,  . Annie, Butch & duchesse de Chevreuse
 Anna Portnaya & Darya Marysheva

 


            .     ,     ,  '        .     .The secret of the The Lady with a Fan painting by Diego Velzquez will lead young Annie to medieval Madrid. Annie will meet the great artist, go to prison of the Escorial, and dArtagnan and the three musketeers will come to her aid.





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Annie, Butch & duchesse de Chevreuse



 

Anna Portnaya & Darya Marysheva



    

       

  

  

  



 ,2019

Anna Portnaya & Darya Marysheva,2019

 , ,2019



ISBN978-5-0050-2433-6

     Ridero





   

Gabri?l Metsu The Sleeping Sportsman



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Do you know what art is? It is true magic and an incredible adventure. You dont believe me? Then listen.

Once, Iwas examining paintings inthe Wallace Collection. Istopped at the canvas The Sleeping Sportsman byGabri?l Metsu. Suddenly the white lop-eared dog with big red spots on his back and muzzle came tolife and jumped out ofthe painting.

It was incredible!








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The woman inthe painting bent forward and called thedog:

Butch, Butch, come here!

But the dog didnt obey. He ran through the halls ofthe Wallace Collection. Iran after him. Having caught up with the dog Ihugged it tocoax it back tothe painting. But suddenly Butch leapt forward carrying me along.

We flew right into Diego Velzquezs painting The Lady with aFan.



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The next second, Ilanded on the floor inthe middle ofabig hall. High ceilings, luxurious furniture, statues and paintings, all this has struck my imagination. Just amoment ago Iwas inthe palace ofthe Wallace Collection and suddenly bang! Ifound myself insome other palace!



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There was athrone inthe middle ofthe hall. There was an easel with acanvas infront ofthe throne and an unfinished portrait ofthe King ofSpain, Philip IV on the canvas.

There were four doors inthe hall. All ofthem turned out tobe closed. The dog ran around me yapping anxiously.

Well, Butch, Isaid. Lets call someone! Lets call for help!

But Ididnt find aphone inthe hall. There were no electrical devices atall!

No lamps! No sockets! No switches! No air-conditioners, no climate control systems!

Ididnt just get into some other palace from the Wallace Collection! Igot into the remote past!



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And how do Igo back? Trough the painting, probably. Irushed tothe place where it stood. But it wasnt there! Iscrutinized every painting that stood on the floor. Ido remember that it was Diego Velzquezs The Lady with aFan! It stood on the floor among other paintings.

What if Igot into the Middle Ages? Ican be easily mistaken for awitch and burnt at the stake! Iwont be able toexplain how Igot here!



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Butch had arun around the hall, opened aleaf ofan ancient wardrobe with his muzzle and pulled out some pink fabric.

Is this someone elses dress?! Icried.

The dog whimpered and pulled on the pink fabric once more calling me tochange. Its better toput on someone elses dress than toappear before medieval audience injeans.

Iheard ametallic rattle. Somebody was opening the door with akey! There was no time tolose. Anyhow Ipulled the dress right on my blouse and jeans.

Thank God! Icried.



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Ihid behind the back ofthe throne. The door opened, there was the sound offootsteps. Peeping out from behind the cover Isaw the King ofSpain and Portugal, PhilipIV.

Still its not bad at all that Icame up with our friend Diegos studio. Now Ican hide from the court and rest alone here, uttered the king.

Oh, yes, Your Majesty, answered the guards inchorus.

The door closed. The Kings guards stayed outside.



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His majesty the King ofSpain, Philip IV deigned tosit down just on the throne! He didnt sit down like kings usually do! He sprawled, stretched one leg out, swung the other one over the arm ofthe throne, put aside his sword and uttered inasatisfied voice:

What ablessing tobe alone!

Oh, he must have been really tired ofthe royal affairs and the court. He wanted totake pleasure insolitude. The king was talking tohimself. Ah, he spoke with such pleasure about the beauty ofbeing able torest alone! Even Butch was deeply touched and began towhine tosupport the king! Philip IV even jumped up on the throne!

Whos there?! roared the king.



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The king drew his sword and looked behind the back ofthe throne. Irolled away from the throne.

Who are you? said the king angrily.

Excuse me, Your Majesty, Iapologised.

Iwanted tosay Im sorry that Ive scared you but Ibit my tongue intime. Idoubt whether he would have liked the idea that agirl could have thought herself able toscare him, the King ofSpain and Portugal!

Im sorry tohave disturbed you! Isaid.

Who are you? asked the king threateningly. You must be one ofmy wife Isabellas maids ofhonour! Go toher immediately! The queen should be surrounded byattention and care! And you are slackingoff!



