One character in this work is entertained by optical illusions but horrified by a failed attempt at a (*) photograph and a quick-dying flower.
The protagonist of this work feels he is capable of "drawing a magic circle" around his wife "which no evil might intrude." The narrator of this story notes that the chuckling of a man described as having a "smoky aspect" and "indescribable earthiness" represents the triumph of earth over immortality. One character in this work is entertained by optical illusions but horrified by a failed attempt at a (*) photograph and a quick-dying flower. In this work, the assistant Aminadab laughs at the failure of a concoction that had been tested on a plant. For 10 points, name this short story by Nathaniel Hawthorne in which Aylmer kills Georgiana in his attempt to remove the titular blemish.
The protagonist of this work feels he is capable of "drawing a magic circle" around his wife "which no evil might intrude.
"The Birthmark"