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

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‘You speak English awfully well,’ she said.

‘Yes! I was educated there. I was in England seven years.’

‘Were you! My name is Mrs Leslie.’

‘Ah Leslie! I knew James Leslie in Oxford. He was killed in the war.’

‘Yes. That was my husband’s brother.’

‘Oh really!’

‘How small the world is!’ said Kate.

‘Yes indeed!’ said the General.

There was a pause.

‘And the gentlemen who are with you, they are —?’

‘American,’ said Kate.

‘Ah Americans! Ah yes!’

‘The older one is my cousin — Owen Rhys.’

‘Owen Rhys! Ah yes! I think I saw in the newspaper you were here in town — visiting Mexico.’

He spoke in a peculiar quiet voice, rather suppressed, and his quick eyes glanced at her, and at his surroundings, like those of a man perpetually suspecting an ambush. But his face had a certain silent hostility, under his kindness. He was saving his nation’s reputation.

‘They did put in a not very complimentary note,’ said Kate. ‘I think they don’t like it that we stay in the Hotel San Remo. It is too poor and foreign. But we are none of us rich, and we like it better than those other places.’