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The Mysterious Disappearance of the Chevalier Valmont
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? ???????? ?????????? ????? ?????????? ????????, ?????????? ???? ??????? ????????. ???????? (?? ????? ?? ??????????? ????) ?????? ????????, ??? ??????? ????? ?????-?? ???? ????. ?? ?????? ??? ? ???? ?? ???? ? ??????, ??? ?? ?????, ???? ??????? ????????, ? ????????? ???????? ?? ???????, ??????? ?? ???????????? ? ????? ????? ?????????? ?? ??????? ???? ?????????, ?????????? ????????? ??????? ?? ????? ? ???? ?????? ?????????? ????. ??? ????? ????? ???????? ???????????? ????????, ? ??????? ???????? ?????, ????????? ?? ??????? ?????????? ????????. ????? ????, ? ????? ?????? ????? ???????? ?????? ?????????????? ??????????? ? ????????? ?????????????? ???????????? ? ??????? ????????. ??????????? ?????? ?????? ???????? ????? ??????????? ? ???????? ??????????? ????, ? ????? ??????????? ????????? ???? ????????? ?????. ???????????? ????????? ?????? ????? ?????????, ??????? ???? ??????? ? ??????????? ??????? ??????? ????????.





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The Mysterious Disappearance of the Chevalier Valmont





Chapter 1


Monsieur Rollot, the owner of a small roadside hotel, let out a light snore, waking himself. He glanced around to make sure that nobody had seen him doze off behind the reception desk, and locked eyes with one of his guests, the Baron San Sim?n da Costa.








mysterious ????????????, ??????????; disappearance ????????????; owner ????????; roadside ???????????; let out a light snore ?????? ?????? ????; glance around = look around; make sure ?????????; doze off ????????? (???????????????????????????????); reception desk ?????? ??????????? (? ?????), lock eyes with sb ??????????? ??????? ? ???-????; guest ????????? (?????)



?I must have fallen asleep (1),? he said apologetically. ?Is there anything I can do for Monsieur le Baron?? (2)

?Yes,? answered the guest. ?I would like to pay for my room, please.?

?Your Excellency is leaving us??

?I?m afraid I am. I?m leaving in half an hour.?

?In half an hour! But it?s already seven o?clock! In two hours, it?ll be completely dark! These roads are not safe at night. Why don?t you wait till morning??

?I wish I could ? but I cannot.? (3)

?You?re a very brave fellow, Monsieur le Baron.?

?Unfortunately, not as brave as I would like to be.?








fall asleep ??????, ??????????? ? ???; apologetically ???????????? ?????; your excellency ???? ?????????, ???? ???????; in half an hour ????? ???????; completely ??????????, ?????????; brave ??????, ???????; fellow ??????; unfortunately ? ?????????



Here we must say that, indeed, the Baron San Sim?n da Costa had every reason to be worried. The road to Mouseville, the capital of the Mouse Kingdom, went through the forest, and where there is a forest, there are robbers. But there was nothing he could do. His Majesty the Mouse King was expecting him, and kings never like to be kept waiting (4).

The baron would have been even more worried could he have heard (5) the conversation that was going on at that very moment (6) at one of the tables in the forest inn, some 50 mouse leagues away.








indeed ? ????? ????, ?????????????; everyreason ??? ?????????; capital ???????; kingdom ???????????; through ?????; robber ?????????; his majesty ??? ??????????; there was nothing he could do ?? ?????? ?? ??? ????????; expect ???????; keep waiting ?????????? ?????; conversation ????????; go on?????: ?????????, ????? ?????; inn ???????, ???????, ????????? ????; some?????: ?????, ??????????????; league ??? (??????????????????????????????????????????????)




???????????


(1) I must have fallen asleep. ????? ?????? must ???????? ????????????? ???????????? ????, ??? ?????????. ??? ???? ???? ???? ? ?????????? ???????????? ?????????????, ??????????? ?? ?????. ??, ?????? ????, ?????, ? ?????????? ??????????.

? ?????????? ??? ?????????? ??? ????????? ??????????? ???????????. ????????:

I must have lost it somewhere.?? ?????? ????, ? ??? ???-?? ???????.

He must still be hiding in the bushes.?? ?????? ????, ?? ?? ??? ??? ???????? ? ??????.

(2) Monsieur le Baron. ?????? ????? ?????????? ????? ????? ?? ??????????? ?????. Le ? ???????????? ??????? ???????? ???? ?? ??????????? ?????.

(3) IwishIcould. ??? ??????????? ???????? ?????????? ???????: ????? ?? ? ???!? (?? ? ?? ????.)

???????????? ??????? ??????? ????????? ? ?????????? ???????????: ??? ???????? ????, ??? ????????? ?????? ? ?????? ??????, ???????????? ??????? ????????? ?????, ? ?????? ????? could ?????? can. ? ????? ???????, ?? ?? ????? ?????????? ? ? ??????? ?????: ??? ???????? ?? ?????????? ????? ???? ?????? ?????.

(4) Kings never like to bekeptwaiting.?? ?????? ?? ?????, ????? ?? ?????????? ?????. (????????? ???????????: ?? ??? ??????????, ? ?? ?????????? ?????.)

(5) The baron would have been even more worried could he have heard? ? ????? ?????????? ?? ??? ??????, ???? ?? ??? ???????????

????? ?? ????? ???? ? ?????????? ????????: ???? ?? ?? ??? ??????????, ?? ?? ?????????, ?? ?? ?? ???.

(6) atthatverymoment ? ? ???? ????? ??????

? ??????? ????? ??????????????? ????? very ???????????? ? ???????? ?????????, ??????? ?????? ???????????, ??? ???? ???? ?????? ?? ???? ????? ???????, ???, ????????, ???????? ? ?.?. ????????:

I used to live in this very house.?? ? ??????? ??? ? ???? ????? ????.

He was killed before my very eyes.?? ??? ????? ????? ? ???? ?? ??????.

He is the very man you want.?? ?? ?????? ????? ???????, ??????? ??? ?????.




????? 1


????? ??????, ???????? ????????? ??????????? ?????????, ????? ?????? ???? ? ? ?????????. ?? ????????? ??????, ????? ?????????, ??? ????? ?? ???????, ??? ?? ???????? ?? ??????? ???????????, ? ?????????? ??????? ? ????? ?? ???????????, ??????? ??? ???????? ?? ??????.

? ?, ?????? ????, ?????, ? ?????? ?? ???????????? ?????. ??? ???? ???-?? ??????? ??? ????????? ???????

? ??, ? ??????? ?????.?? ? ?? ????? ????????? ?? ???? ???????.

? ???? ??????? ???????? ????

? ?????, ??? ???. ? ?????? ????? ???????.

? ????? ???????! ?? ??? ???? ?????! ????? ??? ???? ????? ?????????? ?????. ??? ?????? ????? ???????????. ?????? ?? ??? ?? ????????? ?????

? ? ?? ????? ???????? ?? ????, ?? ?? ????.

? ?? ????????? ????????, ???????? ?????.

? ? ?????????, ? ?? ????????? ????, ??? ???????? ??.

????? ?? ?????? ????????, ??? ? ?????? ??? ?????? ?? ????? ????????????? ???? ??? ????????? ??? ???????. ???? ? ????????, ??????? ???????? ???????????, ???????? ????? ???, ? ??? ???, ??? ? ??????????. ?? ??? ?? ?????? ?? ?????????. ??? ?????????? ??????? ?????? ???? ???, ? ?????? ?? ?????, ????? ?? ?????????? ?????.

????? ?????????? ?? ??? ??????, ???? ?? ??? ?????????? ????????, ??????? ? ??? ????? ????? ????? ?? ????? ?? ?????? ? ?????? ??????? ? ?????????? ??????? ??? ?? ???? ?????, ??? ???????? ????????????? ????????.




Chapter 2


The baron couldn?t be in two places at once, but even if he could, it would be wise of him to stay away from the forest inn. The place served as a hideout for the outcasts of forest society, and had a very bad reputation.

As for the two of us, my dear reader, we can enter the place entirely unnoticed, and have a look around.








wise of sb ????? ? ????-???? ???????; stay away ????????? ????????; serve ???????, ?????? ????; hideout ?????? ???????, ??????, ????? ?????? ??????; outcast ?????, ?????????, ?????, ???????????; forest society ?????? ??????????; as for ??? ????????; entirely ?????????, ??????????, ?????????; unnoticed ????????????



But, wait ? what is that? It looks like we?re a little late. (7) One of the characters at the table nearest to the door is getting up to leave.

He rose, took one last sip from his wine glass (8), nodded to his companion, then turned on his heel and marched through the open door.








character?????: ???????, ????????; rise (rose; risen) ????????? (??????), ??????; sip ????????? ??????; nod ??????; companion ???????; ?????????; ??????????; heel ????? ? turn on your heel ????? ??????????? (? ????); march ?????????? ??????



His companion remained where he was. He picked up the leather purse left on the table by the other, taking time to weigh it in his hairy paw. (9) His yellow eyes narrowed with pleasure. A second later, the purse disappeared into his colourful robes.








pick up?????: ????? ? ???? (?? ?????); leather ????; purse ??????; weigh ??????????; hairy ?????????, ????????, ????????; paw ????; narrow ????????; with pleasure?????: ?? ????????????; disappear ????????; colourful ?????, ?????????, ???????; robe ??????, ???????



Having finished his simple supper which had consisted of milk with a drop of valerian, he turned his attention to his appearance. Out of his pocket, he removed a black eye patch and put it over his right eye. To do that, he had to take off his hat (10) decorated with two white feathers. By the way he handled it (11), one could see that this item of his equipment was particularly dear to him. He then bent down, picked up his rucksack, and took out some elongated object which he shoved under his hat.








consist of ???????? ??; drop ?????; valerian ?????????; turn attention to ??????????? ???????? ??; appearance ?????????, ??????? ???; remove ??????, ???????; eye patch ??????? ???????; decorate ????????; feather ????; handle ?????????? ? ???-???? (???????????????????); item ??????? (????????????????????, ????????????????????????????????????????); particularly ????????, ?????????????; bend down ?????????; rucksack ????????? ?????, ????????, ??????; elongated ?????????????, ??????????; object ???????, ????; shove ????????, ?????????, ?????????



None of these manipulations seemed to attract any attention from any of the other guests. Obviously, they were not in the habit of sticking their noses into other creatures? business, especially if that other creature was a hairy monster five times their own size.








attract attention ?????????? ????????; obviously ????????, ??-????????; habit ???????? ? they were not in the habit ? ??? ?? ???? ????????; stick your nose intosth ?????? ???? ??? ?? ???-????; creature ????? ????????, (?????) ?????, ????????; especially ????????; monster ??????; size ?????? ?five times your own size ? ???? ??? ???????????? ???? ?????????



The strange guest returned his rucksack under the table and stood up. He doubled over to squeeze himself through the low door, hardly concerned about the rucksack ? it was safe where it was. No one would dare touch it.

Once outside, he straightened up, and started toward the dark highway.








double over ????????? ???????, ????? ???????????; squeeze yourself ????????????; hardly concerned ?????? ?? ??????????, ???????? ?? ?????????; dare ?????, ??????????; once outside ?????????? ???????; straighten up ????????????; start toward ?????????, ???????????, ???????? ?? ??????????? ?; highway ??????? ??????, ???????? ?????




???????????


(7) It looks like we?re a little late. ????? ???? ????????? ??????????? ? ?????????? ?????????? it: ????????, ?? ??????? ????????.

(8) He took one last sip from his wine glass.?? ?? ?????? ????????? ?????? ?? ?????? ??????.

