Such a union accordingly took place, and was attended with truly remarkable10 consequences and a deeply impressive moral. One day, very soon after their marriage, Aylmer sat gazing at his wife with a trouble in his countenance that grew stronger until he spoke12.
“Georgiana,” said he, “has it never occurred to you that the mark upon your cheek might be removed?”
“No, indeed,” said she, smiling; but perceiving the seriousness of his manner, she blushed deeply. “To tell you the truth it has been so often called a charm that I was simple enough to imagine it might be so.”
“Ah, upon another face perhaps it might,” replied her husband; “but never on yours. No, dearest Georgiana, you came so nearly perfect from the hand of Nature that this slightest possible defect, which we hesitate whether to term a defect or a beauty, shocks me, as being the visible mark of earthly imperfection.”
“Shocks you, my husband!” cried Georgiana, deeply hurt; at first reddening with momentary13 anger, but then bursting into tears. “Then why did you take me from my mother’s side? You cannot love what shocks you!”
To explain this conversation it must be mentioned that in the centre of Georgiana’s left cheek there was a singular mark, deeply interwoven, as it were, with the texture14 and substance of her face. In the usual state of her complexion15 — a healthy though delicate bloom — the mark wore a tint16 of deeper crimson17, which imperfectly defined its shape amid the surrounding rosiness19. When she blushed it gradually became more indistinct, and finally vanished amid the triumphant20 rush of blood that bathed the whole cheek with its brilliant glow. But if any shifting motion caused her to turn pale there was the mark again, a crimson stain upon the snow, in what Aylmer sometimes deemed an almost fearful distinctness. Its shape bore not a little similarity to the human hand, though of the smallest pygmy size. Georgiana’s lovers were wont21 to say that some fairy at her birth hour had laid her tiny hand upon the infant’s cheek, and left this impress there in token of the magic endowments that were to give her such sway over all hearts. Many a desperate swain would have risked life for the privilege of pressing his lips to the mysterious hand. It must not be concealed23, however, that the impression wrought24 by this fairy sign manual varied25 exceedingly, according to the difference of temperament26 in the beholders. Some fastidious persons — but they were exclusively of her own sex — affirmed that the bloody28 hand, as they chose to call it, quite destroyed the effect of Georgiana’s beauty, and rendered her countenance even hideous29. But it would be as reasonable to say that one of those small blue stains which sometimes occur in the purest statuary marble would convert the Eve of Powers to a monster. Masculine observers, if the birthmark did not heighten their admiration30, contented31 themselves with wishing it away, that the world might possess one living specimen32 of ideal loveliness without the semblance33 of a flaw. After his marriage — for he thought little or nothing of the matter before — Aylmer discovered that this was the case with himself.
Had she been less beautiful — if Envy’s self could have found aught else to sneer34 at — he might have felt his affection heightened by the prettiness of this mimic35 hand, now vaguely36 portrayed37, now lost, now stealing forth38 again and glimmering39 to and fro with every pulse of emotion that throbbed40 within her heart; but seeing her otherwise so perfect, he found this one defect grow more and more intolerable with every moment of their united lives. It was the fatal flaw of humanity which Nature, in one shape or another, stamps ineffaceably on all her productions, either to imply that they are temporary and finite, or that their perfection must be wrought by toil41 and pain. The crimson hand expressed the ineludible gripe in which mortality clutches the highest and purest of earthly mould, degrading them into kindred with the lowest, and even with the very brutes42, like whom their visible frames return to dust. In this manner, selecting it as the symbol of his wife’s liability to sin, sorrow, decay, and death, Aylmer’s sombre imagination was not long in rendering44 the birthmark a frightful45 object, causing him more trouble and horror than ever Georgiana’s beauty, whether of soul or sense, had given him delight.
At all the seasons which should have been their happiest, he invariably and without intending it, nay46, in spite of a purpose to the contrary, reverted47 to this one disastrous48 topic. Trifling49 as it at first appeared, it so connected itself with innumerable trains of thought and modes of feeling that it became the central point of all. With the morning twilight50 Aylmer opened his eyes upon his wife’s face and recognized the symbol of imperfection; and when they sat together at the evening hearth51 his eyes wandered stealthily to her cheek, and beheld52, flickering53 with the blaze of the wood fire, the spectral54 hand that wrote mortality where he would fain have worshipped. Georgiana soon learned to shudder55 at his gaze. It needed but a glance with the peculiar56 expression that his face often wore to change the roses of her cheek into a deathlike paleness, amid which the crimson hand was brought strongly out, like a bass-relief of ruby57 on the whitest marble.
Late one night when the lights were growing dim, so as hardly to betray the stain on the poor wife’s cheek, she herself, for the first time, voluntarily took up the subject.
“Do you remember, my dear Aylmer,” said she, with a feeble attempt at a smile, “have you any recollection of a dream last night about this odious58 hand?”
“None! none whatever!” replied Aylmer, starting; but then he added, in a dry, cold tone, affected59 for the sake of concealing60 the real depth of his emotion, “I might well dream of it; for before I fell asleep it had taken a pretty firm hold of my fancy.”
