Короли и капуста
Preface
andhow,beingapprehendedbymembersoftheopposingpoliticalpartyinCoralio,heshothimselfthroughtheheadratherthangiveupthefunds,and,inconsequence,theSeñoritaGuilbert.TheywillrelatefurtherthatDoñaIsabel,heradventurousbarkoffortuneshoaledbythesimultaneouslossofherdistinguishedadmirerandthesouvenirhundredthousand,droppedanchoronthisstagnantcoast,awaitingarisingtide.
Theysay,inCoralio,thatshefoundapromptandprosperoustideintheformofFrankGoodwin,anAmericanresidentofthetown,aninvestorwhohadgrownwealthybydealingintheproductsofthecountry—abananaking,arubberprince,asarsaparilla,indigo,andmahoganybaron.TheSeñoritaGuilbert,youwillbetold,marriedSeñorGoodwinonemonthafterthepresident’sdeath,thus,intheverymomentwhenFortunehadceasedtosmile,wrestingfromheragiftgreaterthantheprizewithdrawn.
OftheAmerican,DonFrankGoodwin,andofhiswifethenativeshavenothingbutgoodtosay.DonFrankhaslivedamongthemforyears,andhascompelledtheirrespect.Hisladyiseasilyqueenofwhatsociallifethesobercoastaffords.Thewifeofthegovernorofthedistrict,herself,whowasoftheproudCastilianfamilyofMonteleonyDolorosadelosSantosyMendez,feelshonouredtounfoldhernapkinwitholive-hued,ringedhandsatthetableofSeñoraGoodwin.Wereyoutorefer(withyournorthernprejudices)tothevivaciouspastofMrs.Goodwinwhenheraudaciousandgleefulabandoninlightoperacapturedthematurepresident’sfancy,ortohershareinthatstatesman’sdownfallandmalfeasance,theLatinshrugoftheshoulderwouldbeyouronlyanswerandrebuttal.
