p. 314 – 382 Summary: “The Portrait of a Lady” by Henry James

Mr. Ralph Touchett doesn’t want Isabel to get married. He believes that her fellow isn’t a good party to her. Though Mr. Gilbert Osmond isn’t a famous person and, by the way, his name isn’t renowned in the Italian society, Miss Isabel Archer accepts his proposal to Mrs. Osmond and a stepmother of Pancy, his daughter. On knowing that, Ralph leaves Rome to London to pack a luggage to have winter in hot countries, because of his sickness.

Isabel’s wedding isn’t colorful. There are a few guests on it. Except the bride and the bridegroom, the wedding is attended by the aunt – Mrs. Touchett, who is going to visit American after the ceremony, and her son – Ralph. Madame Merle apologizes that she can’t be there and sends a very nice letter wishing them a good life together. Isabel’s friend – Miss Henrietta Stackpole isn’t so polite as Madame Merle, because the American fried doesn’t share Miss Archer’s opinion concerning her future husband. Henrietta takes the same position as Ralph though usually she tries to make the other opinion that he. So Henrietta doesn’t come and goes to a trip with her old friend Mr.  Bantling to Spain. During it she manages to creat best her works which have approval in the ‘Interviewer’. There is a little guest at the wedding. She attracts Isabel. It’s Pancy. Also her aunt – The Countess Gemini is there.

Pancy grows up. She becomes a beautiful Italian lady. Many people are interested in her. Usually Osmonds make a treatment in the Palazzo Crescentino every Tuesday. There are lots of guests among them is Pancy’s philanderer – Mr. Edward Rossier. He is a young, brave and acutely infamous person. Though it doesn’t disturb him to make money for good living. He is ambitious but he doesn’t think that to marry Pancy will be difficult to do. Mr. Osmond doesn’t suppose Mr. Rossier to be a good man for creation a family. Pancy can’t go against a father’s will and asks to wait a little longer. She advices Edward to ask what to do Madame Merle.

That woman has reliable reputation in Osmond's house. She does all her best to cross Isabel’s and Gilbert’s roads. She becomes a tutor to Edward. He pursues all her steps. But he wants to be with Pancy imidiatly and his out of patience makes big mistakes. Mr. Osmond bans him to visit Palazzo Crescentino except Tuesdays, when others come. The father forbids Edward to speak with the daughter if he doesn’t want to lose her forever. It is a great trial for the young man. He tries to seek comprehension in Mrs. Osmond sight but Isabel can’t make decisions on Gilbert’s behaviour. And also Isabel is astonished because Lord Warburton and Ralph are in Rome, after four years.

Her cousin doesn’t follow his plans. He faces winter in England what makes his health worse. His friend, Lord Warburton, visits Ralph and helps him. He is the bodyguard of Ralph’s health. Ralph is nearly death when they are in a train but the idea of seeing Rome in a day makes him in mind. That is first mews which Lord Warburton tells Isabel. It makes her life happier. Though she loses a child six months before their arrival she isn’t in mournful any more. She is waiting for a moment to see Ralph.

His condition is not good at all. He even has to give up smoking. All days round he is lying on a sofa speaking with his English friend. It is an open secret for both of them that a purpose of their visit is to fight for Isabel’s heart.

 

At the same time, Mrs. Osmond and Madame Merle make a plan to marry Pancy on Lord Warburton. They can have a good party, lose Lord Warburton’s attention to Isabel and at the same time give up Mr. Rossier.