The Stories of Mystery - Эдвард Фредерик Бенсон, Амброз Бирс

Книга предназначена для тех, кто изучает английский язык на продолжающем или продвинутом уровне и стремится к его совершенствованию.

© ООО «Издательство «Эксмо», 2017

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‘It is not possible, Julia. I cannot conceive how the idea of attending the county ball can have entered your head after what has happened. Poor young Hattersley’s dreadful death suffices to stop that.’

‘But, aunt, Mr. Hattersley is no relation of ours.’

‘No relation – but you know that the poor fellow would not have shot himself if it had not been for you.’

‘Oh, Aunt Elizabeth, how can you say so, when the verdict was that he committed suicide when in an unsound condition of mind? How could I help his blowing out his brains, when those brains were deranged?’

‘Julia, do not talk like this. If he did go off his head, it was you who upset him by first drawing him on, leading him to believe that you liked him, and then throwing him over so soon as the Hon. James Lawlor[1] appeared on the tapis.[2] Consider: what will people say if you go to the assembly?’

‘What will they say if I do not go? They will immediately set it down to my caring deeply for James Hattersley, and they will think that there was some sort of engagement.’

‘They are not likely to suppose that. But really, Julia, you were for a while all smiles and encouragement. Tell me, now, did Mr. Hattersley propose to you?’

‘Well – yes, he did, and I refused him.’

‘And then he went and shot himself in despair. Julia, you cannot with any face go to the ball.’

‘Nobody knows that he proposed. And precisely because I do go everyone will conclude that he did not propose. I do not wish it to be supposed that he did.’

‘His family, of course, must have been aware. They will see your name among those present at the assembly.’