Сердца трех / Hearts of three. Уровень 3

It is all very sad, most very sad. He was an honorable man. His one fault was his temper.”

“He never killed my uncle!” Leoncia cried.

“And it is regrettable,” Torres said gently and sadly, avoiding any disagreement. “The judge, the people, the Jefe Politico, unfortunately, all believe that he did. But I came to offer my service. You may command. Speak. I am your slave.”

He dropped suddenly and gracefully on one knee before her. He caught her hand.

“I knew you when you were small, Leoncia, and I loved you always.

No, listen! Please. My heart must speak. I have been patient. I was silent.”

She listened patiently. Henry… And Francis… Why is this Gringo in her heart? Was she a wanton? One man or another? Or any man? No! No! She was not unfaithful. And yet?… Perhaps it was because Francis and Henry were so much alike. Her poor woman’s heart couldn’t distinguish between them. And she could follow Henry anywhere over the world, but now she is ready to follow Francis even farther.

She loved Henry. But she loved Francis, too. There was a difference in her love for the two men.

Torres continued:

“Oh, Leoncia! I have dreamed of you… and for you. You are the Queen of my Dreams. And you will marry me, my Leoncia! We will forget this mad Gringo. I shall be gentle, kind. I shall love you always. He won’t stand between us.”

Leoncia was silent. How to save Henry?

“Speak!” Torres urged.

“Hush! Hush!” she said softly.

“How can I listen to you, when the man I loved is yet alive?”

Loved! The past tense of it! She said “loved”. She loved him, but no longer. Torres was glad. The one thing is clear: if he wants to win Leoncia quickly, Henry Morgan must die quickly.

“Come,” she said. “We will join the others. They are planning now, or trying to find some plan, to save Henry Morgan.”

“I have a plan,” Torres began. He smiled, and twisted his mustache. “There is one way, and it is simple.

That is just what it is. We will go and take Henry out of jail in brutal and direct fashion. It is the one thing they will not expect. Therefore, it will succeed. There are enough rascals on the beach with which we can storm the jail. Hire them, pay them well, and that’s all!”

Leoncia nodded. Old Enrico’s eyes flashed. And all looked to Francis for his opinion or agreement. He shook his head slowly.

“That way is hopeless,” he said.