Читать «Лучшие романы Томаса Майна Рида / The Best of Thomas Mayne Reid» онлайн - страница 729
Н. А. Самуэльян
Herbert appeared to have forgotten his purpose. Not a word was said about Cubina or the site of his dwelling. Not a word of the Happy Valley, or the unpleasant recollections it was calculated to call up. All the past appeared to be forgotten, except that one sweet scene; and on this were concentrated the thoughts of both – their words as well.
“And you loved me then?” inquired he, only to enjoy the luxury of an affirmative answer. “You loved me then?”
“Oh, Herbert! how could I help loving you? Your eyes were so beautiful then!”
“What! Are they not so now?”
“How cruel to ask the question! Ah! far more beautiful now! Then I beheld them only with anticipation; now I look into them with the consciousness of possession. That moment was pleasure – this is ecstasy!”
The last word was perfectly appropriate – not a shade too strong to express the mutual feeling that existed between Herbert Vaughan and his cousin-wife. As their rounded arms became entwined, and their young bosoms pressed fondly together, both believed that even in this unhappy world ecstasy may exist.
Примечания
1
Texas – a state in the South West of the USA (678,358 square kilometres); till 1836 Texas belonged to Mexico; after the independence from Mexico had been declared, the territory was included in the USA and became a state in 1845
2
savannah – a plain with grass and no trees
3
prairie – a level treeless land covered with grass
4
the Leona – the river in Texas, USA
5
serape – a bright, coloured Mexican shawl or plaid
6
cicada – a flying insect which produces a shrill sound in hot, dry weather
7
nimbus – a light or golden circle round the saint’s head; a rain cloud
8
azure – (
9
centaurean – from
10
San Antonio de Bejar – the city in south-central Texas; it was founded by the Spanish expedition from Mexico in 1718
11
Osnaburgh – a linen cloth of a certain trademark
12
Pittsburgh – the city in Pennsylvania on the Monongahela River; the first settlement was founded in 1758
13
Kentucky – the state in the south of the United States (104,664 square kilometres); it was admitted as the 15th state in 1792
14
Jehu – the King of Israel (842–815 BC) who was a great chariot driver
15
Indianola – the city in central Iowa founded in 1849; there used to be a town of the same name in Texas
16
the Gulf of Matagorda – the Bay of Matagorda, an inlet of the Gulf of Mexico in southern Texas
17
en route – on the way to/from (
18
cortège – a procession (
19
nankin – a kind of rich cloth
20
A Leghorn hat is a hat made of straw imported from Livorno, a town in Italy
21
A Panama hat is a light hat made of plaited palm leaves; the name comes from
22
entourage – people accompanying a respected or high-ranking person
23
carriole – a light, covered carriage drawn by one horse
24
a Jersey wagon – a light two-wheeled carriage
