Эпоха невинности

           Nowthespectaclewasbeforehiminitsglory,andashelookedoutonithefeltshy,old-fashioned,inadequate:ameregreyspeckofamancomparedwiththeruthlessmagnificentfellowhehaddreamedofbeing....Dallas’shandcamedowncheerilyonhisshoulder."Hullo,father:thisissomethinglike,isn’tit?"Theystoodforawhilelookingoutinsilence,andthentheyoungmancontinued:"Bytheway,I’vegotamessageforyou:theCountessOlenskaexpectsusbothathalf-pastfive."Hesaiditlightly,carelessly,ashemighthaveimpartedanycasualitemofinformation,suchasthehouratwhichtheirtrainwastoleaveforFlorencethenextevening.Archerlookedathim,andthoughthesawinhisgayyoungeyesagleamofhisgreat-grandmotherMingott’smalice."Oh,didn’tItellyou?"Dallaspursued."FannymademesweartodothreethingswhileIwasinParis:getherthescoreofthelastDebussysongs,gototheGrand-GuignolandseeMadameOlenska.YouknowshewasawfullygoodtoFannywhenMr.BeaufortsentheroverfromBuenosAyrestotheAssomption.Fannyhadn’tanyfriendsinParis,andMadameOlenskausedtobekindtoherandtrotheraboutonholidays.IbelieveshewasagreatfriendofthefirstMrs.Beaufort’s.Andshe’sourcousin,ofcourse.SoIrangherupthismorning,beforeIwentout,andtoldheryouandIwereherefortwodaysandwantedtoseeher."Archercontinuedtostareathim."YoutoldherIwashere?""Ofcourse—whynot?"Dallas’seyebrowswentupwhimsically.Then,gettingnoanswer,heslippedhisarmthroughhisfather’swithaconfidentialpressure.