Доводы рассудка
Chapter 18
Andthisistheend,yousee,ofCaptainBenwick’sbeingsupposedtobeanadmirerofyours.HowCharlescouldtakesuchathingintohisheadwasalwaysincomprehensibletome.Ihopehewillbemoreagreeablenow.CertainlynotagreatmatchforLouisaMusgrove,butamilliontimesbetterthanmarryingamongtheHayters.”
Maryneednothavefearedhersister’sbeinginanydegreepreparedforthenews.Shehadneverinherlifebeenmoreastonished.CaptainBenwickandLouisaMusgrove!Itwasalmosttoowonderfulforbelief,anditwaswiththegreatesteffortthatshecouldremainintheroom,preserveanairofcalmness,andanswerthecommonquestionsofthemoment.Happilyforher,theywerenotmany.SirWalterwantedtoknowwhethertheCroftstravelledwithfourhorses,andwhethertheywerelikelytobesituatedinsuchapartofBathasitmightsuitMissElliotandhimselftovisitin;buthadlittlecuriositybeyond.
“HowisMary?”saidElizabeth;andwithoutwaitingforananswer,“AndpraywhatbringstheCroftstoBath?”
“TheycomeontheAdmiral’saccount.Heisthoughttobegouty.”
“Goutanddecrepitude!”saidSirWalter.“Pooroldgentleman.”
“Havetheyanyacquaintancehere?”askedElizabeth.
“Idonotknow;butIcanhardlysupposethat,atAdmiralCroft’stimeoflife,andinhisprofession,heshouldnothavemanyacquaintanceinsuchaplaceasthis.”
“Isuspect,”saidSirWaltercoolly,“thatAdmiralCroftwillbebestknowninBathastherenterofKellynchHall.
