Міжнародний епізод

           Beaumont,”shehadsaid,“pleasetellmesomethingaboutLordLambeth’sfamily.HowwouldyousayitinEngland—hisposition?”“Hisposition?”PercyBeaumontrepeated.“Hisrank,orwhateveryoucallit.Unfortunatelywehaven’tgotapeerage,likethepeopleinThackeray.”“That’sagreatpity,”saidBeaumont.“YouwouldfinditallsetforththeresomuchbetterthanIcandoit.”“Heisapeer,then?”“Oh,yes,heisapeer.”“AndhasheanyothertitlethanLordLambeth?”“HistitleistheMarquisofLambeth,”saidBeaumont;andthenhewassilent.BessieAldenappearedtobelookingathimwithinterest.“HeisthesonoftheDukeofBayswater,”headdedpresently.“Theeldestson?”“Theonlyson.”“Andarehisparentsliving?”“Ohyes;ifhisfatherwerenotlivinghewouldbeaduke.”“Sothatwhenhisfatherdies,”pursuedBessieAldenwithmoresimplicitythanmighthavebeenexpectedinaclevergirl,“hewillbecomeDukeofBayswater?”“Ofcourse,”saidPercyBeaumont.“Buthisfatherisinexcellenthealth.”“Andhismother?”Beaumontsmiledalittle.“Theduchessisuncommonlyrobust.”“Andhasheanysisters?”“Yes,therearetwo.”“Andwhataretheycalled?”“Oneofthemismarried.SheistheCountessofPimlico.”“Andtheother?”“Theotherisunmarried;sheisplainLadyJulia.”BessieAldenlookedathimamoment.“Issheveryplain?”Beaumontbegantolaughagain.