Story of the Bandbox

(Повесть о шляпной картонке)

Up to the age of sixteen (вплоть до возраста шестнадцати /лет/), at a private school (в частной школе) and afterwards at one of those great institutions (и затем – в одном из тех великих заведений) for which England is justly famous (которыми Англия по справедливости знаменита), Mr. Harry Hartley had received the ordinary education of a gentleman (мистер Гарри Хартли получил обыкновенное воспитание джентльмена). At that period (за это время), he manifested a remarkable distaste for study (он обнаружил необычайное отвращение к учению); and his only surviving parent being both weak and ignorant (и /так как/ его единственный оставшийся родитель был и слаб, и невежествен), he was permitted thenceforward (ему было позволено впредь) to spend his time in the attainment of petty and purely elegant accomplishments (тратить свое время на приобретение незначительных и чисто светских достоинств). Two years later (два года спустя), he was left an orphan and almost a beggar (он остался сиротой и почти нищим: «был оставлен…»; to leave – оставлять, покидать).

 Up to the age of sixteen, at a private school and afterwards at one of those great institutions for which England is justly famous, Mr. Harry Hartley had received the ordinary education of a gentleman. At that period, he manifested a remarkable distaste for study; and his only surviving parent being both weak and ignorant, he was permitted thenceforward to spend his time in the attainment of petty and purely elegant accomplishments. Two years later, he was left an orphan and almost a beggar.

For all active and industrious pursuits (для всех деятельных и энергичных занятий), Harry was unfitted alike by nature and training (Гарри был неприспособлен равно по природе и образованию). He could sing romantic ditties (он умел петь романтические песенки), and accompany himself with discretion on the piano (и аккомпанировать себе с ловкостью на фортепиано); he was a graceful although a timid cavalier (он был грациозным, хоть и робким наездником); he had a pronounced taste for chess (у него был отчетливо выраженный вкус к шахматам); and nature had sent him into the world with one of the most engaging exteriors (и природа послала его в мир с одной из самых привлекательных наружностей; to send – послать) that can well be fancied (которую можно вообразить). Blond and pink (белокурый и розовый = розовощекий), with dove’s eyes (с глазами голубки = с невинным взором) and a gentle smile (и кроткой улыбкой), he had an air of agreeable tenderness and melancholy (он имел вид приятной нежности и задумчивости), and the most submissive and caressing manners (и крайне смирные и ласковые манеры). But when all is said (но когда все сказано = но при всем этом), he was not the man to lead armaments of war (он не был таким человеком, /который мог бы/ повести войска в бой), or direct the councils of a State (или управлять государством: «советами государства»).

 For all active and industrious pursuits, Harry was unfitted alike by nature and training. He could sing romantic ditties, and accompany himself with discretion on the piano; he was a graceful although a timid cavalier; he had a pronounced taste for chess; and nature had sent him into the world with one of the most engaging exteriors that can well be fancied. Blond and pink, with dove’s eyes and a gentle smile, he had an air of agreeable tenderness and melancholy, and the most submissive and caressing manners. But when all is said, he was not the man to lead armaments of war, or direct the councils of a State.

A fortunate chance and some influence (счастливый случай и некоторая протекция: «влияние») obtained for Harry, at the time of his bereavement (раздобыли для Гарри во время его лишений), the position of private secretary (место личного секретаря) to Major-General Sir Thomas Vandeleur, C. B. (у генерал-майора сэра Томаса Венделера, кавалера Ордена Бани третьей степени). Sir Thomas was a man of sixty (сэр Томас был человек шестидесяти /лет/), loud-spoken, boisterous, and domineering (громогласный, шумливый и властный). For some reason (по какой-то причине), some service the nature of which had been often whispered and repeatedly denied (/за/ какую-то услугу, суть которой часто называлась шепотом и постоянно опровергалась; to whisper – шептать), the Rajah of Kashgar had presented this officer (раджа Кашгара наградил этого офицера) with the sixth known diamond of the world (шестым /по величине/ известным алмазом в мире).

 A fortunate chance and some influence obtained for Harry, at the time of his bereavement, the position of private secretary to Major-General Sir Thomas Vandeleur, C. B. Sir Thomas was a man of sixty, loud-spoken, boisterous, and domineering. For some reason, some service the nature of which had been often whispered and repeatedly denied, the Rajah of Kashgar had presented this officer with the sixth known diamond of the world.

The gift transformed General Vandeleur from a poor into a wealthy man (этот подарок превратил генерала Венделера из бедного в богатого человека), from an obscure and unpopular soldier into one of the lions of London society (из никому не известного и непопулярного вояки – в одного из львов лондонского света); the possessor of the Rajah’s Diamond was welcome in the most exclusive circles (владелец Алмаза раджи был желанным /гостем/ в самых узких/высокопоставленных кругах); and he had found a lady (и он нашел женщину; to find – найти), young, beautiful, and well-born (молодую, красивую и из хорошей семьи: «хорошо-рожденную»), who was willing to call the diamond hers (которая пожелала назвать алмаз своим) even at the price of marriage with Sir Thomas Vandeleur (даже ценой брака с сэром Томасом Венделером). It was commonly said at the time (повсеместно говорилось в то время) that, as like draws to like, one jewel had attracted another (что, как подобное притягивается к подобному, одна драгоценность привлекла другую); certainly Lady Vandeleur was not only a gem of the finest water in her own person (несомненно, леди Венделер не только была самоцветом чистейшей воды сама по себе), but she showed herself to the world in a very costly setting (но она /также/ показывала себя миру в очень дорогой оправе); and she was considered by many respectable authorities (и она считалась многими уважаемыми знатоками), as one among the three or four best dressed women in England (одной из трех или четырех лучше всего одетых женщин в Англии).

 The gift transformed General Vandeleur from a poor into a wealthy man, from an obscure and unpopular soldier into one of the lions of London society; the possessor of the Rajah’s Diamond was welcome in the most exclusive circles; and he had found a lady, young, beautiful, and well-born, who was willing to call the diamond hers even at the price of marriage with Sir Thomas Vandeleur. It was commonly said at the time that, as like draws to like, one jewel had attracted another; certainly Lady Vandeleur was not only a gem of the finest water in her own person, but she showed herself to the world in a very costly setting; and she was considered by many respectable authorities, as one among the three or four best dressed women in England.

Harry’s duty as secretary was not particularly onerous (обязанности Гарри как секретаря были не особенно обременительны); but he had a dislike for all prolonged work (но он питал отвращение к любой продолжительной работе); it gave him pain to ink his fingers (пачкать чернилами свои пальцы причиняло ему /душевную/ боль: «давало»; to give – давать); and the charms of Lady Vandeleur and her toilettes (и очарование леди Венделер и ее туалетов) drew him often from the library to the boudoir (часто влекло его из библиотеки в будуар; to draw – тянуть). He had the prettiest ways among women (он имел приятнейшее обхождение среди женщин = умел с ними обходиться), could talk fashions with enjoyment (мог обсуждать моды с наслаждением), and was never more happy than when criticising a shade of ribbon (и никогда не был счастливее, чем когда критиковал оттенок ленты), or running on an errand to the milliner’s (или бежал с поручением к модистке). In short, Sir Thomas’s correspondence fell into pitiful arrears (коротко говоря, корреспонденция сэра Томаса оказалась запущена: «пала в прискорбную задолженность/отставание»; to fall – падать), and my Lady had another lady’s maid (а миледи приобрела новую горничную; to have – иметь).

 Harry’s duty as secretary was not particularly onerous; but he had a dislike for all prolonged work; it gave him pain to ink his fingers; and the charms of Lady Vandeleur and her toilettes drew him often from the library to the boudoir. He had the prettiest ways among women, could talk fashions with enjoyment, and was never more happy than when criticising a shade of ribbon, or running on an errand to the milliner’s. In short, Sir Thomas’s correspondence fell into pitiful arrears, and my Lady had another lady’s maid.

At last the General, who was one of the least patient of military commanders (наконец генерал, который был одним из наименее терпеливых военачальников), arose from his place in a violent access of passion (вскочил со своего места в жестоком приступе гнева; to arise – встать), and indicated to his secretary that he had no further need for his services (и указал своему секретарю, что у него нет дальнейшей нужды в его услугах), with one of those explanatory gestures (одним из тех объяснительных жестов) which are most rarely employed between gentlemen (которые крайне редко используются между джентльменами). The door being unfortunately open (/так как/ дверь была, к сожалению, открыта), Mr. Hartley fell downstairs head foremost (мистер Хартли скатился с лестницы головой вперед; to fall – падать).

 At last the General, who was one of the least patient of military commanders, arose from his place in a violent access of passion, and indicated to his secretary that he had no further need for his services, with one of those explanatory gestures which are most rarely employed between gentlemen. The door being unfortunately open, Mr. Hartley fell downstairs head foremost.

He arose somewhat hurt (он поднялся несколько ушибленный; to arise – встать; to hurt – вредить, поранить) and very deeply aggrieved (и очень глубоко обиженный). The life in the General’s house precisely suited him (жизнь в генеральском доме идеально: «точно» подходила ему); he moved, on a more or less doubtful footing, in very genteel company (он вращался, на более-менее шатком основании, в очень утонченном кругу), he did little (он делал мало; to do – делать), he ate of the best (он ел самое лучшее; to eat – есть), and he had a lukewarm satisfaction in the presence of Lady Vandeleur (и он испытывал теплое удовлетворение в присутствии леди Венделер), which, in his own heart, he dubbed by a more emphatic name (которое, в своем сердце, он называл более сильным словом: «именем»). Immediately after he had been outraged by the military foot (немедленно после того как он подвергся насилию солдатской ноги), he hurried to the boudoir and recounted his sorrows (он поспешил в будуар и поведал о своих горестях).

 He arose somewhat hurt and very deeply aggrieved. The life in the General’s house precisely suited him; he moved, on a more or less doubtful footing, in very genteel company, he did little, he ate of the best, and he had a lukewarm satisfaction in the presence of Lady Vandeleur, which, in his own heart, he dubbed by a more emphatic name. Immediately after he had been outraged by the military foot, he hurried to the boudoir and recounted his sorrows.

“You know very well, my dear Harry,” replied Lady Vandeleur (вы очень хорошо знаете, мой дорогой Гарри, – ответила леди Венделер), for she called him by name like a child or a domestic servant (ибо она звала его по имени, как ребенка или прислугу), “that you never by any chance do what the General tells you (что вы никогда ни при каких обстоятельствах не делаете, что вам говорит генерал). No more do I, you may say (как и я, скажете вы: «не более делаю я, вы можете сказать»). But that is different (но это другое /дело/). A woman can earn her pardon for a good year of disobedience (женщина может заслужить прощение за целый год неповиновения) by a single adroit submission (одним-единственным ловким подчинением); and, besides, no one is married to his private secretary (и вдобавок никто не женится на своем личном секретаре). I shall be sorry to lose you (мне будет жаль потерять вас); but since you cannot stay longer in a house where you have been insulted (но так как вы не можете оставаться дольше в доме, где вас оскорбили), I shall wish you good-bye (я пожелаю вам всего хорошего), and I promise you to make the General smart for his behaviour (и обещаю вам примерно наказать генерала за его поведение; smart – жгучая, сильная боль /от удара, раны и т. п./; горе, несчастье, печаль; страдание; to smart – испытывать жгучую боль; болеть; страдать, печалиться).”

 “You know very well, my dear Harry,” replied Lady Vandeleur, for she called him by name like a child or a domestic servant, “that you never by any chance do what the General tells you. No more do I, you may say. But that is different. A woman can earn her pardon for a good year of disobedience by a single adroit submission; and, besides, no one is married to his private secretary. I shall be sorry to lose you; but since you cannot stay longer in a house where you have been insulted, I shall wish you good-bye, and I promise you to make the General smart for his behaviour.”

Harry’s countenance fell (лицо у Гарри вытянулось: «упало»); tears came into his eyes (слезы выступили у него на глазах: «пришли в его глаза»; to come – прийти), and he gazed on Lady Vandeleur with a tender reproach (и он посмотрел на леди Венделер с мягким укором). “My Lady,” said he, “what is an insult (миледи, – сказал он, – что такое оскорбление)? I should think little indeed of any one (я был бы в самом деле невысокого мнения о любом: «думал бы мало») who could not forgive them by the score (кто не мог бы простить их все: «скопом, десятками»). But to leave one’s friends (но покинуть друзей); to tear up the bonds of affection (разорвать узы привязанности) – ” He was unable to continue (он был неспособен продолжать), for his emotion choked him (так как его чувства душили его), and he began to weep (и он принялся рыдать; to begin – начать). Lady Vandeleur looked at him with a curious expression (леди Венделер глядела на него с выражением любопытства /на лице/).

 Harry’s countenance fell; tears came into his eyes, and he gazed on Lady Vandeleur with a tender reproach. “My Lady,” said he, “what is an insult? I should think little indeed of any one who could not forgive them by the score. But to leave one’s friends; to tear up the bonds of affection – ” He was unable to continue, for his emotion choked him, and he began to weep. Lady Vandeleur looked at him with a curious expression.

“This little fool,” she thought (этот дурачок, – подумала она; to think – думать), “imagines himself to be in love with me (воображает, что влюблен в меня). Why should he not become my servant instead of the General’s (почему бы ему не стать моим слугой, вместо /того, чтобы быть слугой/ генерала)? He is good-natured, obliging, and understands dress (он добродушный, предупредительный и знает толк в платьях); and besides it will keep him out of mischief (и кроме того, это оградит его от бед). He is positively too pretty to be unattached (он точно слишком мил, чтобы быть одиноким: «непривязанным»).” That night she talked over the General (тем вечером она переговорила с генералом), who was already somewhat ashamed of his vivacity (который был уже немного смущен своей горячностью); and Harry was transferred to the feminine department (и Гарри был переведен на женскую половину), where his life was little short of heavenly (где его жизнь ненамного отличалась от райской; short of – не достигая; short – короткий).

 “This little fool,” she thought, “imagines himself to be in love with me. Why should he not become my servant instead of the General’s? He is good-natured, obliging, and understands dress; and besides it will keep him out of mischief. He is positively too pretty to be unattached.” That night she talked over the General, who was already somewhat ashamed of his vivacity; and Harry was transferred to the feminine department, where his life was little short of heavenly.

He was always dressed with uncommon nicety (он был всегда одет с необычайной щепетильностью), wore delicate flowers in his button-hole (носил нежные цветы в петлице; to wear – носить), and could entertain a visitor with tact and pleasantry (и мог развлечь гостью с тактом и веселостью). He took a pride in servility to a beautiful woman (он гордился рабской преданностью красивой женщине: «брал гордость»; to take – брать); received Lady Vandeleur’s commands as so many marks of favour (принимал приказы леди Венделер как многочисленные знаки благосклонности); and was pleased to exhibit himself before other men (и с радостью выставлял себя напоказ другим мужчинам: «был рад…»), who derided and despised him (которые высмеивали и презирали его), in his character of male lady’s maid and man milliner (в его роли мужчины-горничной и мужчины-модистки). Nor could he think enough of his existence from a moral point of view (он также не мог нарадоваться своему существованию с моральной точки зрения: «не мог думать достаточно о…»; nor – и не). Wickedness seemed to him an essentially male attribute (безнравственность казалась ему преимущественно мужской чертой), and to pass one’s days with a delicate woman (и проводить свои дни с изящной женщиной), and principally occupied about trimmings (/будучи/ в основном занятым отделкой /платьев/), was to inhabit an enchanted isle among the storms of life (было /словно/ жить на зачарованном острове среди жизненных бурь).

 He was always dressed with uncommon nicety, wore delicate flowers in his button-hole, and could entertain a visitor with tact and pleasantry. He took a pride in servility to a beautiful woman; received Lady Vandeleur’s commands as so many marks of favour; and was pleased to exhibit himself before other men, who derided and despised him, in his character of male lady’s maid and man milliner. Nor could he think enough of his existence from a moral point of view. Wickedness seemed to him an essentially male attribute, and to pass one’s days with a delicate woman, and principally occupied about trimmings, was to inhabit an enchanted isle among the storms of life.

One fine morning (в одно прекрасное утро) he came into the drawing-room (он вошел в гостиную) and began to arrange some music on the top of the piano (и начал приводить в порядок какие-то ноты на крышке рояля). Lady Vandeleur, at the other end of the apartment (леди Венделер в другом = противоположном углу комнаты), was speaking somewhat eagerly with her brother, Charlie Pendragon (говорила несколько нетерпеливо со своим братом, Чарли Пендрагоном), an elderly young man (престарелым = стареющим молодым человеком), much broken with dissipation (сильно потрепанным разгульной жизнью; to break – портить, ломать;to dissipate – рассеивать, разгонять /облака, мрак, страх и т. п./; расточать, растрачивать /время, силы/; транжирить, проматывать /деньги/; кутить, развлекаться; вести распутный образ жизни), and very lame of one foot (и сильно хромающим на одну ногу). The private secretary, to whose entrance they paid no regard (личный секретарь, на чье появление они не обратили внимания; to pay regard – обратить внимание: «заплатить»), could not avoid overhearing a part of their conversation (не мог избежать того, чтобы подслушать часть их беседы).

 One fine morning he came into the drawing-room and began to arrange some music on the top of the piano. Lady Vandeleur, at the other end of the apartment, was speaking somewhat eagerly with her brother, Charlie Pendragon, an elderly young man, much broken with dissipation, and very lame of one foot. The private secretary, to whose entrance they paid no regard, could not avoid overhearing a part of their conversation.

“To-day or never,” said the lady (сегодня или никогда, – сказала леди). “Once and for all (раз и навсегда = окончательно), it shall be done to-day (это будет сделано сегодня).”

