Епоха невинності

           Herehewas,attheverymomentofhisbetrothal—amomentforpurethoughtsandcloudlesshopes—pitchforkedintoacoilofscandalwhichraisedallthespecialproblemshewouldhavepreferredtoletlie."HangEllenOlenska!"hegrumbled,ashecoveredhisfireandbegantoundress.Hecouldnotreallyseewhyherfateshouldhavetheleastbearingonhis;yethedimlyfeltthathehadonlyjustbeguntomeasuretherisksofthechampionshipwhichhisengagementhadforceduponhim.Afewdayslatertheboltfell.TheLovellMingottshadsentoutcardsforwhatwasknownas"aformaldinner"(thatis,threeextrafootmen,twodishesforeachcourse,andaRomanpunchinthemiddle),andhadheadedtheirinvitationswiththewords"TomeettheCountessOlenska,"inaccordancewiththehospitableAmericanfashion,whichtreatsstrangersasiftheywereroyalties,oratleastastheirambassadors.TheguestshadbeenselectedwithaboldnessanddiscriminationinwhichtheinitiatedrecognisedthefirmhandofCatherinetheGreat.AssociatedwithsuchimmemorialstandbysastheSelfridgeMerrys,whowereaskedeverywherebecausetheyalwayshadbeen,theBeauforts,onwhomtherewasaclaimofrelationship,andMr.SillertonJacksonandhissisterSophy(whowentwhereverherbrothertoldherto),weresomeofthemostfashionableandyetmostirreproachableofthedominant"youngmarried"set;theLawrenceLeffertses,Mrs.LeffertsRushworth(thelovelywidow),theHarryThorleys,theReggieChiversesandyoungMorrisDagonetandhiswife(whowasavanderLuyden).