Міжнародний епізод
Part I
LordLambethhadpresentlyachancetotestthetruthofthisproposition,foronthecompanyrisingincompliancewithasuggestionfromtheirhostessthattheyshouldwalkdowntotherocksandlookatthesea,theyoungEnglishmanagainfoundhimself,astheystrolledacrossthegrass,inproximitytoMrs.Westgate’ssister.Thoughshewasbutagirloftwenty,sheappearedtofeeltheobligationtoexertanactivehospitality;andthiswas,perhaps,themoretobenoticedassheseemedbynatureareservedandretiringperson,andhadlittleofhersister’sfraternizingquality.Shewasperhapsrathertoothin,andshewasalittlepale;butasshemovedslowlyoverthegrass,withherarmshangingathersides,lookinggravelyforamomentattheseaandthenbrightly,forallhergravity,athim,LordLambeththoughtheratleastasprettyasMrs.Westgate,andreflectedthatifthiswastheBostonstyletheBostonstylewasverycharming.Hethoughtshelookedveryclever;hecouldimaginethatshewashighlyeducated;butatthesametimesheseemedgentleandgraceful.Forallhercleverness,however,hefeltthatshehadtothinkalittlewhattosay;shedidn’tsaythefirstthingthatcameintoherhead;hehadcomefromadifferentpartoftheworldandfromadifferentsociety,andshewastryingtoadaptherconversation.Theotherswerescatteringthemselvesneartherocks;Mrs.WestgatehadchargeofPercyBeaumont.“Veryjollyplace,isn’tit?”saidLordLambeth.“It’saveryjollyplacetosit.”“Verycharming,”saidtheyounggirl.