“To-day, if it must be,” replied the brother, with a sigh (сегодня, раз это должно случиться: «быть», – ответил брат со вздохом). “But it is a false step (но это неверный шаг), a ruinous step, Clara (губительный шаг, Клара); and we shall live to repent it dismally (и мы когда-нибудь горько раскаемся в нем: «доживем, чтобы раскаяться в нем горько»).”

Lady Vandeleur looked her brother steadily and somewhat strangely in the face (леди Венделер посмотрела своему брату твердо и немного странно в лицо).

“You forget,” she said (ты забываешь, – сказала она); “the man must die at last (он должен умереть в конце концов).”

“Upon my word, Clara,” said Pendragon (честное слово, Клара, – сказал Пендрагон), “I believe you are the most heartless rascal in England (я думаю, ты – самая бессердечная негодяйка в Англии).”

 “To-day or never,” said the lady. “Once and for all, it shall be done to-day.”

“To-day, if it must be,” replied the brother, with a sigh. “But it is a false step, a ruinous step, Clara; and we shall live to repent it dismally.”

Lady Vandeleur looked her brother steadily and somewhat strangely in the face.

“You forget,” she said; “the man must die at last.”

“Upon my word, Clara,” said Pendragon, “I believe you are the most heartless rascal in England.”

“You men,” she returned, “are so coarsely built (вы, мужчины, – ответила она, – так грубо сделаны: «построены»; to build – строить), that you can never appreciate a shade of meaning (вы никогда не умеете понять оттенок значения). You are yourselves rapacious, violent (вы сами ненасытны, жестоки), immodest, careless of distinction (бесстыдны, неразборчивы: «беспечны к разборчивости»); and yet the least thought for the future shocks you in a woman (и при этом малейшая мысль о будущем шокирует вас в женщине). I have no patience with such stuff (я терпеть не могу такое: «не имею терпения»). You would despise in a common banker the imbecility (вы бы презирали в заурядном клерке то тупоумие) that you expect to find in us (которое вы ожидаете найти в нас).”

“You are very likely right,” replied her brother (ты, очень вероятно, права, – ответил ее брат); “you were always cleverer than I (ты всегда была умнее, чем я). And, anyway, you know my motto (и, в любом случае, ты знаешь мой девиз): The family before all (семья прежде всего).”

“Yes, Charlie,” she returned, taking his hand in hers (да, Чарли, – ответила она, беря его руку в свою), “I know your motto better than you know it yourself (я знаю твой девиз лучше, чем ты сам его знаешь). ‘And Clara before the family («а Клара – прежде семьи»)!’ Is not that the second part of it (разве не это вторая часть его = девиза)? Indeed, you are the best of brothers (в самом деле, ты лучший из братьев), and I love you dearly (и я люблю тебя нежно).”

 “You men,” she returned, “are so coarsely built, that you can never appreciate a shade of meaning. You are yourselves rapacious, violent, immodest, careless of distinction; and yet the least thought for the future shocks you in a woman. I have no patience with such stuff. You would despise in a common banker the imbecility that you expect to find in us.”

“You are very likely right,” replied her brother; “you were always cleverer than I. And, anyway, you know my motto: The family before all.”

“Yes, Charlie,” she returned, taking his hand in hers, “I know your motto better than you know it yourself. ‘And Clara before the family!’ Is not that the second part of it? Indeed, you are the best of brothers, and I love you dearly.”

Mr. Pendragon got up (мистер Пендрагон встал; to get up – встать), looking a little confused by these family endearments (выглядя слегка смущенным этими семейными нежностями).

“I had better not be seen,” said he (лучше бы меня не видели, – сказал он: «лучше бы я не был увиден»). “I understand my part to a miracle (я понимаю свою роль на диво /хорошо/), and I’ll keep an eye on the Tame Cat (и я буду следить за этим ручным котиком: «буду держать глаз на…»).”

“Do,” she replied (да, пожалуйста: «делай», – ответила она). “He is an abject creature (он – жалкое существо), and might ruin all (и может испортить все).”

She kissed the tips of her fingers to him daintily (она поцеловала кончики своих пальцев ему изящно = послала воздушный поцелуй); and the brother withdrew by the boudoir and the back stair (и брат удалился через будуар и черный ход: «по задней лестнице»; to withdraw – удалиться).

 Mr. Pendragon got up, looking a little confused by these family endearments.

“I had better not be seen,” said he. “I understand my part to a miracle, and I’ll keep an eye on the Tame Cat.”

“Do,” she replied. “He is an abject creature, and might ruin all.”

She kissed the tips of her fingers to him daintily; and the brother withdrew by the boudoir and the back stair.

“Harry,” said Lady Vandeleur, turning towards the secretary (Гарри, – сказала леди Венделер, повернувшись к секретарю) as soon as they were alone (как только они остались одни), “I have a commission for you this morning (у меня поручение для вас сегодня: «этим утром»). But you shall take a cab (но вы должны будете взять кеб); I cannot have my secretary freckled (я не хочу, чтобы мой секретарь покрылся веснушками: «я не могу принять своего секретаря веснушчатым»).” She spoke the last words with emphasis (она произнесла последние слова с выразительностью) and a look of half-motherly pride (и с видом полуматеринской гордости) that caused great contentment to poor Harry (что причинило великое удовольствие бедному Гарри); and he professed himself charmed to find an opportunity of serving her (и он заявил, что восхищен найти возможность услужить ей).

 “Harry,” said Lady Vandeleur, turning towards the secretary as soon as they were alone, “I have a commission for you this morning. But you shall take a cab; I cannot have my secretary freckled.” She spoke the last words with emphasis and a look of half-motherly pride that caused great contentment to poor Harry; and he professed himself charmed to find an opportunity of serving her.

“It is another of our great secrets,” she went on archly (это еще одна из наших великих тайн, – продолжила она игриво; to go on – продолжить), “and no one must know of it but my secretary and me (и никто не должен знать о ней, кроме моего секретаря и меня). Sir Thomas would make the saddest disturbance (сэр Томас был бы самым печальным = неприятным беспокойством: «сделал бы»); and if you only knew how weary I am of these scenes (и если бы вы только знали, как я устала от этих сцен)! Oh, Harry, Harry, can you explain to me (о, Гарри, Гарри, можете ли вы объяснить мне) what makes you men so violent and unjust (что делает вас, мужчин, такими жестокими и несправедливыми)? But, indeed, I know you cannot (но, по правде говоря, я знаю, что вы не можете /объяснить/); you are the only man in the world (вы – единственный мужчина на свете) who knows nothing of these shameful passions (который не знает ничего об этих постыдных страстях); you are so good, Harry, and so kind (вы такой хороший, Гарри, и такой добрый); you, at least, can be a woman’s friend (вы, по крайней мере, можете быть другом женщине); and, do you know (и знаете /что/)? I think you make the others more ugly by comparison (я думаю, вы делаете других /еще/ более отталкивающими по сравнению /с вами/).”

“It is you,” said Harry gallantly, “who are so kind to me (это вы, – сказал Гарри любезно, – так добры ко мне). You treat me like (вы обращаетесь со мной как) – ”

“Like a mother,” interposed Lady Vandeleur (как мать, – вставила леди Венделер); “I try to be a mother to you (я пытаюсь быть матерью вам). Or, at least,” she corrected herself with a smile, “almost a mother (или, хотя бы, – поправилась она с улыбкой, – почти матерью). I am afraid I am too young (боюсь, я слишком молода) to be your mother really (чтобы быть вашей матерью на самом деле). Let us say a friend (скажем – другом) – a dear friend (дорогим другом).”

She paused long enough to let her words take effect in Harry’s sentimental quarters (она помолчала достаточно долго, чтобы дать ее словам подействовать на сентиментальные сферы = чувства Гарри; to take effect – подействовать: «взять эффект»; quarters – жилище, жилье, помещение, квартира), but not long enough to allow him a reply (но недостаточно долго, чтобы позволить ему ответ/ить/).

 “It is another of our great secrets,” she went on archly, “and no one must know of it but my secretary and me. Sir Thomas would make the saddest disturbance; and if you only knew how weary I am of these scenes! Oh, Harry, Harry, can you explain to me what makes you men so violent and unjust? But, indeed, I know you cannot; you are the only man in the world who knows nothing of these shameful passions; you are so good, Harry, and so kind; you, at least, can be a woman’s friend; and, do you know? I think you make the others more ugly by comparison.”

“It is you,” said Harry gallantly, “who are so kind to me. You treat me like – “

“Like a mother,” interposed Lady Vandeleur; “I try to be a mother to you. Or, at least,” she corrected herself with a smile, “almost a mother. I am afraid I am too young to be your mother really. Let us say a friend – a dear friend.”

She paused long enough to let her words take effect in Harry’s sentimental quarters, but not long enough to allow him a reply.

“But all this is beside our purpose,” she resumed (но все это не относится к нашему делу: «помимо нашего замысла»). “You will find a bandbox in the left-hand side of the oak wardrobe (вы найдете шляпную картонку в левой части дубового гардероба); it is underneath the pink slip (она под розовой нижней юбкой) that I wore on Wednesday with my Mechlin (которую я носила = надевала в среду с моим кружевным платьем; to wear – носить одежду). You will take it immediately to this address,” and she gave him a paper (вы отвезете ее немедленно по этому адресу, – она дала ему бумажку), “but do not, on any account, let it out of your hands (но ни при каких обстоятельствах не выпускайте ее из рук) until you have received a receipt written by myself (пока вы не получите расписку, написанную мной самой). Do you understand (вы поняли)? Answer, if you please – answer (ответьте, пожалуйста, ответьте = повторите ваши инструкции)! This is extremely important (это крайне важно), and I must ask you to pay some attention (и я должна просить вас обратить внимание = внимательно исполнить это поручение).”

 “But all this is beside our purpose,” she resumed. “You will find a bandbox in the left-hand side of the oak wardrobe; it is underneath the pink slip that I wore on Wednesday with my Mechlin. You will take it immediately to this address,” and she gave him a paper, “but do not, on any account, let it out of your hands until you have received a receipt written by myself. Do you understand? Answer, if you please – answer! This is extremely important, and I must ask you to pay some attention.”

Harry pacified her by repeating her instructions perfectly (он успокоил ее, повторив ее инструкции в совершенстве); and she was just going to tell him more (и она как раз собиралась сказать ему больше = еще кое-что) when General Vandeleur flung into the apartment, scarlet with anger (когда генерал Венделер ворвался в комнату, багровый от ярости; to fling – бросить/ся/), and holding a long and elaborate milliner’s bill in his hand (и держащий длинный и подробный счет от модистки в руке).

“Will you look at this, madam?” cried he (хотите посмотреть на это = взгляните на это, мадам! – вскричал он). “Will you have the goodness to look at this document (окажите любезность взглянуть на этот документ: «будет ли у вас любезность…»)? I know well enough you married me for my money (я прекрасно знаю, что вы вышли за меня из-за моих денег), and I hope I can make as great allowances as any other man in the service (и я надеюсь, что могу давать вам такое же большое содержание, как любой другой на службе = в армии); but, as sure as God made me (но так же точно, как то, что Бог сотворил меня), I mean to put a period to this disreputable prodigality (я намереваюсь положить конец этой постыдной расточительности; prodigal – расточительный).”

 Harry pacified her by repeating her instructions perfectly; and she was just going to tell him more when General Vandeleur flung into the apartment, scarlet with anger, and holding a long and elaborate milliner’s bill in his hand.

“Will you look at this, madam?” cried he. “Will you have the goodness to look at this document? I know well enough you married me for my money, and I hope I can make as great allowances as any other man in the service; but, as sure as God made me, I mean to put a period to this disreputable prodigality.”

“Mr. Hartley,” said Lady Vandeleur, “I think you understand what you have to do (мистер Хартли, – сказала леди Венделер, – я думаю, вы понимаете, что вы должны сделать). May I ask you to see to it at once (могу я попросить вас приняться за дело немедленно: «присмотреть за этим»; at once – сразу же)?”

“Stop,” said the General, addressing Harry (стойте, – сказал генерал, обращаясь к Гарри), “one word before you go (одно слово прежде чем вы уйдете).” And then, turning again to Lady Vandeleur (и затем, повернувшись снова к леди Венделер), “What is this precious fellow’s errand (каково поручение этому благородному юноше)?” he demanded (спросил он). “I trust him no further than I do yourself (я доверяю ему не больше, чем вам самой), let me tell you (уверяю вас: «позвольте мне сказать вам»). If he had as much as the rudiments of honesty (если бы у него были хотя бы зачатки порядочности), he would scorn to stay in this house (он бы счел невозможным оставаться в этом доме); and what he does for his wages (а что он делает за свое жалование) is a mystery to all the world (тайна для всего мира). What is his errand, madam (в чем его поручение, мадам)? and why are you hurrying him away (и почему вы торопите его «прочь»)?”

 “Mr. Hartley,” said Lady Vandeleur, “I think you understand what you have to do. May I ask you to see to it at once?”

“Stop,” said the General, addressing Harry, “one word before you go.” And then, turning again to Lady Vandeleur, “What is this precious fellow’s errand?” he demanded. “I trust him no further than I do yourself, let me tell you. If he had as much as the rudiments of honesty, he would scorn to stay in this house; and what he does for his wages is a mystery to all the world. What is his errand, madam? and why are you hurrying him away?”

“I supposed you had something to say to me in private,” replied the lady (я полагала, вы имели сказать мне что-то наедине, – ответила леди).

“You spoke about an errand,” insisted the General (вы говорили о каком-то поручении, – настаивал генерал). “Do not attempt to deceive me in my present state of temper (не пытайтесь провести меня в моем теперешнем состоянии духа). You certainly spoke about an errand (вы точно говорили о каком-то поручении).”

“If you insist on making your servants privy to our humiliating dissensions,” replied Lady Vandeleur (если вы настаиваете на том, чтобы делать своих слуг участниками наших унизительных раздоров, – ответила леди Венделер), “perhaps I had better ask Mr. Hartley to sit down (может, я попрошу мистера Хартли присесть). No?” she continued (нет? – продолжала она); “then you may go, Mr. Hartley (тогда вы можете идти, мистер Хартли). I trust you may remember all that you have heard in this room (я полагаю, вы можете запомнить все, что слышали в этой комнате); it may be useful to you (это может быть полезно для вас).”

 “I supposed you had something to say to me in private,” replied the lady.

“You spoke about an errand,” insisted the General. “Do not attempt to deceive me in my present state of temper. You certainly spoke about an errand.”

“If you insist on making your servants privy to our humiliating dissensions,” replied Lady Vandeleur, “perhaps I had better ask Mr. Hartley to sit down. No?” she continued; “then you may go, Mr. Hartley. I trust you may remember all that you have heard in this room; it may be useful to you.”

Harry at once made his escape from the drawing-room (Гарри сразу же сбежал: «сделал свой побег» из гостиной); and as he ran upstairs (и пока он бежал вверх по лестнице; to run – бежать) he could hear the General’s voice upraised in declamation (он мог слышать голос генерала, повышенный в речи = громкий голос, произносящий речь), and the thin tones of Lady Vandeleur (и тихие звуки /голоса/ леди Венделер) planting icy repartees at every opening (вставляющей ледяные находчивые ответы каждый раз, когда она открывала рот: «при каждом открытии»). How cordially he admired the wife (как пылко он восхищался женой)! How skilfully she could evade an awkward question (как ловко могла = умела она уйти от неудобного вопроса)! with what secure effrontery she repeated her instructions under the very guns of the enemy (с каким уверенным нахальством она повторяла свои инструкции прямо под пушками врага)! and on the other hand (а с другой стороны: «на другой руке»), how he detested the husband (как он ненавидел мужа)!

 Harry at once made his escape from the drawing-room; and as he ran upstairs he could hear the General’s voice upraised in declamation, and the thin tones of Lady Vandeleur planting icy repartees at every opening. How cordially he admired the wife! How skilfully she could evade an awkward question! with what secure effrontery she repeated her instructions under the very guns of the enemy! and on the other hand, how he detested the husband!

There had been nothing unfamiliar in the morning’s events (не было ничего непривычного в событиях этого утра), for he was continually in the habit (ибо он все время был в привычке = ему было привычно) of serving Lady Vandeleur on secret missions (служить леди Венделер в тайных заданиях), principally connected with millinery (главным образом, связанных с модисткой). There was a skeleton in the house (был один скелет в доме = один секрет), as he well knew (как он прекрасно знал). The bottomless extravagance and the unknown liabilities of the wife had long since swallowed her own fortune (бесконечная: «бездонная» расточительность и тайные долги жены давно уже поглотили ее собственное состояние), and threatened day by day to engulf that of the husband (и грозили со дня на день поглотить состояние мужа).

 There had been nothing unfamiliar in the morning’s events, for he was continually in the habit of serving Lady Vandeleur on secret missions, principally connected with millinery. There was a skeleton in the house, as he well knew. The bottomless extravagance and the unknown liabilities of the wife had long since swallowed her own fortune, and threatened day by day to engulf that of the husband.

Once or twice in every year exposure and ruin seemed imminent (однажды или дважды каждый год разоблачение и разорение казались неизбежными), and Harry kept trotting round to all sorts of furnishers’ shops (и Гарри бегал по всяким лавкам поставщиков: «все время бегал»; to keep – держать; to keep doing – все время что-то делать), telling small fibs (рассказывая маленькие обманы = привирая), and paying small advances on the gross amount (и уплачивая мелкие авансы в счет большой суммы = уплачивая по мелочам), until another term was tided over (пока очередная дата уплаты не оказывалась пережитой), and the lady and her faithful secretary breathed again (и госпожа и ее верный секретарь снова вздыхали /с облегчением/). For Harry, in a double capacity, was heart and soul upon that side of the war (ибо Гарри в двойном объеме = вдвойне был сердцем и душой на этой стороне войны = на стороне своей хозяйки): not only did he adore Lady Vandeleur and fear and dislike her husband (он не только обожал леди Венделер и страшился и ненавидел ее мужа), but he naturally sympathised with the love of finery (но он искренне сочувствовал /ее/ любви к нарядам), and his own single extravagance was at the tailor’s (и единственная его собственная расточительность была у портного = только на одежду он тратил много денег).

