Мхи старой усадьбы

           Thespidersuddenlyceaseditstoil;thewebvibratedwithatremororiginatinginthebodyofthesmallartisan.AgainGiovannisentforthabreath,deeper,longer,andimbuedwithavenomousfeelingoutofhisheart:heknewnotwhetherhewerewicked,oronlydesperate.Thespidermadeaconvulsivegripewithhislimbsandhungdeadacrossthewindow.

           "Accursed!accursed!"mutteredGiovanni,addressinghimself."Hastthougrownsopoisonousthatthisdeadlyinsectperishesbythybreath?"

           Atthatmomentarich,sweetvoicecamefloatingupfromthegarden.

           "Giovanni!Giovanni!Itispastthehour!Whytarriestthou?Comedown!"

           "Yes,"mutteredGiovanniagain."Sheistheonlybeingwhommybreathmaynotslay!Wouldthatitmight!"

           Herusheddown,andinaninstantwasstandingbeforethebrightandlovingeyesofBeatrice.Amomentagohiswrathanddespairhadbeensofiercethathecouldhavedesirednothingsomuchastowitherherbyaglance;butwithheractualpresencetherecameinfluenceswhichhadtoorealanexistencetobeatonceshakenoff:recollectionsofthedelicateandbenignpowerofherfemininenature,whichhadsooftenenvelopedhiminareligiouscalm;recollectionsofmanyaholyandpassionateoutgushofherheart,whenthepurefountainhadbeenunsealedfromitsdepthsandmadevisibleinitstransparencytohismentaleye;recollectionswhich,hadGiovanniknownhowtoestimatethem,wouldhaveassuredhimthatallthisuglymysterywasbutanearthlyillusion,andthat,whatevermistofevilmightseemtohavegatheredoverher,therealBeatricewasaheavenlyangel.