Доводы рассудка

           Afterthewasteofafewminutesinsayingthepropernothings,shebegantogivetheinvitationwhichwastocomprisealltheremainingduesoftheMusgroves.“To-morrowevening,tomeetafewfriends:noformalparty.”Itwasallsaidverygracefully,andthecardswithwhichshehadprovidedherself,the“MissElliotathome,”werelaidonthetable,withacourteous,comprehensivesmiletoall,andonesmileandonecardmoredecidedlyforCaptainWentworth.Thetruthwas,thatElizabethhadbeenlongenoughinBathtounderstandtheimportanceofamanofsuchanairandappearanceashis.Thepastwasnothing.ThepresentwasthatCaptainWentworthwouldmoveaboutwellinherdrawing-room.Thecardwaspointedlygiven,andSirWalterandElizabetharoseanddisappeared.

           Theinterruptionhadbeenshort,thoughsevere,andeaseandanimationreturnedtomostofthosetheyleftasthedoorshutthemout,butnottoAnne.Shecouldthinkonlyoftheinvitationshehadwithsuchastonishmentwitnessed,andofthemannerinwhichithadbeenreceived;amannerofdoubtfulmeaning,ofsurpriseratherthangratification,ofpoliteacknowledgementratherthanacceptance.Sheknewhim;shesawdisdaininhiseye,andcouldnotventuretobelievethathehaddeterminedtoacceptsuchanoffering,asanatonementforalltheinsolenceofthepast.Herspiritssank.Heheldthecardinhishandaftertheyweregone,asifdeeplyconsideringit.

           “OnlythinkofElizabeth’sincludingeverybody!”whisperedMaryveryaudibly.