Доводи розуму

           TwelveyearshadchangedAnnefromtheblooming,silent,unformedgirloffifteen,totheelegantlittlewomanofseven-and-twenty,witheverybeautyexceptbloom,andwithmannersasconsciouslyrightastheywereinvariablygentle;andtwelveyearshadtransformedthefine-looking,well-grownMissHamilton,inalltheglowofhealthandconfidenceofsuperiority,intoapoor,infirm,helplesswidow,receivingthevisitofherformerprotegeeasafavour;butallthatwasuncomfortableinthemeetinghadsoonpassedaway,andleftonlytheinterestingcharmofrememberingformerpartialitiesandtalkingoveroldtimes.

           AnnefoundinMrsSmiththegoodsenseandagreeablemannerswhichshehadalmostventuredtodependon,andadispositiontoconverseandbecheerfulbeyondherexpectation.Neitherthedissipationsofthepast—andshehadlivedverymuchintheworld—northerestrictionsofthepresent,neithersicknessnorsorrowseemedtohaveclosedherheartorruinedherspirits.

           Inthecourseofasecondvisitshetalkedwithgreatopenness,andAnne’sastonishmentincreased.ShecouldscarcelyimagineamorecheerlesssituationinitselfthanMrsSmith’s.Shehadbeenveryfondofherhusband:shehadburiedhim.Shehadbeenusedtoaffluence:itwasgone.Shehadnochildtoconnectherwithlifeandhappinessagain,norelationstoassistinthearrangementofperplexedaffairs,nohealthtomakealltherestsupportable.