Епоха невинності

           Alltheseamiableandinexorablepersonswereresolutelyengagedinpretendingtoeachotherthattheyhadneverheardof,suspected,orevenconceivedpossible,theleasthinttothecontrary;andfromthistissueofelaboratemutualdissimulationArcheroncemoredisengagedthefactthatNewYorkbelievedhimtobeMadameOlenska’slover.Hecaughttheglitterofvictoryinhiswife’seyes,andforthefirsttimeunderstoodthatshesharedthebelief.ThediscoveryrousedalaughterofinnerdevilsthatreverberatedthroughallhiseffortstodiscusstheMarthaWashingtonballwithMrs.ReggieChiversandlittleMrs.Newland;andsotheeveningswepton,runningandrunninglikeasenselessriverthatdidnotknowhowtostop.AtlengthhesawthatMadameOlenskahadrisenandwassayinggood-bye.Heunderstoodthatinamomentshewouldbegone,andtriedtorememberwhathehadsaidtoheratdinner;buthecouldnotrecallasinglewordtheyhadexchanged.ShewentuptoMay,therestofthecompanymakingacircleaboutherassheadvanced.Thetwoyoungwomenclaspedhands;thenMaybentforwardandkissedhercousin."Certainlyourhostessismuchthehandsomerofthetwo,"ArcherheardReggieChiverssayinanundertonetoyoungMrs.Newland;andherememberedBeaufort’scoarsesneeratMay’sineffectualbeauty.Amomentlaterhewasinthehall,puttingMadameOlenska’scloakabouthershoulders.Throughallhisconfusionofmindhehadheldfasttotheresolvetosaynothingthatmightstartleordisturbher.