Нортенгерське абатство
Chapter 3
Ihavebeenverynegligent—butareyounowatleisuretosatisfymeintheseparticulars?IfyouareIwillbegindirectly.”
“Youneednotgiveyourselfthattrouble,sir.”
“Notrouble,Iassureyou,madam.”Thenforminghisfeaturesintoasetsmile,andaffectedlysofteninghisvoice,headded,withasimperingair,“HaveyoubeenlonginBath,madam?”
“Aboutaweek,sir,”repliedCatherine,tryingnottolaugh.
“Really!”withaffectedastonishment.
“Whyshouldyoubesurprised,sir?”
“Why,indeed!”saidhe,inhisnaturaltone.“Butsomeemotionmustappeartoberaisedbyyourreply,andsurpriseismoreeasilyassumed,andnotlessreasonablethananyother.Nowletusgoon.Wereyouneverherebefore,madam?”
“Never,sir.”
“Indeed!HaveyouyethonouredtheUpperRooms?”
“Yes,sir,IwastherelastMonday.”
“Haveyoubeentothetheatre?”
“Yes,sir,IwasattheplayonTuesday.”
“Totheconcert?”
“Yes,sir,onWednesday.”
“AndareyoualtogetherpleasedwithBath?”
“Yes—Ilikeitverywell.”
“NowImustgiveonesmirk,andthenwemayberationalagain.”Catherineturnedawayherhead,notknowingwhethershemightventuretolaugh.“Iseewhatyouthinkofme,”saidhegravely—“Ishallmakebutapoorfigureinyourjournaltomorrow.
