Эпоха невинности

           Viewedthus,asthroughthewrongendofatelescope,itlookeddisconcertinglysmallanddistant;butthenfromSamarkanditwould.Aflamedartedfromthelogsandshebentoverthefire,stretchingherthinhandssoclosetoitthatafainthaloshoneabouttheovalnails.Thelighttouchedtorussettheringsofdarkhairescapingfromherbraids,andmadeherpalefacepaler."Thereareplentyofpeopletotellyouwhattodo,"Archerrejoined,obscurelyenviousofthem."Oh—allmyaunts?AndmydearoldGranny?"Sheconsideredtheideaimpartially."They’reallalittlevexedwithmeforsettingupformyself—poorGrannyespecially.Shewantedtokeepmewithher;butIhadtobefree—"HewasimpressedbythislightwayofspeakingoftheformidableCatherine,andmovedbythethoughtofwhatmusthavegivenMadameOlenskathisthirstforeventheloneliestkindoffreedom.ButtheideaofBeaufortgnawedhim."IthinkIunderstandhowyoufeel,"hesaid."Still,yourfamilycanadviseyou;explaindifferences;showyoutheway."Sheliftedherthinblackeyebrows."IsNewYorksuchalabyrinth?Ithoughtitsostraightupanddown—likeFifthAvenue.Andwithallthecrossstreetsnumbered!"Sheseemedtoguesshisfaintdisapprovalofthis,andadded,withtheraresmilethatenchantedherwholeface:"IfyouknewhowIlikeitforjustTHAT—thestraight-up-and-downness,andthebighonestlabelsoneverything!"Hesawhischance."Everythingmaybelabelled—buteverybodyisnot.""Perhaps.Imaysimplifytoomuch—butyou’llwarnmeifIdo."Sheturnedfromthefiretolookathim.