Приключения Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Noble Bachelor
"Iwillmakenoallowance.Iamveryangryindeed,andIhavebeenshamefullyused."
"IthinkthatIheardaring,"saidHolmes. "Yes,therearestepsonthelanding. IfIcannotpersuadeyoutotakealenientviewofthematter,LordSt.Simon,Ihavebroughtanadvocateherewhomaybemoresuccessful." Heopenedthedoorandusheredinaladyandgentleman. "LordSt.Simon,"saidhe"allowmetointroduceyoutoMr.andMrs.FrancisHayMoulton. Thelady,Ithink,youhavealreadymet."
Atthesightofthesenewcomersourclienthadsprungfromhisseatandstoodveryerect,withhiseyescastdownandhishandthrustintothebreastofhisfrock-coat,apictureofoffendeddignity. Theladyhadtakenaquickstepforwardandhadheldoutherhandtohim,buthestillrefusedtoraisehiseyes. Itwasaswellforhisresolution,perhaps,forherpleadingfacewasonewhichitwashardtoresist.
"You’reangry,Robert,"saidshe. "Well,Iguessyouhaveeverycausetobe."
"Praymakenoapologytome,"saidLordSt.Simonbitterly.
"Oh,yes,IknowthatIhavetreatedyourealbadandthatIshouldhavespokentoyoubeforeIwent;butIwaskindofrattled,andfromthetimewhenIsawFrankhereagainIjustdidn’tknowwhatIwasdoingorsaying. IonlywonderIdidn’tfalldownanddoafaintrighttherebeforethealtar."
"Perhaps,Mrs.Moulton,youwouldlikemyfriendandmetoleavetheroomwhileyouexplainthismatter?"
"IfImaygiveanopinion,"remarkedthestrangegentleman,"we’vehadjustalittletoomuchsecrecyoverthisbusinessalready. Formypart,IshouldlikeallEuropeandAmericatoheartherightsofit."