Мхи старой усадьбы
The Birthmark
Hisbrightestdiamondswerethemerestpebbles,andfelttobesobyhimself,incomparisonwiththeinestimablegemswhichlayhiddenbeyondhisreach.Thevolume,richwithachievementsthathadwonrenownforitsauthor,wasyetasmelancholyarecordasevermortalhandhadpenned.Itwasthesadconfessionandcontinualexemplificationoftheshortcomingsofthecompositeman,thespiritburdenedwithclayandworkinginmatter,andofthedespairthatassailsthehighernatureatfindingitselfsomiserablythwartedbytheearthlypart.PerhapseverymanofgeniusinwhateverspheremightrecognizetheimageofhisownexperienceinAylmer’sjournal.
SodeeplydidthesereflectionsaffectGeorgianathatshelaidherfaceupontheopenvolumeandburstintotears.Inthissituationshewasfoundbyherhusband.
"Itisdangeroustoreadinasorcerer’sbooks,"saidhewithasmile,thoughhiscountenancewasuneasyanddispleased."Georgiana,therearepagesinthatvolumewhichIcanscarcelyglanceoverandkeepmysenses.Takeheedlestitproveasdetrimentaltoyou."
"Ithasmademeworshipyoumorethanever,"saidshe.
"Ah,waitforthisonesuccess,"rejoinedhe,"thenworshipmeifyouwill.Ishalldeemmyselfhardlyunworthyofit.Butcome,Ihavesoughtyoufortheluxuryofyourvoice.Singtome,dearest."
Soshepouredouttheliquidmusicofhervoicetoquenchthethirstofhisspirit.Hethentookhisleavewithaboyishexuberanceofgayety,assuringherthatherseclusionwouldendurebutalittlelonger,andthattheresultwasalreadycertain.
