Пробный камень
V
Howcouldsuchacropofinnocentblessednesshavesprungfromtaintedsoil?
Nowhehadtheinjuredsenseofamanentrappedintoadisadvantageousbargain.Hehadnotknownitwouldbelikethis;andadullangergatheredathisheart.Angeragainstwhom?Againsthiswife,fornotknowingwhathesuffered?AgainstFlamel,forbeingtheunconsciousinstrumentofhiswrong-doing?Oragainstthatmutememorytowhichhisownacthadsuddenlygivenavoiceofaccusation?Yes,thatwasit;andhispunishmenthenceforthwouldbethepresence,theunescapablepresence,ofthewomanhehadsopersistentlyevaded.Shewouldalwaysbetherenow.Itwasasthoughhehadmarriedherinsteadoftheother.Itwaswhatshehadalwayswanted—tobewithhim—andshehadgainedherpointatlast....
Hesprangup,asthoughinanimpulseofflight....Thesuddenmovementliftedhiswife’slids,andsheasked,intheincuriousvoiceofthewomanwhoselifeisenclosedinamagiccircleofprosperity—“Anynews?”
“No—none—”hesaid,rousedtoasenseofimmediateperil.Thepaperslayscatteredathisfeet—whatifsheweretoseethem?Hestretchedhisarmtogatherthemup,buthisnextthoughtshowedhimthefutilityofsuchconcealment.Thesameadvertisementwouldappeareveryday,forweekstocome,ineverynewspaper;howcouldhepreventherseeingit?Hecouldnotalwaysbehidingthepapersfromher....Well,andwhatifshedidseeit?Itwouldsignifynothingtoher,thechanceswerethatshewouldneverevenreadthebook....
