Английский язык с Энтони Хоупом. Узник Зенды

“The duke offers you more than I would,” he growled (герцог предлагает вам больше, чем это сделал бы я, – буркнул он). “A halter for you, sire, was my suggestion (петлю /на шею/, сир – таким было мое предложение; halter – повод, недоуздок; веревка с петлей на виселице). But he offers you safe-conduct across the frontier and a million crowns (но он предлагает вам гарантию неприкосновенности /для перехода/ через границу и миллион крон).”

“I prefer your offer, my lord, if I am bound to one (я предпочту ваше предложение, милорд, если буду вынужден /принять/ одно /из них/).”

“You refuse (вы отказываетесь)?”

“Of course (конечно).”

“I told Michael you would (я говорил Михаэлю, что вы /откажетесь/);” and the villain, his temper restored, gave me the sunniest of smiles (и мерзавец, вновь обретя самообладание, подарил мне свою самую радостную улыбку; sunny – солнечный; веселый, радостный). “The fact is, between ourselves,” he continued (дело в том, что – между нами, – продолжал он), “Michael doesn’t understand a gentleman (Михаэль не понимает джентльменов).”

“Is your mother dead?” said I.

“Ay, she’s dead.”

“She may thank God,” said I, and I heard him curse me softly. “Well, what’s the message?” I continued.

I had touched him on the raw, for all the world knew he had broken his mother’s heart and flaunted his mistresses in her house; and his airy manner was gone for the moment.

“The duke offers you more than I would,” he growled. “A halter for you, sire, was my suggestion. But he offers you safe-conduct across the frontier and a million crowns.”

“I prefer your offer, my lord, if I am bound to one.”

“You refuse?”

“Of course.”

“I told Michael you would;” and the villain, his temper restored, gave me the sunniest of smiles. “The fact is, between ourselves,” he continued, “Michael doesn’t understand a gentleman.”

I began to laugh (я начал смеяться).

“And you?” I asked (а вы? – спросил я).

“I do (я понимаю),” he said. “Well, well, the halter be it (ну ладно, пусть будет веревка).”

“I’m sorry you won’t live to see it,” I observed (жаль, вы не доживете, чтобы на это взглянуть, – заметил я).

“Has his Majesty done me the honour to fasten a particular quarrel on me (неужели его величество оказали мне честь, затеяв со мной личную ссору; to fasten a quarrel upon smb. – затеять ссору с кем-л.; particular – особый, особенный; индивидуальный, частный)?”

“I would you were a few years older, though (я бы так и сделал, будь вы хоть несколькими годами старше).”

“Oh, God gives years, but the devil gives increase,” laughed he (о, Бог дает возраст/годы, а дьявол – развитие, – рассмеялся он; increase – увеличение, возрастание, рост). “I can hold my own (я могу постоять за себя).”

“How is your prisoner (как ваш пленник)?” I asked.

“The K —?”

“Your prisoner (ваш пленник).”

“I forgot your wishes, sire (я забыл о вашей просьбе, сир; wish – желание; просьба). Well, he is alive (ну, он жив).”

He rose to his feet; I imitated him (он поднялся; я последовал его примеру; to imitate – подражать, имитировать). Then, with a smile, he said (потом он сказал с улыбкой):

“And the pretty princess (а прекрасная принцесса)? Faith, I’ll wager the next Elphberg will be red enough (клянусь честью, я побьюсь об заклад, что будущий Эльфберг будет рыженьким; enough – достаточно; весьма, довольно /усил./), for all that Black Michael will be called his father (хотя Черный Михаэль будет зваться его отцом).”

I began to laugh.

“And you?” I asked.

“I do,” he said. “Well, well, the halter be it.”

“I’m sorry you won’t live to see it,” I observed.

“Has his Majesty done me the honour to fasten a particular quarrel on me?”

“I would you were a few years older, though.”

“Oh, God gives years, but the devil gives increase,” laughed he. “I can hold my own.”

“How is your prisoner?” I asked.

“The K —?”

“Your prisoner.”

“I forgot your wishes, sire. Well, he is alive.”

He rose to his feet; I imitated him. Then, with a smile, he said:

“And the pretty princess? Faith, I’ll wager the next Elphberg will be red enough, for all that Black Michael will be called his father.”

I sprang a step towards him, clenching my hand (я подскочил к нему на один шаг, сжимая руку /в кулак/). He did not move an inch, and his lip curled in insolent amusement (он не сдвинулся ни на дюйм, и его губа искривилась в наглой улыбке; amusement – развлечение, забава; удовольствие).