Атлант расправил плечи
The Sanction of the Victim
Hetriestogainasenseofhisownvaluefromthewomenwhosurrendertohim—andheforgetsthatthewomenhepickshaveneithercharacternorjudgmentnorstandardofvalue.Hetellshimselfthatallhe’safterisphysicalpleasure—butobservethathetiresofhiswomeninaweekoranight,thathedespisesprofessionalwhoresandthathelovestoimagineheisseducingvirtuousgirlswhomakeagreatexceptionforhissake.Itisthefeeling,ofachievementthatheseeksandneverfinds.Whatglorycantherebeintheconquestofamindlessbody?Nowthatisyourwoman-chaser.Doesthedescriptionfitme?"
"God,no!"
"Thenyoucanjudge,withoutaskingmywordforit,howmuchchasingofwomenI’vedoneinmylife."
"Butwhatonearthhaveyoubeendoingonthefrontpagesofnewspapersforthelast—isn’tittwelve—years?"
"I’vespentalotofmoneyonthemostostentatiouslyvulgarpartiesIcouldthinkof,andamiserableamountoftimeonbeingseenwiththeappropriatesortofwomen.Asfortherest—"Hestopped,thensaid,"Ihavesomefriendswhoknowthis,butyouarethefirstpersontowhomIamconfidingitagainstmyownrules:Ihaveneversleptwithanyofthosewomen.Ihavenevertouchedoneofthem."
"Whatismoreincrediblethanthat,isthatIbelieveyou.
