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 Simón da Costa,” the passenger introduced himself.
bravery храбрость, смелость, отвага; owe быть в долгу, быть обязанным; rescuer спаситель, избавитель; at your service к вашим услугам; introduce yourself представиться
“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 тоже; insist настаивать; trick трюк, уловка; military ruse военная хитрость; so to speak так сказать; stumble upon sth наткнуться, набрести на что-либо; makeshift shelter временное убежище, импровизированное укрытие; just in time как раз вовремя, очень своевременно
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 поклониться; slightly слегка; perhaps может быть; be broke на мели; since учитывая тот факт, что; принимая во внимание, что; be hard up быть в затруднительном финансовом положении, испытывать материальные трудности; the thing is дело в том; solid ground твердая почва; for a change для разнообразия; besides кроме того; smell запах; however однако, тем не менее; favour услуга ◊ return the favour оказать ответную услугу; give a ride подвезти, подбросить
“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 в таком случае; go and fetch сходить за чем-либо, сходить и принести; along with вместе с; accompanied by в сопровождении кого-либо; canvas bag холщовая сумка, брезентовый мешок; owner хозяин, travel light путешествовать налегке