Пробный камень
IV
There’snoonetoprevent—Imeantherearenorestrictions—”hewasarrestedbythesensethattheseaccumulatedproofsofimpunitymightpreciselystandasthestrongestcheckonhisaction.
“AndMrs.Aubynhadnofamily,Ibelieve?”
“No.”
“ThenIdon’tseewho’stointerfere,”saidFlamel,studyinghiscigar-tip.
GlennardhadturnedhisunseeingstareonanecstaticSaintCatherineframedintarnishedgilding.
“It’sjustthisway,”hebeganagain,withaneffort.“Whenlettersareaspersonalas—astheseofmyfriend’s....Well,Idon’tmindtellingyouthatthecashwouldmakeaheapofdifferencetome;suchalotthatitratherobscuresmyjudgment—thefactisifIcouldlaymyhandonafewthousandsnowIcouldgetintoabigthing,andwithoutappreciablerisk;andI’dliketoknowwhetheryouthinkI’dbejustified—underthecircumstances....”Hepaused,withadrythroat.Itseemedtohimatthemomentthatitwouldbeimpossibleforhimevertosinklowerinhisownestimation.HewasintruthlessashamedofweighingthetemptationthanofsubmittinghisscruplestoamanlikeFlamel,andaffectingtoappealtosentimentsofdelicacyontheabsenceofwhichhehadconsciouslyreckoned.Buthehadreachedapointwhereeachwordseemedtocompelanother,aseachwaveinastreamisforcedforwardbythepressurebehindit;andbeforeFlamelcouldspeakhehadfalteredout—“Youdon’tthinkpeoplecouldsay...couldcriticisetheman....
