Епоха невинності

           TwodayslaterArcherhadassistedatthecomedyofherreinstatementinthevanderLuydens’favour,andhadsaidtohimself,withatouchoftartness,thataladywhoknewhowtothankall-powerfulelderlygentlementosuchgoodpurposeforabunchofflowersdidnotneedeithertheprivateconsolationsorthepublicchampionshipofayoungmanofhissmallcompass.Tolookatthematterinthislightsimplifiedhisowncaseandsurprisinglyfurbishedupallthedimdomesticvirtues.HecouldnotpictureMayWelland,inwhateverconceivableemergency,hawkingaboutherprivatedifficultiesandlavishingherconfidencesonstrangemen;andshehadneverseemedtohimfinerorfairerthanintheweekthatfollowed.Hehadevenyieldedtoherwishforalongengagement,sinceshehadfoundtheonedisarminganswertohispleaforhaste."Youknow,whenitcomestothepoint,yourparentshavealwaysletyouhaveyourwayeversinceyouwerealittlegirl,"heargued;andshehadanswered,withherclearestlook:"Yes;andthat’swhatmakesitsohardtorefusetheverylastthingthey’lleveraskofmeasalittlegirl."ThatwastheoldNewYorknote;thatwasthekindofanswerhewouldlikealwaystobesureofhiswife’smaking.IfonehadhabituallybreathedtheNewYorkairthereweretimeswhenanythinglesscrystallineseemedstifling.Thepapershehadretiredtoreaddidnottellhimmuchinfact;buttheyplungedhimintoanatmosphereinwhichhechokedandspluttered.