Пробний камінь
IX
Whenhecamedownstairshiswifewasalreadyseatedatthebreakfast-table.Sheliftedherusualsmiletohisentranceandtheytookshelterinthenearesttopic,likewayfarersovertakenbyastorm.Whilehelistenedtoheraccountoftheconcerthebegantothinkthat,afterall,shehadnotyetsortedthepapers,andthatheragitationofthepreviousdaymustbeascribedtoanothercause,inwhichperhapshehadbutanindirectconcern.HewonderedithadneverbeforeoccurredtohimthatFlamelwasthekindofmanwhomightverywellpleaseawomanathisownexpense,withoutneedoffortuitousassistance.Ifthispossibilityclearedtheoutlookitdidnotbrightenit.Glennardmerelyfelthimselfleftalonewithhisbaseness.
Alexaleftthebreakfast-tablebeforehimandwhenhewentuptothedrawing-roomhefoundherdressedtogoout.
“Aren’tyoualittleearlyforchurch?”heasked.
Sherepliedthat,onthewaythere,shemeanttostopamomentathermother’s;andwhileshedrewonhergloves,hefumbledamongtheknick-knacksonthemantel-pieceforamatchtolighthiscigarette.
“Well,good-by,”shesaid,turningtogo;andfromthethresholdsheadded:“Bytheway,I’vesortedthepapersyougaveme.ThosethatIthoughtyouwouldliketokeepareonyourstudy-table.”Shewentdownstairsandheheardthedoorclosebehindher.
Shehadsortedthepapers—sheknew,then—shemustknow—andshehadmadenosign!
Glennard,hehardlyknewhow,foundhimselfoncemoreinthestudy.Onthetablelaythepackethehadgivenher
