Приключения Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Noble Bachelor
OnebyonethemanagementofthenoblehousesofGreatBritainispassingintothehandsofourfaircousinsfromacrosstheAtlantic. Animportantadditionhasbeenmadeduringthelastweektothelistoftheprizeswhichhavebeenborneawaybythesecharminginvaders. LordSt.Simon,whohasshownhimselfforovertwentyyearsproofagainstthelittlegod’sarrows,hasnowdefinitelyannouncedhisapproachingmarriagewithMissHattyDoran,thefascinatingdaughterofaCaliforniamillionaire. MissDoran,whosegracefulfigureandstrikingfaceattractedmuchattentionattheWestburyHousefestivities,isanonlychild,anditiscurrentlyreportedthatherdowrywillruntoconsiderablyoverthesixfigures,withexpectanciesforthefuture. AsitisanopensecretthattheDukeofBalmoralhasbeencompelledtosellhispictureswithinthelastfewyears,andasLordSt.SimonhasnopropertyofhisownsavethesmallestateofBirchmoor,itisobviousthattheCalifornianheiressisnottheonlygainerbyanalliancewhichwillenablehertomaketheeasyandcommontransitionfromaRepublicanladytoaBritishpeeress."
"Anythingelse?"askedHolmes,yawning.
"Oh,yes;plenty. ThenthereisanothernoteintheMorningPosttosaythatthemarriagewouldbeanabsolutelyquietone,thatitwouldbeatSt.George’s,HanoverSquare,thatonlyhalfadozenintimatefriendswouldbeinvited,andthatthepartywouldreturntothefurnishedhouseatLancasterGatewhichhasbeentakenbyMr.AloysiusDoran. Twodayslater—thatis,onWednesdaylast—thereisacurtannouncementthattheweddinghadtakenplace,andthatthehoneymoonwouldbepassedatLordBackwater’splace,nearPetersfield. Thoseareallthenoticeswhichappearedbeforethedisappearanceofthebride."
"Beforethewhat?"askedHolmeswithastart.
