Мхи старой усадьбы

           ThenextdayAylmerapprisedhiswifeofaplanthathehadformedwherebyhemighthaveopportunityfortheintensethoughtandconstantwatchfulnesswhichtheproposedoperationwouldrequire;whileGeorgiana,likewise,wouldenjoytheperfectreposeessentialtoitssuccess.TheyweretosecludethemselvesintheextensiveapartmentsoccupiedbyAylmerasalaboratory,andwhere,duringhistoilsomeyouth,hehadmadediscoveriesintheelementalpowersofNaturethathadrousedtheadmirationofallthelearnedsocietiesinEurope.Seatedcalmlyinthislaboratory,thepalephilosopherhadinvestigatedthesecretsofthehighestcloudregionandoftheprofoundestmines;hehadsatisfiedhimselfofthecausesthatkindledandkeptalivethefiresofthevolcano;andhadexplainedthemysteryoffountains,andhowitisthattheygushforth,somesobrightandpure,andotherswithsuchrichmedicinalvirtues,fromthedarkbosomoftheearth.Here,too,atanearlierperiod,hehadstudiedthewondersofthehumanframe,andattemptedtofathomtheveryprocessbywhichNatureassimilatesallherpreciousinfluencesfromearthandair,andfromthespiritualworld,tocreateandfosterman,hermasterpiece.Thelatterpursuit,however,Aylmerhadlonglaidasideinunwillingrecognitionofthetruth—againstwhichallseekerssoonerorlaterstumble—thatourgreatcreativeMother,whilesheamusesuswithapparentlyworkinginthebroadestsunshine,isyetseverelycarefultokeepherownsecrets,and,inspiteofherpretendedopenness,showsusnothingbutresults.