Лучшие английские сказки / Best english fairy tales. Отсутствует

      Mr Fox

      Lady Mary was young, and Lady Mary was beautiful. She had two brothers, and more admirers than she could count.

      But of them all, the bravest and most gallant was a Mr Fox, whom she met when she was down at her father’s country house. No one knew who Mr Fox was; but he was certainty brave, and surely rich, and of all her lovers Lady Mary cared for him alone.

      At last it was agreed upon between them that they should be married. Lady Mary asked Mr Fox where they should live, and he described to her his castle, and where it was; but, strange to say, did not ask her or her brothers to come and see it.

      So one day, near the wedding day, when her brothers were out, and Mr Fox was away for a day or two on business, as he said, Lady Mary set out for Mr Fox’s castle.

      And after many searchings, she came at last to it, and a fine strong house it was, with high walls and a deep moat.

      And when she came up to the gateway she saw written on it:

      Be bold, be bold.

      But as the gate was open, she went through it, and found no one there.

      So she went up to the doorway, and over it she found written:

      Be bold, be bold, but not too bold.

      Still she went on, till she came into the hall, and went up the broad stairs till she came to a door in the gallery, over which was written: