Атлант расправил плечи
The Non-commercial
Sheseemedtobeawomanwhoexpectedanddeservedapedestal;thismadehimwanttodragherdowntohisbed.Todragherdown,werethewordsinhismind;theygavehimadarkpleasure,thesenseofavictoryworthwinning.
Hecouldnotunderstandwhy—hethoughtitwasanobsceneconflict,thesignofsomesecretdepravitywithinhim—whyhefelt,atthesametime,aprofoundprideatthethoughtofgrantingtoawomanthetitleofhiswife.Thefeelingwassolemnandshining;itwasalmostasifhefeltthathewishedtohonorawomanbytheactofpossessingher.Lillianseemedtofittheimagehehadnotknownheheld,hadnotknownhewishedtofind;hesawthegrace,thepride,thepurity;therestwasinhimself;hedidnotknowthathewaslookingatareflection.
HerememberedthedaywhenLilliancamefromNewYorktohisoffice,ofherownsuddenchoice,andaskedhimtotakeherthroughhismills.Heheardasoft,low,breathlesstone—thetoneofadmiration—growinginhervoice,asshequestionedhimabouthisworkandlookedattheplacearoundher.Helookedathergracefulfiguremovingagainsttheburstsoffurnaceflame,andatthelight,swiftstepsofherhighheelsstumblingthroughdriftsofslag,asshewalkedresolutelybyhisside.Thelookinhereyes,whenshewatchedaheatofsteelbeingpoured,waslikehisownfeelingforitmadevisibletohim.Whenhereyesmoveduptohisface,hesawthesamelook,butintensifiedtoadegreethatseemedtomakeherhelplessandsilent.
