburton again soon, 4 If Isabel leaves Osmond, 5 If I were of use to Isabel,

3b 4

B a Warburton will change his mind about Pansy. b I would stay in Rome. c he won’t look for anyone else. d she won’t be so unhappy. e then I can go and see him.

Now you have the complete sentence. Who do you think is speaking in each case?

Read the last part of Chapter 8 again. In your opinion why did Madame Merle decide that Isabel should marry Osmond?

Isabel covered her face. She wanted to cry, and then she realised.

She remembered something that Mrs Touchett had said to her, many years ago. It was Madame Merle. Madame Merle had married her to Osmond.

She uncovered her face again. Madame Merle had gone.

PRE-READING ACTIVITIES

5

In the last chapter, Isabel discovers a terrible secret. What do you think it will be?

6

The last chapter is called, ‘The Ghost.’ Why do you think this is the title?

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Chapter 9

The Ghost

8 Isabel went out alone that afternoon. She wanted to be far away, with

only the sky for company. She tried not to think of Madame Merle, but it was difficult. She was wicked. She was false.

Madame Merle had chosen her. She had convinced Gilbert Osmond to marry her, to get her fortune. It was all now so clear to her. As clear as the sky above her.

When Isabel returned, she saw that Osmond’s sister, Countess Gemini had arrived. The next day, Isabel took her and Pansy, around Rome. They went to the Coliseum together. Isabel sat on some steps, while the other two looked around. After a while, she realised there was another person nearby. It was Mr Rosier. He was waiting for a chance to speak to her.

‘I wanted to tell you something,’ said Mr Rosier. I have sold everything I have, and now I have 40,000 dollars. Will Mr Osmond think I am rich enough now?’

‘You did it for that?’ said Isabel gently.

‘Why else would I do it? I went to Paris. Now I have money, and he cannot say I’m poor.’

‘You deserve to succeed,’ said Isabel. Osmond however, was doing everything he could to stop Mr Rosier from succeeding.

A few days later, Isabel found Pansy waiting for her in her room.

She looked very frightened. Her father was sending her to a convent*.

‘Papa thinks I need some time alone, to think,’ said Pansy. convent a place where you can pray and think about God

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Isabel knew why Pansy was going to the convent. It wasn’t because she needed to think. He wanted to teach her a lesson. He wanted her to learn not to think - to obey without question.

Isabel was worried about Pansy, but she had little time to think about her. A few days later she received a telegram from Mrs Touchett.

It gave her the news that she was waiting for, the news that she didn’t want to hear.

RALPH IS DYING – IF POSSIBLE WOULD LIKE TO SEE YOU. Isabel read the telegram, put it in her pocket, and then went to her husband’s study. Osmond was sitting at a table near the window, painting.

‘Excuse me for disturbing you,’ she said. ‘But my aunt has sent a telegram. I must go to Gardencourt. Ralph is dying.’

Osmond carried on with his painting. The silence was unbearable.

Finally, he said ‘I don’t think it’s necessary. He came to see you here. I didn’t like that. But I understood it would be the last time you saw him.’

‘I must go to England,’ she said.

‘I won’t be happy if you do.’

‘Why should that matter? You don’t like anything I do, or don’t do.’

Osmond gave Isabel a cold smile. ‘Let me be clear, you cannot go to England. I don’t think we need to talk any longer. You know my wish.’

Isabel went to her bedroom. On her way she saw the countess standing near her door. Isabel told her about Ralph.

‘Oh I’m so sorry. Have you spoken to my brother? What did he say?’

‘He said that I can’t go to England.’

Isabel went into her room. She was a married woman. Marriage meant that a woman should stay with her husband. She sat on the sofa and began to cry. When she looked up she saw the countess standing in front of her. She had a strange smile on her face.

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‘I knocked but you didn’t hear me,’ said the countess. ‘You look so unhappy. What has my brother done to you?’

The countess sat on the sofa next to her, and looked at her. ‘There is something I want you to know, something that you should know.’

‘What is it?’ asked Isabel. ‘Are you going to tell me something horrible?’

‘I’m going to tell you the truth. Osmond’s first wife had no children.’

Isabel sat there with her mouth open. ‘His first wife,’ she repeated.

