A Secret Affair by Mary Balogh (Excerpt)

8/7/2019 A Secret Affair by Mary Balogh (Excerpt)

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fMIBB

KI\ ZHSO


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V`bi hn tajs chho wjtahut ` nrhkt fhvir d`y ci ukùtahrjzim. Jn tajschho js fhvirbiss, jt d`y a`vi ciik riphrtim th tai pucbjsair `s uk-

shbm hr mistrhyim `km kijtair tai ùtahr khr tai pucbjsair d`y a`virifijvim p`ydikt nhr jt.

@ Vifrit @nn`jr js ` whro hn ffftjhk. K`dis, fa`r`ftirs, pb`fis, `km jk-fjmikts `ri tai prhmufts hn tai ùtahrs jd`ljk`tjhk hr `ri usim ffftj-tjhusby. @ky risidcb`kfi th `ftu`b ivikts, bhf`bis, hr pirshks, bjvjkl

hr mi`m, js iktjriby fhjkfjmikt`b.

3500 Mibb Chhos D`ss D`roit Imjtjhk

Fhpyrjlat 3505 cy D`ry C`bhlaIxfirpt nrhd ]ai Vifrit Djstriss cy D`ry C`bhla 3500 cy D`ryC`bhla

@bb rjlats risirvim.

Uucbjsaim jk tai Ykjtim Vt`tis cy Mibb Chhos, `k jdprjkt hn ]aiS`kmhd Ahusi Uucbjsajkl Lrhup, mjvjsjhk hn S`kmhd Ahusi, Jkf.,Kiw Zhro.

Mibb Chhos `km tai rhhstir fhbhpahk `ri riljstirim tr`mid`ros hnS`kmhd Ahusi, Jkf.

Hrjljk`bby pucbjsaim jk a`rmfhvir jk tai Ykjtim Vt`tis cy Mib`fhrtiUriss, k jdprjkt hn ]ai S`kmhd Ahusi Uucbjsajkl Lrhup, mjvjsjhkhn S`kmhd Ahusi, Jkf., Kiw Zhro.

JVCK : 9 = 6 3 0


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A ` k k ` a S i j m, Mufaiss hn Mukc`rthk, w`s nrii`t b`st. Nrii hn tai curmik hn ` tik-yi`r d`rrj`li, `kmnrii hn tai ikmbissby timjhus yi`r hn miip dhurkjkl ta`t

a`m suffiimim tai mi`ta hn tai muoi, air ausc`km.Jt w`s ` nriimhd ta`t a`m ciik ` bhkl tjdi fhdjkl. Jtw`s ` nriimhd wibb whrta fibicr`tjkl.

Vai a`m d`rrjim tai muoi `ntir ` ffvi-m`y `fqu`jk-t`kfiajs lr`fi, bb jdp`tjikfi th ci wim, a`m prhfurim` spifj`b bjfiksi r`tair ta`k w`jt nhr tai c`kks th ciri`mwaik sai w`s kjkitiik `km ai w`s shdiwairi jk

ajs siviktjis. Kh hki siidim firt`jk hn ix`ftby wairi jkajs siviktjis ta`t a`m ciik, tahula shdi s`jm jt w`s pir-jbhusby fbhsi th ijlaty. @t tai tjdi hn air d`rrj`li, taimufaiss w`s ` cri`tat`ojklby bhviby ljrb, wjta ` sbikmir,bjtai ffluri, iyis ta`t rjv`bim ` suddir soy nhr cbuikiss,` crjlat, i`lir n`fi d`mi nhr sdjbjkl, `km bhkl, w`vy

trissis ta`t wiri `bdhst wajti jk taijr cbhkmkiss`sajddirjkl wajti. ]ai muoi, hk tai htair a`km, a`m `chmy `km n`fi `km ai`m ta`t sahwim `bb tai r`v`lis hn`li ta`t tjdi km yi`rs hn a`rm bjvjkl fhubm phssjcby a`vipjbim uphk taid. @km ai sunnirim nrhd lhut. @km nrhd` ai`rt ta`t fhubm kh bhklir ci ribjim uphk th fhktjkuici`tjkl wjta sti`my rilub`rjty.

Vai d`rrjim ajd nhr ajs dhkiy, hn fhursi, ixpiftjkl thci ` viry rjfa wjmhw jkmiim wjtajk ` d`ttir hn ` niw

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sahrt yi`rs `t dhst. Vai w`s ` rjfa wjmhw khw, qujtin`cubhusby wi`btay, jk n`ft, tahula sai a`m a`m th w`jtbhklir ta`k ixpiftim nhr tai nriimhd th ikghy air rjfaisth tai nubb.

]ai hbm muoi a`m whrsajpim tai lrhukm sai w`boimuphk, th usi tai hbm fbjfa. Ai a`m ai`pim sh d`kyfhstby fbhtais uphk air pirshk ta`t sai whubm a`vi sun-nhf`tim ciki`ta taijr wijlat jn sai a`m ivir trjim th

wi`r taid bb t hkfi. @ luist rhhd kixt th air mrissjklrhhd t Mukc`rthk Ahusi hk A`khvir Vqu`ri jk Bhkmhka`m ciik fhkvirtim jkth ` sifhkm mrissjkl rhhd diribyth `ffhddhm`ti `bb tai sjbos `km s`tjks `km nurs`dhkl htair l`rdikts `km `ffisshrjista`t a`m ciikwhrk hkfi, pira`ps twjfi, cinhri cijkl mjsf`rmim nhr

shditajkl kiwir. @km tai muoi a`m a`m kht hki, khttwh, kht ivik tarii, cut nhur s`nis cujbt jkth tai w`bbs hnajs hwk cimfa`dcir th s`nilu`rm `bb tai giwibs wjtawajfa ai ljntim ajs cibhvim hvir tai yi`rs, tahula saiw`s pirniftby nrii th fhdi `km nitfa wajfaivir hn taidsai fahsi th wi`r `t `ky tjdi.

Ai a`m ciik ` mhtjkl, jkmublikt ausc`km.]ai mufaiss w`s `bw`ys lhrlihusby mrissim. @km sai

w`s `bw`ys cimifoim wjta giwibs, hstikt`tjhusby b`rlihkis, usu`bby mj`dhkms. Vai whri taid jk air a`jr, jktai bhcis hn air i`rs, t air chshd, hk air wrjsts, hk dhrita`k hki hn tai ffklirs hn i`fa a`km.

]ai muoi sahwim hnn ajs prjzi wairivir ai wikt,ci`djkl wjta prjmi `km `mhr`tjhk `s ai bhhoim up `tair. Jk ajs prjdi ai whubm a`vi ciik t`bbir ta`k sai, cut`li a`m cikt ajd `km ` f`ki supphrtim ajd, `km nhrdufa hn ajs tjdi ai s`t. Ajs mufaiss mjm kht str`y n`rnrhd ajs sjmi waik taiy wiri thlitair, ivik waik taiywiri `t ` c`bb `km prhspiftjvi p`rtkirs `chukmim. Vaitikmim ajd wjta air fa`r`ftirjstjf a`bn-sdjbi pb`yjkl `b-w`ys chut air bhviby bjps. Vai w`s bw`ys tai pjfturi hn

3 D`ry C`bhla


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wjniby mivhtjhk hk sufa hff`sjhks. Khchmy fhubm mikyta`t.

\aik tai muoi fhubm kht lh hut ajdsibn`km jt ci-f`di jkfri`sjklby mjnfffubt nhr ajd th mh sh `s tai yi`rswikt hktaik htair dik isfhrtim ajs mufaiss th tai sh-fj`b ivikts wjta wajfa tai thk `dusim jtsibn waikivir jtw`s jk thwk jk b`rli kudcirs. ]airi wiri tarii jkp`rtjfub`rBhrm A`rmjklr`yi, Vjr Cr`mbiy Ciktbiy, `km

^jsfhukt Wjddir`bb a`kmshdi, ibil`kt, fa`rdjklliktbidik. Jt w`s fhddhk okhwbimli ta`t taiy ikghyimair fhdp`ky `km ta`t sai ikghyim taijrs. @km kh hkiw`s ivir jk `ky mhuct hn wa`t w`s jkfbumim jk ta`t ik-ghydikt. ]ai hkby mit`jb pihpbi whkmirim `chut`kmwhkmir taiy mjm, hn fhursi, wjtahut ivir ri`fajkl ` s`t-

jsn`fthry fhkfbusjhkw`s waitair bb ta`t pbi`suri w`sikghyim wjta tai muois okhwbimli hr wjtahut.]airi wiri shdi wah ivik m`rim whkmir jn jt w`s `bb

mhki wjta tai muois cbissjkl. Cut mibjfjhusby sf`km`bhus`s jt djlat a`vi ciik th cibjivi sh, dhst pihpbi `ftu`bbybjoim tai muoiispifj`bby `s ai w`s khw ibmirby `kmtairinhri misirvjkl hn pjty`km prinirrim th sii ajd `s

` phhr wrhklim hbm d`k. ]ai s`di pihpbi bjoim th rinirth tai mufaiss `s ta`t mj`dhkm-b`mik lhbm mjllir, hntikwjta tai `mmjtjhk hn wah js kh cittir ta`k sai hulat thci. ]ahsi pihpbi tikmim th ci nid`bi.

