Дракула: метод параллельного погружения

The estate is called Carfax, (“Усадьба называется Карфакс,) no doubt a corruption of the old Quatre Face, (несомненно искажённое старое Quatre Face; Quatre Face — «четыре лица», старофр.) as the house is four-sided, (так как дом четырёхсторонний,) agreeing with the cardinal points of the compass. (соответствующий сторонам света.) It contains in all some twenty acres, (Она занимает около двадцати акров,) quite surrounded by the solid stone wall above mentioned. (полностью окружённых вышеупомянутой прочной каменной стеной.) There are many trees on it, (На территории много деревьев,) which make it in places gloomy, (которые местами создают мрачный вид.) and there is a deep, dark-looking pond or small lake, (и там есть глубокий, тёмный пруд или небольшое озеро,) evidently fed by some springs, (очевидно питаемое какими-то источниками,) as the water is clear (так как вода прозрачная,) and flows away in a fair-sized stream. (и вытекает достаточно большим ручьём.) The house is very large (Дом очень большой,) and of all periods back, (и относится к разным эпохам,) I should say, to mediæval times, (я бы сказал, вплоть до средневековья; mediæval — средневековый) for one part is of stone immensely thick, (потому что одна часть сложена из необычайно толстого камня,) with only a few windows high up (лишь с несколькими окнами высоко наверху,) and heavily barred with iron. (и прочно укреплёнными железными решётками.)

The estate is called Carfax, no doubt a corruption of the old Quatre Face, as the house is four-sided, agreeing with the cardinal points of the compass. It contains in all some twenty acres, quite surrounded by the solid stone wall above mentioned. There are many trees on it, which make it in places gloomy, and there is a deep, dark-looking pond or small lake, evidently fed by some springs, as the water is clear and flows away in a fair-sized stream. The house is very large and of all periods back, I should say, to mediæval times, for one part is of stone immensely thick, with only a few windows high up and heavily barred with iron.

It looks like part of a keep, (“Это выглядит как часть донжона;” keep — главная башня замка.) and is close to an old chapel or church. (и находится рядом со старой часовней или церковью.) I could not enter it, (Я не смог войти туда,) as I had not the key of the door leading to it from the house, (так как у меня не было ключа от двери, ведущей к ней из дома,) but I have taken with my kodak views of it from various points. (но я сделал своим “кодаком” снимки её с разных точек.) The house has been added to, (Дом перестраивали и расширяли,) but in a very straggling way, (но очень беспорядочным образом; straggling — разбросанный, нестройный,) and I can only guess at the amount of ground it covers, (и я могу лишь предполагать, какую площадь он занимает,) which must be very great. (а она, должно быть, очень велика.) There are but few houses close at hand, (Поблизости всего несколько домов,) one being a very large house only recently added to (один из них — очень большой дом, недавно расширенный) and formed into a private lunatic asylum. (и превращённый в частную лечебницу для умалишённых; lunatic — душевнобольной.) It is not, however, visible from the grounds.” (Однако его не видно с территории.)

It looks like part of a keep, and is close to an old chapel or church. I could not enter it, as I had not the key of the door leading to it from the house, but I have taken with my kodak views of it from various points. The house has been added to, but in a very straggling way, and I can only guess at the amount of ground it covers, which must be very great. There are but few houses close at hand, one being a very large house only recently added to and formed into a private lunatic asylum. It is not, however, visible from the grounds.”

When I had finished, (Когда я закончил,) he said:— (он сказал:)

“I am glad that it is old and big. (“Я рад, что дом старый и большой.) I myself am of an old family, (Я сам из древнего рода,) and to live in a new house would kill me. (и жить в новом доме убило бы меня.) A house cannot be made habitable in a day; (Дом нельзя сделать пригодным для жизни за один день; habitable — жилой.) and, after all, how few days go to make up a century. (и, в конце концов, как мало дней требуется, чтобы составить столетие.) I rejoice also that there is a chapel of old times. (Я также рад, что там есть часовня старых времён.) We Transylvanian nobles love not to think (Мы, трансильванские дворяне, не любим думать) that our bones may lie amongst the common dead. (что наши кости могут лежать среди обычных мертвецов.) I seek not gaiety nor mirth, (Я не ищу веселья или радости; mirth — веселье,) not the bright voluptuousness of much sunshine (не яркой чувственности обильного солнечного света; voluptuousness — чувственность,) and sparkling waters which please the young and gay. (и сверкающих вод, что нравятся молодым и беспечным.)

When I had finished, he said:—

“I am glad that it is old and big. I myself am of an old family, and to live in a new house would kill me. A house cannot be made habitable in a day; and, after all, how few days go to make up a century. I rejoice also that there is a chapel of old times. We Transylvanian nobles love not to think that our bones may lie amongst the common dead. I seek not gaiety nor mirth, not the bright voluptuousness of much sunshine and sparkling waters which please the young and gay.

