Риф, или Там, где разбивается счастье

           Shehadinfactrecognizedinhimtheonepersonwhom,withoutpaintohermaternalpiety,shecouldwelcomeasherson’ssuccessor;anditwasalmostastoOwen’sfatherthatshenowappealedtoDarrowtoaidinrescuingthewretchedboy.

           “Don’tthink,please,thatI’mcastingtheleastreflectiononAnna,orshowinganywantofsympathyforher,whenIsaythatIconsiderherpartlyresponsibleforwhat’shappened.Annais‘modern’—Ibelievethat’swhatit’scalledwhenyoureadunsettlingbooksandadmirehideouspictures.Indeed,”MadamedeChantellecontinued,leaningconfidentiallyforward,“Imyselfhavealwaysmoreorlesslivedinthatatmosphere:myson,youknow,wasveryrevolutionary.Onlyhedidn’t,ofcourse,applyhisideas:theywerepurelyintellectual.That’swhatdearAnnahasalwaysfailedtounderstand.AndI’mafraidshe’screatedthesamekindofconfusioninOwen’smind—ledhimtomixupthingsyoureadaboutwiththingsyoudo....Youknow,ofcourse,thatshesideswithhiminthiswretchedbusiness?”

           Developingatlengthuponthistheme,shefinallynarroweddowntothepointofDarrow’sintervention.“Mygrandson,Mr.Darrow,callsmeillogicalanduncharitablebecausemyfeelingstowardMissVinerhavechangedsinceI’veheardthisnews.Well!You’veknownher,itappears,forsomeyears:Annatellsmeyouusedtoseeherwhenshewasacompanion,orsecretaryorsomething,toadreadfullyvulgarMrs.Murrett.