Мхи старої садиби
Rappaccini's Daughter
Theseincidents,however,dissolvinginthepurelightofhercharacter,hadnolongertheefficacyoffacts,butwereacknowledgedasmistakenfantasies,bywhatevertestimonyofthesensestheymightappeartobesubstantiated.Thereissomethingtruerandmorerealthanwhatwecanseewiththeeyesandtouchwiththefinger.OnsuchbetterevidencehadGiovannifoundedhisconfidenceinBeatrice,thoughratherbythenecessaryforceofherhighattributesthanbyanydeepandgenerousfaithonhispart.Butnowhisspiritwasincapableofsustainingitselfattheheighttowhichtheearlyenthusiasmofpassionhadexaltedit;hefelldown,grovellingamongearthlydoubts,anddefiledtherewiththepurewhitenessofBeatrice’simage.Notthathegaveherup;hedidbutdistrust.Heresolvedtoinstitutesomedecisivetestthatshouldsatisfyhim,onceforall,whethertherewerethosedreadfulpeculiaritiesinherphysicalnaturewhichcouldnotbesupposedtoexistwithoutsomecorrespondingmonstrosityofsoul.Hiseyes,gazingdownafar,mighthavedeceivedhimastothelizard,theinsect,andtheflowers;butifhecouldwitness,atthedistanceofafewpaces,thesuddenblightofonefreshandhealthfulflowerinBeatrice’shand,therewouldberoomfornofurtherquestion.Withthisideahehastenedtotheflorist’sandpurchasedabouquetthatwasstillgemmedwiththemorningdew-drops.
ItwasnowthecustomaryhourofhisdailyinterviewwithBeatrice.
