Эпоха невинности

           "Mistakesarealwayseasytomake;butifIhadmadeoneofthekindyousuggest,isitlikelythatIshouldbeimploringyoutohastenourmarriage?"Shelookeddownwardtoo,disturbingthepatternwiththepointofhersunshadewhileshestruggledforexpression."Yes,"shesaidatlength."Youmightwant—onceforall—tosettlethequestion:it’soneway."Herquietluciditystartledhim,butdidnotmisleadhimintothinkingherinsensible.Underherhat-brimhesawthepallorofherprofile,andaslighttremorofthenostrilaboveherresolutelysteadiedlips."Well—?"hequestioned,sittingdownonthebench,andlookingupatherwithafrownthathetriedtomakeplayful.Shedroppedbackintoherseatandwenton:"Youmustn’tthinkthatagirlknowsaslittleasherparentsimagine.Onehearsandonenotices—onehasone’sfeelingsandideas.Andofcourse,longbeforeyoutoldmethatyoucaredforme,I’dknownthattherewassomeoneelseyouwereinterestedin;everyonewastalkingaboutittwoyearsagoatNewport.AndonceIsawyousittingtogetherontheverandahatadance—andwhenshecamebackintothehouseherfacewassad,andIfeltsorryforher;Iremembereditafterward,whenwewereengaged."Hervoicehadsunkalmosttoawhisper,andshesatclaspingandunclaspingherhandsaboutthehandleofhersunshade.Theyoungmanlaidhisuponthemwithagentlepressure;hisheartdilatedwithaninexpressiblerelief."Mydearchild—wasTHATit?Ifyouonlyknewthetruth!"Sheraisedherheadquickly."ThenthereisatruthIdon’tknow?"Hekepthishandoverhers.