“And you did dream of it?” continued Georgiana, hastily; for she dreaded61 lest a gush62 of tears should interrupt what she had to say. “A terrible dream! I wonder that you can forget it. Is it possible to forget this one expression? —‘It is in her heart now; we must have it out!’ Reflect, my husband; for by all means I would have you recall that dream.”
The mind is in a sad state when Sleep, the all-involving, cannot confine her spectres within the dim region of her sway, but suffers them to break forth, affrighting this actual life with secrets that perchance belong to a deeper one. Aylmer now remembered his dream. He had fancied himself with his servant Aminadab, attempting an operation for the removal of the birthmark; but the deeper went the knife, the deeper sank the hand, until at length its tiny grasp appeared to have caught hold of Georgiana’s heart; whence, however, her husband was inexorably resolved to cut or wrench63 it away.
When the dream had shaped itself perfectly18 in his memory, Aylmer sat in his wife’s presence with a guilty feeling. Truth often finds its way to the mind close muffled64 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 burden 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 fully65 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 ecstasy66 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 which bore the impress of the crimson hand.
The next day Aylmer apprised67 his wife of a plan that he had formed whereby he might have opportunity for the intense thought and constant watchfulness68 which the proposed operation would require; while Georgiana, likewise, would enjoy the perfect repose69 essential to its success. They were to seclude70 themselves in the extensive apartments occupied by Aylmer as a laboratory, and where, during his toilsome youth, he had made discoveries in the elemental powers of Nature that had roused the admiration of all the learned societies in Europe. Seated calmly in this laboratory, the pale philosopher had investigated the secrets of the highest cloud region and of the profoundest mines; he had satisfied himself of the causes that kindled71 and kept alive the fires of the volcano; and had explained the mystery of fountains, and how it is that they gush forth, some so bright and pure, and others with such rich medicinal virtues72, from the dark bosom73 of the earth. Here, too, at an earlier period, he had studied the wonders of the human frame, and attempted to fathom74 the very process by which Nature assimilates all her precious influences from earth and air, and from the spiritual world, to create and foster man, her masterpiece. The latter pursuit, however, Aylmer had long laid aside in unwilling75 recognition of the truth — against which all seekers sooner or later stumble — that our great creative Mother, while she amuses us with apparently76 working in the broadest sunshine, is yet severely77 careful to keep her own secrets, and, in spite of her pretended openness, shows us nothing but results. She permits us, indeed, to mar11, but seldom to mend, and, like a jealous patentee, on no account to make. Now, however, Aylmer resumed these half-forgotten investigations78; not, of course, with such hopes or wishes as first suggested them; but because they involved much physiological80 truth and lay in the path of his proposed scheme for the treatment of Georgiana.
As he led her over the threshold of the laboratory, Georgiana was cold and tremulous. Aylmer looked cheerfully into her face, with intent to reassure82 her, but was so startled with the intense glow of the birthmark upon the whiteness of her cheek that he could not restrain a strong convulsive shudder. His wife fainted.
“Aminadab! Aminadab!” shouted Aylmer, stamping violently on the floor.
Forthwith there issued from an inner apartment a man of low stature83, but bulky frame, with shaggy hair hanging about his visage, which was grimed with the vapors84 of the furnace. This personage had been Aylmer’s underworker during his whole scientific career, and was admirably fitted for that office by his great mechanical readiness, and the skill with which, while incapable85 of comprehending a single principle, he executed all the details of his master’s experiments. With his vast strength, his shaggy hair, his smoky aspect, and the indescribable earthiness that incrusted him, he seemed to represent man’s physical nature; while Aylmer’s slender figure, and pale, intellectual face, were no less apt a type of the spiritual element.
“Throw open the door of the boudoir, Aminadab,” said Aylmer, “and burn a pastil.”
“Yes, master,” answered Aminadab, looking intently at the lifeless form of Georgiana; and then he muttered to himself, “If she were my wife, I’d never part with that birthmark.”
When Georgiana recovered consciousness she found herself breathing an atmosphere of penetrating86 fragrance87, the gentle potency88 of which had recalled her from her deathlike faintness. The scene around her looked like enchantment89. Aylmer had converted those smoky, dingy90, sombre rooms, where he had spent his brightest years in recondite91 pursuits, into a series of beautiful apartments not unfit to be the secluded92 abode93 of a lovely woman. The walls were hung with gorgeous curtains, which imparted the combination of grandeur94 and grace that no other species of adornment95 can achieve; and as they fell from the ceiling to the floor, their rich and ponderous96 folds, concealing all angles and straight lines, appeared to shut in the scene from infinite space. For aught Georgiana knew, it might be a pavilion among the clouds. And Aylmer, excluding the sunshine, which would have interfered97 with his chemical processes, had supplied its place with perfumed lamps, emitting flames of various hue98, but all uniting in a soft, impurpled radiance. He now knelt by his wife’s side, watching her earnestly, but without alarm; for he was confident in his science, and felt that he could draw a magic circle round her within which no evil might intrude99.
“Where am I? Ah, I remember,” said Georgiana, faintly; and she placed her hand over her cheek to hide the terrible mark from her husband’s eyes.
“Fear not, dearest!” exclaimed he. “Do not shrink from me! Believe me, Georgiana, I even rejoice in this single imperfection, since it will be such a rapture100 to remove it.”
