Дракула / Dracula
Шрифт:
The man replied, “The English Herr was in a hurry.”
“Give me the Herr’s luggage,” said the driver and took my bags. Then I descended from the side of the coach, as the carriage was close. The driver helped me with a hand which caught my arm in a grip of steel; [18] his strength was prodigious. Without a word he shook his reins, the horses turned, and we ran into the darkness of the Pass.
The driver said in excellent German, “The night is chill, mein Herr, [19] there is a flask of slivovitz [20] (the plum brandy of the country) underneath the seat.”
18
a grip of steel –
19
mein Herr – мой господин (нем.)
20
slivovitz – сливовица
The carriage went straight along, then we made a complete turn and went along another straight road. I felt suspense. Then a dog began to howl somewhere in a farmhouse far down the road – a long wailing, as if from fear. [21] Another dog took the sound, and then another and another, till a wild howling began.
The driver suddenly turned down a narrow roadway. Soon we entered the wood, and again great rocks guarded us boldly on either side. The wind carried the howling of the dogs, though the baying of the wolves sounded nearer and nearer. I grew dreadfully afraid, and the horses shared my fear. The driver, however, was not disturbed at all; he was turning his head to left and right, but I could not see anything through the darkness.
21
as if from fear – как будто от страха
Suddenly, I saw a faint blue flame. The driver saw it at the same moment; he jumped to the ground and disappeared into the darkness. I did not know what to do, as the howling of the wolves grew closer; but while I wondered the driver suddenly appeared again, and without a word took his seat. There appeared a strange optical effect: when he stood between me and the flame he did not obstruct it, for I could see the flame through him. It was like a sort of awful nightmare. I decided that my eyes deceived me.
The wolves began to howl. The driver stopped the carriage and stood in the roadway. As he swept his long arms, the wolves fell back and back further. Then a heavy cloud passed across the face of the moon, so that we were again in darkness.
The wolves had disappeared and the driver climbed back on. This was all so strange that a dreadful fear came upon me, and I was afraid to speak or move. Suddenly, we found ourselves in the courtyard of a vast ruined castle, from whose tall black windows came no light.
Same day, later. – In the gloom the courtyard looked considerable. Several dark ways led from it under great round arches. It perhaps seemed bigger than it really is. I have not seen it by daylight. [22]
When the carriage stopped, the driver jumped down and assisted me. Again I noticed his prodigious strength. His hand actually seemed like a steel vice [23] that could crush mine. I stood close to a great old door. As I stood, the driver jumped again into his seat and went away.
22
by daylight – при дневном свете
23
a steel vice – стальные тиски
I stood in silence where I was, for I did not know what to do. There was no sign of a bell or a knocker. The time I waited seemed endless. What sort of place had I come to, and among what kind of people? I was a solicitor’s clerk, [24] here to explain the purchase of a London estate to a foreigner. Solicitor’s clerk! No, no, no. Just before leaving London I passed my examination successfully; and I am now a solicitor!
I heard a heavy step behind the great door. Then it opened. Within, stood a tall old man, with a long white moustache. He was dressed in black from head to foot. [25] He held in his hand an antique silver lamp. The old man made a courtly and said in excellent English, but with a strange intonation.
24
a solicitor’s clerk –
25
from head to foot – с головы до ног
“Welcome to my house! Enter freely and of your own free will!” He stood like a statue, but when I had stepped over the threshold, he moved impulsively forward, and shook my hand. His hand was as cold as ice – more like the hand of a dead than a living man.
Again he said, “Welcome to my house. Come freely. Go safely; and leave something of the happiness you bring!”
The strength of the handshake was so much akin to that which I had noticed in the driver, whose face I had not seen. Maybe it is the same person to whom I was speaking. I asked, “Count Dracula?”
“Yes, I am Dracula; and welcome, Mr. Harker, to my house. Come in; the night air is chill, and you need to eat and rest.”
As he was speaking, he took my luggage. I protested, but he insisted.
“No, sir, you are my guest. It is late, and my servants are not available.”
We entered a long passage, and then went up a great winding stair, and along another great passage, on whose stone floor our steps rang heavily. At the end of the passage he opened a heavy door, and I saw a table.
The Count stopped, put down my bags, closed the door, and crossed the room. He opened another door, which led into a small octagonal room. He then opened another door, and invited me to enter. Here was a great bedroom with a big bed and a log fire. [26] The Count left my luggage inside and said before he closed the door.
“You will need, after your journey, to refresh yourself. Here you will find all you wish. When you are ready, please come into the other room, where you will find your supper.”
26
a log fire – камин
The light and warmth and the Count’s courteous welcome dissipated all my doubts and fears. So in some minutes I went into the other room.
I found a wonderful supper. My host was standing on one side of the great fireplace. He said, “I pray you, seat down and eat, please. You will, I trust, excuse me that I do not join you; but I have dined already, and I do not have supper usually.”
I handed to him the letter which Mr. Hawkins [27] had given to me. He opened it and read it attentively; then he handed it to me to read. I liked one passage most of all.
27
Mr. Hawkins – мистер Хокинс