Мхи старої садиби

           "

           "AndsohasaTurk,"answeredhiscompanion."But,inmyjudgment,thisstrangerhathbeenbredattheFrenchcourt,andhaththerelearnedpolitenessandgraceofmanner,whichnoneunderstandsowellasthenobilityofFrance.Thatgait,now!Avulgarspectatormightdeemitstiff—hemightcallitahitchandjerk—but,tomyeye,ithathanunspeakablemajesty,andmusthavebeenacquiredbyconstantobservationofthedeportmentoftheGrandMonarque.Thestranger’scharacterandofficeareevidentenough.HeisaFrenchambassador,cometotreatwithourrulersaboutthecessionofCanada."

           "MoreprobablyaSpaniard,"saidanother,"andhencehisyellowcomplexion;or,mostlikely,heisfromtheHavana,orfromsomeportontheSpanishmain,andcomestomakeinvestigationaboutthepiracieswhichourgovernmentisthoughttoconniveat.ThosesettlersinPeruandMexicohaveskinsasyellowasthegoldwhichtheydigoutoftheirmines."

           "Yellowornot,"criedalady,"heisabeautifulman!—sotall,soslender!suchafine,nobleface,withsowell-shapedanose,andallthatdelicacyofexpressionaboutthemouth!And,blessme,howbrighthisstaris!Itpositivelyshootsoutflames!"

           "Sodoyoureyes,fairlady,"saidthestranger,withabowandaflourishofhispipe;forhewasjustpassingattheinstant."Uponmyhonor,theyhavequitedazzledme."

           "Waseversooriginalandexquisiteacompliment?"murmuredthelady,inanecstasyofdelight.

           Amidthegeneraladmirationexcitedbythestranger’sappearance,therewereonlytwodissentingvoices.