Возвращение Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Abbey Grange
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“Ishallbegladwhenyoucanarrangematters.Itishorribletometothinkofhimstilllyingthere.”Sheshudderedandburiedherfaceinherhands.Asshedidso,theloosegownfellbackfromherforearms.Holmesutteredanexclamation.
“Youhaveotherinjuries,madam!Whatisthis?”Twovividredspotsstoodoutononeofthewhite,roundlimbs.Shehastilycoveredit.
“Itisnothing.Ithasnoconnectionwiththishideousbusinessto-night.Ifyouandyourfriendwillsitdown,IwilltellyouallIcan.
“IamthewifeofSirEustaceBrackenstall.Ihavebeenmarriedaboutayear.Isupposethatitisnousemyattemptingtoconcealthatourmarriagehasnotbeenahappyone.Ifearthatallourneighbourswouldtellyouthat,evenifIweretoattempttodenyit.Perhapsthefaultmaybepartlymine.Iwasbroughtupinthefreer,lessconventionalatmosphereofSouthAustralia,andthisEnglishlife,withitsproprietiesanditsprimness,isnotcongenialtome.Butthemainreasonliesintheonefact,whichisnotorioustoeveryone,andthatisthatSirEustacewasaconfirmeddrunkard.Tobewithsuchamanforanhourisunpleasant.Canyouimaginewhatitmeansforasensitiveandhigh-spiritedwomantobetiedtohimfordayandnight?Itisasacrilege,acrime,avillainytoholdthatsuchamarriageisbinding.Isaythatthesemonstrouslawsofyourswillbringacurseupontheland—Godwillnotletsuchwickednessendure.”Foraninstantshesatup,hercheeksflushed,andhereyesblazingfromundertheterriblemarkuponherbrow.
