Епоха невинності

           Wellandonceventuredtocomplaintoherdaughter;andMayansweredserenely:"No;butyouseeitdoesn’tmatter,becausewhenthere’snothingparticulartodohereadsabook.""Ah,yes—likehisfather!"Mrs.Wellandagreed,asifallowingforaninheritedoddity;andafterthatthequestionofNewland’sunemploymentwastacitlydropped.Nevertheless,asthedayfortheSillertonreceptionapproached,Maybegantoshowanaturalsolicitudeforhiswelfare,andtosuggestatennismatchattheChiverses’,orasailonJuliusBeaufort’scutter,asameansofatoningforhertemporarydesertion."Ishallbebackbysix,youknow,dear:Papaneverdriveslaterthanthat—"andshewasnotreassuredtillArchersaidthathethoughtofhiringarun-aboutanddrivinguptheislandtoastud-farmtolookatasecondhorseforherbrougham.Theyhadbeenlookingforthishorseforsometime,andthesuggestionwassoacceptablethatMayglancedathermotherasiftosay:"Youseeheknowshowtoplanouthistimeaswellasanyofus."Theideaofthestud-farmandthebroughamhorsehadgerminatedinArcher’smindontheverydaywhentheEmersonSillertoninvitationhadfirstbeenmentioned;buthehadkeptittohimselfasifthereweresomethingclandestineintheplan,anddiscoverymightpreventitsexecution.Hehad,however,takentheprecautiontoengageinadvancearunaboutwithapairofoldlivery-stabletrottersthatcouldstilldotheireighteenmilesonlevelroads;andattwoo’clock,hastilydesertingtheluncheon-table,hesprangintothelightcarriageanddroveoff.Thedaywasperfect.