"Vance, Jack - Elder Isles 03 - Madouc" - читать интересную книгу автора (Vance Jack)

Madouc gave a disdainful grimace. УIf anyone scrutinizes me, they will need no analysis to discover what I think of them.Ф

УMy dear, that is not the proper attitude.Ф

УNo matter; I want nothing to do with such things. They must look elsewhere for their betrothals.Ф

Lady Desdea chuckled grimly. УDo not be too positive too soon, since surely you will change your mind. In any case, I expect you to start practicing genteel conduct.Ф

УIt would be a waste of time.Ф

УIndeed? Consider this case. A noble prince comes to Lyonesse, hoping to meet a princess modest and pure, of charm and delicacy. He asks: СAnd where is Princess Madouc, who, so I expect, is beautiful, kind and good?Т For answer they point out the window and say: СThere she goes now!Т He looks out the window and sees you running past, helter-skelter, hair like red rope, with all the charm and grace of a banshee from hell! What then?Ф

УIf the prince is wise, he will order up his horse and leave at once.Ф Madouc jumped to her feet. УAre you finished? If so, I will be happy to leave.Ф

УGo.Ф

Lady Desdea sat still and stiff for ten minutes. Then, abruptly, she rose to her feet and marched to the queenТs boudoir. She found Sollace sitting with her hands in a slurry of powdered chalk and milk of milkweed, by which she hoped to mitigate the effects of the country water.

Queen Sollace looked up from the basin of slurry. УSo then, Ottile! What a face you show me! Is it despair, or grief, or simple intestinal cramp?Ф

УYou misread my mood, Your Highness! I have just spoken with Princess Madouc and now I must make a discouraging report.Ф

Sollace sighed. УAgain? I am becoming apathetic when her name is mentioned! She is in your hands. Teach her the proprieties and a few graces, together with dancing and needlework; that is enough. In a few years we will marry her off. Until then, we must bear with her oddities.Ф

УIf she were only СoddТ, as you put it, I could deal with her. Instead she has become a full-fledged tomboy, and is intractable to boot. She swims the river where I can not venture; she climbs the trees and hides from my call in the foliage. Her favorite resort is the stables; always she stinks of horse. I know not how to control her.Ф

Sollace pulled her hand from the slurry and decided that the treatment had worked its best effect. Her maid started to wipe away the paste, prompting an outcry from Sollace: УTake care, Nelda! You are flaying me alive with your strenuous work! Do you think I am made of leather?Ф

УI am sorry, Your Highness. I will be more careful. Your hands are now truly beautiful!Ф

Queen Sollace gave a grudging nod. УThat is why I endure such hardships. What were you saying, Ottile?Ф

УWhat shall be done with Princess Madouc?Ф

Sollace looked up blankly, eyes large and bovine. УI am not quite clear on her fault.Ф

УShe is undisciplined, free as a lark and not always tidy. There are smuts on her face and straws in her hair, if that flying red tousle deserves the word. She is careless, impudent, willful and wild.Ф

Queen Sollace sighed once again and selected a grape from the bowl at her elbow. УConvey my displeasure to the princess and explain that I will be satisfied only with her proper deportment.Ф

УI have already done so ten times. I might as well be talking to the wind.Ф

УHmf. She is no doubt as bored as I. This rusticity is maddening. Where are the little maids who attend her so nicely at Haidion? They are so dainty and sweet and nice; Madouc would surely profit from their example.Ф

УSo one might imagine, in the ordinary case.Ф

Queen Sollace chose another grape. УSend off for two or three of these maidens. Indicate that they are to guide Madouc in a gentle and discreet fashion. Time rushes on, and already we must look to the future!Ф

УJust so, Your Highness!Ф