He said "I am glad you have found this room here, for I am sure there is much that will interest you". He laid his hand on some of the books "These companions have been good friends to me for the past few years, ever since I had the idea of going to London. They have given me many, many hours of pleasure. Through these books I have come to know your great England, and to know England is to love it. I long to go through the crowded streets of your mighty London, to be in the middle of a huge rushing crowd of people. I want to share the life, the changes, death, and all that makes the city what it is. But alas! As yet I only know your tongue through books. I am hoping that you will help me learn to speak it."

"But, Count," I said, "You know and speak English thoroughly!" He bowed gravely.

"I thank you, my friend, but I think you flatter me with your opinion. I have just started on the road I would travel. True, I know the grammar and the words, but I don't yet know how to speak them."

Vocabulary:

Long: Here it means 'very much want to'
Alas: Exclamation meaning 'unfortunately'
Tongue: Here it means 'language'
Gravely: Very seriously
Flatter: Say nice things to please someone
Would: Here it means 'want to'