Доводы рассудка
Chapter 3
Therefore,SirWalter,whatIwouldtakeleavetosuggestis,thatifinconsequenceofanyrumoursgettingabroadofyourintention;whichmustbecontemplatedasapossiblething,becauseweknowhowdifficultitistokeeptheactionsanddesignsofonepartoftheworldfromthenoticeandcuriosityoftheother;consequencehasitstax;I,JohnShepherd,mightconcealanyfamily-mattersthatIchose,fornobodywouldthinkitworththeirwhiletoobserveme;butSirWalterElliothaseyesuponhimwhichitmaybeverydifficulttoelude;andtherefore,thusmuchIventureupon,thatitwillnotgreatlysurprisemeif,withallourcaution,somerumourofthetruthshouldgetabroad;inthesuppositionofwhich,asIwasgoingtoobserve,sinceapplicationswillunquestionablyfollow,Ishouldthinkanyfromourwealthynavalcommandersparticularlyworthattendingto;andbegleavetoadd,thattwohourswillbringmeoveratanytime,tosaveyouthetroubleofreplying.”
SirWalteronlynodded.Butsoonafterwards,risingandpacingtheroom,heobservedsarcastically—
“Therearefewamongthegentlemenofthenavy,Iimagine,whowouldnotbesurprisedtofindthemselvesinahouseofthisdescription.”
“Theywouldlookaroundthem,nodoubt,andblesstheirgoodfortune,”saidMrsClay,forMrsClaywaspresent:herfatherhaddrivenherover,nothingbeingofsomuchusetoMrsClay’shealthasadrivetoKellynch:“butIquiteagreewithmyfatherinthinkingasailormightbeaverydesirabletenant.