I
consider myself magnanimous. I--" His voice cracked, and he made a
despairing, violent gesture. "Go, before I change my mind."
Dave signaled to the others, and Alaire slipped away to make
herself ready. During the uncomfortable silence which succeeded
her departure, Longorio paced the room, keeping his eyes
resolutely turned away from Law.
"Do you mean that I, too, may go?" O'Malley inquired.
"What good are you to me?" snapped the general.
"You will give us safe conduct?"
"Be still, priest!" Longorio glared at the speaker, clasping and
unclasping his fists behind his back.
With the sound of hoofs outside, Alaire and Dolores appeared, and
the Mexican straightened himself with an effort.
"Adios, senora!" he said, with a stiff bow. "We have had a
pleasant friendship and a thrilling flirtation, eh? I shall never
cease to regret that Fate interrupted at such an interesting
moment. Adios! Adios!" He bowed formally, in turn to Dave and to
the priest, then resumed his pacing, with his hands at his back
and his brow furrowed as if in a struggle with affairs of greater
moment than this.
But when he heard the outside door creak shut behind them his
indifference vanished and he halted with head turned in an effort
to catch the last sounds of their departure.
Pages:
444
445
446
447
448
449
450
451
452
453
454
455
456
457
458
459
460
461
462
463
464
465
466
467
468