Английский язык с Энтони Хоупом. Узник Зенды / Anthony Hope. The Prisoner Of Zenda

This ingenious arrangement of my long-headed old friend prospered in every way (этот хитроумный план моего предусмотрительного друга был хорош: «преуспевал» во всех отношениях; arrangement – приведение в порядок; мероприятие, план; long-headed – длинноголовый; предусмотрительный, проницательный, хитрый; in every way – во всех отношениях; way – путь, дорога; отношение), save where it encountered a force that often defeats the most cunning schemes (пока /он/ не столкнулся с силой, которая часто расстраивает самые коварные замыслы; to defeat – наносить поражение; расстраивать /планы/). I mean nothing else than the pleasure of a woman (я имею в виду ни что другое, как вмешательство женщины; pleasure – удовольствие; воля, желание).

There he had been carried, his face covered with a cloak, from the cell; and thence orders issued, that if his friend were found, he should be brought directly and privately to the King, and that meanwhile messengers should ride at full speed to Tarlenheim, to tell Marshall Strakencz to assure the princess of the King’s safety and to come himself with all speed to greet the King. The princess was enjoined to remain at Tarlenheim, and there await her cousin’s coming or his further injunctions. Thus the King would come to his own again, having wrought brave deeds, and escaped, almost by a miracle, the treacherous assault of his unnatural brother.

This ingenious arrangement of my long-headed old friend prospered in every way, save where it encountered a force that often defeats the most cunning schemes. I mean nothing else than the pleasure of a woman.