 Once or twice in every year exposure and ruin seemed imminent, and Harry kept trotting round to all sorts of furnishers’ shops, telling small fibs, and paying small advances on the gross amount, until another term was tided over, and the lady and her faithful secretary breathed again. For Harry, in a double capacity, was heart and soul upon that side of the war: not only did he adore Lady Vandeleur and fear and dislike her husband, but he naturally sympathised with the love of finery, and his own single extravagance was at the tailor’s.

He found the bandbox where it had been described (он нашел шляпную картонку там, где было описано = где ему сказали), arranged his toilette with care (заботливо привел в порядок свой туалет: «с заботой»), and left the house (и вышел из дома; to leave – покидать). The sun shone brightly (солнце светило ярко; to shine – светить); the distance he had to travel was considerable (расстояние, которое ему надо было преодолеть, было немаленьким; to have to – быть должным, вынужденным), and he remembered with dismay (и он вспомнил с тревогой) that the General’s sudden irruption had prevented Lady Vandeleur from giving him money for a cab (что внезапное вторжение генерала помешало леди Венделер дать ему денег на кеб). On this sultry day there was every chance that his complexion would suffer severely (в этот знойный день был каждый шанс = был велик шанс, что кожа на его лице чрезвычайно пострадает); and to walk through so much of London with a bandbox on his arm (а идти через такую большую часть Лондона с шляпной картонкой в руке) was a humiliation almost insupportable to a youth of his character (было унижением, почти невыносимым для юноши его склада). He paused, and took counsel with himself (он приостановился и посовещался сам с собой = задумался). The Vandeleurs lived in Eaton Place (Венделеры жили на Итон-плейс); his destination was near Notting Hill (пункт назначения был близ Ноттинг-хилла); plainly, he might cross the Park (очевидно, он мог пересечь парк) by keeping well in the open and avoiding populous alleys (держась открытых пространств и избегая людных аллей); and he thanked his stars when he reflected (и он поблагодарил свои звезды = судьбу, когда подумал) that it was still comparatively early in the day (что сейчас еще сравнительно рано).

 He found the bandbox where it had been described, arranged his toilette with care, and left the house. The sun shone brightly; the distance he had to travel was considerable, and he remembered with dismay that the General’s sudden irruption had prevented Lady Vandeleur from giving him money for a cab. On this sultry day there was every chance that his complexion would suffer severely; and to walk through so much of London with a bandbox on his arm was a humiliation almost insupportable to a youth of his character. He paused, and took counsel with himself. The Vandeleurs lived in Eaton Place; his destination was near Notting Hill; plainly, he might cross the Park by keeping well in the open and avoiding populous alleys; and he thanked his stars when he reflected that it was still comparatively early in the day.

Anxious to be rid of his incubus (страстно желающий отделаться от своего бремени /то есть от генерала/; to be rid of smth. – быть избавленным от чего-либо; incubus – демон, злой дух, злой гений; груз забот, гнет, бремя /то, что давит, создает гнетущую атмосферу/), he walked somewhat faster than his ordinary (он шел несколько быстрее обычного: «чем свое обычное»), and he was already some way through Kensington Gardens (и он уже прошел часть Кенсингтонского парка: «он уже был часть пути сквозь Кенсингтонские сады») when, in a solitary spot among trees (когда в уединенном уголке среди деревьев), he found himself confronted by the General (он встретился лицом к лицу с генералом: «он обнаружил себя встреченным генералом»).

“I beg your pardon, Sir Thomas,” observed Harry (прошу прощения, сэр Томас, – сказал Гарри), politely falling on one side (вежливо отступив в сторону); for the other stood directly in his path (ибо тот стоял прямо у него на пути; to stand – стоять).

“Where are you going, sir?” asked the General (куда вы идете, сэр? – спросил генерал).

“I am taking a little walk among the trees,” replied the lad (я прогуливаюсь среди деревьев, – ответил юноша: «беру небольшую прогулку»).

 Anxious to be rid of his incubus, he walked somewhat faster than his ordinary, and he was already some way through Kensington Gardens when, in a solitary spot among trees, he found himself confronted by the General.

“I beg your pardon, Sir Thomas,” observed Harry, politely falling on one side; for the other stood directly in his path.

“Where are you going, sir?” asked the General.

“I am taking a little walk among the trees,” replied the lad.

The General struck the bandbox with his cane (генерал стукнул по шляпной картонке тростью; to strike – ударить).

“With that thing?” he cried (с этой штукой? – воскликнул он); “you lie, sir (вы лжете, сэр), and you know you lie (и вы знаете, что лжете)!”

“Indeed, Sir Thomas,” returned Harry (право, сэр Томас, – ответил Гарри), “I am not accustomed to be questioned in so high a key (я не привык, чтобы меня допрашивали в таком повышенном тоне;accustomed – привыкший; to question – расспрашивать; key – ключ).”

“You do not understand your position,” said the General (вы не понимаете своего положения = забываетесь, – сказал генерал). “You are my servant (вы мой слуга), and a servant of whom I have conceived the most serious suspicions (и слуга, относительно которого я питаю самые серьезные подозрения; to conceive – испытать, ощутить, почувствовать). How do I know but that your box is full of teaspoons (как = откуда я знаю, что в ваша коробка не полна /серебряных/ чайных ложек; but – зд.: что не)?”

“It contains a silk hat belonging to a friend,” said Harry (она содержит цилиндр, принадлежащий одному /моему/ приятелю, – сказал Гарри; silk hat – цилиндр: «шелковая шляпа»).

“Very well,” replied General Vandeleur (очень хорошо, – ответил генерал Венделер). “Then I want to see your friend’s silk hat (тогда я желаю увидеть цилиндр вашего приятеля). I have,” he added grimly, “a singular curiosity for hats (я питаю, – добавил он зловеще, – чрезвычайный интерес к шляпам); and I believe you know me to be somewhat positive (и я полагаю, что вы знаете, что я несколько принудителен/положителен = не охотник до шуток).”

“I beg your pardon, Sir Thomas, I am exceedingly grieved,” Harry apologised (прошу прощения, сэр Томас, я чрезвычайно опечален = мне очень жаль, – извинился Гарри); “but indeed this is a private affair (но, в самом деле, это – личное дело).”

 The General struck the bandbox with his cane.

“With that thing?” he cried; “you lie, sir, and you know you lie!”

“Indeed, Sir Thomas,” returned Harry, “I am not accustomed to be questioned in so high a key.”

“You do not understand your position,” said the General. “You are my servant, and a servant of whom I have conceived the most serious suspicions. How do I know but that your box is full of teaspoons?”

“It contains a silk hat belonging to a friend,” said Harry.

“Very well,” replied General Vandeleur. “Then I want to see your friend’s silk hat. I have,” he added grimly, “a singular curiosity for hats; and I believe you know me to be somewhat positive.”

“I beg your pardon, Sir Thomas, I am exceedingly grieved,” Harry apologised; “but indeed this is a private affair.”

The General caught him roughly by the shoulder with one hand (генерал схватил его грубо за плечо одной рукой; to catch – схватить, поймать), while he raised his cane in the most menacing manner with the other (и поднял трость самым грозным образом другой /рукой/). Harry gave himself up for lost (Гарри решил, что пропал; to give… up for lost – поставить крест, считать погибшим); but at the same moment Heaven vouchsafed him an unexpected defender in the person of Charlie Pendragon (но в тот же момент небо соблаговолило послать ему нежданного защитника в лице Чарли Пендрагона), who now strode forward from behind the trees (который вышел из-за деревьев; to stride forward – шагнуть вперед).

“Come, come, General, hold your hand,” said he (стойте, стойте, генерал, придержите свою руку, – сказал он; come, come – ну-ну /увещевание/), “this is neither courteous nor manly (это ни учтиво, ни мужественно).”

 The General caught him roughly by the shoulder with one hand, while he raised his cane in the most menacing manner with the other. Harry gave himself up for lost; but at the same moment Heaven vouchsafed him an unexpected defender in the person of Charlie Pendragon, who now strode forward from behind the trees.

“Come, come, General, hold your hand,” said he, “this is neither courteous nor manly.”

“Aha!” cried the General, wheeling round upon his new antagonist, “Mr. Pendragon (ага! – вскричал генерал, развернувшись /лицом/ к своему новому противнику, – мистер Пендрагон)! And do you suppose, Mr. Pendragon (и вы думаете, мистер Пендрагон), that because I have had the misfortune to marry your sister (что из-за того, что я имел несчастье жениться на вашей сестре), I shall suffer myself to be dogged and thwarted (что я позволю /себя/ преследовать и мешать мне; thwart – косой, поперечный; to thwart – мешать; расстраивать, разрушать /планы и т. п./; перечить, противоречить) by a discredited and bankrupt libertine like you (такому потерявшему всякое доверие и разоренному развратнику, как вы)? My acquaintance with Lady Vandeleur, sir (мое знакомство с леди Венделер, сэр), has taken away all my appetite for the other members of her family (отобрало = отбило у меня всякий аппетит к остальным членам ее семьи).”

 “Aha!” cried the General, wheeling round upon his new antagonist, “Mr. Pendragon! And do you suppose, Mr. Pendragon, that because I have had the misfortune to marry your sister, I shall suffer myself to be dogged and thwarted by a discredited and bankrupt libertine like you? My acquaintance with Lady Vandeleur, sir, has taken away all my appetite for the other members of her family.”

“And do you fancy, General Vandeleur,” retorted Charlie (а вы не воображаете ли, генерал Венделер, – парировал Чарли), “that because my sister has had the misfortune to marry you (что потому, что моя сестра имела несчастье выйти за вас замуж), she there and then forfeited her rights and privileges as a lady (она тем самым: «там и тогда» утратила свои права и привилегии дамы /из общества/)? I own, sir, that by that action (я допускаю, что этим поступком = выйдя за вас) she did as much as anybody could to derogate from her position (она уронила свое достоинство: «сделала столько, сколько можно, чтобы…»); but to me she is still a Pendragon (но для меня она все еще Пендрагон). I make it my business to protect her from ungentlemanly outrage (я считаю своим делом защищать ее от подлых оскорблений), and if you were ten times her husband (и, будь вы десять раз ее мужем) I would not permit her liberty to be restrained (я не позволю, чтобы ее свобода была ограничена), nor her private messengers to be violently arrested (или чтобы ее личные курьеры были задерживаемы силой).”

 “And do you fancy, General Vandeleur,” retorted Charlie, “that because my sister has had the misfortune to marry you, she there and then forfeited her rights and privileges as a lady? I own, sir, that by that action she did as much as anybody could to derogate from her position; but to me she is still a Pendragon. I make it my business to protect her from ungentlemanly outrage, and if you were ten times her husband I would not permit her liberty to be restrained, nor her private messengers to be violently arrested.”

“How is that, Mr. Hartley?” interrogated the General (как же так, мистер Хартли? – осведомился генерал). “Mr. Pendragon is of my opinion, it appears (мистер Пендрагон придерживается того же мнения, что и я, кажется: «он моего мнения»). He too suspects that Lady Vandeleur has something to do with your friend’s silk hat (он тоже подозревает, что леди Венделер имеет какое-то отношение к цилиндру вашего приятеля; to have something to do with smth. – иметь какое-то отношение к /чему-либо/).”

Charlie saw that he had committed an unpardonable blunder (Чарли увидел, что совершил непростительный промах; to see – видеть), which he hastened to repair (который он поспешил загладить: «починить»).

“How, sir?” he cried (что, сэр? – вскричал он); “I suspect, do you say («я подозреваю», говорите вы)? I suspect nothing (я ничего не подозреваю). Only where I find strength abused (только когда я нахожу силу используемой не во благо; to abuse – злоупотреблять) and a man brutalising his inferiors (и человека, жестоко обходящегося со своими подчиненными), I take the liberty to interfere (я беру на себя смелость: «право» вмешаться).”

As he said these words he made a sign to Harry (пока он говорил эти слова = говоря это, он подал Гарри знак), which the latter was too dull or too much troubled to understand (который тот не понял по глупости или от волнения: «который тот был слишком бестолков или слишком встревожен, чтобы понять»).

 “How is that, Mr. Hartley?” interrogated the General. “Mr. Pendragon is of my opinion, it appears. He too suspects that Lady Vandeleur has something to do with your friend’s silk hat.”

Charlie saw that he had committed an unpardonable blunder, which he hastened to repair.

“How, sir?” he cried; “I suspect, do you say? I suspect nothing. Only where I find strength abused and a man brutalising his inferiors, I take the liberty to interfere.”

As he said these words he made a sign to Harry, which the latter was too dull or too much troubled to understand.

“In what way am I to construe your attitude, sir?” demanded Vandeleur (каким образом я должен истолковать ваше поведение, сэр? – осведомился Венделер).

“Why, sir, as you please,” returned Pendragon (да как вам будет угодно, сэр, – ответил Пендрагон).

The General once more raised his cane (генерал снова поднял свою трость), and made a cut for Charlie’s head (направил выпад в голову Чарли); but the latter, lame foot and all (но тот, /хоть/ и с хромой ногой и вообще), evaded the blow with his umbrella (отразил удар зонтиком), ran in, and immediately closed with his formidable adversary (бросился в бой и немедленно схватился со своим внушительным противником; to run in – заходить на цель; to close with – вступить в бой).

 “In what way am I to construe your attitude, sir?” demanded Vandeleur.

“Why, sir, as you please,” returned Pendragon.

The General once more raised his cane, and made a cut for Charlie’s head; but the latter, lame foot and all, evaded the blow with his umbrella, ran in, and immediately closed with his formidable adversary.

“Run, Harry, run!” he cried; “run, you dolt (беги, Гарри, беги! – крикнул он, – беги, ты, олух)!” Harry stood petrified for a moment (Гарри постоял, оцепенев, секунду; to petrify – обращать в камень), watching the two men sway together in this fierce embrace (глядя, как двое мужчин раскачиваются в этом яростном объятии); then he turned and took to his heels (затем он повернулся и пустился наутек: «взялся за каблуки/пятки»; to take – взять/ся/). When he cast a glance over his shoulder (когда он бросил взгляд через плечо; to cast – бросать) he saw the General prostrate under Charlie’s knee (он увидел, что генерал распростерся под коленом Чарли), but still making desperate efforts to reverse the situation (но все еще делал отчаянные усилия, чтобы повернуть ситуацию); and the Gardens seemed to have filled with people (а парк, кажется, наполнился людьми), who were running from all directions towards the scene of fight (которые бежали со всех концов к месту драки). This spectacle lent the secretary wings (это зрелище= вид этого дал секретарю крылья; to lend – одолжить /дать/); and he did not relax his pace (и он не ослаблял = не замедлял своей скорости) until he had gained the Bayswater road (пока не добрался до Бейзуотер-роуд), and plunged at random into an unfrequented by-street (и нырнул наугад в безлюдный переулок; to frequent – посещать).

 “Run, Harry, run!” he cried; “run, you dolt!” Harry stood petrified for a moment, watching the two men sway together in this fierce embrace; then he turned and took to his heels. When he cast a glance over his shoulder he saw the General prostrate under Charlie’s knee, but still making desperate efforts to reverse the situation; and the Gardens seemed to have filled with people, who were running from all directions towards the scene of fight. This spectacle lent the secretary wings; and he did not relax his pace until he had gained the Bayswater road, and plunged at random into an unfrequented by-street.

To see two gentlemen of his acquaintance (видеть двух знакомых ему джентльменов: «его знакомства») thus brutally mauling each other (столь жестоко колотящих друг друга) was deeply shocking to Harry (было глубоко шокирующим для Гарри). He desired to forget the sight (он желал забыть это зрелище); he desired, above all (он желал, прежде всего: «выше всего/над всем»), to put as great a distance as possible between himself and General Vandeleur (положить как можно бóльшее расстояние между собой и генералом Венделером); and in his eagerness for this he forgot everything about his destination (и в своем стремлении к этому он позабыл все о своей цели = куда направляется), and hurried before him headlong and trembling (и несся сломя голову и дрожа; headlong – головой вперед /о падении вниз, нырянии/; стремительно, безрассудно, неосторожно; неуправляемо; очертя голову). When he remembered that Lady Vandeleur was the wife of one and the sister of the other of these gladiators (когда он вспомнил, что леди Венделер – жена одного и сестра другого из этих забияк), his heart was touched with sympathy (его сердце было тронуто состраданием) for a woman so distressingly misplaced in life (к женщине, которой так не повезло: «столь прискорбно поставленной не на место» в жизни). Even his own situation in the General’s household (даже его собственное положение в доме генерала) looked hardly so pleasing as usual (едва ли выглядело так же приятно, как обычно) in the light of these violent transactions (в свете этих жестоких: «насильственных» дел).

 To see two gentlemen of his acquaintance thus brutally mauling each other was deeply shocking to Harry. He desired to forget the sight; he desired, above all, to put as great a distance as possible between himself and General Vandeleur; and in his eagerness for this he forgot everything about his destination, and hurried before him headlong and trembling. When he remembered that Lady Vandeleur was the wife of one and the sister of the other of these gladiators, his heart was touched with sympathy for a woman so distressingly misplaced in life. Even his own situation in the General’s household looked hardly so pleasing as usual in the light of these violent transactions.