“Oh, spare me!” sadly replied his wife. “Pray do not look at it again. I never can forget that convulsive shudder.”
In order to soothe102 Georgiana, and, as it were, to release her mind from the burden of actual things, Aylmer now put in practice some of the light and playful secrets which science had taught him among its profounder lore103. Airy figures, absolutely bodiless ideas, and forms of unsubstantial beauty came and danced before her, imprinting104 their momentary footsteps on beams of light. Though she had some indistinct idea of the method of these optical phenomena105, still the illusion was almost perfect enough to warrant the belief that her husband possessed sway over the spiritual world. Then again, when she felt a wish to look forth from her seclusion106, immediately, as if her thoughts were answered, the procession of external existence flitted across a screen. The scenery and the figures of actual life were perfectly represented, but with that bewitching, yet indescribable difference which always makes a picture, an image, or a shadow so much more attractive than the original. When wearied of this, Aylmer bade her cast her eyes upon a vessel108 containing a quantity of earth. She did so, with little interest at first; but was soon startled to perceive the germ of a plant shooting upward from the soil. Then came the slender stalk; the leaves gradually unfolded themselves; and amid them was a perfect and lovely flower.
“It is magical!” cried Georgiana. “I dare not touch it.”
“Nay, pluck it,” answered Aylmer — “pluck it, and inhale109 its brief perfume while you may. The flower will wither110 in a few moments and leave nothing save its brown seed vessels111; but thence may be perpetuated112 a race as ephemeral as itself.”
But Georgiana had no sooner touched the flower than the whole plant suffered a blight113, 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 abortive114 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 assented115; but, on looking at the result, was affrighted to find the features of the portrait blurred116 and indefinable; while the minute figure of a hand appeared where the cheek should have been. Aylmer snatched the metallic117 plate and threw it into a jar of corrosive118 acid.
Soon, however, he forgot these mortifying119 failures. In the intervals120 of study and chemical experiment he came to her flushed and exhausted121, 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 solvent122 by which the golden principle might be elicited123 from all things vile22 and base. Aylmer appeared to believe that, by the plainest scientific logic81, 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 attain124 too lofty a wisdom to stoop to the exercise of it.” Not less singular were his opinions in regard to the elixir125 vitae. He more than intimated that it was at his option to concoct126 a liquid that should prolong life for years, perhaps interminably; but that it would produce a discord127 in Nature which all the world, and chiefly the quaffer129 of the immortal130 nostrum131, would find cause to curse.
“Aylmer, are you in earnest?” asked Georgiana, looking at him with amazement132 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 requisite133 to remove this little hand.”
At the mention of the birthmark, Georgiana, as usual, shrank as if a redhot iron had touched her cheek.
Again Aylmer applied134 himself to his labors135. She could hear his voice in the distant furnace room giving directions to Aminadab, whose harsh, uncouth136, misshapen tones were audible in response, more like the grunt137 or growl138 of a brute43 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 immortality139. It is the most precious poison that ever was concocted140 in this world. By its aid I could apportion141 the lifetime 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 justified142 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 virtuous143 potency is yet greater than its harmful one. But see! here is a powerful cosmetic144. With a few drops of this in a vase of water, freckles145 may be washed away as easily as the hands are cleansed146. A stronger infusion147 would take the blood out of the cheek, and leave the rosiest148 beauty a pale ghost.”
“Is it with this lotion149 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 inquiries150 as to her sensations and whether the confinement151 of the rooms and the temperature of the atmosphere agreed with her. These questions had such a particular drift that Georgiana began to conjecture152 that she was already subjected to certain physical influences, either breathed in with the fragrant153 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 veins154, and tingling155, 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 dispel156 the tedium157 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 philosophers of the middle ages, such as Albertus Magnus, Cornelius Agrippa, Paracelsus, and the famous friar who created the prophetic Brazen158 Head. All these antique naturalists159 stood in advance of their centuries, yet were imbued160 with some of their credulity, and therefore were believed, and perhaps imagined themselves to have acquired from the investigation79 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 recording161 wonders or proposing methods whereby wonders might be wrought.
But to Georgiana the most engrossing162 volume was a large folio from her husband’s own hand, in which he had recorded every experiment of his scientific career, 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 emblem163 of his ardent, ambitious, imaginative, yet practical and laborious164 life. He handled physical details as if there were nothing beyond them; yet spiritualized them all, and redeemed165 himself from materialism166 by his strong and eager aspiration167 towards the infinite. In his grasp the veriest clod of earth assumed a soul. Georgiana, as she read, reverenced168 Aylmer and loved him more profoundly than ever, but with a less entire dependence169 on his judgment170 than heretofore. Much as he had accomplished171, 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 pebbles172, and felt to be so by himself, in comparison with the inestimable gems173 which lay hidden beyond his reach. The volume, rich with achievements that had won renown174 for its author, was yet as melancholy175 a record as ever mortal hand had penned. It was the sad confession176 and continual exemplification of the shortcomings of the composite man, the spirit burdened with clay and working in matter, and of the despair that assails177 the higher nature at finding itself so miserably178 thwarted179 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 displeased180. “Georgiana, there are pages in that volume which I can scarcely glance over and keep my senses. Take heed181 lest it prove as detrimental182 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 quench183 the thirst of his spirit. He then took his leave with a boyish exuberance184 of gayety, 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 irresistibly185 impelled186 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 intruded187 for the first time into the laboratory.
