Atlas Shrugged [256]
She smiled and said, "Well, consider your sister-in-law, Miss Taggart.
What chance did she have to rise in the world? None-by your exacting standards. She could not have made a successful career in business.
She does not possess your unusual mind. Besides, men would have made it impossible for her. They would have found her too attractive.
So she took advantage of the fact that men have standards which, unfortunately, are not as high as yours. She resorted to talents which, I'm sure, you despise. You have never cared to compete with us lesser women in the sole field of our ambition-in the achievement of power over men."
"If you call it power, Mrs. Rearden-then, no, I haven't."
She turned to go, but Lillian's voice stopped her: "I would like to believe that you're fully consistent, Miss Taggart, and fully devoid of human frailties. I would like to believe that you've never felt the desire to flatter-or to offend-anyone. But I see that you expected both Henry and me to be here tonight."
"Why, no, I can't say that I did, I had not seen my brother's guest list."
"Then why are you wearing that bracelet?"
Dagny's eyes moved deliberately straight to hers. "I always wear it."
"Don't you think that that's carrying a joke too far?"
"It was never a joke, Mrs. Rearden."
"Then you'll understand me if I say that I'd like you to give that bracelet back to me."
"I understand you. But (will not give it back."
Lillian let a moment pass, as if to let them both acknowledge the meaning of their silence. For once, she held Dagny's glance without smiling. "What do you expect me to think, Miss Taggart?"
"Anything you wish."
"What is your motive?"
"You knew my motive when you gave me the bracelet."
Lillian glanced at Rearden. His face was expressionless; she saw no reaction, no hint of intention to help her or stop her, nothing but an attentiveness that made her feel as if she were standing in a spotlight.
Her smile came back, as a protective shield, an amused, patronizing smile, intended to convert the subject into a drawing-room issue again. "I'm sure, Miss Taggart, that you realize how enormously improper this is."
"No."
"But surely you know that you are taking a dangerous and ugly risk."
"No."
"You do not take into consideration the possibility of being . . .
misunderstood?"
"No."
Lillian shook her head in smiling reproach. "Miss Taggart, don't you think that this is a case where one cannot afford to indulge in abstract theory, but must consider practical reality?"
Dagny would not smile. "I have never understood what is meant by a statement of that kind."
"I mean that your attitude may be highly idealistic-as I am sure it is-but, unfortunately, most people do not share your lofty frame of mind and will misinterpret your action in the one manner which would be most abhorrent to you."
"Then the responsibility and the risk will be theirs, not mine."
"I admire your . . . no, I must not say 'innocence,' but shall I say 'purity?' You have never thought of it, I'm sure, but life is not as straight and logical as . . . as a railroad track. It is regrettable, but possible, that your high intentions may lead people to suspect things which . . . well, which I'm sure you know to be of a sordid and scandalous nature."
Dagny was looking straight at her. "I don't."
"But you cannot ignore that possibility."
"I do." Dagny turned to go.
"Oh, but should you wish to evade a discussion if you have nothing to hide?" Dagny stopped. "And if your brilliant-and reckless courage permits you to gamble with your reputation, should you ignore the danger to Mr. Rearden?"
Dagny asked slowly, "What is the danger to Mr. Rearden?"
'Tm sure you understand me."
"I don't."
"Oh, but surely it isn't necessary to be more explicit."
"It is-if you wish to continue this discussion."
Lillian's eyes went to Rearden's face, searching for