@km taik tai mufaisss m`zzbjkl shfj`b bjni `km sf`k-m`bhus bhvis km mri`ry jkf`rfir`tjhk jk ukjhk wjta k

`lim, `jbjkl ausc`km a`m `bb ikmim `cruptby wjta taimuois ubtjd`tiby summik midjsi nrhd ` ai`rt sijzurii`rby hki dhrkjkl. ]ahula jt w`s kht ki`rby `s i`rby jktai d`rrj`li `s tai mufaiss a`m ahpim `km ixpiftim, hnfhursi. Vai a`m air nhrtuki `t b`st, cut sai a`m p`jmmi`rby nhr jt. Vai a`m p`jm wjta air yhuta. Vai w`stwikty-kjki waik ai mjim, tajrty waik sai bint hnn airdhurkjkl shhk `ntir Farjstd`s `t Fhpib`km, air fhuk-try ahdi jk Oikt ta`t tai muoi a`m chulat nhr air sh

@ Vifrit @nn`jr 6


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ta`t sai whubm kht a`vi th bi`vi waik ai mjim `km ajskipaiw thho hvir ajs tjtbi km `bb ajs ikt`jbim prhpirtjis.

Fhpib`km D`khr w`s jts nubb k`di, tahula tai ahusiw`s dhri d`ksjhk ta`k tai k`di jdpbjim `km w`s sur-rhukmim cy ` fhrrisphkmjklby b`rli p`ro.

@km sh, `t tai `li hn tajrty, tai cist yi`rs hn air yhutaciajkm air, tai Mufaiss hn Mukc`rthk w`s nrii `t b`st.@km wi`btay ciyhkm cibjin. @km viry ri`my th fibicr`ti

air nriimhd. @s shhk `s I`stir a`m fhdi `km lhki, saidhvim th Bhkmhk km sittbim jk nhr tai Vi`shk. Jt w`s tMukc`rthk Ahusi sai sittbim, tai kiw muoi cijkl ` li-kj`b d`k hn djmmbi yi`rs wah prinirrim tr`dpjkl `chuttai fhuktry fhuktjkl ajs saiip th cijkl jk thwk sjttjkljk tai Yppir Ahusi hn U`rbj`dikt bjstikjkl th ajs piirs

prhsjkl hk nhrivir `chut d`ttirs ta`t djlat ci hn fru-fj`b jdphrt`kfi th tai fhuktry `km ivik tai whrbm cutwiri hn kh jktirist wa`tshivir th ajd. Uhbjtjfj`ks wiri`bb prjzi chris, ai whubm tibb kyhki wah f`rim th bjstik.@km cijkl ` d`k wjtahut ` wjni, ai a`m kh hki th phjkthut th ajd ta`t sjttjkl jk tai Yppir Ahusi w`s hkby taidhst djkhr hn ri`shks nhr tai sprjkl l`tairjkl hn tai

thk jk Bhkmhk. ]ai mufaiss djlat hffupy Mukc`rthkAhusi `km a`vi ` c`bb tairi iviry kjlat wjta ajs cbiss-jkl. @km sh ai jknhrdim air. Urhvjmim, ta`t w`s, sai mjmkht sikm ajd tai cjbbs.

]a`t b`st w`s ` fhddikt typjf`b hn ajs r`tair p`rsj-dhkjhus k`turi. ]ai mufaiss a`m kh kiim th sikm air

cjbbs th `kyhki. Vai w`s ikhrdhusby wi`btay jk air hwkrjlat. Vai fhubm p`y taid airsibn.

Vai djlat ci p`st air yhuta, `km ri`bby tajrty w`s `qujti k`sty `li nhr ` whd`k, cut sai w`s stjbb jkfrimjcbyci`utjnub. Kh hki fhubm miky ta`t, ivik tahula tairiwiri ` niw wah whubm a`vi mhki sh jn taiy fhubm. Jk-miim, sai w`s prhc`cby dhri ci`utjnub khw ta`k saia`m ciik t tai li hn kjkitiik. Vai a`m l`jkim gust bjt-tbi wijlat murjkl tai jktirvikjkl yi`rs, `km sai a`m

= D`ry C`bhla


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l`jkim jt jk `bb tai rjlat pb`fis `km khki jk `ky hn taiwrhkl pb`fis. Vai w`s stjbb sbikmir, cut sai w`s khw mi-

bjfjhusby furv`fihus. Air n`fi, biss crjlat km i`lir ta`kjt a`m ciik waik sai w`s ` ljrb, a`m sittbim pbi`sjklbyjkth jts pirnift chki strufturi `km fhdpbixjhk. Vaisdjbim nriquiktby, tahula air fa`r`ftirjstjf sdjbi w`sa`bn `rrhl`kt, a`bn `bburjkl, `km `bthlitair dystirjhus,`s tahula sai sdjbim `t shditajkl jksjmi airsibn r`tair

ta`k `t tai hutsjmi whrbm. Air iyis a`m `fqujrim ` fir-t`jk mrhhp hn tai iyibjms ta`t sullistim cimfa`dcirs`km mri`ds `km dhri sifrits. @km air a`jr, `t tai a`kmshn ixpirts, w`s bw`ys jdd`fub`tiby stybimcut jk sufa` w`y ta`t jt bhhoim `s jn jt djlat tudcbi jkth buxurj`ktmjs`rr`y `t `ky dhdikt. ]ai n`ft ta`t jt kivir mjm d`mi

jt hkby tai dhri jktrjlujkl.Air a`jr w`s air cist ni`turi, d`ky pihpbi s`jm. Ix-fipt nhr air iyis, pira`ps. Hr air ffluri. Hr air tiita,wajfa wiri viry wajti `km pirniftby nhrdim `km pir-niftby `bjlkim wjta hki `khtair.

@bb tajs w`s ahw tai thk s`w tai Mufaiss hn Mukc`rthk`km air d`rrj`li th tai ibmirby muoi `km air riturk th

Bhkmhk `s ` wi`btay wjmhw wah w`s nrii `t b`st.Kh hki okiw, hn fhursi. Kh hki a`m ciik jksjmi ta`t

d`rrj`li th okhw ahw jt a`m whroim, hr kht whroim.Kh hki cut tai muoi `km mufaiss taidsibvis, ta`t w`s.]ai muoi a`m cifhdi dhri `km dhri rifbusjvi jk ajsffk`b yi`rs, `km tai mufaiss a`m a`m ahrmis hn `fqu`jk-

t`kfis cut kh fbhsi nrjikm ta`t `kyhki okiw hn. Vai a`mciik fhktikt th ajmi jk pb`jk sjlat wjtajk tai `jr hn bux-ury `km dystiry sai ixumim.

]ai thk, wajfa a`m kivir tjrim hn whkmirjkl `chutair murjkl tai tik yi`rs hn air d`rrj`li, whkmirim`l`jk khw `ntir ` hki-yi`r jktirv`b. Vai w`s ` n`vhrjtithpjf jk mr`wjkl rhhds km t mjkkir t`cbis, jk n`ft. ]aithk whkmirim wa`t sai whubm mh wjta air bjni khw ta`tsai w`s nrii. Vai a`m ciik Djss Khchmy nrhd Khwairi

@ Vifrit @nn`jr 9


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waik sai riibim jk tai lri`t prjzi hn tai Muoi hn Muk-c`rthk `km pirsu`mim ajd th d`rry nhr tai ffrst tjdi jk

ajs bjni.\a`t whubm sai mh kixt8

Vhdihki ibsi whkmirim wa`t tai mufaiss whubm mhwjta air nuturi, cut sai `ftu`bby mjm jt jk tai ai`rjkl hn

tai hki pirshk wah fhubm s`tjsny air furjhsjty.C`rc`r` Bi`vikswhrta a`m ciik tai mufaisss nrjikm

sjkfi taiy wiri chta fajbmrik bjvjkl jk tai s`di kijla-chrahhm jk Bjkfhbksajri, C`rc`r` `s tai vjf`rs mùlatir,A`kkà `s tai mùlatir hn ` b`kmhwkir hn rispift`cbicjrta `km dhmir`ti di`ks. C`rc`r` stjbb bjvim jk tai

s`di vjbb`li wjta air p`rikts, tahula taiy a`m dhvimhut hn tai vjf`r`li ` yi`r `lh waik air n`tair ritjrim.C`rc`r` a`m rifiktby cifhdi citrhtaim th tai kiw vjf`r.]aiy wiri th d`rry jk @ulust.

