The Mysterious Affair ... III

El señor Hastings, de visita en la mansión de la señora Inglethorp, conoce a Evie Howard y a Mary Cavendish (esposa de John). Físicamente Evie no es muy agraciada . . . (“una profunda voz, casi masculina en sus tonos estentóreos, con un gran cuerpo cuadrado”). En cambio, Mary impresiona gratamente al visitante . . . (“nunca olvidaré la primera vista de Mary. Su forma alta y delgada. La vívida sensación de un fuego dormido que parecía encontrar expresión en sus maravillosos ojos color ámbar. Diferentes a los ojos de cualquier otra mujer que había conocido. El intenso poder de tranquilidad que poseía, que, sin embargo, transmitía la sensación de un espíritu salvaje en un cuerpo exquisitamente civilizado. Todas estas cosas están grabadas a fuego en mí y nunca las olvidaré”).

As he spoke the last words, we drew up in front of the fine old house. A lady in a stout tweed skirt, who was bending over a flower bed, straightened herself at our approach.

"Hullo, Evie, here's our wounded hero! Mr. Hastings—Miss Howard."

Miss Howard shook hands with a hearty, almost painful, grip. I had an impression of very blue eyes in a sunburnt face. She was a pleasant-looking woman of about forty, with a deep voice, almost manly in its stentorian tones, and had a large sensible square body, with feet to match—these last encased in good thick boots. Her conversation, I soon found, was couched in the telegraphic style.

"Weeds grow like house afire. Can't keep even with 'em. Shall press you in. Better be careful."

"I'm sure I shall be only too delighted to make myself useful," I responded.

"Don't say it. Never does. Wish you hadn't later."

"You're a cynic, Evie," said John, laughing. "Where's tea to-day—inside or out?"

"Out. Too fine a day to be cooped up in the house."

"Come on then, you've done enough gardening for to-day. 'The labourer is worthy of his hire', you know. Come and be refreshed."

"Well," said Miss Howard, drawing off her gardening gloves, "I'm inclined to agree with you."

She led the way round the house to where tea was spread under the shade of a large sycamore.

A figure rose from one of the basket chairs, and came a few steps to meet us.

"My wife, Hastings," said John.

I shall never forget my first sight of Mary Cavendish. Her tall, slender form, outlined against the bright light; the vivid sense of slumbering fire that seemed to find expression only in those wonderful tawny eyes of hers, remarkable eyes, different from any other woman's that I have ever known; the intense power of stillness she possessed, which nevertheless conveyed the impression of a wild untamed spirit in an exquisitely civilised body—all these things are burnt into my memory. I shall never forget them.

She greeted me with a few words of pleasant welcome in a low clear voice, and I sank into a basket chair feeling distinctly glad that I had accepted John's invitation. Mrs. Cavendish gave me some tea, and her few quiet remarks heightened my first impression of her as a thoroughly fascinating woman. An appreciative listener is always stimulating, and I described, in a humorous manner, certain incidents of my Convalescent Home, in a way which, I flatter myself, greatly amused my hostess. John, of course, good fellow though he is, could hardly be called a brilliant conversationalist.

Inglés: exámenes y traducciones. Estamos en Gral Guemes 561, local 9. Teléfonos (0387) 4249159-155723965. Salta (4400). Argentina.