Эпоха невинности

           MadameOlenskaheldoutherhandasiftobidhimgoodbye."Tomorrow,then,afterfive—Ishallexpectyou,"shesaid;andthenturnedbacktomakeroomforMr.Dagonet."Tomorrow—"Archerheardhimselfrepeating,thoughtherehadbeennoengagement,andduringtheirtalkshehadgivenhimnohintthatshewishedtoseehimagain.AshemovedawayhesawLawrenceLefferts,tallandresplendent,leadinghiswifeuptobeintroduced;andheardGertrudeLeffertssay,asshebeamedontheCountesswithherlargeunperceivingsmile:"ButIthinkweusedtogotodancing-schooltogetherwhenwewerechildren—."Behindher,waitingtheirturntonamethemselvestotheCountess,ArchernoticedanumberoftherecalcitrantcoupleswhohaddeclinedtomeetheratMrs.LovellMingott’s.AsMrs.Archerremarked:whenthevanderLuydenschose,theyknewhowtogivealesson.Thewonderwasthattheychosesoseldom.TheyoungmanfeltatouchonhisarmandsawMrs.vanderLuydenlookingdownonhimfromthepureeminenceofblackvelvetandthefamilydiamonds."Itwasgoodofyou,dearNewland,todevoteyourselfsounselfishlytoMadameOlenska.ItoldyourcousinHenryhemustreallycometotherescue."Hewasawareofsmilingathervaguely,andsheadded,asifcondescendingtohisnaturalshyness:"I’veneverseenMaylookinglovelier.TheDukethinksherthehandsomestgirlintheroom."