Атлант расправил плечи
The Sanction of the Victim
Shewasabsorbed,atthemoment,inthetaskofcuttingaplumpuddingthatstoodasamountofblueflameonasilverplatterbeforeher,itsglowdancingoverherfaceandherlaughingmouth—shewasplungingasilverknifeintotheflame,withapracticed,gracefulcurveofherarm.Shehadmetallicleavesinthered,goldandbrowncolorsofautumnscatteredoveroneshoulderofherblackvelvetgown;theyglitteredinthecandlelight.
Hecouldnotgetridoftheimpression,whichhehadkeptreceivingandrejectingforthreemonths,thathervengeancewasnotaformofdespair,ashehadsupposed—theimpression,whichheregardedasinconceivable,thatshewasenjoyingit.Hecouldfindnotraceofpaininhermanner.Shehadanairofconfidencenewtoher.Sheseemedtobeathomeinherhouseforthefirsttime.Eventhougheverythingwithinthehousewasofherownchoiceandtaste,shehadalwaysseemedtoactasthebright,efficient,resentfulmanagerofahigh-classhotel,whokeepssmilinginbitteramusementatherpositionofinferioritytotheowners.Theamusementremained,butthebitternesswasgone.Shehadnotgainedweight,butherfeatureshadlosttheirdelicatesharpnessinablurring,softeninglookofsatisfaction;evenhervoicesoundedasifithadgrownplump.
