Введение 9 страница. They had both got to their feet, and at this remark Kismine came close and put her arm through his

They had both got to their feet, and at this remark Kismine came close and put her arm through his.

"I'm going, too."

"You must be crazy — —"

"Of course I'm going," she interrupted impatiently.

"You most certainly are not. You — —"

"Very well," she said quietly, "we'll catch up with father now and talk it over with him."

Defeated, John mustered a sickly smile.

"Very well, dearest," he agreed, with pale and unconvincing affection, "we'll go together."

His love for her returned and settled placidly on his heart (его любовь вернулась и безмятежно поселилась в его сердце). She was his — she would go with him to share his dangers (она = Кисмин принадлежала ему — она пойдет с ним, чтобы разделить /с ним/ опасности). He put his arms about her and kissed her fervently (он обнял ее: «положил = обвил вокруг нее руки» и пылко поцеловал). After all she loved him; she had saved him, in fact (в конце концов, она его любит; она, в сущности, спасла его).

Discussing the matter (обсуждая план действий; matter — материал, вещество; тема, вопрос, предмет /обсуждения/; дело, ситуация), they walked slowly back toward the château (они медленно пошли обратно к замку). They decided that since Braddock Washington had seen them together (они решили, что поскольку Брэддок Вашингтон видел их вместе) they had best depart the next night (лучше всего уйти /уже/ следующей ночью). Nevertheless, John's lips were unusually dry at dinner (и все-таки губы Джона были как никогда сухими = то и дело пересыхали во время обеда; usual — обыкновенный, обычный), and he nervously emptied a great spoonful of peacock soup into his left lung (и он от волнения влил себе не в то горло: «в левое легкое» целую большую ложку павлиньего супа; empty — пустой; to empty — опорожнять, выливать, высыпать; spoonful — полная ложка). He had to be carried into the turquoise and sable card-room (пришлось унести его в бирюзовую и соболью = отделанную бирюзой и собольим мехом карточную комнату: «должен был быть унесенным в…») and pounded on the back by one of the under-butlers (и один из младших дворецких поколотил его по спине: «и побитым по спине одним…»), which Percy considered a great joke (что Перси счел прекрасным поводом для смеха; joke — шутка; острота; смешной случай).

placidly ['plxsIdlI], turquoise ['tWkwRz, -kwOIz], pound [paVnd]

His love for her returned and settled placidly on his heart. She was his — she would go with him to share his dangers. He put his arms about her and kissed her fervently. After all she loved him; she had saved him, in fact.

Discussing the matter, they walked slowly back toward the château. They decided that since Braddock Washington had seen them together they had best depart the next night. Nevertheless, John's lips were unusually dry at dinner, and he nervously emptied a great spoonful of peacock soup into his left lung. He had to be carried into the turquoise and sable card-room and pounded on the back by one of the under-butlers, which Percy considered a great joke.

IX

Long after midnight John's body gave a nervous jerk (далеко за полночь Джон нервно вздрогнул во сне: «тело Джона нервно дернулось»; jerk — резкое движение, рывок), and he sat suddenly upright (тут же сел /на постели/; upright — вертикально, прямо), staring into the veils of somnolence that draped the room (вглядываясь в завесы сна, окутывавшие спальню; to drape — собирать в складки; драпировать, изящно набрасывать; somnolence — сонливость; дремота, сонное состояние). Through the squares of blue darkness that were his open windows (сквозь квадраты синей тьмы, которые были раскрытыми окнами), he had heard a faint far-away sound (он услыхал далекий слабый звук) that died upon a bed of wind (который умер на постели/одре из ветра) before identifying itself on his memory (прежде чем = не успев представиться его памяти), clouded with uneasy dreams (затуманенной беспокойными грезами/снами; clouded — покрытый тучами). But the sharp noise that had succeeded it was nearer (но резкий шум, последовавший за ним, был ближе), was just outside the room (тут же за пределами комнаты) — the click of a turned knob, a footstep, a whisper (щелчок /ли/ повернутой ручки, шаги, шепот), he could not tell (он не мог сказать); a hard lump gathered in the pit of his stomach (твердый ком собрался = образовался в яме = на дне его желудка), and his whole body ached in the moment (и все его тело заболело = заныло за то мгновение) that he strained agonizingly to hear (когда он мучительно напрягся, чтобы расслышать). Then one of the veils seemed to dissolve (потом одна из завес/драпировок как будто растворилась), and he saw a vague figure standing by the door (и он увидел неясную фигуру, стоящую у двери), a figure only faintly limned and blocked in upon the darkness (фигуру, лишь слегка обрисованную, едва намеченную на фоне черноты; to limn — писать /картину, портрет/; to block in — набрасывать /план, рисунок/ вчерне, без деталей), mingled so with the folds of the drapery (настолько сливавшуюся со складками драпировок; to mingle — смешивать/ся/) as to seem distorted, like a reflection seen in a dirty pane of glass (что она казалась искаженной, как отражение, увиденное на грязном оконном стекле).

