Мхи старой усадьбы

           Hemanagedhisgold-headedcanewithanairygrace,peculiartothefinegentlemenoftheperiod;and,togivethehighestpossiblefinishtohisequipment,hehadlacerufflesathiswrist,ofamostetherealdelicacy,sufficientlyavouchinghowidleandaristocraticmustbethehandswhichtheyhalfconcealed.

           Itwasaremarkablepointintheaccoutrementofthisbrilliantpersonagethatheheldinhislefthandafantastickindofapipe,withanexquisitelypaintedbowlandanambermouthpiece.Thisheappliedtohislipsasoftenaseveryfiveorsixpaces,andinhaledadeepwhiffofsmoke,which,afterbeingretainedamomentinhislungs,mightbeseentoeddygracefullyfromhismouthandnostrils.

           Asmaywellbesupposed,thestreetwasallastirtofindoutthestranger’sname.

           "Itissomegreatnobleman,beyondquestion,"saidoneofthetownspeople."Doyouseethestarathisbreast?"

           "Nay;itistoobrighttobeseen,"saidanother."Yes;hemustneedsbeanobleman,asyousay.Butbywhatconveyance,thinkyou,canhislordshiphavevoyagedortravelledhither?Therehasbeennovesselfromtheoldcountryforamonthpast;andifhehavearrivedoverlandfromthesouthward,praywherearehisattendantsandequipage?"

           "Heneedsnoequipagetosetoffhisrank,"remarkedathird."Ifhecameamongusinrags,nobilitywouldshinethroughaholeinhiselbow.Ineversawsuchdignityofaspect.HehastheoldNormanbloodinhisveins,Iwarranthim."

           "IrathertakehimtobeaDutchman,oroneofyourhighGermans,"saidanothercitizen."Themenofthosecountrieshavealwaysthepipeattheirmouths.