‘Osmond never speaks to you about his first wife. It was after her death that Pansy appeared.’

Isabel was pale. She was trying to understand.

‘Pansy is not my husband’s child then?’

‘She is Madame Merle’s daughter. She was ashamed. You know what it means to have a child without a husband? And so my brother adopted her.’

‘I never knew,’ said Isabel, looking up at her.

‘Nobody did. When Osmond married you he was no longer with Madame Merle. But for five years they were very close.’

‘Why did she want him to marry me?’

‘Because you had money. And you would be good to Pansy.’

‘Why didn’t Osmond marry Madame Merle?’

‘Because he had no money. And she didn’t want to marry him. She hoped she would marry a great man. But she has failed.’

‘Thank you for telling me this,’ said Isabel. And then she rose from the sofa. She couldn’t breathe. She was so confused. ‘I must see Ralph,’ she said. ‘I have to go to England.’

But before she left, she had to see Pansy. And so she went to the convent in Piazza Navona.

Isabel saw that the rooms were clean and comfortable, but it was

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still like a prison. Pansy had just moved from one prison to another.

As she was going towards the room she saw Madame Merle!

Isabel couldn’t speak. She had nothing to say to her – absolutely nothing.

‘You are surprised to find me here,’ said Madame Merle. ‘I did not stay long. I thought Pansy might be lonely.’

But as Madame Merle spoke, she began to understand from Isabel’s expression, that things had changed. She understood that everything was at an end between them. She understood everything. The person she was looking at knew her secret.

‘I came to say goodbye to Pansy,’ Isabel finally said. ‘I am going to England, tonight. Ralph Touchett is dying.’

‘I am sorry. Ralph never liked me. But I am sad he is dying. Will you see his mother?’

‘Yes, she has returned from America.’

‘She used to be very kind to me. But she has changed. Others too have changed,’ said Madame Merle.

‘I have to speak to Pansy,’ said Isabel. ‘There is not much time.’

Isabel left Madame Merle standing there, and went into Pansy’s room.

Pansy was frightened when Isabel told her about going to England.

‘Don’t leave me here!’ she cried. ‘Papa wanted me to think, and I have thought a lot. I just want to leave.’

‘Don’t worry Pansy. You’ll be able to leave soon. But I have to go now,’ said Isabel. ‘I’ll come back. I promise.’

On her way out, she saw that Madame Merle was still standing there, in the same position. She wanted to say one last thing to Isabel.

‘I am going to ask you a strange question. Are you very fond of your cousin?’

‘Yes I am. But why are you asking me this?’

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‘Your cousin once did something for you, something important.

He made you a rich woman.’

‘He made me -? I don’t understand you. It was my uncle’s money.’

‘Yes it was your uncle’s money, but it was your cousin’s idea.’

Isabel went to the door. ‘I do not think I ever want to see you again,’ she said.

‘I know. I will go to America,’ she said. === When Isabel arrived in London, Henrietta was waiting for her. It had been a long journey and that night she stayed in a hotel in London with her friend. Henrietta had some news for her.

‘You won’t believe it, but I’m getting married, to an Englishman.

His name is Banting.’ she said.’

‘It seems strange,’ said Isabel. ‘All the time I’ve known you, you are so American. And now you’re going to become an English lady.’

‘I know,’ said Henrietta. ‘But I can’t explain how it happened.’

‘You can’t explain marriage. And you don’t need to explain it,’ replied Isabel.

The next day, Isabel arrived at Gardencourt. Everything was quiet.

Isabel was shown to the drawing room, and waited for her aunt to come down to meet her.

Mrs Touchett appeared to be in no hurry to see her. Isabel became impatient, nervous and frightened.

The house had the same stillness that it had hours before Mr Touchett’s death. She left the drawing room and walked around.

Nothing had changed. Things change so little, but people change so much. ‘How much I’ve changed,’ she thought. She thought of her aunt.

‘She came to see me that day in America, and then everything changed.’

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Isabel returned to the drawing room, and Mrs Touchett appeared at last. ‘I’m sorry you had to wait. I was sitting with Ralph. He lies with his eyes closed, he doesn’t move. But I’m not sure he’s always asleep.’

