The Phantom of the Opera.
I try to understand this parragraph, but I'm not sure if I'm right.

Now Sorelli had to struggle to stay calm. The Persian was a dark, mysterious man, with deep green eyes that seemed to pierce the very soul of anyone who met his gaze.

My try:

Ahora Sorelly tuvo que luchar para mantener la calma. El Persa era un hombre oscuro y misterioso, con unos profundos ojos verdes que parecian taladrar el alma de cualquiera que mirara a sus ojos.

I have serious dude about 'the very soul' and 'met his gaze'.

I looked for 'the very soul' and I figured out that it is usually translated as 'un ejemplo de' or 'un modelo de', but I don't think that this is the right translate in this case. I suspect that the expression 'meet his gaze' is 'mirar a sus ojos'.this text comes from an adapted book to English learners, The Phantom of the Opera,

Question

The Phantom of the Opera.
I try to understand this parragraph, but I'm not sure if I'm right.

Now Sorelli had to struggle to stay calm. The Persian was a dark, mysterious man, with deep green eyes that seemed to pierce the very soul of anyone who met his gaze.

My try:

Ahora Sorelly tuvo que luchar para mantener la calma. El Persa era un hombre oscuro y misterioso, con unos profundos ojos verdes que parecian taladrar el alma de cualquiera que mirara a sus ojos.

I have serious dude about 'the very soul' and 'met his gaze'.

I looked for 'the very soul' and I figured out that it is usually translated as 'un ejemplo de' or 'un modelo de', but I don't think that this is the right translate in this case. I suspect that the expression 'meet his gaze' is 'mirar a sus ojos'.this text comes from an adapted book to English learners, The Phantom of the Opera,

Answer

Also note that the word 'deep' does not describe the eyes  - he didn't have "deep [green eyes]" - he had "[deep green] eyes.

'Deep green' refers to the shade of green - verde intenso - not to the eyes themselves.

Answer

The very soul = las profundidades del alma; las partes mas esenciales del alma, la fundación,  el núcleo del alma.

met his gaze = mirar a sus ojos, pero también tener el coraje para harcerlo y mantenerlo.  Hay una implicación que sus "gaze"  is tan fuerte que se intimida.

Answer

Thanks for you time, Stephanie. According to your explanation, I think my translation is right, isn't it?

Answer

This is a somewhat old use of the word "very" that we rarely see these days.  Dictionary.com gives some good examples.  I like number 7 for this context.  "6.actual:  He was caught in the very act of stealing.  7. being such in the true or fullest sense of the term; extreme: the very heart of the matter.
8.  true; genuine; worthy of being called such:  the very God; a very fool.  9.  rightful or legitimate."

"Meet his gaze" is a bit easier.  For me, it means "look into his eyes".  Gaze means "steady or intent look", so it's a bit deeper than just a look.  
Phantom of the Opera is a great book.  I read it twice in the original French.  It's fabulous!

Answers · 8

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