Прокляття мумії, або Камінь Семи Зірок

           ThiswasindeedmyMargaret;andintheconsciousnessofherpresencemyheartleapt.Outofmyhappinesscameboldness,andIdaredtosaynowwhatIhadfearedwouldbeimpossible:somethingwhichwouldcalltheattentionofMr.TrelawnytowhatIimaginedwasthedualexistenceofhisdaughter.AsItookMargaret’shandinmineandkissedit,Isaidtoherfather:

           "Why,sir!shecouldn’tspeakmoreeloquentlyiftheveryspiritofQueenTerawaswithhertoanimateherandsuggestthoughts!"

           Mr.Trelawny’sanswersimplyoverwhelmedmewithsurprise.Itmanifestedtomethathetoohadgonethroughjustsuchaprocessofthoughtasmyown.

           "Andwhatifitwas;ifitis!Iknowwellthatthespiritofhermotheriswithinher.IfinadditiontherebethespiritofthatgreatandwondrousQueen,thenshewouldbenolessdeartome,butdoublydear!Donothavefearforher,MalcolmRoss;atleasthavenomorefearthanyoumayhavefortherestofus!"Margarettookupthetheme,speakingsoquicklythatherwordsseemedacontinuationofherfather’s,ratherthananinterruptionofthem.

           "Havenospecialfearforme,Malcolm.QueenTeraknows,andwillofferusnoharm.Iknowit!Iknowit,assurelyasIamlostinthedepthofmyownloveforyou!"

           TherewassomethinginhervoicesostrangetomethatIlookedquicklyintohereyes.Theywerebrightasever,butveiledtomyseeingtheinwardthoughtbehindthemasaretheeyesofacagedlion