Доводы рассудка
Chapter 4
LadyRussellhadlittletasteforwit,andofanythingapproachingtoimprudenceahorror.Shedeprecatedtheconnexionineverylight.
Suchopposition,asthesefeelingsproduced,wasmorethanAnnecouldcombat.Youngandgentleasshewas,itmightyethavebeenpossibletowithstandherfather’sill-will,thoughunsoftenedbyonekindwordorlookonthepartofhersister;butLadyRussell,whomshehadalwayslovedandreliedon,couldnot,withsuchsteadinessofopinion,andsuchtendernessofmanner,becontinuallyadvisingherinvain.Shewaspersuadedtobelievetheengagementawrongthing:indiscreet,improper,hardlycapableofsuccess,andnotdeservingit.Butitwasnotamerelyselfishcaution,underwhichsheacted,inputtinganendtoit.Hadshenotimaginedherselfconsultinghisgood,evenmorethanherown,shecouldhardlyhavegivenhimup.Thebeliefofbeingprudent,andself-denying,principallyforhisadvantage,washerchiefconsolation,underthemiseryofaparting,afinalparting;andeveryconsolationwasrequired,forshehadtoencounteralltheadditionalpainofopinions,onhisside,totallyunconvincedandunbending,andofhisfeelinghimselfillusedbysoforcedarelinquishment.Hehadleftthecountryinconsequence.
Afewmonthshadseenthebeginningandtheendoftheiracquaintance;butnotwithafewmonthsendedAnne’sshareofsufferingfromit.Herattachmentandregretshad,foralongtime,cloudedeveryenjoymentofyouth,andanearlylossofbloomandspiritshadbeentheirlastingeffect.
