Прокляття мумії, або Камінь Семи Зірок

           Therewasasortofveiledsurpriseinhisunconsciouswhisper:

           "Margaret!Margaret!"

           WhenIhadfinishedmynarration,bringingmattersuptothemomentwhenMissTrelawnyhadgoneoutforherwalk—Ithoughtofheras"MissTrelawny’,notas’Margaret’now,inthepresenceofherfather—heremainedsilentforquitealongtime.Itwasprobablytwoorthreeminutes;butitseemedinterminable.Allatonceheturnedandsaidtomebriskly:

           "Nowtellmeallaboutyourself!"Thiswassomethingofafloorer;Ifeltmyselfgrowred-hot.Mr.Trelawny’seyeswereuponme;theywerenowcalmandinquiring,butneverceasingintheirsoul-searchingscrutiny.Therewasjustasuspicionofasmileonthemouthwhich,thoughitaddedtomyembarrassment,gavemeacertainmeasureofrelief.Iwas,however,facetofacewithdifficulty;andthehabitofmylifestoodmeingoodstead.IlookedhimstraightintheeyesasIspoke:

           "Myname,asItoldyou,isRoss,MalcolmRoss.IambyprofessionaBarrister.IwasmadeaQ.C.inthelastyearoftheQueen’sreign.Ihavebeenfairlysuccessfulinmywork."Tomyreliefhesaid:

           "Yes,Iknow.Ihavealwaysheardwellofyou!WhereandwhendidyoumeetMargaret?"

           "FirstattheHay’sinBelgraveSquare,tendaysago.ThenatapicnicuptheriverwithLadyStrathconnell.WewentfromWindsortoCookham.Mar—MissTrelawnywasinmyboat.Iscullalittle,andIhadmyownboatatWindsor.