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twice-told tales- the birthmark-第3章

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perpetuated a race as ephemeral as itself。〃

   But Georgiana had no sooner touched the flower than the whole plant

suffered a blight; its leaves turning coal…black; as if by the

agency of fire。

   〃There was too powerful a stimulus;〃 said Aylmer thoughtfully。

   To make up for this abortive experiment; he proposed to take her

portrait by a scientific process of his own invention。 It was to be

effected by rays of light striking upon a polished plate of metal。

Georgiana assented… but; on looking at the result; was affrighted to

find the features of the portrait blurred and indefinable; while the

minute figure of a hand appeared where the cheek should have been。

Aylmer snatched the metallic plate; and threw it into a jar of

corrosive acid。

   Soon; however; he forgot these mortifying failures。 In the

intervals of study and chemical experiment; he came to her; flushed

and exhausted; but seemed invigorated by her presence; and spoke in

glowing language of the resources of his art。 He gave a history of the

long dynasty of the Alchemists; who spent so many ages in quest of the

universal solvent; by which the Golden Principle might be elicited

from all things vile and base。 Aylmer appeared to believe; that; by

the plainest scientific logic; it was altogether within the limits

of possibility to discover this long…sought medium; but; he added; a

philosopher who should go deep enough to acquire the power; would

attain too lofty a wisdom to stoop to the exercise of it。 Not less

singular were his opinions in regard to the Elixir Vitae。 He more than

intimated; that it was at his option to concoct a liquid that should

prolong life for years… perhaps interminably… but that it would

produce a discord in nature; which all the world; and chiefly the

quaffer of the immortal nostrum; would find cause to curse。

   〃Aylmer; are you in earnest?〃 asked Georgiana; looking at him

with amazement and fear; 〃it is terrible to possess such power; or

even to dream of possessing it。

   〃Oh; do not tremble; my love!〃 said her husband; 〃I would not wrong

either you or myself; by working such inharmonious effects upon our

lives。 But I would have you consider how trifling; in comparison; is

the skill requisite to remove this little Hand。〃

   At the mention of the birthmark; Georgiana; as usual; shrank; as if

a red…hot iron had touched her cheek。

   Again Aylmer applied himself to his labors。 She could hear his

voice in the distant furnace…room; giving directions to Aminadab;

whose harsh; uncouth; mis…shapen tones were audible in response;

more like the grunt or growl of a brute than human speech。 After hours

of absence; Aylmer reappeared; and proposed that she should now

examine his cabinet of chemical products; and natural treasures of the

earth。 Among the former he showed her a small vial; in which; he

remarked; was contained a gentle yet most powerful fragrance;

capable of impregnating all the breezes that blow across a kingdom。

They were of inestimable value; the contents of that little vial; and;

as he said so; he threw some of the perfume into the air; and filled

the room with piercing and invigorating delight。

   〃And what is this?〃 asked Georgiana; pointing to a small crystal

globe; containing a gold…colored liquid。 〃It is so beautiful to the

eye; that I could imagine it the Elixir of Life。〃

   〃In one sense it is;〃 replied Aylmer; 〃or rather the Elixir of

Immortality。 It is the most precious poison that ever was concocted in

this world。 By its aid; I could apportion the life…time of any

mortal at whom you might point your finger。 The strength of the dose

would determine whether he were to linger out years; or drop dead in

the midst of a breath。 No king; on his guarded throne; could keep

his life; if I; in my private station; should deem that the welfare of

millions justified me in depriving him of it。〃

   〃Why do you keep such a terrific drug?〃 inquired Georgiana in

horror。

   〃Do not mistrust me; dearest!〃 said her husband; smiling; 〃its

virtuous potency is yet greater than its harmful one。 But; see! here

is a powerful cosmetic。 With a few drops of this; in a vase of

water; freckles may be washed away as easily as the hands are

cleansed。 A stronger infusion would take the blood out of the cheek;

and leave the rosiest beauty a pale ghost。〃

   〃Is it with this lotion that you intend to bathe my cheek?〃 asked

Georgiana; anxiously。

   〃Oh; no!〃 hastily replied her husband… 〃this is merely superficial。

Your case demands a remedy that shall go deeper。〃

   In his interviews with Georgiana; Aylmer generally made minute

inquiries as to her sensations; and whether the confinement of the

rooms; and the temperature of the atmosphere; agreed with her。 These

questions had such a particular drift; that Georgiana began to

conjecture that she was already subjected to certain physical

influences; either breathed in with the fragrant air; or taken with

her food。 She fancied; likewise… but it might be altogether fancy…

that there was a stirring up of her system: a strange; indefinite

sensation creeping through her veins; and tingling; half…painfully;

half…pleasurably; at her heart。 Still; whenever she dared to look into

the mirror; there she beheld herself; pale as a white rose; and with

the crimson birthmark stamped upon her cheek。 Not even Aylmer now

hated it so much as she。

   To dispel the tedium of the hours which her husband found it

necessary to devote to the processes of combination and analysis;

Georgiana turned over the volumes of his scientific library。 In many

dark old tomes; she met with chapters full of romance and poetry。 They

were the works of the philosophers of the middle ages; such as

Albertus Magnus; Cornelius Agrippa; Paracelsus; and the famous friar

who created the prophetic Brazen Head。 All these antique naturalists

stood in advance of their centuries; yet were imbued with some of

their credulity; and therefore were believed; and perhaps imagined

themselves; to have acquired from the investigation of nature a

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 irresist
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