Доводы рассудка

           Itwas,perhaps,oneofthosecasesinwhichadviceisgoodorbadonlyastheeventdecides;andformyself,Icertainlynevershould,inanycircumstanceoftolerablesimilarity,givesuchadvice.ButImean,thatIwasrightinsubmittingtoher,andthatifIhaddoneotherwise,IshouldhavesufferedmoreincontinuingtheengagementthanIdideveningivingitup,becauseIshouldhavesufferedinmyconscience.Ihavenow,asfarassuchasentimentisallowableinhumannature,nothingtoreproachmyselfwith;andifImistakenot,astrongsenseofdutyisnobadpartofawoman’sportion.”

           Helookedather,lookedatLadyRussell,andlookingagainather,replied,asifincooldeliberation—

           “Notyet.Buttherearehopesofherbeingforgivenintime.Itrusttobeingincharitywithhersoon.ButItoohavebeenthinkingoverthepast,andaquestionhassuggesteditself,whethertheremaynothavebeenonepersonmoremyenemyeventhanthatlady?Myownself.Tellmeif,whenIreturnedtoEnglandintheyeareight,withafewthousandpounds,andwaspostedintotheLaconia,ifIhadthenwrittentoyou,wouldyouhaveansweredmyletter?Wouldyou,inshort,haverenewedtheengagementthen?”

           “WouldI!”wasallheranswer;buttheaccentwasdecisiveenough.

           “GoodGod!”hecried,“youwould!ItisnotthatIdidnotthinkofit,ordesireit,aswhatcouldalonecrownallmyothersuccess;butIwasproud,tooproudtoaskagain.Ididnotunderstandyou.Ishutmyeyes,andwouldnotunderstandyou,ordoyoujustice