? ???? ??????????? ????? one ???????????? ? ???????? ?????????, ? ?????? ? ????? ????????????? ???????? ?? ????????? ?? ??? ?????. ? ???? ???????? ??? ????? ????????????? ? ??????????? ????, ????????:

She has written one great novel!?? ??? ???????? ?????? ????????????? ?????! (???????????? ???????: ???? ???????? ???? ????????????? ??????.)

That is one ugly woman!?? ????? ???????! (???????????? ???????: ???? ???? ?????????? ???????.)

(9) He picked up the leather purse, taking time to weigh it in his hairy paw.?? ?? ???? ? ???? ??????? ?????? ? ??????????? ??????? ??? ? ????? ???????? ????????? ????.

Taketime ?????? ??? ????????, ??????? ???-???? ???????.

(10) He had to take off his hat.?? ??? ?????? ????? ?????.

???? ?? ???????? have ??????? ?????????????? ????? ??????? ???????, ?? ?????? have ????????? ????????? ?? ????????? ??? ??? ???? ?????????, ? ??? ??????????? ? ????? ??????????? ???????? ???????????????, ???, ????? ??????, ????????? ?? ????????????? ?????????? ???? ??? ????? ????????.

(11) ????? ????? way ????????? ?? ?????? ????????: by the way he handled it ? ?? ????, ??? (???????) ?? ????????? ?? ????? ??????.




????? 2


????? ?? ??? ?????????? ? ???? ?????? ????????????, ?? ???? ???? ?? ? ???, ? ??? ??????? ???? ?? ??????? ????????? ???????? ?? ?????? ???????. ??? ??????? ??????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ??? ???, ??? ??? ????????? ?????? ??????????? ? ??????????? ????? ?????? ??????????.

??? ?? ?? ??? ? ????, ??? ??????? ????????, ?? ????? ????? ???? ????? ????????????? ? ??????????.

?? ????????? ??? ???? ???????, ?? ??????? ????????. ???? ?? ?????????, ??????? ?? ????????? ? ????? ??????, ??? ??? ???????????, ????? ????. ??? ?? ?????, ?????? ????????? ?????? ?? ?????? ??????, ?????? ?????? ???????????, ????? ??????????? ? ?????????? ?????? ? ???????? ?????. ??? ?????????? ??????? ??????. ?? ???? ? ???? ??????? ???????, ??????????? ?? ????? ???, ??????; ??????????? ??????? ??? ? ????? ???????? ????????? ????. ??? ?????? ????? ???????? ?? ????????????. ??? ??????? ? ? ??????? ????? ? ???????? ??? ?????????? ???????.

???????? ?? ????? ???????? ??????, ??????? ??????? ?? ?????? ? ?????? ??????????, ?? ??????? ????? ???????? (????.: ?????????? ???????? ?? ???? ??????? ???). ?? ?????? ?? ??????? ?????? ??????? ? ??????? ?? ?? ?????? ????. ??? ????? ??? ???????? ????? ???? ?????, ?????????? ????? ?????? ???????. ?? ????, ??? ??????? ?? ????????? ?? ????? ??????, ???? ?????, ??? ?? ????? ???????? ? ????? ???????? ????? ?????????? (????.: ??? ???? ??????? ?????????? ??? ???????? ?????). ?????, ????????????, ?????? ? ???? ???????? ?????, ?????? ?? ???? ?????-?? ????????????? ??????? ? ??????? ??? ??? ?????.

????????? ?????????? ???????, ????????, ?? ???????? ?? ??? ??????????? ???????? ????????. (????.: ?? ???? ?? ???? ???????????, ????????, ?? ????????? ???????? ?? ?????? ?? ????????? ??????????? ???????.) ????????, ? ??? ?? ???? ???????? ?????? ???? ??? ? ???? ?????? ???????, ???????? ???? ???? ?????? ????????? ??? ???????? ??????, ??????? ? ???? ??? ??????? ????.

???????? ?????????? ?????? ????????? ????? ??? ???? ? ????????. ????? ?????? ????? ?????, ??? ???????? ????????? ???????. ?? ?????? ????? ?? ?? ????????: ???, ??? ??? ?????????, ??? ?????? ?? ???????. ????? ?? ??????? ? ???? ????????????.

?????????? ???????, ?? ??????????? ? ??????? ?? ??????????? ? ????????? ?????? ??????? ??????.




Chapter 3


In the meantime, the carriage with a single passenger had reached?the spot at which an invisible passage split off from the main road, leading to the inn. In his right hand, the passenger clutched a revolver. He knew better than to believe (12) that the mere sight of a weapon could scare off a band of robbers, but it did help ease his fears (13), nonetheless.








in the meantime ??? ????????, ????? ???; carriage ??????; single ????????????; spot ?????; invisible ?????????, ??????????; passage?????: ???????, ????????; split off ??????????; clutch ???????; the mere sight ???? ?????? ???; weapon ??????; scare off ?????????, ????????; band ?????, ?????; ease fears ????? ?????, ???????? ??????? ??????; nonetheless ??? ?? ?????, ?? ??



Suddenly, the carriage stopped. The passenger stuck out his head to ask the driver what had happened, but the only thing he could see was a dark figure dashing away toward the forest.

A moment later, a black shadow appeared outside the window, blocking his view of the forest. Instead, the passenger saw a wide grin, aggressively bristling whiskers, and a black eye patch over the right eye of a terrible monster.








stick out (stuck; stuck) ????????; dash away ???????, ??????? ?????; shadow ????; block the view ???????????? ???; instead ?????? ????? (?????: ?????? ????); grin ???????, bristling whiskers ????????????? ???



The passenger felt his limbs become stiff with fear. For some time, he just sat there, unable to take his gaze off the terrible monster facing him. The monster, in turn, studied his victim with his only working eye, and grinned even wider ? a sardonic, self-satisfied grin.

?I must run off! Flee this place!? the panic-stricken passenger thought to himself.








limb ????, ?????????? (????), ???? ??? ????; become stiff ????????, ??????????; unable ?? ? ?????????; gaze ??????????? ?????? ? take his gaze offsb/sth ??????? ?????? ?? ????-???? ??? ????-????; face sb?????: ?????? ???????? ????-????; in turn ? ???? ???????; victim ??????; self-satisfied ?????????????; run off ?????? (?????????????????????????); flee (fled; fled) ?????? (???????????), ????????? ????????, ???????; panic-stricken ?????????? ???????



He felt around for the door handle. As he did so, the revolver he had been holding in his hand fell to the floor, and went off.

?If you?re trying to scare me, forget it,? meowed the monster, showing his large teeth. ?Your popgun won?t do you any good, pal. Better think of your immortal soul, for your last hour has come.?








feel around (felt; felt) ?????? ??????, ??????; door handle ??????? ?????; go off?????: ???????? ??????????; scare ??????, ????????; meow ???????; popgun ?????; do good?????: ????????; pal ????????; immortal ???????????; soul ????; for?????: ?????? ???, ???



?Please, have mercy!? the passenger begged. ?Take whatever you want. (14) Here, take this ring. It is quite expensive!?

He started to take off the ring, but with little success.

?Don?t bother,? said the monster. ?The robbers will take it off your finger. They will be here quite soon, I presume. But by that time, you will long be dead. As for me, I?m not interested in petty knick-knacks. It?s moments like this that add purpose to my life. To watch my victim tremble in fear ? that?s what I live for. And, as much as I?d love to prolong this moment ? beautiful as it is ? I?m afraid that we may soon be interrupted by one of these vulgar creatures who make a living out of robbing others.?








mercy ??????, ?????????? ? have mercy ????????, ??????????????; beg ??????, ???????; bother?????: ?????????; presume ????????; petty ?????????, ?????????????? ?petty knick-knacks ???????????; add purpose ????????? ?????; tremble in fear ??????? ?? ??????; as much as I would love ??? ?? ??? ?? ????????; prolong ??????????; interrupt ????????; vulgar ??????????, ??????????; make a living out ofsth ???????????? ?? ????? ???-????



The passenger stopped fumbling with the ring. He just sat there, spellbound, listening to the monster.

Meanwhile, the cat continued:

?I will put my paw around your trembling body ? like this. Then, I will put my other paw around your neck. One quick movement ? and your squeaking will cease, forever. Just think about it: forever!?It means that you will never get to taste new varieties of cheese, never get to kiss your little mouse wife?? (15)








fumble ????????; spellbound ??? ????????????, ??? ?????????????; body ????; squeaking ????; cease ????????????; forever ????????; mean ????????; variety ?????????????, ?????: ????



Suddenly, the cat broke off his speech, and pricked up his ears. The next moment, a loud cry shattered the night?s silence: ?Listen to my command! We shall now attack this monster! Draw your swords, fellas, and follow me!? There was a cracking of branches, and a dark figure swung down from a tree. It landed on the monster?s head, and began to stab at him furiously with a sword. The cat tried his best to shake off his attacker, but to no avail.

Blood now covered the monster?s face. Meowing pitifully, the cat took off into the night-covered forest.








break off (broke; broken) ????????; prick up ears ?????????? ???, ??????????????; shatter ??????? ????????? ? shatter the night?s silence ???????? ?????? ??????; sword ???, ?????, ????? ? draw your swords! ????? ??????!; fella (???????????) = fellow, ??????; cracking ?????, ?????; branch ?????; swing down (swung; swung) ?????: ???????????? ????; land ????????????; stab?????: ?????? ??????; furiously ???????, ????????; try your best ?????? ???, ??? ? ????? ?????; shake off ?????????; to no avail ????????, ??????????; blood ?????; pitifully ???????; take off (took; taken) ?????: ????????? ??????




???????????


(12) Know better. ??? ?????? ????????? ?? ??????? ? ???????? ??????? ?????????? ?????, ??????? ???? ????????? ??? ?? ???? ???? ????????, ???? ?????????? ? ??????????????, ????? ??????? ?????????? ????? ????????? ? ??? ?????. ? ?????????, ? ????? ?????? ????? ????????? ???????, ??? ??? ?????????? ???? ?? ???????? ????? ??????????.

(13) ????? ?????? do ???????????? ? ???????? ?????????????? ?????????: but it did help ease his fears ? ?? ??? ?? ????? ??????? ?????????? ? ????? ???? ???????? ??????? ????? ??? ??????.

(14) Take whatever you want.?? ???????? ??, ??? ??????.

????? ????? whatever ????????????? ? ????? ???????? ????????, ???????? ?? ????? ???? ??? ???????????, ???? ??????.

???????? ?????:

I can eat whatever I want and stay thin.?? ? ???? ???? ??, ??? ?????? ??????, ? ?????????? ?????.

(15) You will never get to taste new varieties of cheese, never get to kiss your little mouse wife??

????? ?????? get ????????? ?? ??????????? ??????????? ???-????: ??? ??? ??????? ?? ??????? ???????? ????? ?????? ????, ??????? ?? ??????? ?????????? ???? ???????-?????.




????? 3


????? ??? ?????? ? ???????????? ?????????? ?????????? ? ??? ??????, ?????? ?????????? ???????? ?????????? ?? ??????? ?????? ? ???? ? ???????. ? ?????? ???? ???????? ?????? ?????????. ?? ??? ?????? ?? ???? ? ???????, ??? ??? ?????????? ???? ?? ???????? ????? ??????????, ?? ??? ?? ?? ???? ????????? (????.: ?? ??? ?? ?? ???????? ??????? ????? ??? ??????).

???????? ?????? ????????????. ???????? ??????? ??????, ????? ?????? ? ???????, ? ??? ????, ?? ??????? ???? ?????? ??????, ??????? ?? ???? ??? ??????? ?? ??????????? ? ????.