The first thing that struck her eye was the furnace, that hot and feverish188 worker, with the intense glow of its fire, which by the quantities of soot101 clustered above it seemed to have been burning for ages. There was a distilling189 apparatus190 in full operation. Around the room were retorts, tubes, cylinders191, crucibles192, and other apparatus of chemical research. An electrical machine stood ready for immediate107 use. The atmosphere felt oppressively close, and was tainted193 with gaseous195 odors which had been tormented196 forth by the processes of science. The severe and homely197 simplicity198 of the apartment, with its naked walls and brick pavement, looked strange, accustomed as Georgiana had become to the fantastic elegance199 of her boudoir. But what chiefly, indeed almost solely200, 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 draught201 of immortal happiness or misery202. How different from the sanguine203 and joyous204 mien205 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.”
“Ho! ho!” mumbled206 Aminadab. “Look, master! look!”
Aylmer raised his eyes hastily, and at first reddened, then grew paler than ever, on beholding207 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, prying208 woman, go!”
“Nay, Aylmer,” said Georgiana with the firmness of which she possessed no stinted209 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 quaff128 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 remains210 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 stigma211 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 rapt in musings. She considered the character of Aylmer, and did it completer justice than at any previous moment. Her heart exulted213, 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 ascending214, 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 goblet215 containing a liquor colorless as water, but bright enough to be the draught of immortality. Aylmer was pale; but it seemed rather the consequence of a highly-wrought state of mind and tension of spirit than of fear or doubt.
“The concoction216 of the draught has been perfect,” said he, in answer to Georgiana’s look. “Unless all my science have deceived me, it cannot fail.”
“Save on your account, my dearest Aylmer,” observed his wife, “I might wish to put off this birthmark of mortality by relinquishing217 mortality itself in preference to any other mode. Life is but a sad possession to those who have attained218 precisely219 the degree of moral advancement220 at which I stand. Were I weaker and blinder it might be happiness. Were I stronger, it might be endured hopefully. But, being what I find myself, methinks I am of all mortals the most fit to die.”
“You are fit for heaven without tasting death!” replied her husband “But why do we speak of dying? The draught cannot fail. Behold27 its effect upon this plant.”
On the window seat there stood a geranium diseased with yellow blotches221, which had overspread all its leaves. Aylmer poured a small quantity of the liquid upon the soil in which it grew. In a little time, when the roots of the plant had taken up the moisture, the unsightly blotches began to be extinguished in a living verdure.
“There needed no proof,” said Georgiana, quietly. “Give me the goblet I joyfully222 stake all upon your word.”
“Drink, then, thou lofty creature!” exclaimed Aylmer, with fervid223 admiration. “There is no taint194 of imperfection on thy spirit. Thy sensible frame, too, shall soon be all perfect.”
She quaffed224 the liquid and returned the goblet to his hand.
“It is grateful,” said she with a placid225 smile. “Methinks it is like water from a heavenly fountain; for it contains I know not what of unobtrusive fragrance and deliciousness. It allays226 a feverish thirst that had parched227 me for many days. Now, dearest, let me sleep. My earthly senses are closing over my spirit like the leaves around the heart of a rose at sunset.”
She spoke the last words with a gentle reluctance228, as if it required almost more energy than she could command to pronounce the faint and lingering syllables229. Scarcely had they loitered through her lips ere she was lost in slumber230. Aylmer sat by her side, watching her aspect with the emotions proper to a man the whole value of whose existence was involved in the process now to be tested. Mingled231 with this mood, however, was the philosophic232 investigation characteristic of the man of science. Not the minutest symptom escaped him. A heightened flush of the cheek, a slight irregularity of breath, a quiver of the eyelid233, a hardly perceptible tremor234 through the frame — such were the details which, as the moments passed, he wrote down in his folio volume. Intense thought had set its stamp upon every previous page of that volume, but the thoughts of years were all concentrated upon the last.
While thus employed, he failed not to gaze often at the fatal hand, and not without a shudder. Yet once, by a strange and unaccountable impulse he pressed it with his lips. His spirit recoiled235, however, in the very act, and Georgiana, out of the midst of her deep sleep, moved uneasily and murmured as if in remonstrance236. Again Aylmer resumed his watch. Nor was it without avail. The crimson hand, which at first had been strongly visible upon the marble paleness of Georgiana’s cheek, now grew more faintly outlined. She remained not less pale than ever; but the birthmark with every breath that came and went, lost somewhat of its former distinctness. Its presence had been awful; its departure was more awful still. Watch the stain of the rainbow fading out the sky, and you will know how that mysterious symbol passed away.
“By Heaven! it is well-nigh gone!” said Aylmer to himself, in almost irrepressible ecstasy. “I can scarcely trace it now. Success! success! And now it is like the faintest rose color. The lightest flush of blood across her cheek would overcome it. But she is so pale!”
