Убийство Роджера Экройда
The Paragraph in the Paper
RogerAckroyddictatedhiswishes–theyagreedtothem.Floraacceptedachanceofliberty,money,andanenlargedhorizon,Ralph,ofcourse,wasplayingadifferentgame.Buthewasinaveryawkwardholefinancially.Heseizedatthechance.Hisdebtswouldbepaid.Hecouldstartagainwithacleansheet.Hiswasnotanaturetoenvisagethefuture,butIgatherthathesawvaguelytheengagementwithFlorabeingbrokenoffafteradecentintervalhadelapsed.BothFloraandhestipulatedthatitshouldbekeptasecretforthepresent.HewasanxioustoconcealitfromUrsula.Hefeltinstinctivelythathernature,strongandresolute,withaninherentdistasteforduplicity,wasnotonetowelcomesuchacourse.
ThencamethecrucialmomentwhenRogerAckroyd,alwayshigh-handed,decidedtoannouncetheengagement.
HesaidnowordofhisintentiontoRalph–onlytoFlora,andFlora,apathetic,raisednoobjection.OnUrsula,thenewsfelllikeabombshell.Summonedbyher,Ralphcamehurriedlydownfromtown.Theymetinthewood,wherepartoftheirconversationwasoverheardbymysister.Ralphimploredhertokeepsilentforalittlewhilelonger,Ursulawasequallydeterminedtohavedonewithconcealments.
ShewouldtellMr.Ackroydthetruthwithoutanyfurtherdelay.Husbandandwifepartedacrimoniously.
Ursula,steadfastinherpurpose,soughtaninterviewwithRogerAckroydthatveryafternoon,andrevealedthetruthtohim.