“I am no longer young; (“Я уже не молод;) and my heart, through weary years of mourning over the dead, (и моё сердце, через утомительные годы скорби по умершим; weary — утомительный,) is not attuned to mirth. (не настроено на радость; attuned — настроенный.) Moreover, the walls of my castle are broken; (Кроме того, стены моего замка разрушены,) the shadows are many, (много теней,) and the wind breathes cold through the broken battlements and casements. (и ветер холодно дышит сквозь разрушенные зубцы и оконные рамы; battlements — зубцы стены, casements — оконные створки.) I love the shade and the shadow, (Я люблю полумрак и тень,) and would be alone with my thoughts when I may.” (и хочу быть один со своими мыслями, когда могу.”) Somehow his words and his look did not seem to accord, (Почему-то его слова и его взгляд не казались согласованными,) or else it was that his cast of face (или же так было потому, что выражение его лица; cast of face — выражение лица,) made his smile look malignant and saturnine. (делало его улыбку зловещей и мрачной; malignant — злобный, saturnine — мрачно-меланхоличный.)

“I am no longer young; and my heart, through weary years of mourning over the dead, is not attuned to mirth. Moreover, the walls of my castle are broken; the shadows are many, and the wind breathes cold through the broken battlements and casements. I love the shade and the shadow, and would be alone with my thoughts when I may.” Somehow his words and his look did not seem to accord, or else it was that his cast of face made his smile look malignant and saturnine.

Presently, with an excuse, he left me, (Вскоре, сославшись на предлог, он покинул меня; presently — вскоре.) asking me to put all my papers together. (попросив меня собрать все мои бумаги.) He was some little time away, (Он отсутствовал некоторое время,) and I began to look at some of the books around me. (и я начал рассматривать некоторые книги вокруг.) One was an atlas, (Одна была атласом,) which I found opened naturally at England, (который я обнаружил раскрытым на Англии,) as if that map had been much used. (словно этой картой часто пользовались.) On looking at it I found in certain places little rings marked, (Рассматривая её, я нашёл в некоторых местах маленькие кружки,) and on examining these I noticed that one was near London on the east side, (и, изучив их, заметил, что один был возле Лондона с восточной стороны,) manifestly where his new estate was situated; (явно там, где находилось его новое поместье;) the other two were Exeter, (два других — Эксетер,) and Whitby on the Yorkshire coast. (и Уитби на побережье Йоркшира.)

Presently, with an excuse, he left me, asking me to put all my papers together. He was some little time away, and I began to look at some of the books around me. One was an atlas, which I found opened naturally at England, as if that map had been much used. On looking at it I found in certain places little rings marked, and on examining these I noticed that one was near London on the east side, manifestly where his new estate was situated; the other two were Exeter, and Whitby on the Yorkshire coast.

It was the better part of an hour when the Count returned. (Прошло больше часа, прежде чем Граф вернулся.) “Aha!” he said; “still at your books? Good! (“Ага!” — сказал он. — “Всё ещё за книгами? Хорошо!) But you must not work always. (Но нельзя работать всё время.) Come; I am informed that your supper is ready.” (Пойдём; мне сообщили, что ваш ужин готов.”) He took my arm, (Он взял меня под руку,) and we went into the next room, (и мы вошли в соседнюю комнату,) where I found an excellent supper ready on the table. (где я обнаружил превосходный ужин, уже накрытый на столе.) The Count again excused himself, (Граф снова извинился,) as he had dined out on his being away from home. (так как он поужинал вне дома во время своего отсутствия.) But he sat as on the previous night, (Но он сел, как и прошлой ночью,) and chatted whilst I ate. (и беседовал со мной, пока я ел.) After supper I smoked, as on the last evening, (После ужина я покурил, как и накануне,) and the Count stayed with me, (и Граф остался со мной,) chatting and asking questions on every conceivable subject, (разговаривая и задавая вопросы на всевозможные темы,) hour after hour. (час за часом.)

It was the better part of an hour when the Count returned. “Aha!” he said; “still at your books? Good! But you must not work always. Come; I am informed that your supper is ready.” He took my arm, and we went into the next room, where I found an excellent supper ready on the table. The Count again excused himself, as he had dined out on his being away from home. But he sat as on the previous night, and chatted whilst I ate. After supper I smoked, as on the last evening, and the Count stayed with me, chatting and asking questions on every conceivable subject, hour after hour.