veil [veIl], agonizing ['xgqnaIzIN], limn [lIm]

Long after midnight John's body gave a nervous jerk, and he sat suddenly upright, staring into the veils of somnolence that draped the room. Through the squares of blue darkness that were his open windows, he had heard a faint far-away sound that died upon a bed of wind before identifying itself on his memory, clouded with uneasy dreams. But the sharp noise that had succeeded it was nearer, was just outside the room — the click of a turned knob, a footstep, a whisper, he could not tell; a hard lump gathered in the pit of his stomach, and his whole body ached in the moment that he strained agonizingly to hear. Then one of the veils seemed to dissolve, and he saw a vague figure standing by the door, a figure only faintly limned and blocked in upon the darkness, mingled so with the folds of the drapery as to seem distorted, like a reflection seen in a dirty pane of glass.

With a sudden movement of fright or resolution (внезапным = быстрым движением, вызванным то ли страхом, то ли решимостью) John pressed the button by his bedside (нажал кнопку у края кровати), and the next moment he was sitting in the green sunken bath of the adjoining room (и в следующий миг /уже/ сидел в опущенной = вделанной в пол зеленой ванне в прилегающей = соседней комнате), waked into alertness by the shock of the cold water which half filled it (окончательно пробудившись от неожиданного контакта с холодной водой, которая наполовину заполняла ее; alertness — бдительность; осторожность; живость, проворство, резвость).

He sprang out, and, his wet pajamas scattering a heavy trickle of water behind him (он выскочил из ванны и, /в то время как/ его мокрая пижама разбрасывала позади него тяжелые струи воды), ran for the aquamarine door which he knew led out into the ivory landing of the second floor (побежал к аквамариновой двери, которая, как он знал, вела на отделанную слоновой костью лестничную площадку второго этажа; to lead out — вести наружу, выводить). The door opened noiselessly (дверь бесшумно отворилась; noise — шум). A single crimson lamp burning in a great dome above (единственная темно-красная лампа, горевшая вверху под большим куполом) lit the magnificent sweep of the carved stairways with a poignant beauty (освещала великолепный размах/простор резных лестничных пролетов, придавая им пронзительную красоту). For a moment John hesitated (задержался), appalled by the silent splendor massed about him (потрясенный безмолвной роскошью, обступавшей его), seeming to envelop in its gigantic folds and contours the solitary drenched little figure (которая, казалось, окутывала своими гигантскими изгибами и контурами одинокую мокрую фигурку; to drench — промокать насквозь) shivering upon the ivory landing (дрожавшую /от холода/ на площадке из слоновой кости).

aquamarine ["xkwqmq'rJn], appalled [q'pLld], contour ['kOntVq]

With a sudden movement of fright or resolution John pressed the button by his bedside, and the next moment he was sitting in the green sunken bath of the adjoining room, waked into alertness by the shock of the cold water which half filled it.

He sprang out, and, his wet pajamas scattering a heavy trickle of water behind him, ran for the aquamarine door which he knew led out into the ivory landing of the second floor. The door opened noiselessly. A single crimson lamp burning in a great dome above lit the magnificent sweep of the carved stairways with a poignant beauty. For a moment John hesitated, appalled by the silent splendor massed about him, seeming to envelop in its gigantic folds and contours the solitary drenched little figure shivering upon the ivory landing.

