Проклятие мумии, или Камень Семи Звезд

           "Therewassomethinginthefather’sfacewhichmademeaddhurriedly:

           "Nothingwassaidbyher,sir,asyoucanwellimagine,whichwasnotrightandproper.Sheonlytoldmeintheimpulsivewayofonelongingtogivevoicetothoughtslongcarefullyconcealed,ofheryearningtobeclosertothefatherwhomsheloved;moreenrapportwithhim;moreinhisconfidence;closerwithinthecircleofhissympathies.Oh,believeme,sir,thatitwasallgood!Allthatafather’sheartcouldhopeorwishfor!Itwasallloyal!ThatshespokeittomewasperhapsbecauseIwasalmostastrangerwithwhomtherewasnopreviousbarriertoconfidence."

           HereIpaused.Itwashardtogoon;andIfearedlestImight,inmyzeal,doMargaretadisservice.Thereliefofthestraincamefromherfather.

           "Andyou?"

           "Sir,MissTrelawnyisverysweetandbeautiful!Sheisyoung;andhermindislikecrystal!Hersympathyisajoy!Iamnotanoldman,andmyaffectionswerenotengaged.Theyneverhadbeentillthen.IhopeImaysayasmuch,eventoafather!"Myeyesinvoluntarilydropped.WhenIraisedthemagainMr.Trelawnywasstillgazingatmekeenly.Allthekindlinessofhisnatureseemedtowreathitselfinasmileasheheldouthishandandsaid:

           "MalcolmRoss,Ihavealwaysheardofyouasafearlessandhonourablegentleman.Iamgladmygirlhassuchafriend!Goon!"

           Myheartleaped.ThefirststeptothewinningofMargaret’sfatherwasgained.