?????? ??????, ?? ????? ????????? ?????? ????, ????????? ??? ??? ?? ???. ?????? ???? ???????? ?????? ??????? ???????, ?????????? ????????????? ??? ? ?????? ??????? ?? ?????? ????? ???????? ???????.

???????? ????????????, ??? ??? ????? ???????? ?? ??????. ?????-?? ????? ?? ?????, ?? ? ????? ??????? ???? ?? ????????? ???????? ???????? ???????. ??????, ? ???? ???????, ?????? ???? ?????? ???????????? ???????? ??????, ? ??? ???? ????????? ????? ????????????? ????????????? ????????.

?? ?????? ??????! ?????? ??????!??? ?????????? ? ?????? ? ???????? ??????? ?????????. (????.: ??????? ??? ???? ?????????? ??????? ????????.)

?? ????????? ???????? ????? ??????; ??? ???? ?? ??????? ?????????, ??????? ?????? ? ????, ? ??? ???? ?? ???. ???????? ???? ????????.

?????? ?? ????????? ???? ????????, ?? ?????? ?? ????,?? ?????????? ????????, ????????? ?? ???? ???? ????????? ??? (????.: ????????? ???? ??????? ????).?? ???? ????? ???? ?? ???????, ????????. ????? ??????? ? ???????? ????? ??????????? ????, ??? ?????? ???? ????????? ???.

??????? ???, ????????!?? ????????? ????????.?? ???????? ??, ??? ??????. ???, ???????? ??? ??????. ??? ????? ???????.

?? ???? ????????? ??????, ?? ?? ?? ??????????? (????.: ?? ??? ??????? ??????).

???? ???????,?? ?????? ??????.?? ?????????? ???? ?????? ??????? ? ?????? ??????. ???????, ??? ?????? ???????? ????. ?? ????? ?? ??? ?????? ??????????? ??????. ???? ?? ?? ?????????? ?????? ??? ???????????. ? ???? ???? ??? ????? ?????. (????.: ?????? ????? ???????, ??? ????, ??????? ????? ???? ?????.) ????????? ?? ???, ??? ??? ?????? ???????? ?? ??????,?? ? ???? ? ???? ??????? ????? ?????? ????? (????.: ??? ???? ???? ? ????). ??, ??? ?? ??? ?? ???????? ???????? ??? ?????????, ??? ??? ?????????, ? ?????, ??? ??? ????? ???????? ?????-?????? ?? ??? ?????????? ???????, ??? ??????? ?????? ? ???? ???????? ? ?????????????.

???????? ???????? ???????? ??????. ?? ?????? ????? ?, ??? ????????????, ?????? ????? ??????.

????? ??? ??? ?????????:

??? ?????? ???? ???????? ?????? ????? ????? ? ??? ???. ????? ? ?????? ?????? ???? ?? ???? ?????. ???? ?????? ???????? ? ? ???? ???? ??????????? ????????. ?????????? ???????? ? ????? ????? ?????????? ?????: ????????! ??? ??????, ??? ???? ??? ?? ???????? ????? ?????? ????, ?? ?????????? (????.: ??????????) ???? ???????-?????.

???????? ??? ????????, ? ????-?? ?????????????. ? ????????? ????????? ?????? ??????? ??????? ????: ??????? ??? ???????! ?? ??????? ??? ??????! ????? ??????, ?????, ? ?? ????!?

?????????? ????? ??????, ? ?????? ?????? ????????? ? ??????. ??? ???????????? ????? ?? ?????? ???? ? ????? ??????? ?????? ??? ??????. ??? ????????? ????????? ???????????, ?? ?? ???-?? ????!

????? ???????? ????? ????????. ??????? ??????, ??? ?? ???? ??? ???????? ? ?????? ???.




Chapter 4


Two long minutes had passed before the door of the carriage finally opened, and the passenger stepped out.

?Tell me your name, Sir, so I may know to whose bravery I owe my life,? he said to his rescuer.

?Chevalier Valmont, at your service.?

?Baron San Sim?n da Costa,? the passenger introduced himself.








bravery ?????????, ????????, ??????; owe ???? ? ?????, ???? ?????????; rescuer ?????????, ??????????; at your service ? ????? ???????; introduce yourself ?????????????



?Where are your men (16), Chevalier?? he asked. ?I would like to thank them, as well.?

?My men? Oh, that. There are no men, Sir. I?m here quite alone.?

?But I had heard you give a command,? the Baron insisted.

?It was a trick ? a military ruse, so to speak. I had been asleep in those bushes, over there, when your driver stumbled upon my makeshift shelter. Then, I heard a shot and hurried to your rescue.?

?And just in time, too!?








as well ????; insist ??????????; trick ????, ??????; military ruse ??????? ????????; so to speak ??? ???????; stumble uponsth ??????????, ???????? ?? ???-????; makeshift shelter ????????? ???????, ????????????????? ???????; just in time ??? ??? ???????, ????? ????????????



Valmont bowed slightly.

?Is there anything I can do for you, Chevalier?? asked the baron. ?Perhaps, you could use some money? (17) You must be broke, since you travel on foot and sleep in the bushes.?

?No, thank you, Sir. I?m not traveling on foot because I?m hard up. The thing is that I have spent too much time at sea. It is nice to feel solid ground under your feet, for a change. Besides, I love the smell of the forest. However, if you wish to return the favour, you could give me a ride. You?re going to the capital city, are you not??








bow ???????????; slightly ??????; perhaps ????? ????; be broke ?? ????; since ???????? ??? ????, ???; ???????? ?? ????????, ???; be hard up ???? ? ??????????????? ?????????? ?????????, ?????????? ???????????? ?????????; the thing is ???? ? ???; solid ground ??????? ?????; for a change ??? ????????????; besides ????? ????; smell ?????; however ??????, ??? ?? ?????; favour ?????? ? return the favour ??????? ???????? ??????; give a ride ????????, ??????????



?Yes, I am returning to Mouseville, and I would be happy to take you there.?

?In that case, I shall go and fetch my things ? along with your driver, of course. He must still be hiding in the bushes, the poor fellow.?

With these words, the Chevalier Valmont disappeared into the roadside bushes. He soon returned, accompanied by the driver. Over his shoulder, he carried a canvas bag which he dropped on the floor of the carriage. The bag looked almost empty. Its owner had obviously been travelling light.








in that case ? ????? ??????; go and fetch ??????? ?? ???-????, ??????? ? ????????; along with ?????? ?; accompanied by ? ????????????? ????-????; canvas bag ???????? ?????, ??????????? ?????; owner ??????, travel light ?????????????? ???????




???????????


(16) ????? ????? man ????????????? ?? ? ????? ???????? ???????? ????????, ????????, ? ? ???????? ???????????????, ??? ???? ???? ?????? ???? ? ??????? ????????.

(17) ?Perhaps, you could use some money? ??????? ????, ??? ????? ???????

????? ?? ????? ???? ? ??????? I (you, he, etc.) couldusesomething, ??????? ????????, ??? ??????????????? ???? (?, ??, ?? ? ?.?.) ????? ????????? ? ???-????. ????????:

I think we could all use a drink after that!?? ?????, ????? ?????? ??? ???? ????? ??????.




????? 4


?????? ?????? ??? ??????, ?????? ??? ?????? ?????? ??????? ????????????, ? ?? ??? ????? ?? ????????.

?????????? ????, ??????, ????? ? ????, ???? ????????? ? ?????? ??????,?? ?????? ??, ????????? ? ?????? ?????????.

????????? ????????? ? ????? ???????.

??????? ??? ????? ?? ?????,?? ???????????? ????????.

????? ?? ???? ???????, ???????? ? ?? ????? ????????????? ? ?? ????.

????? ???????? ??, ???. ??????? ?????? ???. ? ????? ????.

???? ? ??????, ??? ?? ???????? ?? ??????.

????? ???? ???? ??????????? ??????, ??????? ????????, ??? ???????. ? ???? ? ??? ????????, ??? ???, ????? ??? ????? ?????? ?? ??? ????????? ??????????. ????? ? ??????? ??????? ? ???????? ??? ?? ??????.

???????? ??? ?????? ???????.

?????????, ???? ?? ? ??? ??? ???-?????? ???????? ????? ????, ?? ??????????? ???????????? ???????????, ??? ????????????? ???????

?????, ????????? ???, ??????. ? ??????????? ?????? ?? ??????, ??? ??????? ? ?????????. ???? ? ???, ??? ? ??????? ????? ??????? ?????? ? ????. ??????? ??????????? ??? ?????? ??????? ????? ? ??? ????????????. ????? ????, ? ????? ????? ????? ????. ??, ???? ?? ?????? ??????? ??? ???????? ??????, ?? ?????? ?????????? ????. ?? ???? ????????????? ? ???????, ?? ??? ???

????, ? ??????????? ? ???????? ? ???? ???????? ??? ???? ???????.

??????? ????? ????? ?? ?????? ??????, ? ?????? ??????? ?????? ??????. ??, ????????, ?? ??? ??? ???????? ? ??????, ???????.

? ????? ??????? ??????? ???????? ????? ? ??????????? ??????. ????? ????????? ????? ?? ???????? ? ????????????? ???????. ?? ??????? ? ???? ??? ??????????? ?????, ??????? ?? ???????? ?????? ?? ??? ??????. ????? ???????? ????? ??????. ???? ?? ?????, ??? ?????? ????????????? ???????.




Chapter 5


The Chevalier Valmont turned out to be a pleasant travel companion. Before the carriage ever reached the outskirts of Mouseville (18), he had told to his new acquaintance the tragic story of his life. It so happened that he had spent most of his life at sea, much of it against his own free will. As an adolescent, he had been taken captive by pirates during a raid on the small seaside town where he had lived with his parents, his brothers and sisters, and had only recently escaped from captivity. Now, he was making his way to Mouseville to search for his sister ? the only one who had survived the raid, aside from himself. He had found out that she was a nun at one of the convents not far from the capital city.








turn out?????: ????????? (???-????); pleasant ????????; travel companion ????????; outskirts ???????, ??????????; acquaintance ????????; will ?????? ???? ? against his own free will ?????? ????? ????, ?????? ?????? ???????; adolescent ?????????; take captive ????? ? ????; raid ?????; seaside town ?????????? ???????; recently ???????; escape ??????; captivity ????; was making his way to ????????? ?? ???? ?; search for sb ?????? ????-????; survive ??????; aside from himself ?????, ?????? ???? ??????; find out (found; found) ??????, ????????; nun ????????; convent ??????? ?????????



The Baron listened intently to his companion, his heart palpitating all the while.

?Where are you going to stay in Mouseville?? he asked as the story ended.

?I don?t know yet. This is my first time in Mouseville. Could you drop me by some sort of hotel??

?I?ve got a better idea. I would be very happy if you agreed to stay at my place (19). At least, for some time, just until you can get a place of your own. I?m sure my wife won?t mind, either. With you in the house, she won?t feel quite so lonely (20). For some reason, she has been feeling pretty depressed (21) as of late. Your presence just might cheer her up.? (22)








intently ???????????; heart ??????; palpitate ?????? ??????; all the while ??? ??? ?????, ?????: ???? ?? ??????; drop?????: ????????; agree ???????????; at least ?? ??????? ????; mind ?????????; lonely ????????; depressed ? ??????????? ????????? ????, ? ?????????? ?????????; as of late ? ????????? ?????; presence ???????????; cheer up ????????? ?? ??????? ???, ??????? ??????????, ????????, ????????



?Thank you, but I do think that three is a crowd.? (23)

?It won?t be a bother. My house is so big that you can have a whole floor to yourself. Believe me, it?s not that I simply wish to be polite ? no, I would really love to have you stay with us. I have never met a mouse so brave, and so decent. You?re so much different from anyone I know.?

