Мхи старой усадьбы
Drowne's Wooden Image
Arealdiamondsparkledonherfinger.Inherrighthandsheboreapearlandebonyfan,whichsheflourishedwithafantasticandbewitchingcoquetry,thatwaslikewiseexpressedinallhermovementsaswellasinthestyleofherbeautyandtheattirethatsowellharmonizedwithit.Thefacewithitsbrilliantdepthofcomplexionhadthesamepiquancyofmirthfulmischiefthatwasfixeduponthecountenanceoftheimage,butwhichwasherevariedandcontinuallyshifting,yetalwaysessentiallythesame,likethesunnygleamuponabubblingfountain.Onthewhole,therewassomethingsoairyandyetsorealinthefigure,andwithalsoperfectlydiditrepresentDrowne’simage,thatpeopleknewnotwhethertosupposethemagicwoodetherealizedintoaspiritorwarmedandsoftenedintoanactualwoman.
"Onethingiscertain,"mutteredaPuritanoftheoldstamp,"Drownehassoldhimselftothedevil;anddoubtlessthisgayCaptainHunnewellisapartytothebargain."
"AndI,"saidayoungmanwhooverheardhim,"wouldalmostconsenttobethethirdvictim,forthelibertyofsalutingthoselovelylips."
"AndsowouldI,"saidCopley,thepainter,"fortheprivilegeoftakingherpicture."
Theimage,ortheapparition,whicheveritmightbe,stillescortedbytheboldcaptain,proceededfromHanoverStreetthroughsomeofthecrosslanesthatmakethisportionofthetownsointricate,toAnnStreet,thenceintoDockSquare,andsodownwardtoDrowne’sshop,whichstoodjustonthewater’sedge.Thecrowdstillfollowed,gatheringvolumeasitrolledalong.
