Епоха невинності

           "Hewincedalittleatherterrifyingperspicacity,andlongedtoask:"AndMay—dotheyquoteher?"Buthejudgeditsafertoturnthequestion."AndMadameOlenska?WhenamItoseeher?"hesaid.Theoldladychuckled,crumpledherlids,andwentthroughthepantomimeofarchness."Nottoday.Oneatatime,please.MadameOlenska’sgoneout."Heflushedwithdisappointment,andshewenton:"She’sgoneout,mychild:goneinmycarriagetoseeReginaBeaufort."Shepausedforthisannouncementtoproduceitseffect."That’swhatshe’sreducedmetoalready.Thedayaftershegotheresheputonherbestbonnet,andtoldme,ascoolasacucumber,thatshewasgoingtocallonReginaBeaufort.’Idon’tknowher;whoisshe?’saysI.’She’syourgrand-niece,andamostunhappywoman,’shesays.’She’sthewifeofascoundrel,’Ianswered.’Well,’shesays,’andsoamI,andyetallmyfamilywantmetogobacktohim.’Well,thatflooredme,andIlethergo;andfinallyonedayshesaiditwasrainingtoohardtogooutonfoot,andshewantedmetolendhermycarriage.’Whatfor?’Iaskedher;andshesaid:’TogoandseecousinRegina’—COUSIN!Now,mydear,Ilookedoutofthewindow,andsawitwasn’trainingadrop;butIunderstoodher,andIletherhavethecarriage....Afterall,Regina’sabravewoman,andsoisshe;andI’vealwayslikedcourageaboveeverything."Archerbentdownandpressedhislipsonthelittlehandthatstilllayonhis