I felt that it was getting very late indeed, (Я чувствовал, что уже действительно очень поздно,) but I did not say anything, (но ничего не сказал,) for I felt under obligation to meet my host’s wishes in every way. (ведь я считал своим долгом всячески соответствовать желаниям моего хозяина.) I was not sleepy, (Мне не хотелось спать,) as the long sleep yesterday had fortified me; (поскольку вчерашний долгий сон укрепил меня; fortified — укрепил.) but I could not help experiencing that chill (но я не мог не ощущать того холода,) which comes over one at the coming of the dawn, (который накатывает на человека с наступлением рассвета,) which is like, in its way, the turn of the tide. (который, в своём роде, подобен перемене прилива; turn of the tide — переломный момент.) They say that people who are near death (Говорят, что люди, находящиеся при смерти,) die generally at the change to the dawn (обычно умирают на смене ночи к рассвету) or at the turn of the tide; (или при перемене прилива,) any one who has when tired, (и всякий, кто, будучи утомлённым,) and tied as it were to his post, (и словно привязанным к своему месту,) experienced this change in the atmosphere (переживал эту перемену в атмосфере,) can well believe it. (может легко в это поверить.) All at once we heard the crow of a cock (Вдруг мы услышали крик петуха,) coming up with preternatural shrillness (возносящийся с неприродной пронзительностью; preternatural — сверхъестественный,) through the clear morning air; (сквозь чистый утренний воздух,) Count Dracula, jumping to his feet, said:— (и Граф Дракула, вскочив на ноги, сказал:)

I felt that it was getting very late indeed, but I did not say anything, for I felt under obligation to meet my host’s wishes in every way. I was not sleepy, as the long sleep yesterday had fortified me; but I could not help experiencing that chill which comes over one at the coming of the dawn, which is like, in its way, the turn of the tide. They say that people who are near death die generally at the change to the dawn or at the turn of the tide; any one who has when tired, and tied as it were to his post, experienced this change in the atmosphere can well believe it. All at once we heard the crow of a cock coming up with preternatural shrillness through the clear morning air; Count Dracula, jumping to his feet, said:—

“Why, there is the morning again! (“Что ж, снова утро!”) How remiss I am to let you stay up so long. (Как же я невнимательный, что позволил вам не ложиться так долго; remiss — небрежный, нерадивый.) You must make your conversation regarding my dear new country of England less interesting, (Вы должны делать ваши рассказы о моей дорогой новой стране, Англии, менее интересными,) so that I may not forget how time flies by us,” (чтобы я не забывал, как быстро время ускользает от нас,”) and, with a courtly bow, (и, с учтивым поклоном,) he quickly left me. (он быстро покинул меня.)

“Why, there is the morning again! How remiss I am to let you stay up so long. You must make your conversation regarding my dear new country of England less interesting, so that I may not forget how time flies by us,” and, with a courtly bow, he quickly left me.

I went into my own room and drew the curtains, (Я вошёл в свою комнату и задёрнул занавеси,) but there was little to notice; (но там было мало что заметить,) my window opened into the courtyard, (моё окно выходило во внутренний двор,) all I could see was the warm grey of quickening sky. (и всё, что я мог увидеть, — это тёплый серый цвет оживающего неба; quickening — оживающий.) So I pulled the curtains again, (Тогда я вновь задвинул занавеси,) and have written of this day. (и записал события этого дня.)

I went into my own room and drew the curtains, but there was little to notice; my window opened into the courtyard, all I could see was the warm grey of quickening sky. So I pulled the curtains again, and have written of this day.

8 May.—I began to fear as I wrote in this book that I was getting too diffuse; (8 мая. Я начал бояться, когда писал в эту книгу, что становлюсь слишком многословным; diffuse — расплывчатый, многословный.) but now I am glad that I went into detail from the first, (но теперь я рад, что с самого начала приводил подробности,) for there is something so strange about this place and all in it (ибо в этом месте и во всём, что здесь есть, заключено нечто столь странное,) that I cannot but feel uneasy. (что я не могу не чувствовать тревоги; uneasy — тревожный.) I wish I were safe out of it, (Хотел бы я быть в безопасности, подальше отсюда,) or that I had never come. (или чтобы я никогда сюда не приезжал.) It may be that this strange night-existence is telling on me; (Возможно, эта странная ночная жизнь действует на меня; telling on — сказывается.) but would that that were all! (но если бы только этим всё и ограничивалось!) If there were any one to talk to I could bear it, (Если бы был хоть кто-то, с кем можно поговорить, я бы вынес это,) but there is no one. (но здесь никого нет.) I have only the Count to speak with, (У меня есть только Граф, с кем можно поговорить,) and he!— (и он! —) I fear I am myself the only living soul within the place. (я боюсь, что я — единственная живая душа в этом месте.) Let me be prosaic so far as facts can be; (Пусть я буду прозаичен, насколько позволяют факты,) it will help me to bear up, (это поможет мне держаться,) and imagination must not run riot with me. (а воображение не должно разгуляться; run riot — буйствовать.) If it does I am lost. (Если это случится — я пропал.) Let me say at once how I stand—or seem to. (Позвольте мне сразу изложить, в каком положении я нахожусь — или, кажется, нахожусь.)

