Доводи розуму
Chapter 17
Shegoesintothewarmbathto-morrow,andfortherestoftheweek,youknow,weareengaged.”
“ButwhatdoesLadyRussellthinkofthisacquaintance?”askedElizabeth.
“Sheseesnothingtoblameinit,”repliedAnne;“onthecontrary,sheapprovesit,andhasgenerallytakenmewhenIhavecalledonMrsSmith.
“WestgateBuildingsmusthavebeenrathersurprisedbytheappearanceofacarriagedrawnupnearitspavement,”observedSirWalter.“SirHenryRussell’swidow,indeed,hasnohonourstodistinguishherarms,butstillitisahandsomeequipage,andnodoubtiswellknowntoconveyaMissElliot.AwidowMrsSmithlodginginWestgateBuildings!Apoorwidowbarelyabletolive,betweenthirtyandforty;amereMrsSmith,anevery-dayMrsSmith,ofallpeopleandallnamesintheworld,tobethechosenfriendofMissAnneElliot,andtobepreferredbyhertoherownfamilyconnectionsamongthenobilityofEnglandandIreland!MrsSmith!Suchaname!”
MrsClay,whohadbeenpresentwhileallthispassed,nowthoughtitadvisabletoleavetheroom,andAnnecouldhavesaidmuch,anddidlongtosayalittleindefenceofherfriend’snotverydissimilarclaimstotheirs,buthersenseofpersonalrespecttoherfatherpreventedher.Shemadenoreply.Sheleftittohimselftorecollect,thatMrsSmithwasnottheonlywidowinBathbetweenthirtyandforty,withlittletoliveon,andnosurnameofdignity.
Annekeptherappointment;theotherskepttheirs,andofcoursesheheardthenextmorningthattheyhadhadadelightfulevening.
