Міжнародний епізод

           ThetwoladieshadarrangedthatonthisafternoonWillieWoodleyshouldgowiththemtoHydePark,whereBessieAldenexpectedtoderivemuchentertainmentfromsittingonalittlegreenchair,underthegreattrees,besideRottenRow.Thewantofasuitableescorthadhithertorenderedthispleasureinaccessible;butnoescortnow,forsuchanexpedition,couldhavebeenmoresuitablethantheirdevotedyoungcountryman,whosemissioninlife,itmightalmostbesaid,wastofindchairsforladies,andwhoappearedonthestrokeofhalf-pastfivewithawhitecamelliainhisbuttonhole.“IhavewrittentoLordLambeth,mydear,”saidMrs.Westgatetohersister,oncomingintotheroomwhereBessieAlden,drawingonherlonggraygloves,wasentertainingtheirvisitor.Bessiesaidnothing,butWillieWoodleyexclaimedthathislordshipwasintown;hehadseenhisnameintheMorningPost.“DoyoureadtheMorningPost?”askedMrs.Westgate.“Oh,yes;it’sgreatfun,”WillieWoodleyaffirmed.“Iwantsotoseeit,”saidBessie;“thereissomuchaboutitinThackeray.”“Iwillsendittoyoueverymorning,”saidWillieWoodley.HefoundthemwhatBessieAldenthoughtexcellentplaces,underthegreattrees,besidethefamousavenuewhosehumorshadbeenmadefamiliartotheyounggirl’schildhoodbythepicturesinPunch.Thedaywasbrightandwarm,andthecrowdofridersandspectators,andthegreatprocessionofcarriages,wereproportionatelydenseandbrilliant.