He drew aside the window curtain and suffered the light of natural day to fall into the room and rest upon her cheek. At the same time he heard a gross, hoarse237 chuckle238, which he had long known as his servant Aminadab’s expression of delight.
“Ah, clod! ah, earthly mass!” cried Aylmer, laughing in a sort of frenzy239, “you have served me well! Matter and spirit — earth and heaven — have both done their part in this! Laugh, thing of the senses! You have earned the right to laugh.”
These exclamations240 broke Georgiana’s sleep. She slowly unclosed her eyes and gazed into the mirror which her husband had arranged for that purpose. A faint smile flitted over her lips when she recognized how barely perceptible was now that crimson hand which had once blazed forth with such disastrous brilliancy as to scare away all their happiness. But then her eyes sought Aylmer’s face with a trouble and anxiety that he could by no means account for.
“My poor Aylmer!” murmured she.
“Poor? Nay, richest, happiest, most favored!” exclaimed he. “My peerless bride, it is successful! You are perfect!”
“My poor Aylmer,” she repeated, with a more than human tenderness, “you have aimed loftily; you have done nobly. Do not repent241 that with so high and pure a feeling, you have rejected the best the earth could offer. Aylmer, dearest Aylmer, I am dying!”
Alas242! it was too true! The fatal hand had grappled with the mystery of life, and was the bond by which an angelic spirit kept itself in union with a mortal frame. As the last crimson tint of the birthmark — that sole token of human imperfection — faded from her cheek, the parting breath of the now perfect woman passed into the atmosphere, and her soul, lingering a moment near her husband, took its heavenward flight. Then a hoarse, chuckling243 laugh was heard again! Thus ever does the gross fatality244 of earth exult212 in its invariable triumph over the immortal essence which, in this dim sphere of half development, demands the completeness of a higher state. Yet, had Alymer reached a profounder wisdom, he need not thus have flung away the happiness which would have woven his mortal life of the selfsame texture with the celestial245. The momentary circumstance was too strong for him; he failed to look beyond the shadowy scope of time, and, living once for all in eternity246, to find the perfect future in the present.
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1
eminent
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| adj.显赫的，杰出的，有名的，优良的 | |
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2
proficient
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| adj.熟练的，精通的；n.能手，专家 | |
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3
affinity
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| n.亲和力，密切关系 | |
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4
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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5
ardent
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，强烈的，烈性的 | |
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6
votaries
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| n.信徒( votary的名词复数 )；追随者；（天主教）修士；修女 | |
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7
ascend
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| vi.渐渐上升，升高；vt.攀登，登上 | |
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possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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10
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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11
mar
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| vt.破坏，毁坏，弄糟 | |
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12
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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13
momentary
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| adj.片刻的，瞬息的；短暂的 | |
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14
texture
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| n.(织物)质地；(材料)构造；结构；肌理 | |
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15
complexion
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| n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格 | |
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16
tint
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| n.淡色，浅色；染发剂；vt.着以淡淡的颜色 | |
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17
crimson
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| n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色 | |
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18
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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19
rosiness
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| n.玫瑰色；淡红色；光明；有希望 | |
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20
triumphant
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| adj.胜利的，成功的；狂欢的，喜悦的 | |
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21
wont
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| adj.习惯于；v.习惯；n.习惯 | |
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22
vile
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| adj.卑鄙的，可耻的，邪恶的；坏透的 | |
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23
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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24
wrought
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| v.引起；以…原料制作；运转；adj.制造的 | |
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25
varied
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| adj.多样的，多变化的 | |
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26
temperament
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| n.气质，性格，性情 | |
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27
behold
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| v.看，注视，看到 | |
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28
bloody
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| adj.非常的的；流血的；残忍的；adv.很；vt.血染 | |
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29
hideous
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| adj.丑陋的，可憎的，可怕的，恐怖的 | |
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30
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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31
contented
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| adj.满意的，安心的，知足的 | |
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32
specimen
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| n.样本，标本 | |
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semblance
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| n.外貌，外表 | |
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34
sneer
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| v.轻蔑；嘲笑；n.嘲笑，讥讽的言语 | |
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35
mimic
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| v.模仿，戏弄；n.模仿他人言行的人 | |
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36
vaguely
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| adv.含糊地，暖昧地 | |
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37
portrayed
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| v.画像( portray的过去式和过去分词 )；描述；描绘；描画 | |
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38
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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39
glimmering
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| n.微光，隐约的一瞥adj.薄弱地发光的v.发闪光，发微光( glimmer的现在分词 ) | |
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40
throbbed
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| 抽痛( throb的过去式和过去分词 )； （心脏、脉搏等）跳动 | |
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41
toil
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| vi.辛劳工作，艰难地行动；n.苦工，难事 | |
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42
brutes
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| 兽( brute的名词复数 )； 畜生； 残酷无情的人； 兽性 | |
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43
brute
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| n.野兽，兽性 | |
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44
rendering
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| n.表现，描写 | |
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45
frightful
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| adj.可怕的；讨厌的 | |
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46
nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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47
reverted
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| 恢复( revert的过去式和过去分词 )； 重提； 回到…上； 归还 | |
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48
disastrous
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| adj.灾难性的，造成灾害的；极坏的，很糟的 | |
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49
trifling
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| adj.微不足道的；没什么价值的 | |
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50
twilight
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| n.暮光，黄昏；暮年，晚期，衰落时期 | |
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51
hearth
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| n.壁炉炉床，壁炉地面 | |
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52
beheld
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| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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53
