Доводы рассудка
Chapter 18
Elizabeth,mayweventuretopresenthimandhiswifeinLauraPlace?”
“Oh,no!Ithinknot.SituatedaswearewithLadyDalrymple,cousins,weoughttobeverycarefulnottoembarrassherwithacquaintanceshemightnotapprove.Ifwewerenotrelated,itwouldnotsignify;butascousins,shewouldfeelscrupulousastoanyproposalofours.WehadbetterleavetheCroftstofindtheirownlevel.Thereareseveralodd-lookingmenwalkingabouthere,who,Iamtold,aresailors.TheCroftswillassociatewiththem.”
ThiswasSirWalterandElizabeth’sshareofinterestintheletter;whenMrsClayhadpaidhertributeofmoredecentattention,inanenquiryafterMrsCharlesMusgrove,andherfinelittleboys,Annewasatliberty.
Inherownroom,shetriedtocomprehendit.WellmightCharleswonderhowCaptainWentworthwouldfeel!Perhapshehadquittedthefield,hadgivenLouisaup,hadceasedtolove,hadfoundhedidnotloveher.Shecouldnotenduretheideaoftreacheryorlevity,oranythingakintoillusagebetweenhimandhisfriend.Shecouldnotendurethatsuchafriendshipastheirsshouldbeseveredunfairly.
CaptainBenwickandLouisaMusgrove!Thehigh-spirited,joyous-talkingLouisaMusgrove,andthedejected,thinking,feeling,reading,CaptainBenwick,seemedeachofthemeverythingthatwouldnotsuittheother.Theirmindsmostdissimilar!Wherecouldhavebeentheattraction?Theanswersoonpresenteditself.Ithadbeeninsituation.
