Поворот гвинта

           Thishadbecomethoroughlyherattitudebythetimethat,inmyrecitaloftheeventsofthenight,IreachedthepointofwhatMileshadsaidtomewhen,afterseeinghim,atsuchamonstroushour,almostontheveryspotwherehehappenednowtobe,Ihadgonedowntobringhimin;choosingthen,atthewindow,withaconcentratedneedofnotalarmingthehouse,ratherthatmethodthanasignalmoreresonant.Ihadlefthermeanwhileinlittledoubtofmysmallhopeofrepresentingwithsuccesseventoheractualsympathymysenseoftherealsplendorofthelittleinspirationwithwhich,afterIhadgothimintothehouse,theboymetmyfinalarticulatechallenge.AssoonasIappearedinthemoonlightontheterrace,hehadcometomeasstraightaspossible;onwhichIhadtakenhishandwithoutawordandledhim,throughthedarkspaces,upthestaircasewhereQuinthadsohungrilyhoveredforhim,alongthelobbywhereIhadlistenedandtrembled,andsotohisforsakenroom.

           Notasound,ontheway,hadpassedbetweenus,andIhadwondered—oh,howIhadwondered!—ifheweregropingaboutinhislittlemindforsomethingplausibleandnottoogrotesque.Itwouldtaxhisinvention,certainly,andIfelt,thistime,overhisrealembarrassment,acuriousthrilloftriumph.Itwasasharptrapfortheinscrutable!Hecouldn’tplayanylongeratinnocence;sohowthedeucewouldhegetoutofit?Therebeatinmeindeed,withthepassionatethrobofthisquestionanequaldumbappealastohowthedeuceIshould.