Мхи старої садиби

           Theaspectofoneandallofthemdissatisfiedhim;theirgorgeousnessseemedfierce,passionate,andevenunnatural.Therewashardlyanindividualshrubwhichawanderer,strayingbyhimselfthroughaforest,wouldnothavebeenstartledtofindgrowingwild,asifanunearthlyfacehadglaredathimoutofthethicket.Severalalsowouldhaveshockedadelicateinstinctbyanappearanceofartificialnessindicatingthattherehadbeensuchcommixture,and,asitwere,adultery,ofvariousvegetablespecies,thattheproductionwasnolongerofGod’smaking,butthemonstrousoffspringofman’sdepravedfancy,glowingwithonlyanevilmockeryofbeauty.Theywereprobablytheresultofexperiment,whichinoneortwocaseshadsucceededinminglingplantsindividuallylovelyintoacompoundpossessingthequestionableandominouscharacterthatdistinguishedthewholegrowthofthegarden.Infine,Giovannirecognizedbuttwoorthreeplantsinthecollection,andthoseofakindthathewellknewtobepoisonous.Whilebusywiththesecontemplationsheheardtherustlingofasilkengarment,and,turning,beheldBeatriceemergingfrombeneaththesculpturedportal.

           Giovannihadnotconsideredwithhimselfwhatshouldbehisdeportment;whetherheshouldapologizeforhisintrusionintothegarden,orassumethathewastherewiththeprivityatleast,ifnotbythedesire,ofDr.Rappacciniorhisdaughter;butBeatrice’smannerplacedhimathisease,thoughleavinghimstillindoubtbywhatagencyhehadgainedadmittance.Shecamelightlyalongthepathandmethimnearthebrokenfountain.