Доводи розуму
Chapter 21
WasnotitMrsSpeed,asusual,orthemaid?Iobservednooneinparticular.”
“ItwasmyfriendMrsRooke;NurseRooke;who,by-the-bye,hadagreatcuriositytoseeyou,andwasdelightedtobeinthewaytoletyouin.ShecameawayfromMarlboroughBuildingsonlyonSunday;andsheitwaswhotoldmeyouweretomarryMrElliot.ShehadhaditfromMrsWallisherself,whichdidnotseembadauthority.ShesatanhourwithmeonMondayevening,andgavemethewholehistory.”“Thewholehistory,”repeatedAnne,laughing.“Shecouldnotmakeaverylonghistory,Ithink,ofonesuchlittlearticleofunfoundednews.”
MrsSmithsaidnothing.
“But,”continuedAnne,presently,“thoughthereisnotruthinmyhavingthisclaimonMrElliot,IshouldbeextremelyhappytobeofusetoyouinanywaythatIcould.ShallImentiontohimyourbeinginBath?ShallItakeanymessage?”
“No,Ithankyou:no,certainlynot.Inthewarmthofthemoment,andunderamistakenimpression,Imight,perhaps,haveendeavouredtointerestyouinsomecircumstances;butnotnow.No,Ithankyou,Ihavenothingtotroubleyouwith.”
“IthinkyouspokeofhavingknownMrElliotmanyyears?”
“Idid.”
“Notbeforehewasmarried,Isuppose?”
“Yes;hewasnotmarriedwhenIknewhimfirst.”
“And—wereyoumuchacquainted?”
“Intimately.”
“Indeed!Thendotellmewhathewasatthattimeoflife.IhaveagreatcuriositytoknowwhatMrElliotwasasaveryyoungman.