Then simultaneously two things happened (и тут одновременно произошли две вещи). The door of his own sitting-room swung open (дверь его собственной гостиной распахнулась), precipitating three naked negroes into the hall (выбросив в холл/коридор трех голых негров; to precipitate — бросать /с силой, с большой высоты/; низвергать) — and, as John swayed in wild terror toward the stairway (а когда Джон в диком ужасе метнулся к ступеням), another door slid back in the wall on the other side of the corridor (в противоположной стене отъехала еще одна дверь), and John saw Braddock Washington standing in the lighted lift (увидел Брэддока Вашингтона, стоящего в освещенной кабине лифта), wearing a fur coat and a pair of riding boots which reached to his knees (одетого в меховое пальто/шубу и пару сапог для верховой езды, которые доходили ему до колен) and displayed, above, the glow of his rose-colored pajamas (а выше обнаруживали его пылающую ярко-розовую пижаму; glow — свет /от чего-л. раскаленного/; свечение, сияние, блеск).

On the instant the three negroes (в тот же миг три негра) — John had never seen any of them before (никогда не видел ни одного из них прежде), and it flashed through his mind that they must be the professional executioners (и в мыслях у него пронеслось, что это, должно быть, профессиональные палачи) — paused in their movement toward John (замерли в своем движении к Джону), and turned expectantly to the man in the lift (и выжидающе повернулись к мужчине в лифте), who burst out with an imperious command (который выкрикнул властную команду):

"Get in here (сюда: «забирайтесь/садитесь сюда»)! All three of you! Quick as hell (живо; as hell — "как ад", адски; употребляется для усиления)!"

simultaneously ["sImql'teInIqslI], precipitate [prI'sIpIteIt], imperious [im'pIqrIqs]

Then simultaneously two things happened. The door of his own sitting-room swung open, precipitating three naked negroes into the hall — and, as John swayed in wild terror toward the stairway, another door slid back in the wall on the other side of the corridor, and John saw Braddock Washington standing in the lighted lift, wearing a fur coat and a pair of riding boots which reached to his knees and displayed, above, the glow of his rose-colored pajamas.

On the instant the three negroes — John had never seen any of them before, and it flashed through his mind that they must be the professional executioners — paused in their movement toward John, and turned expectantly to the man in the lift, who burst out with an imperious command:

"Get in here! All three of you! Quick as hell!"

Then, within the instant, the three negroes darted into the cage (в одно мгновение негры стрелой ворвались в кабину; dart — дротик), the oblong of light was blotted out as the lift door slid shut (дверь лифта задвинулась, стерев прямоугольник света: «прямоугольник… был стерт, когда дверь…»; blot — пятно; to blot out — стирать, изглаживать), and John was again alone in the hall (опять был = остался в коридоре один). He slumped weakly down against an ivory stair (он бессильно упал на ступеньку из слоновой кости).

It was apparent that something portentous had occurred (было очевидно, что случилось что-то очень серьезное), something which, for the moment at least, had postponed his own petty disaster (что-то, что по крайней мере на данную минуту, отсрочило его собственную пустячную гибель; disaster — бедствие, несчастье, катастрофа). What was it? Had the negroes risen in revolt (негры подняли бунт)? Had the aviators forced aside the iron bars of the grating (авиаторы раздвинули железные прутья решетки; force — сила; to force — с силой преодолевать сопротивление; aside — в сторону)? Or had the men of Fish stumbled blindly through the hills (или жители /деревни/ Фиш слепо = случайно забрели сюда через холмы) and gazed with bleak, joyless eyes upon the gaudy valley (и пялятся унылыми, безрадостными глазами на диковинную долину; gaudy — блестящий, мишурный, показной; безвкусный, кричащий)? John did not know (Джон не знал).

portentous [pL'tentqs], occur [q'kW], postpone ["pqVst'pqVn], [pq'spqVn]

Then, within the instant, the three negroes darted into the cage, the oblong of light was blotted out as the lift door slid shut, and John was again alone in the hall. He slumped weakly down against an ivory stair.

It was apparent that something portentous had occurred, something which, for the moment at least, had postponed his own petty disaster. What was it? Had the negroes risen in revolt? Had the aviators forced aside the iron bars of the grating? Or had the men of Fish stumbled blindly through the hills and gazed with bleak, joyless eyes upon the gaudy valley? John did not know.

