Міжнародний епізод

           “Youhavebeenverykindtome.”Andwithwhatshethoughtastrange,sadlookinhishandsomeyoungface,heturnedaway.Shewentin,andshefoundBessiestillwritingherletter;thatis,Mrs.Westgateperceivedshewassittingatthetablewiththepeninherhandandnotwriting.“LordLambethhasbeenhere,”saidtheelderladyatlast.ThenBessiegotupandshowedherapale,seriousface.Shebentthisfaceuponhersisterforsometime,confessingsilentlyandalittlepleading.“Itoldhim,”shesaidatlast,“thatwecouldnotgotoBranches.”Mrs.Westgatedisplayedjustasparkofirritation.“Hemighthavewaited,”shesaidwithasmile,“tillonehadseenthecastle.”Later,anhourafterward,shesaid,“DearBessie,Iwishyoumighthaveacceptedhim.”“Icouldn’t,”saidBessiegently.“Heisanexcellentfellow,”saidMrs.Westgate.“Icouldn’t,”Bessierepeated.“Ifitisonly,”hersisteradded,“becausethosewomenwillthinkthattheysucceeded—thattheyparalyzedus!”BessieAldenturnedaway;butpresentlysheadded,“Theywereinteresting;Ishouldhavelikedtoseethemagain.”“SoshouldI!”criedMrs.Westgatesignificantly.“AndIshouldhavelikedtoseethecastle,”saidBessie.“ButnowwemustleaveEngland,”sheadded.Hersisterlookedather.“YouwillnotwaittogototheNationalGallery?”“Notnow.”“NortoCanterburyCathedral?”Bessiereflectedamoment.“WecanstopthereonourwaytoParis,”shesaid