Епоха невинності
Chapter 1
NewlandArcher,followingLefferts’sglance,sawwithsurprisethathisexclamationhadbeenoccasionedbytheentryofanewfigureintooldMrs.Mingott’sbox.Itwasthatofaslimyoungwoman,alittlelesstallthanMayWelland,withbrownhairgrowinginclosecurlsabouthertemplesandheldinplacebyanarrowbandofdiamonds.Thesuggestionofthisheaddress,whichgaveherwhatwasthencalleda"Josephinelook,"wascarriedoutinthecutofthedarkbluevelvetgownrathertheatricallycaughtupunderherbosombyagirdlewithalargeold-fashionedclasp.Thewearerofthisunusualdress,whoseemedquiteunconsciousoftheattentionitwasattracting,stoodamomentinthecentreofthebox,discussingwithMrs.Wellandtheproprietyoftakingthelatter’splaceinthefrontright-handcorner;thensheyieldedwithaslightsmile,andseatedherselfinlinewithMrs.Welland’ssister-in-law,Mrs.LovellMingott,whowasinstalledintheoppositecorner.Mr.SillertonJacksonhadreturnedtheopera-glasstoLawrenceLefferts.Thewholeoftheclubturnedinstinctively,waitingtohearwhattheoldmanhadtosay;foroldMr.Jacksonwasasgreatanauthorityon"family"asLawrenceLeffertswason"form.
