Мхи старої садиби

           Longerthanonemomentshewellknewitcouldnotbe;forhisspiritwaseveronthemarch,everascending,andeachinstantrequiredsomethingthatwasbeyondthescopeoftheinstantbefore.

           Thesoundofherhusband’sfootstepsarousedher.Heboreacrystalgobletcontainingaliquorcolorlessaswater,butbrightenoughtobethedraughtofimmortality.Aylmerwaspale;butitseemedrathertheconsequenceofahighly-wroughtstateofmindandtensionofspiritthanoffearordoubt.

           "Theconcoctionofthedraughthasbeenperfect,"saidhe,inanswertoGeorgiana’slook."Unlessallmysciencehavedeceivedme,itcannotfail."

           "Saveonyouraccount,mydearestAylmer,"observedhiswife,"Imightwishtoputoffthisbirthmarkofmortalitybyrelinquishingmortalityitselfinpreferencetoanyothermode.LifeisbutasadpossessiontothosewhohaveattainedpreciselythedegreeofmoraladvancementatwhichIstand.WereIweakerandblinderitmightbehappiness.WereIstronger,itmightbeenduredhopefully.But,beingwhatIfindmyself,methinksIamofallmortalsthemostfittodie."

           "Youarefitforheavenwithouttastingdeath!"repliedherhusband"Butwhydowespeakofdying?Thedraughtcannotfail.Beholditseffectuponthisplant."

           Onthewindowseattherestoodageraniumdiseasedwithyellowblotches,whichhadoverspreadallitsleaves.Aylmerpouredasmallquantityoftheliquiduponthesoilinwhichitgrew.Inalittletime,whentherootsoftheplanthadtakenupthemoisture,theunsightlyblotchesbegantobeextinguishedinalivingverdure.