Эпоха невинности

           onthelining,andawhitesilkmuffler:therewasnomistakingthefactthatthesecostlyarticleswerethepropertyofJuliusBeaufort.Archerwasangry:soangrythathecamenearscribblingawordonhiscardandgoingaway;thenherememberedthatinwritingtoMadameOlenskahehadbeenkeptbyexcessofdiscretionfromsayingthathewishedtoseeherprivately.Hehadthereforenoonebuthimselftoblameifshehadopenedherdoorstoothervisitors;andheenteredthedrawing-roomwiththedoggeddeterminationtomakeBeaufortfeelhimselfintheway,andtooutstayhim.Thebankerstoodleaningagainstthemantelshelf,whichwasdrapedwithanoldembroideryheldinplacebybrasscandelabracontainingchurchcandlesofyellowishwax.Hehadthrusthischestout,supportinghisshouldersagainstthemantelandrestinghisweightononelargepatent-leatherfoot.AsArcherenteredhewassmilingandlookingdownonhishostess,whosatonasofaplacedatrightanglestothechimney.Atablebankedwithflowersformedascreenbehindit,andagainsttheorchidsandazaleaswhichtheyoungmanrecognisedastributesfromtheBeauforthot-houses,MadameOlenskasathalf-reclined,herheadproppedonahandandherwidesleeveleavingthearmbaretotheelbow.Itwasusualforladieswhoreceivedintheeveningstowearwhatwerecalled"simpledinnerdresses":aclose-fittingarmourofwhale-bonedsilk,slightlyopenintheneck,withlacerufflesfillinginthecrack,andtightsleeveswithaflounceuncoveringjustenoughwristtoshowanEtruscangoldbraceletoravelvetband.