Доводы рассудка
Chapter 20
”
“IhavenothadthepleasureofvisitinginCamdenPlacesolong,”repliedhe,“withoutknowingsomethingofMissAnneElliot;andIdoregardherasonewhoistoomodestfortheworldingeneraltobeawareofhalfheraccomplishments,andtoohighlyaccomplishedformodestytobenaturalinanyotherwoman.”
“Forshame!forshame!thisistoomuchflattery.Iforgetwhatwearetohavenext,”turningtothebill.
“Perhaps,”saidMrElliot,speakinglow,“Ihavehadalongeracquaintancewithyourcharacterthanyouareawareof.”
“Indeed!Howso?YoucanhavebeenacquaintedwithitonlysinceIcametoBath,exceptingasyoumighthearmepreviouslyspokenofinmyownfamily.”
“IknewyoubyreportlongbeforeyoucametoBath.Ihadheardyoudescribedbythosewhoknewyouintimately.Ihavebeenacquaintedwithyoubycharactermanyyears.Yourperson,yourdisposition,accomplishments,manner;theywereallpresenttome.”
MrElliotwasnotdisappointedintheinteresthehopedtoraise.Noonecanwithstandthecharmofsuchamystery.Tohavebeendescribedlongagotoarecentacquaintance,bynamelesspeople,isirresistible;andAnnewasallcuriosity.Shewondered,andquestionedhimeagerly;butinvain.Hedelightedinbeingasked,buthewouldnottell.
“No,no,sometimeorother,perhaps,butnotnow.Hewouldmentionnonamesnow;butsuch,hecouldassureher,hadbeenthefact.
