Эпоха невинности

           ArcheryourilluminatingdiscoveryoftheDirectContact?Butno;Iseeitisnearlynineo’clock,andwehavenorighttodetainyouwhilesomanyarewaitingforyourmessage."Dr.Carverlookedslightlydisappointedatthisconclusion,but,havingcomparedhisponderousgoldtime-piecewithMadameOlenska’slittletravelling-clock,hereluctantlygathereduphismightylimbsfordeparture."Ishallseeyoulater,dearfriend?"hesuggestedtotheMarchioness,whorepliedwithasmile:"AssoonasEllen’scarriagecomesIwilljoinyou;Idohopethelecturewon’thavebegun."Dr.CarverlookedthoughtfullyatArcher."Perhaps,ifthisyounggentlemanisinterestedinmyexperiences,Mrs.Blenkermightallowyoutobringhimwithyou?""Oh,dearfriend,ifitwerepossible—Iamsureshewouldbetoohappy.ButIfearmyEllencountsonMr.Archerherself.""That,"saidDr.Carver,"isunfortunate—buthereismycard."HehandedittoArcher,whoreadonit,inGothiccharacters:+———————————————————————————+AgathonCarverTheValleyofLoveKittasquattamy,N.Y.+———————————————————————————+Dr.Carverbowedhimselfout,andMrs.Manson,withasighthatmighthavebeeneitherofregretorrelief,againwavedArchertoaseat."Ellenwillbedowninamoment;andbeforeshecomes,Iamsogladofthisquietmomentwithyou."Archermurmuredhispleasureattheirmeeting,andtheMarchionesscontinued,inherlowsighingaccents:"Iknoweverything,dearMr.