Атлант расправил плечи

           Hetookoffhiscoat,throwingitaside,remaininginshirtsleeves,andsatdown,facingher,atthewindowacrosstheroom.Buthesatdownonthearmofachair,asifhewereneitherleavingnorstaying.

           Shefeltthelight-headed,theeasy,thealmostfrivoloussensationoftriumphintheknowledgethatshewasholdinghimassurelyasbyaphysicaltouch;forthelengthofamoment,briefanddangeroustoendure,itwasamoresatisfyingformofcontact.

           Thenshefeltasudden,blindingshock,whichwashalf-blow,halfscreamwithinher,andshegroped,stunned,foritscause—onlytorealizethathehadleanedalittletoonesideandithadbeennomorethanthesightofanaccidentalposture,ofthelonglinerunningfromhisshouldertotheangleofhiswaist,tohiships,downhislegs.Shelookedaway,nottolethimseethatshewastrembling—andshedroppedallthoughtsoftriumphandofwhosewasthepower.

           "I’veseenyoumanytimessince,"hesaid,quietly,steadily,butalittlemoreslowlythanusual,asifhecouldcontroleverythingexcepthisneedtospeak.

           "Wherehaveyouseenme?"

           "Manyplaces."

           "Butyoumadecertaintoremainunseen?"Sheknewthathiswasafaceshecouldnothavefailedtonotice.

           "Yes."

           "Why?Wereyouafraid?"

           "Yes.