Пробный камень

           Theimmediateresultofhisfirstweeksofwretchednesswastheresolvetogototownforthewinter.Heknewthatsuchacoursewasjustbeyondthelimitofprudence;butitwaseasytoallaythefearsofAlexawho,scrupulouslyvigilantinthemanagementofthehousehold,preservedtheAmericanwife’susualaloofnessfromherhusband’sbusinesscares.Glennardfeltthathecouldnottrusthimselftoawinter’ssolitudewithher.Hehadanunspeakabledreadofherlearningthetruthabouttheletters,yetcouldnotbesureofsteelinghimselfagainstthesuicidalimpulseofavowal.Hisverysoulwasparchedforsympathy;hethirstedforavoiceofpityandcomprehension.Butwouldhiswifepity?Wouldsheunderstand?Againhefoundhimselfbroughtupabruptlyagainsthisincredibleignoranceofhernature.Thefactthatheknewwellenoughhowshewouldbehaveintheordinaryemergenciesoflife,thathecouldcount,insuchcontingencies,onthekindofhighcourageanddirectnesshehadalwaysdivinedinher,madehimthemorehopelessofherenteringintothetorturouspsychologyofanactthathehimselfcouldnolongerexplainorunderstand.Itwouldhavebeeneasierhadshebeenmorecomplex,morefeminine—ifhecouldhavecountedonherimaginativesympathyorhermoralobtuseness—buthewassureofneither.Hewassureofnothingbutthat,foratime,hemustavoidher.Glennardcouldnotridhimselfofthedelusionthatbyandbyhisactionwouldceasetomakeitsconsequencesfelt.