Епоха невинності

           TheDukeofcoursewouldbetheirprincipaltheme;thoughtheappearanceinFifthAvenueofagolden-hairedladyinasmallcanary-colouredbroughamwithapairofblackcobs(forwhichBeaufortwasgenerallythoughtresponsible)wouldalsodoubtlessbethoroughlygoneinto.Such"women"(astheywerecalled)werefewinNewYork,thosedrivingtheirowncarriagesstillfewer,andtheappearanceofMissFannyRinginFifthAvenueatthefashionablehourhadprofoundlyagitatedsociety.Onlythedaybefore,hercarriagehadpassedMrs.LovellMingott’s,andthelatterhadinstantlyrungthelittlebellatherelbowandorderedthecoachmantodriveherhome."WhatifithadhappenedtoMrs.vanderLuyden?"peopleaskedeachotherwithashudder.ArchercouldhearLawrenceLefferts,atthatveryhour,holdingforthonthedisintegrationofsociety.HeraisedhisheadirritablywhenhissisterJaneyentered,andthenquicklybentoverhisbook(Swinburne’s"Chastelard"—justout)asifhehadnotseenher.Sheglancedatthewriting-tableheapedwithbooks,openedavolumeofthe"ContesDrolatiques,"madeawryfaceoverthearchaicFrench,andsighed:"Whatlearnedthingsyouread!""Well—?"heasked,asshehoveredCassandra-likebeforehim."Mother’sveryangry.""Angry?Withwhom?Aboutwhat?""MissSophyJacksonhasjustbeenhere.Shebroughtwordthatherbrotherwouldcomeinafterdinner:shecouldn’tsayverymuch,becauseheforbadeherto:hewishestogiveallthedetailshimself.He’swithcousinLouisavanderLuydennow.""Forheaven’ssake,mydeargirl,tryafreshstart.