Проклятие мумии, или Камень Семи Звезд

           Thesightofherjoyandemotion,thementionofmyownnameinsuchawayandatsuchatime,therushofgloriouspossibilitiesallcomingtogether,quiteunmannedme.Shesawmyemotion,andseemedtounderstand.Sheputoutherhand.Iheldithard,andkissedit.Suchmomentsasthese,theopportunitiesoflovers,aregiftsofthegods!Uptothisinstant,thoughIknewIlovedher,andthoughIbelievedshereturnedmyaffection,Ihadhadonlyhope.Now,however,theself-surrendermanifestinherwillingnesstoletmesqueezeherhand,theardourofherpressureinreturn,andthegloriousflushofloveinherbeautiful,deep,darkeyesassheliftedthemtomine,werealltheeloquenceswhichthemostimpatientorexactinglovercouldexpectordemand.

           Nowordwasspoken;nonewasneeded.EvenhadInotbeenpledgedtoverbalsilence,wordswouldhavebeenpooranddulltoexpresswhatwefelt.Handinhand,liketwolittlechildren,wewentupthestaircaseandwaitedonthelanding,tillthesummonsfromMr.Trelawnyshouldcome.

           Iwhisperedinherear—itwasnicerthanspeakingaloudandatagreaterdistance—howherfatherhadawakened,andwhathehadsaid;andallthathadpassedbetweenus,exceptwhensheherselfhadbeenthesubjectofconversation.

           Presentlyabellrangfromtheroom.Margaretslippedfromme,andlookedbackwithwarningfingeronlip.Shewentovertoherfather’sdoorandknockedsoftly.

           "Comein!"saidthestrongvoice