Мхи старой усадьбы
The Birthmark
Longerthanonemomentshewellknewitcouldnotbe;forhisspiritwaseveronthemarch,everascending,andeachinstantrequiredsomethingthatwasbeyondthescopeoftheinstantbefore.
Thesoundofherhusband’sfootstepsarousedher.Heboreacrystalgobletcontainingaliquorcolorlessaswater,butbrightenoughtobethedraughtofimmortality.Aylmerwaspale;butitseemedrathertheconsequenceofahighly-wroughtstateofmindandtensionofspiritthanoffearordoubt.
"Theconcoctionofthedraughthasbeenperfect,"saidhe,inanswertoGeorgiana’slook."Unlessallmysciencehavedeceivedme,itcannotfail."
"Saveonyouraccount,mydearestAylmer,"observedhiswife,"Imightwishtoputoffthisbirthmarkofmortalitybyrelinquishingmortalityitselfinpreferencetoanyothermode.LifeisbutasadpossessiontothosewhohaveattainedpreciselythedegreeofmoraladvancementatwhichIstand.WereIweakerandblinderitmightbehappiness.WereIstronger,itmightbeenduredhopefully.But,beingwhatIfindmyself,methinksIamofallmortalsthemostfittodie."
"Youarefitforheavenwithouttastingdeath!"repliedherhusband"Butwhydowespeakofdying?Thedraughtcannotfail.Beholditseffectuponthisplant."
Onthewindowseattherestoodageraniumdiseasedwithyellowblotches,whichhadoverspreadallitsleaves.Aylmerpouredasmallquantityoftheliquiduponthesoilinwhichitgrew.Inalittletime,whentherootsoftheplanthadtakenupthemoisture,theunsightlyblotchesbegantobeextinguishedinalivingverdure.