?Well, it looks as though I?ve got no choice on the matter. Very well, I shall honour your invitation, but only for a couple of days.?








crowd ????? ? three is a crowd ?????? ??????; bother ????????????, ?????? ???????, ??????; whole ?????, ????; floor?????: ????; decent ??????????; choice ?????; on the matter ?? ??????? ???????; honour sb?s invitation ??????? ???-???? ???????????; couple ????




???????????


(18) Before the carriage ever reached the outskirts of Mouseville, he had told to his new acquaintance the tragic story of his life.

????? ????? ever ???????????? ? ???????? ?????????: ?????? ?????? ??? ???? ?? ??????? ? ?????????? ????????, ? ???????? ??? ????? ?????????? ?????? ??????? ????? ?????.

???????? ?????:

It happened way before I had ever met your father.?? ??? ????????? ?? ????, ??? ? ????????? ?????? ????.

(19)atmyplace ? ? ???? (? ????)

????? ????? place ????????????? ? ???????? somebody?s home.

???????? ?????:

So what, your place or mine??? ?? ??? ???? ? ???? [??????] ??? ?? ????

(20) She won?t feel quite so lonely.?? ??? ?? ????? ??????????? ???? ??? ???????.

????? quite ????????? ????????? ?? ??? ?????. ???????? ?????:

Now it doesn?t seem quite so funny.?? ?????? ??? ??? ?? ???????? ????? ???????.

I have some other news, not quite so good.?? ? ???? ???? ??? ???????, ?? ????? ???????.

(21)prettydepressed ? ? ???????? ?????????? ?????????

????? ????? pretty ????????????? ?? ? ????? ???????? ???????? ????????????, ???????????, ? ????????? ? ???????? ?????? ???? ????????? ? ???????? ??? ????????? ???????: ?????????, ????????, ???????????. ???????? ?????:

He is in pretty good shape.?? ?? ????????? ? ???????? ??????? ?????.

It?s pretty cold outside.?? ??????? ???????? ???????.

He looked pretty tired.?? ???? ?????, ??? ?? ???????? ?????.

I know him pretty well.?? ? ???? ??? ???????? ??????.

(22) Your presence just might cheer her up. ????? ???????? ???????, ??? ??????????? ?????? ???????? ? ???? ????? ??????? ???????? ?????????. ????? just ????????? ????? ? ???? ?????? ???? ????????? ??? ????????? ??????? might, ??????? ????????? ?? ????????? ???????? ???????.

(23) ????? ?????? do ???????????? ? ???????? ?????????????? ?????????: ?????????? ???, ?? ? ????????????? ??????, ??? ???? ? ??? ??? ?????.

??. ????? ??????????? ?? ??????? 13.




????? 5


??????? ???????? ???????? ???????? ??????????. ??? ?? ????, ??? ?? ?????? ?????? ?????????? ?????????? ???????? (????.: ?? ????, ??? ?????? ???????? ?????????? ????????), ?? ????? ?????????? ?????? ?????? ????????? ??????????? ??????? ????? ?????. ??? ?????????, ??? ????? ??? ???? ????? ?? ?????? ? ????, ?????? ?? ??????? ????? ??????? ????? ????: ??? ?????????? ?? ??? ?????? ????????? ?? ????? ?????? ?? ????????? ??????? ?? ?????????? ???????, ? ??????? ????? ??? ?? ?????? ??????????, ???????? ? ????????, ? ?????? ??????? ??????????? ?? ?????. ?????? ?? ??????????? ???????? ? ??????? ?????? ? ???????????? [?? ???? ??? ???????], ??? ?????? ?? ????? ??????, ????? ???? ??????. ??? ??? ??????? ????????, ??? ?????? ??????? ??????? (????.: ???? ?????????) ? ?????? ?????????? ? ????? ?? ?????????? ?????? ????????.

????? ?????? ??????????? ? ?????????? ??????. (????.: ??? ?????? ???????? ?????? ??? ??? ?????.)

????? ?? ???????? ???????????? ? ??????????? ??????? ?? ??? ????? ???????.

?????? ?? ????. ? ??????? ? ????????. ?? ?? ????? ?? ???????? ???? ? ?????-?????? ??????????

??? ???? ???? ???? ???????. ? ??? ?? ????? ???, ???? ?? ?? ??????????? ????????? (????.: ????????????) ? ????. ???? ?? ?? ????????? ?????, ?? ??? ???, ???? ? ??? ???????? ??????????? ?????. ??????, ??? ??? ???? ???? ?? ?????? ?????????. ? ???? ? ???? ??? ?? ????? ??????????? ???? ??? ???????. ??????-?? (????.: ?? ?????-?? ???????) ??? ????????? ????? ???-?? ?????? ?????????????. ???? ??????????? ?? ??????? ?????????.

??????????? ???, ?? ? ?? ?????? ???????? ?????? ?????. (????.: ?? ???? ? ??? ??? ?????.)

???? ??? ?????? ?? ????????. ??? ??? ????????? ?????, ??? ? ???? ???????????? ? ???? ???????????? ????? ????. ????????, ? ?? ?????? ??????? ???????? ??????????, ???, ? ????????????? ????? ????, ????? ?? ???????????? ? ???. ??? ??????? ?? ??????????? ????????? ????? ???????? ? ????? ?????????? ????, ??? ??. ?? ??? ??????????? ?? ????, ???? ? ????.

????????, ?? ?? ?????????? ??? ??????. ??????, ? ???????? ???? ???????????. ?? ???? ?? ???? ????, ?? ?????.




Chapter 6


It was about ten o?clock in the morning when the carriage came to a halt at the house of the Baron San Sim?n da Costa.

?Is the baroness up yet?? the baron asked the butler who had come out to welcome him home.

?I?m afraid Her Excellency might still be asleep, Milord. Shall I wake her up??

?No, no, let her sleep. The more so that our guest here (24) is tired after a long journey, and may also need to rest. Tell Maribel to prepare the blue bedroom. After breakfast, I shall set off for the palace. See to it that our guest doesn?t need anything.?

?I will, Milord.?








halt ????????? ? come to a halt ????????????; be up ?????? (? ???????); butler ?????????; welcome ?????????????? (???????????????), ?????????; the more so ??? ????? (???); set off ???????????; palace ??????; see to it ?????????? ?? ??? (?????)



***



At breakfast, the baron put away several cheese rolls and two cups of hot chocolate. His guest ate very little. Soon after breakfast, the baron left for the palace, and the Chevalier Valmont went up to his rooms. He suddenly felt very tired ? the sleepless night was beginning to tell on him.

Once in the blue bedroom, he ran into a pretty maid.

?I have run you a hot bath, Sir,? the mouse girl said with a sudden blush.

?A hot bath is just what I need, cutie,? answered Valmont, ?especially if you stick around and give me a nice backrub.?








put away ?????, ??????; roll ???????; sleepless ?????????; tell on sb ??????????? ?? ???-????; run into sb ???????????? ?? ????-????; pretty ???????????, ???????????, ??????????; maid ?????????; run a bath ????????? ?????, ??????????? ?????; blush ???????, ?????? ???????? ??? ?????; cutie ???????; stick around ?? ???????, ????????, ???????????; rub ?????? ?give sb a backrub ???????? ????-???? ??????



The maid blushed even more at this offer.

?If you wish someone to rub your back, I can call Matthias,? she muttered.

?It won?t be necessary. I was just joking. I think I?ll manage somehow. You can go now. No, wait! If you have my clothes washed (25), how fast, do you think, they can get dry? My luggage hasn?t arrived yet, and I have nothing to change into,? he explained.

?It might take about four hours. (26) If it takes longer, I could simply iron them dry.?

?Fabulous. You can come back for them in half an hour. I will leave the door unlocked. And, don?t forget to wake me up as soon as your master gets home.?

?Yes, Sir.?

?And, one more thing. The window shutters ? could you close them? It?s too light in the room.?






offer ???????????; mutter ?????????, ????????????; necessary ???????????, ??????; joke ??????; manage ??????????; somehow ???-??????; get dry ?????????; luggage ?????; change into sth ??????????? ?? ???-????; explain ?????????; iron ??????? (??????) ? iron them dry ???????? ?? ??????; fabulous ?????????, ???????????; master ?????? (??????????????????); shutters ??????



***



Valmont waited for the maid?s footsteps to fade as she disappeared down the corridor. He stretched out his hand to turn the key ? but there was no key in the lock! He looked around the room ? still no key. Valmont cursed.

?Let?s hope the maid doesn?t change her mind and come back to give me that backrub,? he thought.

He took off his clothes, and disappeared in the bathroom.

The hot water made him feel drowsy. He shook off the overcoming sleepiness. The last thing he wanted was to be caught off guard. Not in this house.

He wrapped himself up in a large towel, returned into the bedroom, and slipped under the blanket, drawing it up to his chin.

A moment later, he was fast asleep.








footsteps ????; fade ??????? (???????????); stretch out ?????????, ????????; curse ??????????; change your mind ??????????; drowsy ??????, ????????; shake off (shook; shaken) ?????????; overcome ????????, ??????; sleepiness ??????????; catch (caught; caught) sboff guard ?????????? ????-???? ????????; wrap up ?????????; towel ?????????, slip ??????????; blanket ??????; draw up ??????, ?????????; chin ??????????




???????????


(24) The more so that our guest here is tired after a long journey.?? ??? ?????, ??? ??? ????? ????? ????? ??????????? ???????????.

? ???? ??????????? ????? here ????????? ?? ?? ????? ????????, ? ?? ??, ??? ?????, ? ??????? ???? ????, ?? ????? ????????? ? ????????? ????????? ??? ??, ?????.

??? ??? ???? ??????, ? ??????? ??????? here ?? ????? ????????? ? ????? ????????????, ? ???????????? ? ???????? ????????????? ?????????:

This gentleman here saw it happen.?? ??? ???? ???????? ?????, ??? ??? ?????????. (???????????? ???????: ???? ???????? ?????, ??? ??? ????????? ??? ?????.)

(25)if you have my clothes washed ? ???? ?? ?????? ??? ???? ? ??????

????????: if you have my clothes washed ??? ?? ?? ??, ??? if you have washed my clothes. ?? ?????? ?????? ????? ???? ?????????????? ????? Present Perfect, ? ? ?????? ? ?????? ???????????, ??????? ????????? ?? ??, ??? ??????? ?? ???? ????? ??????? ??? ????, ? ?????? ?? ? ??????, ?? ???? ??????? ?? ????? ???-?? ??????.

(26) It might take about four hours.?? ?? ??? ??????????? ???? ??????.

????? ?????? take ????????? ?? ??, ??????? ??????? ??????????? ??? ????, ????? ????? ??????? ????? ?????????????.

???????? ?????:

It took me years to forget.?? ? ???? ???? ????, ????? ??????.




????? 6


???? ????? ?????? ????? ????, ????? ?????? ???????????? ????? ???????? ?????? ??? ?????? ?? ?????.

??????????? ??? ????????? ??????? ????? ??????????, ????????? ??? ????????????????.

??????? ?? ??????? ??? ??????? ????????, ??????. ????????? ??????????

?????, ???, ????? ????. ??? ?????, ??? ??? ????? ????? ????? ??????????? ??????????? ?, ????????, ??? ???? ????? ?????????. ?????? ???????? ??????????? ??? ??????? ??????? ???????. ????? ???????? ? ????? ?? ??????. ?????????? ?? ???, ????? ??? ????? ?? ? ??? ?? ????????.

??????? ?????????, ??????.

