The Bird has got wings - стр. 39
Vivian stood beside her husband, and wrapped herself in her woollen shawl and wished that the beast she had married would not come home this evening. She wished desperately that Anthony would come galloping in, upset, perhaps in tears, and inform her that he had inadvertently shot Jeremy. The girl dreamed of being a widow, and after her spouse had beaten her palms with a whip, thoughts of homicide began to invade her mind. Killing herself or her spouse. She dreaded these thoughts and hastily chased them away.
"No, I will live. I have someone to live for. But, if anything happens to me, Richard will get the amount Jeremy gave me for my expenses. It's a good thing I have all that five thousand in the bank in my Richard's name!" – Vivian consoled herself, and, watching her cousin dismount from his horse, cried out within herself: – Miss, Anthony! I beg you, miss!"
– I forgot my gun at home," young Cranford informed his friend. – I have no wish to return. Would you lend me one of yours?
– Of course. Would you prefer to choose one yourself? – Jeremy responded cheerfully.
– Anything you choose will satisfy me," Anthony said.
– Then wait for me. – Jeremy walked towards his wife, whispering in her ear: "Remember that what happens in our bedroom must remain our secret, my love," and then disappeared into the house.
"Silly goose! As if I were going to expose my own shame!" – thought Vivian scornfully, but smiled broadly when her cousin came up to her and wished her good morning.
– Another nasty day… I wish winter and its snows would come sooner! – The girl said in lieu of greeting. She looked at Anthony's outfit with an appraising glance and added: – I hope you won't freeze on your nasty unnecessary hunt, dear cousin.
– Don't worry, my dear grumpy Vivian," he grinned. – Such outfits have saved me more than once, even in the cold of winter. But how was your day yesterday? You left in such a hurry.
– Jeremy worries about me too much. We came home and spent the day in peace and quiet," Mrs. Wington lied without hesitation. – But how did Charlotte react to our departure? And what's going on between you two now? – she asked with a sly smile.
– I am madly in love with her, but her feelings are unknown to me. She is polite and friendly. You delicate creatures are so difficult to unravel," Anthony replied in an even tone. – Miss Salton was upset by your departure, but I managed to cheer her up with my unflattering singing… But I have great news: I am moving from Greenhall to my own house in a few days, and I expect to be visited by my dear guests on the first day of my move: you, your husband, and Miss Salton, of course.
– I am proud of you, dear cousin! – The girl glowed. – It is high time you lived apart from your mother. But I have good news to share with you, too! Jeremy has allowed me to see Charlotte. And you.
– Me? Did he object to you and me seeing each other? – Mr. Cranford was unpleasantly surprised.
– No, you misunderstood… It's funny, but Jeremy is jealous of you," Vivian explained in a whisper. – But don't tell him that I told you about it.
– I won't, I promise. But, God, he's so funny! – Anthony laughed.
– He is. Terribly funny," said Vivian, smiling. – But I'm going inside: I hate drizzle. And you've heard that Charlotte's coming to see me today. So I certainly mustn't get ill again. I'd ask you to spare the animals, but I know you'd never do it-so I'll say, 'Good luck with your hunting, dear cousin. – "And please make me a widow," muttered the girl.