"I＇m afraid he doesn＇t care so much about my cousin as you suppose," Ralph observed.
"No, it＇s not that; it＇s some subtler motive. His nature＇s very deep. But I＇m determined to fathom it,and I shall write to him to know what he means."
His refusal of Ralph＇s overtures was vaguely disconcerting; from the moment he declined to come to Gardencourt our friend began to think him of importance. He asked himself what it signi昀ed to him whether Isabel＇s admirers should be desperadoes or laggards; they were not rivals of his and were perfectly welcome to act out their genius. Nevertheless he felt much curiosity as to the result of Miss Stackpole＇s promised enquiry into the causes of Mr. Goodwood＇s stiffness—a curiosity for the present ungratified,inasmuch as when he asked her three days later if she had written to London she was obliged to confess she had written in vain. Mr. Goodwood had not replied.