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.Vincente rose politely at her entrance, and then as she joined him at the table, seated himself again.'Bring more rolls and fresh coffee, Salvador,' he instructed the manservant, and Salvador withdrew after wishing Dominique 'good morning'.Dominique said: 'Just coffee, thank you, Salvador,' in a small voice, but she doubted her ability to give him commands.Vincente had obviously almost finished his meal, and was in the process of smoking a cheroot with a cup of strong black coffee.Dressed in a lightweight tropical suit of cream linen, he looked cool and dark and attractive, and Dominique could not prevent herself from looking at him, rather surreptitiously.'Well?' he said, at last.'Did you sleep well?''Yes, thank you,' replied Dominique politely.'Did you?''Reasonably well,' he answered coolly.'I hope the car did not wake you.'Dominique compressed her lips.He was baiting her and she would not satisfy his sadistic amusement.'Car?' she questioned.'What car?'But Vincente merely smiled sardonically, as though he was fully aware of her pitiful attempt to deceive him.Salvador returned with a dish of hot rolls, a jug of coffee, and another of hot milk.He placed them conveniently beside Dominique, asked whether they required anything else, and then with a particularly gentle smile in Dominique's direction, he withdrew.Vincente studied his wife.'You seem to have succeeded in stealing Salvador's allegiance,' he remarked.'I doubt that, very much,' returned Dominique, pouring herself some coffee with hands that were quite steady considering her nervousness.'Do you? Why? I am such a monster, it is inconceivable that a man such as Salvador should not find someone more pleasant to be his - how shall I put it? - mentor.''Oh, don't!' exclaimed Dominique.'Look, this is rid-iculous! We're sitting here, talking of banalities, when all the time the subject that is closest to the surface of both our minds remains unspoken! You've got to talk to me, Vincente.I've got to know where I stand!''And where do I stand?' he countered, in a hard voice.'I don't understand.''Do you not? I think you do.I think you understand very well.You started this, Dominique.I did not.''How can you say that? I only repeated to you what I had been told.''Hysterically,' he amended cruelly.'You were like a woman possessed when you returned here yesterday.You were in no mood for reasonable argument.You listened to that woman - that snake - and believed her completely, even though you know she has a reputation for just this kind of thing!''But you didn't help me! You let me say it all! You didn't try to explain.''Why should I defend myself to you?' He rose abruptly to his feet.'I do not have to explain myself to anybody!''I am your wife, Vincente!'He gave her an eloquent look, and then walked to the window, staring out broodingly at the view.Dominique's appetite, small though it was, fled, and she pushed the rolls aside and reached for a cigarette.When it was lit, she sipped her coffee, and tried to imagine what it would be like, going through weeks, months - even years, of this kind of relationship.She wanted to ask him where he had been last night, but she doubted he would even answer her.Then he turned and said: 'I have to go to the refinery today.What will you do?'Dominique flushed.'I don't know.''I wish to make it clear that I do not want you to go down to Bela Vista again, without my permission.' His voice was cold as ice.Dominique listened, felt upset, and then suddenly his words aroused her natural resilience.How dared he imagine, after all that had happened, that he could dictate her comings and goings! She looked up at him, and said:'If I wish to go down to Bela Vista, I will go!' in a cool, composed voice, much different from the tumultuous emotionalism that was burning inside her.Vincente leaned back against the window frame.'You think so?''I know so!' Dominique sounded scornful.'What will you do? How will you stop me? Tie me up? Lock me in my room? Are you afraid I may hear more of your shortcomings?'Vincente straightened, his face darkening, his eyes burning with his fury.'Do not dare to speak to me in that fashion!' he snapped angrily.But Dominique was gaining power from allowing some of her hurt and anger and humiliation to escape.It was a kind of release from tension, and she was not willing to give it up no matter how frightening Vincente might appear.'I'll speak to you as I like,' she cried, getting to her feet.'Until now I've been subdued, I've allowed you to take the initiative, to offer no explanation for your actions but anger.I've even imagined myself as the protagonist in this - black comedy! But no more.You seem to be forgetting! I am not one of your clinging Spanish/Portuguese senhoritasl I am English, and in England men treat women as human beings - not playthings - not useless vessels!'Vincente crossed the floor to her side, staring at her with tormented eyes.He gripped her shoulders cruelly, shaking her violently.'Stop this hysterical emotionalism!' he shouted.'You don't know what you're saying! You imagine because I do not plead with you to forgive me, make unnecessary excuses for something that should have absolutely nothing to do with us, that I am therefore trying to hide even greater misdemeanours.Grow up, Dominique! You are a woman now, not a foolish child! And I am a man - and I do not care to be treated like an animal!'Dominique stared at him tremulously.'Then tell me about John and Isabella!' she said.Abruptly he released her.'Obviously you have not listened to a word I have been saying,' he said heavily.'Is there no trust in your whole body?'Dominique hesitated.Always he was capable of arousing the uncertainties inside her.Already he had succeeded in subduing that rebellious desire to hurt him as he was hurting her.'You want complete submission,' she exclaimed bitterly.'I want a wife! Not an inquisitor!' His voice was harsh [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]