Пробный камень
V
ThesumobtainedfromthepublishersbyFlamel’sadroitmanipulationsandopportunelytransferredtoDinslow’ssuccessfulventure,alreadyyieldedareturnwhich,combinedwithGlennard’sprofessionalearnings,tooktheedgeofcompulsionfromtheirwayofliving,makingitappeartheexpressionofagracefulpreferenceforsimplicity.Itwasthemitigatedpovertywhichcansubscribetoareviewortwoandhaveafewflowersonthedinner-table.AndalreadyinasmallwayGlennardwasbeginningtofeelthemagneticqualityofprosperity.Clientswhohadpassedhisdoorinthehungrydayssoughtitoutnowthatitborethenameofasuccessfulman.Itwasunderstoodthatasmallinheritance,cleverlyinvested,wasthesourceofhisfortune;andtherewasafeelingthatamanwhocoulddosowellforhimselfwaslikelytoknowhowtoturnoverotherpeople’smoney.
Butitwasinthemoreintimaterewardofhiswife’shappinessthatGlennardtastedthefullflavorofsuccess.Comingoutofconditionssonarrowthatthoseheofferedherseemedspacious,shefittedintohernewlifewithoutanyofthosemanifesteffortsatadjustmentthatareassoretoahusband’sprideasthecriticalrearrangementofthebridalfurniture.Shehadgivenhim,instead,thedelicatepleasureofwatchingherexpandlikeasea-creaturerestoredtoitselement,stretchingouttheatrophiedtentaclesofgirlishvanityandenjoymenttotherisingtideofopportunity.Andsomehow—inthewindowlessinnercellofhisconsciousnesswhereself-criticismcowered—Glennard’scourseseemedjustifiedbyitsmerelymaterialsuccess.
