"Charles L. Harness - The Rose" - читать интересную книгу автора (Harness Charles L)

Perhaps it was the way he said this that saved her. She had a fleeting suspicion that he had recognized
her disappointment, had anticipated the depths of her gathering despair, and had deliberately shaken her
back into reality.

In a few words he had borne upon her the idea that his enormous complex mind contained neither love
nor hate, even for his wife, and that while he found in her a physical perfection suitable for transference to
canvas or marble, that nevertheless he writhed in a secret torment over this very perfection, as though in
essence the woman's physical beauty simply stated a lack he could not name, and might never know.

With a wary, futile motion he lay aside his brushes and palette. "Yes, Martha is perfect, physically and
mentally, and knows it." He laughed brutally. "What she doesn't know, is that frozen beauty admits of no
plastic play of meaning. There's nothing behind perfection, because it has no meaning but itself."

There was a clamor on the stairs. "Hah!" cried Jacques. "More early-comers. The word must have got
around that Martha brought the liquor. School's out, Mart. Better hop into the alcove and get dressed."

Matthew Bell was among the early arrivals. His face lighted up when he saw Anna, then clouded when he
picked out Grade and Martha Jacques.

Anna noticed that his mouth was twitching worriedly as he motioned to her.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"NothingтАФyet. But I wouldn't have let you come if I'd known they'd be here. Has Martha given you any
trouble?"

"No. Why should she? I'm here ostensibly to observe Ruy in my professional capacity."

"You don't believe that, and if you get careless, she won't either. So watch your step with Ruy while
Martha's around. And even when she's not around. Too many eyes hereтАФSecurity menтАФGrade's crew.
Just don't let Ruy involve you in anything that might attract attention. So much for that. Been here long?"

"I was the first guestтАФexcept for her and Grade."

"Hmm. I should have escorted you. Even though you're his psychiatrist, this sort of thing sets her to
thinking.

"I can't see the harm of coming here alone. It isn't as though Ruy were going to try to make love to me in
front of all these people."

"That's exactly what it is as though!" He shook his head and looked about him. "Believe me, I know him
better than you. The man is insane...unpredictable."

Anna felt a tingle of anticipation...or was it of apprehension? "I'll be careful," she said.

"Then come on. If I can get Martha and Ruy into one of their eternal Science-versus-Art arguments, I
believe they'll forget about you."

Chapter Ten
"I repeat," said Bell, "we are watching the germination of another Renaissance. The signs are