Епоха невинності

           "ThereareonlytwopeopleherewhomakemefeelasiftheyunderstoodwhatImeanandcouldexplainthingstome:youandMr.Beaufort."Archerwincedatthejoiningofthenames,andthen,withaquickreadjustment,understood,sympathisedandpitied.Soclosetothepowersofevilshemusthavelivedthatshestillbreathedmorefreelyintheirair.Butsinceshefeltthatheunderstoodheralso,hisbusinesswouldbetomakeherseeBeaufortashereallywas,withallherepresented—andabhorit.Heansweredgently:"Iunderstand.Butjustatfirstdon’tletgoofyouroldfriends’hands:Imeantheolderwomen,yourGrannyMingott,Mrs.Welland,Mrs.vanderLuyden.Theylikeandadmireyou—theywanttohelpyou."Sheshookherheadandsighed."Oh,Iknow—Iknow!Butonconditionthattheydon’thearanythingunpleasant.AuntWellandputitinthoseverywordswhenItried....Doesnoonewanttoknowthetruthhere,Mr.Archer?Thereallonelinessislivingamongallthesekindpeoplewhoonlyaskonetopretend!"Sheliftedherhandstoherface,andhesawherthinshouldersshakenbyasob."MadameOlenska!—Oh,don’t,Ellen,"hecried,startingupandbendingoverher.Hedrewdownoneofherhands,claspingandchafingitlikeachild’swhilehemurmuredreassuringwords;butinamomentshefreedherself,andlookedupathimwithwetlashes."Doesnoonecryhere,either?Isupposethere’snoneedto,inheaven,"shesaid,straighteningherloosenedbraidswithalaugh,andbendingoverthetea-kettle.