Міжзірковий мандрівник
Chapter 11
”
Theyhesitatedandlookedtomeforcounselofmywishes.ButPasquinididnotwait.
“Andifyoustillhaveanyscruples,”hehurriedon,“thenallowmetoremovethem...thus.”
Andhespatinthegrassatmyfeet.Thenmyangerseizedmeandwasbeyondme.TheredwrathIcallit—anoverwhelming,all-masteringdesiretokillanddestroy.IforgotthatPhilippawaitedformeinthegreathall.AllIknewwasmywrongs—theunpardonableinterferenceinmyaffairsbythegrayoldman,theerrandofthepriest,theinsolenceofFortini,theimpudenceofVillehardouin,andherePasquinistandinginmywayandspittinginthegrass.Isawred.Ithoughtred.Ilookeduponallthesecreaturesasrankandnoisomegrowthsthatmustbehewnoutofmypath,outoftheworld.Asanettedlionmayrageagainstthemeshes,soragedIagainstthesecreatures.Theywereallaboutme.Intruth,Iwasinthetrap.Theonewayoutwastocutthemdown,tocrushthemintotheearthandstampuponthem.
“Verywell,”Isaid,calmlyenough,althoughmypassionwassuchthatmyframeshook.“Youfirst,Pasquini.Andyounext,deGoncourt?Andattheend,deVillehardouin?”
EachnoddedinturnandPasquiniandIpreparedtostepaside.
