Епоха невинності

           Itwasthecustom,inoldNewYork,forbridestoappearinthiscostlygarmentduringthefirstyearortwoofmarriage:hismother,heknew,kepthersintissuepaperinthehopethatJaneymightsomedaywearit,thoughpoorJaneywasreachingtheagewhenpearlgreypoplinandnobridesmaidswouldbethoughtmore"appropriate."ItstruckArcherthatMay,sincetheirreturnfromEurope,hadseldomwornherbridalsatin,andthesurpriseofseeingherinitmadehimcompareherappearancewiththatoftheyounggirlhehadwatchedwithsuchblissfulanticipationstwoyearsearlier.ThoughMay’soutlinewasslightlyheavier,ashergoddesslikebuildhadforetold,herathleticerectnessofcarriage,andthegirlishtransparencyofherexpression,remainedunchanged:butfortheslightlanguorthatArcherhadlatelynoticedinhershewouldhavebeentheexactimageofthegirlplayingwiththebouquetoflilies-of-the-valleyonherbetrothalevening.Thefactseemedanadditionalappealtohispity:suchinnocencewasasmovingasthetrustfulclaspofachild.Thenherememberedthepassionategenerositylatentunderthatincuriouscalm.HerecalledherglanceofunderstandingwhenhehadurgedthattheirengagementshouldbeannouncedattheBeaufortball;heheardthevoiceinwhichshehadsaid,intheMissiongarden:"Icouldn’thavemyhappinessmadeoutofawrong—awrongtosomeoneelse;"andanuncontrollablelongingseizedhimtotellherthetruth,tothrowhimselfonhergenerosity,andaskforthefreedomhehadoncerefused.NewlandArcherwasaquietandself-controlledyoungman.