He had walked some little distance (он прошел некоторое расстояние), busied with these meditations (занятый этими размышлениями), before a slight collision with another passenger reminded him of the bandbox on his arm (пока легкое столкновение с другим прохожим не напомнило ему о шляпной картонке у него на руке).

“Heavens!” cried he, “where was my head (силы небесные! – вскричал он, – где была моя голова = о чем я думал)? and whither have I wandered (и куда я зашел)?”

Thereupon he consulted the envelope which Lady Vandeleur had given him (после чего он сверился с конвертом, который леди Венделер дала ему). The address was there (на нем был адрес: «там»), but without a name (но без имени). Harry was simply directed to ask for “the gentleman who expected a parcel from Lady Vandeleur (Гарри было просто указано спросить джентльмена, который ожидает пакет от леди Венделер),” and if he were not at home (а если его не будет дома) to await his return (подождать его возвращения). The gentleman, added the note, should present a receipt (этот джентльмен, добавляла записка, должен представить расписку) in the handwriting of the lady herself (написанную рукой самой леди).

 He had walked some little distance, busied with these meditations, before a slight collision with another passenger reminded him of the bandbox on his arm.

“Heavens!” cried he, “where was my head? and whither have I wandered?”

Thereupon he consulted the envelope which Lady Vandeleur had given him. The address was there, but without a name. Harry was simply directed to ask for “the gentleman who expected a parcel from Lady Vandeleur,” and if he were not at home to await his return. The gentleman, added the note, should present a receipt in the handwriting of the lady herself.

All this seemed mightily mysterious (все это казалось чрезвычайно загадочным), and Harry was above all astonished at the omission of the name (и Гарри был больше всего поражен отсутствием имени /адресата/) and the formality of the receipt (и формальностью расписки). He had thought little of this last (он мало думал об этом /последнем/ = о расписке) when he heard it dropped in conversation (когда услышал это упомянутым в разговоре); but reading it in cold blood (но прочтя это внимательно: «хладнокровно»), and taking it in connection with the other strange particulars (и связав это с другими странными деталями: «взяв это в связи…»), he became convinced that he was engaged in perilous affairs (он проникся убеждением: «стал убежден», что ввязался в рискованное дело; to become – стать). For half a moment he had a doubt of Lady Vandeleur herself (на полсекунды он усомнился в самой леди Венделер: «у него было сомнение»); for he found these obscure proceedings somewhat unworthy of so high a lady (ибо он находил эти таинственные процедуры несколько недостойными такой высокопоставленной дамы), and became more critical when her secrets were preserved against himself (и стал более критически настроен, когда ее тайны хранились от него самого = раз у нее были секреты даже от него). But her empire over his spirit was too complete (но ее власть над его душой была слишком безусловна), he dismissed his suspicions (он отбросил свои подозрения; to dismiss – отпускать; распускать /собрание/; отвергать, выбрасывать из головы, прогонять от себя /о мыслимом объекте, чувстве и т. п./), and blamed himself roundly for having so much as entertained them (и строго выбранил себя за то, что вообще питал их).

 All this seemed mightily mysterious, and Harry was above all astonished at the omission of the name and the formality of the receipt. He had thought little of this last when he heard it dropped in conversation; but reading it in cold blood, and taking it in connection with the other strange particulars, he became convinced that he was engaged in perilous affairs. For half a moment he had a doubt of Lady Vandeleur herself; for he found these obscure proceedings somewhat unworthy of so high a lady, and became more critical when her secrets were preserved against himself. But her empire over his spirit was too complete, he dismissed his suspicions, and blamed himself roundly for having so much as entertained them.

In one thing, however, his duty and interest, his generosity and his terrors, coincided (в одной вещи, однако, его долг и интересы, его благородство и страхи совпадали) – to get rid of the bandbox (избавиться от шляпной картонки) with the greatest possible despatch (с наибольшей возможной поспешностью).

He accosted the first policeman (он обратился к первому же полицейскому) and courteously inquired his way (и вежливо спросил дорогу). It turned out that he was already not far from his destination (оказалось, что он был уже недалеко от своей цели), and a walk of a few minutes brought him to a small house in a lane (и ходьба в несколько минут привела его к маленькому домику в переулке; to bring – приводить, привозить, приносить), freshly painted (свежевыкрашенному), and kept with the most scrupulous attention (и ухоженному: «хранимому с очень тщательным вниманием»; to keep – хранить, держать).

 In one thing, however, his duty and interest, his generosity and his terrors, coincided – to get rid of the bandbox with the greatest possible despatch.

He accosted the first policeman and courteously inquired his way. It turned out that he was already not far from his destination, and a walk of a few minutes brought him to a small house in a lane, freshly painted, and kept with the most scrupulous attention.

The knocker and bell-pull were highly polished (дверной молоток и звонок были тщательно отполированы); flowering pot-herbs garnished the sills of the different windows (цветущие растения в горшках украшали подоконники разных окон); and curtains of some rich material concealed the interior from the eyes of curious passengers (и шторы из какого-то роскошного материала скрывали интерьер от глаз любопытных прохожих). The place had an air of repose and secrecy (у этого жилища была атмосфера покоя и недоступности: «тайны»); and Harry was so far caught with this spirit (и Гарри был настолько сильно захвачен этим духом) that he knocked with more than usual discretion (что он постучал с бóльшей, нежели обычно, осторожностью), and was more than usually careful to remove all impurity from his boots (и был более обычного внимателен, чтобы отряхнуть всю грязь с сапог; impurity – грязь, загрязнение; purity – чистота).

 The knocker and bell-pull were highly polished; flowering pot-herbs garnished the sills of the different windows; and curtains of some rich material concealed the interior from the eyes of curious passengers. The place had an air of repose and secrecy; and Harry was so far caught with this spirit that he knocked with more than usual discretion, and was more than usually careful to remove all impurity from his boots.

A servant-maid of some personal attractions immediately opened the door (горничная, /не лишенная/ некоторой личной привлекательности, немедленно открыла дверь), and seemed to regard the secretary with no unkind eyes (и, казалось, оглядела секретаря не недобрыми глазами).

“This is the parcel from Lady Vandeleur,” said Harry (вот пакет от леди Венделер, – сказал Гарри).

“I know,” replied the maid, with a nod (я знаю, – ответила горничная с кивком = кивнув). “But the gentleman is from home (но господин не дома: «из дома /вышел/»). Will you leave it with me (может быть, вы оставите его со мной = мне)?”

“I cannot,” answered Harry (я не могу, – ответил Гарри). “I am directed not to part with it but upon a certain condition (мне приказано не расставаться с ним без определенных условий), and I must ask you, I am afraid, to let me wait (и я должен попросить вас, боюсь, позволить мне подождать /здесь/).”

 A servant-maid of some personal attractions immediately opened the door, and seemed to regard the secretary with no unkind eyes.

“This is the parcel from Lady Vandeleur,” said Harry.

“I know,” replied the maid, with a nod. “But the gentleman is from home. Will you leave it with me?”

“I cannot,” answered Harry. “I am directed not to part with it but upon a certain condition, and I must ask you, I am afraid, to let me wait.”

“Well,” said she, “I suppose I may let you wait (что ж, – сказала она, – я полагаю, что могу позволить вам подождать). I am lonely enough, I can tell you (я очень одинока = я сейчас одна, уверяю вас: «я могу сказать вам»), and you do not look as though you would eat a girl (и вы не выглядите, как будто захотели бы съесть = обидеть девушку). But be sure and do not ask the gentleman’s name (но смотрите: «будьте уверены» и не спрашивайте имя этого джентльмена), for that I am not to tell you (так как я не должна говорить вам).”

“Do you say so?” cried Harry (вы говорите так = в самом деле? – воскликнул Гарри). “Why, how strange (ох, как странно)! But indeed for some time back I walk among surprises (но, вправду, уже какое-то время я шагаю = живу среди сюрпризов). One question I think I may surely ask without indiscretion (один вопрос, думаю, я могу точно задать без невежливости): Is he the master of this house (хозяин ли он этого дома)?”

“He is a lodger (он квартирант), and not eight days old at that,” returned the maid (и еще меньше восьми дней в таком качестве = совсем недавно, – ответила горничная). “And now a question for a question (а теперь вопрос за вопрос): Do you know lady Vandeleur (вы знаете леди Венделер)?”

“I am her private secretary,” replied Harry with a glow of modest pride (я ее личный секретарь, – ответил Гарри с румянцем скромной гордости = зардевшись; glow – свет, отблеск, зарево /обычно также имеется в виду исходящее тепло/; яркость, блеск /о цвете/; румянец; to glow – рдеть, пылать, быть залитым румянцем /о щеках/).

“She is pretty, is she not?” pursued the servant (она хорошенькая, не правда ли? – продолжала служанка).

“Oh, beautiful!” cried Harry (о, красивая! – вскричал Гарри); “wonderfully lovely (чудесно милая), and not less good and kind (и в неменьшей степени хорошая и добрая)!”

 “Well,” said she, “I suppose I may let you wait. I am lonely enough, I can tell you, and you do not look as though you would eat a girl. But be sure and do not ask the gentleman’s name, for that I am not to tell you.”

“Do you say so?” cried Harry. “Why, how strange! But indeed for some time back I walk among surprises. One question I think I may surely ask without indiscretion: Is he the master of this house?”

“He is a lodger, and not eight days old at that,” returned the maid. “And now a question for a question: Do you know lady Vandeleur?”

“I am her private secretary,” replied Harry with a glow of modest pride.

“She is pretty, is she not?” pursued the servant.

“Oh, beautiful!” cried Harry; “wonderfully lovely, and not less good and kind!”

“You look kind enough yourself,” she retorted (вы и сами выглядите довольно-таки добрым, – возразила она); “and I wager you are worth a dozen Lady Vandeleurs (и я бьюсь об заклад, что вы стóите дюжины /таких, как/ леди Венделер).”

Harry was properly scandalised (Гарри был должным образом возмущен).

“I!” he cried (я! – вскричал он). “I am only a secretary (я лишь секретарь)!”

“Do you mean that for me?” said the girl (это вы говорите мне: «предназначаете для меня»? – сказала девушка). “Because I am only a housemaid, if you please (ведь я лишь горничная, с вашего позволения).” And then, relenting at the sight of Harry’s obvious confusion (и затем, смягчившись при виде очевидного смущения Гарри), “I know you mean nothing of the sort,” she added (я знаю, что вы не имели в виду ничего такого, – добавила она); “and I like your looks (и мне нравится ваша наружность); but I think nothing of your Lady Vandeleur (но я ничего не думаю о = в грош не ставлю вашу леди Венделер). Oh, these mistresses!” she cried (ох уж эти хозяйки! – воскликнула она). “To send out a real gentleman like you (послать настоящего джентльмена вроде вас) – with a bandbox (с шляпной картонкой) – in broad day (среди бела дня)!”

 “You look kind enough yourself,” she retorted; “and I wager you are worth a dozen Lady Vandeleurs.”

Harry was properly scandalised.

“I!” he cried. “I am only a secretary!”

“Do you mean that for me?” said the girl. “Because I am only a housemaid, if you please.” And then, relenting at the sight of Harry’s obvious confusion, “I know you mean nothing of the sort,” she added; “and I like your looks; but I think nothing of your Lady Vandeleur. Oh, these mistresses!” she cried. “To send out a real gentleman like you – with a bandbox – in broad day!”

During this talk they had remained in their original positions (во время этой беседы они оставались на своих изначальных позициях) – she on the doorstep (она на пороге), he on the side-walk (он на тротуаре), bareheaded for the sake of coolness (с непокрытой головой для прохлады), and with the bandbox on his arm (и с шляпной картонкой на руке). But upon this last speech (но при этих последних словах) Harry, who was unable to support such point-blank compliments to his appearance (Гарри, который был неспособен выдержать такие беззастенчивые комплименты своей внешности), nor the encouraging look with which they were accompanied (а также обнадеживающий взгляд, которым они сопровождались), began to change his attitude (начал менять свое положение = топтаться на месте), and glance from left to right in perturbation (и смотреть налево-направо в замешательстве). In so doing he turned his face towards the lower end of the lane (делая так, он повернул лицо к дальнему концу переулка), and there, to his indescribable dismay (и там, к его неописуемому смятению), his eyes encountered those of General Vandeleur (его глаза встретились с /глазами/ генерала Венделера). The General, in a prodigious fluster of heat, hurry, and indignation (генерал, в ужасном возбуждении от жары, спешки и гнева), had been scouring the streets in chase of his brother-in-law (прочесывал улицы в погоне за своим шурином); but so soon as he caught a glimpse of the delinquent secretary (но едва он приметил провинившегося секретаря: «поймал вид…»), his purpose changed (его цель поменялась), his anger flowed into a new channel (его ярость устремилась в новое русло), and he turned on his heel (и он повернулся на каблуках) and came tearing up the lane with truculent gestures and vociferations (и он рванул к Гарри по переулку со свирепыми жестами и криками = свирепо размахивая руками…; up – зд.: вдоль по улице по направлению к чему-то).

 During this talk they had remained in their original positions – she on the doorstep, he on the side-walk, bareheaded for the sake of coolness, and with the bandbox on his arm. But upon this last speech Harry, who was unable to support such point-blank compliments to his appearance, nor the encouraging look with which they were accompanied, began to change his attitude, and glance from left to right in perturbation. In so doing he turned his face towards the lower end of the lane, and there, to his indescribable dismay, his eyes encountered those of General Vandeleur. The General, in a prodigious fluster of heat, hurry, and indignation, had been scouring the streets in chase of his brother-in-law; but so soon as he caught a glimpse of the delinquent secretary, his purpose changed, his anger flowed into a new channel, and he turned on his heel and came tearing up the lane with truculent gestures and vociferations.

Harry made but one bolt of it into the house (Гарри одним прыжком укрылся в доме: «сделал лишь один прыжок из этого в дом»), driving the maid before him (втолкнув горничную перед собой); and the door was slammed in his pursuer’s countenance (и дверь была захлопнута перед лицом преследователя).

“Is there a bar (есть засов)? Will it lock?” asked Harry (она запирается? – спросил Гарри), while a salvo on the knocker (пока ураганный стук дверным молотком) made the house echo from wall to wall (отдавался в доме эхом от стены к стене: «заставлял дом отдаваться эхом…»).

“Why, what is wrong with you?” asked the maid (постойте, что не так = что случилось с вами? – спросила горничная). “Is it this old gentleman (дело в этом пожилом господине)?”

“If he gets hold of me,” whispered Harry (если он поймает меня, – прошептал Гарри; hold – хватка), “I am as good as dead (я буду все равно что мертв). He has been pursuing me all day (он преследует меня весь день), carries a sword-stick (носит трость со шпагой; sword – шпага), and is an Indian military officer (и он офицер, служивший в Индии).”

“These are fine manners,” cried the maid (вот так прекрасные манеры = ну и дела, – вскричала горничная). “And what, if you please, may be his name (а каково, с вашего позволения, его имя)?”

“It is the General, my master,” answered Harry (это генерал, мой хозяин, – ответил Гарри). “He is after this bandbox (ему нужна эта шляпная картонка; after – за).”

“Did not I tell you?” cried the maid in triumph (разве я вам не говорила? – воскликнула горничная с триумфом). “I told you I thought worse than nothing of your Lady Vandeleur (я говорила вам, что и в грош не ставлю вашу леди Венделер: «что я думала хуже, чем ничего, о…») and if you had an eye in your head (и если бы у вас были глаза на месте: «глаз = зрение в голове») you might see what she is for yourself (вы могли бы увидеть, кто она такая, сами). An ungrateful minx (неблагодарная вертихвостка), I will be bound for that (уж поверьте мне/клянусь: «я буду обязана/связана за это»)!”

 Harry made but one bolt of it into the house, driving the maid before him; and the door was slammed in his pursuer’s countenance.

“Is there a bar? Will it lock?” asked Harry, while a salvo on the knocker made the house echo from wall to wall.

“Why, what is wrong with you?” asked the maid. “Is it this old gentleman?”

“If he gets hold of me,” whispered Harry, “I am as good as dead. He has been pursuing me all day, carries a sword-stick, and is an Indian military officer.”

“These are fine manners,” cried the maid. “And what, if you please, may be his name?”

“It is the General, my master,” answered Harry. “He is after this bandbox.”

“Did not I tell you?” cried the maid in triumph. “I told you I thought worse than nothing of your Lady Vandeleur; and if you had an eye in your head you might see what she is for yourself. An ungrateful minx, I will be bound for that!”

The General renewed his attack upon the knocker (генерал возобновил свою атаку на дверной молоток), and his passion growing with delay (и, так как его ярость росла вместе с промедлением), began to kick and beat upon the panels of the door (начал пинать и колотить дверные панели).

“It is lucky,” observed the girl, “that I am alone in the house (удачно, – заметила девушка, – что я одна в доме); your General may hammer until he is weary (ваш генерал может стучать, пока не устанет), and there is none to open for him (и некому открыть ему; none – никого). Follow me (следуйте за мной)!”

So saying she led Harry into the kitchen (сказав так, она провела Гарри на кухню; to lead – вести), where she made him sit down (где она усадила его: «заставила/пригласила сесть»), and stood by him herself in an affectionate attitude (и стала рядом с ним в нежной позе; to stand – стоять), with a hand upon his shoulder (с рукой у него на плече). The din at the door, so far from abating (грохот у двери, далекий от утихания), continued to increase in volume (продолжал возрастать в громкости), and at each blow the unhappy secretary was shaken to the heart (и при каждом ударе несчастный секретарь содрогался до глубины души: «до сердца»; to shake – трясти).

