Епоха невинності

           "Sincerely,then—whatshouldyougainthatwouldcompensateforthepossibility—thecertainty—ofalotofbeastlytalk?""Butmyfreedom—isthatnothing?"Itflashedacrosshimatthatinstantthatthechargeintheletterwastrue,andthatshehopedtomarrythepartnerofherguilt.Howwashetotellherthat,ifshereallycherishedsuchaplan,thelawsoftheStatewereinexorablyopposedtoit?Themeresuspicionthatthethoughtwasinhermindmadehimfeelharshlyandimpatientlytowardher."Butaren’tyouasfreeasairasitis?"hereturned."Whocantouchyou?Mr.Letterblairtellsmethefinancialquestionhasbeensettled—""Oh,yes,"shesaidindifferently."Well,then:isitworthwhiletoriskwhatmaybeinfinitelydisagreeableandpainful?Thinkofthenewspapers—theirvileness!It’sallstupidandnarrowandunjust—butonecan’tmakeoversociety.""No,"sheacquiesced;andhertonewassofaintanddesolatethathefeltasuddenremorseforhisownhardthoughts."Theindividual,insuchcases,isnearlyalwayssacrificedtowhatissupposedtobethecollectiveinterest:peopleclingtoanyconventionthatkeepsthefamilytogether—protectsthechildren,ifthereareany,"herambledon,pouringoutallthestockphrasesthatrosetohislipsinhisintensedesiretocoverovertheuglyrealitywhichhersilenceseemedtohavelaidbare.Sinceshewouldnotorcouldnotsaytheonewordthatwouldhaveclearedtheair,hiswishwasnottoletherfeelthathewastryingtoprobeintohersecret