Атлант расправил плечи

           "Andifyourbrilliant—andreckless—couragepermitsyoutogamblewithyourreputation,shouldyouignorethedangertoMr.Rearden?"

           Dagnyaskedslowly,"WhatisthedangertoMr.Rearden?"

           "I’msureyouunderstandme."

           "Idon’t."

           "Oh,butsurelyitisn’tnecessarytobemoreexplicit."

           "Itis—ifyouwishtocontinuethisdiscussion."

           Lillian’seyeswenttoRearden’sface,searchingforsomesigntohelpherdecidewhethertocontinueortostop.Hewouldnothelpher.

           "MissTaggart,"shesaid,"Iamnotyourequalinphilosophicalaltitude.Iamonlyanaveragewife.Pleasegivemethatbracelet—ifyoudonotwishmetothinkwhatImightthinkandwhatyouwouldn’twantmetoname."

           "Mrs.Rearden,isthisthemannerandplaceinwhichyouchoosetosuggestthatIamsleepingwithyourhusband?"

           "Certainlynot!"Thecrywasimmediate;ithadasoundofpanicandthequalityofanautomaticreflex,likethejerkofwithdrawalofapickpocket’shandcaughtinaction.Sheadded,withanangry,nervouschuckle,inatoneofsarcasmandsinceritythatconfessedareluctantadmissionofheractualopinion,"Thatwouldbethepossibilityfarthestfrommymind."

           "ThenyouwillpleaseapologizetoMissTaggart,"saidRearden.

           Dagnycaughtherbreath,cuttingoffallbutthefaintechoofagasp.