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Imade acurtsey Idont even know how this came tomy mind. But Ithink that acurtsey is just the right thing todo when the King ofSpain and Portugal is angry with you. Imoved back and slipped out ofthe door through which Philip IV had entered nearly knocking down both guards.

They knit their brows and even laid hold ofthe handles oftheir arms. Ididnt utterly like all that. Iendured when the King ofSpain and Portugal raised his voice at me but Iwasnt going togive way tosome guards!



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Who are you?! Icried out. What are you doing here?!

What do you mean what are we doing here? both said flustered. We are guarding His Majestys peace and quiet.

Didnt the King tell you that he wanted tohide from the court torest alone?!

He did, they said nodding one faster than the other.

So how can he hide if every mouse inthe palace knows that the King is inthe chambers which doors you are standingat?!

Emm You are right, admitted the guards. But what are we todo? We must guard the King!

Hide so that no one will see you, Isuggested.

While they were pondering over my suggestion Iwent down the stairs. Iwent outside and found myself inthe courtyard ofahuge palace.



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There Ifound Her Majesty, The Queen. She sat inan armchair dressed inpink and surrounded bymaids ofhonour. Ayoung page fanned the Queen. Infront ofher stood an artist at an easel. He was painting the Queens picture.



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Finally! Her Majesty cried when she sawme.

The Queen rose from her chair. Imade acurtsey tobe on the safe side. One ofthe maids ofhonour the one who looked older than others, announced:

You were given the honour ofsitting tothe artist instead ofHer Majesty.

The Queen looked at me as if she wanted tomake sure that Iwas truly imbued bythe happiness that had dawned on me. Then she withdrew tothe castle. The maids ofhonour hurried afterher.

Take asit, senorita, said senor artist.

Isat down inthe armchair which only afew moments ago the Queen ofSpain, Elisabeth ofFrance sat in. Butch lay down at me feet. Ilooked at the artist oh, God! It was Diego Velzquez!



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Oh, Iwas just looking for you painting! The Lady with aFan! Iblurtedout.

The Lady with aFan? Idont remember painting such apicture, the artist answered and added. Please, sit still. After all Im painting Her Majestys picture.

Do Ireally look like the Queen that much? Iasked.

The dress, explained Diego Velzquez. Iam working on the dress now. Please, be still.



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It is adubious pleasure tosit under the scorching sun while the artist is painting the Queens picture ofyou. But Iarmed myself with patience tobe useful toagreat painter, Diego Velzquez. Ihad tomake friends with him and wait till he finished the portrait ofthe lady with afan. Because it was the painting that hid the key toreturning home.

However, my patience didnt last long!



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Suddenly two children ofabout ten or eleven years old appeared inthe garden. At first, they rather seemed tobe children tome. But the next second Imade out that the first one was agrown-up man, only that he was adwarf. He was running away and alittle boy was pursuing him and hitting him with asword on the back. Fortunately, the sword was inits sheath.

The dwarf stumbled and fell down. He lay on the grass covering his face with his small hands. And the boy mercilessly beat him with the sword and shouted:

There you are! There youare!



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Ijumped out ofthe armchair, seized the offenders ear and cried:

You little wretch! You should be ashamed ofyourself! Apologize immediately!

Even Butch barked several times!

The boys lips trembled. He looked at me darkly and cried:

Ah, you! Ill order tohave your head chopped off! Oh, no! You are awitch! Let them burn you at the stake!



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Awhole crowd ofdifferent courtiers poured into the courtyard. Ladies and cavaliers were stiffen with astonishment as if they had never seen alittle wretch have his ears pulled before.

Ilet go off his ear tobe on the safe side. The urchin pushed everybody aside and dashed back howling into the palace. The retinue followed him. The dwarf looked at me insuch terror as if Iwas the one who beat him and not the one who defended him. He jumped up and ran away with all the others.

Oh-oh-oh, how bad it turned out, he lamented running.

Oh-oh-oh, its bad! Diego Velzquez repeated after the dwarf.



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He grabbed the unfinished portrait which was either ofme or the Queen and hurried into the palace. Butch and Iwere left alone. The dog barked but he did it quietly as if he wasnt sure that it was the right time tobark.



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The doors opened and awoman entered the courtyard.

Are you the senorita who hit upon the idea ofpulling the ears ofthe heir tothe throne, the Prince ofAsturias, Balthasar Charles?

Uh-huh, was the only thing Iuttered because alump came tomy throat and Iwas unable tosay anything more.

And are you also the very senorita who suggested that the Kings guards should hide?

Uh-huh, Irepeated.

Isuppose that its about time for you tohide! said the woman. Followme!



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The unknown senorita took my hand and pulled me along. The dog struck amilitant pose intending toprotect us from all possible pursuers. The woman crossed the courtyard and slightly opened the door leading into another aisle ofthe palace.



