Пробный камень
II
Hewasnotamanwhoconcernedhimselfwithliterature,andtheyhadbeentohim,atfirst,simplytheextensionofherbrillianttalk,laterthedreadedvehicleofatragicimportunity.Heknew,ofcourse,thattheywerewonderful;that,unliketheauthorswhogivetheiressencetothepublicandkeeponlyadryrindfortheirfriends,Mrs.Aubynhadstoredofherrarestvintageforthishiddensacramentoftenderness.Sometimes,indeed,hehadbeenoppressed,humiliatedalmost,bythemultiplicityofherallusions,thewidescopeofherinterests,herpersistenceinforcinghersuperabundanceofthoughtandemotionintotheshallowreceptacleofhissympathy;buthehadneverthoughtofthelettersobjectively,astheproductionofadistinguishedwoman;hadnevermeasuredtheliterarysignificanceofheroppressiveprodigality.Hewasalmostfrightenednowatthewealthinhishands;theobligationofherlovehadneverweighedonhimlikethisgiftofherimagination:itwasasthoughhehadacceptedfromhersomethingtowhichevenareciprocaltendernesscouldnothavejustifiedhisclaim.
Hesatalongtimestaringatthescatteredpagesonhisdesk;andinthesuddenrealizationofwhattheymeanthecouldalmostfancysomealchemisticprocesschangingthemtogoldashestared.Hehadthesenseofnotbeingaloneintheroom,ofthepresenceofanotherselfobservingfromwithoutthestirringofsubconsciousimpulsesthatsentflushesofhumiliationtohisforehead
