"Bon-Bon" - читать интересную книгу автора (Poe Edgar Allan)

their conformation. About the entire person there was no evidence of a
shirt, but a white cravat, of filthy appearance, was tied with extreme
precision around the throat and the ends hanging down formally side by
side gave (although I dare say unintentionally) the idea of an
ecclesiastic. Indeed, many other points both in his appearance and
demeanor might have very well sustained a conception of that nature.
Over his left ear, he carried, after the fashion of a modern clerk, an
instrument resembling the stylus of the ancients. In a breast-pocket
of his coat appeared conspicuously a small black volume fastened
with clasps of steel. This book, whether accidentally or not, was so
turned outwardly from the person as to discover the words "Rituel
Catholique" in white letters upon the back. His entire physiognomy was
interestingly saturnine- even cadaverously pale. The forehead was
lofty, and deeply furrowed with the ridges of contemplation. The
corners of the mouth were drawn down into an expression of the most
submissive humility. There was also a clasping of the hands, as he
stepped toward our hero- a deep sigh- and altogether a look of such
utter sanctity as could not have failed to be unequivocally
preposessing. Every shadow of anger faded from the countenance of
the metaphysician, as, having completed a satisfactory survey of his
visiter's person, he shook him cordially by the hand, and conducted
him to a seat.
There would however be a radical error in attributing this
instantaneous transition of feeling in the philosopher, to any one
of those causes which might naturally be supposed to have had an
influence. Indeed, Pierre Bon-Bon, from what I have been able to
understand of his disposition, was of all men the least likely to be
imposed upon by any speciousness of exterior deportment. It was
impossible that so accurate an observer of men and things should
have failed to discover, upon the moment, the real character of the
personage who had thus intruded upon his hospitality. To say no
more, the conformation of his visiter's feet was sufficiently
remarkable- he maintained lightly upon his head an inordinately tall
hat- there was a tremulous swelling about the hinder part of his
breeches- and the vibration of his coat tail was a palpable fact.
Judge, then, with what feelings of satisfaction our hero found himself
thrown thus at once into the society of a person for whom he had at
all times entertained the most unqualified respect. He was, however,
too much of the diplomatist to let escape him any intimation of his
suspicions in regard to the true state of affairs. It was not his
cue to appear at all conscious of the high honor he thus
unexpectedly enjoyed; but, by leading his guest into the conversation,
to elicit some important ethical ideas, which might, in obtaining a
place in his contemplated publication, enlighten the human race, and
at the same time immortalize himself- ideas which, I should have
added, his visitor's great age, and well-known proficiency in the
science of morals, might very well have enabled him to afford.
Actuated by these enlightened views, our hero bade the gentleman sit
down, while he himself took occasion to throw some fagots upon the
fire, and place upon the now re-established table some bottles of