Мхи старой усадьбы

           Hurryingfromherchambertotheparlor,shehadeversincebeenviewingherselfinthelargelooking-glassandpractisingprettyairs-nowasmile,nowaceremoniousdignityofaspect,andnowasoftersmilethantheformer,kissingherhandlikewise,tossingherhead,andmanagingherfan;whilewithinthemirroranunsubstantiallittlemaidrepeatedeverygestureanddidallthefoolishthingsthatPollydid,butwithoutmakingherashamedofthem.Inshort,itwasthefaultofprettyPolly’sabilityratherthanherwillifshefailedtobeascompleteanartificeastheillustriousFeathertophimself;and,whenshethustamperedwithherownsimplicity,thewitch’sphantommightwellhopetowinher.

           NosoonerdidPollyhearherfather’sgoutyfootstepsapproachingtheparlordoor,accompaniedwiththestiffclatterofFeathertop’shigh-heeledshoes,thansheseatedherselfboltuprightandinnocentlybeganwarblingasong.

           "Polly!daughterPolly!"criedtheoldmerchant."Comehither,child."

           MasterGookin’saspect,asheopenedthedoor,wasdoubtfulandtroubled.

           "Thisgentleman,"continuedhe,presentingthestranger,"istheChevalierFeathertop,—nay,Ibeghispardon,myLordFeathertop,—whohathbroughtmeatokenofremembrancefromanancientfriendofmine.Payyourdutytohislordship,child,andhonorhimashisqualitydeserves."

           Afterthesefewwordsofintroduction,theworshipfulmagistrateimmediatelyquittedtheroom.