Потерянный континент: история Атлантиды
11. An Affair With The Barbarous Fishers
Itwasclear,too,thattheEmpressrecognisedheralso.Indeed,shemadenosecretaboutthematter,addressingherbyname,andmockinglymakinginquiriesaboutthemenageoftherebels,andthesuccessoftheprisoner’samours.
“Thisgoodport-captaintellsmethatyoumadeamostvaliantattempttoreturn,Nais,andforanexcuseyoutoldthatitwasyourloveforsomemaninthecityherewhichdrewyou.Come,now,wearewillingtooverlookmuchofyourfaults,ifyouwillgiveusareasonablechance.Pointmeoutyourman,andifheisaproperfellow,Iwillseethathewedsyouhonestly.Yes,andIwilldomoreforyou,Nais,sincethisdaybringsmetoahusband.Seeingthatallyourestateisconfiscateasapenaltyforyourlaterebellion,Iwillchargemyselfwithyourdowry,andgiveitbacktoyou.Socome,namemetheman.”
Thegirllookedatherwithasullenbrow.“Ispokealie,”shesaid;“thereisnoman.”
Itriedmyselftogiveheradvocacy.“Theladydoubtlessspokewhatcametoherlips.Whenawomanisinthegripofarudesoldiery,anyexcusewhichcansaveherforthemomentmustserve.Formyself,Ishouldthinkitlikeenoughthatshewouldconfesstohavingcomebacktoheroldallegiance,ifshewereasked.”
“Sir,”saidtheEmpress,“keepyourpeace.Anyinterestyoumayshowinthismatterwillgofartooffendme.YouhavespokenofNaisinyournarrativebefore,andalthoughyourtonguewasshrewdandyoudidnotsaymuch,IamawomanandIcouldreadbetweenthelines.
