Доводы рассудка
Chapter 21
WhydidMrElliotdrawback?”
“MrElliot,”repliedMrsSmith,“atthatperiodofhislife,hadoneobjectinview:tomakehisfortune,andbyaratherquickerprocessthanthelaw.Hewasdeterminedtomakeitbymarriage.Hewasdetermined,atleast,nottomaritbyanimprudentmarriage;andIknowitwashisbelief(whetherjustlyornot,ofcourseIcannotdecide),thatyourfatherandsister,intheircivilitiesandinvitations,weredesigningamatchbetweentheheirandtheyounglady,anditwasimpossiblethatsuchamatchshouldhaveansweredhisideasofwealthandindependence.Thatwashismotivefordrawingback,Icanassureyou.Hetoldmethewholestory.Hehadnoconcealmentswithme.Itwascurious,thathavingjustleftyoubehindmeinBath,myfirstandprincipalacquaintanceonmarryingshouldbeyourcousin;andthat,throughhim,Ishouldbecontinuallyhearingofyourfatherandsister.HedescribedoneMissElliot,andIthoughtveryaffectionatelyoftheother.”
“Perhaps,”criedAnne,struckbyasuddenidea,“yousometimesspokeofmetoMrElliot?”
“TobesureIdid;veryoften.IusedtoboastofmyownAnneElliot,andvouchforyourbeingaverydifferentcreaturefrom—”
Shecheckedherselfjustintime.
“ThisaccountsforsomethingwhichMrElliotsaidlastnight,”criedAnne.“Thisexplainsit.Ifoundhehadbeenusedtohearofme.Icouldnotcomprehendhow.Whatwildimaginationsoneformswheredearselfisconcerned!Howsuretobemistaken!ButIbegyourpardon;Ihaveinterruptedyou.
