Риф, или Там, где разбивается счастье

XXIII

           

           “She’stoldmenothingexceptthatshewishestobewithherfriends.It’squitenaturalthatsheshouldwanttogotothem.”

           Owenvisiblycontrolledhimself.“Ofcourse—quitenatural.”HespoketoSophy.“Butwhydidn’tyoutellmeso?Whydidyoucomefirsttomystep-mother?”

           Annaintervenedwithhercalmsmile.“Thatseemstomequitenatural,too.SophywasconsiderateenoughtotellmefirstbecauseofEffie.”

           Heweighedit.“Verywell,then:that’squitenatural,asyousay.Andofcourseshemustdoexactlyasshepleases.”Hestillkepthiseyesonthegirl.“Tomorrow,”heabruptlyannounced,“IshallgouptoParistoseeyou.”

           “Oh,no—no!”sheprotested.

           OwenturnedbacktoAnna.“Nowdoyousaythatnothing’shappened?”

           UndertheinfluenceofhisagitationAnnafeltavaguetighteningoftheheart.Sheseemedtoherselflikesomeoneinadarkroomaboutwhomunseenpresencesaregroping.

           “Ifit’sanythingthatSophywishestotellyou,nodoubtshe’lldoso.I’mgoingdownnow,andI’llleaveyouheretotalkitoverbyyourselves.”

           Asshemovedtothedoorthegirlcaughtupwithher.“Butthere’snothingtotell:whyshouldtherebe?I’veexplainedthatIsimplywanttobequiet.”HerlookseemedtodetainMrs.Leath.

           Owenbrokein:“IsthatwhyImayn’tgouptomorrow?”

           “Nottomorrow!”

           “ThenwhenmayI?”

           “Later...inalittlewhile...afewdays...”

           “Inhowmanydays?”“Owen!”hisstep-motherinterposed;butheseemednolongerawareofher.

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