Chapter 7

           

           Hélèneunderstoodthatthequestionwasverysimpleandeasyfromtheecclesiasticalpointofview,andthatherdirectorsweremakingdifficultiesonlybecausetheywereapprehensiveastohowthematterwouldberegardedbythesecularauthorities.

           Soshedecidedthatitwasnecessarytopreparetheopinionofsociety.Sheprovokedthejealousyoftheelderlymagnateandtoldhimwhatshehadtoldherothersuitor;thatis,sheputthemattersothattheonlywayforhimtoobtainarightoverherwastomarryher.Theelderlymagnatewasatfirstasmuchtakenabackbythissuggestionofmarriagewithawomanwhosehusbandwasalive,astheyoungermanhadbeen,butHélène’simperturbableconvictionthatitwasassimpleandnaturalasmarryingamaidenhaditseffectonhimtoo.HadHélèneherselfshowntheleastsignofhesitation,shame,orsecrecy,hercausewouldcertainlyhavebeenlost;butnotonlydidsheshownosignsofsecrecyorshame,onthecontrary,withgood-naturednaïvetéshetoldherintimatefriends(andthesewereallPetersburg)thatboththeprinceandthemagnatehadproposedtoherandthatshelovedbothandwasafraidofgrievingeither.

           ArumorimmediatelyspreadinPetersburg,notthatHélènewantedtobedivorcedfromherhusband(hadsuchareportspreadmanywouldhaveopposedsoillegalanintention)butsimplythattheunfortunateandinterestingHélènewasindoubtwhichofthetwomensheshouldmarry.Thequestionwasnolongerwhetherthiswaspossible,butonlywhichwasthebettermatchandhowthematterwouldberegardedatcourt.

Зміст книги
Налаштування
Фон сторінки
Розмір шрифту
Міжрядковий інтервал
Фразові дієслова
Показати / Приховати меню
Шрифт
Roboto Lora
Уведомления
Сторінка 1539 з 2250