Доводи розуму
Chapter 3
“Andaverywell-spoken,genteel,shrewdlady,sheseemedtobe,”continuedhe;“askedmorequestionsaboutthehouse,andterms,andtaxes,thantheAdmiralhimself,andseemedmoreconversantwithbusiness;andmoreover,SirWalter,Ifoundshewasnotquiteunconnectedinthiscountry,anymorethanherhusband;thatistosay,sheissistertoagentlemanwhodidliveamongstusonce;shetoldmesoherself:sistertothegentlemanwholivedafewyearsbackatMonkford.Blessme!whatwashisname?AtthismomentIcannotrecollecthisname,thoughIhavehearditsolately.Penelope,mydear,canyouhelpmetothenameofthegentlemanwholivedatMonkford:MrsCroft’sbrother?”
ButMrsClaywastalkingsoeagerlywithMissElliot,thatshedidnotheartheappeal.
“Ihavenoconceptionwhomyoucanmean,Shepherd;IremembernogentlemanresidentatMonkfordsincethetimeofoldGovernorTrent.”
“Blessme!howveryodd!Ishallforgetmyownnamesoon,Isuppose.AnamethatIamsoverywellacquaintedwith;knewthegentlemansowellbysight;seenhimahundredtimes;cametoconsultmeonce,Iremember,aboutatrespassofoneofhisneighbours;farmer’smanbreakingintohisorchard;walltorndown;applesstolen;caughtinthefact;andafterwards,contrarytomyjudgement,submittedtoanamicablecompromise.Veryoddindeed!”
Afterwaitinganothermoment—
“YoumeanMrWentworth,Isuppose?”saidAnne.
MrShepherdwasallgratitude.
“Wentworthwastheveryname!MrWentworthwastheveryman.