‘Will he see me? Can he speak to me?’

‘You can try,’ she said.

‘Is there really no hope?’ asked Isabel.

‘None at all. There never has been. It hasn’t been a successful life,’ said Mrs Touchett.

‘No, but it has been a beautiful one,’ replied Isabel.

The two women had dinner together. Mrs Touchett told Isabel that Lord Warburton had been to see Ralph. ‘He is going to get married. I think the wedding is taking place very soon,’ she told Isabel.

‘And who is the young lady?’ Isabel asked.

‘Lady Flora, Felicia …something like that.’

‘I’m very glad. It must have been a sudden decision,’ said Isabel.

‘They have known each other for three weeks.’

‘I would like to ask you a question,’ continued Mrs Touchett.

‘Have you ever been sorry you didn’t marry Lord Warburton?’

‘No dear aunt.’

‘Good! I should tell you that I’m going to believe what you say.

Another question. Do you still like Madame Merle?’

‘Not as I did. But it doesn’t matter. She’s going to America.’

‘To America! Did she do something very bad?’

‘Yes, very bad.’

‘May I ask what it is?’

‘She used me.’

‘She did that to me as well. She does this to everyone.’

For three days, Isabel waited beside Ralph’s bed. Once, he opened his eyes and recognised her. But then he closed them again. Mrs

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Touchett had told her there was no hope. But she just wanted one last chance to speak to Ralph, the man who had been so good to her.

On the evening of the third day, Ralph finally spoke. ‘You have been like an angel, beside my bed,’ he said.

Isabel started crying. At first, she couldn’t answer. But she didn’t want to hide anything from him, any more.

‘Oh Ralph, you have been everything. I would die if you could live. I would die myself, not to lose you.’

‘You won’t lose me. You will keep me. Keep me in your heart. I’ll be nearer to you than I have ever been.’

‘I never thanked you, I never spoke. But how could I know? I never knew. Is it true that you made me rich, that it was your idea?’

‘Yes; it was, but let’s not speak about that,’ he said.

‘He married me for money,’ she said.

‘He was in love with you,’ Ralph replied.

‘I only want you to understand,’ said Isabel.

‘I always understood,’ said Ralph. ‘You make me happy Isabel.

Was he angry that you came?’

‘He made it hard for me. But I don’t care.’

‘Are you going back to him?’

‘I don’t know. I can’t say. I’ll stay here as long as I can. I don’t want to think. I don’t care about anything except you. I don’t want you to think of anything sad. I want you to know that I’m near you and that I love you.’ === The next morning, Isabel felt something. Someone was standing by her bed. She had fallen asleep in her clothes, in case Ralph needed her.

She looked up. It seemed to be Ralph standing there. But it wasn’t

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Ralph. It was a ghost. The ghost of Ralph. She saw his white face, and his kind eyes. She wasn’t afraid. But she was sure. She went out of her room and walked down the corridor.

Outside Ralph’s room she stopped for a moment to listen. Then she opened the door quietly and saw Mrs Touchett sitting beside her son. She went straight to her aunt and put her arms around her.

Ralph had died.

Isabel cried many tears in the days that followed. During the funeral three days later, she was still crying. The beauty of the day, and the faces of old friends meant nothing to her.

Isabel stayed at Gardencourt, and tried not to think. She knew she had to decide what to do. But she decided nothing.

One day, she went for a walk. After a few minutes she saw a bench.

It looked very familiar. Something very important had happened to her there. What was it? Then she remembered. This was the bench she had sat on six years before. Everything had changed since then.

She decided not to sit on the bench. She was quite afraid of it. But then she started to feel very tired, and she had to sit down. How long she sat there no one will ever know, but it was starting to get dark when suddenly she realised she was not alone. Caspar Goodwood was walking towards her, just as Lord Warburton had surprised her six years before.

She got up, but Goodwood ran forward and took her hand, and made her sit down again.

‘I didn’t want to frighten you,’ said Goodwood. ‘I wanted to see you alone. I was coming towards the house, when I saw you here. I came here today for a reason. I can help you.’

Isabel listened to him carefully. His eyes had a wild look. ‘How can you help me?’ she asked, getting up from the bench.

