Атлант расправил плечи
The Sanction of the Victim
Thepunishmentshehadwantedtoinflictonhimwasthetortureofshame;whatshehadinflictedwasthetortureofboredom.
Herememberedhisbriefglimpse—onthatmorningintheWayneFalklandHotel—ofaflawinherschemeofpunishment,whichhehadnotexamined.Nowhestatedittohimselfforthefirsttime.Shewantedtoforceuponhimthesufferingofdishonor—buthisownsenseofhonorwasheronlyweaponofenforcement.Shewantedtowrestfromhimanacknowledgmentofhismoraldepravity—butonlyhisownmoralrectitudecouldattachsignificancetosuchaverdict.Shewantedtoinjurehimbyhercontempt—buthecouldnotbeinjured,unlessherespectedherjudgment.Shewantedtopunishhimforthepainhehadcausedherandsheheldherpainasagunaimedathim,asifshewishedtoextorthisagonyatthepointofhispity.Butheronlytoolwashisownbenevolence,hisconcernforher,hiscompassion.Heronlypowerwasthepowerofhisownvirtues.Whatifhechosetowithdrawit?
Anissueofguilt,hethought,hadtorestonhisownacceptanceofthecodeofjusticethatpronouncedhimguilty.Hedidnotacceptit;heneverhad.Hisvirtues,allthevirtuessheneededtoachievehispunishment,camefromanothercodeandlivedbyanotherstandard.
Hefeltnoguilt,noshame,noregret,nodishonor.Hefeltnoconcernforanyverdictshechosetopassuponhim:hehadlostrespectforherjudgmentlongago.Andthesolechainstillholdinghimwasonlyalastremnantofpity.
