And so then, I suppose, said Mrs Musgrove, in a low voice, as if thinking aloud, so then he went away to the Laconia, and there he met with our poor boy. Charles, my dear (beckoning him to her), do ask Captain Wentworth where it was he first met with your poor brother. I always forgot.
It was at Gibraltar, mother, I know. Dick had been left ill at Gibraltar, with a recommendation from his former captain to Captain Wentworth.
Oh! but, Charles, tell Captain Wentworth, he need not be afraid of mentioning poor Dick before me, for it would be rather a pleasure to hear him talked of by such a good friend.
Charles, being somewhat more mindful of the probabilities of the case[122], only nodded in reply, and walked away.
The girls were now hunting for the Laconia; and Captain Wentworth could not deny himself the pleasure of taking the precious volume into his own hands to save them the trouble, and once more read aloud the little statement of her name and rate, and present non-commissioned class, observing over it that she too had been one of the best friends man ever had.
Ah! those were pleasant days when I had the Laconia! How fast I made money in her. A friend of mine and I had such a lovely cruise together off the Western Islands. Poor Harville, sister! You know how much he wanted money: worse than myself. He had a wife. Excellent fellow. I shall never forget his happiness. He felt it all, so much for her sake. I wished for him again the next summer, when I had still the same luck in the Mediterranean.
And I am sure, Sir, said Mrs Musgrove, it was a lucky day for us, when you were put captain into that ship. We shall never forget what you did.
Her feelings made her speak low; and Captain Wentworth, hearing only in part, and probably not having Dick Musgrove at all near his thoughts, looked rather in suspense, and as if waiting for more.
My brother, whispered one of the girls; mamma is thinking of poor Richard.
Poor dear fellow! continued Mrs Musgrove; he was grown so steady, and such an excellent correspondent, while he was under your care[123]! Ah! it would have been a happy thing, if he had never left you. I assure you, Captain Wentworth, we are very sorry he ever left you.
There was a momentary expression in Captain Wentworths face at this speech, a certain glance of his bright eye, and curl of his handsome mouth, which convinced Anne, that instead of sharing in Mrs Musgroves kind wishes, as to her son, he had probably been at some pains to get rid of him; but it was too transient an indulgence of self-amusement to be detected by any who understood him less than herself; in another moment he was perfectly collected and serious, and almost instantly afterwards coming up to the sofa, on which she and Mrs Musgrove were sitting, took a place by the latter, and entered into conversation with her, in a low voice, about her son, doing it with so much sympathy and natural grace, as shewed the kindest consideration for all that was real and unabsurd in the parents feelings.
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 Annes 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 ones efforts, and all ones 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?
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. отEsquire, эсквайр (устар.) писалось вместо мистер в официальных документах
5
Charles II Карл II (16301685), 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 crows foot (разг.) мелкие морщинки вокруг глаз
10
shewn (устар.) shown
11
Tattersalls 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