 The General renewed his attack upon the knocker, and his passion growing with delay, began to kick and beat upon the panels of the door.

“It is lucky,” observed the girl, “that I am alone in the house; your General may hammer until he is weary, and there is none to open for him. Follow me!”

So saying she led Harry into the kitchen, where she made him sit down, and stood by him herself in an affectionate attitude, with a hand upon his shoulder. The din at the door, so far from abating, continued to increase in volume, and at each blow the unhappy secretary was shaken to the heart.

“What is your name?” asked the girl (как ваше имя? – спросила девушка).

“Harry Hartley,” he replied (Гарри Хартли, – ответил он).

“Mine,” she went on, “is Prudence (а мое, – продолжила она, – Пруденс). Do you like it (вам оно нравится)?”

“Very much,” said Harry (очень, – сказал Гарри). “But hear for a moment how the General beats upon the door (но послушайте секунду, как генерал колотит по двери). He will certainly break it in (он ее точно выломает), and then, in heaven’s name (и тогда, во имя неба = Господа), what have I to look for but death (чего мне ждать: «искать», кроме смерти)?”

“You put yourself very much about with no occasion,” answered Prudence (вы очень волнуетесь без причины, – ответила Пруденс; to put oneself about – волноваться; occasion – случай, основание). “Let your General knock (пусть ваш генерал стучит), he will do no more than blister his hands (он лишь волдырей себе наставит: «он не сделает больше, чем насадить себе волдырей»). Do you think I would keep you here (вы думаете, я стала бы держать вас здесь) if I were not sure to save you (если бы не хотела непременно спасти вас)? Oh, no, I am a good friend to those that please me (о нет, я хороший друг тем, кто мне нравится)! and we have a back door upon another lane (и у нас есть задняя дверь = черный ход, /выходящий/ на другой переулок). But,” she added, checking him (но, – добавила она, придерживая его), for he had got upon his feet immediately on this welcome news (так как он вскочил на ноги немедленно при этой благоприятной новости), “but I will not show where it is (но я не покажу, где она) unless you kiss me (если вы меня не поцелуете). Will you, Harry (поцелуете, Гарри)?”

“That I will,” he cried, remembering his gallantry (с радостью, – воскликнул он, вспомнив свою галантность), “not for your back door (и не за вашу заднюю дверь), but because you are good and pretty (но потому что вы добрая и хорошенькая).”

And he administered two or three cordial salutes (и он несколько раз нежно поцеловал ее: «произвел… поцелуи»), which were returned to him in kind (которые были ему возвращены таким же образом = она тоже его поцеловала).

 “What is your name?” asked the girl.

“Harry Hartley,” he replied.

“Mine,” she went on, “is Prudence. Do you like it?”

“Very much,” said Harry. “But hear for a moment how the General beats upon the door. He will certainly break it in, and then, in heaven’s name, what have I to look for but death?”

“You put yourself very much about with no occasion,” answered Prudence. “Let your General knock, he will do no more than blister his hands. Do you think I would keep you here if I were not sure to save you? Oh, no, I am a good friend to those that please me! and we have a back door upon another lane. But,” she added, checking him, for he had got upon his feet immediately on this welcome news, “but I will not show where it is unless you kiss me. Will you, Harry?”

“That I will,” he cried, remembering his gallantry, “not for your back door, but because you are good and pretty.”

And he administered two or three cordial salutes, which were returned to him in kind.

Then Prudence led him to the back gate (затем Пруденс отвела его к черному выходу), and put her hand upon the key (и положила руку на ключ = и взялась за ключ).

“Will you come and see me?” she asked (вы придете повидать меня? – спросила она).

“I will indeed,” said Harry (непременно приду, – сказал Гарри). “Do not I owe you my life (разве я не обязан вам жизнью)?”

“And now,” she added, opening the door (а теперь, – прибавила она, открывая дверь), “run as hard as you can (бегите со всех ног: «так усердно, как можете»), for I shall let in the General (так как я впущу генерала).”

Harry scarcely required this advice (Гарри едва ли нуждался в таком совете); fear had him by the forelock (страх держал его за чуб = его подгонял страх); and he addressed himself diligently to flight (и он пустился прилежно в бегство). A few steps (/еще/ несколько шагов), and he believed he would escape from his trials (и он полагал, что избавится от своих испытаний), and return to Lady Vandeleur in honour and safety (и вернется к леди Венделер с почестями и в безопасности).

 Then Prudence led him to the back gate, and put her hand upon the key.

“Will you come and see me?” she asked.

“I will indeed,” said Harry. “Do not I owe you my life?”

“And now,” she added, opening the door, “run as hard as you can, for I shall let in the General.”

Harry scarcely required this advice; fear had him by the forelock; and he addressed himself diligently to flight. A few steps, and he believed he would escape from his trials, and return to Lady Vandeleur in honour and safety.

But these few steps had not been taken before he heard a man’s voice (но эти несколько шагов не были сделаны до того, как он услышал голос мужчины; to hear – слышать) hailing him by name with many execrations (окликающего его по имени со многими проклятиями), and, looking over his shoulder, he beheld Charlie Pendragon (и, посмотрев через плечо, он увидел Чарли Пендрагона; to behold – узреть) waving him with both arms to return (машущего ему обеими руками, чтобы /он/ вернулся). The shock of this new incident was so sudden and profound (потрясение от этого нового события было так внезапно и глубоко), and Harry was already worked into so high a state of nervous tension (а Гарри уже пришел в такое высокое = сильное состояние нервного напряжения), that he could think of nothing better (что он не смог придумать ничего лучше) than to accelerate his pace (как ускорить шаги), and continue running (и продолжать бежать).

 But these few steps had not been taken before he heard a man’s voice hailing him by name with many execrations, and, looking over his shoulder, he beheld Charlie Pendragon waving him with both arms to return. The shock of this new incident was so sudden and profound, and Harry was already worked into so high a state of nervous tension, that he could think of nothing better than to accelerate his pace, and continue running.

He should certainly have remembered the scene in Kensington Gardens (конечно, он должен был вспомнить сцену в Кенсингтонском парке); he should certainly have concluded that, where the General was his enemy (конечно, он должен был заключить, что, раз генерал был ему врагом), Charlie Pendragon could be no other than a friend (Чарли Пендрагон не мог быть никем иным, как другом). But such was the fever and perturbation of his mind (но таково было возбуждение и смятение его ума) that he was struck by none of these considerations (что ему не пришло в голову ни одно из этих соображений; to strike – поразить, зд.: прийти в голову), and only continued to run the faster up the lane (и лишь продолжал бежать все быстрее по переулку). Charlie, by the sound of his voice (Чарли, /судя/ по звуку его голоса) and the vile terms that he hurled after the secretary (и по гнусным словам, которые он изрыгал вслед секретарю), was obviously beside himself with rage (был, очевидно, вне себя от ярости). He, too, ran his very best (он тоже бежал, как мог: «бежал свое лучшее»); but, try as he might (но как он ни старался), the physical advantages were not upon his side (физическое преимущество не было на его стороне), and his outcries and the fall of his lame foot on the macadam (и его выкрики и топанье хромой ноги по мостовой; macadam – щебень; щебеночная дорога) began to fall farther and farther into the wake (начали затихать вдалеке: «стихать все дальше и дальше на пути»; wake – след, кильватерная струя).

 He should certainly have remembered the scene in Kensington Gardens; he should certainly have concluded that, where the General was his enemy, Charlie Pendragon could be no other than a friend. But such was the fever and perturbation of his mind that he was struck by none of these considerations, and only continued to run the faster up the lane. Charlie, by the sound of his voice and the vile terms that he hurled after the secretary, was obviously beside himself with rage. He, too, ran his very best; but, try as he might, the physical advantages were not upon his side, and his outcries and the fall of his lame foot on the macadam began to fall farther and farther into the wake.

Harry’s hopes began once more to arise (надежды Гарри начали снова восставать = он воспрял духом). The lane was both steep and narrow (переулок был и крутой = круто поднимался в гору, и узкий), but it was exceedingly solitary (но он был совершенно безлюден), bordered on either hand by garden walls (окаймленный с обеих сторон садовыми оградами), overhung with foliage (через которые свешивалась листва; to overhang – свешиваться); and, for as far as the fugitive could see in front of him (и насколько беглец мог видеть перед собой), there was neither a creature moving nor an open door (там не было ни души, ни открытой двери: «там ни существа, которое двигалось…»). Providence, weary of persecution (провидение, уставшее от преследования /его/), was now offering him an open field for his escape (теперь предлагало ему открытое поле = свободный путь для побега).

Alas! as he came abreast of a garden door (увы! когда он поравнялся с одной садовой дверцей; abreast – вровень) under a tuft of chestnuts (под купой каштанов), it was suddenly drawn back (она вдруг открылась), and he could see inside, upon a garden path (и он смог увидеть = увидел внутри, на садовой дорожке), the figure of a butcher’s boy with his tray upon his arm (фигуру разносчика из мясной лавки с лотком в руках; butcher – мясник). He had hardly recognised the fact (он едва заметил его: «это») before he was some steps beyond upon the other side (прежде чем пробежал мимо: «оказался на несколько шагов дальше с другой стороны /двери/»). But the fellow had had time to observe him (но у юноши было время заметить его); he was evidently much surprised to see (он был явно сильно удивлен увидеть) a gentleman go by at so unusual a pace (как какой-то господин идет мимо с такой необычной скоростью); and he came out into the lane (и он вышел в переулок) and began to call after Harry with shouts of ironical encouragement (и крикнул Гарри вслед, чтобы иронически подбодрить его: «выкликал крики иронического ободрения»).

 Harry’s hopes began once more to arise. The lane was both steep and narrow, but it was exceedingly solitary, bordered on either hand by garden walls, overhung with foliage; and, for as far as the fugitive could see in front of him, there was neither a creature moving nor an open door. Providence, weary of persecution, was now offering him an open field for his escape.

Alas! as he came abreast of a garden door under a tuft of chestnuts, it was suddenly drawn back, and he could see inside, upon a garden path, the figure of a butcher’s boy with his tray upon his arm. He had hardly recognised the fact before he was some steps beyond upon the other side. But the fellow had had time to observe him; he was evidently much surprised to see a gentleman go by at so unusual a pace; and he came out into the lane and began to call after Harry with shouts of ironical encouragement.

His appearance gave a new idea to Charlie Pendragon (его появление подало новую мысль Чарли Пендрагону), who, although he was now sadly out of breath (который, хотя и прискорбно запыхался: «не имел дыхания»; be out of smth. – не иметь чего-то), once more upraised his voice (снова возвысил голос).

“Stop, thief!” he cried (остановись, ворюга! – крикнул он; thief – вор).

And immediately the butcher’s boy had taken up the cry (и немедленно разносчик от мясника подхватил этот крик; to take up – подхватить) and joined in the pursuit (и присоединился к погоне).

This was a bitter moment for the hunted secretary (это был ужасный момент для затравленного секретаря). It is true that his terror enabled him once more to improve his pace (действительно, его ужас позволил ему снова прибавить: «улучшить» скорость), and gain with every step on his pursuers (и с каждым шагом уходить от своих преследователей; to gain on – нагонять, выигрывать расстояние; зд.: уходить от погони); but he was well aware that he was near the end of his resources (но он хорошо понимал, что он уже на исходе своих сил), and should he meet any one coming the other way (и если он встретит кого-нибудь, идущего с другой стороны), his predicament in the narrow lane would be desperate indeed (его положение в узком переулке будет поистине отчаянным).

 His appearance gave a new idea to Charlie Pendragon, who, although he was now sadly out of breath, once more upraised his voice.

“Stop, thief!” he cried.

And immediately the butcher’s boy had taken up the cry and joined in the pursuit.

This was a bitter moment for the hunted secretary. It is true that his terror enabled him once more to improve his pace, and gain with every step on his pursuers; but he was well aware that he was near the end of his resources, and should he meet any one coming the other way, his predicament in the narrow lane would be desperate indeed.

“I must find a place of concealment,” he thought (я должен найти место для укрытия, – подумал он), “and that within the next few seconds (и /нужно сделать/ это в течение ближайших нескольких секунд), or all is over with me in this world (или мне конец: «все кончится со мной в этом мире»; to be over – кончиться).”

Scarcely had the thought crossed his mind (едва эта мысль пришла ему в голову: «пересекла его мысли») than the lane took a sudden turning (как переулок внезапно повернул); and he found himself hidden from his enemies (и он оказался скрытым от своих врагов: «нашел себя спрятанным»; to hide – прятать/ся/). There are circumstances in which even the least energetic of mankind (есть обстоятельства, в которых даже наименее энергичные /представители/ человечества) learn to behave with vigour and decision (научаются вести себя с энергией и решительностью); and the most cautious forget their prudence (и самые осмотрительные забывают свою осторожность) and embrace foolhardy resolutions (и принимают отчаянные решения). This was one of those occasions for Harry Hartley (это был как раз один из таких случаев для Гарри Хартли); and those who knew him best (и те, кто знали его лучше всех) would have been the most astonished at the lad’s audacity (были бы больше всего поражены отвагой этого юноши). He stopped dead (он резко остановился), flung the bandbox over a garden wall (перебросил шляпную картонку через садовую ограду; to fling – кидать), and leaping upward with incredible agility (и, подпрыгнув с невероятной ловкостью) and seizing the copestone with his hands (и схватившись руками за верх стены: «карнизный камень»), he tumbled headlong after it into the garden (он рухнул вверх тормашками за ней в сад; headlong – головой вперед /при падении вниз, нырянии/).

 “I must find a place of concealment,” he thought, “and that within the next few seconds, or all is over with me in this world.”

Scarcely had the thought crossed his mind than the lane took a sudden turning; and he found himself hidden from his enemies. There are circumstances in which even the least energetic of mankind learn to behave with vigour and decision; and the most cautious forget their prudence and embrace foolhardy resolutions. This was one of those occasions for Harry Hartley; and those who knew him best would have been the most astonished at the lad’s audacity. He stopped dead, flung the bandbox over a garden wall, and leaping upward with incredible agility and seizing the copestone with his hands, he tumbled headlong after it into the garden.

He came to himself a moment afterwards (он пришел в себя секунду спустя), seated in a border of small rosebushes (сидящий в обрамлении небольших розовых кустов). His hands and knees were cut and bleeding (его руки и колени были изранены и кровоточили), for the wall had been protected against such an escalade by a liberal provision of old bottles (так как стена была защищена от подобного штурма обильными запасами старых бутылок = была обильно утыкана бутылочными осколками); and he was conscious of a general dislocation (и он осознал общую разбитость; conscious – сознающий) and a painful swimming in the head (и мучительное головокружение). Facing him across the garden (напротив него, через сад), which was in admirable order (который был в достойном восхищения порядке; to admire smth. – восхищаться чем-либо), and set with flowers of the most delicious perfume (и /был/ усажен цветами самого чудесного аромата), he beheld the back of a house (он увидел заднюю стену дома; to behold – видеть, замечать, узреть). It was of considerable extent (он был значительного размера: «протяженности»; extent – пространство, протяжение, расстояние, протяженность; размер, величина), and plainly habitable (и, очевидно, обитаем); but, in odd contrast to the grounds, it was crazy (но, в странном контрасте с садом, он был ветхий), ill-kept (в плохом состоянии: «плохо содержащийся»; to keep – зд.: содержать), and of a mean appearance (и захудалого вида; mean – убогий, жалкий, захудалый, запущенный). On all other sides the circuit of the garden wall appeared unbroken (со всех других сторон окружность садовой стены казалась непрерывной; broken – сломанный, прерванный: от to break – ломать).

 He came to himself a moment afterwards, seated in a border of small rosebushes. His hands and knees were cut and bleeding, for the wall had been protected against such an escalade by a liberal provision of old bottles; and he was conscious of a general dislocation and a painful swimming in the head. Facing him across the garden, which was in admirable order, and set with flowers of the most delicious perfume, he beheld the back of a house. It was of considerable extent, and plainly habitable; but, in odd contrast to the grounds, it was crazy, ill-kept, and of a mean appearance. On all other sides the circuit of the garden wall appeared unbroken.

He took in these features of the scene with mechanical glances (он разглядел: «вобрал» эти детали пейзажа механическими взглядами), but his mind was still unable to piece together (но его разум был все еще неспособен составить цельную картину: «вместе») or draw a rational conclusion from what he saw (или извлечь разумный вывод из того, что он видел). And when he heard footsteps advancing on the gravel (и когда он услышал шаги, приближавшиеся по гравию), although he turned his eyes in that direction (хотя он и обратил глаза в том направлении), it was with no thought either for defence or flight (это было /сделано/ без мысли и о защите, и о побеге). The new-comer was a large, coarse, and very sordid personage (новоприбывший был большим, грубым и очень отталкивающим человеком), in gardening clothes (в одежде садовника), and with a watering-pot in his left hand (и с лейкой в левой руке). One less confused would have been affected with some alarm (человек, менее растерянный, был бы встревожен: «задет тревогой») at the sight of this man’s huge proportions (при виде огромного роста этого человека) and black and lowering eyes (и /его/ черных и угрюмых глаз).

 He took in these features of the scene with mechanical glances, but his mind was still unable to piece together or draw a rational conclusion from what he saw. And when he heard footsteps advancing on the gravel, although he turned his eyes in that direction, it was with no thought either for defence or flight. The new-comer was a large, coarse, and very sordid personage, in gardening clothes, and with a watering-pot in his left hand. One less confused would have been affected with some alarm at the sight of this man’s huge proportions and black and lowering eyes.

