Поворот гвинта

           InthepresenceofwhatIsawIreeledstraightbackuponmyresistance.

           SeatedatmyowntableinclearnoondaylightIsawapersonwhom,withoutmypreviousexperience,Ishouldhavetakenatthefirstblushforsomehousemaidwhomighthavestayedathometolookaftertheplaceandwho,availingherselfofrarerelieffromobservationandoftheschoolroomtableandmypens,ink,andpaper,hadappliedherselftotheconsiderableeffortofalettertohersweetheart.Therewasaneffortinthewaythat,whileherarmsrestedonthetable,herhandswithevidentwearinesssupportedherhead;butatthemomentItookthisinIhadalreadybecomeawarethat,inspiteofmyentrance,herattitudestrangelypersisted.Thenitwas—withtheveryactofitsannouncingitself—thatheridentityflaredupinachangeofposture.Sherose,notasifshehadheardme,butwithanindescribablegrandmelancholyofindifferenceanddetachment,and,withinadozenfeetofme,stoodthereasmyvilepredecessor.Dishonoredandtragic,shewasallbeforeme;butevenasIfixedand,formemory,securedit,theawfulimagepassedaway.Darkasmidnightinherblackdress,herhaggardbeautyandherunutterablewoe,shehadlookedatmelongenoughtoappeartosaythatherrighttositatmytablewasasgoodasminetositathers.Whiletheseinstantslasted,indeed,IhadtheextraordinarychilloffeelingthatitwasIwhowastheintruder