Доводы рассудка
Chapter 2
Herselfthewidowofonlyaknight,shegavethedignityofabaronetallitsdue;andSirWalter,independentofhisclaimsasanoldacquaintance,anattentiveneighbour,anobliginglandlord,thehusbandofherverydearfriend,thefatherofAnneandhersisters,was,asbeingSirWalter,inherapprehension,entitledtoagreatdealofcompassionandconsiderationunderhispresentdifficulties.
Theymustretrench;thatdidnotadmitofadoubt.ButshewasveryanxioustohaveitdonewiththeleastpossiblepaintohimandElizabeth.Shedrewupplansofeconomy,shemadeexactcalculations,andshedidwhatnobodyelsethoughtofdoing:sheconsultedAnne,whoneverseemedconsideredbytheothersashavinganyinterestinthequestion.Sheconsulted,andinadegreewasinfluencedbyherinmarkingouttheschemeofretrenchmentwhichwasatlastsubmittedtoSirWalter.EveryemendationofAnne’shadbeenonthesideofhonestyagainstimportance.Shewantedmorevigorousmeasures,amorecompletereformation,aquickerreleasefromdebt,amuchhighertoneofindifferenceforeverythingbutjusticeandequity.
“Ifwecanpersuadeyourfathertoallthis,”saidLadyRussell,lookingoverherpaper,“muchmaybedone.
