Английский с Уилки Коллинзом. Женщина из сна

 I waited in the house till the town was astir for the day, and then I went to consult a lawyer. In the confused state of my mind at the time, I had one clear notion of what I meant to do: I was determined to sell my house and leave the neighborhood. There were obstacles in the way which I had not counted on. I was told I had creditors to satisfy before I could leave – I, who had given my wife the money to pay my bills regularly every week! Inquiry showed that she had embezzled every farthing of the money I had intrusted to her. I had no choice but to pay over again.

Placed in this awkward position (/когда я оказался/ в этом неловком положении; to place – помещать. класть; находиться в определенном положении), my first duty was to set things right, with the help of my lawyer (моей первой обязанностью было уладить дела – с помощью моего адвоката; duty – долг, /моральное/ обязательство). During my forced sojourn in the town I did two foolish things (за время вынужденного пребывания в городе я сделал две глупости: «глупые вещи»; sojourn – временное пребывание). And, as a consequence that followed (и как результат, который последовал = и в результате; consequence – /по/следствие, результат), I heard once more, and heard for the last time, of my wife (снова услышал – в последний раз – о своей жене).

In the first place, having got possession of the knife (во-первых: «на первом месте», завладев ножом), I was rash enough to keep it in my pocket (я довольно опрометчиво хранил/носил его в кармане; rash – поспешный; опрометчивый, безрассудный). In the second place, having something of importance to say to my lawyer (во-вторых, имея что-то важное сообщить адвокату), at a late hour of the evening (в поздний час /вечера/), I went to his house after dark – alone and on foot (я пошел к его дому после /наступления/ темноты – один и пешком). I got there safely enough (я добрался туда вполне благополучно; safely – благополучно; безопасно; надежно).

 Placed in this awkward position, my first duty was to set things right, with the help of my lawyer. During my forced sojourn in the town I did two foolish things. And, as a consequence that followed, I heard once more, and heard for the last time, of my wife.

In the first place, having got possession of the knife, I was rash enough to keep it in my pocket. In the second place, having something of importance to say to my lawyer, at a late hour of the evening, I went to his house after dark – alone and on foot. I got there safely enough.