Доводы рассудка

           Shewasentreatedtogivethemasmuchofhertimeaspossible,invitedforeverydayandalldaylong,orratherclaimedaspartofthefamily;and,inreturn,shenaturallyfellintoallherwontedwaysofattentionandassistance,andonCharles’sleavingthemtogether,waslisteningtoMrsMusgrove’shistoryofLouisa,andtoHenrietta’sofherself,givingopinionsonbusiness,andrecommendationstoshops;withintervalsofeveryhelpwhichMaryrequired,fromalteringherribbontosettlingheraccounts;fromfindingherkeys,andassortinghertrinkets,totryingtoconvinceherthatshewasnotill-usedbyanybody;whichMary,wellamusedasshegenerallywas,inherstationatawindowoverlookingtheentrancetothePumpRoom,couldnotbuthavehermomentsofimagining.

           Amorningofthoroughconfusionwastobeexpected.Alargepartyinanhotelensuredaquick-changing,unsettledscene.Onefiveminutesbroughtanote,thenextaparcel;andAnnehadnotbeentherehalfanhour,whentheirdining-room,spaciousasitwas,seemedmorethanhalffilled:apartyofsteadyoldfriendswereseatedaroundMrsMusgrove,andCharlescamebackwithCaptainsHarvilleandWentworth.Theappearanceofthelattercouldnotbemorethanthesurpriseofthemoment.Itwasimpossibleforhertohaveforgottentofeelthatthisarrivaloftheircommonfriendsmustbesoonbringingthemtogetheragain.