Доводы рассудка
Chapter 23
“Toseeyou,”criedhe,“inthemidstofthosewhocouldnotbemywell-wishers;toseeyourcousinclosebyyou,conversingandsmiling,andfeelallthehorribleeligibilitiesandproprietiesofthematch!Toconsideritasthecertainwishofeverybeingwhocouldhopetoinfluenceyou!Evenifyourownfeelingswerereluctantorindifferent,toconsiderwhatpowerfulsupportswouldbehis!WasitnotenoughtomakethefoolofmewhichIappeared?HowcouldIlookonwithoutagony?Wasnottheverysightofthefriendwhosatbehindyou,wasnottherecollectionofwhathadbeen,theknowledgeofherinfluence,theindelible,immoveableimpressionofwhatpersuasionhadoncedone—wasitnotallagainstme?”
“Youshouldhavedistinguished,”repliedAnne.“Youshouldnothavesuspectedmenow;thecaseissodifferent,andmyageissodifferent.IfIwaswronginyieldingtopersuasiononce,rememberthatitwastopersuasionexertedonthesideofsafety,notofrisk.WhenIyielded,Ithoughtitwastoduty,butnodutycouldbecalledinaidhere.Inmarryingamanindifferenttome,allriskwouldhavebeenincurred,andalldutyviolated.”
“PerhapsIoughttohavereasonedthus,”hereplied,“butIcouldnot.IcouldnotderivebenefitfromthelateknowledgeIhadacquiredofyourcharacter.Icouldnotbringitintoplay;itwasoverwhelmed,buried,lostinthoseearlierfeelingswhichIhadbeensmartingunderyearafteryear.
