Читать книгу The Plumed Serpent. Historical Novel - Life and Love after the Mexico Revolution онлайн

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He came towards Kate, saluting and bowing with a brittle shyness.

‘I am General Viedma. Did you wish to leave? Let me get you an automobile,’ he said, in very English English, that sounded strange from his dark face, and a little stiff on his soft tongue.

His eyes were dark, quick, with the glassy darkness that she found so wearying. But they were tilted up with a curious slant, under arched black brows. It gave him an odd look of detachment, as if he looked at life with raised brows. His manner was superficially assured, underneath perhaps half-savage, shy and farouche, and deprecating.

‘Thank you so much,’ she said.

He called to a soldier in the gateway.

‘I will send you in the automobile of my friend,’ he said. ‘It will be better than a taxi. You don’t like the bull-fight?’

‘No! Horrible!’ said Kate. ‘But do get me a yellow taxi. That is quite safe.’

‘Well, the man has gone for the automobile. You are English, yes?’

‘Irish,’ said Kate.

‘Ah Irish!’ he replied, with the flicker of a smile.