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‘I only had to look at your face at the funeral to see what the matter is with you. You’re unhappy and your husband is wicked and cruel.’

‘Are you mad?’ she cried.

‘I have never been less mad. I see it all now. Your heart is broken.

You don’t know what to do. You don’t know where to turn. So, turn to me. Why should you go back? Why!’ he shouted.

‘To get away from you!’ answered Isabel.

‘Listen to me,’ Goodwood insisted. ‘Why shouldn’t you be happy, when it’s so easy? I’m yours forever – forever! Here I am!’

She needed help, and here it was. She had never felt so loved. For a moment, she wanted to hold him. She wanted him to hold her. She wanted to give up. She didn’t want to think any more.

He kissed her. As soon as he stopped, she ran as fast as she could in the darkness to the house. She hadn’t known what to do, but she knew now. There was a very clear road ahead of her. === Ten days later, Caspar Goodwood knocked at the door of a house.

Henrietta Stackpole opened the door.

‘Oh, good morning,’ he said. ‘I was hoping to find Isabel.’

‘Why did you think she lives here?’ she asked.

‘I went to Gardencourt this morning, and the servant told me she had come to visit you.’

‘She was here yesterday. But this morning, she left for Rome,’ replied Henrietta.

‘Oh, she’s gone back to ….’ But Goodwood didn’t finish his sentence, and turned away to leave.

‘Wait Mr Goodwood. Be patient! There’s still hope!’

Caspar Goodwood looked up at her.

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AFTER-READING ACTIVITIES

Reading 1

Read the sentences and decide who is speaking.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

2

‘I have sold everything I have, and now I have 40,000 dollars.’

‘Papa thinks I need some time alone, to think.’

‘I must go to Gardencourt. Ralph is dying.’

‘You cannot go to England. I don’t think we need to talk any longer.’

‘Osmond’s first wife had no children.’

‘Ralph never liked me. But I am sad he is dying.’

‘You have been like an angel, beside my bed.’

‘I’m yours forever – forever! Here I am.’

Fill in the missing gaps in the paragraph with a suitable word.

Madame Merle was Pansy’s mother. Pansy didn’t know (1) ______.

She thought that (2) ______ mother was Osmond’s first wife who died. Osmond never had (3) ______ children with his first wife. He adopted Pansy (4) ______ help Madame Merle, because she was ashamed. Everybody believed (5) ______ Pansy was Osmond’s daughter. (6) ______ Osmond’s sister knew the truth, and she told Isabel.

Grammar 3

Match the phrasal verbs to their definition. b to look around 1 ■ 2 ■ to carry on 3 ■ to come back 4 ■ to be fond of 5 ■ to care about 6 ■ to get up 7 ■ to give up

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a b c d

to return to see different things to not do something any more to like someone or something very much e to think that something is important f to continue g to move from a sitting position to a standing position

Discussion Points 4

Why was Isabel afraid of the park bench? Do you remember what happened there six years before? Look at the picture on page 27 if you can’t remember.

5

What did you think of the way the story ends? Why do you think it ended that way. Read page 105 to see if you were right.

6

Did you enjoy the story? Answer the questions.

1 Which part of the story did you like best?

2 Who was your favourite character?

3 Which part of the story didn’t you like?

Writing 7

Write a short paragraph of about 100 words, saying what you think Isabel will do next.

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FOCUS ON...

Henry James Early Life – A shy boy Henry James was born on the 15th April 1843 in New York. He was quite shy as a child, and he didn’t have many friends. His father was a famous social thinker and was very rich.

Having a rich father helped Henry, and his brother William. They went to the best schools and travelled to England, and to other European countries like Germany and France. Henry became one of the greatest novelists of all time, and William became an important philosopher.

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Henry James at eleven years old with his father, Henry James, Sr. – 1854

The Writer

His Work

It was in 1864 that he decided to become a writer. He had thought of Law and Science, but literature was his greatest passion. He always enjoyed reading, and it helped him to make his decision to write. James moved to London in 1876. In this period he wrote a lot of short stories and novels. His stories show a great ability to understand the way people speak and behave.

The Portrait of a Lady, written in 1881 is thought of by many as his best work. Some of his novels have been made into very successful films. Here are some of his other famous novels.

