Кентервільський привид
Chapter 1
ShewasawonderfulAmazon, andhadonceracedoldLordBiltononherponytwiceroundthepark, winningbyalengthandahalf,justinfrontoftheAchillesstatue, tothehugedelightoftheyoungDukeofCheshire, whoproposedforheronthespot, andwassentbacktoEtonthatverynightbyhisguardians,infloodsoftears.
AfterVirginiacamethetwins, whowereusuallycalled"TheStarandStripes," astheywerealwaysgettingswished. Theyweredelightfulboys, and,withtheexceptionoftheworthyMinister, theonlytruerepublicansofthefamily.
AsCantervilleChaseissevenmilesfromAscot,thenearestrailwaystation, Mr.Otishadtelegraphedforawaggonettetomeetthem, andtheystartedontheirdriveinhighspirits. ItwasalovelyJulyevening, andtheairwasdelicatewiththescentofthepinewoods. Nowandthentheyheardawood-pigeonbroodingoveritsownsweetvoice, orsaw,deepintherustlingfern,theburnishedbreastofthepheasant. Littlesquirrelspeeredatthemfromthebeech-treesastheywentby, andtherabbitsscuddedawaythroughthebrushwoodandoverthemossyknolls, withtheirwhitetailsintheair.
AstheyenteredtheavenueofCantervilleChase, however,theskybecamesuddenlyovercastwithclouds, acuriousstillnessseemedtoholdtheatmosphere, agreatflightofrookspassedsilentlyovertheirheads, and,beforetheyreachedthehouse, somebigdropsofrainhadfallen.
Standingonthestepstoreceivethemwasanoldwoman, neatlydressedinblacksilk,withawhitecapandapron. ThiswasMrs.Umney,thehousekeeper, whomMrs.Otis,atLadyCanterville’searnestrequest, hadconsentedtokeepinherformerposition.
