Доводы рассудка
Chapter 21
Anaccountoftheconcertwasimmediatelyclaimed;andAnne’srecollectionsoftheconcertwerequitehappyenoughtoanimateherfeaturesandmakeherrejoicetotalkofit.Allthatshecouldtellshetoldmostgladly,buttheallwaslittleforonewhohadbeenthere,andunsatisfactoryforsuchanenquirerasMrsSmith,whohadalreadyheard,throughtheshortcutofalaundressandawaiter,rathermoreofthegeneralsuccessandproduceoftheeveningthanAnnecouldrelate,andwhonowaskedinvainforseveralparticularsofthecompany.EverybodyofanyconsequenceornotorietyinBathwaswellknowbynametoMrsSmith.
“ThelittleDurandswerethere,Iconclude,”saidshe,“withtheirmouthsopentocatchthemusic,likeunfledgedsparrowsreadytobefed.Theynevermissaconcert.”
“Yes;Ididnotseethemmyself,butIheardMrElliotsaytheywereintheroom.”
“TheIbbotsons,weretheythere?andthetwonewbeauties,withthetallIrishofficer,whoistalkedofforoneofthem.”
“Idonotknow.Idonotthinktheywere.”
“OldLadyMaryMaclean?Ineednotaskafterher.Shenevermisses,Iknow;andyoumusthaveseenher.Shemusthavebeeninyourowncircle;forasyouwentwithLadyDalrymple,youwereintheseatsofgrandeur,roundtheorchestra,ofcourse.”
“No,thatwaswhatIdreaded.Itwouldhavebeenveryunpleasanttomeineveryrespect.
