Эпоха невинности

           "InviewofyourprospectivealliancewiththefamilyIshouldliketoconsultyou—toconsiderthecasewithyou—beforetakinganyfarthersteps."Archerfeltthebloodinhistemples.HehadseentheCountessOlenskaonlyoncesincehisvisittoher,andthenattheOpera,intheMingottbox.Duringthisintervalshehadbecomealessvividandimportunateimage,recedingfromhisforegroundasMayWellandresumedherrightfulplaceinit.HehadnotheardherdivorcespokenofsinceJaney’sfirstrandomallusiontoit,andhaddismissedthetaleasunfoundedgossip.Theoretically,theideaofdivorcewasalmostasdistastefultohimastohismother;andhewasannoyedthatMr.Letterblair(nodoubtpromptedbyoldCatherineMingott)shouldbesoevidentlyplanningtodrawhimintotheaffair.Afterall,therewereplentyofMingottmenforsuchjobs,andasyethewasnotevenaMingottbymarriage.Hewaitedfortheseniorpartnertocontinue.Mr.Letterblairunlockedadraweranddrewoutapacket."Ifyouwillrunyoureyeoverthesepapers—"Archerfrowned."Ibegyourpardon,sir;butjustbecauseoftheprospectiverelationship,IshouldpreferyourconsultingMr.SkipworthorMr.Redwood."Mr.Letterblairlookedsurprisedandslightlyoffended.Itwasunusualforajuniortorejectsuchanopening.Hebowed."Irespectyourscruple,sir;butinthiscaseIbelievetruedelicacyrequiresyoutodoasIask.Indeed,thesuggestionisnotminebutMrs.MansonMingott’sandherson’s.IhaveseenLovellMingott;andalsoMr.Welland.Theyallnamedyou."Archerfelthistemperrising.