Доводы рассудка

           Couldtherehavebeenanyunpleasantglances?Hebeganbyspeakingoftheconcertgravely,moreliketheCaptainWentworthofUppercross;ownedhimselfdisappointed,hadexpectedsinging;andinshort,mustconfessthatheshouldnotbesorrywhenitwasover.Annereplied,andspokeindefenceoftheperformancesowell,andyetinallowanceforhisfeelingssopleasantly,thathiscountenanceimproved,andherepliedagainwithalmostasmile.Theytalkedforafewminutesmore;theimprovementheld;heevenlookeddowntowardsthebench,asifhesawaplaceonitwellworthoccupying;whenatthatmomentatouchonhershoulderobligedAnnetoturnround.ItcamefromMrElliot.Hebeggedherpardon,butshemustbeappliedto,toexplainItalianagain.MissCarteretwasveryanxioustohaveageneralideaofwhatwasnexttobesung.Annecouldnotrefuse;butneverhadshesacrificedtopolitenesswithamoresufferingspirit.

           Afewminutes,thoughasfewaspossible,wereinevitablyconsumed;andwhenherownmistressagain,whenabletoturnandlookasshehaddonebefore,shefoundherselfaccostedbyCaptainWentworth,inareservedyethurriedsortoffarewell.“Hemustwishhergoodnight;hewasgoing;heshouldgethomeasfastashecould.”

           “Isnotthissongworthstayingfor?”saidAnne,suddenlystruckbyanideawhichmadeheryetmoreanxioustobeencouraging.

           “No!”herepliedimpressively,“thereisnothingworthmystayingfor;”andhewasgonedirectly.

           JealousyofMrElliot!Itwastheonlyintelligiblemotive