Мхи старой усадьбы
Rappaccini's Daughter
Youcannot,therefore,estimatethewrong—theblasphemy,Imayevensay—thatisofferedtohercharacterbyalightorinjuriousword."
"Giovanni!mypoorGiovanni!"answeredtheprofessor,withacalmexpressionofpity,"Iknowthiswretchedgirlfarbetterthanyourself.YoushallhearthetruthinrespecttothepoisonerRappacciniandhispoisonousdaughter;yes,poisonousassheisbeautiful.Listen;for,evenshouldyoudoviolencetomygrayhairs,itshallnotsilenceme.ThatoldfableoftheIndianwomanhasbecomeatruthbythedeepanddeadlyscienceofRappacciniandinthepersonofthelovelyBeatrice."
Giovannigroanedandhidhisface
"Herfather,"continuedBaglioni,"wasnotrestrainedbynaturalaffectionfromofferinguphischildinthishorriblemannerasthevictimofhisinsanezealforscience;for,letusdohimjustice,heisastrueamanofscienceaseverdistilledhisownheartinanalembic.What,then,willbeyourfate?Beyondadoubtyouareselectedasthematerialofsomenewexperiment.Perhapstheresultistobedeath;perhapsafatemoreawfulstill.Rappaccini,withwhathecallstheinterestofsciencebeforehiseyes,willhesitateatnothing."
"Itisadream,"mutteredGiovannitohimself;"surelyitisadream."
"But,"resumedtheprofessor,"beofgoodcheer,sonofmyfriend.Itisnotyettoolatefortherescue.Possiblywemayevensucceedinbringingbackthismiserablechildwithinthelimitsofordinarynature,fromwhichherfather’smadnesshasestrangedher.
