Международный эпизод

           It’sananimalIdetest.”“Youpreferabluestocking.”“IsthatwhatyoucallMissAlden?”“Hersistertellsme,”saidPercyBeaumont,“thatsheistremendouslyliterary.”“Idon’tknowanythingaboutthat.Sheiscertainlyveryclever.”“Well,”saidBeaumont,“Ishouldhavesupposedyouwouldhavefoundthatsortofthingawfullyslow.”“Inpointoffact,”LordLambethrejoined,“Ifindituncommonlylively.”Afterthis,PercyBeaumontheldhistongue;butonthe10thofAugusthewrotetotheDuchessofBayswater.Hewas,asIhavesaid,amanofconscience,andhehadastrong,incorruptiblesenseoftheproprietiesoflife.Hiskinsman,meanwhile,washavingagreatdealoftalkwithBessieAlden—ontheredsearocksbeyondthelawn;inthecourseoflongislandrides,withaslowreturnintheglowingtwilight;onthedeepverandalateintheevening.LordLambeth,whohadstayedatmanyhouses,hadneverstayedatahouseinwhichitwaspossibleforayoungmantoconversesofrequentlywithayounglady.ThisyoungladynolongerappliedtoPercyBeaumontforinformationconcerninghislordship.Sheaddressedherselfdirectlytotheyoungnobleman.Sheaskedhimagreatmanyquestions,someofwhichboredhimalittle;forhetooknopleasureintalkingabouthimself.“LordLambeth,”saidBessieAlden,“areyouahereditarylegislator?”“Oh,Isay!”criedLordLambeth,“don’tmakemecallmyselfsuchnamesasthat.”“ButyouareamemberofParliament,”saidtheyounggirl.“Idon’tlikethesoundofthat,either.