twice-told tales- the birthmark-第4章
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power above nature; and from physics a sway over the spiritual
world。 Hardly less curious and imaginative were the early volumes of
the Transactions of the Royal Society; in which the members; knowing
little of the limits of natural possibility; were continually
recording wonders; or proposing methods whereby wonders might be
wrought。
But; to Georgiana; the most engrossing volume was a large folio
from her husband's own hand; in which he had recorded every experiment
of his scientific career; with its original aim; the methods adopted
for its development; and its final success or failure; with the
circumstances to which either event was attributable。 The book; in
truth; was both the history and emblem of his ardent; ambitious;
imaginative; yet practical and laborious; life。 He handled physical
details; as if there were nothing beyond them; yet spiritualized
them all; and redeemed himself from materialism; by his strong and
eager aspiration towards the infinite。 In his grasp; the veriest
clod of earth assumed a soul。 Georgiana; as she read; reverenced
Aylmer; and loved him more profoundly than ever; but with a less
entire dependence on his judgment than heretofore。 Much as he had
accomplished; she could not but observe that his most splendid
successes were almost invariably failures; if compared with the
ideal at which he aimed。 His brightest diamonds were the merest
pebbles; and felt to be so by himself; in comparison with the
inestimable gems which lay hidden beyond his reach。 The volume; rich
with achievements that had won renown for its author; was yet as
melancholy a record as ever mortal hand had penned。 It was the sad
confession; and continual exemplification; of the short…comings of the
composite man… the spirit burthened with clay and working in matter;
and of the despair that assails the higher nature; at finding itself
so miserably thwarted by the earthly part。 Perhaps every man of
genius; in whatever sphere; might recognize the image of his own
experience in Aylmer's journal。
So deeply did these reflections affect Georgiana; that she laid her
face upon the open volume; and burst into tears。 In this situation she
was found by her husband。
〃It is dangerous to read in a sorcerer's books;〃 said he; with a
smile; though his countenance was uneasy and displeased。 〃Georgiana;
there are pages in that volume; which I can scarcely glance over and
keep my senses。 Take heed lest it prove as detrimental to you!〃
It has made me worship you more than ever;〃 said she。
〃Ah! wait for this one success;〃 rejoined he; 〃then worship me if
you will。 I shall deem myself hardly unworthy of it。 But; come! I have
sought you for the luxury of your voice。 Sing to me; dearest!〃
So she poured out the liquid music of her voice to quench the
thirst of his spirit。 He then took his leave; with a boyish exuberance
of gaiety; assuring her that her seclusion would endure but a little
longer; and that the result was already certain。 Scarcely had he
departed; when Georgiana felt irresistibly impelled to follow him。 She
had forgotten to inform Aylmer of a symptom; which; for two or three
hours past; had begun to excite her attention。 It was a sensation in
the fatal birthmark; not painful; but which induced a restlessness
throughout her system。 Hastening after her husband; she intruded;
for the first time; into the laboratory。
The first thing that struck her eye was the furnace; that hot and
feverish worker; with the intense glow of its fire; which; by the
quantities of soot clustered above it; seemed to have been burning for
ages。 There was a distilling apparatus in full operation。 Around the
room were retorts; tubes; cylinders; crucibles; and other apparatus of
chemical research。 An electrical machine stood ready for immediate
use。 The atmosphere felt oppressively close; and was tainted with
gaseous odors; which had been tormented forth by the processes of
science。 The severe and homely simplicity of the apartment; with its
naked walls and brick pavement; looked strange; accustomed as
Georgiana had become to the fantastic elegance of her boudoir。 But
what chiefly; indeed almost solely; drew her attention; was the aspect
of Aylmer himself。
He was pale as death; anxious; and absorbed; and hung over the
furnace as if it depended upon his utmost watchfulness whether the
liquid; which it was distilling; should be the draught of immortal
happiness or misery。 How different from the sanguine and joyous mien
that he had assumed for Georgiana's encouragement!
〃Carefully now; Aminadab! Carefully; thou human machine! Carefully;
thou man of clay!〃 muttered Aylmer; more to himself than his
assistant。 〃Now; if there be a thought too much or too little; it is
all over!〃
〃Hoh! hoh!〃 mumbled Aminadab… 〃look; master; look!〃
Aylmer raised his eyes hastily; and at first reddened; then grew
paler than ever; on beholding Georgiana。 He rushed towards her; and
seized her arm with a gripe that left the print of his fingers upon
it。
〃Why do you come hither? Have you no trust in your husband?〃
cried he impetuously。 〃Would you throw the blight of that fatal
birthmark over my labors? It is not well done。 Go; prying woman; go!〃
Nay; Aylmer;〃 said Georgiana; with the firmness of which she
possessed no stinted endowment; 〃it is not you that have a right to
complain。 You mistrust your wife! You have concealed the anxiety
with which you watch the development of this experiment。 Think not
so unworthily of me; my husband! Tell me all the risk we run; and fear
not that I shall shrink; for my share in it is far less than your
own!〃
〃No; no; Georgiana!〃 said Aylmer impatiently; 〃it must not be。〃
〃I submit;〃 replied she calmly。 〃And; Aylmer; I shall quaff
whatever draught you bring me; but it will be on the same principle
that would induce me to take a dose of poison; if offered by your
hand。〃
〃My noble wife;〃 said Aylmer; deeply moved; 〃I knew not the height
and depth of your nature; until now。 Nothing shall be concealed。
Know; then; that this Crimson Hand; superficial as it seems; has
clutched its grasp into your being; with a strength of which I had no
previous conception。 I have already administered agents powerful
enough to do aught except to change your entire physical system。 Only
one thing remains to be tried。 If that fail us; we are ruined!〃
〃Why did you hesitate to tell me this?〃 asked she。
〃Because; Georgiana;〃 said Aylmer; in a low voice; 〃there is
danger!〃
〃Danger? There is but one danger… that this horrible stigma shall
be left upon my cheek!〃 cried Georgiana。 〃Remove it! remove it!…
whatever be the cost… or we shall both go mad!〃
〃Heaven knows; your words are too true;〃 said Aylmer; sadly。 〃And
now; dearest; return to your boudoir。 In a little while; all will be
tested。〃
He conducted her back; and took leave of her with a solemn
tenderness; which spoke far more than his words how much was now at
stake。 After his departure; Georgiana became wrapt in musings。 She
considered the character of Aylmer; and did it completer justice
than at any previous moment。 Her heart exulted; while it trembled;
at his honorable love; so pure and lofty that it would accept
nothing less than perfection; nor miserably make itself contented with
an earthlier nature than he had dreamed of。 She felt how much more
precious was such a sentiment; than that meaner kind which would
have borne with the imperfection for her sake; and have been guilty of
treason to holy love; by degrading its perfect idea to the level of
the actual。 And; with her whole spirit; she prayed; that; for a single
moment; she might satisfy his highest and deepest conception。 Longer
than one moment; she well knew; it could not be; for his spirit was
ever on the march… ever ascending… and each instant required something
that was beyond the scope of the instant before。
The sound of her husband's footsteps aroused her。 He bore a crystal
goblet; containing a liquor colorless as water; but bright enough to
be the draught of immortalit