Риф, или Там, где разбивается счастье

XXXIII

           YethewentuptoParisratherregularly:ostensiblytoattendsalesandexhibitions,ortoconferwithdealersandcollectors.Shetriedtopicturehim,straight,trim,beautifullybrushedandvarnished,walkingfurtivelydownaquietstreet,andlookingabouthimbeforeheslippedintoadoorway.Sheunderstoodnowthatshehadbeencoldtohim:whatmorelikelythanthathehadsoughtcompensations?Allmenwerelikethat,shesupposed—nodoubthersimplicityhadamusedhim.

           IntheactoftransposingFraserLeathintoaDonJuanshewaspulledupbytheironicperceptionthatshewassimplytryingtojustifyDarrow.Shewantedtothinkthatallmenwere“likethat”becauseDarrowwas“likethat”:shewantedtojustifyheracceptanceofthefactbypersuadingherselfthatonlythroughsuchconcessionscouldwomenlikeherselfhopetokeepwhattheycouldnotgiveup.Andsuddenlyshewasfilledwithangeratherblindness,andthenatherdisastrousattempttosee.WhyhadsheforcedthetruthoutofDarrow?Ifonlyshehadheldhertonguenothingneedeverhavebeenknown.SophyVinerwouldhavebrokenherengagement,Owenwouldhavebeensentaroundtheworld,andherowndreamwouldhavebeenunshattered.Butshehadprobed,insisted,cross-examined,notrestedtillshehaddraggedthesecrettothelight.Shewasoneofthelucklesswomenwhoalwayshavethewrongaudacities,andwhoalwaysknowit...

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