Доводы рассудка
Chapter 15
Hehadneverwalkedanywherearm-in-armwithColonelWallis(whowasafinemilitaryfigure,thoughsandy-haired)withoutobservingthateverywoman’seyewasuponhim;everywoman’seyewassuretobeuponColonelWallis.”ModestSirWalter!Hewasnotallowedtoescape,however.HisdaughterandMrsClayunitedinhintingthatColonelWallis’scompanionmighthaveasgoodafigureasColonelWallis,andcertainlywasnotsandy-haired.
“HowisMarylooking?”saidSirWalter,intheheightofhisgoodhumour.“ThelasttimeIsawhershehadarednose,butIhopethatmaynothappeneveryday.”
“Oh!no,thatmusthavebeenquiteaccidental.IngeneralshehasbeeninverygoodhealthandverygoodlookssinceMichaelmas.”
“IfIthoughtitwouldnottempthertogooutinsharpwinds,andgrowcoarse,Iwouldsendheranewhatandpelisse.”
Annewasconsideringwhethersheshouldventuretosuggestthatagown,oracap,wouldnotbeliabletoanysuchmisuse,whenaknockatthedoorsuspendedeverything.“Aknockatthedoor!andsolate!Itwasteno’clock.CoulditbeMrElliot?TheyknewhewastodineinLansdownCrescent.Itwaspossiblethathemightstopinhiswayhometoaskthemhowtheydid.Theycouldthinkofnooneelse.MrsClaydecidedlythoughtitMrElliot’sknock.”MrsClaywasright.Withallthestatewhichabutlerandfoot-boycouldgive,MrElliotwasusheredintotheroom.
Itwasthesame,theverysameman,withnodifferencebutofdress.