Дети капитана Гранта / The Children of Captain Grant

As soon as they grew calmer they asked some questions, and Lady Helena recounted the whole story of the document, telling them that their father had been wrecked on the coast of Patagonia, and that he and two sailors, the sole survivors, had written an appeal for help in three languages.

During the recital, Robert Grant more than once cried out, “Oh, papa! My poor papa!” and pressed close to his sister.

Miss Grant sat silent and motionless, with clasped hands, and all she said when the narration ended, was: “Oh, ma’am, the paper, please!”

“I don’t have it now, my dear child,” replied Lady Helena.

“You don’t have it?”

“No. Lord Glenarvan took it to London, for the sake of your father; but I have told you all it contained, word for word. But except the longitude, unfortunately.”

“We can do without that,” said the boy.

“Yes, Mr. Robert,” rejoined Lady Helena, smiling at the child’s decided tone. “And so you see, Miss Grant, you know the smallest details now just as well as I do.

Well, tomorrow, perhaps, Lord Glenarvan will be back. My husband wanted to lay the document before the Lords of the Admiralty, to induce them to send out a ship immediately in search of Captain Grant.”

“Is it possible, ma’am,” exclaimed the girl, “that you have done that for us?”

“Yes, my dear Miss Grant, and I am expecting Lord Glenarvan back every minute now.”

“Oh, ma’am! Heaven bless you and Lord Glenarvan,” said the young girl.

“My dear girl, we deserve no thanks; anyone in our place would have done the same.

Till my husband returns, you will remain at the Castle.”

“Oh, no, ma’am. We are just strangers.”

“Strangers, dear child!” interrupted Lady Helena; “you and your brother are not strangers in this house!”

It was impossible to refuse an invitation given with such heart, and Miss Grant and her brother consented to stay till Lord Glenarvan returned.

Chapter IV. Lady Glenarvan’s Proposal

Lady Helena began to interrogate Miss Grant, asking her about her past life and her present circumstances.

It was a touching, simple story she heard in reply, and one which increased her sympathy for the young girl.

Mary and Robert were the captain’s only children. Harry Grant was a fearless sailor and lived in Dundee[27 - Dundee – Денди], in Perthshire[28 - Perthshire – Пертшир], Scotland. His father had given him a thorough education.