Поворот винта
Chapter 19
“Yousupposetheyreallytalkofthem?”
“Icouldmeetthiswithaconfidence!Theysaythingsthat,ifweheardthem,wouldsimplyappallus.”
“Andifsheisthere—”
“Yes?”
“ThenMissJesselis?”
“Beyondadoubt.Youshallsee.”
“Oh,thankyou!”myfriendcried,plantedsofirmthat,takingitin,Iwentstraightonwithouther.BythetimeIreachedthepool,however,shewasclosebehindme,andIknewthat,whatever,toherapprehension,mightbefallme,theexposureofmysocietystruckherasherleastdanger.Sheexhaledamoanofreliefasweatlastcameinsightofthegreaterpartofthewaterwithoutasightofthechild.TherewasnotraceofFloraonthatnearersideofthebankwheremyobservationofherhadbeenmoststartling,andnoneontheoppositeedge,where,saveforamarginofsometwentyyards,athickcopsecamedowntothewater.Thepond,oblonginshape,hadawidthsoscantcomparedtoitslengththat,withitsendsoutofview,itmighthavebeentakenforascantriver.Welookedattheemptyexpanse,andthenIfeltthesuggestionofmyfriend’seyes.IknewwhatshemeantandIrepliedwithanegativeheadshake.
“No,no;wait!Shehastakentheboat.”
Mycompanionstaredatthevacantmooringplaceandthenagainacrossthelake.“Thenwhereisit?”
“Ournotseeingitisthestrongestofproofs.Shehasusedittogoover,andthenhasmanagedtohideit.”
“Allalone—thatchild?”
“She’snotalone,andatsuchtimesshe’snotachild:she’sanold,oldwoman.
