20000 лье под водой

           Athalf-pastsixNedLandcametomyroom,saying,"Weshallnotseeeachotheragainbeforeourdeparture.Attenthemoonwillnotberisen.Wewillprofitbythedarkness.Cometotheboat;ConseilandIwillwaitforyou."

           TheCanadianwentoutwithoutgivingmetimetoanswer.WishingtoverifythecourseoftheNautilus,Iwenttothesaloon.WewererunningN.N.E.atfrightfulspeed,andmorethanfiftyyardsdeep.Icastalastlookonthesewondersofnature,ontherichesofartheapedupinthismuseum,upontheunrivalledcollectiondestinedtoperishatthebottomofthesea,withhimwhohadformedit.Iwishedtofixanindelibleimpressionofitinmymind.Iremainedanhourthus,bathedinthelightofthatluminousceiling,andpassinginreviewthosetreasuresshiningundertheirglasses.ThenIreturnedtomyroom.

           Idressedmyselfinstrongseaclothing.Icollectedmynotes,placingthemcarefullyaboutme.Myheartbeatloudly.Icouldnotcheckitspulsations.CertainlymytroubleandagitationwouldhavebetrayedmetoCaptainNemo’seyes.Whatwashedoingatthismoment?Ilistenedatthedoorofhisroom.Iheardsteps.CaptainNemowasthere.Hehadnotgonetorest.AteverymomentIexpectedtoseehimappear,andaskmewhyIwishedtofly.Iwasconstantlyonthealert.Myimaginationmagnifiedeverything.TheimpressionbecameatlastsopoignantthatIaskedmyselfifitwouldnotbebettertogototheCaptain’sroom,seehimfacetoface,andbravehimwithlookandgesture.

           Itwastheinspirationofamadman;fortunatelyIresistedthedesire,andstretchedmyselfonmybedtoquietmybodilyagitation.Mynervesweresomewhatcalmer,butinmyexcitedbrainIsawoveragainallmyexistenceonboardtheNautilus;