Доводы рассудка
Chapter 22
Shefound,onreachinghome,thatshehad,assheintended,escapedseeingMrElliot;thathehadcalledandpaidthemalongmorningvisit;buthardlyhadshecongratulatedherself,andfeltsafe,whensheheardthathewascomingagainintheevening.
“Ihadnotthesmallestintentionofaskinghim,”saidElizabeth,withaffectedcarelessness,“buthegavesomanyhints;soMrsClaysays,atleast.”
“Indeed,Idosayit.Ineversawanybodyinmylifespellharderforaninvitation.Poorman!Iwasreallyinpainforhim;foryourhard-heartedsister,MissAnne,seemsbentoncruelty.”
“Oh!”criedElizabeth,“Ihavebeenrathertoomuchusedtothegametobesoonovercomebyagentleman’shints.However,whenIfoundhowexcessivelyhewasregrettingthatheshouldmissmyfatherthismorning,Igavewayimmediately,forIwouldneverreallyomitanopportunityofbringhimandSirWaltertogether.Theyappeartosomuchadvantageincompanywitheachother.Eachbehavingsopleasantly.MrElliotlookingupwithsomuchrespect.”
“Quitedelightful!”criedMrsClay,notdaring,however,toturnhereyestowardsAnne.“Exactlylikefatherandson!DearMissElliot,mayInotsayfatherandson?”
“Oh!Ilaynoembargoonanybody’swords.Ifyouwillhavesuchideas!But,uponmyword,Iamscarcelysensibleofhisattentionsbeingbeyondthoseofothermen.”
“MydearMissElliot!”exclaimedMrsClay,liftingherhandsandeyes,andsinkingalltherestofherastonishmentinaconvenientsilence.
