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.
