Епоха невинності

           TheMarchionessrepliedbyoneofherqueerforeignjerks,anda"Quevoulez-vous?"whichdeepenedBeaufort’sfrown;butheproducedagoodsemblanceofacongratulatorysmileasheglancedatArchertosay:"YouknowMay’sgoingtocarryoffthefirstprize.""Ah,thenitremainsinthefamily,"Medorarippled;andatthatmomenttheyreachedthetentandMrs.Beaufortmettheminagirlishcloudofmauvemuslinandfloatingveils.MayWellandwasjustcomingoutofthetent.Inherwhitedress,withapalegreenribbonaboutthewaistandawreathofivyonherhat,shehadthesameDiana-likealoofnessaswhenshehadenteredtheBeaufortball-roomonthenightofherengagement.Intheintervalnotathoughtseemedtohavepassedbehindhereyesorafeelingthroughherheart;andthoughherhusbandknewthatshehadthecapacityforbothhemarvelledafreshatthewayinwhichexperiencedroppedawayfromher.Shehadherbowandarrowinherhand,andplacingherselfonthechalk-marktracedontheturfsheliftedthebowtohershoulderandtookaim.Theattitudewassofullofaclassicgracethatamurmurofappreciationfollowedherappearance,andArcherfelttheglowofproprietorshipthatsooftencheatedhimintomomentarywell-being.Herrivals—Mrs.ReggieChivers,theMerrygirls,anddiversrosyThorleys,DagonetsandMingotts,stoodbehindherinalovelyanxiousgroup,brownheadsandgoldenbentabovethescores,andpalemuslinsandflower-wreathedhatsmingledinatenderrainbow.