Эпоха невинности

           "Withasenseofreliefheenteredthelibraryandflunghimselfdowninhisarmchair.Theparlour-maidfollowed,bringingthestudentlampandshakingsomecoalsontothedyingfire.Whenshelefthecontinuedtositmotionless,hiselbowsonhisknees,hischinonhisclaspedhands,hiseyesfixedontheredgrate.Hesattherewithoutconsciousthoughts,withoutsenseofthelapseoftime,inadeepandgraveamazementthatseemedtosuspendliferatherthanquickenit."Thiswaswhathadtobe,then...thiswaswhathadtobe,"hekeptrepeatingtohimself,asifhehungintheclutchofdoom.Whathehaddreamedofhadbeensodifferentthattherewasamortalchillinhisrapture.ThedooropenedandMaycamein."I’mdreadfullylate—youweren’tworried,wereyou?"sheasked,layingherhandonhisshoulderwithoneofherrarecaresses.Helookedupastonished."Isitlate?""Afterseven.Ibelieveyou’vebeenasleep!"Shelaughed,anddrawingoutherhatpinstossedhervelvethatonthesofa.Shelookedpalerthanusual,butsparklingwithanunwontedanimation."IwenttoseeGranny,andjustasIwasgoingawayEllencameinfromawalk;soIstayedandhadalongtalkwithher.Itwasagessincewe’dhadarealtalk...."Shehaddroppedintoherusualarmchair,facinghis,andwasrunningherfingersthroughherrumpledhair.Hefanciedsheexpectedhimtospeak."Areallygoodtalk,"shewenton,smilingwithwhatseemedtoArcheranunnaturalvividness."Shewassodear—justliketheoldEllen.I’mafraidIhaven’tbeenfairtoherlately.