Мхи старої садиби

           Whilethusemployed,hefailednottogazeoftenatthefatalhand,andnotwithoutashudder.Yetonce,byastrangeandunaccountableimpulsehepresseditwithhislips.Hisspiritrecoiled,however,intheveryact,andGeorgiana,outofthemidstofherdeepsleep,moveduneasilyandmurmuredasifinremonstrance.AgainAylmerresumedhiswatch.Norwasitwithoutavail.Thecrimsonhand,whichatfirsthadbeenstronglyvisibleuponthemarblepalenessofGeorgiana’scheek,nowgrewmorefaintlyoutlined.Sheremainednotlesspalethanever;butthebirthmarkwitheverybreaththatcameandwent,lostsomewhatofitsformerdistinctness.Itspresencehadbeenawful;itsdeparturewasmoreawfulstill.Watchthestainoftherainbowfadingoutthesky,andyouwillknowhowthatmysterioussymbolpassedaway.

           "ByHeaven!itiswell-nighgone!"saidAylmertohimself,inalmostirrepressibleecstasy."Icanscarcelytraceitnow.Success!success!Andnowitislikethefaintestrosecolor.Thelightestflushofbloodacrosshercheekwouldovercomeit.Butsheissopale!"

           Hedrewasidethewindowcurtainandsufferedthelightofnaturaldaytofallintotheroomandrestuponhercheek.Atthesametimeheheardagross,hoarsechuckle,whichhehadlongknownashisservantAminadab’sexpressionofdelight.

           "Ah,clod!ah,earthlymass!"criedAylmer,laughinginasortoffrenzy,"youhaveservedmewell!Matterandspirit—earthandheaven—havebothdonetheirpartinthis!Laugh,thingofthesenses!Youhaveearnedtherighttolaugh."

           TheseexclamationsbrokeGeorgiana’ssleep.