Прокляття мумії, або Камінь Семи Зірок

           Therearestillmanyhourstopass,andIdonotliketoleaveherlyingthere,allstarkintheglareoflight.ThismaybetheBridalshepreparedfor—theBridalofDeath;andatleastsheshallwearherprettyrobes."

           Whenpresentlyshebroughtmebacktoherroom,thedeadQueenwasdressedintherobeoffinelinenwiththeembroideryofgold;andallherbeautifuljewelswereinplace.Candleswerelitaroundher,andwhiteflowerslayuponherbreast.

           Handinhandwestoodlookingatherforawhile.Thenwithasigh,Margaretcoveredherwithoneofherownsnowysheets.Sheturnedaway;andaftersoftlyclosingthedooroftheroom,wentbackwithmetotheotherswhohadnowcomeintothediningroom.Hereweallbegantotalkoverthethingsthathadbeen,andthatweretobe.

           NowandagainIcouldfeelthatoneorotherofuswasforcingconversation,asifwewerenotsureofourselves.Thelongwaitwasbeginningtotellonournerves.ItwasapparenttomethatMr.Trelawnyhadsufferedinthatstrangetrancemorethanwesuspected,orthanhecaredtoshow.True,hiswillandhisdeterminationwereasstrongasever;butthepurelyphysicalsideofhimhadbeenweakenedsomewhat.Itwasindeedonlynaturalthatitshouldbe.Nomancangothroughaperiodoffourdaysofabsolutenegationoflifewithoutbeingweakenedbyitsomehow.

           Asthehourscreptby,thetimepassedmoreandmoreslowly.Theothermenseemedtogetunconsciouslyalittledrowsy.