Епоха невинності

           Asitdroveoffsheleanedforward,andhethoughtshewavedherhandintheobscurity.Hestaredafterherinaturmoilofcontradictoryfeelings.Itseemedtohimthathehadbeenspeakingnottothewomanhelovedbuttoanother,awomanhewasindebtedtoforpleasuresalreadyweariedof:itwashatefultofindhimselftheprisonerofthishackneyedvocabulary."She’llcome!"hesaidtohimself,almostcontemptuously.Avoidingthepopular"Wolfecollection,"whoseanecdoticcanvasesfilledoneofthemaingalleriesofthequeerwildernessofcast-ironandencaustictilesknownastheMetropolitanMuseum,theyhadwandereddownapassagetotheroomwherethe"Cesnolaantiquities"moulderedinunvisitedloneliness.Theyhadthismelancholyretreattothemselves,andseatedonthedivanenclosingthecentralsteam-radiator,theywerestaringsilentlyattheglasscabinetsmountedinebonisedwoodwhichcontainedtherecoveredfragmentsofIlium."It’sodd,"MadameOlenskasaid,"Inevercameherebefore.""Ah,well—.Someday,Isuppose,itwillbeagreatMuseum.""Yes,"sheassentedabsently.Shestoodupandwanderedacrosstheroom.Archer,remainingseated,watchedthelightmovementsofherfigure,sogirlishevenunderitsheavyfurs,thecleverlyplantedheronwinginherfurcap,andthewayadarkcurllaylikeaflattenedvinespiraloneachcheekabovetheear.Hismind,asalwayswhentheyfirstmet,waswhollyabsorbedinthedeliciousdetailsthatmadeherherselfandnoother.Presentlyheroseandapproachedthecasebeforewhichshestood.