Черный тюльпан

The Two Brothers

           

           “Whatblockheadstheyare!”

           “But,indeed,theyreproachuswithit.”

           “Andyet,ifthesenegotiationshadbeensuccessful,theywouldhavepreventedthedefeatsofRees,Orsay,Wesel,andRheinberg;theRhinewouldnothavebeencrossed,andHollandmightstillconsiderherselfinvincibleinthemidstofhermarshesandcanals.”

           “Allthisisquitetrue,mydearCornelius,butstillmorecertainitis,thatifatthismomentourcorrespondencewiththeMarquisdeLouvoiswerediscovered,skilfulpilotasIam,IshouldnotbeabletosavethefrailbarquewhichistocarrythebrothersDeWittandtheirfortunesoutofHolland.Thatcorrespondence,whichmightprovetohonestpeoplehowdearlyIlovemycountry,andwhatsacrificesIhaveofferedtomakeforitslibertyandglory,wouldberuintousifitfellintothehandsoftheOrangeparty.IhopeyouhaveburnedthelettersbeforeyouleftDorttojoinmeattheHague.”

           “Mydearbrother,”Corneliusanswered,“yourcorrespondencewithM.deLouvoisaffordsampleproofofyourhavingbeenoflatethegreatest,mostgenerous,andmostablecitizenoftheSevenUnitedProvinces.Irejoiceinthegloryofmycountry;andparticularlydoIrejoiceinyourglory,John.Ihavetakengoodcarenottoburnthatcorrespondence.”

           “Thenwearelost,asfarasthislifeisconcerned,”quietlysaidtheGrandPensionary,approachingthewindow.

           “No,onthecontrary,John,weshallatthesametimesaveourlivesandregainourpopularity.

Настройки
Фон страницы
Размер шрифта
Межстрочный интервал
Фразовые глаголы
Показать / Скрыть меню
Шрифт
Roboto Lora
Уведомления
Страница 20 из 284