Пробный камень
VI
“Flamelalwayshasthenewestbooksgoing,hasn’the?Youmustbecareful,bytheway,aboutreturningwhathelendsyou.He’srathercrotchetyabouthislibrary.”
“Oh,I’malwaysverycareful,”shesaid,withatouchofcompetencethatstruckhim;andsheadded,ashecaughtuphishat:“Don’tforgettheletters.”
Whyhadsheaskedforthebook?WashersuddenwishtoseeittheresultofsomehintofFlamel’s?ThethoughtturnedGlennardsick,buthepreservedsufficientluciditytotellhimself,amomentlater,thathislasthopeofself-controlwouldbelostifheyieldedtothetemptationofseeingahiddenpurposeineverythingshesaidanddid.HowmuchFlamelguessed,hehadnomeansofdivining;norcouldhepredicate,fromwhatheknewoftheman,towhatusehisinferencesmightbeput.TheveryqualitiesthathadmadeFlamelausefuladvisermadehimthemostdangerousofaccomplices.Glennardfelthimselfagropeamongalienforcesthathisownacthadsetinmotion....
Alexawasawomanoffewrequirements;butherwishes,evenintrifles,hadadefinitenessthatdistinguishedthemfromthefluidimpulsesofherkind.Heknewthat,havingonceaskedforthebook,shewouldnotforgetit;andheputaside,asanineffectualexpedient,hismomentaryideaofapplyingforitatthecirculatinglibraryandtellingherthatallthecopieswereout.Ifthebookwastobeboughtithadbetterbeboughtatonce.Helefthisofficeearlierthanusualandturnedinatthefirstbook-shoponhiswaytothetrain.Theshow-windowwasstackedwithconspicuouslyletteredvolumes.
