"Vance, Jack - Elder Isles 03 - Madouc" - читать интересную книгу автора (Vance Jack)

For a fact, Lady DesdeaТs semblance, as she herself suspected, was not instantly compelling. She was large of bone, long of shank, flat of chest and elsewhere somewhat gaunt, with a long equine face and pad of straw-colored ringlets hanging down the sides of her face. Despite all else, Lady Desdea was expert in every phase of propriety, and understood the most delicate nuances of court etiquette. (УWhen a lady receives the duty of a gentleman, she neither stands staring like a heron which has just swallowed a fish, nor yet will she wreathe her face in a fatuous simper. Rather, she murmurs a pleasantry and shows a smile of perceptible but not immoderate warmth. Her posture is erect; she neither sidles nor hops; she wriggles neither shoulders nor hips. Her elbows remain in contact with her body. As she inclines her head, her hands may go behind her back, should she deem the gesture graceful. At no time should she look vacantly elsewhere, call or signal to friends, spit upon the floor, nor embarrass the gentleman with impertinent comments.Ф)

In all Lady DesdeaТs experience, nothing had occurred to parallel the event in the service yard. As she marched along the corridor her perplexity remained as carking as ever. She arrived at the private chambers of Queen Sollace, and was admitted into the queenТs parlour, to find Sollace reclining among green velvet cushions on a large sofa. Behind stood her maid Ermelgart, grooming SollaceТs great masses of fine pale hair. Ermelgart had already combed out the heavy strands, using a nutritive dust of ground almonds, calomel and powdered calcine of peacock bone. She brushed the hair until it shone like pale yellow silk; then rolled it into a pair of bundles, which would at last be secured under nets studded with sapphire cabochons.

To the annoyance of Lady Desdea, there were three other persons in the chamber. At the window the Ladies Bortrude and Parthenope worked at embroidery; at SollaceТs elbow, perched modestly on a stool, sat Father Umphred, his buttocks overflowing the seat. Today he wore a cassock of brown fustian, the hood thrown back. His tonsure revealed a pale flat scalp fringed with mouse-brown hair; below were soft white cheeks, a snub nose, protuberant dark eyes, a small pink mouth. Father UmphredТs post was spiritual adviser to the queen; today in one plump hand he held a sheaf of drawings depicting aspects of the new basilica, now in construction near the north end of the harbour.

Lady Desdea came forward and started to speak, only to be cut short by a flutter of Queen SollaceТs fingers. УOne moment, Ottile! As you see, I am occupied with important matters.Ф

Lady Desdea stood back, chewing her lip, while Father Umphred displayed the drawings, one after the other, eliciting small cries of enthusiasm from Sollace. She voiced only a single reproach: УIf only we could build an edifice of truly magnificent proportions, to put all others, the world over, to shame!Ф

Father Umphred smilingly shook his head. УMy dear queen, be reassured! The Basilica of Sanctissima Sollace, Beloved of the Angels, will lack for naught in the holy afflatus which it wafts on high!Ф

УOh truly, will it be so?Ф

УBeyond all doubt! Devotion is never measured in terms of gross magnitude! Were it so, a brute beast of the wild would exert more notice in the halls of Heaven than some tiny babe being blessed with the sacrament of baptism!Ф

УAs always, you place all our little problems in proper perspective!Ф

Lady Desdea could no longer contain herself. She crossed the chamber and bent to murmur into Queen SollaceТs ear: УI must have private words with Your Majesty, at once.Ф

Sollace, absorbed in the drawings, made an absent-minded gesture. УPatience, if you please! These are discussions of serious moment!Ф She touched her finger to a place on the drawing. УDespite all, if we could add an atrium here, with the toil rooms to either side, rather than across the transept, then the space would serve for a pair of lesser apses, each with its shrine.Ф

УMy dear queen, we could follow this plan were we to shorten the nave by the requisite amount.Ф

Queen Sollace made a petulant sound. УBut I do not care to do this! In fact, I would wish to add another five yards to its length, and also augment the curve here, at the back of the apse! We would gain scope for a truly splendid reredos!Ф

УThe concept is undeniably excellent,Ф declared Father Umphred. УStill, it must be remembered that the foundations are already laid and in place. They control the present dimensions.Ф

УCannot they be extended by just a bit?Ф

Father Umphred gave his head a sad shake. УWe are limited, sadly enough, by a paucity of funds! Were there an unstinting amplitude, anything might be possible.Ф

УAlways, always the same dreary tale!Ф gloomed Queen Sollace. УAre these masons and laborers and stonecutters so greedy for gold that they will not work for the glory of the church?Ф

УIt has always been thus, dear lady! Nevertheless I pray each day that His Majesty, in the fullness of his generosity, will grant us our sufficiency.Ф

Queen Sollace made a glum sound. УThe splendour of the basilica is not His MajestyТs highest priority.Ф

Father Umphred spoke in thoughtful tones. УThe king should remember an important fact. Once the basilica is whole, the financial tide reverses. Folk will come from near and far to worship and sing songs of praise and bestow gifts, of gold and silver! By this means they hope to gain the gratitude of a joyful Heaven.Ф

УSuch gifts will bring joy to me as well, if we may thereby adorn our church with proper richness.Ф

УTo this end we must provide goodly relics,Ф said Father Umphred wisely. УNothing loosens the purse strings like a fine relic! The king should know this! Pilgrims will enhance the general prosperity, and, by inevitable flux, the royal exchequer as well! All considered, relics are very good things.Ф

УOh yes, we must have relics!Ф cried Queen Sollace. УWhere will they be obtained?Ф

Father Umphred shrugged. УIt is not so easy, since many of the best have been pre-empted. However, if one is assiduous, relics may still be had: by gift, by purchase, by capture from the infidels or sometimes by discovery in unexpected places. Certainly it is not too early to start our search.Ф

УWe must discuss this matter in full detail,Ф said Queen Sollace, and then, somewhat sharply: УOttile, you are in a state of obvious discomfiture! What is the matter?Ф