"Nathaniel Hawthorne - The Birthmark" - читать интересную книгу автора (Hawthorne Nathaniel)

appeared to have caught hold of Georgiana's heart; whence, however,
her husband was inexorably resolved to cut or wrench it away.

When the dream had shaped itself perfectly in his memory, Aylmer
sat in his wife's presence with a guilty feeling. Truth often finds
its way to the mind close-muffled in robes of sleep, and then speaks
with uncompromising directness of matters in regard to which we
practise an unconscious self-deception, during our waking moments.
Until now, he had not been aware of the tyrannizing influence acquired
by one idea over his mind, and of the lengths which he might find in
his heart to go, for the sake of giving himself peace.

"Aylmer," resumed Georgiana, solemnly, "I know not what may be
the cost to both of us, to rid me of this fatal birthmark. Perhaps its
removal may cause cureless deformity. Or, it may be, the stain goes as
deep as life itself. Again, do we know that there is a possibility, on
any terms, of unclasping the firm gripe of this little Hand, which was
laid upon me before I came into the world?"

"Dearest Georgiana, I have spent much thought upon the subject,"
hastily interrupted Aylmer- "I am convinced of the perfect
practicability of its removal."

"If there be the remotest possibility of it," continued
Georgiana, "let the attempt be made, at whatever risk. Danger is
nothing to me; for life- while this hateful mark makes me the object
of your horror and disgust- life is a burthen which I would fling down
with joy. Either remove this dreadful Hand, or take my wretched
life! You have deep science! All the world bears witness of it. You
have achieved great wonders! Cannot you remove this little, little
mark, which I cover with the tips of two small fingers! Is this beyond
your power, for the sake of your own peace, and to save your poor wife
from madness?"

"Noblest- dearest- tenderest wife!" cried Aylmer, rapturously.
"Doubt not my power. I have already given this matter the deepest
thought- thought which might almost have enlightened me to create a
being less perfect than yourself. Georgiana, you have led me deeper
than ever into the heart of science. I feel myself fully competent
to render this dear cheek as faultless as its fellow; and then, most
beloved, what will be my triumph, when I shall have corrected what
Nature left imperfect, in her fairest work! Even Pygmalion, when his
sculptured woman assumed life, felt not greater ecstasy than mine will
be."

"It is resolved, then," said Georgiana, faintly smiling- "And,
Aylmer, spare me not, though you should find the birthmark take refuge
in my heart at last."

Her husband tenderly kissed her cheek- her right cheek- not that