Пригоди Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Noble Bachelor
ThenheofferedtogiveusachanceoftalkingtoLordSt.Simonalone,andsowecamerightawayroundtohisroomsatonce. Now,Robert,youhavehearditall,andIamverysorryifIhavegivenyoupain,andIhopethatyoudonotthinkverymeanlyofme."
LordSt.Simonhadbynomeansrelaxedhisrigidattitude,buthadlistenedwithafrowningbrowandacompressedliptothislongnarrative.
"Excuseme,"hesaid,"butitisnotmycustomtodiscussmymostintimatepersonalaffairsinthispublicmanner."
"Thenyouwon’tforgiveme?Youwon’tshakehandsbeforeIgo?"
"Oh,certainly,ifitwouldgiveyouanypleasure." Heputouthishandandcoldlygraspedthatwhichsheextendedtohim.
"Ihadhoped,"suggestedHolmes,"thatyouwouldhavejoinedusinafriendlysupper."
"Ithinkthatthereyouaskalittletoomuch,"respondedhisLordship. "Imaybeforcedtoacquiesceintheserecentdevelopments,butIcanhardlybeexpectedtomakemerryoverthem. IthinkthatwithyourpermissionIwillnowwishyouallaverygood-night." Heincludedusallinasweepingbowandstalkedoutoftheroom.
"ThenItrustthatyouatleastwillhonourmewithyourcompany,"saidSherlockHolmes. "ItisalwaysajoytomeetanAmerican,Mr.Moulton,forIamoneofthosewhobelievethatthefollyofamonarchandtheblunderingofaministerinfar-goneyearswillnotpreventourchildrenfrombeingsomedaycitizensofthesameworld-widecountryunderaflagwhichshallbeaquarteringoftheUnionJackwiththeStarsandStripes."
