Доводи розуму
Chapter 23
“Lookhere,”saidhe,unfoldingaparcelinhishand,anddisplayingasmallminiaturepainting,“doyouknowwhothatis?”
“Certainly:CaptainBenwick.”
“Yes,andyoumayguesswhoitisfor.But,”(inadeeptone,)“itwasnotdoneforher.MissElliot,doyourememberourwalkingtogetheratLyme,andgrievingforhim?Ilittlethoughtthen—butnomatter.ThiswasdrawnattheCape.HemetwithacleveryoungGermanartistattheCape,andincompliancewithapromisetomypoorsister,sattohim,andwasbringingithomeforher;andIhavenowthechargeofgettingitproperlysetforanother!Itwasacommissiontome!Butwhoelsewastheretoemploy?IhopeIcanallowforhim.Iamnotsorry,indeed,tomakeitovertoanother.Heundertakesit;”(lookingtowardsCaptainWentworth,)“heiswritingaboutitnow.”Andwithaquiveringliphewoundupthewholebyadding,“PoorFanny!shewouldnothaveforgottenhimsosoon!”
“No,”repliedAnne,inalow,feelingvoice.“ThatIcaneasilybelieve.”
“Itwasnotinhernature.Shedotedonhim.”
“Itwouldnotbethenatureofanywomanwhotrulyloved.”
CaptainHarvillesmiled,asmuchastosay,“Doyouclaimthatforyoursex?”andsheansweredthequestion,smilingalso,“Yes.Wecertainlydonotforgetyouassoonasyouforgetus.Itis,perhaps,ourfateratherthanourmerit.Wecannothelpourselves.Weliveathome,quiet,confined,andourfeelingspreyuponus.Youareforcedonexertion.
