Vladimir Nabokov. La Veneciana
Vladimir Nabokov. LA VENEZIANA
"Allow me, my dear friend," he said courteously, "to assure you of my sincerest, deepest sympathy, rather than dwell on the wrath I feel toward the perpetrator of your calamity. Nevertheless, while I understand the state you are in, I must—I am obliged, my friend—to ask an immediate favor of you. Your art will rescue my honor. Today I am expecting young Lord Northwick from London, the owner, as you know, of another painting by the same del Piombo."
McGore nodded. "I'll bring the necessary implements, Colonel."
He was back in a couple of min