Атлант расправил плечи
The Sanction of the Victim
You’llcometoknowtherestofitsoon,anyway."
"Ifit’smorethanyoushould,whydidyoutellme?"
"Because...you’vemademebecomeimpatientforthefirsttimeinyears."Thenoteofasuppressedemotioncamebackintohisvoice.
"BecauseI’veneverwantedanyonetoknowthetruthaboutmeasIwantedyoutoknowit.BecauseIknewthatyou’ddespiseaplayboymorethananyothersortofman—asIwould,too.Playboy?I’veneverlovedbutonewomaninmylifeandstilldoandalwayswill!"Itwasaninvoluntarybreak,andheadded,hisvoicelow,"I’veneverconfessedthattoanyone...noteventoher."
"Haveyoulosther?"
Franciscosatlookingoffintospace;inamoment,heansweredtonelessly,"Ihopenot."
Thelightofthelamphithisfacefrombelow,andReardencouldnotseehiseyes,onlyhismouthdrawninlinesofenduranceandoddlysolemnresignation.Reardenknewthatthiswasawoundnottobeprobedanyfurther.
Withoneofhisswiftchangesofmood,Franciscosaid,"Ohwell,it’sjustalittlelonger!"androsetohisfeet,smiling.
"Sinceyoutrustme,"saidRearden,"Iwanttotellyouasecretofmineinexchange.IwantyoutoknowhowmuchItrustedyoubeforeIcamehere.AndImightneedyourhelplater."
"You’retheonlymanleftwhomI’dliketohelp.