flickering
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| adj.闪烁的，摇曳的，一闪一闪的 | |
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54
spectral
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| adj.幽灵的，鬼魂的 | |
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55
shudder
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| v.战粟，震动，剧烈地摇晃；n.战粟，抖动 | |
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56
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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57
ruby
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| n.红宝石，红宝石色 | |
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58
odious
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| adj.可憎的，讨厌的 | |
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59
affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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60
concealing
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，遮住( conceal的现在分词 ) | |
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61
dreaded
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| adj.令人畏惧的；害怕的v.害怕，恐惧，担心( dread的过去式和过去分词) | |
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62
gush
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| v.喷，涌；滔滔不绝(说话)；n.喷，涌流；迸发 | |
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63
wrench
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| v.猛拧；挣脱；使扭伤；n.扳手；痛苦，难受 | |
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64
muffled
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| adj.（声音）被隔的；听不太清的；（衣服）裹严的；蒙住的v.压抑，捂住( muffle的过去式和过去分词 )；用厚厚的衣帽包着（自己） | |
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65
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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66
ecstasy
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| n.狂喜，心醉神怡，入迷 | |
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67
apprised
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| v.告知，通知( apprise的过去式和过去分词 )；评价 | |
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68
watchfulness
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| 警惕，留心； 警觉（性） | |
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69
repose
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| v.(使)休息；n.安息 | |
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70
seclude
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| vi.使隔离，使孤立，使隐退 | |
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71
kindled
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| （使某物）燃烧，着火( kindle的过去式和过去分词 )； 激起（感情等）； 发亮，放光 | |
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72
virtues
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| 美德( virtue的名词复数 )； 德行； 优点； 长处 | |
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73
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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74
fathom
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| v.领悟，彻底了解 | |
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75
unwilling
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| adj.不情愿的 | |
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76
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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77
severely
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| adv.严格地；严厉地；非常恶劣地 | |
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78
investigations
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| （正式的）调查( investigation的名词复数 )； 侦查； 科学研究； 学术研究 | |
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79
investigation
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| n.调查，调查研究 | |
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80
physiological
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| adj.生理学的，生理学上的 | |
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81
logic
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| n.逻辑(学)；逻辑性 | |
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82
reassure
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| v.使放心，使消除疑虑 | |
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83
stature
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| n.（高度）水平，（高度）境界，身高，身材 | |
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84
vapors
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| n.水汽，水蒸气，无实质之物( vapor的名词复数 )；自夸者；幻想 [药]吸入剂 [古]忧郁（症）v.自夸，（使）蒸发( vapor的第三人称单数 ) | |
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85
incapable
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| adj.无能力的，不能做某事的 | |
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86
penetrating
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| adj.（声音）响亮的，尖锐的adj.（气味）刺激的adj.（思想）敏锐的，有洞察力的 | |
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87
fragrance
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| n.芬芳，香味，香气 | |
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88
potency
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| n. 效力，潜能 | |
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89
enchantment
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| n.迷惑，妖术，魅力 | |
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90
dingy
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| adj.昏暗的，肮脏的 | |
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91
recondite
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| adj.深奥的，难解的 | |
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92
secluded
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| adj.与世隔绝的；隐退的；偏僻的v.使隔开，使隐退( seclude的过去式和过去分词) | |
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93
abode
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| n.住处，住所 | |
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94
grandeur
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| n.伟大，崇高，宏伟，庄严，豪华 | |
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95
adornment
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| n.装饰；装饰品 | |
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96
ponderous
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| adj.沉重的，笨重的，(文章)冗长的 | |
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97
interfered
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| v.干预( interfere的过去式和过去分词 )；调停；妨碍；干涉 | |
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98
hue
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| n.色度；色调；样子 | |
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99
intrude
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| vi.闯入；侵入；打扰，侵扰 | |
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100
rapture
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| n.狂喜；全神贯注；着迷；v.使狂喜 | |
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101
soot
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| n.煤烟，烟尘；vt.熏以煤烟 | |
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102
soothe
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| v.安慰；使平静；使减轻；缓和；奉承 | |
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103
lore
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| n.传说；学问，经验，知识 | |
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104
imprinting
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| n.胚教，铭记（动物生命早期即起作用的一种学习机能）；印记 | |
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105
phenomena
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| n.现象 | |
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106
seclusion
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| n.隐遁，隔离 | |
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107
immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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108
vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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109
inhale
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| v.吸入(气体等)，吸(烟) | |
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110
wither
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| vt.使凋谢，使衰退，(用眼神气势等)使畏缩；vi.枯萎，衰退，消亡 | |
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111
vessels
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| n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人 | |
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112
perpetuated
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| vt.使永存（perpetuate的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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113
blight
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| n.枯萎病；造成破坏的因素；vt.破坏，摧残 | |
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114
abortive
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| adj.不成功的，发育不全的 | |
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115
assented
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| 同意，赞成( assent的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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116
blurred
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| v.（使）变模糊( blur的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）难以区分；模模糊糊；迷离 | |
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117
metallic
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| adj.金属的；金属制的；含金属的；产金属的；像金属的 | |
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118
corrosive
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| adj.腐蚀性的；有害的；恶毒的 | |
