Пробний камінь
XIII
“Well,then—”
Tothisadjurationhemadenoresponsebeyondthatofgazingatherwithaneyewhichseemednowtoviewherasamerefactorinanimmenseredistributionofmeanings.
“IinsultedFlamelto-day.IlethimseethatIsuspectedhimofhavingtoldyou.Ihatedhimbecauseheknewabouttheletters.”
Hecaughtthespreadinghorrorofhereyes,andforaninstanthehadtograpplewiththenewtemptationtheylitup.Thenhesaid,withaneffort—“Don’tblamehim—he’simpeccable.Hehelpedmetogetthempublished;butIliedtohimtoo;Ipretendedtheywerewrittentoanotherman...amanwhowasdead....”
Sheraisedherarmsinagesturethatseemedtowardoffhisblows.
“Youdodespiseme!”heinsisted.
“Ah,thatpoorwoman—thatpoorwoman—”heheardhermurmur.
“Isparenoone,yousee!”hetriumphedoverher.Shekeptherfacehidden.
“Youdohateme,youdodespiseme!”hestrangelyexulted.
“Besilent!”shecommandedhim;butheseemednolongerconsciousofanycheckonhisgatheringpurpose.
“Hecaredforyou—hecaredforyou,”herepeated,“andhenevertoldyouoftheletters—”
Shesprangtoherfeet.“Howcanyou?”sheflamed.“Howdareyou?That—!”
Glennardwasashypale.“It’saweapon...likeanother....”
“Ascoundrel’s!”
Hesmiledwretchedly.“Ishouldhaveuseditinhisplace.”
“Stephen!Stephen!”shecried,asthoughtodrowntheblasphemyonhislips.Sheswepttohimwitharescuinggesture.“Don’tsaysuchthings.Iforbidyou!Itdegradesusboth.”
Heputherbackwithtremblinghands
