Епоха невинності

           ThoughallthesetransactionshadbeenwidelyreportedbytheJacksonsasportingminoritystillclungtothebeliefthatoldCatherinewouldappearinchurch,andtherewasadistinctloweringofthetemperaturewhenshewasfoundtohavebeenreplacedbyherdaughter-in-law.Mrs.LovellMingotthadthehighcolourandglassystareinducedinladiesofherageandhabitbytheeffortofgettingintoanewdress;butoncethedisappointmentoccasionedbyhermother-in-law’snon-appearancehadsubsided,itwasagreedthatherblackChantillyoverlilacsatin,withabonnetofParmaviolets,formedthehappiestcontrasttoMrs.Welland’sblueandplum-colour.FardifferentwastheimpressionproducedbythegauntandmincingladywhofollowedonMr.Mingott’sarm,inawilddishevelmentofstripesandfringesandfloatingscarves;andasthislastapparitionglidedintoviewArcher’sheartcontractedandstoppedbeating.HehadtakenitforgrantedthattheMarchionessMansonwasstillinWashington,whereshehadgonesomefourweekspreviouslywithherniece,MadameOlenska.ItwasgenerallyunderstoodthattheirabruptdeparturewasduetoMadameOlenska’sdesiretoremoveherauntfromthebalefuleloquenceofDr.AgathonCarver,whohadnearlysucceededinenlistingherasarecruitfortheValleyofLove;andinthecircumstancesnoonehadexpectedeitheroftheladiestoreturnforthewedding.