Дракула / Dracula
Шрифт:
“I must regret that my malady forbids absolutely any travelling; but I am happy to say I can send a talented clerk. He is a young man, full of energy and talent. He is discreet and silent. He will be ready to attend, and take your instructions in all matters. [28] ”
The Count came forward and took off the cover of a dish, and I saw an excellent roast chicken. This, with some cheese and a salad and a bottle of old wine, of which I had two glasses, was my supper. During the time I was eating it the Count asked me many questions about my journey.
28
and take your instructions in all matters – и выполнит все ваши распоряжения
His face was a strong, a very strong aquiline, with high bridge of the thin nose and arched nostrils; [29] with domed forehead. His eyebrows were very massive, almost meeting over the nose. The mouth was rather cruel-looking, with peculiarly sharp white teeth. His ears were pale, and at the tops extremely pointed; [30] the chin was broad and strong, and the cheeks were firm and thin. His hands seemed white and fine; but they were rather coarse, broad, with squat fingers. Strange to say, there were hairs in the centre of the palm. The nails were long and fine.
29
arched nostrils –
30
at the tops extremely pointed – сильно заострённые кверху
We were both silent for a while. There seemed a strange stillness over everything; but as I listened I heard the howling of many wolves. The Count’s eyes gleamed, and he said, “Listen to them – the children of the night. What music they make!” Then he rose and said, “But you must be tired. Your bedroom is all ready, and tomorrow you will sleep as late as you will. I have to be away till the afternoon; so sleep well and dream well!”
With a courteous bow, he opened the door to the octagonal room for me, and I entered my bedroom.
7 May. – It is again early morning. I slept till late in the day. When I had dressed myself I went into the room where we had supper, and found a cold breakfast. There was a card on the table, on which was written:
I have to be absent for a while [31] . Do not wait for me.
I enjoyed a great meal. When I had done, I looked for a bell, but I could not find it. The table service is of gold and very beautiful. The curtains are of the most expensive and most beautiful fabrics. But there are no mirrors at all. There is not even a toilet glass on my table, and I had to use the little shaving glass from my bag before I could either shave or brush my hair. I have not yet seen a servant anywhere, or heard a sound near the castle except the howling of wolves.
31
for a while – ненадолго
Some time after I had finished my meal – I do not know whether to call it breakfast or dinner, for it was between five and six o’clock when I had it – I looked about for something to read. There was absolutely nothing in the room, book, newspaper; so I opened another door in the room and found a library.
In the library I found, to my great delight, a vast number of English books and volumes of magazines and newspapers. The books were on history, geography, politics, political economy, botany, geology, law – all relating to England and English life, customs and manners.
While I was looking at the books, the door opened, and the Count entered. He saluted me in a hearty way. [32] Then he went on.
“I am glad you found your way in here. These books have been good friends to me, and for some years past, since I had the idea of going to London, they have given me many, many hours of pleasure. Through them I knew your great England; and to know it is to love it. I studied English through books, and you, my friend, will you help me to speak it better?”
32
in a hearty way – сердечно
“But, Count,” I said, “You know and speak English thoroughly!”
He bowed gravely.
“I thank you, my friend, for your estimate. True, I know the grammar and the words, but I do not know how to speak them.”
“Indeed,” I said, “you speak excellently.”
“Not so,” he answered. “Well, I am sure, when I move and speak in your London, the people will know me for a stranger. [33] That is not enough for me. Here I am noble; I am a Count; the common people know me, and I am the master. But a stranger in a strange land, he is no one. ‘Ha, ha! A stranger!’ You came to me not alone as [34] agent of my friend Peter Hawkins, to tell me all about my new estate in London. You will, I hope, rest here with me a little; and, please, tell me when I make errors, even the smallest, in my speaking.”
33
the people will know me for a stranger –
34
not alone as – не только как
Of course I said that I would, and asked if I could use his library. He answered, “Yes, certainly,” and added.
“Tell me of London and of the house which you have prepared for me.”
With an apology, I went into my room to get the papers from my bag. When I returned the Count put away the books and papers from the table and we went into plans and figures of all sorts. He was interested in everything, and asked me a thousand questions about the place and its surroundings.
We discussed the purchase of the estate at Purfleet. [35] When I had told him the facts and got his signature to the necessary papers, he had written a letter to Mr. Hawkins. Then he said, “I am glad that it is old and big house. I am of an old family, and to live in a new house means to kill me. I love the shade and the shadow, and I want to be alone with my thoughts.”
35
Purfleet – Перфлит
He asked me to put all my papers together and left. I began to look at some of the books around me. One was an atlas of England. I found certain places marked with little rings, [36] one was near London on the east side, where his new estate was situated; the other two were Exeter [37] and Whitby [38] on the Yorkshire coast. [39]
In an hour the Count returned. “Aha!” he said. “Still at your books? Good! But you must not work always. Come; your supper is ready.”
36
certain places marked with little rings – некоторые места обведены кружками
37
Exeter – Эксетер (главный город английского графства Девоншир)
38
Whitby – Уитби (город в английском графстве Норт-Йоркшир)
39
Yorkshire coast – йоркширское побережье
He took my arm, and we went into the next room, where I found an excellent supper ready on the table. The Count again excused himself, as he had dined already. But he sat as on the previous night, and chatted while I ate.
After supper I smoked, as on the last evening, and the Count stayed with me, chatting and asking different questions, hour after hour. All at once [40] we heard the crow of a cock; Count Dracula jumped to his feet and said, “Why, there is the morning again! You must make your conversation regarding my dear new country of England less interesting, so that I may not forget how time flies,” and, with a courtly bow, he quickly left me.
40
all at once – вдруг, внезапно