I doubted not that, true to his relentless purpose, he was spreading the news that he had learnt. To uphold the Crown and beat Black Michael – that was his one resolve. Flavia, myself – ay, and the real King in Zenda, were pieces in his game; and pawns have no business with passions. Not even at the walls of the Palace did he stop; for when at last I handed Flavia down the broad marble steps and into her carriage, there was a great crowd awaiting us, and we were welcomed with deafening cheers. What could I do? Had I spoken then, they would have refused to believe that I was not the King; they might have believed that the King had run mad. By Sapt’s devices and my own ungoverned passion I had been forced on, and the way back had closed behind me; and the passion still drove me in the same direction as the devices seduced me. I faced all Strelsau that night as the King and the accepted suitor of the Princess Flavia.
At last, at three in the morning, when the cold light of dawning day began to steal in (наконец, в три часа утра, когда холодный свет зари стал проникать внутрь;
Sapt advanced his hand towards the rose (Сэпт потянулся рукой к розе;
“That’s mine,” I said, “not yours – nor the King’s either (она моя, – сказал я, – не ваша и не короля).”
“We struck a good blow for the King tonight (сегодня ночью мы здорово помогли королю;
I turned on him fiercely (я в ярости повернулся к нему;
“What’s to prevent me striking a blow for myself (что мне мешает помочь себе)?” I said.
He nodded his head (он кивнул головой).
“I know what’s in your mind (я знаю, что у вас на уме),” he said. “Yes, lad; but you’re bound in honour (да, юноша, но это дело чести;
At last, at three in the morning, when the cold light of dawning day began to steal in, I was in my dressing-room, and Sapt alone was with me. I sat like a man dazed, staring into the fire; he puffed at his pipe; Fritz was gone to bed, having almost refused to speak to me. On the table by me lay a rose; it had been in Flavia’s dress, and, as we parted, she had kissed it and given it to me.
Sapt advanced his hand towards the rose, but, with a quick movement, I shut mine down upon it.
“That’s mine,” I said, “not yours – nor the King’s either.”
“We struck a good blow for the King tonight,” said he.
I turned on him fiercely.
“What’s to prevent me striking a blow for myself?” I said.
He nodded his head.
“I know what’s in your mind,” he said. “Yes, lad; but you’re bound in honour.”
“Have you left me any honour (а вы оставили мне /хоть/ немного чести)?”
“Oh, come, to play a little trick on a girl (ой, да ладно, сыграть невинную: «небольшую» шутку с девушкой) – ”