Доводы рассудка
Chapter 12
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“NottillthefirstweekofAugust,whenhecamehomefromtheCape,justmadeintotheGrappler.IwasatPlymouthdreadingtohearofhim;hesentinletters,buttheGrapplerwasunderordersforPortsmouth.Therethenewsmustfollowhim,butwhowastotellit?notI.Iwouldassoonhavebeenrunuptotheyard-arm.Nobodycoulddoit,butthatgoodfellow”(pointingtoCaptainWentworth.)“TheLaconiahadcomeintoPlymouththeweekbefore;nodangerofherbeingsenttoseaagain.Hestoodhischancefortherest;wroteupforleaveofabsence,butwithoutwaitingthereturn,travellednightanddaytillhegottoPortsmouth,rowedofftotheGrapplerthatinstant,andneverleftthepoorfellowforaweek.That’swhathedid,andnobodyelsecouldhavesavedpoorJames.Youmaythink,MissElliot,whetherheisdeartous!”
Annedidthinkonthequestionwithperfectdecision,andsaidasmuchinreplyasherownfeelingcouldaccomplish,orashisseemedabletobear,forhewastoomuchaffectedtorenewthesubject,andwhenhespokeagain,itwasofsomethingtotallydifferent.
MrsHarville’sgivingitasheropinionthatherhusbandwouldhavequitewalkingenoughbythetimehereachedhome,determinedthedirectionofallthepartyinwhatwastobetheirlastwalk;theywouldaccompanythemtotheirdoor,andthenreturnandsetoffthemselves.