Літо
XV
AsshereadtheletteroverCharityunderstoodwhatitmusthavecosthimtowriteit.Hewasnottryingtoevadeanimportunateclaim;hewashonestlyandcontritelystrugglingbetweenopposingduties.Shedidnotevenreproachhiminherthoughtsforhavingconcealedfromherthathewasnotfree:shecouldnotseeanythingmorereprehensibleinhisconductthaninherown.Fromthefirstshehadneededhimmorethanhehadwantedher,andthepowerthathadsweptthemtogetherhadbeenasfarbeyondresistanceasagreatgalelooseningtheleavesoftheforest....Only,therestoodbetweenthem,fixedanduprightinthegeneralupheaval,theindestructiblefigureofAnnabelBalch....
Facetofacewithhisadmissionofthefact,shesatstaringattheletter.Acoldtremorranoverher,andthehardsobsstruggledupintoherthroatandshookherfromheadtofoot.Forawhileshewascaughtandtossedongreatwavesofanguishthatleftherhardlyconsciousofanythingbuttheblindstruggleagainsttheirassaults.Then,littlebylittle,shebegantorelive,withadreadfulpoignancy,eachseparatestageofherpoorromance.Foolishthingsshehadsaidcamebacktoher,gayanswersHarneyhadmade,hisfirstkissinthedarknessbetweenthefireworks,theirchoosingthebluebroochtogether,thewayhehadteasedheraboutthelettersshehaddroppedinherflightfromtheevangelist.Allthesememories,andathousandothers,hummedthroughherbraintillhisnearnessgrewsovividthatshefelthisfingersinherhair,andhiswarmbreathonhercheekashebentherheadbacklikeaflower.
