Пробный камень
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Herfullbrightpresence,throughwhichthecurrentsoflifeflowedsowarmly,hadgrownastenuousasashadow,andhesawsofarbeyondher—
Presentlysheroseandbegantomoveabouttheroom.Sheseemedtobelookingforsomethingandherousedhimselftoaskwhatshewanted.
“OnlythelastnumberoftheHoroscope.IthoughtI’dleftitonthistable.”Hesaidnothing,andshewenton:“Youhaven’tseenit?”
“No,”hereturnedcoldly.Themagazinewaslockedinhisdesk.
Hiswifehadmovedtothemantel-piece.Shestoodfacinghimandashelookeduphemethertentativegaze.“Iwasreadinganarticleinit—areviewofMrs.Aubyn’sletters,”sheadded,slowly,withherdeep,deliberateblush.
Glennardstoopedtotosshiscigarintothefire.Hefeltasavagewishthatshewouldnotspeaktheotherwoman’sname;nothingelseseemedtomatter.“Youseemtodoalotofreading,”hesaid.
Shestillearnestlyconfrontedhim.“Iwaskeepingthisforyou—Ithoughtitmightinterestyou,”shesaid,withanairofgentleinsistence.
Hestoodupandturnedaway.Hewassuresheknewthathehadtakenthereviewandhefeltthathewasbeginningtohateheragain.
“Ihaven’ttimeforsuchthings,”hesaid,indifferently.Ashemovedtothedoorheheardhertakeaprecipitatestepforward;thenshepausedandsankwithoutspeakingintothechairfromwhichhehadrisen.
