Епоха невинності

           Tohavetomakethisfactplaintoher—andtowitnessherresignedacceptanceofit—hadbeenintolerablypainfultohim.Hefelthimselfdrawntoherbyobscurefeelingsofjealousyandpity,asifherdumbly-confessederrorhadputherathismercy,humblingyetendearingher.Hewasgladitwastohimshehadrevealedhersecret,ratherthantothecoldscrutinyofMr.Letterblair,ortheembarrassedgazeofherfamily.Heimmediatelytookituponhimselftoassurethemboththatshehadgivenupherideaofseekingadivorce,basingherdecisiononthefactthatshehadunderstoodtheuselessnessoftheproceeding;andwithinfiniterelieftheyhadallturnedtheireyesfromthe"unpleasantness"shehadsparedthem."IwassureNewlandwouldmanageit,"Mrs.Wellandhadsaidproudlyofherfutureson-in-law;andoldMrs.Mingott,whohadsummonedhimforaconfidentialinterview,hadcongratulatedhimonhiscleverness,andaddedimpatiently:"Sillygoose!Itoldhermyselfwhatnonsenseitwas.WantingtopassherselfoffasEllenMingottandanoldmaid,whenshehasthelucktobeamarriedwomanandaCountess!"TheseincidentshadmadethememoryofhislasttalkwithMadameOlenskasovividtotheyoungmanthatasthecurtainfellonthepartingofthetwoactorshiseyesfilledwithtears,andhestooduptoleavethetheatre.Indoingso,heturnedtothesideofthehousebehindhim,andsawtheladyofwhomhewasthinkingseatedinaboxwiththeBeauforts,LawrenceLeffertsandoneortwoothermen.