Кінець рабства
V
AndtheyweresodissimilaratbottomthatastheycameslowlytotheendoftheavenuebeforetheCathedral,ithadnevercomeintoWhalley’sheadthathemighthavebeeninthatman’splace—providedfortotheendofhisdays.
Thesacrededifice,standinginsolemnisolationamongsttheconvergingavenuesofenormoustrees,asiftoputgravethoughtsofheavenintothehoursofease,presentedaclosedGothicportaltothelightandgloryofthewest.Theglassoftherosaceabovetheogiveglowedlikefierycoalinthedeepcarvingsofawheelofstone.Thetwomenfacedabout.
“I’lltellyouwhattheyoughttodonext,Whalley,”growledCaptainEliottsuddenly.
“Well?”
“TheyoughttosendareallivelordoutherewhenSirFrederick’stimeisup.Eh?”
CaptainWhalleyperfunctorilydidnotseewhyalordoftherightsortshouldnotdoaswellasanyoneelse.Butthiswasnottheother’spointofview.
“No,no.Placerunsitself.Nothingcanstopitnow.Goodenoughforalord,”hegrowledinshortsentences.“Lookatthechangesinourtime.Weneedalordherenow.TheyhavegotalordinBombay.”
HedinedonceortwiceeveryyearattheGovernmentHouse—amany-windowed,arcadedpalaceuponahilllaidoutinroadsandgardens.AndlatelyhehadbeentakingaboutadukeinhisMaster-Attendant’ssteam-launchtovisittheharborimprovements.Beforethathehad“mostobligingly”goneoutinpersontopickoutagoodberthfortheducalyacht.Afterwardshehadaninvitationtolunchonboard.Theduchessherselflunchedwiththem.Abigwomanwitharedface.
