Thinking to put an end to these blandishments, Alaire undertook to
return the general's ring, with the pretense that she considered
it no more than a talisman loaned her for the time being. But it
was a task to make Longorio accept it. He was shocked, offended,
hurt; he declared the ring to be of no value; it was no more than
a trifling evidence of his esteem. But Alaire was firm.
"Your customs are different to ours," she told him. "An American
woman is not permitted to accept valuable presents, and this would
cause disagreeable comment."
At such a thought the general's finest sensibilities were wounded,
but nothing, it seemed, could permanently dampen his ardor, and he
soon proceeded to press his attentions with even more vehemence
than before. He had brought Alaire candies of American
manufacture, Mexican sweetmeats of the finest variety, a beautiful
silken shawl, and at midday the grizzled teniente came with a
basket of lunch containing dainties and fruits and vacuum bottles
with hot and cold drinks.
When invited to share the contents, the general was plainly
overjoyed, but he was so enthralled by his companion's beauty that
he could eat but little.
Pages:
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188