To herself, she was wondering if it could
have anything to do with that expedition to the Romero cemetery.
She tried to compose herself, but apprehension flooded her.
Alaire, meanwhile, her composure recovered, was standing slim and
motionless beside her chair, inquiring smoothly: "What brings you
into Texas at such a time, my dear general? This is quite
extraordinary."
"Need you ask me?" cried the man. "I would ride through a thousand
perils, senora. God in his graciousness placed that miserable
village Romero close to the gates of Heaven. Why should I not
presume to look through them briefly? I came two days ago, and
every hour since then I have turned my eyes in the direction of
Las Palmas. At last I could wait no longer." A courtly bow at the
conclusion of these words robbed the speech of its audacity and
tinged it with the licensed extravagance of Latin flattery.
Nevertheless, Paloma gasped and Alaire stirred uncomfortably. The
semi-darkness of the veranda was an invitation to even more daring
compliments, and, therefore, as she murmured a polite word of
welcome, Alaire stepped through the French window at her back and
into the brightly lighted living-room.
Pages:
251
252
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274
275