Епоха невинності

           Besideher,inacloudofcigar-smoke,stoodtheownersofthetwoovercoats,bothinmorningclothesthattheyhadevidentlynottakenoffsincemorning.Inoneofthetwo,Archer,tohissurprise,recognisedNedWinsett;theotherandolder,whowasunknowntohim,andwhosegiganticframedeclaredhimtobethewearerofthe"Macfarlane,"hadafeeblyleonineheadwithcrumpledgreyhair,andmovedhisarmswithlargepawinggestures,asthoughheweredistributinglayblessingstoakneelingmultitude.Thesethreepersonsstoodtogetheronthehearth-rug,theireyesfixedonanextraordinarilylargebouquetofcrimsonroses,withaknotofpurplepansiesattheirbase,thatlayonthesofawhereMadameOlenskausuallysat."Whattheymusthavecostatthisseason—thoughofcourseit’sthesentimentonecaresabout!"theladywassayinginasighingstaccatoasArchercamein.Thethreeturnedwithsurpriseathisappearance,andthelady,advancing,heldoutherhand."DearMr.Archer—almostmycousinNewland!"shesaid."IamtheMarchionessManson."Archerbowed,andshecontinued:"MyEllenhastakenmeinforafewdays.IcamefromCuba,whereIhavebeenspendingthewinterwithSpanishfriends—suchdelightfuldistinguishedpeople:thehighestnobilityofoldCastile—howIwishyoucouldknowthem!ButIwascalledawaybyourdeargreatfriendhere,Dr.Carver.Youdon’tknowDr.AgathonCarver,founderoftheValleyofLoveCommunity?"Dr.