Доводи розуму
Chapter 21
Ihaveoftenheardhimdeclare,thatifbaronetciesweresaleable,anybodyshouldhavehisforfiftypounds,armsandmotto,nameandliveryincluded;butIwillnotpretendtorepeathalfthatIusedtohearhimsayonthatsubject.Itwouldnotbefair;andyetyououghttohaveproof,forwhatisallthisbutassertion,andyoushallhaveproof.”
“Indeed,mydearMrsSmith,Iwantnone,”criedAnne.“YouhaveassertednothingcontradictorytowhatMrElliotappearedtobesomeyearsago.Thisisallinconfirmation,rather,ofwhatweusedtohearandbelieve.Iammorecurioustoknowwhyheshouldbesodifferentnow.”
“Butformysatisfaction,ifyouwillhavethegoodnesstoringforMary;stay:Iamsureyouwillhavethestillgreatergoodnessofgoingyourselfintomybedroom,andbringingmethesmallinlaidboxwhichyouwillfindontheuppershelfofthecloset.”
Anne,seeingherfriendtobeearnestlybentonit,didasshewasdesired.Theboxwasbroughtandplacedbeforeher,andMrsSmith,sighingoveritassheunlockedit,said—
“Thisisfullofpapersbelongingtohim,tomyhusband;asmallportiononlyofwhatIhadtolookoverwhenIlosthim.TheletterIamlookingforwasonewrittenbyMrElliottohimbeforeourmarriage,andhappenedtobesaved;why,onecanhardlyimagine.