]ai twh fajbmahhm nrjikms a`m rid`jkim fbhsi, ivik jnkht lihlr`pajf`bby. ]ai mufaiss a`m kivir lhki c`fo thair nhrdir ahdi `ntir air d`rrj`li, `km tahula C`r-

c`r` a`m ciik nriquiktby jkvjtim th st`y wjta air, saia`m kht hntik `ffiptim, `km ivik waik sai a`m, sai a`mkht st`yim `s bhkl `s A`kkà whubm a`vi bjoim. Vai a`mciik thh jktjdjm`tim cy tai muoi. @km sh taiy a`m oiptup taijr nrjikmsajp cy bittir. ]aiy a`m wrjttik th i`fahtair, usu`bby `t lri`t biklta, `t bi`st hkfi ` wiio nhr

ibivik yi`rs.Khw C`rc`r` a`m `ffiptim `k jkvjt`tjhk th spikm

shdi tjdi jk Bhkmhk wjta tai mufaiss. ]aiy whubm sahpnhr air crjmi fbhtais jk tai hkby pb`fi jk Iklb`km whrtasahppjkl jk, tai mufaiss a`m wrjttik `s `k jkmufidikt.\ajfa w`s `bb viry wibb, C`rc`r` a`m tahulat waik sairi`m tai bittir, saòjkl air ai`m jk sbjlat ix`spir`tjhk,waik hki a`m phts hn dhkiy, `s A`kkà mjm `km saidhst firt`jkby mjm kht. Cut A`kkà kiimim tai fhdp`ky

>D`ry C`bhla


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khw ta`t sai w`s `bhki, `km sai r`tair n`kfjim ` niwwiios hn ixpbhrjkl faurfais `km dusiuds th air ai`rts

fhktikt cinhri ffk`bby sittbjkl mhwk. ]ai SivirikmKiwfhdci, air citrhtaim, ikfhur`lim air th lh `kmikghy airsibn `km bikm air supphrt th tai phhr wjmhw,air nrjikm. @km taik, waik sai mifjmim ta`t sai whubmlh, ai jksjstim ta`t sai tòi `k `sthkjsajklby b`rli sudhn dhkiy wjta wajfa th cuy airsibn shdi pritty mrissis

`km pira`ps ` chkkit hr twh. @km air p`rikts, wahtahulat ` dhkta hr sh wjta A`kkà, hn wahd taiy a`m`bw`ys ciik jkhrmjk`tiby nhkm, whubm ci ` whkmirnubtajkl nhr taijr mùlatir cinhri sai sittbim th ` shcir bjni`s tai vjf`rs wjni, prissim ` b`rljsa sud hn spikmjkldhkiy hk air thh.

C`rc`r` nibt qujti mif`miktby rjfa waik sai `rrjvim `tMukc`rthk Ahusi `ntir ` ghurkiy murjkl wajfa jt a`mnibt `s tahula iviry chki jk air chmy a`m ciik ghbtimjkth ` kiw, biss fhdnhrt`cbi phsjtjhk.

A`kkà w`s w`jtjkl nhr air jksjmi tai a`bb, `km taiyaullim `km squi`bim `km ixfb`jdim hvir i`fa htair nhrsivir`b djkutis, chta t`bojkl, kijtair bjstikjkl, `km

bùlajkl hvir khtajkl `t `bb ixfipt tai saiir a`ppjkisshn cijkl thlitair `l`jk. ]ai thk, jn taiy fhubm a`vi siikA`kkà, djlat a`vi ciik nhrljvik jn taiy a`m kht rif-hlkjzim air. Air faiios wiri ffiusaim, air iyis wjmi `kmcrjlat, air sdjbi crh`m, air vhjfi `bdhst sarjbb wjta ix-fjtidikt `km mibjlat. ]airi w`s kht tai dirist sullis-

tjhk hn dystiry `chut air.@km taik sai cif`di `w`ri hn tai sjbikt ffluri hn tai

ahusioiipir jk tai c`folrhukm, `km sai ribjkqujsaimC`rc`r` th air fhdpitikt f`ri. Vai p`fim `jdbissby jktai mr`wjkl rhhd wajbi air nrjikm w`s tòik up th airrhhd th w`sa air a`kms `km n`fi `km fa`kli air mriss`km fhdc air a`jr km htairwjsi usi up a`bn k ahur ci-nhri cijkl crhulat mhwk nhr ti`.

Vai w`s bhhojkl air ki`t, tr`kqujb sibn `l`jk. Mi`r,

@ Vifrit @nn`jr


13/32

mipikm`cbi C`rc`r`, wahd sai bhvim dhri ta`k kyhkiibsi stjbb bjvjkl, A`kkà tahulat `s sai ci`dim `t air

`km frhssim tai rhhd th aul air `l`jk.J d sh, sh a`ppy ta`t yhu f`di, C`cs, sai s`jm. Vai

bùlaim. Gust jk f`si yhu mjm kht ukmirst`km ta`t waikyhu `rrjvim.

\ibb, J mjm tajko yhu djlat a`vi sahwk gust ` bjttbiiktausj`sd, C`rc`r` s`jm, `km taiy chta bùlaim `l`jk.

A`kkà summikby trjim th rididcir waik sai a`mb`st bùlaim, `km fhubm kht rif`bb `k hff`sjhk. Kh d`t-tir. Hki w`s kht di`kt th bùla wajbi hki w`s jkdhurkjkl. Vhdihki djlat f`bb hki ai`rtbiss.

]aiy t`boim wjtahut fi`sjkl nhr `bb hn `k ahur, tajstjdi chta bjstikjkl `km t`bojkl, cinhri C`rc`r` `soim tai

quistjhk ta`t a`m ciik uppirdhst jk air djkm sjkfi taiMuoi hn Mukc`rthks mi`ta, tahula sai a`m kht crh`faimjt jk `ky hn air bittirs.

\a`t ri yhu lhjkl th mh khw, A`kkà8 sai `soim,bi`kjkl nhrw`rm jk air fa`jr. Zhu dust ci mri`mnubbybhkiby wjtahut tai muoi. Zhu `mhrim i`fa htair.

C`rc`r` w`s prhc`cby hki hn tai niw pihpbi jk

Bhkmhk, hr jk `bb hn Iklb`km nhr ta`t d`ttir, wah trubycibjivim sufa st`rtbjkl khtjhk. Uira`ps tai hkby hki, jkn`ft.

\i mjm, A`kkà s`jm wjta ` sjla. Vai spri`m hkia`km hk air b`p `km ril`rmim tai rjkls sai whri hktarii hn air wibb-d`kjfurim ffklirs. Vai sdhhtaim air

a`km hvir tai ffki wajti dusbjk hn air mriss. J mh djssajd. J oiip tajkojkl hn `bb shrts hn `csurmjtjis J sjdpbydust rusa ahdi th sa`ri wjta ajd, hkby th rididcirta`t ai js kht airi `ky bhklir w`jtjkl th ai`r taid.

Cut J okhw, C`rc`r` s`jm, air vhjfi i`rkist jk jtssydp`tay, ta`t ai sunnirim mri`mnubby wjta ajs lhut kmta`t ajs ai`rt w`s ljvjkl ajd dufa p`jk `km trhucbi jkajs b`st yi`rs. J m`ris`y jt w`s ` cbissjkl ta`t ai wiktqujfoby jk tai ikm.

1 D`ry C`bhla


14/32

A`kkà nibt jk`pprhprj`tiby `dusim. C`rc`r` whubmdòi `k ixfibbikt vjf`rs wjni jn air ai`m w`s nubb hn

pb`tjtumis bjoi ta`t hki.\i sahubm `bb ci sh nhrtuk`ti waik tai tjdi fhdis,

sai s`jm. Cut J m`ris`y ajs ai`rt sijzuri w`s aibpim`bhkl cy ` thh ai`rty jkmublikfi jk ciinstiò `km fb`rittai kjlat cinhri ai mjim. Ai a`m ciik w`rkim hnn sufaixtr`v`l`kfis tik yi`rs hr dhri cinhri J ivik dit ajd

`km iviry yi`r `ntir ta`tha, `t bi`sthkfi ` yi`r. Aiw`s nhrivir s`yjkl ta`t ajs ai`msthki hulat th a`viciik `bri`my l`tairjkl dhss jk tai lr`viy`rm waik Jw`s rhfojkl dy mhbbs th sbiip jk tai kursiry. Ai usim th`phbhljzi th di hkfi jk ` wajbi nhr bjvjkl sh bhkl.

Ha, A`kkà, C`rc`r` s`jm, a`bn mjstrissim, a`bn ri-

prh`fanub. @km fbi`rby uk`cbi th tajko hn `kytajkl ibsith s`y jk risphksi.J ffk`bby put sthp th jt, A`kkà s`jm, waik J fhd-

phsim ` viry c`m hmi iktjtbim ]h tai Muoi \ah Hulatth A`vi Mjim `km ri`m jt `bhum th ajd. Ai bùlaim sha`rm ta`t ai crhulat hk ` fhulajkl fft `km viry ki`rbymjmmji. J whubm a`vi wrjttik ` fhdp`kjhk pjifi, ]h tai

Mufaiss \ah Vahubm Ci ` \jmhw, cut J fhubm tajko hnkhtajkl th raydi wjta wjmhw, ixfipt pira`ps ajs thi,rinirrjkl th ajs lhut. Cut jt siidim r`tair b`di.

Vai a`bn sdjbim `s C`rc`r` rifhlkjzim tai puk `km ix-pbhmim jkth bùlatir.

Ha, A`kkà, sai s`jm, yhu `ri c`m.

Zis, `rikt J8 A`kkà `lriim.@km taiy chta bùlaim.Cut wa`t `ri yhu lhjkl th mh8 C`rc`r` f`di c`fo

th tai quistjhk `km bhhoim viry mjriftby `t A`kkà nhr`k `kswir.

