Приключения Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Noble Bachelor
Thenoblemanswunghisglassesalittlefasterandstareddownintothefire. "Yousee,Mr.Holmes,"saidhe,"mywifewastwentybeforeherfatherbecamearichman. Duringthattimesheranfreeinaminingcampandwanderedthroughwoodsormountains,sothathereducationhascomefromNatureratherthanfromtheschoolmaster. SheiswhatwecallinEnglandatomboy,withastrongnature,wildandfree,unfetteredbyanysortoftraditions. Sheisimpetuous—volcanic,Iwasabouttosay. Sheisswiftinmakinguphermindandfearlessincarryingoutherresolutions. Ontheotherhand,IwouldnothavegivenherthenamewhichIhavethehonourtobear"—hegavealittlestatelycough—"hadnotIthoughthertobeatbottomanoblewoman. Ibelievethatsheiscapableofheroicself-sacrificeandthatanythingdishonourablewouldberepugnanttoher."
"Haveyouherphotograph?"
"Ibroughtthiswithme." Heopenedalocketandshowedusthefullfaceofaverylovelywoman. Itwasnotaphotographbutanivoryminiature,andtheartisthadbroughtoutthefulleffectofthelustrousblackhair,thelargedarkeyes,andtheexquisitemouth. Holmesgazedlongandearnestlyatit. ThenheclosedthelocketandhandeditbacktoLordSt.Simon.
"TheyoungladycametoLondon,then,andyourenewedyouracquaintance?"
"Yes,herfatherbroughtheroverforthislastLondonseason.Imetherseveraltimes,becameengagedtoher,andhavenowmarriedher."
"Shebrought,Iunderstand,aconsiderabledowry?"
"Afairdowry.Notmorethanisusualinmyfamily."
"Andthis,ofcourse,remainstoyou,sincethemarriageisafaitaccompli?"
