Мхи старої садиби
The Birthmark
Know,then,thatthiscrimsonhand,superficialasitseems,hasclutcheditsgraspintoyourbeingwithastrengthofwhichIhadnopreviousconception.Ihavealreadyadministeredagentspowerfulenoughtodoaughtexcepttochangeyourentirephysicalsystem.Onlyonethingremainstobetried.Ifthatfailusweareruined."
"Whydidyouhesitatetotellmethis?"askedshe.
"Because,Georgiana,"saidAylmer,inalowvoice,"thereisdanger."
"Danger?Thereisbutonedanger—thatthishorriblestigmashallbeleftuponmycheek!"criedGeorgiana."Removeit,removeit,whateverbethecost,orweshallbothgomad!"
"Heavenknowsyourwordsaretootrue,"saidAylmer,sadly."Andnow,dearest,returntoyourboudoir.Inalittlewhileallwillbetested."
Heconductedherbackandtookleaveofherwithasolemntendernesswhichspokefarmorethanhiswordshowmuchwasnowatstake.AfterhisdepartureGeorgianabecameraptinmusings.SheconsideredthecharacterofAylmer,anddiditcompleterjusticethanatanypreviousmoment.Herheartexulted,whileittrembled,athishonorablelove—sopureandloftythatitwouldacceptnothinglessthanperfectionnormiserablymakeitselfcontentedwithanearthliernaturethanhehaddreamedof.Shefelthowmuchmorepreciouswassuchasentimentthanthatmeanerkindwhichwouldhavebornewiththeimperfectionforhersake,andhavebeenguiltyoftreasontoholylovebydegradingitsperfectideatotheleveloftheactual;andwithherwholespiritsheprayedthat,forasinglemoment,shemightsatisfyhishighestanddeepestconception.
