Эпоха невинности

           Augustine—suchdepthsoffeelingcouldcoexistwithsuchabsenceofimagination.Butherememberedhow,eventhen,shehadsurprisedhimbydroppingbacktoinexpressivegirlishnessassoonasherconsciencehadbeeneasedofitsburden;andhesawthatshewouldprobablygothroughlifedealingtothebestofherabilitywitheachexperienceasitcame,butneveranticipatinganybysomuchasastolenglance.Perhapsthatfacultyofunawarenesswaswhatgavehereyestheirtransparency,andherfacethelookofrepresentingatyperatherthanaperson;asifshemighthavebeenchosentoposeforaCivicVirtueoraGreekgoddess.Thebloodthatransoclosetoherfairskinmighthavebeenapreservingfluidratherthanaravagingelement;yetherlookofindestructibleyouthfulnessmadeherseemneitherhardnordull,butonlyprimitiveandpure.InthethickofthismeditationArchersuddenlyfelthimselflookingatherwiththestartledgazeofastranger,andplungedintoareminiscenceofthewedding-breakfastandofGrannyMingott’simmenseandtriumphantpervasionofit.Maysettleddowntofrankenjoymentofthesubject."Iwassurprised,though—weren’tyou?—thatauntMedoracameafterall.Ellenwrotethattheywereneitherofthemwellenoughtotakethejourney;Idowishithadbeenshewhohadrecovered!Didyouseetheexquisiteoldlaceshesentme?"Hehadknownthatthemomentmustcomesoonerorlater,buthehadsomewhatimaginedthatbyforceofwillinghemightholditatbay.