Епоха невинності

           Iheardhimsay,sir,onhisreturnfromchurchthismorning,thatheintendedtolookthroughtheEveningPostafterluncheon;ifyoulike,sir,Imightgotothelibrarydoorandlisten—"ButArcher,thankinghim,saidthathewouldgoandmeettheladies;andthebutler,obviouslyrelieved,closedthedooronhimmajestically.Agroomtookthecuttertothestables,andArcherstruckthroughtheparktothehigh-road.ThevillageofSkuytercliffwasonlyamileandahalfaway,butheknewthatMrs.vanderLuydenneverwalked,andthathemustkeeptotheroadtomeetthecarriage.Presently,however,comingdownafoot-paththatcrossedthehighway,hecaughtsightofaslightfigureinaredcloak,withabigdogrunningahead.Hehurriedforward,andMadameOlenskastoppedshortwithasmileofwelcome."Ah,you’vecome!"shesaid,anddrewherhandfromhermuff.Theredcloakmadeherlookgayandvivid,liketheEllenMingottofolddays;andhelaughedashetookherhand,andanswered:"Icametoseewhatyouwererunningawayfrom."Herfacecloudedover,butsheanswered:"Ah,well—youwillsee,presently."Theanswerpuzzledhim."Why—doyoumeanthatyou’vebeenovertaken?"Sheshruggedhershoulders,withalittlemovementlikeNastasia’s,andrejoinedinalightertone:"Shallwewalkon?I’msocoldafterthesermon.Andwhatdoesitmatter,nowyou’reheretoprotectme?"Thebloodrosetohistemplesandhecaughtafoldofhercloak."Ellen—whatisit?Youmusttellme.