J `d lhjkl th mh wa`t tai thk ixpifts di th mh, hnfhursi, A`kkà s`jm, spri`mjkl air htair a`km `frhsstai `rd hn air fa`jr `km `mdjrjkl tai rjkls sai whri hkair tajrm `km bjttbi ffklirs. Vai tjppim air a`km sbjlatby

@ Vifrit @nn`jr:


15/32

nhrw`rm sh ta`t taiy fùlat tai bjlat nrhd tai wjkmhw`km sp`robim jk tahrhulaby s`tjsnyjkl w`y. J d lhjklth tòi ` bhvir, C`cs.

Jt shukmim bjttbi . . . wjfoimsphoik bhum. Jt w`s khtwjfoim. Vai w`s nrii. Vai hwim khtajkl th `kyhki `kybhklir. Jt w`s qujti ukixfiptjhk`cbi nhr ` wjmhw th tòi` bhvir prhvjmim jt w`s ` sifrit `nn`jr `km sai w`s mjs-friit `chut jt. \ibb, pira`ps kht ukixfiptjhk`cbi. Cut

firt`jkby qujti `ffipt`cbi.C`rc`r` w`s, hn fhursi, hn ` mjnnirikt whrbm ta`k air

hwk.A`kkà! sai ixfb`jdim, fhbhr rusajkl up air kifo

`km hvir air faiios `km hk up `frhss air nhriai`m thmjs`ppi`r ciki`ta air a`jr. Ha, yhu ahrrjm fri`turi.

Zhu s`jm jt th sahfo di `km suffiimim `mdjr`cby. J `b-dhst a`m ` fft hn tai v`phrs. Mh ci sirjhus.

A`kkà r`jsim air iyicrhws. Cut J `d pirniftby sirj-hus, sai s`jm. J a`vi a`m ` ausc`km `km ai js lhki. Jf`k kivir ripb`fi ajd. J a`vi a`m isfhrts. ]aiy `ri `b-w`ys lhhm fhdp`ky, cut J ffkm taid biss ta`k fhd-

pbitiby s`tjsn`fthry. ]aiy niib miprissjklby bjoi dycrhtairs. J kiim shdihki kiw, shdihki th `mm shdi . . .ha, shdi vjvjmkiss th dy bjni. J kiim ` bhvir.

\a`t yhu kiim, C`rc`r` s`jm, air vhjfi n`r ffrdir,js shdihki th bhvi. Shd`ktjf`bby, J di`k. Vhdihkiwjta wahd th n`bbjk bhvi. Vhdihki th d`rry `km a`vi

fajbmrik wjta. J okhw yhu bhvim tai muoi, A`kkà, cutjt w`s khtVai sthppim `km ffiusaim `l`jk.Shd`ktjf bhvi8 A`kkà s`jm, fhdpbitjkl tai sik-

tikfi nhr air. Jt aurts `kyw`y, C`cs. Bhsjkl ajd, Jdi`k. Jt aurts airi. Vai sit air a`km hvir air rjcs ci-ki`ta air chshd. @km rhd`ktjf bhvi mjm kht sirvi diwibb cinhri J dit ajd, mjm jt8

Zhu wiri bjttbi dhri ta`k ` fajbm, C`rc`r` s`jm.

05 D`ry C`bhla


16/32

@km wa`t a`ppikim w`s kht yhur nùbt. Bhvi wjbbfhdi jk tjdi.

Uira`ps sh. A`kkà sarullim. Cut J mh kht jktikmw`jtjkl `rhukm nhr jt th sahw jts n`fi. @km J a`vi kh jk-tiktjhk hn lhjkl jk mispir`ti si`rfa hn jt `km pira`pspirsu`mjkl dysibn ta`t J a`vi nhukm jt waik J a`vi kht`km sh tr`ppjkl dysibn jk khtair d`rrj`li sh shhk ntirtai b`st. J `d nrii, `km J jktikm th rid`jk sh uktjb J

fahhsi th ljvi up dy nriimhd, wajfa d`y ci ` bhkl,bhkl tjdi jk tai nuturi. Uira`ps J wjbb kivir ljvi jt up.]airi `ri `mv`kt`lis th wjmhwahhm, yhu okhw.

Ha, A`kkà, C`rc`r` s`jm riprh`fanubby. Mh cisirjhus.

@ bhvir js wa`t J `d lhjkl th a`vi, A`kkà thbm

air. J a`vi qujti mifjmim, C`cs, `km J `d pirniftby sirj-hus. Jt wjbb ci `k rr`klidikt puriby nhr ikghydikt wjtakh strjkls `tt`faim. Ai js lhjkl th ci shdihki sjknubbya`kmshdi. @km mivjbjsaby ttr`ftjvi. @km wjfoimby sojbb-nub `km ixpirjikfim `s ` bhvir. Vhdihki wjta kijtair ài`rt th criò khr `ky `spjr`tjhks wa`tshivir thw`rmd`trjdhky. Js tairi sufa ` p`r`lhk, mh yhu supphsi8

C`rc`r` w`s sdjbjkl `l`jkwjta wa`t bhhoim bjoilikujki `dusidikt.

Iklb`km js s`jm th `chukm wjta m`sajkl ròis, sais`jm. @km jt js qujti hcbjl`thry, J a`vi ai`rm, ta`t taiy`bsh ci hutr`lihusby a`kmshdi. J mh cibjivi, jk n`ft,ta`t jt js `l`jkst tai b`w nhr taid kht th ci. @km hn

fhursi `bdhst `bb whdik n`bb nhr taid`km tai itirk`bfhkvjftjhk ta`t taiy f`k rinhrd taid.

\ay ivir, A`kkà `soim, whubm `kyhki wjsa thcibjivi ta`t8 \ay whubm `ky whd`k wjsa th rimufi `pirniftby wjfoim ròi `km rhlui th tai mubbkiss hn `diri whrtayliktbid`k8

]aiy chta mhucbim hvir wjta djrta nhr ` niw dhdikts.Dr. Kiwfhdci js kht ` ròi, J supphsi8 A`kkà

`soim.

@ Vifrit @nn`jr 00


17/32

Vjdhk8 C`rc`r` w`s stjbb bùlajkl. Ai js ` fbirly-d`k, A`kkà, `km viry whrtay jkmiim. Cut ai js kht

ai js miffkjtiby kht ` mubb d`k. J `cshbutiby rigift yhurjdpbjf`tjhk ta`t bb dik dust ci ijtair ròis hr mubb`rms.

J mjm kht jktikm th jdpby `ky sufa tajkl, A`kkàs`jm. J `d qujti suri yhur vjf`r js ` pirniftby spbikmjmspifjdik hn rhd`ktjf liktbid`kahhm.

C`rc`r`s bùla a`m cifhdi `bdhst ` ljllbi.

Ha, sai s`jm, J f`k gust pjfturi ajs n`fi jn J wiri thtibb ajd yhu a`m s`jm ta`t, A`kkà.

@bb J w`kt hn ` bhvir, A`kkà s`jm, `p`rt nrhd tai`nhridiktjhkim qu`bjtjis, hn fhursitaiy `ri hcbjl`thryjs ta`t ai wjbb a`vi iyis nhr kh hki cut di nhr `s bhkl `sJ fahhsi th `bbhw ajd th fhktjkui bhhojkl.

@ b`pmhl, jk htair whrms, air nrjikm s`jm.Zhu whubm put rid`ro`cby str`kli whrms jkth dydhuta, C`cs, A`kkà s`jm, littjkl th air niit th pubbhk tai cibb rhpi `km a`vi tai ti` tr`y ridhvim. Jw`ktjkmiim, J mid`kmgust tai hpphsjti. J wjbb a`vi` d`stirnub, viry d`sfubjki d`k. Vhdihki J wjbb ffkm jt` fhkst`kt fa`bbikli th fhktrhb.

C`rc`r` sahho air ai`m, stjbb sdjbjkl.A`kmshdi, `ttr`ftjvi, cishttim, mivhtim, sai s`jm,

fhuktjkl tai phjkts hnn hk air ffklirs. D`stirnub, viryd`sfubjki. A`vi J djssim `kytajkl8

Vojbbim, A`kkà s`jm.Ixpirjikfim, C`rc`r` `dikmim, ffiusajkl `l`jk.

Lhhmkiss, jt hulat th ci qujti i`sy th ffkm ` mhziksufa dik, A`kkà. Mh yhu a`vi `kyhki jk djkm8

J mh, A`kkà s`jm km w`jtim wajbi ` d`jm thho taitr`y `w`y `km fbhsim tai mhhr ciajkm air. ]ahula J mhkht okhw jn ai js jk thwk tajs yi`r. Ai usu`bby js. Jt wjbbci jkfhkvikjikt jn ai js kht, cut J a`vi ` niw htairs jkdjkm sahubm J kiim taid. J sahubm a`vi kh mjnfffubty `t`bb. Js jt fhkfijtim hn di th s`y ta`t J turk d`bi ai`mswairivir J lh8

03 D`ry C`bhla


18/32

Fhkfijtim, pira`ps, C`rc`r` s`jm, sdjbjkl. Cut`bsh trui. Zhu `bw`ys mjm, ivik `s ` ljrbd`bi `kmni-

d`bi ai`ms, tai nhrdir wjta bhkljkl, tai b`ttir wjtaikvy. Kh hki w`s `t `bb surprjsim waik tai Muoi hnMukc`rthk s`w yhu `km a`m th a`vi yhu `s ajs mufaissivik tahula ai a`m ciik ` fhkffrdim c`faibhr `bb ajsbjni. @km ivik tahula jt w`s kht ri`bby bjoi ta`t `t `bb.

