Мхи старої садиби
The Birthmark
"
ThemindisinasadstatewhenSleep,theall-involving,cannotconfineherspectreswithinthedimregionofhersway,butsuffersthemtobreakforth,affrightingthisactuallifewithsecretsthatperchancebelongtoadeeperone.Aylmernowrememberedhisdream.HehadfanciedhimselfwithhisservantAminadab,attemptinganoperationfortheremovalofthebirthmark;butthedeeperwenttheknife,thedeepersankthehand,untilatlengthitstinygraspappearedtohavecaughtholdofGeorgiana’sheart;whence,however,herhusbandwasinexorablyresolvedtocutorwrenchitaway.
Whenthedreamhadshapeditselfperfectlyinhismemory,Aylmersatinhiswife’spresencewithaguiltyfeeling.Truthoftenfindsitswaytothemindclosemuffledinrobesofsleep,andthenspeakswithuncompromisingdirectnessofmattersinregardtowhichwepractiseanunconsciousself-deceptionduringourwakingmoments.Untilnowhehadnotbeenawareofthetyrannizinginfluenceacquiredbyoneideaoverhismind,andofthelengthswhichhemightfindinhishearttogoforthesakeofgivinghimselfpeace.
"Aylmer,"resumedGeorgiana,solemnly,"Iknownotwhatmaybethecosttobothofustoridmeofthisfatalbirthmark.Perhapsitsremovalmaycausecurelessdeformity;oritmaybethestaingoesasdeepaslifeitself.Again:doweknowthatthereisapossibility,onanyterms,ofunclaspingthefirmgripeofthislittlehandwhichwaslaiduponmebeforeIcameintotheworld?"
"DearestGeorgiana,Ihavespentmuchthoughtuponthesubject,"hastilyinterruptedAylmer.