But Harry was too gravely shaken by his fall (но Гарри был слишком сильно оглушен: «потрясен» своим падением) to be so much as terrified (чтобы даже просто испугаться); and if he was unable to divert his glances from the gardener (и раз он был неспособен отвести взгляд от садовника), he remained absolutely passive (он оставался совершенно бездеятельным), and suffered him to draw near (и позволил ему приблизиться: «стерпел»), to take him by the shoulder (взять его = себя за плечо), and to plant him roughly on his feet (и поставить его грубо на ноги), without a motion of resistance (без единого жеста сопротивления). For a moment the two stared into each other’s eyes (секунду эти двое смотрели друг другу в глаза), Harry fascinated (Гарри – завороженный), the man filled with wrath (а этот человек – исполненный гнева) and a cruel, sneering humour (и жестокой, глумливой веселости; to sneer – насмехаться, глумиться).

 But Harry was too gravely shaken by his fall to be so much as terrified; and if he was unable to divert his glances from the gardener, he remained absolutely passive, and suffered him to draw near, to take him by the shoulder, and to plant him roughly on his feet, without a motion of resistance. For a moment the two stared into each other’s eyes, Harry fascinated, the man filled with wrath and a cruel, sneering humour.

“Who are you?” he demanded at last (кто ты такой? – спросил он наконец). “Who are you to come flying over my wall (кто ты такой, чтобы перелетать = прыгать через мою стену) and break my gloire de Dijons (и ломать мою «Славу Дижона»)! What is your name?” he added, shaking him (как твое имя? – добавил он, встряхнув его); “and what may be your business here (и что тебе здесь нужно: «каково может быть твое дело здесь»)?”

Harry could not as much as proffer a word in explanation (Гарри не мог вымолвить ни слова в /качестве/ объяснения). But just at that moment Pendragon and the butcher’s boy went clumping past (но как раз в этот момент Пендрагон и посыльный из мясной лавки с топотом пробежали мимо), and the sound of their feet and their hoarse cries (и звук их шагов и их хриплые крики) echoed loudly in the narrow lane (громко отдавались эхом в узком переулке). The gardener had received his answer (садовник получил свой ответ = который ждал); and he looked down into Harry’s face with an obnoxious smile (и он посмотрел вниз, на лицо Гарри, с неприятной улыбкой; obnoxious – неприятный, несносный, противный, отвратительный; надоедливый).

 “Who are you?” he demanded at last. “Who are you to come flying over my wall and break my gloire de Dijons! What is your name?” he added, shaking him; “and what may be your business here?”

Harry could not as much as proffer a word in explanation. But just at that moment Pendragon and the butcher’s boy went clumping past, and the sound of their feet and their hoarse cries echoed loudly in the narrow lane. The gardener had received his answer; and he looked down into Harry’s face with an obnoxious smile.

“A thief!” he said (вор! – сказал он). “Upon my word (честное слово), and a very good thing you must make of it (и хорошие деньги ты, верно, делаешь на этом); for I see you dressed like a gentleman from top to toe (ведь я вижу тебя одетым как джентльмен с головы до пят; top – макушка; toe – палец на ноге). Are you not ashamed to go about the world in such a trim (и не совестно тебе ходить по свету в таком наряде; ashamed – стыдящийся; trim – подрезка, стрижка; наряд, нарядная одежда; to trim – подрезать, подстригать; отделывать, украшать), with honest folk, I dare say, glad (когда честные люди, осмелюсь сказать, довольны /были бы/) to buy your cast-off finery second hand (купить твои обноски подержанными; finery – наряд; cast-off – ненужная вещь; зд.: обноски: «брошенное прочь = выброшенное»)? Speak up, you dog,” the man went on (говори же, пес, – продолжал человек = садовник); “you can understand English, I suppose (ты же понимаешь по-английски, я полагаю); and I mean to have a bit of talk with you (и я собираюсь с тобой потолковать; a bit – немножко, кусочек; talk – разговор) before I march you to the station (прежде чем я отведу тебя в участок).”

“Indeed, sir,” said Harry, “this is all a dreadful misconception (поистине, сэр, – сказал Гарри, – это все ужасное недоразумение); and if you will go with me to Sir Thomas Vandeleur’s in Eaton Place (и если вы соблаговолите пойти со мной в /дом/ сэра Томаса Венделера на Итон-плейс), I can promise that all will be made plain (я могу обещать, что все будет прояснено). The most upright person, as I now perceive (и самый честный человек, как я теперь понимаю; to perceive – воспринимать, понимать, осознавать; постигать), can be led into suspicious positions (может оказаться в сомнительном положении; to lead – вести, привести).”

 “A thief!” he said. “Upon my word, and a very good thing you must make of it; for I see you dressed like a gentleman from top to toe. Are you not ashamed to go about the world in such a trim, with honest folk, I dare say, glad to buy your cast-off finery second hand? Speak up, you dog,” the man went on; “you can understand English, I suppose; and I mean to have a bit of talk with you before I march you to the station.”

“Indeed, sir,” said Harry, “this is all a dreadful misconception; and if you will go with me to Sir Thomas Vandeleur’s in Eaton Place, I can promise that all will be made plain. The most upright person, as I now perceive, can be led into suspicious positions.”

“My little man,” replied the gardener (мой милый: «маленький человечек», – ответил садовник), “I will go with you no farther (я пойду с тобой не дальше) than the station-house in the next street (чем /до/ полицейского участка на соседней улице). The inspector, no doubt, will be glad (инспектор, без сомнения, будет рад) to take a stroll with you as far as Eaton Place (прогуляться с тобой аж до Итон-плейс; stroll – прогулка; far – далеко), and have a bit of afternoon tea with your great acquaintances (и выпить перед обедом чайку с твоими важными знакомыми; afternoon – день после полудня; a bit – немного). Or would you prefer to go direct to the Home Secretary (или ты бы предпочел пойти прямо к министру внутренних дел)? Sir Thomas Vandeleur, indeed (сэр Томас Венделер, в самом деле)! Perhaps you think I don’t know a gentleman when I see one (может, ты думаешь, что я не распознаю джентльмена, когда увижу такого), from a common run-the-hedge like you (от обычного прощелыги вроде тебя: «бежать = лазить через изгороди»)? Clothes or no clothes, I can read you like a book (одежда там или не одежда = можешь одеться как хочешь, я /все равно/ могу читать тебя, словно книгу). Here is a shirt that maybe cost as much as my Sunday hat (вот рубашка, которая, наверное, стоила столько же, сколько моя воскресная шляпа); and that coat, I take it, has never seen the inside of Rag-fair (а этот пиджак, я уверен: «беру это», никогда не видал барахолки; inside – внутренность), and then your boots (а еще твои сапоги) – ”

The man, whose eyes had fallen upon the ground (человек, чьи глаза опустились на землю: «упали»), stopped short in his insulting commentary (внезапно прервал свои оскорбительные комментарии: «остановился коротко»), and remained for a moment looking intently upon something at his feet (и минутку пристально смотрел на что-то у своих ног; to remain – остаться). When he spoke his voice was strangely altered (когда он заговорил, его голос странно изменился; to speak – говорить).

 “My little man,” replied the gardener, “I will go with you no farther than the station-house in the next street. The inspector, no doubt, will be glad to take a stroll with you as far as Eaton Place, and have a bit of afternoon tea with your great acquaintances. Or would you prefer to go direct to the Home Secretary? Sir Thomas Vandeleur, indeed! Perhaps you think I don’t know a gentleman when I see one, from a common run-the-hedge like you? Clothes or no clothes, I can read you like a book. Here is a shirt that maybe cost as much as my Sunday hat; and that coat, I take it, has never seen the inside of Rag-fair, and then your boots – ”

The man, whose eyes had fallen upon the ground, stopped short in his insulting commentary, and remained for a moment looking intently upon something at his feet. When he spoke his voice was strangely altered.

“What, in God’s name,” said he (что, во Имя Господне, – сказал он), “is all this (все это такое)?”

Harry, following the direction of the man’s eyes (Гарри, проследив за направлением глаз = взгляда садовника), beheld a spectacle that struck him dumb (увидел зрелище, которое лишило его дара речи: «ударило его немым»; to strike – ударять; поражать, производить впечатление; доводить до некоторого состояния /связанного с физическим ущербом/) with terror and amazement (от ужаса и изумления). In his fall he had descended vertically upon the bandbox (в своем падении он рухнул прямо на шляпную картонку) and burst it open from end to end (и прорвал ее по всей длине: «из конца в конец»; to burst open – лопнуть; прорвать); thence a great treasure of diamonds had poured forth (оттуда высыпался целый клад бриллиантов), and now lay abroad (и теперь /они/ лежали снаружи; to lie – лежать), part trodden in the soil (частично затоптанные в землю), part scattered on the surface (частично разбросанные по поверхности) in regal and glittering profusion (в царском и блистательном изобилии). There was a magnificent coronet which he had often admired on Lady Vandeleur (там была великолепная диадема, которой он часто любовался на леди Венделер); there were rings and brooches (там были кольца и брошки), ear-drops and bracelets (серьги и браслеты), and even unset brilliants rolling here and there among the rosebushes (и даже неоправленные бриллианты, закатившиеся туда и сюда = повсюду среди розовых кустов) like drops of morning dew (словно капли утренней росы). A princely fortune lay between the two men upon the ground (королевское богатство лежало между двумя людьми на земле) – a fortune in the most inviting, solid, and durable form (богатство в самой соблазнительной, надежной и долговечной форме), capable of being carried in an apron (которое можно унести в переднике: «способное быть унесенным…»), beautiful in itself (красивое само по себе), and scattering the sunlight in a million rainbow flashes (и рассеивающее солнечный свет миллионом радужных вспышек).

 “What, in God’s name,” said he, “is all this?”

Harry, following the direction of the man’s eyes, beheld a spectacle that struck him dumb with terror and amazement. In his fall he had descended vertically upon the bandbox and burst it open from end to end; thence a great treasure of diamonds had poured forth, and now lay abroad, part trodden in the soil, part scattered on the surface in regal and glittering profusion. There was a magnificent coronet which he had often admired on Lady Vandeleur; there were rings and brooches, ear-drops and bracelets, and even unset brilliants rolling here and there among the rosebushes like drops of morning dew. A princely fortune lay between the two men upon the ground – a fortune in the most inviting, solid, and durable form, capable of being carried in an apron, beautiful in itself, and scattering the sunlight in a million rainbow flashes.

“Good God!” said Harry (Боже милостивый! – сказал Гарри), “I am lost (я погиб: «потерян = пропавший»; to lose – терять)!”

His mind raced backwards into the past (его разум устремился назад в прошлое; to race – участвовать в гонках, скачках, забеге и т. п.; мчаться, нестись) with the incalculable velocity of thought (с невычислимой = невероятной скоростью мысли), and he began to comprehend his day’s adventures (и он начал понимать свои приключения этого дня), to conceive them as a whole (представлять их в целом: «как целое»), and to recognise the sad imbroglio in which his own character and fortunes had become involved (и осознавать досадную запутанную ситуацию, в которую его собственная личность и судьба оказались вовлечены; imbroglio – путаница, недоразумение; запутанная, сложная ситуация; sad – печальный; досадный). He looked round him as if for help (он оглянулся вокруг, как если бы /ища/ помощи), but he was alone in the garden (но он был один в саду), with his scattered diamonds and his redoubtable interlocutor (со своими разбросанными бриллиантами и своим грозным собеседником); and when he gave ear (а когда он прислушался: «дал ухо»), there was no sound but the rustle of the leaves (не было ни звука, кроме шелеста листьев) and the hurried pulsation of his heart (и учащенного биения его сердца). It was little wonder if the young man felt himself deserted by his spirits (было мало удивительного в том, что молодой человек ощутил, как его покинуло присутствие духа: «почувствовал себя покинутым присутствием духа»; to feel – чувствовать), and with a broken voice repeated his last ejaculation (и дрогнувшим голосом повторил свое последнее восклицание) – “I am lost (я погиб)!”

 “Good God!” said Harry, “I am lost!”

His mind raced backwards into the past with the incalculable velocity of thought, and he began to comprehend his day’s adventures, to conceive them as a whole, and to recognise the sad imbroglio in which his own character and fortunes had become involved. He looked round him as if for help, but he was alone in the garden, with his scattered diamonds and his redoubtable interlocutor; and when he gave ear, there was no sound but the rustle of the leaves and the hurried pulsation of his heart. It was little wonder if the young man felt himself deserted by his spirits, and with a broken voice repeated his last ejaculation – “I am lost!”

The gardener peered in all directions with an air of guilt (садовник поглядел во все стороны с виноватым видом: «с видом вины»); but there was no face at any of the windows (но не было ни одного лица ни в одном из окон), and he seemed to breathe again (и он, казалось, вздохнул с облегчением: «снова»).

“Pick up a heart,” he said, “you fool (выше нос, – сказал он, – ты, дурачок: «подними/подбери сердце»)! The worst of it is done (худшее позади: «сделано»). Why could you not say at first (почему ты не мог сказать с самого начала) there was enough for two (что тут достаточно для двоих)? Two?” he repeated, “aye, and for two hundred (для двоих? – повторил он, – да что там, и для двухсот)! But come away from here (но пойдем прочь отсюда), where we may be observed (где нас могут заметить; to observe – наблюдать, замечать, обращать внимание); and, for the love of wisdom, straighten out your hat (и, во имя мудрости, приведи в порядок свою шляпу) and brush your clothes (и почисти свою одежду). You could not travel two steps (ты и двух шагов не пройдешь) the figure of fun you look just now (таким пугалом/посмешищем: «потешной фигурой», как ты сейчас выглядишь).”

 The gardener peered in all directions with an air of guilt; but there was no face at any of the windows, and he seemed to breathe again.

“Pick up a heart,” he said, “you fool! The worst of it is done. Why could you not say at first there was enough for two? Two?” he repeated, “aye, and for two hundred! But come away from here, where we may be observed; and, for the love of wisdom, straighten out your hat and brush your clothes. You could not travel two steps the figure of fun you look just now.”

While Harry mechanically adopted these suggestions (пока Гарри механически выполнял: «принимал» эти советы), the gardener, getting upon his knees, hastily drew together the scattered jewels (садовник, встав на колени, поспешно собрал вместе разбросанные драгоценности; to draw – тащить) and returned them to the bandbox (и вернул их в шляпную картонку). The touch of these costly crystals (прикосновение к этим драгоценным стекляшкам) sent a shiver of emotion through the man’s stalwart frame (вызвало дрожь волнения/, прошедшую/ по дюжему туловищу этого человека; to send – послать); his face was transfigured (его лицо исказилось: «преобразилось»), and his eyes shone with concupiscence (а его глаза сверкали от вожделения); indeed it seemed as if he luxuriously prolonged his occupation (в самом деле, казалось, что он расточительно продлевал свое занятие = собирание бриллиантов), and dallied with every diamond that he handled (и играл с каждым бриллиантом, который он брал в руки; to dally – тратить время впустую, бездельничать; развлекаться). At last, however, it was done (наконец, все-таки, с этим было покончено); and, concealing the bandbox in his smock (и, спрятав картонку у себя в блузе), the gardener beckoned to Harry (садовник поманил Гарри; to beckon – манить, кивать; делать знак /рукой, пальцем/) and preceded him in the direction of the house (и пошел перед ним = повел его по направлению к дому).

 While Harry mechanically adopted these suggestions, the gardener, getting upon his knees, hastily drew together the scattered jewels and returned them to the bandbox. The touch of these costly crystals sent a shiver of emotion through the man’s stalwart frame; his face was transfigured, and his eyes shone with concupiscence; indeed it seemed as if he luxuriously prolonged his occupation, and dallied with every diamond that he handled. At last, however, it was done; and, concealing the bandbox in his smock, the gardener beckoned to Harry and preceded him in the direction of the house.

Near the door they were met by a young man (у двери они были встречены молодым человеком) evidently in holy orders (очевидно, священником: «в духовном сане»), dark and strikingly handsome (смуглым и поразительно красивым), with a look of mingled weakness and resolution (с видом смешанной слабости и решительности), and very neatly attired after the manner of his caste (и очень опрятно одетым по обычаю своего сословия). The gardener was plainly annoyed by this encounter (садовник был явно раздосадован этой встречей); but he put as good a face upon it as he could (но он состроил самую приятную мину, какую мог), and accosted the clergyman with an obsequious and smiling air (и заговорил со священником с подобострастным и улыбчивым = приветливым видом; to accost smb. – приветствовать; обращаться /к кому-либо/; заговорить /с кем-либо/).

“Here is a fine afternoon, Mr. Rolles,” said he (какой прекрасный денек, мистер Роулз, – сказал он): “a fine afternoon, as sure as God made it (прекрасный денек, так же точно, как то, что Бог создал его)! And here is a young friend of mine (а вот мой юный друг) who had a fancy to look at my roses (которому захотелось взглянуть на мои розы). I took the liberty to bring him in (я позволил себе провести его в дом: «взял свободу»), for I thought none of the lodgers would object (так как я подумал, что никто из жильцов не стал бы возражать).”

 Near the door they were met by a young man evidently in holy orders, dark and strikingly handsome, with a look of mingled weakness and resolution, and very neatly attired after the manner of his caste. The gardener was plainly annoyed by this encounter; but he put as good a face upon it as he could, and accosted the clergyman with an obsequious and smiling air.

“Here is a fine afternoon, Mr. Rolles,” said he: “a fine afternoon, as sure as God made it! And here is a young friend of mine who had a fancy to look at my roses. I took the liberty to bring him in, for I thought none of the lodgers would object.”

