Атлант расправил плечи

           ThenDagnyrealizedthattherewerepeoplestandingaroundthemandthattheyallstoodinsilence.Shewashearingsoundsnow,eventhemusic;itwasHalley’smangledConcerto,somewherefaraway.

           ShesawRearden’sface.Itlookedasifsomethingwithinhimweremangled,likethemusic;shedidnotknowbywhat.Hewaswatchingthem.

           Lillian’smouthmovedintoanupturnedcrescent.Itresembledasmile.Shesnappedthemetalbraceletopen,droppeditonDagny’spalmandtookthediamondband.

           "Thankyou,MissTaggart,"shesaid.

           Dagny’sfingersclosedaboutthemetal.Shefeltthat;shefeltnothingelse.

           Lillianturned,becauseReardenhadapproachedher.Hetookthediamondbraceletfromherhand.Heclaspeditonherwrist,raisedherhandtohislipsandkissedit.

           HedidnotlookatDagny.

           Lillianlaughed,gaily,easily,attractively,bringingtheroombacktoitsnormalmood.

           "Youmayhaveitback,MissTaggart,whenyouchangeyourmind,"shesaid.

           Dagnyhadturnedaway.Shefeltcalmandfree.Thepressurewasgone.Theneedtogetouthadvanished.

           Sheclaspedthemetalbraceletonherwrist.Shelikedthefeelofitsweightagainstherskin.Inexplicably,shefeltatouchoffemininevanity,thekindshehadneverexperiencedbefore:thedesiretobeseenwearingthisparticularornament.

           Fromadistance,sheheardsnatchesofindignantvoices:"ThemostoffensivegestureI’veeverseen....Itwasvicious....I’mgladLilliantookheruponit....Servesherright,ifshefeelslikethrowingafewthousanddollarsaway...."