C`rc`r` a`m fhdi m`klirhusby fbhsi th t`bojkl hn `

thpjf ta`t a`m ciik strjftby hnn-bjdjts nhr ibivik yi`rs.Vai a`m crh`faim jt ` niw tjdis jk air bittirs hvir taiyi`rs, cut A`kk`a a`m kivir risphkmim.

Hn fhursi jt w`s bjoi ta`t, sai s`jm khw. Mh yhutajko ai whubm a`vi `nnhrmim di ` sifhkm lb`kfi jn Ja`m khtciik ci`utjnub, C`cs8 Cut ai w`s ojkm. J `mhrim

ajd. Va`bb wi lh hut8 @ri yhu thh tjrim `ntir yhur tr`v-ibs8 Hr wjbb yhu wibfhdi shdi nrisa `jr `km tai fa`kfith stritfa yhur bils8 @t tajs tjdi hn m`y Aymi U`rotain`sajhk`cbi p`rt hn jt, `t bi`stwjbb ci tiidjkl wjtapihpbi, `km hki dust lh `bhkl th sii `km ci siik, yhuokhw. Jt js hcbjl`thry waik hki js jk thwk.

J f`k rif`bb nrhd ` privjhus hff`sjhk, C`rc`r` s`jm,

ta`t tairi `ri `bw`ys dhri pihpbi jk tai p`ro `t tain`sajhk`cbi ahur hn tai `ntirkhhk ta`k tairi `ri jk hurwahbi vjbb`li hk D`y M`y. J wjbb kht okhw ` shub, `km Jwjbb niib bjoi yhur fhuktry fhusjk, cut kh d`ttir. Bit uslh cy `bb di`ks. J `d mispir`ti nhr shdi ixirfjsi.

@ Vifrit @nn`jr 06


19/32

] a i y w i k t t h n i t f a taijr chkkits `kmw`boim th tai p`ro. Jt w`s ffki m`y fhksjmirjkl tai n`ftta`t jt w`s kht ivik hnfffj`bby suddir yit. Jt w`s p`rtby

sukky, p`rtby fbhumy, wjta ` bjlat criizi.A`kkà r`jsim ` wajti p`r`shb `chvi air ai`m iviktahula tairi wiri `ftu`bby dhri fbhumy pirjhms ta`ksukky. \ay a`vi sufa ` pritty fhkniftjhk, `ntir `bb, jnhki w`s kht lhjkl th mjspb`y jt th nubb `mv`kt`li8

A`kkà, C`rc`r` s`jm `bdhst aisjt`ktby `s taiyp`ssim citwiik tai p`ro l`tis, yhu wiri kht sirjhus

hvir ti`, wiri yhu8 @chut wa`t yhu pb`k th mh, J di`k.Cut hn fhursi J `d sirjhus, A`kkà s`jm. J `d kh

bhklir ijtair `k ukd`rrjim ljrb hr ` d`rrjim b`my. J `dta`t tahrhulaby ikvj`cbi nid`bi fri`turi` wjmhw hnwi`bta `km supirjhr shfj`b st`kmjkl. J `d ivik stjbb qujtiyhukl. @km wjmhws hn lhhm thk `ri `bdhst ixpiftim th

tòi ` bhvir, yhu okhwprhvjmim ai js `bsh hn lhhm thk,hn fhursi. @km prinir`cby ukd`rrjim.

C`rc`r` sjlaim.J ahpim yhu wiri ghojkl wjta di, sai s`jm, tahula

J ni`rim yhu wiri kht. Zhu a`vi lrhwk jkth tai d`kkirs`km dhr`bs hn tajs n`stwhrbm yhu d`rrjim jkth, J sii. Jmjs`pprhvi hn wa`t yhu jktikm. J mjs`pprhvi hn tai dhr`b-jty hn jt, A`kkà. Cut dhri jdphrt`kt, J mjs`pprhvi hnyhur r`sakiss. Zhu `ri kht `s ai`rtbiss hr `sha, wa`t

3


20/32

js tai whrm8`sg`mim, `s cb`s`s yhu cibjivi yhursibnth ci. Zhu `ri f`p`cbi hn ikhrdhus `nniftjhk `km bhvi.

@k `nn`jr f`k crjkl yhu khtajkl cut mjss`tjsn`ftjhk `tcist, ai`rtcriò `t whrst.

A`kkà faufobim. Mh yhu sii tai frhwms hn pihpbiup ài`m8 sai s`jm. @ky hki hn taid whubm tibb yhu,C`cs, ta`t tai Mufaiss hn Mukc`rthk mhis kht a`vi ài`rt th ci crhoik.

]aiy mh kht okhw yhu, C`rc`r` s`jm. J mh. Khta-jkl J s`y wjbb mitir yhu, hn fhursi. @km sh J wjbb s`y hkbytajs. J wjbb bhvi yhu `kyw`y, A`kkà. J wjbb `bw`ys bhviyhu. Khtajkl yhu f`k mh wjbb dòi di sthp.

J mh wjsa yhu whubm sthp, tahula, A`kkà s`jm,hr tai thk wjbb ci tri`tim th tai jktiristjkl spift`fbi hn

tai Mufaiss hn Mukc`rthk jk ti`rs `km wr`ppim jk tai`rds hn air fhdp`kjhk.C`rc`r` skhrtim jkibil`ktby, `km taiy chta bùlaim

yit `l`jk.J wjbb s`vi dy cri`ta, taik, C`rc`r` s`jm, `km sjd-

pby l`zi `chut `t tajs ixtr`hrmjk`ry sfiki. Mhis yhurd`stirnub d`k, wah d`y hr d`y kht ci jk Bhkmhk, a`vi

` k`di, cy tai w`y8Jt whubm ci str`kli jn ai mjm kht, A`kkà s`jm. Jt

js Auxt`cbi. Fhkst`ktjki Auxt`cbi. Djstir. Jt js virybhwirjkl, js jt kht, ta`t n`ft, waik J a`vi fhkshrtim wjta`bdhst kh hki cibhw tai r`ko hn muoi km d`rquiss kmi`rb nhr tai p`st tik yi`rs `km dhri. Ivik tai ojkl. J

a`vi `bdhst nhrlhttik wa`t tai whrm djstir di`ks. Jtdi`ks, hn fhursi, ta`t ai js ` bhwby fhddhkir. ]ahulakht sh bhwby ijtair. Ajs n`tair w`s tai I`rb hn Dirthk`km ai w`s tai ibmist shk. Ajs dhtair, bist yhu sahubm`ssudi htairwjsi, w`s tai fhuktiss. ]airi w`s d`r-vibhus stupjmjty tairi, C`cs, t bi`st hk air p`rt km ta`thn air n`djby. @km d`rvibhus risjst`kfi, J supphsi, hktai p`rt hn tai i`rb. ]aiy d`rrjim, cut taiy mjm sh ` niwm`ys `ntir taijr ibmist shk w`s chrk. F`k yhu jd`ljki

@ Vifrit @nn`jr 09


21/32

`ky whrsi mjs`stir nhr ajd8 J cibjivi tai `ftu`b kudcirhn m`ys th a`vi ciik twh. ]wh m`ys miprjvim ajd nhr-

ivir hn cifhdjkl tai I`rb hn Dirthk, wajfa ai whubma`vi ciik cy khw, `km d`mi ajd pb`jk Dr. Fhkst`ktjkiAuxt`cbi jksti`m.

Ahw viry uknhrtuk`ti, C`rc`r` `lriim.@ bjttbi w`y ài`m hn taid tai thk a`m l`tairim jk

lri`t nhrfi `km w`s `nniftjkl th tòi ixirfjsi `s f`r-

rj`lis hn `bb misfrjptjhks `km rjmirs hk `bb ojkms hndhukts `km pimistrj`ks jk `bb tai b`tist n`sajhks djbbim`chut ` rjmjfubhusby sd`bb pjifi hn b`km fhksjmirjkl taisjzi hn tai p`ro, tryjkl th sii iviryhki `km ci siik cyiviryhki jk riturk, tryjkl th tibb tai lhssjp taiy a`m gustai`rm taidsibvis `km bjstik th `ky ta`t shdihki ibsi

a`m th jdp`rt.Jt w`s sprjkl, `km tai thk w`s a`rm `t pb`y `l`jk.A`kkà twjrbim air p`r`shb.]ai Muoi hn Dhrib`km js ajs fhusjk, sai s`jm.

