It was three o’clock now, and day was dawning (было уже три часа, и занималась заря; to dawn – /рас/светать; dawn – рассвет, утренняя заря). I was on a long straight grass avenue (я оказался на длинной, прямой, заросшей травой дороге), and a hundred yards ahead ran young Rupert (а в сотне ярдов впереди бежал юный Руперт), his curls waving in the fresh breeze (кудри его развевал свежий ветерок). I was weary and panting (я устал и тяжело дышал); he looked over his shoulder and waved his hand again to me (он оглянулся через плечо и снова махнул мне рукой).
Rupert smiled again, and waved his hand to me.
“I should like a turn with you, but it’s a little too hot!” said he, and he disappeared from above me.
In an instant, without thinking of danger, I laid my hand to the rope. I was up. I saw him thirty yards off, running like a deer towards the shelter of the forest. For once Rupert Hentzau had chosen discretion for his part. I laid my feet to the ground and rushed after him, calling to him to stand. He would not. Unwounded and vigorous, he gained on me at every step; but, forgetting everything in the world except him and my thirst for his blood, I pressed on, and soon the deep shades of the forest of Zenda engulfed us both, pursued and pursuer.
It was three o’clock now, and day was dawning. I was on a long straight grass avenue, and a hundred yards ahead ran young Rupert, his curls waving in the fresh breeze. I was weary and panting; he looked over his shoulder and waved his hand again to me.
He was mocking me, for he saw he had the pace of me (он насмехался надо мной, поскольку понял, что мне его не догнать: «что он имел /преимущество/ в скорости передо мной»; to see – видеть, смотреть; понимать, знать, сознавать; pace – шаг, длина шага; скорость, темп). I was forced to pause for breath (мне пришлось остановиться, чтобы /перевести/ дух: «дыхание»). A moment later, Rupert turned sharply to the right (минутой позже Руперт резко свернул вправо) and was lost from my sight (и пропал у меня из виду; to lose; sight – зрение; поле зрения).
I thought all was over, and in deep vexation sank on the ground (я подумал, что все закончилось, и, глубоко раздосадованный, опустился на землю; vexation – досада, раздражение). But I was up again directly (но тут же вскочил на ноги), for a scream rang through the forest – a woman’s scream (потому что по лесу разнесся крик – женский крик). Putting forth the last of my strength, I ran on to the place (собрав остатки сил, я побежал к тому месту) where he had turned out of my sight (где он повернул, и я /потерял/ его из виду; to turn – сворачивать), and, turning also, I saw him again (и, тоже свернув /там/, снова увидел его). But alas (но, увы)! I could not touch him (я не смог добраться до него: «я не мог достать его»; to touch – касаться, трогать; достигать, доставать). He was in the act of lifting a girl down from her horse (он как раз снимал с лошади какую-то девочку; to be in the act of doing smth. – совершать что-л.; быть в процессе совершения чего-л.; act – дело, поступок, акт); doubtless it was her scream that I heard (несомненно, крик, который я слышал, был ее; doubt – сомнение). She looked like a small farmer’s or a peasant’s daughter (она выглядела как дочь мелкого фермера или крестьянина), and she carried a basket on her arm (на руке у нее была корзина). Probably she was on her way to the early market at Zenda (вероятно, она направлялась на утренний рынок в Зенду). Her horse was a stout, well shaped animal (ее лошадь была крепким, прекрасно сложенным животным; shaped – имеющий определенную форму; shape – форма, очертание, вид). Master Rupert lifted her down amid her shrieks (господин Руперт опустил ее на землю, /не обращая внимания/ на ее визг; amid – среди, между) – the sight of him frightened her (она испугалась при виде его); but he treated her gently, laughed, kissed her, and gave her money (но он обращался с ней осторожно, рассмеялся, поцеловал ее и дал ей денег).
He was mocking me, for he saw he had the pace of me. I was forced to pause for breath. A moment later, Rupert turned sharply to the right and was lost from my sight.
I thought all was over, and in deep vexation sank on the ground. But I was up again directly, for a scream rang through the forest – a woman’s scream. Putting forth the last of my strength, I ran on to the place where he had turned out of my sight, and, turning also, I saw him again. But alas! I could not touch him. He was in the act of lifting a girl down from her horse; doubtless it was her scream that I heard. She looked like a small farmer’s or a peasant’s daughter, and she carried a basket on her arm. Probably she was on her way to the early market at Zenda. Her horse was a stout, well shaped animal. Master Rupert lifted her down amid her shrieks – the sight of him frightened her; but he treated her gently, laughed, kissed her, and gave her money.
Then he jumped on the horse, sitting sideways like a woman (потом вскочил на лошадь, усевшись по-женски – боком); and then he waited for me (и затем /стал/ поджидать меня). I, on my part, waited for him (я, со своей стороны, ждал его).
Presently he rode towards me, keeping his distance, however (вскоре он подъехал ко мне, сохраняя, однако, дистанцию). He lifted up his hand, saying (он поднял вверх руку и сказал):
“What did you in the Castle (что вы делали в замке)?”
“I killed three of your friends (я убил трех ваших друзей),” said I.
“What! You got to the cells (что! вы пробрались в темницы)?”
“Yes.”
“And the King (а король = а что с королем)?”
“He was hurt by Detchard before I killed Detchard (его ранил Дэтчард, прежде чем я убил Дэтчарда), but I pray that he lives (но молю /Бога/, чтобы он выжил).”
“You fool!” said Rupert, pleasantly (вы болван! – сказал Руперт весело; pleasantly – приятно).