***

?? ????????? ????? ???? ??? ??????? ? ????? ? ????? ??? ????? ???????? ????????. ??? ????? ?? ????? ????. ????? ???????? ????? ????? ?? ??????, ? ??????? ???????? ???????? ? ???? ???????. ???????? ?? ???????????? ??????? ?????????: ???????? ??????????? ????????? ????.

? ??????? ??????? ?? ?????????? ? ?????????? ?????????.

??? ??????????? ??? ??? ??????? ?????, ??????,?? ??????? ???? ?????, ????????? ??????? ????????.

????????? ????? ? ??? ??? ??? ??, ??? ????, ???????,?? ??????? ????????,?? ???????? ???? ?? ?????????? ???????? ??? ??????.

?? ?????? ??????????? ????????? ??? ?????? ??????????.

?????? ?? ???????, ????? ???-?????? ????? ??? ?????, ?? ? ???? ??????? ???????,?? ???????????? ???.

???? ?????. ? ?????? ???????. ?????, ???-?????? ????????? ???. ??????. ???? ??????! ??? ?? ???????, ???? ????????? ??? ??????, ??? ?????? ??? ????????? ??? ????? ??? ?? ??????, ? ??? ?? ?? ??? ???????????,?? ???????? ??.

?????? ?? ?????? ????????. ???? ?? ????????, ? ???? ?????? ???????? ?? ??????.

?????????????. ????? ????? ?? ??? ????? ???????. ? ??????? ????? ??????????. ? ?? ?????? ????????? ????, ??? ?????? ???????? ???? ??????.

??????????, ??????.

??? ??? ??? ???. ?? ?? ????? ?? ???????? ??????? ? ??????? ??????? ??????.

???????? ????????, ???? ???? ????????? ??????? ? ????? ????????, ????? ???????? ????, ????? ????????? ????, ?? ????? ? ????? ?? ????! ?? ??????? ??????? ? ??-???????? ???????? ?????. ???????? ?????????.

?????? ?????????, ??? ????????? ?? ?????????? ? ?? ????????, ????? ???????? ??? ?????, ? ??????? ??.

???? ??????, ?? ?????? ? ??????.

??????? ???? ????? ????????? ???. ?? ???????? ? ???? ????????? ??? ??????????. ?????????, ???? ?? ?????, ? ??? ???? ??????????? ????????. ?????? ?? ? ???? ????.

?? ????????? ? ??????? ?????????, ???????? ? ??????? ? ????????? ??? ??????, ??????? ??? ?? ??????????.

????? ?????? ?? ??? ???? ??????? ????.




Chapter 7


The baron returned at about three o?clock in the afternoon. He found his wife in the drawing room.

?Have you met our guest yet?? he asked.

?No. Who is he??

?A chivalrous gentleman to whom I owe my life,? answered the baron, and he told his wife about his misfortunes. His story was true, for the most part, save for a few embellishments here and there.

?One of the monster?s eyes hid behind a black patch. But, still, it was his terrible scar that fascinated me. It ran from his left eye to the chin, and was overgrown with hair. I couldn?t take my gaze off of it,? said the baron in a sinister whisper.

?Oh, God! I would have died of fright if I had been in your place!? cried out the baroness, hiding her face in her little hands.








drawing room ????????; chivalrous ??-???????? ???????????; misfortunes ???????????; save for ?? ???????????; embellishment ?????????????? ????????????????; hide (hid; hidden) ???????, ?????????; scar ????; fascinate ????????????; overgrow (overgrew; overgrown) ????????? (???-????); sinister ????????; whisper ?????; fright ?????, ????



?I was quite frightened, too. But, then, I plucked up all my courage, took out my revolver, and aimed it at the monster?s only working eye. Still, the cat was far too quick. He managed to dodge the bullet, and it only scratched his temple. I pulled the trigger for a second time, but the gun jammed.?








frightened ??????????, ??????????; pluck up courage ????????? ? ?????, ????????? ?????????; aim ????????; dodgesth ??????????, ????????? ?? ????-????; bullet ????; scratch ?????????; temple ?????; trigger ????????? ?????? ?pull the trigger ?????? ?? ?????; gun ????????, ?????????; jam ?????????



?Oh, no!?

?The cat saw that I was not going to let up, and became furious. He stretched out his long hairy paw to grab me, but the sudden entrance of my savior ruined his plans. With several stabs of his sword, the Chevalier Valmont sent the terrible monster into flight.?








let up ?????????, ???????? ?????????????; become furious ????????????, ?????? ? ?????????; grab ????????; entrance?????: ????????? ?? ?????; savior ?????????; ruin sb?s plans ???????, ???????? ???-???? ?????; stab ??????? ???? (??????, ????????????.); flight ??????? ?send sb into flight ???????? ????-???? ? ???????



?But who is he, this Chevalier Valmont??

?Oh, it?s a long story. He will tell it to you himself,? said the baron, rising. ?I?m far too tired. I?ve spent a sleepless night ? and what a night it?s been! I hope you?ll excuse me if I left you now. I?d like to lie down for an hour or so.?

The baron left. But before going to his bedroom, he went up to the third floor and knocked on the door of his guest?s room.

The Chevalier Valmont had already changed into his clean clothes, and now looked refreshed and rested.

?I see you?ve had quite a rest,? said the baron. ?So much the better. The baroness can?t wait to meet you. (27) She is in the drawing room now. It is the first room to the right of the front door. I would have introduced you myself, but I?m afraid that if I go down once again, I won?t make it back to my room. (28) I?m ready to collapse.?

?I think I can find my way. Don?t worry.?

?Very well, then. Make yourself at home. I will join you at dinner.?

Together, they went down a flight of stairs, and the baron, mumbling something about being a bad host, disappeared in his bedroom. Valmont went to look for the baroness.








knock ???????; refreshed and rested ?????? ? ???????????; So much the better. ??? ?????; collapse ?????? ??? ???; Make yourself at home. ?????????? ???? ??? ????; join ??????????????; flightofstairs ?????????? ????; ?????????? ??????; host ??????; lookforsb ?????? ????-????




???????????


(28) The baroness can?t wait to meet you.?? ????????? ?? ???????? ? ???? ?????????????.

?????? I (we, they, etc.) can?twait ???????? ?? ??????????? ????? ????-????, ??????? ?? ???????????.

(29) I won?t make it back to my room.?? ? ?? ????? ????????? ? ???? ???????.

?????????????? makeit ???????????? ????? ????????? ?????? ?? ????????? ???????? ?????????? ? ???-????. ? ??? ??????, ?????????? ???? ?? ?????????. ? ????? ?????? ???????? ?????? ???????? ??????? back.

???????? ?????:

He finally made it to the top of the hill.?? ??????? ?? ???????? ?? ??????? ?????.

We?ll never make it out of the city.?? ??? ??????? ?? ????????? ?? ??????.




????? 7


????? ???????? ????? ???? ????? ?????????. ???? ?? ?????? ? ????????.

???? ??? ????????????? ? ????? ????????? ??????? ??.

????? ???. ??? ???

????????????? ??????????, ???????? ? ?????? ????? ??????,?? ??????? ????? ? ??????? ??????? ? ????? ????????????. ???????????? ?? ??????? ???? ?? ??????? ????? ?????????, ?? ??????????? ?????????? ????, ??????? ????? ????????? ??????????.

? ???? ???? ???????? ????????? ?? ?????? ????????. ?? ??? ????? ???????? ??????????? ?????????? ??? ??????? ????. ?? ???? ?????? ?????????. ?? ??????? ?? ?????? ????? ??????? ? ?????????? ? ????? ???????? ??????. ? ?? ??? ???????? ?? ???? ???????, ? ??????? ????? ???????? ???????.

??? ????! ? ?? ?????? ?? ?????, ??????? ? ?? ????? ?????!?? ??????????? ?????????, ?????? ???? ?????? ?????????? ???????.

??? ???? ???????? ?????????. ?? ????? ? ?????? ??? ???? ???????? ? ?????, ?????? ???? ????????? ? ????????? ??????? ????? ? ???????????? ???????? ????. ???? ??????? ??????????, ? ???? ???? ?????? ????????? ??? ?????. ? ??? ??? ????? ?? ????????? ??????, ?? ????????? ?????????.

? ? ???!

? ??????, ??? ? ?? ??????? ?????????, ??? ???????????. ?? ??? ???????? ???? ??????? ???????? ????, ????? ???????? ????, ?? ???, ?????? ?? ????????, ???????? ??? ????????? ? ???????? ??? ?????. ??????????? ??????? ?????? ??????? ???????? ??????? ???????? ??????? ? ???????.

???? ??? ??, ???? ??????? ?????????

???, ??? ??????? ???????. ?? ??? ?? ???? ?????????,?? ??????? ?????, ??????????.?? ? ??????? ?????. ???-????? ?????? ????? ???? ??? ???. ?? ????? ????! ? ???????, ?? ???????? ????, ???? ? ??????? ???? ??????. ???? ??????? ?? ?????.

????? ?????. ??????, ?????? ??? ?????? ? ????, ?? ???????? ?? ?????? ???? ? ???????? ? ??????? ?????.

??????? ???????? ??? ????? ??????????? ? ???????????????? ?????? ? ?????? ???????? ?????? ? ???????????.

??? ????, ?? ?????? ?????????,?? ?????? ?????.?? ??? ?????. ????????? ?? ???????? ? ???? ?????????????. ??? ?????? ? ????????. ??? ?????? ??????? ??????? ?? ????? ? ???. ? ?? ? ??? ?????????? ???, ?? ?????, ???, ???? ??? ??? ??????? ?? ?????? ????, ?? ????? ????????? ? ???? ???????. ? ?????? ????? ?? ?????????.

???????, ? ?? ????????? (????.: ????? ??????). ?? ???????????? ?? ????.

????, ??. ???????????? ???. ?????????? ???? ??? ????. ? ???????????? ? ??? ?? ??????.

??? ?????? ?????????? ?? ?????? ????, ? ?????, ??????????? ???-?? ?????? ????, ??? ????? ????????? ???? ??????????? ???????, ??????? ? ????? ???????, ? ???????? ?????????? ?? ?????? ?????????.




Chapter 8


On the first floor, he stumbled upon Maribel.

?I?ve been hoping to run into you, Sir,? said the maid with a blush.

?Sounds promising.?

?It?s about your clothes, Sir.?

?Oh, yes. I haven?t thanked you for taking care of them yet.?

?It?s not that, Sir. The thing is that I decided to wash your clothes myself, and, as I was washing them, I found this.?

?What is it??

?A ring, Sir. Looks like an engagement ring to me.?



stumbleuponsb/sth ??????????, ???????????? ?? ????-???? ??? ???-????; runintosb ?????????? ??????????? ????-????, ????????????; Soundspromising. ?????? ?????????????; takecareofsb/sth ??????????, ????????????; It?snotthat. ???? ?? ? ????; decide ??????, ??????? ???????; engagementring ??????????? ??????



?Say (29), that?s my ring!? cried out Valmont.

?Well (30), not exactly mine,? he corrected himself hastily, ?but it belongs to me. I thought I had lost it.?

?You must have carried it in your pocket all this time, then. The stone must have torn up the seam, and the ring slipped into the lining. It was quite a job to get it out.? (31)

?Thank you, Maribel. I?m glad you found it. This ring is very dear to me.?

Valmont thoughtfully turned the ring in his fingers before putting it away in his trouser pocket.



not exactly ?? ??????; correct ?????????; hastily ?????????; belong to sb ???????????? ????-????; tear up (tore; torn) ???????, ?????????; seam ???; lining ?????????; pocket ??????; put away ??????, ????????




???????????


(29) Say, that?s my ring!?? ?? ??? ?? ??? ??????!

????? say ????????? ? ??????? ?????????? ?? ????????? ?????????? ?????????.

