Доводи розуму

           Annewasshewnsomelettersofhisontheoccasion,answerstourgentapplicationsfromMrsSmith,whichallbreathedthesamesternresolutionofnotengaginginafruitlesstrouble,and,underacoldcivility,thesamehard-heartedindifferencetoanyoftheevilsitmightbringonher.Itwasadreadfulpictureofingratitudeandinhumanity;andAnnefelt,atsomemoments,thatnoflagrantopencrimecouldhavebeenworse.Shehadagreatdealtolistento;alltheparticularsofpastsadscenes,alltheminutiaeofdistressupondistress,whichinformerconversationshadbeenmerelyhintedat,weredweltonnowwithanaturalindulgence.Annecouldperfectlycomprehendtheexquisiterelief,andwasonlythemoreinclinedtowonderatthecomposureofherfriend’susualstateofmind.

           Therewasonecircumstanceinthehistoryofhergrievancesofparticularirritation.ShehadgoodreasontobelievethatsomepropertyofherhusbandintheWestIndies,whichhadbeenformanyyearsunderasortofsequestrationforthepaymentofitsownincumbrances,mightberecoverablebypropermeasures;andthisproperty,thoughnotlarge,wouldbeenoughtomakehercomparativelyrich.Buttherewasnobodytostirinit.MrElliotwoulddonothing,andshecoulddonothingherself,equallydisabledfrompersonalexertionbyherstateofbodilyweakness,andfromemployingothersbyherwantofmoney.Shehadnonaturalconnexionstoassistherevenwiththeircounsel,andshecouldnotaffordtopurchasetheassistanceofthelaw.