Епоха невинності
Chapter 20
Herinnatedignitywouldalwayskeepherfrommakingthegiftabjectly;andadaymightevencome(asitoncehad)whenshewouldfindstrengthtotakeitaltogetherbackifshethoughtsheweredoingitforhisowngood.Butwithaconceptionofmarriagesouncomplicatedandincuriousasherssuchacrisiscouldbebroughtaboutonlybysomethingvisiblyoutrageousinhisownconduct;andthefinenessofherfeelingforhimmadethatunthinkable.Whateverhappened,heknew,shewouldalwaysbeloyal,gallantandunresentful;andthatpledgedhimtothepracticeofthesamevirtues.Allthistendedtodrawhimbackintohisoldhabitsofmind.Ifhersimplicityhadbeenthesimplicityofpettinesshewouldhavechafedandrebelled;butsincethelinesofhercharacter,thoughsofew,wereonthesamefinemouldasherface,shebecamethetutelarydivinityofallhisoldtraditionsandreverences.Suchqualitieswerescarcelyofthekindtoenlivenforeigntravel,thoughtheymadehersoeasyandpleasantacompanion;buthesawatoncehowtheywouldfallintoplaceintheirpropersetting.Hehadnofearofbeingoppressedbythem,forhisartisticandintellectuallifewouldgoon,asitalwayshad,outsidethedomesticcircle;andwithinittherewouldbenothingsmallandstifling—comingbacktohiswifewouldneverbelikeenteringastuffyroomafteratrampintheopen.Andwhentheyhadchildrenthevacantcornersinboththeirliveswouldbefilled.AllthesethingswentthroughhismindduringtheirlongslowdrivefromMayfairtoSouthKensington,whereMrs.Carfryandhersisterlived.