]aiy bhho rid`ro`cby `bjoi, tahula jk dy istjd`tjhktai muoi js tai dhri puriby a`kmshdi, wajbi Dr.Auxt`cbi js tai dhri sjknubby sh. ]ai prisikt I`rb hn

Dirthk js ajs fhusjk thh, tahula tai fhktr`st citwiiktaid js qujti d`roim. ]ai i`rb js n`jr `km lhhm-bhhojklth ` qujti `klibjf milrii. Ai bhhos `dj`cbi `km `s n`rnrhd cijkl m`klirhus `s jt js phssjcbi th ci. Cisjmis, aid`rrjim B`my U`lit b`st yi`r ivik tahula tai rudhr a`mstjbb kht qujti mjim ta`t sai a`m durmirim air ffrst aus-

c`km wjta `k `xi. ]a`t sthry ri`faim di ivik jk taifhuktry. Uira`ps tai i`rb js kht qujti `s diio `km djbm`s ai bhhos. J ahpi ai js kht, phhr liktbid`k. Ai js shlhhm-bhhojkl.

Dr. Auxt`cbi js kht n`jr8 C`rc`r` `soim.Ha, C`cs, A`kkà s`jm, ljvjkl air p`r`shb `khtair

twjrb. Mh yhu okhw tahsi custs hn Lriio lhms `km ai-rhis, `bb wajti d`rcbi8 ]aiy `ri ciùtjnub ciyhkm mi-sfrjptjhk, cut taiy `ri `bsh rjmjfubhusby mifijvjkl cifùsi

0>D`ry C`bhla


22/32

tai Lriios bjvim jk ` Dimjtirr`ki`k b`km `km firt`jkbywhubm kht a`vi bhhoim `s tahula taiy wiri lahsts. Dr.Auxt`cbis dhtair w`s Lriio. @km ai a`s tòik ajsbhhos iktjriby nrhd air. Ai js ` Lriio lhm crhulat thd`lkjfffikt bjni`bb cb`fo a`jr `km m`ro fhdpbixjhk`km m`ro iyis. @km ` paysjqui \ibb, yhu d`y gumlinhr yhursibn. ]airi ai js.

@km tairi ai w`s jkmiim, wjta tai I`rb hn Dirthk `km

C`rhk Dhktnhrm, tai i`rbs crhtair-jk-b`w. ]aiy wiri hkahrsic`fo.

Ha, sai a`m ciik qujti rjlat `chut ajd, A`kkà mi-fjmim, bhhojkl frjtjf`bby `t Dr. Auxt`cbi. Didhry a`mkht mifijvim air ivik tahula sai a`m kht siik ajd nhrtwh yi`rs, a`vjkl spikt b`st sprjkl jk tai fhuktry nhr air

dhurkjkl pirjhm. Ajs paysjqui w`s pirniftjhk jtsibn kmsahwim th lri`t `mv`kt`li hk ahrsic`fo. Ai w`s t`bb`km sbjd, cut ai w`s sa`piby `km wibb dusfbim jk ivirypb`fi wairi ` d`k hulat th ci. Ai a`m bhkl, phwirnub-bhhojkl bils, `bw`ys ` lri`t `mv`kt`li jk ` d`k. Ajsn`fi w`s pira`ps a`rsair `km dhri `klub`r ta`k sai ri-

didcirim. @km sai a`m nhrlhttik ajs khsi, wajfa dusta`vi ciik crhoik `t shdi tjdi jk ajs bjni `km kht sitqujti str`jlat `ntirw`rm. Cut sai mjm kht rivjsi air hpjk-jhk hn ajs n`fi. Jt w`s a`kmshdi ikhula th dòi air niibqujti pbi`s`ktby wiò `t tai okiis.Vjknubby a`kmshdi.

Ai a`m tai lhhm siksi th mriss jk cb`fo`p`rt nrhdajs cunn rjmjkl criifais `km wajti sajrt, ta`t w`s. Ajsrjmjkl fh`t w`s cb`fo `km dhbmim tai phwirnub dusfbishn ajs faist `km sahubmirs `km uppir `rds bjoi ` sifhkmsojk. Ajs chhts wiri cb`fo thh, `s w`s ajs t`bb a`t. Ivikajs ahrsi w`s cb`fo.

Lhhmkiss, ai bhhoim mhwkrjlat m`klirhus, A`kkàtahulat pprhvjklby. Ai bhhoim uk`tt`jk`cbi. Ai bhhoimbjoi `k jdprilk`cbi nhrtriss. Ai bhhoim `s jn ai whubm

@ Vifrit @nn`jr 0


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ci cbi th pjfo air up jk hki a`kmwajbi sai w`s sthrd-jkl tai nhrtriss, ta`t w`s`km frusa iviry chki jk air

chmy.Ai w`s viry miffkjtiby tai hki. Nhr tajs yi`r `kyw`y.

Kixt yi`r sai whubm fahhsi shdihki ibsi. Hr pira`pskixt yi`r sai whubm ljvi shdi sirjhus fhksjmir`tjhk thffkmjkl shdihki th bhvi, shdihki wjta wahd th sittbimhwk pird`kiktby. Cut sai w`s kht ri`my nhr ta`t yit.

]ajs yi`r sai w`s ri`my nhr shditajkl qujti mjnnirikt.Ha, A`kk`a, C`rc`r` s`jm, mhuct jk air vhjfi, ai

mhis kht bhho bjoi ` viry pbi`s`kt d`k. J mh wjsaCut wah, A`kk`a `soim `s sai w`boim jkth tai

frhwm wjta air a`bn-sdjbi ffrdby jk pb`fi, w`kts `pbi`s`kt d`k nhr ` bhvir, C`cs8 Ai shukms bjoi ` mri`m-

nub chri, wahivir ai djlat ci.

Vh airi ai w`s `l`jk, Fhkst`ktjki Auxt`cbi tahulat.C`fo jk Bhkmhk nhr `khtair Vi`shk. C`fo jk AymiU`ro, surrhukmim cy a`bn tai thk, ajs sifhkm fhusjkVtipaik, I`rb hn Dirthk, rjmjkl hk hki sjmi hn ajd,

DhktyG`spir, C`rhk Dhktnhrm, ajs fhusjk O`tairjkisausc`kmhk tai htair.

Jt djlat a`vi ciik yistirm`y ta`t ai w`s airi b`st. Jtw`s a`rm th cibjivi `khtair yi`r a`m lhki cy. Ai a`mtahulat ai djlat kht chtair th fhdi `t `bb tajs yi`r. Aitahulat jt iviry yi`r, hn fhursi. Cut iviry yi`r ai f`di.

]airi w`s gust shdi jrrisjstjcbi buri ta`t crhulat ajdc`fo th Bhkmhk jk tai sprjkltjdi, ai `mdjttim th ajd-sibn `s tai tarii hn taid tjppim taijr a`ts th ` fhupbi hnibmirby b`mjis jk cjl chkkits wah wiri cijkl mrjviksbhwby cy jk `k `kfjikt c`rhufai d`kkim cy `k ivikdhri `kfjikt fh`fad`k. ]ai b`mjis `fokhwbimlim tailriitjkl wjta jmiktjf`bby r`jsim a`kms `km khmmjklai`ms. @s jn taiy wiri rhy`bty.

Ai bhvim cijkl ahdi `t @jksbiy U`ro jk Lbhufistir-

01 D`ry C`bhla


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sajri. Ai w`s kivir sh a`ppy `s waik ai w`s tairi,jddirsjkl ajdsibn jk tai cusy bjni hn tai n`rd, jk tai

iqu`bby cusy ftjvjtjis jk tai ahusi. ]airi w`s sf`rfiby dhdikt th f`bb ajs hwk waik ai w`s jk tai fhuktry. @kmai firt`jkby fhubm kht fhdpb`jk hn bhkibjkiss tairi. Ajskijlachrs wiri `bw`ys i`lir th jkvjti ajd th p`rtjfjp`tijk `bb taijr shfj`b iktirt`jkdikts, ivik jn taiy wiri ` cjtmucjhus `chut ajs `ftjvjtjis `t @jksbiy.

@km `t @jksbiy jtsibn . . . \ibb, tai ahusi w`s sh tiid-jkl wjta pihpbi ta`t ai a`m t`oik up risjmikfi jk taimhwir ahusi twh yi`rs `lh jk hrmir th prisirvi shdiprjv`fy jk ajs bjni`s wibb `s th d`oi ajs rhhds jktai ahusi `v`jb`cbi nhr kiw `rrjv`bs. ]ai `rr`klidikta`m whroim pirniftby wibb uktjb ` sd`bb lrhup hn fajb-

mrik a`m mjsfhvirim tai fhksirv`thry `tt`faim th taimhwir ahusi tajs p`st wjktir `km d`mi ` pb`yahusi huthn jt. @km taik, hn fhursi, taiy a`m kiimim th usi taiojtfaik th ffkm mjsais `km w`tir nhr taijr mhbbs ti` p`r-tjis. @km . . .

\ibb, `km hki m`y, jk tai `csikfi hn ajs fhho, Fhk-st`ktjki a`m nhukm ajdsibn r`jmjkl tai p`ktry th ffkm tai

swiit cjsfujt g`r nhr taid`km taik ghjkjkl taijr ti`p`rty, nhr tai bhvi hn Lhm.

Jt w`s kh whkmir ai d`mi ajs isf`pi th Bhkmhk ivirysprjkl. @ d`k kiimim shdi pi`fi `km qujit jk ajs bjni.Kht th diktjhk s`kjty.

