Риф, або Там, де розбивається щастя

XXVIII

           Shesaidtoherself:“Imustfindout——”yeteverythinginherrecoiledfromthemeansbywhichshefeltitmustbedone...

           SophyVinerappearedalmostimmediately,dressedfordeparture,herlittlebagonherarm.Shewasstillpaletothepointofhaggardness,butwithalightuponherthatstruckAnnawithsurprise.Orwasit,perhaps,thatshewaslookingatthegirlwithneweyes:seeingher,forthefirsttime,notasEffie’sgoverness,notasOwen’sbride,butastheembodimentofthatunknownperillurkinginthebackgroundofeverywoman’sthoughtsaboutherlover?Anna,atanyrate,withasuddensenseofestrangement,notedinhergracesandsnaresneverbeforeperceived.Itwasonlytheflashofaprimitiveinstinct,butitlastedlongenoughtomakeherashamedofthedarknessesitlitupinherheart...

           ShesignedtoSophytositdownonthesofabesideher.“IaskedyoutocomeuptomebecauseIwantedtosaygood-byequietly,”sheexplained,feelingherlipstremble,buttryingtospeakinatoneoffriendlynaturalness.

           Thegirl’sonlyanswerwasafaintsmileofacquiescence,andAnna,disconcertedbyhersilence,wenton:“You’vedecided,then,nottobreakyourengagement?”

           SophyVinerraisedherheadwithalookofsurprise.Evidentlythequestion,thusabruptlyput,musthavesoundedstrangelyonthelipsofsoardentapartisanasMrs.Leath!“Ithoughtthatwaswhatyouwished,”shesaid.

           “WhatIwished?”Anna’sheartshookagainstherside.“Iwish,ofcourse,whateverseemsbestforOwen....

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