Мхи старой усадьбы

           "

           ThemindisinasadstatewhenSleep,theall-involving,cannotconfineherspectreswithinthedimregionofhersway,butsuffersthemtobreakforth,affrightingthisactuallifewithsecretsthatperchancebelongtoadeeperone.Aylmernowrememberedhisdream.HehadfanciedhimselfwithhisservantAminadab,attemptinganoperationfortheremovalofthebirthmark;butthedeeperwenttheknife,thedeepersankthehand,untilatlengthitstinygraspappearedtohavecaughtholdofGeorgiana’sheart;whence,however,herhusbandwasinexorablyresolvedtocutorwrenchitaway.

           Whenthedreamhadshapeditselfperfectlyinhismemory,Aylmersatinhiswife’spresencewithaguiltyfeeling.Truthoftenfindsitswaytothemindclosemuffledinrobesofsleep,andthenspeakswithuncompromisingdirectnessofmattersinregardtowhichwepractiseanunconsciousself-deceptionduringourwakingmoments.Untilnowhehadnotbeenawareofthetyrannizinginfluenceacquiredbyoneideaoverhismind,andofthelengthswhichhemightfindinhishearttogoforthesakeofgivinghimselfpeace.

           "Aylmer,"resumedGeorgiana,solemnly,"Iknownotwhatmaybethecosttobothofustoridmeofthisfatalbirthmark.Perhapsitsremovalmaycausecurelessdeformity;oritmaybethestaingoesasdeepaslifeitself.Again:doweknowthatthereisapossibility,onanyterms,ofunclaspingthefirmgripeofthislittlehandwhichwaslaiduponmebeforeIcameintotheworld?"

           "DearestGeorgiana,Ihavespentmuchthoughtuponthesubject,"hastilyinterruptedAylmer.