“Mine,” she went on, “is Prudence. Do you like it?”
“Very much,” said Harry. “But hear for a moment how the General beats upon the door. He will certainly break it in, and then, in heaven’s name, what have I to look for but death?”
“You put yourself very much about with no occasion,” answered Prudence. “Let your General knock, he will do no more than blister his hands. Do you think I would keep you here if I were not sure to save you? Oh, no, I am a good friend to those that please me! and we have a back door upon another lane. But,” she added, checking him, for he had got upon his feet immediately on this welcome news, “but I will not show where it is unless you kiss me. Will you, Harry?”
“That I will,” he cried, remembering his gallantry, “not for your back door, but because you are good and pretty.”
And he administered two or three cordial salutes, which were returned to him in kind.
Then Prudence led him to the back gate (затем Пруденс отвела его к черному выходу), and put her hand upon the key (и положила руку на ключ = и взялась за ключ).
“Will you come and see me?” she asked (вы придете повидать меня? – спросила она).
“I will indeed,” said Harry (непременно приду, – сказал Гарри). “Do not I owe you my life (разве я не обязан вам жизнью)?”
“And now,” she added, opening the door (а теперь, – прибавила она, открывая дверь), “run as hard as you can (бегите со всех ног: «так усердно, как можете»), for I shall let in the General (так как я впущу генерала).”
Harry scarcely required this advice (Гарри едва ли нуждался в таком совете); fear had him by the forelock (страх держал его за чуб = его подгонял страх); and he addressed himself diligently to flight (и он пустился прилежно в бегство). A few steps (/еще/ несколько шагов), and he believed he would escape from his trials (и он полагал, что избавится от своих испытаний), and return to Lady Vandeleur in honour and safety (и вернется к леди Венделер с почестями и в безопасности).
“Will you come and see me?” she asked.
“I will indeed,” said Harry. “Do not I owe you my life?”
“And now,” she added, opening the door, “run as hard as you can, for I shall let in the General.”
Harry scarcely required this advice; fear had him by the forelock; and he addressed himself diligently to flight. A few steps, and he believed he would escape from his trials, and return to Lady Vandeleur in honour and safety.
But these few steps had not been taken before he heard a man’s voice (но эти несколько шагов не были сделаны до того, как он услышал голос мужчины; to hear – слышать) hailing him by name with many execrations (окликающего его по имени со многими проклятиями), and, looking over his shoulder, he beheld Charlie Pendragon (и, посмотрев через плечо, он увидел Чарли Пендрагона; to behold – узреть) waving him with both arms to return (машущего ему обеими руками, чтобы /он/ вернулся). The shock of this new incident was so sudden and profound (потрясение от этого нового события было так внезапно и глубоко), and Harry was already worked into so high a state of nervous tension (а Гарри уже пришел в такое высокое = сильное состояние нервного напряжения), that he could think of nothing better (что он не смог придумать ничего лучше) than to accelerate his pace (как ускорить шаги), and continue running (и продолжать бежать).