Доводы рассудка
Chapter 21
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“ThismusthavebeenaboutthatveryperiodofMrElliot’slife,”saidAnne,“whichhasalwaysexcitedmyparticularcuriosity.Itmusthavebeenaboutthesametimethathebecameknowntomyfatherandsister.Ineverknewhimmyself;Ionlyheardofhim;buttherewasasomethinginhisconductthen,withregardtomyfatherandsister,andafterwardsinthecircumstancesofhismarriage,whichInevercouldquitereconcilewithpresenttimes.Itseemedtoannounceadifferentsortofman.”
“Iknowitall,Iknowitall,”criedMrsSmith.“HehadbeenintroducedtoSirWalterandyoursisterbeforeIwasacquaintedwithhim,butIheardhimspeakofthemforever.Iknowhewasinvitedandencouraged,andIknowhedidnotchoosetogo.Icansatisfyyou,perhaps,onpointswhichyouwouldlittleexpect;andastohismarriage,Iknewallaboutitatthetime.Iwasprivytoalltheforsandagainsts;Iwasthefriendtowhomheconfidedhishopesandplans;andthoughIdidnotknowhiswifepreviously,herinferiorsituationinsociety,indeed,renderedthatimpossible,yetIknewherallherlifeafterwards,oratleasttillwithinthelasttwoyearsofherlife,andcanansweranyquestionyoumaywishtoput.”
“Nay,”saidAnne,“Ihavenoparticularenquirytomakeabouther.Ihavealwaysunderstoodtheywerenotahappycouple.ButIshouldliketoknowwhy,atthattimeofhislife,heshouldslightmyfather’sacquaintanceashedid.Myfatherwascertainlydisposedtotakeverykindandpropernoticeofhim.
