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Rappaccini's Daughter
Ashereyesfelluponit,Giovannibeheldherpressherhandtoherbosomasifherheartwerethrobbingsuddenlyandpainfully.
"Forthefirsttimeinmylife,"murmuredshe,addressingtheshrub,"Ihadforgottenthee."
"Iremember,signora,"saidGiovanni,"thatyouoncepromisedtorewardmewithoneoftheselivinggemsforthebouquetwhichIhadthehappyboldnesstoflingtoyourfeet.Permitmenowtopluckitasamemorialofthisinterview."
Hemadeasteptowardstheshrubwithextendedhand;butBeatricedartedforward,utteringashriekthatwentthroughhisheartlikeadagger.Shecaughthishandanddrewitbackwiththewholeforceofherslenderfigure.Giovannifelthertouchthrillingthroughhisfibres.
"Touchitnot!"exclaimedshe,inavoiceofagony."Notforthylife!Itisfatal!"
Then,hidingherface,shefledfromhimandvanishedbeneaththesculpturedportal.AsGiovannifollowedherwithhiseyes,hebeheldtheemaciatedfigureandpaleintelligenceofDr.Rappaccini,whohadbeenwatchingthescene,heknewnothowlong,withintheshadowoftheentrance.
NosoonerwasGuascontialoneinhischamberthantheimageofBeatricecamebacktohispassionatemusings,investedwithallthewitcherythathadbeengatheringarounditeversincehisfirstglimpseofher,andnowlikewiseimbuedwithatenderwarmthofgirlishwomanhood.Shewashuman;hernaturewasendowedwithallgentleandfemininequalities;shewasworthiesttobeworshipped;shewascapable,surely,onherpart,oftheheightandheroismoflove.
