Доводы рассудка
Chapter 21
YoumustconsidermeonlyasMrElliot’srelation.Ifinthatlightthereisanythingwhichyousupposehiscousinmightfairlyaskofhim,Ibegyouwouldnothesitatetoemployme.”
MrsSmithgaveherapenetratingglance,andthen,smiling,said—
“Ihavebeenalittlepremature,Iperceive;Ibegyourpardon.Ioughttohavewaitedforofficialinformation,Butnow,mydearMissElliot,asanoldfriend,dogivemeahintastowhenImayspeak.Nextweek?TobesurebynextweekImaybeallowedtothinkitallsettled,andbuildmyownselfishschemesonMrElliot’sgoodfortune.”
“No,”repliedAnne,“nornextweek,nornext,nornext.Iassureyouthatnothingofthesortyouarethinkingofwillbesettledanyweek.IamnotgoingtomarryMrElliot.IshouldliketoknowwhyyouimagineIam?”
MrsSmithlookedatheragain,lookedearnestly,smiled,shookherhead,andexclaimed—
“Now,howIdowishIunderstoodyou!HowIdowishIknewwhatyouwereat!Ihaveagreatideathatyoudonotdesigntobecruel,whentherightmomentoccurs.Tillitdoescome,youknow,wewomennevermeantohaveanybody.Itisathingofcourseamongus,thateverymanisrefused,tillheoffers.Butwhyshouldyoubecruel?Letmepleadformy—presentfriendIcannotcallhim,butformyformerfriend.Wherecanyoulookforamoresuitablematch?Wherecouldyouexpectamoregentlemanlike,agreeableman?LetmerecommendMrElliot.