???????? ?????:

Say, that?s a wonderful idea!?? ??????, ???????? ????!

Say, that?s a nice place you have!?? ? ? ???? ???????? ?????????! ?? ??????.

(30)Well, not exactly mine.?? ??, ?? ?????? ???.

????? well ? ?? ??????? ?? ????????? ???????, ? ??????????. ? ?????????, ????? ?????????? ????? ???? ????????????, ????? ????????? ?????? ?????? ???????? ? ??????????? ????????????.

(31)Itwasquiteajob to get it out.?? ? ??? ??? ???????// ??? ???????? ??????? ????????, ?????? ??? ? ??? ???????.

????? ????? job ????????? ?? ?????, ????????? ??????? ??????.

???????? ?????:

It was a real job to talk over all that noise.?? ???? ??????? ???? ???????????.

It will be quite a job finding him in this crowd.?? ????? ??? ? ???? ????? ????? ????????.




????? 8


?? ?????? ????? ??? ????????????? ????????? ????????.

??? ?????????, ??? ??????? ???, ??????,?? ??????? ?????????, ????????? ???????.

???????? ?????????????.

????? ???????? ????? ??????, ??????.

????, ??. ? ??? ?? ???????????? ??? ?? ??, ??? ???????????? ? ???.

??? ?? ? ???, ??????. ???? ? ???, ??? ? ?????? ???? ????????? ???? ??????, ?, ????? ???????, ????? ??? ???.

????? ????

?????????, ??????. ?????? ?? ??????????? ??????.

?????? ??, ??? ? ? ????? ???? ??? ??????,?? ?????????? ????????.

????, ?? ?????? ???,?? ???????? ??????????? ??,?? ?? ??? ??????????? ???. ? ?????, ??? ??????? ???.

????????, ?? ??? ????? ?????? ??? ? ???????. ?????? ???????? ???, ? ?????? ?????? ?? ?????????. ? ??? ??? ???????.

?????????, ????????. ? ???, ??? ??? ???????. ??? ?????? ??? ????? ??????.

???????? ????????? ???????? ?????? ? ???????, ????? ????? ??? ? ?????? ????.




Chapter 9


He found the baroness in the drawing room, paging through some music.

?I hope I?m not disturbing,? he said. ?I was told I would find you here. We haven?t been formally introduced. I?m Chevalier Valmont.?

?How do you do, Chevalier. Of course you?re not disturbing. In fact, I couldn?t wait to meet my husband?s savior.?



page ???????, ?????????????; music?????: ????; disturb ??????; infact ? ????????????????, ?? ????? ????; ?? ?????? ??????; husband ???, ??????



?It was very kind of you to harbour a total stranger.?

?Anyone would be happy to harbour a shining knight (32), and you are a shining knight if any of what my husband told me is true.?

?Things are not always what they seem, Madam.?

?Now you speak in riddles.?

?Never mind. (33) Forget what I said.?

?Please, tell me.?

?I only wanted to say that sometimes things are much more prosaic than they would appear. I simply happened to be in the right place at the right time, that?s all.? (34)








harbour ????????; total stranger ????? ?????????? ??????????; knight ?????? ? shining knight ?????? ? ??????? ????????; riddle ???????; appear ????????



?You know, I have this strange feeling that we have met before,? said the baroness after a while.

?That?s quite impossible. This is my first time in Mouseville.?

?Maybe it was before you came to Mouseville. Where are you from??

?I was born in a small town on the southern coast of the Mouse Kingdom. Its name won?t tell you anything. Later, I spent a lot of time away from home, travelling. No, I don?t think that our paths have crossed before. Besides, I would have remembered you if I had met you.?








coast ????? (???? ??? ??????), ?????????; path ?????, ???????; cross ????????????



?And still? Your face?It seems strangely familiar. I have this feeling ever since you entered the room.?

?Such things happen. You know, once I made a portrait of a mouse girl I had never really seen, she only existed in my imagination, and was very surprised when some time afterwards I ran into a living copy of that girl in one of the port towns. Our subconscious mind ? or whatever it is ? plays tricks with us sometimes. One of these tricks is called d?j? vu: you think that what you?re doing or feeling now has already happened to you before. Probably, you are experiencing something like that.








and still ? ?? ??, ? ??? ?? ?????; familiar ????????; exist ????????????; imagination ???????????; afterwards ????? ?????; subconscious ??????????????? ?subconsciousmind ???????????; or whatever it is ??? ??? ??? ???; probably ????????, ????????; experience ??????????



?Perhaps you?re right. You said you have spent many years away from home. How is that possible? I mean, you being so young??

?I?m not as young as it may appear. I guess, it?s the sea. Its salty waters must have preserved me well.?

?Just don?t tell my friends about it, or they will all take to the sea, and I will have no one to gossip with.?

?I promise, I won?t tell anyone,? Valmont said with a smile.

?But you will share your secret with me, won?t you??

?Certainly.?






preserve ?????????, ????????????????; taketothesea ??????????? ? ????????, ?????: ???????? ? ??????; gossip ???????????; share ??????????; certainly ??????????, ??????????, ???? ?????



?And what about me? May I join in on the secret?? asked the baron who happened to overhear his wife?s question.

?Martin! What are you doing here? You were supposed to be fast asleep in your bed,? said the baroness. (35)

?Which I was. But the wonderful smell coming from the kitchen woke me up.?

?I thought that the two of you might be hungry, so I asked the cook to serve dinner at five instead of seven.?

?Great!? said the baron, rubbing his hands together in anticipation. ?I knew you wouldn?t let your husband starve to death, my dear.?



joinin (onsth) ??????????? (? ???-????); overhear ???????? ????????; remark ?????????, ???????; anticipation ????????, ????????????; starve ??????? ?? ??????




???????????


(32) ashiningknight (?????: a knight in shining armour) ? ??????? ? ??????? ?????????, ?????, ??? ????????? ??? ?? ???????? ??? ???????????????? ?????????

(33)Nevermind.?? ?? ????????? ????????.

?????? never mind ????? ????????? ???????? ????????. ????? ??? ????????? ?? ??, ??? ????? ???? ??? ????? ?????????????? ?? ????? ???????? ? ?????? ?? ??? ?? ????? ???????? ????????.

(34) I simply happened to be in the right place at the right time.?? ? ?????? ???????? ???????? ? ?????? ????? ? ?????? ?????.

?????? happen ????????? ????? ?? ????????????????? ???????? ???????.

???????? ?????:

I happened to run into them in the park.?? ? ???????? ?????????? ? ???? ? ?????.

The door happened to be unlocked.?? ????? ???????? ????????? ??????????.

(35) You were supposed to be fast asleep in your bed.

??????????? be supposed to do something ????? ????????? ???????? ????????. ????? ??? ????????? ?? ????????? ?????????: ??????????????, ??? ????? ??? ??? ?????? ???? ? ????? ???????.




????? 9


????????? ?? ????? ? ????????. ??? ????????????? ????.

?????????, ? ?? ?????????? ??????? ??.?? ??? ???????, ??? ? ????? ??? ?????. ?? ?? ???? ?????????? ????????????. ? ??????? ????????.

??????????????, ???????. ??????? ??, ?? ?? ????????. ?? ????? ???? ? ? ??????????? ????? ??????? ?? ?????????? ????? ????.

? ? ????? ??????? ???? ????? ??????? ???????? ? ???? ??????????.

? ????? ??? ?? ???????? ???? ????? ?????? ? ??????? ????????, ? ?? ????? ????????? ??????, ???? ???? ?? ????? ?? ????, ??? ????????? ??? ??? ???, ? ??????.

? ???? ?? ?????? ?????, ?????? ???????, ????????.

? ?????? ?? ???????? ?????????.

? ?? ????????? ????????. ????????, ??? ? ??????.

? ??????????, ??????? ??? [??? ?? ?????? ? ????].

? ? ?????? ????? ???????, ??? ?????? ??? ??????? ????? ?????????, ??? ???????. ? ?????? ???????? ???????? ? ?????? ????? ? ?????? ?????, ??? ? ??.

???? ??????, ? ???? ????? ???????? ???????, ??? ?? ? ???? ?????? ??? ???????????,?? ??????? ????????? ????????? ????? ??????.

????? ?????????? ??????????. ? ??????? ? ????????.

??????? ????, ??? ???? ?? ?????? ??????? ? ????????? ?????? ?? ??????

??? ??????? ? ????????? ??????? ?? ????? ????????? ???????? ???????????. ??? ???????? ??? ???? ?? ???-???? ??????. ????? ? ????? ??????? ?????? ? ??????????? ????? ?? ????. ???, ? ?? ?????, ????? ???? ???? ?????-???? ????????????. ? ?????, ? ?? ?? ????? ???, ??????? ??? ?????? ??? ??????.

??? ?? ?? ???? ???? ??? ??????? ??? ??????? ????????. ??? ??????? ?? ???????? ???? ? ??? ????? ??????, ??? ?? ????? ? ???????.

??????? ?????????. ??????, ? ??????? ??????? ??????? ?????, ??????? ??????? ?? ????? ??????, ??? ???????????? ?????? ? ???? ???????????, ? ??? ?????????? ???????, ????? ????????? ????? ?????? ???????? ?? ????? ????? ? ????? ?? ???????? ???????. ???? ???????????, ??? ??? ??? ???, ?????? ?????????? ???????? ??????. ???? ?? ????? ??????? ???????? ????-??: ??? ???????, ??? ??, ??? ?? ??????? ??? ???????? ? ????????? ?????, ??? ????? ????? ? ???????. ????????, ? ???? ?????????? ????? ? ???? ????.

??????????, ?? ?????. ?? ???????, ??? ??????? ????? ??????? ????? ?? ????. ??? ????? ????? ????? ? ???? ???????, ?? ??? ??????.

???? ????? ???? ? ?? ??? ?????, ????? ??????. ????????, ????? ???? ????. ?????? ????, ??? ??????? ???? ???? ????????????????.

???????? ?? ???????? ?? ???? ???? ????????, ? ?? ??? ??? ????????? ? ??????, ? ??? ?? ? ??? ????? ?????????????.

????????, ? ?????? ?? ?????,?? ?????? ???????? ? ???????.

???? ?? ???? ?? ?????????? ????? ?????????

????????????.

? ? ??? ?????? ????? ? ???? ?????????????? ? ?????? ?????????? ??????? ?????, ??????? ???????? ??????? ????????? ??????? ????? ????.

? ??????! ??? ?? ??? ???????? ?? ?? ?????? ?????? ????? ? ????? ???????, ? ??????? ?????????.

? ??? ? ? ?????, ?? ???? ???????? ???????? ????? ?? ?????.

? ? ????????, ??? ?? ??? ?????? ???? ???????, ? ????????? ???????? ?????? ???? ? ???? ?????? ????.

? ????????????!?? ?????? ?????, ??????? ???? ? ???????????? ?????. ??? ????, ??? ?? ?? ????????? ?????? ???? ??????? ?? ??????, ??? ???????.




Chapter 10


At dinner ? which happened to be excellent? Valmont repeated the story he had already told to the baron during their journey through the forest. He spoke of his capture, his life among the pirates, and of his love of painting.

