Випадок Чарльза Декстера Варда

           Forittookthefinalbathofoilandthefinalstrokeofthedelicatescrapertobringoutfullytheexpressionwhichcenturieshadhidden;andtoconfrontthebewilderedCharlesDexterWard,dwellerinthepast,withhisownlivingfeaturesinthecountenanceofhishorriblegreat-great-great-grandfather.

           Wardbroughthisparentstoseethemarvelhehaduncovered,andhisfatheratoncedeterminedtopurchasethepicturedespiteitsexecutiononstationarypaneling.Theresemblancetotheboy,despiteanappearanceofrathergreatage,wasmarvelous;anditcouldbeseenthatthroughsometrickofatavismthephysicalcontoursofJosephCurwenhadfoundpreciseduplicationafteracenturyandahalf.Mrs.Ward’sresemblancetoherancestorwasnotatallmarked,thoughshecouldrecallrelativeswhohadsomeofthefacialcharacteristicssharedbyhersonandbythebygoneCurwen.Shedidnotrelishthediscovery,andtoldherhusbandthathehadbetterburnthepictureinsteadofbringingithome.Therewas,sheaverred,somethingunwholesomeaboutit;notonlyintrinsically,butinitsveryresemblancetoCharles.Mr.Ward,however,wasapracticalmanofpowerandaffairs—acottonmanufacturerwithextensivemillsatRiverpointinthePawtuxetValley—andnotonetolistentofemininescruples.Thepictureimpressedhimmightilywithitslikenesstohisson,andhebelievedtheboydeserveditasapresent.Inthisopinion,itisneedlesstosay,Charlesmostheartilyconcurred;andafewdayslaterMr.