Madame Merle perceptibly 昀ushed, but we know it was not her habit to retract. "My dear child, I didn＇t speak for him, poor man; I spoke for yourself. It＇s not of course a question as to his liking you; it matters little whether he likes you or not! But I thought you liked him."
"I did," said Isabel honestly. "But I don＇t see what that matters either."
"Everything that concerns you matters to me,"Madame Merle returned with her weary nobleness;"especially when at the same time another old friend＇s concerned."