Поворот гвинта
The Turn of the Screw
Thispersonproved,onherpresentingherself,forjudgment,atahouseinHarleyStreet,thatimpressedherasvastandimposing—thisprospectivepatronprovedagentleman,abachelorintheprimeoflife,suchafigureashadneverrisen,saveinadreamoranoldnovel,beforeafluttered,anxiousgirloutofaHampshirevicarage.Onecouldeasilyfixhistype;itnever,happily,diesout.Hewashandsomeandboldandpleasant,off-handandgayandkind.Hestruckher,inevitably,asgallantandsplendid,butwhattookhermostofallandgaveherthecouragesheafterwardshowedwasthatheputthewholethingtoherasakindoffavor,anobligationheshouldgratefullyincur.Sheconceivedhimasrich,butasfearfullyextravagant—sawhimallinaglowofhighfashion,ofgoodlooks,ofexpensivehabits,ofcharmingwayswithwomen.Hehadforhisowntownresidenceabighousefilledwiththespoilsoftravelandthetrophiesofthechase;butitwastohiscountryhome,anoldfamilyplaceinEssex,thathewishedherimmediatelytoproceed.
Hehadbeenleft,bythedeathoftheirparentsinIndia,guardiantoasmallnephewandasmallniece,childrenofayounger,amilitarybrother,whomhehadlosttwoyearsbefore.Thesechildrenwere,bythestrangestofchancesforamaninhisposition—alonemanwithouttherightsortofexperienceoragrainofpatience—veryheavilyonhishands.
