Риф, или Там, где разбивается счастье

III

           Shehadfirstlanded—thankstotheinterventionoftheladieswhohaddirectedhereducation—inaFifthAvenueschool-roomwhere,forafewmonths,sheactedasabufferbetweenthreeautocraticinfantsandtheirbodyguardofnursesandteachers.Thetoo-pressingattentionsoftheirfather’svalethadcausedhertoflythisshelteredspot,againsttheexpressadviceofhereducationalsuperiors,whoimpliedthat,intheirowncase,refinementandself-respecthadalwayssufficedtokeepthemostungovernablepassionsatbay.Theexperienceoftheguardian’swidowhavingbeenpreciselysimilar,andthedeplorableprecedentofLaura’scareerbeingpresenttoalltheirminds,noneoftheseladiesfeltanyobligationtointervenefartherinSophy’saffairs;andshewasaccordinglylefttoherownresources.

           AschoolmatefromtheRockyMountains,whowastakingherfatherandmothertoEurope,hadsuggestedSophy’saccompanyingthem,and“goinground”withherwhileherprogenitors,inthecareofthecourier,nursedtheirailmentsatafashionablebath.Darrowgatheredthatthe“goinground”withMamieHokewasavariedanddivertingprocess;butthisrelativelybrilliantphaseofSophy’scareerwascutshortbytheelopementoftheinconsiderateMamiewitha“matineeidol”whohadfollowedherfromNewYork,andbytheprecipitatereturnofherparentstonegotiatefortherepurchaseoftheirchild.

           Itwasthen—afteranintervalofreposewithcompassionatebutimpecuniousAmericanfriendsinParis—thatMissVinerhadbeendrawnintotheturbidcurrentofMrs.Murrett’scareer.

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