Кентервильское привидение

           ShewasawonderfulAmazon, andhadonceracedoldLordBiltononherponytwiceroundthepark, winningbyalengthandahalf,justinfrontoftheAchillesstatue, tothehugedelightoftheyoungDukeofCheshire, whoproposedforheronthespot, andwassentbacktoEtonthatverynightbyhisguardians,infloodsoftears. 

           AfterVirginiacamethetwins, whowereusuallycalled"TheStarandStripes," astheywerealwaysgettingswished. Theyweredelightfulboys, and,withtheexceptionoftheworthyMinister, theonlytruerepublicansofthefamily. 

           AsCantervilleChaseissevenmilesfromAscot,thenearestrailwaystation, Mr.Otishadtelegraphedforawaggonettetomeetthem, andtheystartedontheirdriveinhighspirits. ItwasalovelyJulyevening, andtheairwasdelicatewiththescentofthepinewoods. Nowandthentheyheardawood-pigeonbroodingoveritsownsweetvoice, orsaw,deepintherustlingfern,theburnishedbreastofthepheasant. Littlesquirrelspeeredatthemfromthebeech-treesastheywentby, andtherabbitsscuddedawaythroughthebrushwoodandoverthemossyknolls, withtheirwhitetailsintheair. 

           AstheyenteredtheavenueofCantervilleChase, however,theskybecamesuddenlyovercastwithclouds, acuriousstillnessseemedtoholdtheatmosphere, agreatflightofrookspassedsilentlyovertheirheads, and,beforetheyreachedthehouse, somebigdropsofrainhadfallen. 

           Standingonthestepstoreceivethemwasanoldwoman, neatlydressedinblacksilk,withawhitecapandapron. ThiswasMrs.Umney,thehousekeeper, whomMrs.Otis,atLadyCanterville’searnestrequest, hadconsentedtokeepinherformerposition.