"Walter Jon Williams - Wall, Stone, Craft" - читать интересную книгу автора (Williams Walter John)

George gave him an irritated glance and sipped at his hock. УCavalry, infantry, Senior Service, staff,Ф he said, pointing at himself, Smith, Austen, and Somerset with his fork. The fork swung to Bysshe. УDo you, sir, have an occupation? Besides being atheistical, I mean.Ф

Bysshe put down his knife and fork and answered deliberately. УI have been a scientist, and a reformer, and a sort of an engineer. I have now taken up poetry.Ф

УI didnТt know it was something to be taken up,Ф said George.

УCaptain AustenТs sister does something in the literary line, I believe,Ф Harry Smith said.

Austen gave a little shake of his head. УPlease, Harry. Not here.Ф

УI know she publishes anonymously, butЧФ

УShe doesnТt want it known,Ф firmly, Уand I prefer her wishes be respected.Ф

Smith gave Austen an apologetic look. УSorry, Frank.Ф

Mary watched AustenТs distress with amusement. Austen had a spinster sister, she supposedЧshe could just imagine the typeЧwho probably wrote ripe horrid Gothic novels, all terror and dark battlements and cloaked sensuality, all to the constant mortification of the family.

Well, Mary thought. She should be charitable. Perhaps they were good.

She and Bysshe liked a good gothic, when they were in the mood. Bysshe had even written a couple, when he was fifteen or so.

George turned to Bysshe. УThat was your own verse you quoted?Ф

УYes.Ф

УI thought perhaps it was, as I hadnТt recognized it.Ф

УQueen Mab,Ф said Claire. УItТs very good.Ф She gave Bysshe a look of adoration that sent a weary despairing cry through MaryТs nerves. УItТs got all ByssheТs ideas in it,Ф she said.

УAnd the publisher?Ф

УI published it myself,Ф Bysshe said, Уin an edition of seventy copies.Ф

George raised an eyebrow. УA self-published phenomenon, forsooth. But why so few?Ф

УThe poem is a political statement in accordance with Mr. GodwinТs Political Justice. Were it widely circulated, the government might act to suppress it, and to prosecute the publisher.Ф He gave a shudder. УWith people like Lord Ellenborough in office, I think it best to take no chances.Ф

УLord Ellenborough is a great man,Ф said Captain Austen firmly. Mary was surprised at his emphatic tone. УHe led for Mr. Warren Hastings, do you know, during his trial, and that trial lasted seven years or more and ended in acquittal. Governor Hastings did me many a good turn in IndiaЧhe was the making of me. IТm sure I owe Lord Ellenborough my purest gratitude.Ф

Bysshe gave Austen a serious look. УLord Ellenborough sent Daniel Eaton to prison for publishing Thomas Paine,Ф he said. УAnd he sent Leigh Hunt to prison for publishing the truth about the Prince Regent.Ф

УOne an atheist,Ф Austen scowled, Уthe other a pamphleteer.Ф

УWhy, so am I both,Ф said Bysshe sweetly, and, smiling, sipped his spring water. Mary wanted to clap aloud.

УIt is the duty of the Lord Chief Justice to guard the realm from subversion,Ф said Somerset. УWe were at war, you know.Ф

УWe are no longer at war,Ф said Bysshe, Уand Lord Ellenborough still sends good folk to prison.Ф