The Europeans (1878), The Bostonians (1886), The Turn of the Screw (1898), The Wings of the Dove (1902), and The Ambassadors (1903).

His Last Years In 1897 James decided to leave London. He moved to a small town in England called Rye, but he continued to write. In 1915, one year before he died, he became a British citizen. But in his last years, James was often unwell. Just before he died King George V presented him with The Order of Merit. He died in the same month.

How do you think that Henry James’ experiences in life made it easier for him to write a story like The Portrait of a Lady?

What parts of his life helped him to write this story?

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FOCUS ON...

The Portrait of a Lady The ‘Inner Life’ The Portrait of a Lady is an important novel.

It is important because, like Madame Bovary

by Gustave Flaubert the book talks about the ‘inner life.’ Henry James gives us characters that seem real because he does not just tell us what they do. He gives us an idea of how they think as well.

In fact, often the events in the story are not very important to Henry James. What

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interests him is how the characters respond to the events. For example, when Isabel marries Osmond, we hear about it three years after. This is very different from the traditional novel, where the reader is given much more detail. What is interesting to James is how Isabel reacts to the marriage.

How she feels about being a married woman, and how it changes her.

A Happy Ending?

Another example of how James made his stories more real can be seen at the end of the story.

Read the last few lines again: ‘Oh, she’s gone back to ….’ But Goodwood didn’t finish his sentence. He turned away to leave.

‘Wait Mr Goodwood. Be patient!’

Caspar Goodwood looked up at her.

Real life doesn’t have a tidy ending. And James is trying to show this with his story.

Goodwood will carry on hoping and waiting, and maybe one day he will succeed. We do not know. James does not tell us.

This is what life is like, full of things we cannot be certain about. In doing this, he is telling us something about what it means to be a human being.

England and America The novel is also important because it deals with two very different worlds. England, where tradition and duty to society are more important, and America where independence is more important. Most of the characters in the story are in both worlds. They are Americans who live in England. Which world wins? Does Isabel remain more independent, more American, or is her sense of doing the ‘right thing’, or her duty more important?

What do you think?

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FOCUS ON...

1881 What do the radio, colour photography, the aeroplane, and antibiotics have in common? The answer is that in 1881, when The Portrait of a Lady was written, they did not exist. They were invented after 1881. And so, the world of Isabel Archer was very different from the world we live in today.

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Transport The characters in the novel generally travel by train or boat. Isabel, Ralph, and Henrietta Stackpole go from Rome to London by train, and Isabel probably made the longer journeys to Greece and Turkey by boat.

It took longer, much longer to get from A to B. That is why Isabel was worried about Ralph. Would he die before he arrived at Gardencourt?

It was a possibility, because the journey was a very long one.

Communication Entertainment The theatre was much more important in this period. In fact, in Rome, some of the characters in the story go to the opera. The movie theatre was still at a very early stage and people could only go and see silent movies, films without any sound. With less places to go, people depended much more on conversation and gossip to keep them entertained. It wouldn’t be long before electricity would be used to light rooms and streets. Isabel, when she reads in the dark, still has to use a candle to see.

Health By this time Edward Jenner had introduced the idea of vaccination to stop disease and illness. However, people would have to wait for penicillin and antibiotics.

Children would often die in this period.

People in this period communicated by letters. The telephone was still to be invented. Isabel often receives letters from Henrietta and Caspar Goodwood. She also writes a lot to Ralph during the end of the story.

People often had to wait for a long time for a reply to their letter.

Telegrams were also used. They were expensive but quicker than posting a letter. Usually you had to pay for every word you used. That is why Mrs Touchett’s telegrams are difficult to understand. There are too many words missing.

Elementary, My Dear Watson One final thought. Sherlock Holmes, the famous fictional detective was introduced for the first time to Dr. Watson in 1881.

Imagine what he could do if he lived now with all the technology we can use to get information quickly!

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FOCUS ON...

Cities Henrietta was a writer for a newspaper in Boston, America. Look at what she wrote about these three places in 1881. Do you know what cities she is talking about?

They call this city, ‘The Eternal City.’ You can see how it gets its name. There is so much history. People have lived here for over 2,000 years. And you can get a sense of what it was like to live there all those years ago, when you walk through the streets. I would recommend a visit to the Colisseum, and The Forum.