?It, actually, saved my life,? he said. ?I would have walked the plank (36) like many other captives, but, luckily for me, the pirate captain liked the portrait I had made of him, and he spared me. Afterwards, I made portraits of the other pirates, and they soon got used to my presence on the ship. Eventually, I began participating in the raids, and had my share of the loot. I learned to swing a sword and fire a pistol like a real swashbuckler. I opened a bank account at one of the English banks in India, and, once I thought that I had saved up enough, I made off with the money.?








capture ????????, ?????? ? ????; actually ??????????, ?? ????; captive ???????; spare ??????, ????????; get used to sth (got; got) ?????????? ? ????-????; eventually ? ?????, ? ???????? ?????; participate ????????? ???????; share ????; loot ??????, ???????????? ?????; swing a sword ????????? ??????; fire a pistol ???????? ?? ?????????; swashbuckler ??????, ????? ?????????? ???????; bank account ?????????? ????; save up ???????; enough ??????????; make off with sth ??????, ????????? ? ????? ???-????



When the long dinner was over, and coffee was served, it was already dark. The baron, who had done justice to all twelve courses, was now fiercely battling his own drowsiness. After he had given a few loud snores and nearly fallen off his chair, the baroness told the butler to take her husband up to his bedroom.

?Would you care to join me (37) for a walk through the park ? of course, if you?re not too tired?? the baroness asked of her guest.

?I would be glad to keep you company,? Valmont answered.








be over ???????????; do justice to sth ?????? ???????; course ????? (???????????????); fiercely ????????, ???????; battle ?????????; drowsiness ??????????; not at all ?????????, ??????; keep sb company ????????? ???????? ????-????



?I have noticed how little you ate at dinner,? said the baroness as they walked along the dimly lit garden path.

?I usually eat very little. Gluttony does not figure on the list of my sins.?

?Have you sinned much??

?Perhaps not as much as noble ladies and gentlemen at the Court of His Majesty Mouse XXV (read: Mouse the Twenty-Fifth), but then, I?ve had fewer opportunities.

?You?re not being serious, are you??

?I?m dead serious.?








notice ????????; dimly lit ?????? ??????????; gluttony ?????????, ???????????; figure ????????????; list ??????; sin ????, ?????; ???????; noble ???????????; court ??????????? ????; but then ?? ? ?????? ???????; opportunity ???????????; dead serious ????????? ?? ??????



?Have you killed? You don?t need to answer this question if you don?t want to.?

?Oh, I don?t mind telling you. Yes, I have killed. But only in battle, and only when I knew that my own life was in danger. I beg your pardon, but why are you asking such things? Do you want to hire me as an assassin??

?What a strange thing to say!?

?How so? Or don?t they hire killers to dispose of a rival anymore??

?You don?t need to hire a killer to do away with a rival. There are so many other ways to get rid of an enemy.?

?Like breaking your rival?s heart by stealing from her someone she loves? Or, perhaps, by driving her to suicide??








I don?t mind ? ?? ?????; battle ????????, ???; I beg your pardon. ????? ???????? (????? ??????????); hire ??????; as ? ????????; assassin ??????? ??????; Howso? ? ????? ??????? ???????; disposeofsb ?????????? ?? ????-????, ?????; rival ????????, ?????????; doawaywithsb ?????? ? ??????, ?????????, ?????; getridofsb ?????????? ?? ????-????; enemy ????; breaksb?sheart ??????? ?????? ????-????; steal (stole; stolen) ??????, ???????, ?????: ??????, ?????? (??????, ?????????????); suicide ???????????? ?drivesbtosuicide ??????? ?? ????????????



At these last words, the baroness grew pale. But Valmont didn?t seem to notice.

?You think this is less painful?? he continued. ?If you ask me, it is better to die by the hand of a killer than go through the ordeal of being betrayed by someone you loved.?

?You speak as if you have gone through such an ordeal,? the baroness said in a trembling voice.

?Perhaps ? perhaps not,? said Valmont.

For some time, neither of them spoke. Finally, the baroness offered, ?It is getting quite cold. It?s best we return into the house.?








pale ???????; grow pale (grew; grown) ??????????; less painful ????? ??????????, ?? ??? ??????; continue ??????????; ordeal ??????? ?????????, ????; betray ???????, ?????????; voice ?????




???????????


(36) walk the plank ? ?????? ?? ?????

??????? ? ???? ?????? ??????? ?????????? ????????? ? ????. ?????? ?????????? ?? ???? ?? ?????, ??????????? ????? ???? ?????, ???? ?????? ?? ?????? ? ????.

(37) Would you care to join me??? ?? ??????? ?????????????? ?? ????

????? ?????? care ????????? ????????? ???????? like ? want.

???????? ?????:

Would you care for some coffee??? ?? ??????? ?????




????? 10


?? ?????? (???????, ???? ???????, ??? ???????????) ???????? ???????? ???????, ??????? ????? ??????? ?????? ?? ????? ?? ??????????? ??????????? ????? ???. ?? ????????? ? ????? ????????, ? ????? ????? ??????? ? ? ????? ????? ? ????????.

? ??????????, ??? ?????? ??? ?????, ? ?????? ??. ?????? ?? ???????? ? ????, ???????? ?????? ? ??????????? ??????? ?? ?????, ??? ?????? ?????? ?????????, ?? ???????? ??????? ?????????? ??? ???????, ??????? ? ?????????, ? ?? ???????? ??? ?????. ????? ????? ? ????????? ???????? ?????? ???????, ? ?????? ??? ???????? ? ????? ??????????? ?? ???????. ? ???????? ????? ? ???? ????????? ??????? ? ????????? ??????? ? ??????? ???? ???? ??????. ? ???????? ????????? ?????? ? ???????? ?? ????????? ??? ????????? ????? ?????????? ???????. ? ?????? ???? ? ????? ?? ?????????? ?????? ? ????? ?, ??? ?????? ?????, ??? ?????? ??????????, ????? ?????? ? ????????.

????? ???????????? ???? ??????? ? ????? ? ?????? ????, ?? ?????? ???? ??? ?????. ?????, ??????? ????? ??????? ???? ?????????? ??????, ?????? ??????? ??????? ?? ????. ????? ????, ??? ?? ????????? ??? ?????? ????????? ? ???? ?? ???????? ?? ?????, ????????? ?????? ?????????? ????????? ?????? ?????? ? ??? ???????.

??? ????????? ??????????? ?? ?????. ?? ??????? ????????????????? ???????? ????????? ? ?????.?? ??????????, ???? ?? ?? ??????? ??????.

??? ? ????????????? ???????? ??? ????????,?? ??????? ????????.

??? ????????, ??? ???? ?? ??? ?? ??????,?? ??????? ?????????, ????? ??? ??? ?? ?????? ?????????? ??????? ???????.

??? ?????? ????? ???? ??. ??????????? ?? ???????? ? ?????? ???? ???????.

??? ?? ????? ????????

??????????, ?? ??? ?????, ??? ??????????? ???? ? ??????? ??? ????? ??? ?????????? ????? XXV, ??, ????? ??, ? ???? ???? ?????? ????????????.

???? ??? ??????.

??? ????????? ????????.

????? ??????????? ???????? ???????, ?????? ?? ???????? ?? ???? ??????, ???? ?? ???????.

???????? ??? ??????. ??, ??? ??????????? ???????. ?? ?????? ? ??? ? ?????? ????? ? ????, ??? ???? ????? ?????? ?????????. ????? ????????, ?? ?????? ?? ??????????? ? ????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ???? ? ???????? ???????? ???????

??????? ???????? ???? ????????!

???????? ????????? ??? ????????? ?????????? ? ???????? ? ??????? ??????? ????? ????? ????????

??????? ????????? ?????????, ?????? ????????????? ???????? ???????? ??????. ?????????? ??????? ?????? ???????? ?????????? ?? ?????.

??????????, ??????? ?????? ?????????, ????? ? ??? ????????? ???, ????? ????, ??????? ?? ?? ?????????????

??? ????????? ?????? ????????? ??????????, ?? ????????, ????????, ?????? ?? ???????.

???? ???????, ??? ????? ????????????? ????????? ??.?? ?? ??? ??? ????? ??????? ?? ???? ???????? ??????, ??? ?????? ????? ??? ???????? ??, ????? ??????? ???????? ???, ???? ??????? ????????????.

???? ???????? ???, ?????? ???? ?????? ????? ???? ??,?? ??????? ?????????; ????? ?? ??????.

???????, ??????, ? ?????, ? ???,?? ??????? ????????.

?????-?? ????? ??? ???????. ???????, ????????? ??????????:

???????????? ???????? ?????????. ??? ????? ????????? ? ???.




Chapter 11


The next morning ? the clock had just struck eleven ? the baroness heard a carriage pull up in front of the house. She looked out of the window, and smiled to herself.

?The viscountess is already here! One can always count on her to be the first on the spot.?

News travelled fast in Mouseville. Often, too fast.








strike (struck; struck) ????, ???????; pullup ????????? ? ????????????; viscountess ??????????; countonsth ??????????, ????????????, ?????? ?????? ?? ???-????; spot?????: ????? ????????



The baroness went over the dark circles under her eyes with a brush. The conversation in the garden had stirred up too many painful memories, and she had hardly slept a wink the previous night. Now she feared that the viscountess might notice something, and she was not ready to answer the barrage of questions that would inevitably follow. So, she put on her most carefree expression, and hurried downstairs to welcome the early visitor.






go over the dark circles with a brush ???????? ???????? ?? ?????? ??????; stir up memories ?????????? ????????????; wink ??? ?hardly sleep a wink (slept; slept) ???? ???????? ?????; previous ??????????; fear ???????; barrage ???????, ??????? ??? ?barrage of questions ???? ????????; inevitably ?????????; put on?????: ???????? ?? ????, ??????? ????; carefree expression ??????????? ?????????



The Viscountess Fumaison was the widow of old Viscount Fumaison, who died soon after the wedding. The young widow was still mourning her husband ? out of gratitude, as far the baroness was concerned (38), for not making her suffer too long in an unequal marriage, and for leaving her all his fortune.








widow ?????; wedding ???????; mourn sb ?????? ????? ?? ????-????; out of gratitude ?? ?????????????; suffer ???????? ? make suffer ?????????? ????????; unequal ????????; fortune ?????????



?So, where is he?? asked the viscountess, without beating about the bush. ?I was told I could find here a certain Knight in Shining Armour, who travels incognito by the name of the Chevalier Valmont. Where are you hiding him, Margaret??

She looked about the room, as if she really expected to find someone lurking in one of the dark corners.

?I see you even know his name,? remarked the baroness.

?Not only that,? answered the viscountess, her whiskers twitching playfully.

?May I ask who had told you??

?The Baroness Dorblu, who heard it from the Baron Dorblu ? who, in turn, had received this news first-hand from your husband. Which means, I know all about his misfortunes, and, I?m afraid, not I alone. On the way here we overtook the carriage of the Countess Coeur de Chevre, and may I forever remain the widow of the good Viscount Fumaison (39), if she was not on her way to pay you a visit. Her carriage stopped at the sweet shop of Monsieur Shavroux. She should be here any minute now.?








beat about the bush ?????? ?????? ?? ?????, ???????? ?????????; lurk ?????????, ??????????; corner ????; twitch ?????????????; in turn ? ???? ???????; first-hand ?? ?????? ???; misfortune ?????????, ???????????; overtake ????????; pay sb a visit ??????? ????? ????-????



At that very moment, the door of the drawing room opened, and the butler announced:

?Her Excellency Countess Coeur de Chevre to visit Your Excellency!?

The Countess Coeur de Chevre was the other best friend of the baroness, second only to the viscountess. (40) She was a petite mouse with a lively face and a nose that was a little bit too long for a mouse. Now it seemed even longer than usual.

The countess looked around the room, just the way her friend had done a few minutes ago, and her face sank. She had, obviously, expected to find the baroness in someone else?s company.








announce ??????????? (????????????????????); petite ????????? ? ???????, ???????; lively ?????, ?????????, ???????; than usual ??? ??????; her face sank (sink; sank; sunk) ??? c???? ? ????, ?????????



