Последний из Могикан
Chapter 16
"Yeareright,sir,"returnedtheoldman,againchanginghistonestothoseofgentleness,orrathersoftness;"thegirlistheimageofwhathermotherwasatheryears,andbeforeshehadbecomeacquaintedwithgrief.WhendeathdeprivedmeofmywifeIreturnedtoScotland,enrichedbythemarriage;andwouldyouthinkit,Duncan!Thesufferingangelhadremainedintheheartlessstateofcelibacytwentylongyears,andthatforthesakeofamanwhocouldforgether!Shedidmore,sir;sheover-lookedmywantoffaith,andalldifficultiesbeingnowremoved,shetookmeforherhusband."
"AndbecamethemotherofAlice?"exclaimedDuncan,withaneagernessthatmighthaveproveddangerousatamomentwhenthethoughtsofMunrowerelessoccupiedthanatpresent.
"Shedid,indeed,"saidtheoldman,"anddearlydidshepayfortheblessingshebestowed.Butsheisasaintinheaven,sir;anditillbecomesonewhosefootrestsonthegravetomournalotsoblessed.Ihadherbutasingleyear,though;ashorttermofhappinessforonewhohadseenheryouthfadeinhopelesspining."
Therewassomethingsocommandinginthedistressoftheoldman,thatHeywarddidnotdaretoventureasyllableofconsolation.Munrosatutterlyunconsciousoftheother’spresence,hisfeaturesexposedandworkingwiththeanguishofhisregrets,whileheavytearsfellfromhiseyes,androlledunheededfromhischeekstothefloor.
