JК
Sharpes Havoc :: Корнуэлл Бернард
Страница: 173 из 242In chess terms, my dear,this is a stalemate. Soult can’t march south because his reinforcements haven’t arrived and Wellesley can’t come further north because he doesn’t have the boats. And if the military can’t force a decision here then the diplomats will have to settle matters. Which is why I am here, as I keep trying to tell you.”
„You’re here,” Kate said, „because your sympathies are with the French.”
„That is an exceptionally offensive remark,” Christopher said haughtily. „I am here because sane men must do whatever they can to prevent this war continuing, and to do that we must talk with the enemy and I cannot talk with them if I am on the wrong side of the river.”
Kate did not answer. She no longer believed her husband’s complicated explanations of why he was friendly with the French or his high talk of the new ideas controlling Europe’s destiny. She clung instead to the simpler idea of being a patriot and all she wanted now was to cross the river and join the men on the far side, but there were no boats, no bridge left and no way to escape. She began to weep and Christopher, disgusted at her display of misery, turned away. He worked at his teeth with an ivory pick and marveled that a woman so beautiful could be so prey to vapors.
Kate cuffed at her tears, then walked to where the gardener was slowly clipping the laurels. „How do I get across the river?” she asked in Portuguese.
The man did not look at her, just clipped away. „You can’t.”
„I must!”
„They shoot you if you try.” He looked at her, taking in the tight-fitting hussar uniform, then turned away. „They shoot you anyway.”
A clock in the palace’s hallway struck eleven as Marshal Soult descended the great staircase. He wore a silk robe over his breeches and shirt. „Is breakfast ready?” he demanded.
„In the blue reception room, sir,” an aide answered, „and your guests are here.”
„Good, good!” He waited as the doors were thrown open for him, then greeted the visitors with a broad smile. „Take your seats, do. Ah, I see we are being informal.” This last remark was because the breakfast was laid in silver chafing dishes on a long sideboard, and the Marshal went along the row lifting lids. „Ham! Splendid. Braised kidneys, excellent! Beef! Some tongue, good, good. And liver. That does look tasty. Good morning, Colonel!” This greeting was to Christopher who replied by giving the Marshal a bow. „How good of you to come,” Soult went on, „and did you bring your pretty wife? Ah, I see her. Good, good.
„You’re here,” Kate said, „because your sympathies are with the French.”
„That is an exceptionally offensive remark,” Christopher said haughtily. „I am here because sane men must do whatever they can to prevent this war continuing, and to do that we must talk with the enemy and I cannot talk with them if I am on the wrong side of the river.”
Kate did not answer. She no longer believed her husband’s complicated explanations of why he was friendly with the French or his high talk of the new ideas controlling Europe’s destiny. She clung instead to the simpler idea of being a patriot and all she wanted now was to cross the river and join the men on the far side, but there were no boats, no bridge left and no way to escape. She began to weep and Christopher, disgusted at her display of misery, turned away. He worked at his teeth with an ivory pick and marveled that a woman so beautiful could be so prey to vapors.
Kate cuffed at her tears, then walked to where the gardener was slowly clipping the laurels. „How do I get across the river?” she asked in Portuguese.
The man did not look at her, just clipped away. „You can’t.”
„I must!”
„They shoot you if you try.” He looked at her, taking in the tight-fitting hussar uniform, then turned away. „They shoot you anyway.”
A clock in the palace’s hallway struck eleven as Marshal Soult descended the great staircase. He wore a silk robe over his breeches and shirt. „Is breakfast ready?” he demanded.
„In the blue reception room, sir,” an aide answered, „and your guests are here.”
„Good, good!” He waited as the doors were thrown open for him, then greeted the visitors with a broad smile. „Take your seats, do. Ah, I see we are being informal.” This last remark was because the breakfast was laid in silver chafing dishes on a long sideboard, and the Marshal went along the row lifting lids. „Ham! Splendid. Braised kidneys, excellent! Beef! Some tongue, good, good. And liver. That does look tasty. Good morning, Colonel!” This greeting was to Christopher who replied by giving the Marshal a bow. „How good of you to come,” Soult went on, „and did you bring your pretty wife? Ah, I see her. Good, good.