Епоха невинності

           Thetwomothers-in-lawsatinMay’sdrawing-roomontheafternoonofthegreatday,Mrs.ArcherwritingoutthemenusonTiffany’sthickestgilt-edgedbristol,whileMrs.Wellandsuperintendedtheplacingofthepalmsandstandardlamps.Archer,arrivinglatefromhisoffice,foundthemstillthere.Mrs.Archerhadturnedherattentiontothename-cardsforthetable,andMrs.Wellandwasconsideringtheeffectofbringingforwardthelargegiltsofa,sothatanother"corner"mightbecreatedbetweenthepianoandthewindow.May,theytoldhim,wasinthedining-roominspectingthemoundofJacqueminotrosesandmaidenhairinthecentreofthelongtable,andtheplacingoftheMaillardbonbonsinopenworksilverbasketsbetweenthecandelabra.OnthepianostoodalargebasketoforchidswhichMr.vanderLuydenhadhadsentfromSkuytercliff.Everythingwas,inshort,asitshouldbeontheapproachofsoconsiderableanevent.Mrs.Archerranthoughtfullyoverthelist,checkingoffeachnamewithhersharpgoldpen."HenryvanderLuyden—Louisa—theLovellMingotts—theReggieChiverses—LawrenceLeffertsandGertrude—(yes,IsupposeMaywasrighttohavethem)—theSelfridgeMerrys,SillertonJackson,VanNewlandandhiswife.(Howtimepasses!Itseemsonlyyesterdaythathewasyourbestman,Newland)—andCountessOlenska—yes,Ithinkthat’sall...."Mrs.Wellandsurveyedherson-in-lawaffectionately."Noonecansay,Newland,thatyouandMayarenotgivingEllenahandsomesend-off.""Ah,well,"saidMrs.