Пробный камень

XIV

           

           Shereceivedthiswithoutoutwardmovement,buthesawthatthedepthswerestirred.Atlengthshereturned,inahesitatingtone,“Whydoyoucallitafalseimpression?Ididknow.”

           “Yes,butIimpliedyoudidn’tcare.”

           “Ah!”

           Hestillstoodlookingdownonher.“Don’tyouwantmetosetthatright?”hetentativelypursued.

           Sheliftedherheadandfixedhimbravely.“Itisn’tnecessary,”shesaid.

           Glennardflushedwiththeshockoftheretort;then,withagestureofcomprehension,“No,”hesaid,“withyouitcouldn’tbe;butImightstillsetmyselfright.”

           Shelookedathimgently.“Don’tI,”shemurmured,“dothat?”

           “Inbeingyourselfmerely?Alas,therehabilitation’stoocomplete!Youmakemeseem—tomyselfeven—whatI’mnot;whatIcanneverbe.Ican’t,attimes,defendmyselffromthedelusion;butIcanatleastenlightenothers.”

           Thefloodwasloosened,andkneelingbyherhecaughtherhands.“Don’tyouseethatit’sbecomeanobsessionwithme?ThatifIcouldstripmyselfdowntothelastlie—onlythere’dalwaysbeanotheroneleftunderit!—anddopenancenakedinthemarket-place,Ishouldatleasthavethereliefofeasingoneanguishbyanother?Don’tyouseethattheworstofmytortureistheimpossibilityofsuchamends?”

           Herhandslayinhiswithoutreturningpressure.“Ah,poorwoman,poorwoman,”heheardhersigh.

           “Don’tpityher,pityme!WhathaveIdonetoherortoyou,afterall?You’rebothinaccessible!ItwasmyselfIsold.”

           Hetookanabruptturnawayfromher;thenhaltedbeforeheragain.

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