Прокляття мумії, або Камінь Семи Зірок

           Perhaps,eventomorrow,Iwillbeabletotellyoualsoofthem;butinthemeantimetherewillbelessdistractiontousbothifwearealoneinthehouse."Iquiteunderstoodandsympathisedwithhisfeelings;buttheexperiencesofthelastfewdayswerestrongonme,andwithsomehesitationIsaid:

           "Butmayitnotbedangerous?Ifyouknewaswedo—"TomysurpriseMargaretinterruptedme:

           "Therewillbenodanger,Malcolm.IshallbewithFather!"Asshespokesheclungtohiminaprotectiveway.Isaidnomore,butstooduptogoatonce.Mr.Trelawnysaidheartily:

           "Comeasearlyasyouplease,Ross.Cometobreakfast.Afterit,youandIwillwanttohaveawordtogether."Hewentoutoftheroomquietly,leavingustogether.IclaspedandkissedMargaret’shands,whichsheheldouttome,andthendrewherclosetome,andourlipsmetforthefirsttime.

           Ididnotsleepmuchthatnight.HappinessontheonesideofmybedandAnxietyontheotherkeptsleepaway.ButifIhadanxiouscare,Ihadalsohappinesswhichhadnotequalinmylife—orevercanhave.Thenightwentbysoquicklythatthedawnseemedtorushonme,notstealingasisitswont.

           Beforenineo’clockIwasatKensington.AllanxietyseemedtofloatawaylikeacloudasImetMargaret,andsawthatalreadythepallorofherfacehadgiventotherichbloomwhichIknew.Shetoldmethatherfatherhadsleptwell,andthathewouldbewithussoon.