Wingless Bird - стр. 25
– Not to take offence, but, for a maid, you know a great deal about the fashions of high society and the first men of the kingdom! – Vivian said jokingly to her friend. – But that's fine! You shall be my counsellor here in London, and when I marry I shall take you into my house and double your salary.
– Oh, Miss Vivian, I hope you will find what you are looking for," Jane replied earnestly. – 'And I shall be glad to work for you! Lady Cranford is very good to her servants, but I confess I am afraid of them… When she speaks to me, I get a chill inside.
– Poor Jane! How I understand you! My aunt sometimes frightens me too," Miss Cowell smiled. – And yet how do you know so much about English nobility?
Jane's face flushed slightly.
– 'I don't eavesdrop on other people's conversations, no! It's just that, for the nobility, servants don't exist. Aristocrats and rich people do not take us even for living people, and therefore openly discuss in our presence everyone and everything that happens in their circle. And when Lady Cranford herself gives us a reception, we get so much news and gossip that we sometimes stay up all night discussing the guests and everything we have heard from them.
"How convenient! Jane will be my eyes and ears!" – thought Vivian, and taking her friend's hand, asked in an affectionate tone:
– 'Dear Jane, may I ask you a favour?
– Of course, Miss Vivian! – Jane smiled broadly and squeezed her idol's hand tightly.
– When you hear gossip about my humble person, pass it on to me. And, however horrible the gossip may be, don't be afraid of offending my feelings or upsetting me. It's important to me to know what they say about me in high society," Vivian asked in a hushed tone.
– After your debut, I'm sure the gossip won't be long in coming. And I'll keep my ear to the ground. But be prepared to be slandered by jealous maidens and old maids!
– Oh, I have no doubts about that! But let's pay for these gloves and go and choose hats! – Miss Cowell smiled broadly and pulled Jane with her.
After quickly passing Mademoiselle de Croix, who was still staring at her rival, the girls left the shop and walked briskly towards the carriage waiting for them round the corner. They were so engrossed in discussing the beautiful Frenchwoman that they did not notice the bustle, the carriages or the people around them, and soon Vivian accidentally bumped into a passer-by walking in the opposite direction. The hat flew off the girl's head, revealing to the world the splendour of her fiery hair, which, in the sunlight, burned brighter than usual.
– Oh, I beg your pardon, sir! – Vivian exclaimed with remorse in her voice, glancing at the man whom her inattention had brought her into contact with.
– 'It is I who apologise to you, miss,' replied a handsome, tall, rather young man gallantly. He was dressed in a grey riding suit, and his feet were adorned with tall black boots.
"He's a good-looking man! And what beautiful hair he has: what a striking white colour!" – involuntarily thought Vivian, looking at the stranger, and when he smiled, the girl's cheeks suddenly lit up, and she hastened to look away from his handsome face.
The stranger bowed slightly and was ready to speak again to the beautiful woman who had so unexpectedly got in his way, but Vivian was terribly embarrassed by the situation, so she hurried to continue on her way. The man who had made her cheeks flush looked at her with admiration, and a slight smile curved his handsome, thin lips.