Доводы рассудка
Chapter 23
Twominutesafterherenteringtheroom,CaptainWentworthsaid—
“Wewillwritetheletterweweretalkingof,Harville,now,ifyouwillgivemematerials.”
Materialswereathand,onaseparatetable;hewenttoit,andnearlyturninghisbacktothemall,wasengrossedbywriting.
MrsMusgrovewasgivingMrsCroftthehistoryofhereldestdaughter’sengagement,andjustinthatinconvenienttoneofvoicewhichwasperfectlyaudiblewhileitpretendedtobeawhisper.Annefeltthatshedidnotbelongtotheconversation,andyet,asCaptainHarvilleseemedthoughtfulandnotdisposedtotalk,shecouldnotavoidhearingmanyundesirableparticulars;suchas,“howMrMusgroveandmybrotherHayterhadmetagainandagaintotalkitover;whatmybrotherHayterhadsaidoneday,andwhatMrMusgrovehadproposedthenext,andwhathadoccurredtomysisterHayter,andwhattheyoungpeoplehadwished,andwhatIsaidatfirstInevercouldconsentto,butwasafterwardspersuadedtothinkmightdoverywell,”andagreatdealinthesamestyleofopen-heartedcommunication:minutiaewhich,evenwitheveryadvantageoftasteanddelicacy,whichgoodMrsMusgrovecouldnotgive,couldbeproperlyinterestingonlytotheprincipals.MrsCroftwasattendingwithgreatgood-humour,andwhenevershespokeatall,itwasverysensibly.Annehopedthegentlemenmighteachbetoomuchself-occupiedtohear.
