Епоха невинності

           "Why—sinceshe’sgoingbacktoEuropesosoon;sinceGrannyapprovesandunderstands,andhasarrangedtomakeherindependentofherhusband—"Shebrokeoff,andArcher,graspingthecornerofthemantelpieceinoneconvulsedhand,andsteadyinghimselfagainstit,madeavainefforttoextendthesamecontroltohisreelingthoughts."Isupposed,"heheardhiswife’sevenvoicegoon,"thatyouhadbeenkeptattheofficethiseveningaboutthebusinessarrangements.Itwassettledthismorning,Ibelieve."Sheloweredhereyesunderhisunseeingstare,andanotherfugitiveflushpassedoverherface.Heunderstoodthathisowneyesmustbeunbearable,andturningaway,restedhiselbowsonthemantel-shelfandcoveredhisface.Somethingdrummedandclangedfuriouslyinhisears;hecouldnottellifitwerethebloodinhisveins,orthetickoftheclockonthemantel.Maysatwithoutmovingorspeakingwhiletheclockslowlymeasuredoutfiveminutes.Alumpofcoalfellforwardinthegrate,andhearingherrisetopushitback,Archeratlengthturnedandfacedher."It’simpossible,"heexclaimed."Impossible—?""Howdoyouknow—whatyou’vejusttoldme?""IsawEllenyesterday—ItoldyouI’dseenheratGranny’s.""Itwasn’tthenthatshetoldyou?""No;Ihadanotefromherthisafternoon.—Doyouwanttoseeit?"Hecouldnotfindhisvoice,andshewentoutoftheroom,andcamebackalmostimmediately."Ithoughtyouknew,"shesaidsimply.Shelaidasheetofpaperonthetable,andArcherputouthishandandtookitup.Thelettercontainedonlyafewlines.