Доводы рассудка

           Shemustbeallowedtobeafavourerofmatrimony,youknow;and(sinceselfwillintrude)whocansaythatshemaynothavesomeflyingvisionsofattendingthenextLadyElliot,throughMrsWallis’srecommendation?”

           “Iamverygladtoknowallthis,”saidAnne,afteralittlethoughtfulness.“Itwillbemorepainfultomeinsomerespectstobeincompanywithhim,butIshallknowbetterwhattodo.Mylineofconductwillbemoredirect.MrElliotisevidentlyadisingenuous,artificial,worldlyman,whohasneverhadanybetterprincipletoguidehimthanselfishness.”

           ButMrElliotwasnotdonewith.MrsSmithhadbeencarriedawayfromherfirstdirection,andAnnehadforgotten,intheinterestofherownfamilyconcerns,howmuchhadbeenoriginallyimpliedagainsthim;butherattentionwasnowcalledtotheexplanationofthosefirsthints,andshelistenedtoarecitalwhich,ifitdidnotperfectlyjustifytheunqualifiedbitternessofMrsSmith,provedhimtohavebeenveryunfeelinginhisconducttowardsher;verydeficientbothinjusticeandcompassion.

           Shelearnedthat(theintimacybetweenthemcontinuingunimpairedbyMrElliot’smarriage)theyhadbeenasbeforealwaystogether,andMrElliothadledhisfriendintoexpensesmuchbeyondhisfortune.MrsSmithdidnotwanttotakeblametoherself,andwasmosttenderofthrowinganyonherhusband;butAnnecouldcollectthattheirincomehadneverbeenequaltotheirstyleofliving,andthatfromthefirsttherehadbeenagreatdealofgeneralandjointextravagance.