8 May.—I began to fear as I wrote in this book that I was getting too diffuse; but now I am glad that I went into detail from the first, for there is something so strange about this place and all in it that I cannot but feel uneasy. I wish I were safe out of it, or that I had never come. It may be that this strange night-existence is telling on me; but would that that were all! If there were any one to talk to I could bear it, but there is no one. I have only the Count to speak with, and he!—I fear I am myself the only living soul within the place. Let me be prosaic so far as facts can be; it will help me to bear up, and imagination must not run riot with me. If it does I am lost. Let me say at once how I stand—or seem to.

I only slept a few hours when I went to bed, (Я поспал всего несколько часов, когда лёг,) and feeling that I could not sleep any more, got up. (и, почувствовав, что больше не могу уснуть, поднялся.) I had hung my shaving glass by the window, (Я повесил своё зеркальце для бритья у окна,) and was just beginning to shave. (и как раз начинал бриться.) Suddenly I felt a hand on my shoulder, (Вдруг я почувствовал руку на своём плече,) and heard the Count’s voice saying to me, “Good-morning.” (и услышал голос Графа, говорящего мне: “Доброе утро.”) I started, (Я вздрогнул,) for it amazed me that I had not seen him, (ибо меня поразило, что я не увидел его,) since the reflection of the glass covered the whole room behind me. (так как отражение в зеркальце охватывало всю комнату позади меня.) In starting I had cut myself slightly, (От этого вздрагивания я слегка порезался,) but did not notice it at the moment. (но в тот момент не обратил на это внимания.) Having answered the Count’s salutation, (Ответив на приветствие Графа,) I turned to the glass again (я снова повернулся к зеркалу,) to see how I had been mistaken. (чтобы понять, как я мог ошибиться.)

I only slept a few hours when I went to bed, and feeling that I could not sleep any more, got up. I had hung my shaving glass by the window, and was just beginning to shave. Suddenly I felt a hand on my shoulder, and heard the Count’s voice saying to me, “Good-morning.” I started, for it amazed me that I had not seen him, since the reflection of the glass covered the whole room behind me. In starting I had cut myself slightly, but did not notice it at the moment. Having answered the Count’s salutation, I turned to the glass again to see how I had been mistaken.

This time there could be no error, (На этот раз не могло быть ошибки,) for the man was close to me, (ибо человек был рядом со мной,) and I could see him over my shoulder. (и я видел его через своё плечо.) But there was no reflection of him in the mirror! (Но в зеркале не было его отражения!) The whole room behind me was displayed; (Вся комната позади меня была видна,) but there was no sign of a man in it, except myself. (но не было ни малейшего признака человека, кроме меня самого.) This was startling, (Это было ошеломляюще; startling — поразительное, пугающее,) and, coming on the top of so many strange things, (и, накладываясь на столь многие странности,) was beginning to increase that vague feeling of uneasiness (начинало усиливать то смутное чувство тревоги; vague — смутный,) which I always have when the Count is near; (которое всегда овладевает мной, когда Граф рядом,) but at the instant I saw that the cut had bled a little, (но в тот момент я увидел, что порез немного кровоточит,) and the blood was trickling over my chin. (и кровь сочилась по моему подбородку; trickling — сочащийся.)

This time there could be no error, for the man was close to me, and I could see him over my shoulder. But there was no reflection of him in the mirror! The whole room behind me was displayed; but there was no sign of a man in it, except myself. This was startling, and, coming on the top of so many strange things, was beginning to increase that vague feeling of uneasiness which I always have when the Count is near; but at the instant I saw that the cut had bled a little, and the blood was trickling over my chin.

I laid down the razor, (Я положил бритву,) turning as I did so half round (обернувшись при этом наполовину,) to look for some sticking plaster. (чтобы поискать пластырь.) When the Count saw my face, (Когда Граф увидел моё лицо,) his eyes blazed with a sort of demoniac fury, (его глаза вспыхнули неким демоническим бешенством; demoniac — демонический,) and he suddenly made a grab at my throat. (и он внезапно сделал хватательное движение к моему горлу.) I drew away, (Я отпрянул,) and his hand touched the string of beads which held the crucifix. (и его рука коснулась нитки чёток, на которых висел крест.) It made an instant change in him, (Это мгновенно изменило его,) for the fury passed so quickly (ибо ярость исчезла столь быстро,) that I could hardly believe that it was ever there. (что я едва мог поверить, что она вообще была.)

I laid down the razor, turning as I did so half round to look for some sticking plaster. When the Count saw my face, his eyes blazed with a sort of demoniac fury, and he suddenly made a grab at my throat. I drew away, and his hand touched the string of beads which held the crucifix. It made an instant change in him, for the fury passed so quickly that I could hardly believe that it was ever there.