Пробный камень

           Whenhecamedownstairshiswifewasalreadyseatedatthebreakfast-table.Sheliftedherusualsmiletohisentranceandtheytookshelterinthenearesttopic,likewayfarersovertakenbyastorm.Whilehelistenedtoheraccountoftheconcerthebegantothinkthat,afterall,shehadnotyetsortedthepapers,andthatheragitationofthepreviousdaymustbeascribedtoanothercause,inwhichperhapshehadbutanindirectconcern.HewonderedithadneverbeforeoccurredtohimthatFlamelwasthekindofmanwhomightverywellpleaseawomanathisownexpense,withoutneedoffortuitousassistance.Ifthispossibilityclearedtheoutlookitdidnotbrightenit.Glennardmerelyfelthimselfleftalonewithhisbaseness.

           Alexaleftthebreakfast-tablebeforehimandwhenhewentuptothedrawing-roomhefoundherdressedtogoout.

           “Aren’tyoualittleearlyforchurch?”heasked.

           Sherepliedthat,onthewaythere,shemeanttostopamomentathermother’s;andwhileshedrewonhergloves,hefumbledamongtheknick-knacksonthemantel-pieceforamatchtolighthiscigarette.

           “Well,good-by,”shesaid,turningtogo;andfromthethresholdsheadded:“Bytheway,I’vesortedthepapersyougaveme.ThosethatIthoughtyouwouldliketokeepareonyourstudy-table.”Shewentdownstairsandheheardthedoorclosebehindher.

           Shehadsortedthepapers—sheknew,then—shemustknow—andshehadmadenosign!

           Glennard,hehardlyknewhow,foundhimselfoncemoreinthestudy.Onthetablelaythepackethehadgivenher