They were actually on the same sofa, for Mrs Musgrove had most readily made room for him; they were divided only by Mrs Musgrove. It was no insignificant barrier, indeed. Mrs Musgrove was of a comfortable, substantial size, infinitely more fitted by nature to express good cheer and good humour, than tenderness and sentiment; and while the agitations of Anne’s slender form, and pensive face, may be considered as very completely screened, Captain Wentworth should be allowed some credit for the self-command with which he attended to her large fat sighings over the destiny of a son, whom alive nobody had cared for[124].
Personal size and mental sorrow have certainly no necessary proportions. A large bulky figure has as good a right to be in deep afliction, as the most graceful set of limbs in the world. But, fair or not fair, there are unbecoming conjunctions, which reason will patronize in vain – which taste cannot tolerate – which ridicule will seize.
The Admiral, after taking two or three refreshing turns about the room with his hands behind him, being called to order by his wife, now came up to Captain Wentworth, and without any observation of what he might be interrupting, thinking only of his own thoughts, began with:
“If you had been a week later at Lisbon, last spring, Frederick, you would have been asked to give a passage[125] to Lady Mary Grierson and her daughters.”
“Should I? I am glad I was not a week later then.”
The Admiral abused him for his want of gallantry. He defended himself; though professing that he would never willingly admit any ladies on board a ship of his, excepting for a ball, or a visit, which a few hours might comprehend.
“But, if I know myself,” said he, “this is from no want of gallantry towards them. It is rather from feeling how impossible it is, with all one’s efforts, and all one’s sacrifices, to make the accommodations on board such as women ought to have. There can be no want of gallantry, Admiral, in rating the claims of women to every personal comfort high, and this is what I do. I hate to hear of women on board, or to see them on board; and no ship under my command shall ever convey a family of ladies anywhere, if I can help it[126].”
This brought his sister upon him.
“Oh! Frederick! But I cannot believe it of you. All idle refinement! Women may be as comfortable on board, as in the best house in England. I believe I have lived as much on board as most women, and I know nothing superior to the accommodations of a man-of-war. I declare I have not a comfort or an indulgence about me, even at Kellynch Hall” (with a kind bow to Anne), “beyond what I always had in most of the ships I have lived in; and they have been five altogether.”
“Nothing to the purpose,” replied her brother. “You were living with your husband, and were the only woman on board.”
“But you, yourself, brought Mrs Harville, her sister, her cousin, and three children, round from Portsmouth to Plymouth. Where was this superfine, extraordinary sort of gallantry of yours then?”
Примечания
1
Baronetage – «Книга баронетов»
2
for an idle hour – (разг.) в свободное время
3
an interest which never failed – (разг.) с неослабевающим интересом
4
Esq – сокр. от Esquire, эсквайр (устар.) писалось вместо мистер в официальных документах
5
Charles II – Карл II (1630–1685), король Англии, Шотландии и Ирландии
6
had never required indulgence – (устар.) никогда не нуждалась в оправданиях
7
extremely well provided for – (разг.) очень хорошо обеспеченная
8
marry suitably – (разг.) удачно выйдет замуж; найдет себе подходящего мужа
9
the crow’s foot – (разг.) мелкие морщинки вокруг глаз
10
shewn – (устар.) shown
11
Tattersall’s – Таттерсол, Лондонский рынок лошадей
12
wearing black ribbons for his wife – (разг.) носил черную повязку на рукаве в знак траура по супруге
13
This could not be pardoned. – (устар.) Это уж совсем непростительно.
14
to do her justice – (разг.) надо отдать ей должное
15
these measures, however good in themselves – (разг.) меры эти, при всей их разумности
16
without compromising their dignity – (разг.) не роняя своего достоинства
17
without involving the loss of any indulgence of taste or pride – (устар.) не вредя ни вкусу, ни чести
18
that did not admit of a doubt – (устар.) в этом не оставалось сомнений
19
on the side of honesty against importance – (устар.) в пользу благородства и против тщеславия
20
in seven years he will be clear – (зд.) за семь лет он расплатится с долгами (выплатит все сполна)
21
had no success at all: could not be put up with, were not to be borne – (разг.) не имели никакого успеха, были сочтены невозможными и несносными
22
the great question of whither he should go was settled – (устар.) роковой вопрос о том, где же ему обосноваться,был решен
23
they should lose neither consequence nor enjoyment by settling there – (устар.) не уронят себя, и жизнь их не потеряет приятности
24
was to be let – (разг.) было необходимо сдать внаем
25
spurned the idea – (устар.) отметал саму мысль
26
forbad – (устар.) forbade
27
a friendship quite out of place – (разг.) неподходящее знакомство
28
would go her own way – (разг.) поступала по-своему 24
29
I must take leave to observe – (устар.) Я позволю себе заметить
30
in the way of business – (разг.) в деловых отношениях
31
venture upon – (устар.) беру на себя смелость заявить
32
have known a good deal of the profession – (разг.) знавал многих людей этой профессии
33
no tenant has more than his just rights – (разг.) ни одному съемщику не достанется ничего сверх его законных прав
34
bringing persons of obscure birth into undue distinction – (устар.) люди сомнительного происхождения добиваются незаслуженных отличий и почестей
35
striking instances of what I am talking of – (разг.) точно подтверждающих то, о чем я толкую
36
stopt – (устар.) stopped
37
to the utmost – (зд.) до преклонных лет
38
could not be kept a secret – (разг.) не могли не выйти наружу
39
a rear admiral – (устар.) контр-адмирал
40
the Trafalgar action – битва при Трафальгаре в 1805 г. между английским и испанским в содружестве с французским флотом, когда победили англичане
41
seemed more conversant with business – (разг.) задавала больше вопросов по делу
42
caught in the fact – (разг.) пойман с поличным
43
you were speaking of some man of property – (разг.) вы толковали о человеке состоятельном
44
had experience enough of the world – (разг.) имел достаточно жизненного опыта
45
must ever have the precedence – (разг.) должен иметь преимущества
46
the action off St Domingo – военные действия в Доминиканской республике
47
the encounter of such lavish recommendations could not fail – (устар.) исход таких даров провиденья был заранее предрешен
48
spending freely, what had come freely, had realized nothing – (разг.) легко тратил то, что плыло в руки, и ничего не накопил
49
deprecated the connexion in every light – (разг.) ни в коей мере не могла одобрить подобных отношений
50
she could hardly have given him up – (разг.) она вряд ли отказала бы ему
51
She had been solicited, when about two-and-twenty, to change her name, by the young man – (устар.) Правда, когда ей было двадцать два года, ее руки просил один молодой человек
52
had left nothing for advice to do – (разг.) не прислушалась к ее словам
53
would never receive any of such certain immediate wretchedness, such uncertain future good – (устар.) не присоветовала бы незамедлительных и верных мук ради неведомого блага в будущем
54
All his sanguine expectations, all his confidence had been justified. – (разг.) Все его пылкие расчеты и смелые ожидания оправдались.
55
the natural sequel of an unnatural beginning – (разг.) вполне естественное продолжение при таком неестественном начале
56
by whom no syllable, she believed, would ever be whispered – (устар.) уж они-то и словом не обмолвятся, она твердо в это верила