Проклятие мумии, или Камень Семи Звезд

           Wehadagooddealofconversation—naturally."

           "Naturally!"therewasjustasuspicionofsomethingsardonicinthetoneofacquiescence;buttherewasnootherintimationofhisfeeling.IbegantothinkthatasIwasinthepresenceofastrongman,Ishouldshowsomethingofmyownstrength.Myfriends,andsometimesmyopponents,saythatIamastrongman.Inmypresentcircumstances,nottobeabsolutelytruthfulwouldbetobeweak.SoIstooduptothedifficultybeforeme;alwaysbearinginmind,however,thatmywordsmightaffectMargaret’shappinessthroughherloveforherfather.Iwenton:

           "Inconversationataplaceandtimeandamidsurroundingssopleasing,andinasolitudeinvitingtoconfidence,Igotaglimpseofherinnerlife.Suchaglimpseasamanofmyyearsandexperiencemaygetfromayounggirl!"Thefather’sfacegrewgraverasIwenton;buthesaidnothing.Iwascommittednowtoadefinitelineofspeech,andwentonwithsuchmasteryofmymindasIcouldexercise.Theoccasionmightbefraughtwithseriousconsequencestometoo.

           "Icouldnotbutseethattherewasoverherspiritasenseoflonelinesswhichwashabitualtoher.IthoughtIunderstoodit;Iammyselfanonlychild.Iventuredtoencouragehertospeaktomefreely;andwashappyenoughtosucceed.Asortofconfidencebecameestablishedbetweenus.