Мхи старой усадьбы
Mrs. Bullfrog
BullfrogandIcametogetherasaunit,wetooktwoseatsinthestage-coachandbeganourjourneytowardsmyplaceofbusiness.Therebeingnootherpassengers,wewereasmuchaloneandasfreetogiveventtoourrapturesasifIhadhiredahackforthematrimonialjaunt.Mybridelookedcharminglyinagreensilkcalashandridinghabitofpelissecloth;andwheneverherredlipspartedwithasmile,eachtoothappearedlikeaninestimablepearl.Suchwasmypassionatewarmththat—wehadrattledoutofthevillage,gentlereader,andwerelonelyasAdamandEveinparadise—Ipleadguiltytonolessfreedomthanakiss.ThegentleeyeofMrs.Bullfrogscarcelyrebukedmefortheprofanation.Emboldenedbyherindulgence,Ithrewbackthecalashfromherpolishedbrow,andsufferedmyfingers,whiteanddelicateasherown,tostrayamongthosedarkandglossycurlswhichrealizedmydaydreamsofrichhair.
"Mylove,"saidMrs.Bullfrogtenderly,"youwilldisarrangemycurls."
"Oh,no,mysweetLaura!"repliedI,stillplayingwiththeglossyringlet."Evenyourfairhandcouldnotmanageacurlmoredelicatelythanmine.Iproposemyselfthepleasureofdoingupyourhairinpaperseveryeveningatthesametimewithmyown."
"Mr.Bullfrog,"repeatedshe,"youmustnotdisarrangemycurls."
ThiswasspokeninamoredecidedtonethanIhadhappenedtohear,untilthen,frommygentlestofallgentlebrides.Atthesametimesheputupherhandandtookmineprisoner;butmerelydrewitawayfromtheforbiddenringlet,andthenimmediatelyreleasedit.