There are also many beautiful squares like Piazza di Spagna. Piazza di Spagna has 135 steps, which lead to the Fontana della Barcaccia (Fountain of the Ugly Boat). But there is nothing ugly about it. It was made by the famous Bernini family over 250 years ago, from 1627 to 1629. Many tourists visit it now, and I am sure they will in the future. ______________

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This is a very crowded city. Nearly six million people live here. It’s even bigger than Paris or New York. It is a city for the rich, but there are also a lot of poor people who live here. If you have read the story of Oliver Twist, you will know what I mean.

The transport system here is really impressive. There are trains that run underground. The city is very modern.

Some of the best and most interesting buildings are ones that have been built this century, like the Royal Albert Hall. ______________

This city is quite beautiful. It has improved greatly over the last century. Before 1861 it was under the control of Austria, and then France. Then it became part of the Italian republic in 1861, and in 1865, it was the nation’s capital for six years.

If you want to get a sense of the city’s artistic beauty you have to visit the Uffizi gallery. The Uffizi was built in 1560 by the De Medici family.

It was not an art gallery then but the De Medici family put their art collection there. Just over 100 years ago, in 1765 it became an art gallery, and was open to the public. Some of the beautiful paintings include work by artists like Botticelli and Leonardo Da Vinci. ______________

Some of the story takes place in these three cities. What other cities do the characters visit in the story?

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TEST YOURSELF Read the sentences and answer the questions with a name from the box. You can use the names more than once.

Caspar Goodwood • Countess Gemini • Gilbert Osmond • Henrietta Stackpole • Isabel Archer • Lord Warburton • Madame Merle • Mrs Touchett • Pansy Osmond • Ralph Touchett

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

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Which character caught a bad cold when he was young?

Who spent one month a year in England?

Who didn’t get on well with Isabel’s father?

Who asked Isabel to marry her in Boston?

Who reminded Mr Touchett of his wife when she was young?

Who lived in a house called, ‘Lockleigh?’

Who wrote for a newspaper?

Who told Caspar Goodwood that Isabel was in London?

Who was very good at playing the piano?

Who was very good at painting?

Who, according to Gilbert Osmond had too many ideas?

Who was in the box at the theatre with Isabel when Lord Warburton arrived?

Who thought that Isabel would be put in a cage?

Who falls in love with Mr Rosier?

Who did Isabel visit in a convent?

Who was Pansy’s real mother?

Who told Isabel about Osmond and Madame Merle?

Ralph Touchett __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________

SYLLABUS Vocabulary areas Family, relationships, travel Grammar and structures Present simple Present continuous Past simple regular and irregular Will, Going to Present and past perfect, modal verbs Verb + infinitive Verb + ing First and second conditional Comparatives/Superlatives

YOUNG ADULT STAGE 1

Jonathan Swift, Gulliver's Travels Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, The Hound of the Baskervilles Daniel Defoe, Robinson Crusoe Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, A Study in Scarlet

STAGE 2

Charles Dickens, Great Expectations William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet Bram Stoker, Dracula William Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night’s Dream Robert Louis Stevenson, The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde Jerome K. Jerome, Three Men in a Boat William Shakespeare, Hamlet

STAGE 3

Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray William Shakespeare, Macbeth Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility Edith Wharton, The Age of Innocence Wilkie Collins, The Woman in White Henry James, The Portrait of a Lady

YOUNG ADULT Edgar Allan Poe, The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket

READERS STAGE 4

James Joyce, Dubliners Mary Shelley, Frankenstein Henry James, The Turn of the Screw Emily Brontë, Wuthering Heights Edgar Allan Poe, Stories of Mystery and Suspense Charles and Mary Lamb, Tales from Shakespeare Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities Anthony Hope, The Prisoner of Zenda Hermann Melville, Moby Dick

STAGE 5

Virginia Woolf, Mrs Dalloway Francis Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby William Makepeace Thackeray, Vanity Fair

STAGE 6

Joseph Conrad, Heart of Darkness J. Borsbey & R. Swan, Editors, A Collection of First World War Poetry Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest

READERS LIGHT Natsume Soseki, Botchan