Епоха невинності
Chapter 3
HehadnotgonebacktohisclubaftertheOpera(astheyoungbloodsusuallydid),but,thenightbeingfine,hadwalkedforsomedistanceupFifthAvenuebeforeturningbackinthedirectionoftheBeauforts’house.HewasdefinitelyafraidthattheMingottsmightbegoingtoofar;that,infact,theymighthaveGrannyMingott’sorderstobringtheCountessOlenskatotheball.Fromthetoneoftheclubboxhehadperceivedhowgraveamistakethatwouldbe;and,thoughhewasmorethaneverdeterminedto"seethethingthrough,"hefeltlesschivalrouslyeagertochampionhisbetrothed’scousinthanbeforetheirbrieftalkattheOpera.Wanderingontotheboutond’ordrawing-room(whereBeauforthadhadtheaudacitytohang"LoveVictorious,"themuch-discussednudeofBouguereau)ArcherfoundMrs.Wellandandherdaughterstandingneartheball-roomdoor.Coupleswerealreadyglidingoverthefloorbeyond:thelightofthewaxcandlesfellonrevolvingtulleskirts,ongirlishheadswreathedwithmodestblossoms,onthedashingaigrettesandornamentsoftheyoungmarriedwomen’scoiffures,andontheglitterofhighlyglazedshirt-frontsandfreshglacegloves.MissWelland,evidentlyabouttojointhedancers,hungonthethreshold,herlilies-of-the-valleyinherhand(shecarriednootherbouquet),herfacealittlepale,hereyesburningwithacandidexcitement.Agroupofyoungmenandgirlsweregatheredabouther,andtherewasmuchhand-clasping,laughingandpleasantryonwhichMrs.Welland,standingslightlyapart,shedthebeamofaqualifiedapproval.
