Publicity

There were one or two leading ladies (была еще пара: «одна или две» известных

актрис: «актрис на первые роли»), younger than she (/которые/ были моложе

ее), who did not like her any better (которые ее не любили еще больше) because

she called at least two duchesses (из-за того, что она называла по крайней мере

двух герцогинь) by their first names (по имени: first name — имя, в отличие от

фамилии). This caused her no regret (но это не огорчало ее: «не причиняло

огорчений»; regret — сожаление, раскаяние). Julia was not a brilliant

conversationalist (Джулия не была блестящим собеседником), but her eyes were

so bright (но ее глаза сияли), her manner so intelligent (ее манеры были такими

умными), that once she had learnt the language of society (что, /после того как/

однажды она выучила язык общества) she passed for a very amusing woman (ее

принимали за очень занимательную собеседницу /женщину/; to pass for smb.

— сойти за кого-либо, слыть кем-либо). She had a great gift of mimicry (она

обладала прекрасным даром подражания: «имитирования, мимикрии»), which

ordinarily she kept in check (который она обычно сдерживала; check —

препятствие, задержка) thinking it was bad for her acting (думая, что это не

идет на пользу: «вредно» для ее актерской игры), but in these circles (но в этих

кругах) she turned it to good account (она извлекала из него пользу; to turn

smth. to (good) account — обратить что-либо в свою пользу, account — зд.

выгода, польза) and by means of it (и с его помощью) acquired the reputation of

a wit (приобрела репутации острослова; wit — ум, острословие).

duchesse [dju:'Ses] conversationalist ["kOnvq'seIS(q)nqlIst]

language ['lxNgwIdZ] mimicry ['mImIkrI] ordinarily ['O:d(q)n(q)rIlI]

There were one or two leading ladies, younger than she, who did not like her

Any better because she called at least two duchesses by their first names. This

Caused her no regret. Julia was not a brilliant conversationalist, but her eyes

Were so bright, her manner so intelligent, that once she had learnt the

Language of society she passed for a very amusing woman. She had a great gift

Of mimicry, which ordinarily she kept in check thinking it was bad for her

Acting, but in these circles she turned it to good account and by means of it