“Speaking for myself,” replied the Reverend Mr. Rolles, “I do not (говоря обо мне = что до меня, – ответил преподобный мистер Роулз, – я не возражаю); nor do I fancy any of the rest of us (и я не думаю, что кто-то другой из нас) would be more difficult upon so small a matter (был бы более упрям в таком незначительном деле). The garden is your own, Mr. Raeburn (сад – ваш собственный, мистер Рейберн); we must none of us forget that (никто из нас не должен забывать этого); and because you give us liberty to walk there (и так как вы даете нам свободу гулять здесь) we should be indeed ungracious (мы были бы поистине невежливы) if we so far presumed upon your politeness (если бы мы так злоупотребляли вашей любезностью) as to interfere with the convenience of your friends (чтобы вмешиваться в удобство ваших друзей = мешать удобству…). But, on second thoughts,” he added (но, по зрелом: «втором» размышлении, – прибавил он), “I believe that this gentleman and I have met before (я полагаю, что этот джентльмен и я уже встречались; to meet – встречаться, знакомиться). Mr. Hartley, I think (мистер Хартли, я полагаю). I regret to observe that you have had a fall (я сожалею заметить, что вы упали: «имели падение»).” And he offered his hand (и он протянул свою руку).

 “Speaking for myself,” replied the Reverend Mr. Rolles, “I do not; nor do I fancy any of the rest of us would be more difficult upon so small a matter. The garden is your own, Mr. Raeburn; we must none of us forget that; and because you give us liberty to walk there we should be indeed ungracious if we so far presumed upon your politeness as to interfere with the convenience of your friends. But, on second thoughts,” he added, “I believe that this gentleman and I have met before. Mr. Hartley, I think. I regret to observe that you have had a fall.” And he offered his hand.

A sort of maiden dignity (некая девичья честь = застенчивость) and a desire to delay as long as possible the necessity for explanation (и желание отложить как можно дальше необходимость объяснения) moved Harry to refuse this chance of help (побудило Гарри отказаться от этого шанса помощи = спастись), and to deny his own identity (и отрицать собственную личность). He chose the tender mercies of the gardener (он выбрал = положился на хрупкую милость садовника; to choose – выбрать), who was at least unknown to him (который был, по крайней мере, незнаком ему), rather than the curiosity and perhaps the doubts of an acquaintance (скорее чем = а не на любопытство и, возможно, сомнения знакомого).

“I fear there is some mistake,” said he (боюсь, здесь какая-то ошибка, – сказал он). “My name is Thomlinson and I am a friend of Mr. Raeburn’s (моя фамилия Томлинсон, и я друг мистера Рейберна).”

“Indeed?” said Mr. Rolles (в самом деле? – сказал мистер Роулз). “The likeness is amazing (сходство поразительное; to amaze – удивлять, поражать).”

Mr. Raeburn, who had been upon thorns throughout this colloquy (мистер Рейберн, который был /как/ на иголках в продолжение всего этого разговора), now felt it high time (почувствовал, что сейчас самое время: «высокое время») to bring it to a period (привести его к концу).

“I wish you a pleasant saunter, sir,” said he (я желаю вам приятной прогулки, сэр, – сказал он).

 A sort of maiden dignity and a desire to delay as long as possible the necessity for explanation moved Harry to refuse this chance of help, and to deny his own identity. He chose the tender mercies of the gardener, who was at least unknown to him, rather than the curiosity and perhaps the doubts of an acquaintance.

“I fear there is some mistake,” said he. “My name is Thomlinson and I am a friend of Mr. Raeburn’s.”

“Indeed?” said Mr. Rolles. “The likeness is amazing.”

Mr. Raeburn, who had been upon thorns throughout this colloquy, now felt it high time to bring it to a period.

“I wish you a pleasant saunter, sir,” said he.

And with that he dragged Harry after him into the house (и на этом он потащил Гарри за собой в дом), and then into a chamber on the garden (и затем – в комнату /окнами/ на сад). His first care was to draw down the blind (его первой заботой было опустить жалюзи), for Mr. Rolles still remained where they had left him (так как мистер Роулз все еще оставался там, где они оставили его), in an attitude of perplexity and thought (в замешательстве и задумчивости; attitude – позиция; отношение; положение). Then he emptied the broken bandbox on the table (затем он опустошил сломанную картонку = высыпал ее содержимое на стол), and stood before the treasure, thus fully displayed (и встал перед этими сокровищами, так полностью показанными = которые все были на виду), with an expression of rapturous greed (с выражением восторженной алчности), and rubbing his hands upon his thighs (и потирая руками ляжки).

 And with that he dragged Harry after him into the house, and then into a chamber on the garden. His first care was to draw down the blind, for Mr. Rolles still remained where they had left him, in an attitude of perplexity and thought. Then he emptied the broken bandbox on the table, and stood before the treasure, thus fully displayed, with an expression of rapturous greed, and rubbing his hands upon his thighs.

For Harry, the sight of the man’s face (для Гарри вид лица этого человека) under the influence of this base emotion (/находящегося/ под влиянием низкого чувства = обуреваемого низким чувством), added another pang to those he was already suffering (добавлял еще одно мучение к тем, /которые/ он уже испытывал; pang – внезапная острая боль). It seemed incredible that, from his life of pure and delicate trifling (казалось невероятным, что из жизни, /полной/ чистых и утонченных пустяков), he should be plunged in a breath among sordid and criminal relations (он оказался внезапно: «одним духом» погружен в омерзительные и преступные отношения). He could reproach his conscience with no sinful act (он не мог упрекнуть свою совесть ни одним грешным поступком); and yet he was now suffering the punishment of sin in its most acute and cruel forms (и все же он теперь переносил наказание за грех в его самых острых и жестоких формах) – the dread of punishment (страх наказания), the suspicions of the good (подозрения порядочных /людей/), and the companionship and contamination of vile and brutal natures (и товарищество и дурное влияние гнусных и жестоких натур = людей). He felt he could lay his life down with gladness (он чувствовал, что мог бы положить свою жизнь с радостью) to escape from the room and the society of Mr. Raeburn (чтобы сбежать из этой комнаты и от общества мистера Рейберна).

 For Harry, the sight of the man’s face under the influence of this base emotion, added another pang to those he was already suffering. It seemed incredible that, from his life of pure and delicate trifling, he should be plunged in a breath among sordid and criminal relations. He could reproach his conscience with no sinful act; and yet he was now suffering the punishment of sin in its most acute and cruel forms – the dread of punishment, the suspicions of the good, and the companionship and contamination of vile and brutal natures. He felt he could lay his life down with gladness to escape from the room and the society of Mr. Raeburn.

“And now,” said the latter (а теперь, – сказал этот последний = Рейберн), after he had separated the jewels into two nearly equal parts (после того как он разделил драгоценности на две почти равные части), and drawn one of them nearer to himself (и придвинул одну из них ближе к себе; to draw – тащить); “and now,” said he, “everything in this world has to be paid for (а теперь, – сказал он, – за все в этом мире надо платить; to pay – платить), and some things sweetly (а за некоторые вещи – щедро: «сладко»). You must know, Mr. Hartley, if such be your name (ты должен знать, мистер Хартли, если таково твое имя), that I am a man of a very easy temper (что я – человек очень легкого характера), and good nature has been my stumbling-block from first to last (и добродушие было моим камнем преткновения всегда: «с первого до последнего = с начала до конца»; to stumble – спотыкаться, оступаться; block – колода, чурбан). I could pocket the whole of these pretty pebbles, if I chose (я мог бы прикарманить все эти прелестные камешки, если бы я захотел: «выбрал»; pebble – галька, голыш, булыжник, гравий), and I should like to see you dare to say a word (и хотел бы я посмотреть, как ты осмелишься произнести хоть слово /против/); but I think I must have taken a liking to you (но думаю, что ты, наверное, мне понравился); for I declare I have not the heart to shave you so close (ибо я заявляю, что у меня недостает духа: «сердца» обобрать тебя дочиста; to shave – брить; close – близко, тесно). So, do you see, in pure kind feeling (так что, как видишь, в чистом добром чувстве = по доброте душевной), I propose that we divide (я предлагаю, чтобы мы разделили = предлагаю нам поделиться); and these,” indicating the two heaps, “are the proportions (а вот, – указывая на две кучки, – те пропорции = доли) that seem to me just and friendly (которые кажутся мне справедливыми и дружескими). Do you see any objection, Mr. Hartley, may I ask (ты видишь какое-либо возражение = будут возражения, мистер Хартли, могу я спросить)? I am not the man to stick upon a brooch (я не такой человек, чтобы цепляться за какую-нибудь брошку).”

 “And now,” said the latter, after he had separated the jewels into two nearly equal parts, and drawn one of them nearer to himself; “and now,” said he, “everything in this world has to be paid for, and some things sweetly. You must know, Mr. Hartley, if such be your name, that I am a man of a very easy temper, and good nature has been my stumbling-block from first to last. I could pocket the whole of these pretty pebbles, if I chose, and I should like to see you dare to say a word; but I think I must have taken a liking to you; for I declare I have not the heart to shave you so close. So, do you see, in pure kind feeling, I propose that we divide; and these,” indicating the two heaps, “are the proportions that seem to me just and friendly. Do you see any objection, Mr. Hartley, may I ask? I am not the man to stick upon a brooch.”

“But, sir,” cried Harry, “what you propose to me is impossible (но сэр, – вскричал Гарри, – то, что вы предлагаете мне, – невозможно). The jewels are not mine (драгоценности не мои), and I cannot share what is another’s (и я не могу делить то, что принадлежит другому), no matter with whom, nor in what proportions (неважно, с кем и в каких пропорциях).”

“They are not yours, are they not?” returned Raeburn (они не твои, правда? – ответил Рейберн). “And you could not share them with anybody, couldn’t you (и ты не можешь делить их ни с кем, правда)? Well now, that is what I call a pity (ну что ж, вот это жалко: «это то, что я называю жалостью»); for here am I obliged to take you to the station (ибо тут = раз так, я обязан свести тебя в участок). The police – think of that,” he continued (полиция – подумай об этом, – продолжил он); “think of the disgrace for your respectable parents (подумай о бесчестье твоих почтенных родителей); think,” he went on, taking Harry by the wrist (подумай, – продолжил он, беря Гарри за запястье); “think of the Colonies and the Day of Judgment (подумай о колониях и о Судном Дне).”

“I cannot help it,” wailed Harry (я не могу ничего поделать, – простонал Гарри). “It is not my fault (это не моя вина). You will not come with me to Eaton Place (вы не пойдете со мной на Итон-плейс)?”

“No,” replied the man, “I will not, that is certain (нет, – ответил человек = садовник, – не пойду, это точно). And I mean to divide these playthings with you here (и я намереваюсь разделить эти игрушки с тобой здесь).”

And so saying he applied a sudden and severe torsion to the lad’s wrist (и сказав так, он внезапно и жестоко вывернул юноше запястье: «применил внезапное и суровое скручивание к…»).

 “But, sir,” cried Harry, “what you propose to me is impossible. The jewels are not mine, and I cannot share what is another’s, no matter with whom, nor in what proportions.”

“They are not yours, are they not?” returned Raeburn. “And you could not share them with anybody, couldn’t you? Well now, that is what I call a pity; for here am I obliged to take you to the station. The police – think of that,” he continued; “think of the disgrace for your respectable parents; think,” he went on, taking Harry by the wrist; “think of the Colonies and the Day of Judgment.”

“I cannot help it,” wailed Harry. “It is not my fault. You will not come with me to Eaton Place?”

“No,” replied the man, “I will not, that is certain. And I mean to divide these playthings with you here.”

And so saying he applied a sudden and severe torsion to the lad’s wrist.

Harry could not suppress a scream (Гарри не мог сдержать крика), and the perspiration burst forth upon his face (и пот выступил на его лице; to burst forth – прорваться). Perhaps pain and terror quickened his intelligence (возможно, боль и страх ускорили его ум), but certainly at that moment the whole business flashed across him in another light (но несомненно в этот момент все дело сверкнуло через него = предстало перед ним в другом свете); and he saw that there was nothing for it (и он увидел, что делать нечего: «нет ничего для этого») but to accede to the ruffian’s proposal (кроме как принять предложение этого разбойника; ruffian – бандит, головорез, негодяй, хулиган), and trust to find the house and force him to disgorge, under more favourable circumstances (и постараться найти дом и заставить его вернуть /драгоценности/ в более благоприятных условиях), and when he himself was clear from all suspicion (когда он сам будет чист от всякого подозрения).

“I agree,” he said (я согласен, – сказал он).

 Harry could not suppress a scream, and the perspiration burst forth upon his face. Perhaps pain and terror quickened his intelligence, but certainly at that moment the whole business flashed across him in another light; and he saw that there was nothing for it but to accede to the ruffian’s proposal, and trust to find the house and force him to disgorge, under more favourable circumstances, and when he himself was clear from all suspicion.

“I agree,” he said.

“There is a lamb,” sneered the gardener (вот это ягненочек = хороший мальчик, – ухмыльнулся садовник; to sneer – презрительно или насмешливо улыбаться; усмехаться). “I thought you would recognise your interests at last (я /так и/ думал, что ты признаешь свою выгоду в конце концов). This bandbox,” he continued, “I shall burn with my rubbish (эту картонку, – продолжил он, – я сожгу с мусором); it is a thing that curious folk might recognise (это такая вещь, которую любопытные люди могут узнать); and as for you (а что до тебя), scrape up your gaieties (собери свои побрякушки) and put them in your pocket (и клади их в карман).”

Harry proceeded to obey (Гарри повиновался; to proceed – отправляться; идти, направляться; приняться), Raeburn watching him (/пока/ Рейберн наблюдал за ним), and every now and again his greed rekindled by some bright scintillation (и то и дело, с жадностью, распаленной еще одним блеском), abstracting another jewel from the secretary’s share (вытаскивал еще один камешек из доли секретаря), and adding it to his own (и прибавлял его к своей).

 “There is a lamb,” sneered the gardener. “I thought you would recognise your interests at last. This bandbox,” he continued, “I shall burn with my rubbish; it is a thing that curious folk might recognise; and as for you, scrape up your gaieties and put them in your pocket.”

Harry proceeded to obey, Raeburn watching him, and every now and again his greed rekindled by some bright scintillation, abstracting another jewel from the secretary’s share, and adding it to his own.

When this was finished (когда с этим было покончено), both proceeded to the front door (оба направились к парадной двери), which Raeburn cautiously opened to observe the street (которую Рейберн осторожно открыл, чтобы оглядеть улицу). This was apparently clear of passengers (она была, очевидно, свободна от прохожих); for he suddenly seized Harry by the nape of the neck (так как он внезапно схватил Гарри за загривок), and holding his face downward so that he could see nothing but the roadway and the doorsteps of the houses (и, опустив его лицо вниз, так что он не мог видеть ничего кроме мостовой и ступеней крылец домов), pushed him violently before him down one street and up another (толкал = погнал его грубо перед собой по одной улице и /потом/ по другой) for the space of perhaps a minute and a half (в течение, возможно, полутора минут; half – половина). Harry had counted three corners before the bully relaxed his grasp (Гарри насчитал три угла, прежде чем негодяй разжал хватку), and crying, “Now be off with you (и, крикнув «а теперь катись ты к черту»)!” sent the lad flying head foremost (сбил юношу /на землю/ головой вперед: «послал летящим») with a well-directed and athletic kick (точно направленным и сильным пинком).

 When this was finished, both proceeded to the front door, which Raeburn cautiously opened to observe the street. This was apparently clear of passengers; for he suddenly seized Harry by the nape of the neck, and holding his face downward so that he could see nothing but the roadway and the doorsteps of the houses, pushed him violently before him down one street and up another for the space of perhaps a minute and a half. Harry had counted three corners before the bully relaxed his grasp, and crying, “Now be off with you!” sent the lad flying head foremost with a well-directed and athletic kick.

When Harry gathered himself up (когда Гарри поднялся на ноги: «подобрал себя вверх»), half-stunned and bleeding freely at the nose (наполовину оглушенный и кровоточащий обильно: «свободно» из носа), Mr. Raeburn had entirely disappeared (мистер Рейберн совершенно исчез). For the first time, anger and pain so completely overcame the lad’s spirits (впервые гнев и боль настолько сломили дух юноши; to overcome – сломить) that he burst into a fit of tears (что он разрыдался: «взорвался в приступ слез») and remained sobbing in the middle of the road (и остался рыдающим посредине улицы).

 When Harry gathered himself up, half-stunned and bleeding freely at the nose, Mr. Raeburn had entirely disappeared. For the first time, anger and pain so completely overcame the lad’s spirits that he burst into a fit of tears and remained sobbing in the middle of the road.

After he had thus somewhat assuaged his emotion (после того как он таким образом несколько успокоил свои чувства), he began to look about him and read the names of the streets (он начал оглядываться и читать названия улиц) at whose intersection he had been deserted by the gardener (на пересечении которых он был оставлен садовником). He was still in an unfrequented portion of West London (он все еще был в безлюдной: «непосещаемой» части западного Лондона; to frequent – часто посещать, бывать), among villas and large gardens (среди вилл и обширных садов); but he could see some persons at a window who had evidently witnessed his misfortune (но он мог разглядеть нескольких людей у окон, кто, очевидно, видели его несчастье); and almost immediately after a servant came running from the house (и почти немедленно после /этого/ какая-то служанка выбежала из дома) and offered him a glass of water (и дала ему стакан воды; to offer – предлагать; делать предложение). At the same time, a dirty rogue, who had been slouching somewhere in the neighbourhood (в то же время какой-то грязный бродяга, который притулился по соседству), drew near him from the other side (приблизился к нему с другой стороны).

 After he had thus somewhat assuaged his emotion, he began to look about him and read the names of the streets at whose intersection he had been deserted by the gardener. He was still in an unfrequented portion of West London, among villas and large gardens; but he could see some persons at a window who had evidently witnessed his misfortune; and almost immediately after a servant came running from the house and offered him a glass of water. At the same time, a dirty rogue, who had been slouching somewhere in the neighbourhood, drew near him from the other side.

