Эпоха невинности

           Sheinsistsallthemoreonthelongengagement,togivemetime—""Timetogiveherupfortheotherwoman?""IfIwantto."MadameOlenskaleanedtowardthefireandgazedintoitwithfixedeyes.DownthequietstreetArcherheardtheapproachingtrotofherhorses."ThatISnoble,"shesaid,withaslightbreakinhervoice."Yes.Butit’sridiculous.""Ridiculous?Becauseyoudon’tcareforanyoneelse?""BecauseIdon’tmeantomarryanyoneelse.""Ah."Therewasanotherlonginterval.Atlengthshelookedupathimandasked:"Thisotherwoman—doessheloveyou?""Oh,there’snootherwoman;Imean,thepersonthatMaywasthinkingofis—wasnever—""Then,why,afterall,areyouinsuchhaste?""There’syourcarriage,"saidArcher.Shehalf-roseandlookedaboutherwithabsenteyes.Herfanandgloveslayonthesofabesideherandshepickedthemupmechanically."Yes;IsupposeImustbegoing.""You’regoingtoMrs.Struthers’s?""Yes."Shesmiledandadded:"ImustgowhereIaminvited,orIshouldbetoolonely.Whynotcomewithme?"Archerfeltthatatanycosthemustkeepherbesidehim,mustmakehergivehimtherestofherevening.Ignoringherquestion,hecontinuedtoleanagainstthechimney-piece,hiseyesfixedonthehandinwhichsheheldherglovesandfan,asifwatchingtoseeifhehadthepowertomakeherdropthem."Mayguessedthetruth,"hesaid."Thereisanotherwoman—butnottheoneshethinks."EllenOlenskamadenoanswer,anddidnotmove.