Доводы рассудка

           Shecouldnowanswerassheought;andwashappytofeel,whenMrsCroft’snextwordsexplainedittobeMrWentworthofwhomshespoke,thatshehadsaidnothingwhichmightnotdoforeitherbrother.Sheimmediatelyfelthowreasonableitwas,thatMrsCroftshouldbethinkingandspeakingofEdward,andnotofFrederick;andwithshameatherownforgetfulnessappliedherselftotheknowledgeoftheirformerneighbour’spresentstatewithproperinterest.

           Therestwasalltranquillity;till,justastheyweremoving,sheheardtheAdmiralsaytoMary—

           “WeareexpectingabrotherofMrsCroft’sheresoon;Idaresayyouknowhimbyname.”

           Hewascutshortbytheeagerattacksofthelittleboys,clingingtohimlikeanoldfriend,anddeclaringheshouldnotgo;andbeingtoomuchengrossedbyproposalsofcarryingthemawayinhiscoatpockets,&c.,tohaveanothermomentforfinishingorrecollectingwhathehadbegun,Annewaslefttopersuadeherself,aswellasshecould,thatthesamebrothermuststillbeinquestion.Shecouldnot,however,reachsuchadegreeofcertainty,asnottobeanxioustohearwhetheranythinghadbeensaidonthesubjectattheotherhouse,wheretheCroftshadpreviouslybeencalling.

           ThefolksoftheGreatHouseweretospendtheeveningofthisdayattheCottage;anditbeingnowtoolateintheyearforsuchvisitstobemadeonfoot,thecoachwasbeginningtobelistenedfor,whentheyoungestMissMusgrovewalkedin.