He heard a faint whir of air as the lift whizzed up again (он услышал слабый шум воздуха, когда лифт просвистел снова вверх), and then, a moment later, as it descended (и — минуту спустя, когда он спускался). It was probable that Percy was hurrying to his father's assistance (возможно, это Перси спешил на помощь отцу), and it occurred to John (и Джону вдруг пришло в голову; to occur — происходить, случаться; приходить на ум) that this was his opportunity to join Kismine and plan an immediate escape (что это был удобный случай, для того чтобы присоединиться к = встретиться с Кисмин и решиться на немедленное бегство). He waited until the lift had been silent for several minutes (подождал, пока пройдет несколько минут с того времени, как затих лифт); shivering a little with the night cool that whipped in through his wet pajamas (слегка дрожа от ночной прохлады, проникавшей сквозь мокрую пижаму; to whip — сечь /плетью, хлыстом/, хлестать; whip — плеть, хлыст), he returned to his room and dressed himself quickly (вернулся в свою комнату и быстро оделся). Then he mounted a long flight of stairs (потом он поднялся по длинному лестничному пролету) and turned down the corridor carpeted with Russian sable which led to Kismine's suite (и свернул в устланный соболями коридор, который вел в комнаты Кисмин; suite — комплект, набор; квартира, состоящая из нескольких комнат).

The door of her sitting-room was open and the lamps were lighted (дверь ее гостиной была распахнута, /внутри/ горел свет). Kismine, in an angora kimono, stood near the window of the room in a listening attitude (Кисмин в кимоно из шерсти ангорской козы стояла у окна и к чему-то прислушивалась; attitude — позиция; поза; осанка), and as John entered noiselessly, she turned toward him (когда Джон беззвучно вошел, она обернулась к нему).

assistance [q'sIstqns], suite [swJt], attitude ['xtItjHd]

He heard a faint whir of air as the lift whizzed up again, and then, a moment later, as it descended. It was probable that Percy was hurrying to his father's assistance, and it occurred to John that this was his opportunity to join Kismine and plan an immediate escape. He waited until the lift had been silent for several minutes; shivering a little with the night cool that whipped in through his wet pajamas, he returned to his room and dressed himself quickly. Then he mounted a long flight of stairs and turned down the corridor carpeted with Russian sable which led to Kismine's suite.

The door of her sitting-room was open and the lamps were lighted. Kismine, in an angora kimono, stood near the window of the room in a listening attitude, and as John entered noiselessly, she turned toward him.

"Oh, it's you!" she whispered, crossing the room to him (а, это ты, — прошептала она, идя к нему через комнату). "Did you hear them (ты их слышал)?"

"I heard your father's slaves in my (я слышал рабов твоего отца в моей…) — — "

"No," she interrupted excitedly (возбужденно прервала она его). "Aeroplanes!" "Aeroplanes? Perhaps that was the sound that woke me (возможно, это был тот звук, который разбудил меня; to wake)."

"There're at least a dozen (их по меньшей мере дюжина). I saw one a few moments ago dead against the moon (я только что видела один /аэроплан/ прямо против = на фоне луны). The guard back by the cliff fired his rifle (часовой там около утеса выстрелил из винтовки) and that's what roused father (и это разбудило отца). We're going to open on them right away (мы сейчас откроем по ним /огонь/)."

"Are they here on purpose (они прилетели специально; purpose — намерение, цель; замысел)?"

"Yes — it's that Italian who got away (конечно, это /все/ тот итальянец, который сбежал...) — —"

rifle [raIfl], rouse [raVz], purpose ['pWpqs]

"Oh, it's you!" she whispered, crossing the room to him. "Did you hear them?"

"I heard your father's slaves in my — —"

"No," she interrupted excitedly. "Aeroplanes!" "Aeroplanes? Perhaps that was the sound that woke me."

"There're at least a dozen. I saw one a few moments ago dead against the moon. The guard back by the cliff fired his rifle and that's what roused father. We're going to open on them right away."

"Are they here on purpose?"

"Yes — it's that Italian who got away — —"

Simultaneously with her last word (одновременно с ее последним словом), a succession of sharp cracks tumbled in through the open window (ряд резких /орудийных/ хлопков ввалился = ворвался /в комнату/ через открытое окно). Kismine uttered a little cry (Кисмин вскрикнула: «издала маленький крик»; to utter — издавать звук), took a penny with fumbling fingers from a box on her dresser (выхватила неловкими пальцами монетку из коробочки на туалетном столе; to fumble — нащупывать; теребить /что-л./; возиться, неумело обращаться /с чем-л./), and ran to one of the electric lights (и бросилась к одной из электрических ламп). In an instant the entire château was in darkness (в одно мгновение весь замок погрузился во тьму) — she had blown out the fuse (она пережгла пробки; fuse — плавка; плавкий предохранитель, пробка; to blow out a fuse — сделать короткое замыкание; пережечь предохранитель).

