Пробный камень
XIII
Shesankintoherusualseatnearthelamp,andheleanedagainstthechimney,movingaboutwithaninattentivehandtheknick-knacksonthemantel.
Suddenlyhecaughtsightofherreflectioninthemirror.Shewaslookingathim.Heturnedandtheireyesmet.
Hemovedacrosstheroomandstoodbeforeher.
“There’ssomethingthatIwanttosaytoyou,”hebeganinalowtone.
Sheheldhisgaze,buthercolordeepened.Henoticedagain,withajealouspang,howherbeautyhadgainedinwarmthandmeaning.Itwasasthoughatransparentcuphadbeenfilledwithwine.Helookedatherironically.
“I’veneverpreventedyourseeingyourfriendshere,”hebrokeout.“WhydoyoumeetFlamelinout-of-the-wayplaces?Nothingmakesawomansocheap—”
Sheroseabruptlyandtheyfacedeachotherafewfeetapart.
“Whatdoyoumean?”sheasked.
“IsawyouwithhimlastSundayontheRiversideDrive,”hewenton,theutteranceofthechargerevivinghisanger.
“Ah,”shemurmured.Shesankintoherchairagainandbegantoplaywithapaper-knifethatlayonthetableatherelbow.
Hersilenceexasperatedhim.
“Well?”heburstout.“Isthatallyouhavetosay?”
“Doyouwishmetoexplain?”sheasked,proudly.
“DoyouimplyIhaven’ttherightto?”
“Iimplynothing.Iwilltellyouwhateveryouwishtoknow.IwentforawalkwithMr.Flamelbecauseheaskedmeto.”
“Ididn’tsupposeyouwentuninvited.Buttherearecertainthingsasensiblewomandoesn’tdo.Shedoesn’tslinkaboutinout-of-the-waystreetswithmen.Whycouldn’tyouhaveseenhimhere?”
Shehesitated.
