Проклятие мумии, или Камень Семи Звезд

           Alltheporesofthebodyseemedtohavebeenpreservedinsomewonderfulway.Thefleshwasfullandround,asinalivingperson;andtheskinwasassmoothassatin.Thecolourseemedextraordinary.Itwaslikeivory,newivory;exceptwheretherightarm,withshattered,bloodstainedwristandmissinghandhadlainbaretoexposureinthesarcophagusforsomanytensofcenturies.

           Withawomanlyimpulse;withamouththatdroopedwithpity,witheyesthatflashedwithanger,andcheeksthatflamed,Margaretthrewoverthebodythebeautifulrobewhichlayacrossherarm.Onlythefacewasthentobeseen.Thiswasmorestartlingeventhanthebody,foritseemednotdead,butalive.Theeyelidswereclosed;butthelong,black,curlinglasheslayoveronthecheeks.Thenostrils,setingravepride,seemedtohavethereposewhich,whenitisseeninlife,isgreaterthanthereposeofdeath.Thefull,redlips,thoughthemouthwasnotopen,showedthetiniestwhitelineofpearlyteethwithin.Herhair,gloriousinquantityandglossyblackastheraven’swing,waspiledingreatmassesoverthewhiteforehead,onwhichafewcurlingtressesstrayedliketendrils.IwasamazedatthelikenesstoMargaret,thoughIhadhadmymindpreparedforthisbyMr.Corbeck’squotationofherfather’sstatement.Thiswoman—Icouldnotthinkofherasamummyoracorpse—wastheimageofMargaretasmyeyeshadfirstlitonher.