Английский язык с Энтони Хоупом. Узник Зенды

I opened it and read it aloud:

“If the King desires to know what it deeply concerns the King to know, let him do as this letter bids him. At the end of the New Avenue there stands a house in large grounds. The house has a portico, with a statue of a nymph on it. A wall encloses the garden; there is a gate in the wall at the back. At twelve o’clock tonight, if the King enters alone by that gate, turns to the right, and walks twenty yards, he will find a summer-house, approached by a flight of six steps. If he mounts and enters, he will find someone who will tell him what touches most dearly his life and his throne. This is written by a faithful friend. He must be alone. If he neglects the invitation his life will be in danger. Let him show this to no one, or he will ruin a woman who loves him: Black Michael does not pardon.”

“No,” observed Sapt, as I ended, “but he can dictate a very pretty letter (нет, – заметил Сэпт, когда я закончил, – но он все же умеет диктовать весьма занимательные письма).”

I had arrived at the same conclusion (я пришел к такому же выводу), and was about to throw the letter away (и уже собирался выбросить письмо), when I saw there was more writing on the other side (когда заметил, что на другой стороне тоже что-то написано).

“Hallo! there’s some more (эй! да тут еще).”

“If you hesitate,” the writer continued, “consult Colonel Sapt (если вы сомневаетесь, – продолжал автор письма, – посоветуйтесь с полковником Сэптом; writer – писатель; автор /статьи, письма/) – ”

“Eh,” exclaimed that gentleman, genuinely astonished (а? – воскликнул Сэпт: «тот джентльмен», искренне удивившись). “Does she take me for a greater fool than you (она принимает меня за еще большего дурака, чем вас)?”

I waved to him to be silent (я махнул ему, чтоб помолчал).

“Ask him what woman would do most (спросите его, какая женщина сделала бы все возможное) to prevent the duke from marrying his cousin (чтобы помешать герцогу жениться на своей кузине), and therefore most to prevent him becoming king (и, следовательно, помешать ему стать королем)? And ask if her name begins with – A (и спросите, не начинается ли ее имя с буквы «А»)?”

I sprang to my feet (я вскочил на ноги; to spring – прыгать, вскакивать). Sapt laid down his pipe (Сэпт положил свою трубку).

“Antoinette de Mauban, by heaven!” I cried (Антуанетта де Мобан, ей-богу, – вскричал я).

“How do you know?” asked Sapt (откуда вы знаете? – спросил Сэпт).

I told him what I knew of the lady, and how I knew it (я рассказал ему /все/, что знал об этой даме, и как я узнал это). He nodded (он кивнул).

“It’s so far true that she’s had a great row with Michael,” said he, thoughtfully (вообще-то, это правда, что она здорово поссорилась с Михаэлем, – сказал он задумчиво; so far – до сих пор; до определенной степени; to have a row with smb. – поскандалить, поругаться с кем-л.).

“No,” observed Sapt, as I ended, “but he can dictate a very pretty letter.”

I had arrived at the same conclusion, and was about to throw the letter away, when I saw there was more writing on the other side.

“Hallo! there’s some more.”

“If you hesitate,” the writer continued, “consult Colonel Sapt – ”

“Eh,” exclaimed that gentleman, genuinely astonished. “Does she take me for a greater fool than you?”

I waved to him to be silent.

“Ask him what woman would do most to prevent the duke from marrying his cousin, and therefore most to prevent him becoming king? And ask if her name begins with – A?”

I sprang to my feet. Sapt laid down his pipe.

“Antoinette de Mauban, by heaven!” I cried.

“How do you know?” asked Sapt.

I told him what I knew of the lady, and how I knew it. He nodded.

“It’s so far true that she’s had a great row with Michael,” said he, thoughtfully.

“If she would, she could be useful (если это так, то она могла бы быть полезной),” I said.

“I believe, though, that Michael wrote that letter (и все же, я думаю, что Михаэль написал это письмо).”

“So do I, but I mean to know for certain (я тоже, но я намерен узнать наверняка). I shall go, Sapt (я пойду, Сэпт).”

“No, I shall go (нет, я пойду),” said he.

“You may go as far as the gate (вы можете пойти не дальше калитки).”

“I shall go to the summer-house (я пойду в этот летний домик).”

“I’m hanged if you shall (провалиться мне на этом месте, если вы пойдете)!”

I rose and leant my back against the mantelpiece (я встал и прислонился спиной к каминной доске).

“Sapt, I believe in that woman, and I shall go (Сэпт, я доверяю этой женщине, и я пойду).”

“I don’t believe in any woman,” said Sapt, “and you shan’t go (я не доверяю ни одной женщине, – сказал он, – и вы не пойдете).”

“I either go to the summer-house or back to England (либо я иду в летний домик, либо возвращаюсь в Англию),” said I.