"Come on!" she cried to him. "We'll go up to the roof garden, and watch it from there (поднимемся в сад на крышу, будем смотреть оттуда)!"

Drawing a cape about her (закутавшись в плащ), she took his hand, and they found their way out the door (она взяла Джона за руку, и они /ощупью/ выбрались за дверь). It was only a step to the tower lift (до башенного лифта был всего один шаг), and as she pressed the button that shot them upward (и, когда она нажала кнопку и они взлетели кверху; to shoot — выстрелить) he put his arms around her in the darkness and kissed her mouth (обвил ее руками и поцеловал в губы). Romance had come to John Unger at last (наконец-то для Джона Ангера настал романтический момент). A minute later they had stepped out upon the star-white platform (минуту спустя они ступили на белую = серебристую от света звезд площадку).

succession [sqk'seSqn], blown [blqVn], romance [rq'mxns, 'rqV-]

Simultaneously with her last word, a succession of sharp cracks tumbled in through the open window. Kismine uttered a little cry, took a penny with fumbling fingers from a box on her dresser, and ran to one of the electric lights. In an instant the entire château was in darkness — she had blown out the fuse.

"Come on!" she cried to him. "We'll go up to the roof garden, and watch it from there!"

Drawing a cape about her, she took his hand, and they found their way out the door. It was only a step to the tower lift, and as she pressed the button that shot them upward he put his arms around her in the darkness and kissed her mouth. Romance had come to John Unger at last. A minute later they had stepped out upon the star-white platform.

Above, under the misty moon (в высоте, под тусклой луной), sliding in and out of the patches of cloud that eddied below it (скользя меж клочьев облаков, клубящихся ниже нее), floated a dozen dark-winged bodies in a constant circling course (плыла в непрерывном кружении дюжина темнокрылых объектов; to circle — кружиться, двигаться по кругу; course — курс, направление движения). From here and there in the valley flashes of fire leaped toward them (то тут, то там из долины в их сторону вскакивали = взлетали вспышки огня), followed by sharp detonations (сопровождаемые резкими взрывами). Kismine clapped her hands with pleasure (захлопала в ладоши от радости), which a moment later, turned to dismay (которая тут же сменилась испугом) as the aeroplanes at some prearranged signal (когда аэропланы по какому-то заранее установленному сигналу), began to release their bombs (начали сбрасывать бомбы) and the whole of the valley became a panorama of deep reverberate sound and lurid light (и вся долина превратилась в панораму глухого раскатистого звука и зловеще полыхающего света; lurid — мертвенно-бледный; зловещий, угрожающий; цвет пламени сквозь дым или туман).

Before long the aim of the attackers became concentrated upon the points (скоро усилия атакующих сконцентрировались на /тех/ точках; aim — намерение, цель; прицел; мишень, цель; прицеливание) where the anti-aircraft guns were situated (где были расположены зенитные орудия), and one of them was almost immediately reduced to a giant cinder (и почти сразу же одно из них превратилось в гигантскую головню; cinder — обуглившийся предмет, частично сгоревшее топливо /полено, уголь/; шлак) to lie smouldering in a park of rose bushes (тлеющую в саду розовых кустов).

prearranged ["prJq'reInGd], bomb [bOm], lurid ['l(j)VqrId]

Above, under the misty moon, sliding in and out of the patches of cloud that eddied below it, floated a dozen dark-winged bodies in a constant circling course. From here and there in the valley flashes of fire leaped toward them, followed by sharp detonations. Kismine clapped her hands with pleasure, which a moment later, turned to dismay as the aeroplanes at some prearranged signal, began to release their bombs and the whole of the valley became a panorama of deep reverberate sound and lurid light.

Before long the aim of the attackers became concentrated upon the points where the anti-aircraft guns were situated, and one of them was almost immediately reduced to a giant cinder to lie smouldering in a park of rose bushes.

"Kismine," begged John (позвал Джон; to beg — просить, умолять), "you'll be glad when I tell you (ты будешь рада услышать) that this attack came on the eve of my murder (что атака началась как раз перед тем, как меня собирались убить). If I hadn't heard that guard shoot off his gun back by the pass (если бы я не услышал, как тот часовой выстрелил из ружья там у перевала) I should now be stone dead (я был бы сейчас точно мертв: «совершенно мертв»…)— —"

"I can't hear you!" cried Kismine, intent on the scene before her (я тебя не слышу! — прокричала Кисмин, целиком поглощенная происходящим). "You'll have to talk louder (говори громче)!"

