Прокляття мумії, або Камінь Семи Зірок

           I,too,waitedinpatiencetillIshouldhavegatheredtogetherallthefactorsrequiredfortheopeningoftheMagicCofferandtheresurrectionofthemummiedQueen!"Hepaused,andhisdaughter’svoicecameoutsweetandclear,andfullofintensefeeling:

           "Father,intheEgyptianbelief,wasthepowerofresurrectionofamummiedbodyageneralone,orwasitlimited?Thatis:coulditachieveresurrectionmanytimesinthecourseofages;oronlyonce,andthatonefinal?"

           "Therewasbutoneresurrection,"heanswered."Thereweresomewhobelievedthatthiswastobeadefiniteresurrectionofthebodyintotherealworld.Butinthecommonbelief,theSpiritfoundjoyintheElysianFields,wheretherewasplentyoffoodandnofearoffamine.Wheretherewasmoistureanddeep-rootedreeds,andallthejoysthataretobeexpectedbythepeopleofanaridlandandburningclime."

           ThenMargaretspokewithanearnestnesswhichshowedtheconvictionofherinmostsoul:

           "Tome,then,itisgiventounderstandwhatwasthedreamofthisgreatandfar-thinkingandhigh-souledladyofold;thedreamthatheldhersoulinpatientwaitingforitsrealisationthroughthepassingofallthosetensofcenturies.Thedreamofalovethatmightbe;alovethatshefeltshemight,evenundernewconditions,herselfevoke.