Епоха невинності

           "Andsuddenlytheplayofthewordflashedupawildsuggestion.WhatifitwereSHEwhowasdead!Ifsheweregoingtodie—todiesoon—andleavehimfree!Thesensationofstandingthere,inthatwarmfamiliarroom,andlookingather,andwishingherdead,wassostrange,sofascinatingandovermastering,thatitsenormitydidnotimmediatelystrikehim.Hesimplyfeltthatchancehadgivenhimanewpossibilitytowhichhissicksoulmightcling.Yes,Maymightdie—peopledid:youngpeople,healthypeoplelikeherself:shemightdie,andsethimsuddenlyfree.Sheglancedup,andhesawbyherwideningeyesthattheremustbesomethingstrangeinhisown."Newland!Areyouill?"Heshookhisheadandturnedtowardhisarm-chair.Shebentoverherwork-frame,andashepassedhelaidhishandonherhair."PoorMay!"hesaid."Poor?Whypoor?"sheechoedwithastrainedlaugh."BecauseIshallneverbeabletoopenawindowwithoutworryingyou,"herejoined,laughingalso.Foramomentshewassilent;thenshesaidverylow,herheadbowedoverherwork:"Ishallneverworryifyou’rehappy.""Ah,mydear;andIshallneverbehappyunlessIcanopenthewindows!""InTHISweather?"sheremonstrated;andwithasighheburiedhisheadinhisbook.Sixorsevendayspassed.ArcherheardnothingfromMadameOlenska,andbecameawarethathernamewouldnotbementionedinhispresencebyanymemberofthefamily.Hedidnottrytoseeher;todosowhileshewasatoldCatherine’sguardedbedsidewouldhavebeenalmostimpossible.