Masculine observers, if the birth-mark did not heighten their admiration, contented themselves with wishing it away, that the world might possess one living specimen of ideal loveliness, without the semblance of a flaw.
Nathaniel Hawthorne (2015). “The Birthmark (Unabridged): A Dark Romantic Story on Obsession with Human Perfection From the Renowned American Author of “The Scarlet Letter”, “The House with the Seven Gables” & “Twice-Told Tales” (Including Biography)”, p.76, e-artnow