"I simply said," shouted John (я просто = только сказал, — закричал Джон), "that we'd better get out before they begin to shell the Château (что нам лучше уходить отсюда, пока они не начали бомбить замок)!"

Suddenly the whole portico of the negro quarters cracked asunder (внезапно вся галерея с жилищами негров раскололась на части), a geyser of flame shot up from under the colonnades (столб пламени вырвался из-под колоннады), and great fragments of jagged marble were hurled as far as the borders of the lake (и огромные неровные куски мрамора швырнуло до самого озера; jagged — зубчатый, зазубренный; неровно оторванный; jag — острый выступ, зубец; to jag — делать зазубрины, вырезать зубцами; кромсать).

"There go fifty thousand dollars' worth of slaves," cried Kismine, "at prewar prices (вот пропало на пятьдесят тысяч долларов рабов, — прокричала Кисмин, — по довоенным ценам; worth — ценность, значение; цена, стоимость, денежная сумма). So few Americans have any respect for property (так мало американцев имеют уважение к собственности)."

worth [wWT], prewar ["prJ'wL], geyser ['gJzq], ['gaIzq]

"Kismine," begged John, "you'll be glad when I tell you that this attack came on the eve of my murder. If I hadn't heard that guard shoot off his gun back by the pass I should now be stone dead — —"

"I can't hear you!" cried Kismine, intent on the scene before her. "You'll have to talk louder!"

"I simply said," shouted John, "that we'd better get out before they begin to shell the Château!"

Suddenly the whole portico of the negro quarters cracked asunder, a geyser of flame shot up from under the colonnades, and great fragments of jagged marble were hurled as far as the borders of the lake.

"There go fifty thousand dollars' worth of slaves," cried Kismine, "at prewar prices. So few Americans have any respect for property."

John renewed his efforts to compel her to leave (Джон возобновил свои попытки заставить ее уйти). The aim of the aeroplanes was becoming more precise minute by minute (с каждой минутой прицел аэропланов становился /все/ точнее), and only two of the anti-aircraft guns were still retaliating (только две из зениток продолжали отвечать; to retaliate — отвечать /на агрессию, обиду и т.п./; отплачивать, мстить). It was obvious that the garrison, encircled with fire, could not hold out much longer (было очевидно, что гарнизон, окруженный огнем, долго не продержится: «не сможет выдержать намного дольше»).

"Come on (давай/пойдем)!" cried John, pulling Kismine's arm (потянув Кисмин за руку), "we've got to go (мы должны идти). Do you realize that those aviators will kill you without question if they find you (ты понимаешь, что эти авиаторы убьют тебя без всяких разговоров: «вопросов», если найдут)?"

She consented reluctantly (с неохотой уступила; to consent — соглашаться, давать согласие; позволять, разрешать).

"We'll have to wake Jasmine (надо будет разбудить Жасмин)!" she said, as they hurried toward the lift (когда они бежали к лифту; to hurry — торопиться, спешить). Then she added in a sort of childish delight (добавила с ребяческим восторгом): "We'll be poor, won't we (мы будем бедными, правда)? Like people in books (как люди в книжках). And I'll be an orphan and utterly free (буду сиротой и совершенно свободна). Free and poor! What fun (как здорово; fun — веселье, забава)!" She stopped and raised her lips to him in a delighted kiss (остановилась и радостно поцеловала его: «подняла к нему губы в радостном поцелуе»).

retaliate [rI'txlIeIt], garrison ['gxrIs(q)n], realize ['rIqlaIz]

John renewed his efforts to compel her to leave. The aim of the aeroplanes was becoming more precise minute by minute, and only two of the anti-aircraft guns were still retaliating. It was obvious that the garrison, encircled with fire, could not hold out much longer.

"Come on!" cried John, pulling Kismine's arm, "we've got to go. Do you realize that those aviators will kill you without question if they find you?"

She consented reluctantly.

"We'll have to wake Jasmine!" she said, as they hurried toward the lift. Then she added in a sort of childish delight: "We'll be poor, won't we? Like people in books. And I'll be an orphan and utterly free. Free and poor! What fun!" She stopped and raised her lips to him in a delighted kiss.

Дата добавления: 2015-03-29