Доводи розуму
Chapter 21
again,meaning,fortherestofmylife,tobeonlyyourstruly—Wm.Elliot.”
SuchalettercouldnotbereadwithoutputtingAnneinaglow;andMrsSmith,observingthehighcolourinherface,said—
“Thelanguage,Iknow,ishighlydisrespectful.ThoughIhaveforgottheexactterms,Ihaveaperfectimpressionofthegeneralmeaning.Butitshowsyoutheman.Markhisprofessionstomypoorhusband.Cananythingbestronger?”
Annecouldnotimmediatelygetovertheshockandmortificationoffindingsuchwordsappliedtoherfather.Shewasobligedtorecollectthatherseeingtheletterwasaviolationofthelawsofhonour,thatnooneoughttobejudgedortobeknownbysuchtestimonies,thatnoprivatecorrespondencecouldbeartheeyeofothers,beforeshecouldrecovercalmnessenoughtoreturntheletterwhichshehadbeenmeditatingover,andsay—
“Thankyou.Thisisfullproofundoubtedly;proofofeverythingyouweresaying.Butwhybeacquaintedwithusnow?”
“Icanexplainthistoo,”criedMrsSmith,smiling.
“Canyoureally?”
“Yes.IhaveshewnyouMrElliotashewasadozenyearsago,andIwillshewhimasheisnow.Icannotproducewrittenproofagain,butIcangiveasauthenticoraltestimonyasyoucandesire,ofwhatheisnowwanting,andwhatheisnowdoing.Heisnohypocritenow.Hetrulywantstomarryyou.Hispresentattentionstoyourfamilyareverysincere:quitefromtheheart.Iwillgiveyoumyauthority:hisfriendColonelWallis.”
“ColonelWallis!youareacquaintedwithhim?”
“No.
