Риф, или Там, где разбивается счастье

IV

           Hesawtheslenderfirmstrokesofthepen,recalledtheclearstructureofthephrases,and,byanabruptassociationofideas,rememberedthat,atthatveryhour,justsuchadocumentmightbeawaitinghimatthehotel.

           Whatifitwerethere,indeed,andhadbroughthimacompleteexplanationofhertelegram?Therevulsionoffeelingproducedbythisthoughtmadehimlookatthegirlwithsuddenimpatience.Shestruckhimaspositivelystupid,andhewonderedhowhecouldhavewastedhalfhisdaywithher,whenallthewhileMrs.Leath’slettermightbelyingonhistable.Atthatmoment,ifhecouldhavechosen,hewouldhavelefthiscompaniononthespot;buthehadheronhishands,andmustaccepttheconsequences.

           Someoddintuitionseemedtomakeherconsciousofhischangeofmood,forshesprangfromherseat,crumplingtheletterinherhand.

           “I’mtoostupid;butIwon’tkeepyouanylonger.I’llgobacktothehotelandwritethere.”

           Hercolourdeepened,andforthefirsttime,astheireyesmet,henoticedafaintembarrassmentinhers.Coulditbethathisnearnesswas,afterall,thecauseofherconfusion?Thethoughtturnedhisvagueimpatiencewithherintoadefiniteresentmenttowardhimself.Therewasreallynoexcuseforhishavingblunderedintosuchanadventure.WhyhadhenotshippedthegirlofftoJoignybytheeveningtrain,insteadofurginghertodelay,andusingCerdineasapretext?Pariswasfullofpeopleheknew,andhisannoyancewasincreasedbythethoughtthatsomefriendofMrs

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