Эпоха невинности

           Archer—mychildhastoldmeallyouhavedoneforher.Yourwiseadvice:yourcourageousfirmness—thankheavenitwasnottoolate!"Theyoungmanlistenedwithconsiderableembarrassment.Wasthereanyone,hewondered,towhomMadameOlenskahadnotproclaimedhisinterventioninherprivateaffairs?"MadameOlenskaexaggerates;Isimplygaveheralegalopinion,assheaskedmeto.""Ah,butindoingit—indoingityouweretheunconsciousinstrumentof—of—whatwordhavewemodernsforProvidence,Mr.Archer?"criedthelady,tiltingherheadononesideanddroopingherlidsmysteriously."LittledidyouknowthatatthatverymomentIwasbeingappealedto:beingapproached,infact—fromtheothersideoftheAtlantic!"Sheglancedoverhershoulder,asthoughfearfulofbeingoverheard,andthen,drawingherchairnearer,andraisingatinyivoryfantoherlips,breathedbehindit:"BytheCounthimself—mypoor,mad,foolishOlenski;whoasksonlytotakeherbackonherownterms.""GoodGod!"Archerexclaimed,springingup."Youarehorrified?Yes,ofcourse;Iunderstand.Idon’tdefendpoorStanislas,thoughhehasalwayscalledmehisbestfriend.Hedoesnotdefendhimself—hecastshimselfatherfeet:inmyperson."Shetappedheremaciatedbosom."Ihavehisletterhere.""Aletter?—HasMadameOlenskaseenit?"Archerstammered,hisbrainwhirlingwiththeshockoftheannouncement.TheMarchionessMansonshookherheadsoftly."Time—time;Imusthavetime.