Прокляття мумії, або Камінь Семи Зірок
Chapter 12
SincehereceivedthatcableintheshippingofficeatAlexandriaIhaveneverseenahappysmileonhisface.
"Workisthebestthinginsuchacase;andtohisworkhedevotedhimselfheartandsoul.Thestrangetragedyofhislossandgain—forthechildwasbornafterthemother’sdeath—tookplaceduringthetimethatwestoodinthattranceintheMummyPitofQueenTera.ItseemedtohavebecomeinsomewayassociatedwithhisEgyptianstudies,andmoreespeciallywiththemysteriesconnectedwiththeQueen.Hetoldmeverylittleabouthisdaughter;butthattwoforcesstruggledinhismindregardingherwasapparent.Icouldseethatheloved,almostidolisedher.Yethecouldneverforgetthatherbirthhadcosthermother’slife.Also,therewassomethingwhoseexistenceseemedtowringhisfather’sheart,thoughhewouldnevertellmewhatitwas.Again,heoncesaidinamomentofrelaxationofhispurposeofsilence:
"’Sheisunlikehermother;butinbothfeatureandcolourshehasamarvellousresemblancetothepicturesofQueenTera.’
"Hesaidthathehadsentherawaytopeoplewhowouldcareforherashecouldnot;andthattillshebecameawomansheshouldhaveallthesimplepleasuresthatayounggirlmighthave,andthatwerebestforher.Iwouldoftenhavetalkedwithhimabouther;buthewouldneversaymuch.Oncehesaidtome:’TherearereasonswhyIshouldnotspeakmorethanisnecessary.