Мхи старой усадьбы
Egotism; or, The Bosom Serpent
Thephysicianstriedtosuffocatethefiendwithtobaccosmoke.Hebreatheditasfreelyasifitwerehisnativeatmosphere.Again,theydruggedtheirpatientwithopiumanddrenchedhimwithintoxicatingliquors,hopingthatthesnakemightthusbereducedtostuporandperhapsbeejectedfromthestomach.TheysucceededinrenderingRoderickinsensible;but,placingtheirhandsuponhisbreast,theywereinexpressiblyhorrorstrickentofeelthemonsterwriggling,twining,anddartingtoandfrowithinhisnarrowlimits,evidentlyenlivenedbytheopiumoralcohol,andincitedtounusualfeatsofactivity.Thenceforththeygaveupallattemptsatcureorpalliation.Thedoomedsufferersubmittedtohisfate,resumedhisformerloathsomeaffectionforthebosomfiend,andspentwholemiserabledaysbeforealooking-glass,withhismouthwideopen,watching,inhopeandhorror,tocatchaglimpseofthesnake’sheadfardownwithinhisthroat.Itissupposedthathesucceeded;fortheattendantsonceheardafrenziedshout,and,rushingintotheroom,foundRodericklifelessuponthefloor.
Hewaskeptbutlittlelongerunderrestraint.Afterminuteinvestigation,themedicaldirectorsoftheasylumdecidedthathismentaldiseasedidnotamounttoinsanity,norwouldwarranthisconfinement,especiallyasitsinfluenceuponhisspiritswasunfavorable,andmightproducetheevilwhichitwasmeanttoremedy.Hiseccentricitiesweredoubtlessgreat;hehadhabituallyviolatedmanyofthecustomsandprejudicesofsociety;buttheworldwasnot,withoutsurerground,entitledtotreathimasamadman.
