Ведьмак: Кровь эльфов

           Lydia,wouldyoubesokind?"

           LydiavanBredevoort,Vilgefortz’sassistantandpersonalsecretary,appearedfrombehindthecurtainlikeanetherealphantomandsmiledwithhereyesatTissaiadeVries.Tissaia,controllingherface,repliedwithapleasantsmileandbowofherhead.ArtaudTerranovastoodupandbowedwithreverence.He,too,controlledhisexpressionverywell.HeknewLydia.

           Twoservants,bustlingaroundandrustlingtheirskirts,swiftlylayoutthetableware,platesandplatters.LydiavanBredevoort,delicatelyconjuringupatinyflamebetweenherthumbandindexfinger,litthecandlesinthecandelabras.Tissaiasawtracesofoilpaintonherhand.Shefileditinhermemorysolater,aftersupper,shecouldasktheyoungenchantresstoshowherherlatestwork.Lydiawasatalentedartist.

           Theysuppedinsilence.ArtaudTerranovadidnotstinthimselfandreachedwithoutembarrassmentfortheplattersand–probablyalittletoofrequently,andwithouthishost’sencouragementclangedthesilvertopofthecarafeofredwine.TissaiadeVriesateslowly,devotingmoreattentiontoarrangingherplates,cutleryandnapkinssymmetrically–although,inheropinion,theystilllayirregularlyandhurtherpredilectionfororderandheraestheticsensibility–thantothefare.Shedranksparingly.Vilgefortzateanddrankevenmoresparingly.Lydia,ofcourse,didnotdrinkoreatatall.

           Thecandleflamesundulatedinlongredandgoldenwhiskersoffire.