Доводи розуму

           Aword,alook,willbeenoughtodecidewhetherIenteryourfather’shousethiseveningornever.”

           Suchaletterwasnottobesoonrecoveredfrom.Halfandhour’ssolitudeandreflectionmighthavetranquillizedher;butthetenminutesonlywhichnowpassedbeforeshewasinterrupted,withalltherestraintsofhersituation,coulddonothingtowardstranquillity.Everymomentratherbroughtfreshagitation.Itwasoverpoweringhappiness.Andbeforeshewasbeyondthefirststageoffullsensation,Charles,Mary,andHenriettaallcamein.

           Theabsolutenecessityofseeminglikeherselfproducedthenanimmediatestruggle;butafterawhileshecoulddonomore.Shebegannottounderstandawordtheysaid,andwasobligedtopleadindispositionandexcuseherself.Theycouldthenseethatshelookedveryill,wereshockedandconcerned,andwouldnotstirwithoutherfortheworld.Thiswasdreadful.Wouldtheyonlyhavegoneaway,andleftherinthequietpossessionofthatroomitwouldhavebeenhercure;buttohavethemallstandingorwaitingaroundherwasdistracting,andindesperation,shesaidshewouldgohome.

           “Byallmeans,mydear,”criedMrsMusgrove,“gohomedirectly,andtakecareofyourself,thatyoumaybefitfortheevening.IwishSarahwasheretodoctoryou,butIamnodoctormyself.Charles,ringandorderachair.Shemustnotwalk.”

           Butthechairwouldneverdo.