Доводы рассудка
Chapter 9
Charles“hadneverseenapleasantermaninhislife;andfromwhathehadonceheardCaptainWentworthhimselfsay,wasverysurethathehadnotmadelessthantwentythousandpoundsbythewar.Herewasafortuneatonce;besideswhich,therewouldbethechanceofwhatmightbedoneinanyfuturewar;andhewassureCaptainWentworthwasaslikelyamantodistinguishhimselfasanyofficerinthenavy.Oh!itwouldbeacapitalmatchforeitherofhissisters.”
“Uponmyworditwould,”repliedMary.“Dearme!Ifheshouldrisetoanyverygreathonours!Ifheshouldeverbemadeabaronet!‘LadyWentworth’soundsverywell.Thatwouldbeanoblething,indeed,forHenrietta!Shewouldtakeplaceofmethen,andHenriettawouldnotdislikethat.SirFrederickandLadyWentworth!Itwouldbebutanewcreation,however,andIneverthinkmuchofyournewcreations.”
ItsuitedMarybesttothinkHenriettatheonepreferredontheveryaccountofCharlesHayter,whosepretensionsshewishedtoseeputanendto.ShelookeddownverydecidedlyupontheHayters,andthoughtitwouldbequiteamisfortunetohavetheexistingconnectionbetweenthefamiliesrenewed—verysadforherselfandherchildren.
“Youknow,”saidshe,“IcannotthinkhimatallafitmatchforHenrietta;andconsideringtheallianceswhichtheMusgroveshavemade,shehasnorighttothrowherselfaway.
