Королі та капуста
Rouge et Noir
Atlength,afteraprodigiousgallopingandcurvettingofred-sashedmajors,gold-lacedcolonelsandepaulettedgenerals,theprocessionformedforitsannualprogressdowntheCalleGrandetotheCasaMorena,wheretheceremonyofwelcometothevisitingpresidentalwaystookplace.
TheSwissbandledthelineofmarch.Afteritprancedthelocalcomandante,mounted,andadetachmentofhistroops.Nextcameacarriagewithfourmembersofthecabinet,conspicuousamongthemtheMinisterofWar,oldGeneralPilar,withhiswhitemoustacheandhissoldierlybearing.Thenthepresident’svehicle,containingalsotheMinistersofFinanceandState;andsurroundedbyCaptainCruz’slighthorseformedinaclosedoublefileoffours.Followingthem,therestoftheofficialsofstate,thejudgesanddistinguishedmilitaryandsocialornamentsofpublicandprivatelife.
Asthebandstruckup,andthemovementbegan,likeabirdofill-omentheValhalla,theswifteststeamshipoftheVesuviusline,glidedintotheharbourinplainviewofthepresidentandhistrain.Ofcourse,therewasnothingmenacingaboutitsarrival—abusinessfirmdoesnotgotowarwithanation—butitremindedSeñorEspiritionandothersinthosecarriagesthattheVesuviusFruitCompanywasundoubtedlycarryingsomethingupitssleeveforthem.
Bythetimethevanoftheprocessionhadreachedthegovernmentbuilding,CaptainCronin,oftheValhalla,andMr.
