Пробный камень
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HerosenextmorningtoasfreshasenseoflifeasthoughhishourofmutecommunionwithMargaretAubynhadbeenamoreexquisiterenewaloftheirearliermeetings.Hiswakingthoughtwasthathemustseeheragain;andasconsciousnessaffirmeditselfhefeltanintensefearoflosingthesenseofhernearness.Butshewasstillclosetohim;herpresenceremainedthesolerealityinaworldofshadows.Allthroughhisworkinghourshewasre-livingwithincredibleminutenesseveryincidentoftheirobliteratedpast;asamanwhohasmasteredthespiritofaforeigntongueturnswithrenewedwondertothepageshisyouthhasploddedover.Inthislucidityofretrospectionthemosttrivialdetailhaditssignificance,andtheraptureofrecoverywasembitteredtoGlennardbytheperceptionofallthathehadmissed.Hehadbeenpitiably,grotesquelystupid;andtherewasironyinthethoughtthat,butforthecrisisthroughwhichhewaspassing,hemighthavelivedonincomplacentignoranceofhisloss.Itwasasthoughshehadboughthimwithherblood....
ThateveningheandAlexadinedalone.Afterdinnerhefollowedhertothedrawing-room.Henolongerfelttheneedofavoidingher;hewashardlyconsciousofherpresence.Afterafewwordstheylapsedintosilenceandhesatsmokingwithhiseyesonthefire.Itwasnotthathewasunwillingtotalktoher;hefeltacuriousdesiretobeaskindaspossible;buthewasalwaysforgettingthatshewasthere
