Доводы рассудка
Chapter 14
Isupposehewasafraidoffindingitdull;butuponmywordIshouldhavethoughtwewerelivelyenoughattheCottageforsuchaheart-brokenmanasCaptainBenwick.”
Charleslaughedagainandsaid,“NowMary,youknowverywellhowitreallywas.Itwasallyourdoing,”(turningtoAnne.)“Hefanciedthatifhewentwithus,heshouldfindyoucloseby:hefanciedeverybodytobelivinginUppercross;andwhenhediscoveredthatLadyRusselllivedthreemilesoff,hisheartfailedhim,andhehadnotcouragetocome.Thatisthefact,uponmyhonour,Maryknowsitis.”
ButMarydidnotgiveintoitverygraciously,whetherfromnotconsideringCaptainBenwickentitledbybirthandsituationtobeinlovewithanElliot,orfromnotwantingtobelieveAnneagreaterattractiontoUppercrossthanherself,mustbelefttobeguessed.Anne’sgood-will,however,wasnottobelessenedbywhatsheheard.Sheboldlyacknowledgedherselfflattered,andcontinuedherenquiries.
“Oh!hetalksofyou,”criedCharles,“insuchterms—”Maryinterruptedhim.“Ideclare,Charles,IneverheardhimmentionAnnetwiceallthetimeIwasthere.Ideclare,Anne,henevertalksofyouatall.”
“No,”admittedCharles,“Idonotknowthatheeverdoes,inageneralway;buthowever,itisaveryclearthingthatheadmiresyouexceedingly.