?I?m not late, am I?? she asked.

?Don?t worry, Marietta. I haven?t had a chance yet to win over the Chevalier Valmont. We start together,? reassured her the Viscountess Fumaison. Then, turning to the hostess, she said, ?Which brings us back to my first question: ?Where is he??

?The chevalier has some business in town,? answered the baroness.

?Business? In Mouseville? What business could he have in a strange town (41)?? asked the viscountess.

?You?re forgetting, Marietta, that he is looking for his sister,? the countess interrupted. ?And, please, lay off Margaret. Don?t you see she is not quite herself??

?I wonder why. Wait, don?t tell me. I think I know why. You tried your feminine charms on him, but he gave you the cold shoulder. Is that it, Margaret??

?Of course not,? answered the baroness. ?He is a hero, no doubt, but not my type of hero.?








reassure ??????????, ????????; winover ???????? ?? ???? ???????, ??????????? ? ????; ?????: ????????, ??????; hostess ??????? ???? (?? ????????? ? ??????); layoffsb ??????? ?? ????-????, ?? ?????????? ? ????-????, ???????? ? ?????; notquiteherself ???? ?? ????; wonder ?????????? ????????, ???????????? ????, ??????; Iwonderwhy. ?????? ?? ? ?????, ??????; ????????? ???? ?? ??????, ??????; feminine ???????; charms ????; givesbthecoldshoulder ?????????????? ????????????, ?? ????????? ????????; hero ?????; doubt ????????



?I don?t believe you, Margaret. You?re hiding something from us,? insisted the viscountess.

?I?m not. Why should I??

?So, you wouldn?t mind us hunting on your lands, then??

?Not at all.?

?Which reminds me. Are you sure that sister of his is really his sister, and not some third cousin??

?I suspect she is neither,? answered the baroness. ?My maid told me that he carries a ring in his pocket, which seems to be very dear to him ? so he said. Maribel tried it on. It is definitely not a man?s ring.?

?That doesn?t mean anything,? said the countess. ?It can be an heirloom of sorts. Besides, as far as I remember, he is looking for a nun ? those don?t count.?

?Thank you, Marietta, you cheered me up to no end,? said the Viscountess sarcastically.








insist ??????????; hunt ?????????; lands?????: ??????; not at all ?????????, ??????; remind ??????????; third cousin ?????????????? ??????; suspect ???????????; neither ?? ??, ?? ??????; try on ?????????; definitely ???????????; heirloom ????????? ????, ???????? ????????; of sorts ?????? ????, ???-?? ????; to no end ??????, ??????????



?I have brought you your favourite ?clairs, Margaret,? said the countess, changing the subject. ?Why don?t we have tea? All this excitement has given me quite an appetite.? (42)

?How long is your guest going to stay in Mouseville?? the viscountess asked after a while.

?I think he is going to settle down here as a painter. He wants to buy a studio.?

?Buy a studio? So, he is rich, this Chevalier Valmont??

?I don?t know how rich he is, but he is certainly not poor. He has an unlimited credit with Tomme Corse and Sons.?

?Unlimited credit! That?s something!? the viscountess cried out. ?It looks like we have dug up quite the tasty morsel. (43) Say what you will, girls, but I?m going to swallow it whole,? ? and she took a large bite off the ?clair she was holding in her little hand.








subject ???? ?????????; excitement ????????, ????????????? ???????????; settle down ????????????, ??????????; unlimited ??????????????; dig up (dug; dug) ????????, ????????; tasty morsel ??????? ???????; say what you will ??? ?? ??????; swallow ???????; whole ???????; take a large bite ???????? ??????? ?????




???????????


(38)as far the baroness was concerned ? ??? ???????? ?????????

??????????? as far as somebody is concerned ????????? ?? ?????? ?????? ???????????????? ???? ???????????? ????-????.

???????? ?????:

As far as I?m concerned, you?re no longer friends.?? ????????? ? ???????. ?? ? ??? ?????? ?? ??????.

(39) may I forever remain the widow of the good Viscount Fumaison ? ????? ? ???????? ???????? ?????? ???????? ??????? ????????

?????? ? ??????? ??????????, ????????? ?????? may ???????????? ??? ????????? ?????? ? ???????. ????????:

May he rest in peace.?? ?? ????????? ?? ? ?????!

May the best man win!?? ????? ??????? ??????????!

(40)Besecondtosomebody ?????? ???????? ?????????? ????-????, ?????? ???? ?? ?????????, ??? ???-??. ????????:

second only to the president ? ?????? ?? ?????????? ????? ??????????;

He is second to none.?? ??? ??? ??????.

(41) Strange ? ??? ?? ?????? ?????????, ?? ????? ???????????, ????????????, ????????:

The language was strange to me.?? ???? ???? ??? ??? ????????.

She woke up in a strange room.?? ??? ?????????? ? ?????????? ???????.

It's good to see you among all these strange faces.?? ??????? ??? ??????? ????? ???? ???? ????? ???.

(42) All this excitement has given me quite an appetite.

????? quite ?????? ? ???? ????? ???? ?????????: ???? ??? ??????????? ????????? ? ???? ???????? ???????; ??? ???? ???? ??????????? ? ???? ?????????? ???????.

(43) quite the tasty morsel = a very tasty morsel




????? 11


????? ?????????? ??? ? ???? ???? ?????? ??????? ??????????? ? ????????? ????????, ??? ? ???? ???????? ??????. ??? ????????? ?? ???? ? ?????????? ???? ????.

?????! ?????????? ??? ??? ??? ???! ????? ?????? ? ???????????? ?????? ?????? ?? ??, ??? ??? ???????? ?? ????? ???????? ??????.

??????? ? ???????? ???????????????? ??????, ????? ??????? ??????.

????????? ???????? ???????? ?? ?????? ?????? ??? ???????. ???????? ? ???? ?????????? ??????? ????? ??????????? ????????????, ? ??? ????? ?? ???????? ???? ?????????? ?????. ?????? ????????? ???????, ??? ?????????? ???-?????? ???????, ? ??? ?? ???? ?????? ???????? ?? ???? ????????, ??????? ?????????? ?????????. ??????? ??? ???????? ?? ???? ????? ??????????? ????????? ? ????????? ?? ?????? ????, ????? ???????????????? ??????.

?????????? ???????? ???? ?????? ??????? ??????? ????????, ????????? ? ???? ?????? ????? ???????. ??????? ????? ?? ??? ??? ?????? ????? ?? ???????, ??? ???????? ?????????, ?? ??????? ????????????? ? ?? ??, ??? ?? ???????? ?? ????? ???????? ? ???????? ?????, ? ?? ??, ??? ??????? ?? ??? ???? ?????????.

???? ? ??? ????? ???????? ?????????? ??? ????????.?? ? ???????, ??? ????? ????? ??????? ?????? ? ??????? ????????, ??????? ???????????? ????????? ??? ?????? ??????? ????????. ??? ?? ??? ???????, ?????????

?????????? ?????? ???????? ????????, ??? ????? ????????????? ??????? ????? ????-??, ??? ????????? ? ????? ?? ?????? ?????.

??? ????, ???? ???? ???????? ??? ???,?? ???????? ?????????.

??? ?? ??????,?? ???????? ??????????, ?????? ?????????? ???????.

???? ????, ???? ?? ???????

???? ????????? ??? ???, ??????? ???????? ?? ???? ?? ?????? ??? ???, ????????, ? ???? ???????, ??? ??????? ????? ???????? ?? ?????? ???, ? ?????? ?? ?????? ???????. ??? ????????, ??? ? ???? ??? ? ??? ????????????. ? ?????, ?? ? ????. ?? ?????? ???? ?? ???????? ?????? ??????? ʸ? ?? ????, ? ????? ? ???????? ???????? ?????? ???????? ??????? ????????, ???? ??? ?? ???????????? ? ???? ? ???????. ?? ?????? ??????????? ????? ???????????? ????????? ??????. ??? ????? ????? ? ?????? ?? ??????.

? ???? ????? ?????? ????? ???????? ??????????, ? ????????? ?????????: ??? ????????? ??????? ʸ? ?? ???? ? ????? ???????!?

??????? ʸ? ?? ???? ???? ?????? ?????? ???????? ????????? ????? ??????????. ??? ???? ??????????? ????? ? ????? ????????? ????????? ? ????????? ??????????? ??? ????? ???????. ?????? ?? ??????? ???? ??????? ??????? ????????.

??????? ?????? ???????? ??????? ????? ??? ??, ??? ??? ??????? ?? ??????? ????????? ????? ?????, ? ??????? ??????. ??????, ??? ??????? ??????? ????????? ? ???? ????????.

??? ?? ??????????? ???????? ???.

???? ?????????, ????????. ? ??? ?? ?????? ?????? ??????? ?????????. ?? ???????? ????????????,?? ????????? ?? ?????????? ???????, ????? ???? ??????????, ????????? ? ??????? ????.?? ??? ?????????? ??? ? ????? ???????: ???? ????

??? ??????? ???? ? ??????,?? ???????? ?????????.

??????? ? ????????? ????? ? ???? ????? ???? ???? ? ?????????? ????????? ???????? ??????????.

???? ?????????, ????????, ??? ??????? ???? ???? ??????,?? ???????? ?? ???????.?? ?, ??????????, ??????? ?? ????????. ??????? ?? ??????, ??? ??? ? ??? ???? ?? ? ?????

???????? ?? ? ?????, ??????. ???????, ?? ?????? ???. ???????, ? ????, ??????. ?? ??? ??????????? ?? ??? ???? ??????? ????, ? ?? ??? ???? ??????, ??? ?? ?? ? ??? ?????! ??? ????, ?????????

???????????? ???,?? ???????? ?????????.?? ??, ??????????, ?????, ?? ?? ????? ????? ??????.

? ? ???? ?? ????, ????????. ?? ???-?? ?? ??? ?????????, ? ?????????? ??????????.

? ?????? ? ?? ???????. ????? ?? ? ????? ??? ???????

? ??????, ?? ?? ??????? ?????????, ???? ?? ?????????? ? ????? ????????

? ??????.

? ??? ????????? ???: ?? ???????, ??? ??? ?????? ????????????? ??? ?????? ??????, ? ?? ?????-?????? ???????????????

??? ??????????, ??? ??? ?? ??, ?? ??????,?? ??????? ?????????.?? ??? ????????? ??????????, ??? ? ??????? ?? ????? ??????, ???????, ?? ??? ???????????? ?????????, ??? ????? ??????. ???????? ??? ?????????. ?????? ???? ?? ???????.

????? ?????? ?? ??????,?? ??????? ??????????.?? ??? ????? ???? ???-?? ???? ???????? ????????. ? ???? ?? ?? ???? ???????, ? ??? ?? ? ????.

?????????, ????????. ?? ???? ????? ???????,?? ???????? ?????????? ?????????????.

? ? ???????? ???? ???? ??????? ??????, ????????, ? ??????? ???????, ????? ???? ?????????. ???????? ?? ??? ?? ?????? ???? ??? ??? ??????????? ????????? ? ???? ???????? ???????.




????? ???????????????? ?????????.


????? ???????????? ??? ???????.

?????????? ??? ????? ???????, ????? ?????? ????????? ?????? (https://www.litres.ru/elizaveta-heynonen-2/the-mysterious-disappearance-of-the-chevalier-valmont/) ?? ??????.

????????? ???????? ????? ????? ?????????? ?????? Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, ?? ????? ?????????? ????????, ? ?????????? ?????????, ? ?????? ??? ??? ???????, ????? PayPal, WebMoney, ??????.??????, QIWI ???????, ????????? ??????? ??? ?????? ??????? ??? ????????.



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