Человек, который смеется / The Man Who Laughs. Уровень 4

On the other hand, Josiana had dreams.

BARKILPHEDRO

It is useful to know what people do, and a certain surveillance is wise. Josiana had Lord David watched by a man, whose name was Barkilphedro. She was sure of him.

Lord David had Josiana discreetly observed by a man, of whom he was sure, and whose name was Barkilphedro as well.

Queen Anne, on her part, kept herself secretly informed of the actions and conduct of the Duchess Josiana, her bastard sister, and of Lord David, her future brother-in-law, by a man, on whom she counted fully, and whose name was Barkilphedro.

A man between two women. What modulations possible! What amalgamation of souls! Barkilphedro was an old servant of the Duke of York. He had tried to be a churchman but had failed. Josiana liked this man of poverty and wit, an interesting combination. She presented him to Lord Dirry-Moir, gave him a shelter in the servants’ hall among her domestics, retained him in her household, was kind to him, and sometimes even spoke to him.

One day Barkilphedro said to Josiana, -

“Would your Grace like to make my fortune?”

“What do you want?”

“An appointment[26 - appointment – должность].”

“An appointment? for you!”

“Yes, madam.”

“What an idea! You, who are good for nothing.”

“That’s just the reason.”

Josiana burst out laughing.

“Which appointment do you desire?”

“That of cork drawer of the bottles[27 - cork drawer of the bottles – откупорщик бутылок] of the ocean.

“What do you mean thou? You are fooling.”

“No, madam.”

“To amuse myself, I shall answer you seriously,” said the duchess. “What do you wish to be? Repeat it.”

“Uncorker of the bottles of the ocean.”

“Everything is possible at court. Is there an appointment of that kind?”

“Yes, madam.”

“This is news to me. Go on.”

“There is such an appointment at the Admiralty.

“Then you wish…? Begin again.”

“To uncork the bottles of the ocean.”

“It is like grooming a bronze horse.”

“Very nearly.”

“Nothing to do. Well you are good for that much.”

“You see I am good for something.”

“Come! you are talking nonsense. Is there such an appointment?”

“Your Grace the sea is boundless: there is always something floating. This appointment is vacant now. The appointment exists.