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Butch-Butch-Butch! Icalled. Quick! Thisway!

The dog trotted reluctantly after us. The senora led me through the palace.

We passed byluxurious halls with antique furniture, sculptures and pictures on the walls. On the move the senora nodded toladies and cavaliers that we encountered. She stopped before some ofthem and did acurtsey letting them pass. Iimitated her actions and Butch hid behind my skirt.



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Then we found ourselves inthe part ofthe palace where, judging bythe clothes people oflow ranks lived.

The senora stopped infront ofadoor and looked around. Agroup ofmen inblack suits with swords appeared at the end ofthe corridor.

Alguacils, uttered the senora. Quick, before they seeyou.



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We passed the threshold and found ourselves inthe anteroom. An old woman inabrown dress and awhite kerchief came out tomeet us. Her face seemed familiar tome.

Quickly hide this senorita, my savior ordered.

Ifollowed the old lady into the next room. There was along oak table inthe middle ofit. From there the old lady led me tothe kitchen. We found ourselves near abig fire place with astove amongst cauldrons and pans.



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Aknock from the anteroom reached my ears.

Its His Majestys alcalde! Open inthe name ofthe King! amenacing voice was heard.

Ifroze and the cook pressed her finger toher lips. Butch clung tomy feet.

The bolt clanked. The hostess opened the door. The mans voice was heard again.

Good afternoon, Dona Juana. We are looking for the offender who insulted His Highness, the Prince ofAsturias, the heir tothe throne, the favourite son ofour King!

Who is she and how did she dare?! cried the hostess, dona Juana with indignation.

This is just what nobody knows! cried the alcalde. And we will have topay for not findingher.

Thats for sure, Dona Juana agreed. Then you had better hurry. There are no strangers here. But Isaw some senorita go down the corridor and disappear around the corner.

There it is! cried the alcalde. Thank you, Dona Juana! We suspect that she is aconspirator! We are going tocatch her! The King will show his gratitude for your assistance.

Alcalde and his alguacils left. But Butch and Isat holding our breath.



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Come out! Where are you? Dona Juanas voice was heard.

We came out into the dining room. From there we could see yet another room. There was ayoung woman there.

This is my daughter Francisca, explained Dona Juana. Francisca, entertain our guest and we will make something toeat.

The hostess never asked my name. It seemed that she thought that the less we were connected with each other the calmer her life wouldbe.



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Iwent into the adjacent room. Francisca pressed her finger toher lips and said quietly:

My children are sleeping inthe back room. Its better not towake themup.

Suddenly there was aknock. New guests. Ihope its not the alcalde who has come back!



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Dona Juana opened the door. Mens voices could be heard and thank God, they were peaceful.

You are early today! said Dona Juana.

Something utterly unimaginable has happened! answered amales voice, which seemed familiar tome.

Another voice which seemed tobelong toayounger man added:

Yes, something out ofthe common that made out work completely impossible today.

Some maid ofhonour pulled the ears ofthe heir tothe throne, informed the older man lowering his voice.

The most mysterious thing is that no one inthe palace could tell what her name was! said the youngerone.

They suspect that she is aspy, his older friend continued.



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The men made deeper for the apartments.

The death penalty awaits her, uttered the younger man with confidence.

And its going toget really ugly for those who are harbouring her! with these words the speaker entered the room and stared atme.

I, too, was stiffen with astonishment because the man was none other than Don Diego Velzquez. And so we stood staring at each other. The gentleman who was walking behind stumbled on Don Diego.

Er, Velzquez drawled. It seems that we are the ones who are harbouringher.



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The other gentleman was some fifteen years younger than the artist Velzquez. He looked at me inperplexity. The pause dragged on. Butch yelped quietly. Don Diego and his friend switched their glare at Dona Juana as if on command.

Icouldnt leave the senorita insuch predicament, the woman shrugged.



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Don Diego didnt know what tosay. And the other gentleman went into the room and took Dona Franciscas hand as if he wanted her tostay away from me. Deathly silence fell. Only some ones quiet puffing could be heard. Those were children sleeping inthe back room. Even Butch didnt venture tobreak the silence. But then the old cook came into the room and said:

If you please tothe table, masters and mistresses. Till the lunch gets cold.

Right, Don Diego took up. Its easier tothink with your stomach full.



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Who are you, senorita? How do we address you? asked Don Diego as we walked into the dining-room.

Ah, Ijust cant stand lies! But if Itold the truth, at best, no one would have believed me! Or at worst they would have taken me for awitch! For all one knows theres no good inbeing handed over tothe inquisition! And Ireally didnt want toend up at the stake!



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