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119
mortifying
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| adj.抑制的，苦修的v.使受辱( mortify的现在分词 )；伤害（人的感情）；克制；抑制（肉体、情感等） | |
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120
intervals
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| n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 )；间隔时间；[数学]区间；（戏剧、电影或音乐会的）幕间休息 | |
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121
exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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122
solvent
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| n.溶剂；adj.有偿付能力的 | |
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123
elicited
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| 引出，探出( elicit的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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124
attain
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| vt.达到，获得，完成 | |
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125
elixir
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| n.长生不老药，万能药 | |
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126
concoct
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| v.调合，制造 | |
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127
discord
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| n.不和，意见不合，争论，（音乐）不和谐 | |
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128
quaff
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| v.一饮而尽；痛饮 | |
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129
quaffer
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130
immortal
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| adj.不朽的；永生的，不死的；神的 | |
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131
nostrum
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| n.秘方；妙策 | |
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132
amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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133
requisite
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| adj.需要的，必不可少的；n.必需品 | |
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134
applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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135
labors
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| v.努力争取(for)( labor的第三人称单数 )；苦干；详细分析；（指引擎）缓慢而困难地运转 | |
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136
uncouth
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| adj.无教养的，粗鲁的 | |
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137
grunt
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| v.嘟哝；作呼噜声；n.呼噜声，嘟哝 | |
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138
growl
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| v.（狗等）嗥叫，（炮等）轰鸣；n.嗥叫，轰鸣 | |
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139
immortality
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| n.不死，不朽 | |
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140
concocted
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| v.将（尤指通常不相配合的）成分混合成某物( concoct的过去式和过去分词 )；调制；编造；捏造 | |
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141
apportion
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| vt.（按比例或计划）分配 | |
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142
justified
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| a.正当的，有理的 | |
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143
virtuous
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| adj.有品德的，善良的，贞洁的，有效力的 | |
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144
cosmetic
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| n.化妆品；adj.化妆用的；装门面的；装饰性的 | |
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145
freckles
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| n.雀斑，斑点( freckle的名词复数 ) | |
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146
cleansed
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| 弄干净，清洗( cleanse的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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147
infusion
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| n.灌输 | |
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148
rosiest
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| adj.玫瑰色的( rosy的最高级 )；愉快的；乐观的；一切都称心如意 | |
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149
lotion
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| n.洗剂 | |
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150
inquiries
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| n.调查( inquiry的名词复数 )；疑问；探究；打听 | |
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151
confinement
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| n.幽禁，拘留，监禁；分娩；限制，局限 | |
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152
conjecture
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| n./v.推测，猜测 | |
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153
fragrant
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| adj.芬香的，馥郁的，愉快的 | |
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154
veins
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| n.纹理；矿脉( vein的名词复数 )；静脉；叶脉；纹理 | |
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155
tingling
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| v.有刺痛感( tingle的现在分词 ) | |
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156
dispel
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| vt.驱走，驱散，消除 | |
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157
tedium
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| n.单调；烦闷 | |
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158
brazen
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| adj.厚脸皮的，无耻的，坚硬的 | |
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159
naturalists
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| n.博物学家( naturalist的名词复数 )；（文学艺术的）自然主义者 | |
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160
imbued
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| v.使（某人/某事）充满或激起（感情等）( imbue的过去式和过去分词 )；使充满；灌输；激发（强烈感情或品质等） | |
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161
recording
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| n.录音，记录 | |
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162
engrossing
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| adj.使人全神贯注的，引人入胜的v.使全神贯注( engross的现在分词 ) | |
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163
emblem
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| n.象征，标志；徽章 | |
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164
laborious
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| adj.吃力的，努力的，不流畅 | |
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165
redeemed
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| adj. 可赎回的，可救赎的 动词redeem的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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166
materialism
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| n.［哲］唯物主义，唯物论；物质至上 | |
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167
aspiration
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| n.志向，志趣抱负；渴望；(语)送气音；吸出 | |
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168
reverenced
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| v.尊敬，崇敬( reverence的过去式和过去分词 )；敬礼 | |
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169
dependence
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| n.依靠，依赖；信任，信赖；隶属 | |
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170
judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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171
accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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172
pebbles
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| [复数]鹅卵石； 沙砾； 卵石，小圆石( pebble的名词复数 ) | |
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173
gems
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| growth； economy； management； and customer satisfaction 增长 | |
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174
renown
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| n.声誉，名望 | |
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175
melancholy
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| n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的 | |
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176
confession
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| n.自白，供认，承认 | |
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177
assails
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| v.攻击( assail的第三人称单数 )；困扰；质问；毅然应对 | |
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178
miserably
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| adv.痛苦地；悲惨地；糟糕地；极度地 | |
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179
thwarted
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| 阻挠( thwart的过去式和过去分词 )； 使受挫折； 挫败； 横过 | |
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180
displeased
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| a.不快的 | |
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181
heed
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| v.注意，留意；n.注意，留心 | |
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182
detrimental
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| adj.损害的，造成伤害的 | |
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183
quench
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| vt.熄灭，扑灭；压制 | |
