Доводы рассудка
Chapter 5
Shehadnoresourcesforsolitude;andinheritingaconsiderableshareoftheElliotself-importance,wasverypronetoaddtoeveryotherdistressthatoffancyingherselfneglectedandill-used.Inperson,shewasinferiortobothsisters,andhad,eveninherbloom,onlyreachedthedignityofbeing“afinegirl.”Shewasnowlyingonthefadedsofaoftheprettylittledrawing-room,theonceelegantfurnitureofwhichhadbeengraduallygrowingshabby,undertheinfluenceoffoursummersandtwochildren;and,onAnne’sappearing,greetedherwith—
“So,youarecomeatlast!IbegantothinkIshouldneverseeyou.IamsoillIcanhardlyspeak.Ihavenotseenacreaturethewholemorning!”
“Iamsorrytofindyouunwell,”repliedAnne.“YousentmesuchagoodaccountofyourselfonThursday!”
“Yes,Imadethebestofit;Ialwaysdo:butIwasveryfarfromwellatthetime;andIdonotthinkIeverwassoillinmylifeasIhavebeenallthismorning:veryunfittobeleftalone,Iamsure.SupposeIweretobeseizedofasuddeninsomedreadfulway,andnotabletoringthebell!So,LadyRussellwouldnotgetout.Idonotthinkshehasbeeninthishousethreetimesthissummer.”
Annesaidwhatwasproper,andenquiredafterherhusband.“Oh!Charlesisoutshooting.Ihavenotseenhimsinceseveno’clock.Hewouldgo,thoughItoldhimhowillIwas.Hesaidheshouldnotstayoutlong;buthehasnevercomeback,andnowitisalmostone.Iassureyou,Ihavenotseenasoulthiswholelongmorning.
