Сумерки

           Iknewhecouldfeelmytension;histhumbrubbedsoothingcirclesintothebackofmyhand.

           Heopenedthedoorforme.

           Theinsidewasevenmoresurprising,lesspredictable,thantheexterior.Itwasverybright,veryopen,andverylarge.Thismusthaveoriginallybeenseveralrooms,butthewallshadbeenremovedfrommostofthefirstfloortocreateonewidespace.Theback,south-facingwallhadbeenentirelyreplacedwithglass,and,beyondtheshadeofthecedars,thelawnstretchedbaretothewideriver.Amassivecurvingstaircasedominatedthewestsideoftheroom.Thewalls,thehigh-beamedceiling,thewoodenfloors,andthethickcarpetswereallvaryingshadesofwhite.

           Waitingtogreetus,standingjusttotheleftofthedoor,onaraisedportionofthefloorbyaspectaculargrandpiano,wereEdward’sparents.

           I’dseenDr.Cullenbefore,ofcourse,yetIcouldn’thelpbutbestruckagainbyhisyouth,hisoutrageousperfection.AthissidewasEsme,Iassumed,theonlyoneofthefamilyI’dneverseenbefore.Shehadthesamepale,beautifulfeaturesastherestofthem.Somethingaboutherheart-shapedface,herbillowsofsoft,caramel-coloredhair,remindedmeoftheing¨¦nuesofthesilent-movieera.Shewassmall,slender,yetlessangular,moreroundedthantheothers.Theywerebothdressedcasually,inlightcolorsthatmatchedtheinsideofthehouse.Theysmiledinwelcome,butmadenomovetoapproachus.Tryingnottofrightenme,Iguessed.

           "Carlisle,Esme,"Edward’svoicebroketheshortsilence,"thisisBella."