“Poor fellow,” said the maid (бедный юноша, – сказала служанка), “how vilely you have been handled, to be sure (как ужасно с вами обошлись, право; vile – низкий, подлый)! Why, your knees are all cut (ваши колени разбиты), and your clothes ruined (и ваша одежда порвана)! Do you know the wretch who used you so (вы знаете негодяя, который так обошелся с вами)?”

“That I do!” cried Harry, who was somewhat refreshed by the water (знаю! – вскричал Гарри, который был несколько освежен водой); “and shall run him home in spite of his precautions (и побегу за ним до дома, несмотря на его предосторожности). He shall pay dearly for this day’s work, I promise you (он дорого заплатит за свои сегодняшние деяния, клянусь вам).”

“You had better come into the house (вы бы лучше зашли в дом) and have yourself washed and brushed,” continued the maid (и вымылись и отчистились, – продолжала служанка). “My mistress will make you welcome, never fear (моя хозяйка приютит вас, не беспокойтесь). And see, I will pick up your hat (и смотрите, я подберу вашу шляпу). Why, love of mercy (ах, Господь милосердный: «любовь милосердия»)!” she screamed (крикнула она), “if you have not dropped diamonds all over the street (вы усыпали бриллиантами всю улицу)!”

 “Poor fellow,” said the maid, “how vilely you have been handled, to be sure! Why, your knees are all cut, and your clothes ruined! Do you know the wretch who used you so?”

“That I do!” cried Harry, who was somewhat refreshed by the water; “and shall run him home in spite of his precautions. He shall pay dearly for this day’s work, I promise you.”

“You had better come into the house and have yourself washed and brushed,” continued the maid. “My mistress will make you welcome, never fear. And see, I will pick up your hat. Why, love of mercy!” she screamed, “if you have not dropped diamonds all over the street!”

Such was the case (так и было: «дело»); a good half of what remained to him after the depredations of Mr. Raeburn (добрая половина того, что у него оставалось после грабительских деяний мистера Рейберна), had been shaken out of his pockets by the summersault (была вытряхнута у него из карманов этим кувырком) and once more lay glittering on the ground (и снова лежала, сверкая, на земле; to lie – лежать). He blessed his fortune that the maid had been so quick of eye (он благословил судьбу, за то что служанка оказалась такая зоркая: «быстрая глазом»); “there is nothing so bad but it might be worse,” thought he (это ужасно, но могло быть и хуже, – подумал он: «нет ничего такого плохого, но…»); and the recovery of these few seemed to him almost as great an affair (и возвращение этих немногих /драгоценностей/ показалось ему почти таким же большим = важным делом) as the loss of all the rest (как утрата всех остальных). But, alas! as he stooped to pick up his treasures (но увы! пока он нагнулся, чтобы подобрать свои сокровища), the loiterer made a rapid onslaught (бродяга произвел стремительный натиск; to loiter – слоняться без дела; околачиваться), overset both Harry and the maid with a movement of his arms (опрокинул и Гарри, и девушку одним движением рук), swept up a double handful of the diamonds (подхватил двойную горсть = две горсти бриллиантов), and made off along the street with an amazing swiftness (и припустил по улице с поразительным проворством; swift – быстрый, скорый, стремительный).

 Such was the case; a good half of what remained to him after the depredations of Mr. Raeburn, had been shaken out of his pockets by the summersault and once more lay glittering on the ground. He blessed his fortune that the maid had been so quick of eye; “there is nothing so bad but it might be worse,” thought he; and the recovery of these few seemed to him almost as great an affair as the loss of all the rest. But, alas! as he stooped to pick up his treasures, the loiterer made a rapid onslaught, overset both Harry and the maid with a movement of his arms, swept up a double handful of the diamonds, and made off along the street with an amazing swiftness.

Harry, as soon as he could get upon his feet (Гарри, как только он смог подняться на ноги), gave chase to the miscreant with many cries (погнался за подлецом с многими криками: «дал погоню»), but the latter was too fleet of foot (но тот был слишком быстроногим; fleet – быстрый; быстроходный, скорый; стремительный), and probably too well acquainted with the locality (и, возможно, слишком хорошо знакомым с этой местностью); for turn where the pursuer would (ибо куда бы ни поворачивал преследователь: «ибо поворачивать, куда преследователь хотел») he could find no traces of the fugitive (он не мог найти никаких следов беглеца). In the deepest despondency, Harry revisited the scene of his mishap (в глубочайшем унынии Гарри вернулся на место своего несчастья), where the maid, who was still waiting, very honestly returned him his hat (где служанка, которая все еще ждала, очень честно вернула ему его шляпу) and the remainder of the fallen diamonds (и остатки просыпавшихся бриллиантов). Harry thanked her from his heart (Гарри поблагодарил ее от /всего/ сердца), and being now in no humour for economy (и, будучи сейчас не в духе для экономии), made his way to the nearest cab-stand (дошел: «сделал свой путь» до ближайшей стоянки кебов) and set off for Eaton Place by coach (и отправился на Итон-плейс в экипаже).

 Harry, as soon as he could get upon his feet, gave chase to the miscreant with many cries, but the latter was too fleet of foot, and probably too well acquainted with the locality; for turn where the pursuer would he could find no traces of the fugitive. In the deepest despondency, Harry revisited the scene of his mishap, where the maid, who was still waiting, very honestly returned him his hat and the remainder of the fallen diamonds. Harry thanked her from his heart, and being now in no humour for economy, made his way to the nearest cab-stand and set off for Eaton Place by coach.

The house, on his arrival, seemed in some confusion (дом, при его прибытии, казался в каком-то смятении), as if a catastrophe had happened in the family (как если бы какая-то беда случилась в семье); and the servants clustered together in the hall (а слуги столпились в холле), and were unable, or perhaps not altogether anxious (и были неспособны – или, быть может, не очень и хотели: «не вполне желающие»), to suppress their merriment at the tatterdemalion figure of the secretary (подавить свое веселье = удержаться от смеха при виде оборванной фигуры секретаря). He passed them (он прошел мимо них) with as good an air of dignity as he could assume (постаравшись принять как можно более достойный вид: «с таким хорошим видом достоинства, какой он /только/ мог принять»), and made directly for the boudoir (и направился прямо в будуар). When he opened the door (когда он открыл дверь) an astonishing and even menacing spectacle presented itself to his eyes (поразительное и даже угрожающее зрелище предстало перед его глазами); for he beheld the General and his wife and, of all people, Charlie Pendragon (ибо он увидел генерала и его жену и, подумать только: «из всех людей», Чарли Пендрагона), closeted together (придвинувшихся друг к другу: «запертые вместе») and speaking with earnestness and gravity on some important subject (и говорящих с увлечением и серьезностью о каком-то важном предмете). Harry saw at once that there was little left for him to explain (Гарри увидел сразу, что ему мало что оставалось объяснить; left – оставшееся) – plenary confession had plainly been made to the General (очевидно, генералу было сделано полное признание; plainly – очевидно) of the intended fraud upon his pocket (о запланированном покушении на его карман), and the unfortunate miscarriage of the scheme (и о злосчастной неудаче этого плана); and they had all made common cause against a common danger (и они все объединились против = перед лицом общей опасности: «они все сделали общее дело»).

 The house, on his arrival, seemed in some confusion, as if a catastrophe had happened in the family; and the servants clustered together in the hall, and were unable, or perhaps not altogether anxious, to suppress their merriment at the tatterdemalion figure of the secretary. He passed them with as good an air of dignity as he could assume, and made directly for the boudoir. When he opened the door an astonishing and even menacing spectacle presented itself to his eyes; for he beheld the General and his wife and, of all people, Charlie Pendragon, closeted together and speaking with earnestness and gravity on some important subject. Harry saw at once that there was little left for him to explain – plenary confession had plainly been made to the General of the intended fraud upon his pocket, and the unfortunate miscarriage of the scheme; and they had all made common cause against a common danger.

“Thank Heaven!” cried Lady Vandeleur (хвала Небесам! – вскричала леди Венделер), “here he is (вот он)! The bandbox, Harry – the bandbox (картонка, Гарри – картонка)!”

But Harry stood before them silent and downcast (но Гарри стоял перед ними молчаливый и подавленный).

“Speak!” she cried (говорите! – вскричала она). “Speak! Where is the bandbox (говорите! где шляпная картонка)?”

And the men, with threatening gestures, repeated the demand (и мужчины, с угрожающими жестами, повторили это требование).

Harry drew a handful of jewels from his pocket (Гарри вытащил пригоршню драгоценностей из кармана). He was very white (он был очень бел = бледен).

“This is all that remains,” said he (это все, что остается = осталось, – сказал он). “I declare before Heaven it was through no fault of mine (я заявляю перед Небом, что это было не по моей вине); and if you will have patience (и если у вас будет терпение), although some are lost, I am afraid, for ever (хотя некоторые /драгоцености/ утеряны, я боюсь, навсегда), others, I am sure, may be still recovered (другие, я уверен, все еще могут быть возвращены).”

 “Thank Heaven!” cried Lady Vandeleur, “here he is! The bandbox, Harry – the bandbox!”

But Harry stood before them silent and downcast.

“Speak!” she cried. “Speak! Where is the bandbox?”

And the men, with threatening gestures, repeated the demand.

Harry drew a handful of jewels from his pocket. He was very white.

“This is all that remains,” said he. “I declare before Heaven it was through no fault of mine; and if you will have patience, although some are lost, I am afraid, for ever, others, I am sure, may be still recovered.”

“Alas!” cried Lady Vandeleur, “all our diamonds are gone (увы! – вскричала леди Венделер, – все наши бриллианты пропали), and I owe ninety thousand pounds for dress (а я должна девяносто тысяч фунтов за туалеты)!”

“Madam,” said the General, “you might have paved the gutter with your own trash (мадам, – сказал генерал, – вы могли усеять сточную канаву своими стекляшками: «мусором»); you might have made debts to fifty times the sum you mention (вы могли наделать долгов в пятьдесят раз больше, чем сумма, которую вы упоминаете); you might have robbed me of my mother’s coronet and ring (вы могли украсть у меня диадему и кольцо моей матери); and Nature might have still so far prevailed (и природа могла бы все же быть так сильна: «так далеко пересилить») that I could have forgiven you at last (что я мог бы простить вас в конце концов). But, madam, you have taken the Rajah’s Diamond (но, мадам, вы взяли Алмаз раджи) – the Eye of Light, as the Orientals poetically termed it (Око Света, как азиаты поэтично называли его) – the Pride of Kashgar (Гордость Кашгара)! You have taken from me the Rajah’s Diamond,” he cried, raising his hands (вы отняли у меня Алмаз раджи, – воскликнул он, воздевая руки), “and all, madam, all is at an end between us (и все, мадам, все кончено между нами: «все при конце»)!”

 “Alas!” cried Lady Vandeleur, “all our diamonds are gone, and I owe ninety thousand pounds for dress!”

“Madam,” said the General, “you might have paved the gutter with your own trash; you might have made debts to fifty times the sum you mention; you might have robbed me of my mother’s coronet and ring; and Nature might have still so far prevailed that I could have forgiven you at last. But, madam, you have taken the Rajah’s Diamond – the Eye of Light, as the Orientals poetically termed it – the Pride of Kashgar! You have taken from me the Rajah’s Diamond,” he cried, raising his hands, “and all, madam, all is at an end between us!”

“Believe me, General Vandeleur,” she replied (поверьте мне, генерал Венделер, – ответила она), “that is one of the most agreeable speeches that ever I heard from your lips (это одна из самых приятных речей, которые когда-либо я слышала с ваших губ = из ваших уст); and since we are to be ruined (и так как нам суждено разориться), I could almost welcome the change, if it delivers me from you (я могла бы почти приветствовать эту перемену, раз она освобождает меня от вас). You have told me often enough that I married you for your money (вы говорили мне весьма часто, что я вышла за вас из-за ваших денег); let me tell you now that I always bitterly repented the bargain (позвольте мне сказать вам теперь, что я всегда горько раскаивалась в этой сделке); and if you were still marriageable (и если бы вы были все еще бракоспособны), and had a diamond bigger than your head (и владели бы алмазом больше, чем ваша голова), I should counsel even my maid against a union so uninviting and disastrous (я бы даже своей горничной отсоветовала союз столь непривлекательный и злополучный).

 “Believe me, General Vandeleur,” she replied, “that is one of the most agreeable speeches that ever I heard from your lips; and since we are to be ruined, I could almost welcome the change, if it delivers me from you. You have told me often enough that I married you for your money; let me tell you now that I always bitterly repented the bargain; and if you were still marriageable, and had a diamond bigger than your head, I should counsel even my maid against a union so uninviting and disastrous.

“As for you, Mr. Hartley,” she continued, turning on the secretary (что до вас, мистер Хартли, – продолжила она, повернувшись к секретарю), “you have sufficiently exhibited your valuable qualities in this house (вы достаточно проявили свои ценные качества в этом доме); we are now persuaded that you equally lack manhood, sense, and self-respect (мы теперь убеждены, что вы рáвно лиены мужества, здравого смысла и чувства собственного достоинства: «самоуважения»; to lack – не иметь); and I can see only one course open for you (и я вижу только один путь, открытый для вас) – to withdraw instanter (уйти сию секунду; instanter – тотчас же), and, if possible, return no more (и, если возможно, больше не возвращаться). For your wages (в качестве жалованья вам) you may rank as a creditor in my late husband’s bankruptcy (вы можете считаться кредитором, /когда будет объявлено/ банкротство моего мужа; to rank – занимать место в ряду).”

 “As for you, Mr. Hartley,” she continued, turning on the secretary, “you have sufficiently exhibited your valuable qualities in this house; we are now persuaded that you equally lack manhood, sense, and self-respect; and I can see only one course open for you – to withdraw instanter, and, if possible, return no more. For your wages you may rank as a creditor in my late husband’s bankruptcy.”

Harry had scarcely comprehended this insulting address (Гарри едва осознал эту оскорбительную речь = ее смысл) before the General was down upon him with another (прежде чем генерал набросился на него с еще одной; to be down on somebody – наброситься на кого-то).

“And in the meantime,” said that personage (а тем временем, – сказал этот человек), “follow me before the nearest Inspector of Police (следуйте за мной к ближайшему полицейскому инспектору; before – зд.: /предтать/ пред лицом). You may impose upon a simple-minded soldier, sir (вы можете объегорить простодушного вояку), but the eye of the law will read your disreputable secret (но око закона прочтет ваш постыдный секрет = увидит вас насквозь). If I must spend my old age in poverty through your underhand intriguing with my wife (если я должен провести старые годы в нищете благодаря вашим коварным интригам с моей женой), I mean at least that you shall not remain unpunished for your pains (я хочу по крайней мере, чтобы вы не оставались не наказанным за ваши старания); and God, sir, will deny me a very considerable satisfaction (и Бог, сэр, откажет мне в изрядном удовлетворении) if you do not pick oakum from now until your dying day (если вы не будете щипать паклю /на каторге/ отныне и до дня вашей смерти).”

With that, the General dragged Harry from the apartment (с этим/и словами/ генерал вытащил Гарри из комнаты), and hurried him downstairs and along the street (и погнал его вниз по лестнице и вдоль по улице) to the police-station of the district (к полицейскому участку этого района = к ближайшему полицейскому участку).

 Harry had scarcely comprehended this insulting address before the General was down upon him with another.

“And in the meantime,” said that personage, “follow me before the nearest Inspector of Police. You may impose upon a simple-minded soldier, sir, but the eye of the law will read your disreputable secret. If I must spend my old age in poverty through your underhand intriguing with my wife, I mean at least that you shall not remain unpunished for your pains; and God, sir, will deny me a very considerable satisfaction if you do not pick oakum from now until your dying day.”

With that, the General dragged Harry from the apartment, and hurried him downstairs and along the street to the police-station of the district.

Here ended this deplorable business of the bandbox (здесь окончилась прискорбная история с шляпной картонкой). But to the unfortunate Secretary the whole affair was the beginning of a new and manlier life (но для несчастного секретаря все дело стало началом новой и более мужественной жизни). The police were easily persuaded of his innocence (полиция легко убедилась в его невиновности); and, after he had given what help he could in the subsequent investigations (и после того как он оказал ту помощь, которую мог, в дальнейшем расследовании), he was even complimented by one of the chiefs of the detective department (он был даже похвален одним из начальников сыскного отделения) on the probity and simplicity of his behaviour (за честность и простоту его поведения). Several persons interested themselves in one so unfortunate (несколько человек приняли участие в /судьбе/ этого злосчастного человека); and soon after he inherited a sum of money from a maiden aunt in Worcestershire (а вскоре после этого он унаследовал некую сумму денег от незамужней: «девственной» тетки в Вустершире). With this he married Prudence (с этими /деньгами/ он женился на Пруденс), and set sail for Bendigo (и отправился в Бендиго: «поставил парус»; to set – установить), or according to another account, for Trincomalee (а по другому сообщению в Тринкомали), exceedingly content (совершенно довольный), and with the best of prospects (и с наилучшими видами на будущее).

 Here ended this deplorable business of the bandbox. But to the unfortunate Secretary the whole affair was the beginning of a new and manlier life. The police were easily persuaded of his innocence; and, after he had given what help he could in the subsequent investigations, he was even complimented by one of the chiefs of the detective department on the probity and simplicity of his behaviour. Several persons interested themselves in one so unfortunate; and soon after he inherited a sum of money from a maiden aunt in Worcestershire. With this he married Prudence, and set sail for Bendigo, or according to another account, for Trincomalee, exceedingly content, and with the best of prospects.