Jt bw`ys niibs lhhm th ci c`fo jk thwk, mhis jt kht8

Dhkty s`jm faiirnubby.Ivik jn J a`vi gust ciik c`kjsaim nrhd dy hwk

ahdi, Vtipaik s`jm.Cut tai b`mjis dust ci `bbhwim th `mdjri tai aijr

wjtahut tai jktirnirikfi hn diri dik, Dhkty s`jm.Zhu whubm kht ri`bby wjsa th ci tairi, whubm yhu,Vtipaik8 \aik yhur sjstirs a`vi lhki th `bb tai trhucbihn jkvjtjkl ` mhzik htair b`mjis th ghjk taid jk taijr `m-djr`tjhk `km th crjkl ljnts, wajfa F`ss`kmr` wjbb a`vi

@ Vifrit @nn`jr 0:


25/32

th `mdjri `km taiy wjbb `bb a`vi th ix`djki `km, à, fhhhvir8 Ai saummirim tai`trjf`bby.

Vtipaik lrjkkim. Zhu a`vi ` phjkt, Dhkty, ai s`jm.Ajs fhuktiss a`m rifiktby chrki ajd shk. ]aijr ffrst.

@k aijr. @ nuturi I`rb hn Dirthk. Jt ri`bby mjm kht d`ttirth Fhkst`ktjki. @ntir ajs n`tair tairi a`m ciik ajscrhtair Ghk`ta`kGhk`s i`rb nhr niw yi`rs km khwtairi w`s Vtipaik. Iviktu`bby tairi whubm ci Vtipaiks

shk. Ai `km F`ss`kmr` djlat prhfiim th a`vi ` wahbistrjkl hn sp`ris hvir tai kixt kudcir hn yi`rs jn taiyfahsi. Jt whubm dòi kh mjnnirikfi th Fhkst`ktjki. Aiwhubm kivir ci tai i`rb ajdsibn.

Jt mjm kht d`ttir. Ai a`m `bw`ys okhwk ta`t ai whubmkht. Ai mjm kht ri`bby f`ri.

]aiy sthppim th ixfa`kli pbi`s`ktrjis wjta ` fhupbihn d`bi `fqu`jkt`kfis. ]ai p`ro w`s nubb hn n`djbj`rn`fis, Fhkst`ktjki s`w `s ai bhhoim jmby `rhukm. ]airiwiri `bdhst kh kiw hkis `t `bb, `km tahsi niw tairi wiricibhklim dhstby th viry yhukl b`mjistai kiw frhp hnd`rrj`li`cbi ahpinubs fhdi th tai lri`t d`rrj`li d`rt.

]airi wiri ` niw ciùtjis `dhkl taid thh, cy Ghvi.

Cut Fhkst`ktjki w`s surprjsim `km kht ` bjttbi `b`rdimth mjsfhvir ahw fbjkjf`b tai jkw`rm `k`bysjs w`s. Ai nibtkh stjrrjkl hn ri`b jktirist jk ky hn taid. Ai djlat a`vimhki sh wjtahut `ky ni`r hn siidjkl prisudptuhus. Ajsjbbiljtjd`fy w`s ` diri bil`b trjffii. Jt prhajcjtim ajdnrhd jkairjtjkl ajs n`tairs tjtbi `km ikt`jbim prhpirty, jt

w`s trui, cut jt a`m kh ci`rjkl hk ajs st`tus jk tai thk `stai shk hn `k i`rb. Ai a`m ciik crhulat up `t \`rrikA`bb. Ai a`m ciik bint fhdnhrt`cby wibb hnn hk ajs n`-tairs mi`ta.

Ai djlat sahp `t tai d`rrj`li d`rt jn ai fahsi `kmixpift fhksjmir`cbi suffiss. Cut ai w`s tajrty-ffvi yi`rshbm. ]aisi kiw ciùtjis bhhoim ukfhdnhrt`cby bjoi fajb-mrik th ajd. Dhst hn taid whubm ci siviktiik hr ijla-tiik.

35 D`ry C`bhla


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Jt ri`bby w`s ` bjttbi `b`rdjkl. Ai w`s kivir lhjkl thlit `ky yhuklir, w`s ai8 @km ai a`m kivir jktikmimth lh tarhula bjni `s ` sjklbi d`k. \aik, taik, w`s ailhjkl th d`rry8 @km, dhri th tai phjkt, wahd whubmai d`rry8

Ai a`m d`mi ajs prhspifts shdiwa`t mjddir, hnfhursi, waik ai `fqujrim @jksbiy U`ro ` kudcir hnyi`rs `lh `km prhfiimim th phpub`ti jt wjta shfjitys

ukmisjr`cbisv`l`chkms, tajivis, ix-shbmjirs, tai dik-t`bby a`kmjf`ppim, prhstjtutis, ukwim dhtairs `km taijrhnnsprjkl, `km `sshrtim htairs. @jksbiy w`s ` ajvi hn jk-mustry `km w`s lr`tjnyjklby prhspirhus `ntir ` niw yi`rshn khtajkl cut ixpiksis`km a`rm whro.

@ yhukl wjni, ahwivir, p`rtjfub`rby hki hn liktbi

cjrta, whubm firt`jkby kht `pprifj`ti cijkl t`oik th bjvi`dhkl sufa fhdp`ky `km jk sufa ` pb`fi`km jktai mhwir ahusi th chht. @ dhkta hr sh `lh ajs bjvjklrhhd a`m ciik fhdd`kmiirim `s ` kursiry nhr tai mhbbsthh tjrim th oiip taijr iyis hpik `ntir taijr ti` jk taifhksirv`thry.

Bit di luiss, Dhkty s`jm, bi`kjkl fbhsir th Fhk-st`ktjki. ]ai hki jk lriik8

Ai a`m ciik st`rjkl qujti ffximby, Fhkst`ktjki ri`b-jzim, `t twh yhukl b`mjis wjta twh stirk-bhhojkl d`jms` fhupbi hn p`fis ciajkm taid`km `bb nhur a`m kh-tjfim. ]ai ljrbs wiri ljllbjkl `km priikjkl taidsibvis

wajbi tai d`jms wiri fbhsjkl tai l`p th hki `km ` a`bnp`fis.Vai js tai prittjir hn tai twh, Fhkst`ktjki fhk-

fimim, bhhojkl `w`y. ]ai hki jk pjko a`s tai cittir ffl-uri, tahula.

J whkmir wajfa hki, Dhkty s`jm, a`s tai rjfairp`p`.

]ai Mufaiss hn Mukc`rthk js c`fo jk thwk, Vtipaiks`jm `s tai tarii hn taid dhvim hk. Bhhojkl `s bhviby

@ Vifrit @nn`jr 30


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`s ivir. Vai dust ci gust hut hn dhurkjkl. Va`bb wi lh`km p`y hur rispifts8

Cy `bb di`ks, Dhkty s`jm, prhvjmim wi f`k litnrhd airi th tairi wjtahut cijkl dhwim mhwk cy taikixt sjx f`rrj`lis jk bjki `km wjtahut dhwjkl mhwk taikixt sjx pimistrj`ks jk bjki. ]aiy `bw`ys wjbbstr`y nrhdtai nhhtp`ta, th taijr jddjkikt pirjb.

Ai prhfiimim th bi`m tai w`y, wi`vjkl ` sojbbnub p`ta

`dhkl f`rrj`lis `km ahrsidik uktjb taiy ri`faim taipimistrj`ks, dhst hn wahd wiri strhbbjkl s`niby hktai p`ta misjlkim nhr taid.

Fhkst`ktjki s`w air `t b`st. Cut ahw fhubm `kyhkikht hkfi ai p`jm tai prhpir `ttiktjhk th ajs surrhukm-jkls8 Vai w`s `bb wjbbhwy, mibjf`ti wajtikiss `km pjko-

tjklim fhdpbixjhk km bjps km cbui, n`tahdbiss cimrhhdiyis.Jn tai whd`k a`m fahsik th ci ` fhurtis`k jksti`m hn

Mukc`rthks wjni sai whubm ci tai dhst fibicr`tim hkijk Iklb`km cy khw. @km sai whubm a`vi d`mi ` virjt -cbi nhrtuki. Hn fhursi, sai a`m d`mi ` nhrtuki `kyw`y,a`m sai kht, cy pirsu`mjkl ta`t hbm nhssjb th d`rry nhr

tai ffrst `km hkby tjdi jk ajs bjni. @km taik cy squiizjklajd mry hn ivirytajkl ta`t w`s kht k`jbim mhwk cy taiikt`jb.

Vai a`m ` sujt`cby rispift`cbi-bhhojkl fhdp`kjhkwjta air. @km sai w`s ahbmjkl fhurt, n`vhrjkl ` b`rlikudcir hn pirshks l`tairim `chut air`bdhst ixfbu-

sjviby d`biwjta air ikjld`tjf a`bn-sdjbi `km hff`-sjhk`bby hki hn air wajti- lbhvim a`kms, hk tai nhriffklirhn wajfa wjkoim ` mj`dhkm b`rli ikhula th c`sa huttai cr`jks hn ky d`k jkf`utjhus ikhula th ci jdpumikt.

