"Oscar Wilde. The Canterville Ghost" - читать интересную книгу автора

voice, "there is a little garden. There the grass grows long and deep,
there are the great white stars of the hemlock flower, there the nightingale
sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the cold, crystal moon
looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the
sleepers."
Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands.
"You mean the Garden of Death," she wispered.
"Yes, Death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown
earth, with the grasses waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To
have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. To forget time, to forgive life, to be
at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the portals of Death's house,
for Love is always with you, and Love is stronger than Death is."
Virginia trembled, a cold shudder ran through her, and for a few
moments there was silence. She felt as if she was in a terrible dream.
Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice sounded like the sighning of
the wind.
"Have you ever read the old prophecy on the library window?"
"Oh, often," cried the little girl, looking up; "I know
it quite well. It is painted in curious black letters, and it is difficult
to read. There are only six lines:

WHEN A GOLDEN GIRL CAN WIN
PRAYER FROM OUT THE LIPS OF SIN,
WHEN THE BARREN ALMOND BEARS,
AND A LITTLE CHILD GIVES AWAY ITS TEARS,
THEN SHALL ALL THE HOUSE BE STILL
AND PEACE COME TO CANTERVILLE.

But I don't know what they mean."
"They mean," he said sadly, "that you must weep with me
for my sins, because I have no tears, and pray with me for my my soul,
because I have no faith, and then, if you have always been sweet, and good,
and gentle, the Angel of Death will have mercy on me. You will see fearfull
shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will wisper in your ear, but they will
not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of Hell
cannot prevail."
Virginia made no answer, and the ghost wrung his hands in wild despair
as he looked down at her bowed golden head. Suddenly she stood up, very
pale, and with a strange light in her eyes. "I am not afraid," she
said firmly, "and I will ask the Angel to have mercy on you."
He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent
over it with old-fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as
ice, and his lips burned like fire, but Virginia did not falter, as he led
her across the dusky room. On the faded green tapestry were broidered little
huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny hands waved to
her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go
back!" But the ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her
eyes against them. Horrible animals with lizard tails, and goggle eyes,
blinked at her from the carven chimney-piece, and murmured "Beware!
little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the ghost