Эпоха невинности

           "IfonlyIcouldkeepitfromyourfather-in-law:healwayssays:’Augusta,forpity’ssake,don’tdestroymylastillusions’—andhowamItopreventhisknowingthesehorrors?"thepoorladywailed."Afterall,Mamma,hewon’thaveSEENthem,"herdaughtersuggested;andMrs.Wellandsighed:"Ah,no;thankheavenhe’ssafeinbed.AndDr.BencombhaspromisedtokeephimtheretillpoorMammaisbetter,andReginahasbeengotawaysomewhere."Archerhadseatedhimselfnearthewindowandwasgazingoutblanklyatthedesertedthoroughfare.Itwasevidentthathehadbeensummonedratherforthemoralsupportofthestrickenladiesthanbecauseofanyspecificaidthathecouldrender.Mr.LovellMingotthadbeentelegraphedfor,andmessageswerebeingdespatchedbyhandtothemembersofthefamilylivinginNewYork;andmeanwhiletherewasnothingtodobuttodiscussinhushedtonestheconsequencesofBeaufort’sdishonourandofhiswife’sunjustifiableaction.Mrs.LovellMingott,whohadbeeninanotherroomwritingnotes,presentlyreappeared,andaddedhervoicetothediscussion.InTHEIRday,theelderladiesagreed,thewifeofamanwhohaddoneanythingdisgracefulinbusinesshadonlyoneidea:toeffaceherself,todisappearwithhim."TherewasthecaseofpoorGrandmammaSpicer;yourgreat-grandmother,May.Ofcourse,"Mrs.Wellandhastenedtoadd,"yourgreat-grandfather’smoneydifficultieswereprivate—lossesatcards,orsigninganoteforsomebody—Ineverquiteknew,becauseMammawouldneverspeakofit.