Атлант расправил плечи

           "No,Hank,"shesaid,herfacehard.

           Thebrief,tautmovementofhislipswasasmile."Iknowthatyouwon’tanswerit,butIwon’tstopasking—becausethatiswhatI’llneveraccept."

           "Askyourselfwhyyouwon’tacceptit."

           Heanswered,hishandmovingslowlyfromherbreaststoherknees,asifstressinghisownershipandhatingit,"Because...thethingsyou’vepermittedmetodo...Ididn’tthinkyoucould,notever,notevenforme...buttofindthatyoudid,andmore:thatyouhadpermittedanotherman,hadwantedhimto,had—"

           "Doyouunderstandwhatyou’resaying?Thatyou’veneveracceptedmywantingyou,either—you’veneveracceptedthatIshouldwantyou,justasIshouldhavewantedhim,once."

           Hesaid,hisvoicelow,"That’strue."

           Shetoreherselfawayfromhimwithabrusque,twistingmovement,shestoodup,butshestoodlookingdownathimwithafaintsmile,andshesaidsoftly,"Doyouknowyouronlyrealguilt?Withthegreatestcapacityforit,you’veneverlearnedtoenjoyyourself.You’vealwaysrejectedyourownpleasuretooeasily.You’vebeenwillingtobeartoomuch."

           "Hesaidthat,too."

           "Who?"

           "Franciscod’Anconia.