Атлант расправил плечи

           Heapproached,hetookherinhisarms,hekissedhermouthandheldherforalongtime.Whenshelookedupathisface,hewassmilingdownatherconfidently,derisively.Itwasasmilethattoldherhewasincontrolofhimself,ofher,ofeverything,andorderedhertoforgetwhatshehadseeninthatfirstmoment."Hi,Slug,"hesaid.

           Feelingcertainofnothingexceptthatshemustnotaskquestions,shesmiledandsaid,"Hi,Frisco."

           Shecouldhaveunderstoodanychange,butnotthethingsshesaw.Therewasnosparkleoflifeinhisface,nohintofamusement;thefacehadbecomeimplacable.Thepleaofhisfirstsmilehadnotbeenapleaofweakness;hehadacquiredanairofdeterminationthatseemedmerciless.Heactedlikeamanwhostoodstraight,undertheweightofanunendurableburden.Shesawwhatshecouldnothavebelievedpossible:thattherewerelinesofbitternessinhisfaceandthathelookedtortured.

           "Dagny,don’tbeastonishedbyanythingIdo,"hesaid,"orbyanythingImayeverdointhefuture."

           Thatwastheonlyexplanationhegrantedher,thenproceededtoactasiftherewerenothingtoexplain.

           Shecouldfeelnomorethanafaintanxiety;itwasimpossibletofeelfearforhisfateorinhispresence.Whenhelaughed,shethoughttheywerebackinthewoodsbytheHudson:hehadnotchangedandneverwould.

           Thedinnerwasservedinhisroom.Shefounditamusingtofacehimacrossatablelaidoutwiththeicyformalitypertainingtoexcessivecost,inahotelroomdesignedasaEuropeanpalace.