The Flashman Papers: The Complete 12-Book Collection. George Fraser MacDonald

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СКАЧАТЬ the maid came back and attended to Elspeth’s hair again, and I tried to close my ears to the shrill feminine trilling of her talk, I tried to take hold of myself. Maybe I was wrong – oh, God, I hoped so. It wasn’t just that strange yearning that I had about Elspeth, it was my … well, my honour, if you like. Oh, I didn’t give a damn about what the world calls honour, but the thought of another man, or men, frollicking in the hay with my wife, who should have been unable to imagine a more masterful or heroic lover than the great Flashman – the hero whose name was on everyone’s lips, God help us – the thought of that! …

      Pride is a hellish thing; without it there isn’t any jealousy or ambition. And I was proud of the figure I cut – in bed and in barracks. And here was I, the lion of the hour, medal and all, the Duke’s handshake and the Queen’s regard still fresh – and I was gnawing my innards out about a gold-headed filly without a brain to her name. And I must bite my lip and not say a word, for fear of the row there would be if I let slip a breath of my suspicions – right or wrong, the fat would be in the fire, and I couldn’t afford that.

      “Well, how do I look?” says she, coming to stand in front of me in her gown and bonnet. “Why, Harry, you have gone quite pale! I know, it is the excitement of this day! My poor dear!” And she tilted up my head and kissed me. No, I couldn’t believe it, looking into those baby-blue eyes. Aye, and what about those baby-black boots?

      “We shall go out to Lady Chalmers’s,” said she, “and she will be quite over the moon when she hears about this. I expect there will be quite a company there, too. I shall be so proud, Harry – so proud! Now, let me straighten your cravat; bring a brush, Susan – what an excellent coat it is. You must always go to that tailor – which is he again? There now; oh, Harry, how handsome you look! See yourself in the glass!”

      I looked, and seeing myself so damned dashing, and her radiant and fair beside me, I fought down the wretchedness and rage. No, it couldn’t be true …

      “Susan, you have not put away my coat, silly girl. Take it at once, before it creases.”

      By God, though, I knew it was. Or I thought I knew. To the devil with the consequences, no little ninny in petticoats was going to do this to me.

      “Elspeth,” says I, turning.

      “Hang it carefully, now, when you’ve brushed it. There. Yes, my love?”

      “Elspeth …”

      “Oh, Harry, you look so strong and fierce, on my word. I don’t think I shall feel easy in my mind when I see all these fancy London ladies making eyes at you.” And she pouted very pretty and touched her finger on my lips.

      “Elspeth, I –”

      “Oh, I had nearly forgot – you had better take some money with you. Susan, bring me my purse. In case of any need that may arise, you know. Twenty guineas, my love.”

      “Much obliged,” says I.

      What the devil, you have to make do as best you can; if the tide’s there, swim with it and catch on to whatever offers. You only go by once.

      “Will twenty be sufficient, do you think?”

      “Better make it forty.”

       (At this point the first packet of The Flashman Papers ends abruptly).

       Glossary

Badmash	a scoundrel
Feringhee	European, possibly a corruption of “Frankish” or “English”
Ghazi	a fanatic
Havildar	sergeant
Hubshi	negro (literally “woolly-head”)
Huzoor	lord, master, in the sense of “sir” (Pushtu equivalent of “sahib”)
Idderao	come here (imp.)
Jao	go, get away (imp.)
Jawan	soldier
Jezzail	long rifle of the Afghans
Juldi	quickly, hurry up
Khabadar	be careful (imp.)
Maidan	plain, exercise ground
Munshi	teacher, usually of language
Puggarree	turban cloth
Rissaldar	native officer commanding cavalry troop
Sangar	small stone breastwork like grouse butt
Shabash	bravo
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