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184
exuberance
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| n.丰富；繁荣 | |
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185
irresistibly
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| adv.无法抵抗地，不能自持地；极为诱惑人地 | |
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186
impelled
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| v.推动、推进或敦促某人做某事( impel的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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187
intruded
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| n.侵入的，推进的v.侵入，侵扰，打扰( intrude的过去式和过去分词 )；把…强加于 | |
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188
feverish
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| adj.发烧的，狂热的，兴奋的 | |
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189
distilling
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| n.蒸馏（作用）v.蒸馏( distil的过去式和过去分词 )( distilled的过去分词 )；从…提取精华 | |
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190
apparatus
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| n.装置，器械；器具，设备 | |
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191
cylinders
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| n.圆筒( cylinder的名词复数 )；圆柱；汽缸；（尤指用作容器的）圆筒状物 | |
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192
crucibles
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| n.坩埚，严酷的考验（ crucible的名词复数 ） | |
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193
tainted
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| adj.腐坏的；污染的；沾污的；感染的v.使变质( taint的过去式和过去分词 )；使污染；败坏；被污染，腐坏，败坏 | |
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194
taint
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| n.污点；感染；腐坏；v.使感染；污染 | |
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195
gaseous
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| adj.气体的，气态的 | |
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196
tormented
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| 饱受折磨的 | |
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197
homely
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| adj.家常的，简朴的；不漂亮的 | |
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198
simplicity
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| n.简单，简易；朴素；直率，单纯 | |
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199
elegance
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| n.优雅；优美，雅致；精致，巧妙 | |
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200
solely
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| adv.仅仅，唯一地 | |
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201
draught
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| n.拉，牵引，拖；一网（饮，吸，阵)；顿服药量，通风；v.起草，设计 | |
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202
misery
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| n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦 | |
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203
sanguine
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| adj.充满希望的，乐观的，血红色的 | |
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204
joyous
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| adj.充满快乐的；令人高兴的 | |
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205
mien
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| n.风采；态度 | |
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206
mumbled
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| 含糊地说某事，叽咕，咕哝( mumble的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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207
beholding
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| v.看，注视( behold的现在分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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208
prying
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| adj.爱打听的v.打听，刺探（他人的私事）( pry的现在分词 )；撬开 | |
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209
stinted
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| v.限制，节省（stint的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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210
remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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211
stigma
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| n.耻辱，污名；(花的)柱头 | |
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212
exult
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| v.狂喜，欢腾；欢欣鼓舞 | |
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213
exulted
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| 狂喜，欢跃( exult的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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214
ascending
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| adj.上升的，向上的 | |
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215
goblet
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| n.高脚酒杯 | |
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216
concoction
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| n.调配(物)；谎言 | |
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217
relinquishing
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| 交出，让给( relinquish的现在分词 )； 放弃 | |
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218
attained
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| （通常经过努力）实现( attain的过去式和过去分词 )； 达到； 获得； 达到（某年龄、水平、状况） | |
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219
precisely
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| adv.恰好，正好，精确地，细致地 | |
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220
advancement
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| n.前进，促进，提升 | |
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221
blotches
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| n.（皮肤上的）红斑，疹块( blotch的名词复数 )；大滴 [大片]（墨水或颜色的）污渍 | |
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222
joyfully
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| adv. 喜悦地, 高兴地 | |
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223
fervid
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| adj.热情的；炽热的 | |
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224
quaffed
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| v.痛饮( quaff的过去式和过去分词 )；畅饮；大口大口将…喝干；一饮而尽 | |
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225
placid
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| adj.安静的，平和的 | |
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226
allays
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| v.减轻，缓和( allay的第三人称单数 ) | |
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227
parched
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| adj.焦干的；极渴的；v.（使）焦干 | |
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228
reluctance
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| n.厌恶，讨厌，勉强，不情愿 | |
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229
syllables
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| n.音节( syllable的名词复数 ) | |
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230
slumber
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| n.睡眠，沉睡状态 | |
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231
mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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232
philosophic
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| adj.哲学的，贤明的 | |
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233
eyelid
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| n.眼睑，眼皮 | |
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234
tremor
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| n.震动，颤动，战栗，兴奋，地震 | |
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235
recoiled
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| v.畏缩( recoil的过去式和过去分词 )；退缩；报应；返回 | |
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236
remonstrance
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| n抗议，抱怨 | |
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237
hoarse
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| adj.嘶哑的，沙哑的 | |
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238
chuckle
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| vi.／n.轻声笑，咯咯笑 | |
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239
frenzy
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| n.疯狂，狂热，极度的激动 | |
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240
exclamations
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| n.呼喊( exclamation的名词复数 )；感叹；感叹语；感叹词 | |
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241
repent
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| v.悔悟，悔改，忏悔，后悔 | |
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242
alas
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| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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243
chuckling
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| 轻声地笑( chuckle的现在分词 ) | |
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244
fatality
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| n.不幸，灾祸，天命 | |
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245
celestial
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| adj.天体的；天上的 | |
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246
eternity
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| n.不朽，来世；永恒，无穷 | |
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