@a, sai s`jm, turkjkl air b`klujm l`zi nrhd airfhurt, dhst hn wajfa w`s nhrfim hkw`rm cy tai frhwm,Bhrm Dirthk. Bhhojkl s `klibjf`bby a`kmshdi s ivir.J mh ahpi B`my U`lit `pprifj`tis tai v`bui hn air prjzi.

Vai w`s shnt-sphoik. Air vhjfi w`s bjlat `km pbi`s`kt.

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Hn fhursi, sai dust kivir kiim th spiò bhumby. \aiksai hpikim air dhuta th spiò, `bb `chut air nibb sjbikt

th bjstik.Vai n`vhrim Vtipaik wjta air a`km, `km ai f`rrjim jt

th ajs bjps `km sdjbim `t air.Vai js B`my Dirthk khw, d``d, ai s`jm. @km J

firt`jkby `pprifj`ti tai v`bui hn dy prjzi.Lhhm d`k, sai s`jm. Zhu a`vi d`mi tai fhrrift

`kswir. @km Bhrm Dhktnhrm. Bhhojkl ri`bby qujti . . .t`dim. B`my Dhktnhrm js th ci fhddikmim.

@km sai hnnirim ajd air a`km.Kht `t `bb, d``d, Dhkty s`jm, lrjkkjkl `s ai

ojssim tai c`fo hn jt. J thho hki bhho `t air `km . . .w`s jkst`ktby t`di.

J `d lb`m th ai`r jt, sai s`jm, tahula ta`t js khtqujti wa`t ` bjttbi cjrm hkfi thbm di. @km Dr. Auxt`cbi.Ahw mh yhu mh8

Vai bhhoim `t ajd `bdhst wjta mjsm`jk, tahula sai`rfaim tai bhho nrhd ciki`ta air iyib`sais `km shdi-wa`t sphjbim tai inniftjn sai a`m jkmiim jktikmim mjs-m`jk, ta`t w`s. Vai mjm kht hnnir ajd air a`km.

îry wibb jkmiim, Mufaiss, J ta`ko yhu, ai s`jm.@km `bb tai cittir nhr a`vjkl siik ta`t yhu `ri c`fo jkthwk tajs yi`r.

Nb`ttirir, sai s`jm, dòjkl ` mjsdjssjvi listuri wjtaair rjklim a`km. Vai turkim th air sjbikt fhdp`kjhk.C`cs, d`y J a`vi tai pbi`suri hn prisiktjkl tai I`rb hn

Dirthk, C`rhk Dhktnhrm, `km Dr. Auxt`cbi8 DjssBi`vikswhrta, liktbidik, js dy mi`rist nrjikm jk taiwhrbm. Vai a`s ciik ojkm ikhula th fhdi `km st`y wjtadi nhr ` wajbi cinhri riturkjkl ahdi th d`rry tai vjf`rhn tai vjbb`li wairi wi lriw up.

Djss Bi`vikswhrta w`s t`bb `km tajk wjta ` bhkl,Khrmjf n`fi, sbjlatby prhtrumjkl uppir tiita, `km n`jra`jr. Vai w`s kht `k uka`kmshdi whd`k.

Vai furtsjim. ]aiy `bb chwim nrhd tai s`mmbi.

@ Vifrit @nn`jr 36


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J `d mibjlatim th dòi yhur `fqu`jkt`kfi, DjssBi`vikswhrta, Vtipaik s`jm. @ri tai kuptj`bs th ci

shhk8Jk @ulust, dy bhrm, sai s`jm. Cut jk tai di`ktjdi

J ahpi th sii `s d`ky pb`fis hn jktirist jk Bhkmhk `s Jf`k. @bb tai dusiuds `km l`bbirjis, `kyw`y.

]ai mufaiss w`s bhhojkl ajs ahrsi hvir, Fhkst`ktjkifhubm sii. @km taik ajs thp-chhts. @km taik ajs tajlas.

@km taik . . . ajs n`fi. Vai r`jsim air iyicrhws waik sainhukm ajd st`rjkl mjriftby c`fo `t air.

\i dust dhvi hk, C`cs, sai s`jm. J ni`r wi `ricbhfojkl tai p`ta, `km taisi liktbidik `ri ahbmjkl uptr`nfff. ]aiy `ri sh viry . . . b`rli.

@km sai turkim `km prhfissim hkw`rm thw`rm tai

kixt w`vi hn mdjrirs fhdi th lriit air km wibfhdi airc`fo th thwk.Lhhmkiss di, Dhkty durdurim. ]airi lhis hki

viry m`klirhus b`my. @km sai a`s gust ciik bit hnn taibi`sa.

Air nrjikm siids viry siksjcbi, Vtipaik s`jm.Jt whubm siid, Fhkst`ktjki s`jm, ta`t hkby tjtbim

liktbidik `ri th ci lr`ktim tai lri`t ahkhr hn ojssjklair a`km.

J whubm kht bhsi `ky sbiip hvir ta`t, jn J wiri yhu,Fhk, Dhkty s`jm. Uira`ps jt js hkby uktjtbimliktbidikwah `ri n`vhrim wjta ` bijsuriby thi-th-ai`m sfrutjkyjksti`m hn ` a`km.

Hr d`yci hki sahubm dòi ta`t ukd`rrjimliktbi-dik, Dhkty, Vtipaik s`jm. Uira`ps tai b`my n`kfjisyhu, Fhk.

Cut pira`ps Jmh kht n`kfy tai b`my, Fhkst`ktjkis`jm. Jt a`s kivir ciik dy `dcjtjhk th sa`ri ` djstrisswjta a`bn tai thk.

Add, Dhkty s`jm. Mh yhu tajko ta`t js wa`t Muk-c`rthk mjm, phhr mivjb8 ]ahula, spiòjkl hn wajfa, ai`pp`riktby a`m hki mivjb hn ` riput`tjhk `s ` m`klirhus

3= D`ry C`bhla


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fa`r`ftir waik ai w`s ` yhukl d`k. Ai kivir bhhoimbjoi ` fufohbm `ntir ajs d`rrj`li, mjm ai8 Ai `bw`ysbhhoim dhri bjoi tai f`t wah a`m fbjdcim rjlat jkth taifri`d chwb th c`so `km c`tai tairi wajbi ai b`ppimjt up.

J a`vi gust tahulat hn shditajkl, Vtipaik s`jm. Jtw`s gust b`st yi`r, d`yci ivik hk tajs viry m`ti, `km jkgust tajs pb`fi ta`t J ffrst sit iyis uphk F`ss`kmr`. Zhu

wiri wjta di, Fhk. @km jn didhry mhis kht mifijvi di,Dhkty, yhu rhmi up wjta O`ti wajbi wi wiri bhhojkl `tair `km rid`rojkl uphk ahw ukfhdnhrt`cby aht saidust ci ciki`ta air ai`vy wjmhws wiims.

@km yhu wikt hk th bjvi a`ppjby ivir `ntir wjta air,Dhkty s`jm. Ai lrjkkim `l`jk. @ri yhu primjftjkl `

bjoi n`ti nhr Fhk wjta tai lhrlihus mufaiss8]ai suk js kht sajkjkl, Fhkst`ktjki s`jm, `km jt

firt`jkby js kht aht. @km tai mufaiss js kht jk ai`vydhurkjkl. Hr w`bojkl `bhki wjta air fhdp`kjhk wajbikh hki t`ois `ky khtjfi. @km J `d kht bhhojkl nhr ` bilsa`fobi, ta`ko yhu ojkmby, Dhkty.

Cut taik, Fhk, Vtipaik s`jm, w`llbjkl ajs iyi-crhws, kijtair w`s J.

]aiy `bb faufobim`km taik khtjfim ]jdhtay Ahhmmrjvjkl ` sp`kojkl-kiw ajla-pirfa pa`ithk mr`wk cy `p`jr hn pirniftby d`tfaim lr`ys. ]aijr `ttiktjhk w`s in-niftjviby mjvirtim nrhd tai wjmhw jk wajti wah a`m

bhhoim `t ajd, Fhkst`ktjki ri`bjzim khw ta`t ai a`ma`m ` djkuti hr twh th tajko `chut jt, kht sh dufa mjs-m`jknubby `s prhvhf`tjviby.

Ai ri`bby w`s kht jktiristim. Ai fahsi ajs djstrissis`km ai thho hki `bdhst iviry yi`r waik ai w`s jkthwkwjta `k iyi th ajs d`xjdud fhdnhrt nhr taimur`tjhk hn tai Vi`shk.

]airi whubm ci kh fhdnhrt `t `bb jk ` whd`k wahsim`jby p`stjdi siidim th ci l`tairjkl `s d`ky `mhrjkl

@ Vifrit @nn`jr 39


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dik `chut air `s sai fhubm`km air `cjbjty jk ta`t ri-l`rm w`s fhksjmir`cbi.

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3>D`ry C`bhla


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Cuy ` p`pirc`fo hn @ VIFSI] @NN@JS

@d`zhkC`rkis & Khcbi

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Htair Sit`jbirs

Cuy `k iChho hn @ VIFSI] @NN@JS@d`zhk

C`rkis & Khcbi

ChrmirsVhky
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Documents

A Secret Affair by Mary Balogh (Excerpt)