Пропустити текст статті
CHAPTER XXI . “ Hire facounde eke full womanly and plain , No contrefeted termes had she To semen wise . ” — CHAUCER . It was in that way Dorothea came to be sobbing as soon as she was securely alone . But she was presently roused by a knock at the door , which made her hastily dry her eyes before saying , “ Come in . ” Tantripp had brought a card , and said that there was a gentleman waiting in the lobby . The courier had told him that only Mrs . Casaubon was at home , but he said he was a relation of Mr . Casaubon’s : would she see him ? “ Yes , ” said Dorothea , without pause ; “ show him into the salon . ” Her chief impressions about young Ladislaw were that when she had seen him at Lowick she had been made aware of Mr . Casaubon’s generosity towards him , and also that she had been interested in his own hesitation about his career . She was alive to anything that gave her an opportunity for active sympathy , and at this moment it seemed as if the visit had come to shake her out of her self - absorbed discontent — to remind her of her husband’s goodness , and make her feel that she had now the right to be his helpmate in all kind deeds . She waited a minute or two , but when she passed into the next room there were just signs enough that she had been crying to make her open face look more youthful and appealing than usual . She met Ladislaw with that exquisite smile of good - will which is unmixed with vanity , and held out her hand to him . He was the elder by several years , but at that moment he looked much the younger , for his transparent complexion flushed suddenly , and he spoke with a shyness extremely unlike the ready indifference of his manner with his male companion , while Dorothea became all the calmer with a wondering desire to put him at ease . “ I was not aware that you and Mr . Casaubon were in Rome , until this morning , when I saw you in the Vatican Museum , ” he said . “ I knew you at once — but — I mean , that I concluded Mr . Casaubon’s address would be found at the Poste Restante , and I was anxious to pay my respects to him and you as early as possible . ” “ Pray sit down . He is not here now , but he will be glad to hear of you , I am sure , ” said Dorothea , seating herself unthinkingly between the fire and the light of the tall window , and pointing to a chair opposite , with the quietude of a benignant matron . The signs of girlish sorrow in her face were only the more striking . “ Mr . Casaubon is much engaged ; but you will leave your address — will you not ? — and he will write to you . ” “ You are very good , ” said Ladislaw , beginning to lose his diffidence in the interest with which he was observing the signs of weeping which had altered her face . “ My address is on my card . But if you will allow me I will call again to - morrow at an hour when Mr . Casaubon is likely to be at home . ”
Назад Сторінка 153 з 637 Сторінка 153 з 637 Вперед Читайте далі з перекладом Створіть безкоштовний акаунт: 7 днів Pro, далі 20 перекладів слів на день або платний тариф.
