Риф, або Там, де розбивається щастя

XXXII

           Thesenseofherweaknessmadehertrytohardenherselfagainsthisarguments.

           “Youdoknow!We’veoftentalkedofsuchthings:ofthemonstrousnessofuselesssacrifices.IfI’mtoexpiate,it’snotinthatway.”Headdedabruptly:“It’sinhavingtosaythistoyounow...”

           Shefoundnoanswer.

           Throughthesilentapartmenttheyheardthesuddenpealofthedoor-bell,andsherosetoherfeet.“Owen!”sheinstantlyexclaimed.

           “IsOweninParis?”

           SheexplainedinarapidundertonewhatshehadlearnedfromSophyViner.

           “ShallIleaveyou?”Darrowasked.

           “Yes...no...”Shemovedtothedining-roomdoor,withthehalf-formedpurposeofmakinghimpassout,andthenturnedback.“ItmaybeAdelaide.”

           Theyheardtheouterdooropen,andamomentlaterOwenwalkedintotheroom.Hewaspale,withexcitedeyes:astheyfellonDarrow,Annasawhisstartofwonder.Hemadeaslightsignofrecognition,andthenwentuptohisstep-motherwithanairofexaggeratedgaiety.

           “Youfurtiveperson!IranacrosstheomniscientAdelaideandheardfromherthatyou’drushedupsuddenlyandsecretly.”HestoodbetweenAnnaandDarrow,strained,questioning,dangerouslyonedge.

           “IcameuptomeetMr.Darrow,”Annaanswered.“Hisleave’sbeenprolonged—he’sgoingbackwithme.”

           Thewordsseemedtohaveutteredthemselveswithoutherwill,yetshefeltagreatsenseoffreedomasshespokethem.

           ThehardtensionofOwen’sfacechangedtoincreduloussurprise.HelookedatDarrow.“Themerestluck...acolleaguewhosewifewasill...

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