Summary When it came time for Isabel to marry, there had been a very quiet service with only her aunt and cousin invited. The Countess Gemini and Pansy Osmond were the only other people present. Henrietta let it be known that Isabel had taken a step that put a barrier […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 39Summary and Analysis Chapters 36-38
Summary Some four years later, young Edward Rosier rings at Madame Merle’s apartment. He has come to tell Madame Merle of his love for Pansy Osmond and his fear that Mr. Osmond does not think highly of him. He wonders if Madame Merle can intercede in his behalf. Madame Merle […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapters 36-38Summary and Analysis Chapters 32-35
Summary As soon as Caspar Goodwood hears that Isabel is engaged, he comes straight to Florence to see her. Isabel receives him in her aunt’s house. He tells her frankly that he is disappointed and is selfish enough to wish her anything except marriage to another man. She wants to […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapters 32-35Summary and Analysis Chapters 29-31
Summary Shortly after Lord Warburton leaves, Isabel receives a note from her aunt inviting her for a visit to another part of Italy. Isabel accepts and bids Osmond good-bye. Osmond tells her that he approves of traveling and would do so himself if he had her means. Before she leaves, […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapters 29-31Summary and Analysis Chapters 26-28
Summary Gilbert Osmond calls so often at Mrs. Touchett’s home that she becomes suspicious. She asks Madame Merle directly if Osmond is interested in Isabel. Madame Merle, of course, denies that Osmond is interested in Isabel but tells Mrs. Touchett that she will discreetly inquire of his intentions. She warns […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapters 26-28Summary and Analysis Chapters 24-25
Summary Isabel decides that no harm can come to her from a simple social visit to Gilbert Osmond’s house. There, she meets his sister the Countess Gemini and his daughter Pansy. Osmond is very gracious and discusses his collection of art objects and his daughter with quiet admiration. Alone with […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapters 24-25Summary and Analysis Chapters 22-23
Summary About six months after Mr. Touchett’s death, a gentleman named Gilbert Osmond is seated in his drawing room with two sisters from a convent and his young fifteen-year-old daughter, Pansy. The nuns have just brought Pansy from the convent where she had been in school for a long time. […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapters 22-23Summary and Analysis Chapter 21
Summary Mrs. Touchett, true to her nature, leaves Paris on the day that she had previously set for her departure. Accompanied by Isabel, she stops by the Mediterranean to see her son. Isabel takes the first available opportunity to ask Ralph if he knew that Mr. Touchett planned to leave […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 21Summary and Analysis Chapters 19-20
Summary Isabel’s friendship for Madame Merle ripens very quickly during the days of Mr. Touchett’s illness. She finds herself saying things to this lady more candidly than she has ever spoken to others. There was no doubt Madame Merle “had great merits — she was charming, sympathetic, intelligent, cultivated. More […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapters 19-20Summary and Analysis Chapters 17-18
Summary Shortly after Caspar Goodwood’s visit, Henrietta questions Isabel about the interview, only to be told that Goodwood is returning to America without having received any satisfaction from Isabel. Henrietta fears that Isabel is losing her sense of values and attempts to advise Isabel about her conduct. Isabel is forced […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapters 17-18