The Takeover
Muriel Spark
Language: English
Pages: 151
ISBN: 0670691070
Format: PDF / Kindle (mobi) / ePub
In the cool, historic sanctuary of Nemi rests the spirit of Diana, the Benevolent-Malign Goddess whose priests once stalked the sacred grove. Now Hubert Mallindaine, self-styled descendent of the Italian huntress, has claimed spiritual rights to a villa at Nemi - a villa with a view to kill.
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chair beside her, his eyes closed, his mouth quivering. ‘How do you do?’ Hubert said to the girl. Letizia stood up, affably showing her teeth and fixing her clear eyes steadily on his face. ‘I did not phone,’ she said, ‘because we haven’t met. It was less complicated to come. My father is your neighbour, Emilio Bernardini. I am Letizia.’ Hubert said again, ‘How do you do?’ They sat down, looking at the view which seemed always to ask to be looked at like a much-photographed actress. Kurt
course not,’ she said. ‘What do you think I am? A piece of blubber?’ She achieved an exit, leaving him to think over what she had said. What he thought was that the worst was over for the time being. She had got out what was in her mind and might even regret having done so. However, the air was a little cleared and he could count on the status quo continuing until it was possible for him to develop a better and more stable status quo. Hubert finished the champagne, so musing, and enjoying the
enormously. She didn’t want them to leave and pressed them to stay on for a late dinner. Michael had gone to Rome and wouldn’t be back till nine. ‘He said nine, which most probably will be ten,’ she said. ‘Pius the Second,’ said Father Gerard, ‘said that Nemi was the home of nymphs and dryads, when he passed through this area.’ ‘Really?’ An Italian manservant, young and dark-skinned in a white coat with shining buttons and elaborate epaulettes, brought in a tray of canapé and nuts which he
somehow magically complete and at rest. It was a farm-house built for the agricultural industry of the original Tullios, for the charm of its position beside a reclaimed waterway and the civilized comfort of Berto’s prosperous ancestors. Now, the plans of this house, every angle, every detail of its structure, being known throughout the world, photographs of the interior and exterior, and the original plan of the lay-out from every side having been published for centuries in studious manuals and
of you the cost of original which he is declaring to be part of agreement settled upon him at your handing over to him in the year of 1968 the land and promise of house which he undertook for three years plus housebuilding to his requirements personally in accordance his needs; and the above-written Mallindaine was given contents in the year 1972, July 1, which makes, combined, the remuneration to his services of ten years adviser in your affairs. Always according to Mr Mallindaine’s advice, the
