Доводы рассудка
Chapter 18
”
“IthoughtCaptainBenwickaverypleasingyoungman,”saidAnne,“andIunderstandthathebearsanexcellentcharacter.”
“Oh!yes,yes,thereisnotawordtobesaidagainstJamesBenwick.Heisonlyacommander,itistrue,madelastsummer,andthesearebadtimesforgettingon,buthehasnotanotherfaultthatIknowof.Anexcellent,good-heartedfellow,Iassureyou;averyactive,zealousofficertoo,whichismorethanyouwouldthinkfor,perhaps,forthatsoftsortofmannerdoesnotdohimjustice.”
“Indeedyouaremistakenthere,sir;IshouldneveraugurwantofspiritfromCaptainBenwick’smanners.Ithoughtthemparticularlypleasing,andIwillanswerforit,theywouldgenerallyplease.”
“Well,well,ladiesarethebestjudges;butJamesBenwickisrathertoopianoforme;andthoughverylikelyitisallourpartiality,SophyandIcannothelpthinkingFrederick’smannersbetterthanhis.ThereissomethingaboutFrederickmoretoourtaste.”
Annewascaught.Shehadonlymeanttoopposethetoocommonideaofspiritandgentlenessbeingincompatiblewitheachother,notatalltorepresentCaptainBenwick’smannersastheverybestthatcouldpossiblybe;and,afteralittlehesitation,shewasbeginningtosay,“Iwasnotenteringintoanycomparisonofthetwofriends,”buttheAdmiralinterruptedherwith—
“Andthethingiscertainlytrue.Itisnotamerebitofgossip.WehaveitfromFrederickhimself.
