Мхи старої садиби
The Birthmark
"Thereneedednoproof,"saidGeorgiana,quietly."GivemethegobletIjoyfullystakealluponyourword."
"Drink,then,thouloftycreature!"exclaimedAylmer,withfervidadmiration."Thereisnotaintofimperfectiononthyspirit.Thysensibleframe,too,shallsoonbeallperfect."
Shequaffedtheliquidandreturnedthegoblettohishand.
"Itisgrateful,"saidshewithaplacidsmile."Methinksitislikewaterfromaheavenlyfountain;foritcontainsIknownotwhatofunobtrusivefragranceanddeliciousness.Itallaysafeverishthirstthathadparchedmeformanydays.Now,dearest,letmesleep.Myearthlysensesareclosingovermyspiritliketheleavesaroundtheheartofaroseatsunset."
Shespokethelastwordswithagentlereluctance,asifitrequiredalmostmoreenergythanshecouldcommandtopronouncethefaintandlingeringsyllables.Scarcelyhadtheyloiteredthroughherlipsereshewaslostinslumber.Aylmersatbyherside,watchingheraspectwiththeemotionspropertoamanthewholevalueofwhoseexistencewasinvolvedintheprocessnowtobetested.Mingledwiththismood,however,wasthephilosophicinvestigationcharacteristicofthemanofscience.Nottheminutestsymptomescapedhim.Aheightenedflushofthecheek,aslightirregularityofbreath,aquiveroftheeyelid,ahardlyperceptibletremorthroughtheframe,—suchwerethedetailswhich,asthemomentspassed,hewrotedowninhisfoliovolume.Intensethoughthadsetitsstampuponeverypreviouspageofthatvolume,butthethoughtsofyearswereallconcentrateduponthelast.
