Прокляття мумії, або Камінь Семи Зірок
Chapter 18
Loveis,afterall,aselfishthing;anditthrowsablackshadowonanythingbetweenwhichandthelightitstands.Iseemedtohearthehandsgoroundthedialoftheclock;Isawdarknessturntogloom,andgloomtogrey,andgreytolightwithoutpauseorhindrancetothesuccessionofmymiserablefeelings.Atlast,whenitwasdecentlypossiblewithoutthefearofdisturbingothers,Igotup.Icreptalongthepassagetofindifallwaswellwiththeothers;forwehadarrangedthatthedoorofeachofourroomsshouldbeleftslightlyopensothatanysoundofdisturbancewouldbeeasilyanddistinctlyheard.
Oneandallslept;Icouldheartheregularbreathingofeach,andmyheartrejoicedthatthismiserablenightofanxietywassafelypassed.AsIkneltinmyownroominaburstofthankfulprayer,Iknewinthedepthsofmyownheartthemeasureofmyfear.Ifoundmywayoutofthehouse,andwentdowntothewaterbythelongstairwaycutintherock.Aswiminthecoolbrightseabracedmynervesandmadememyoldselfagain.
AsIcamebacktothetopofthestepsIcouldseethebrightsunlight,risingfrombehindme,turningtherocksacrossthebaytoglitteringgold.AndyetIfeltsomehowdisturbed.Itwasalltoobright;asitsometimesisbeforethecomingofastorm.
