We now return to the course of the narrative1, and to Adeline, who was carried from the court to the lodging2 of Madame De la Motte. Madame was, however, at the Chatalet with her husband, suffering all the distress3 which the sentence pronounced against him might be supposed to inflict4. The feeble frame of Adeline, so long harassed5 by grief and fatigue6, almost sunk under the agitation7 which the discovery of her birth excited. Her feelings on this occasion were too complex to be analysed. From an orphan8, subsisting9 on the bounty10 of others, without family, with few friends, and pursued by a cruel and powerful enemy, she saw herself suddenly transformed to the daughter of an illustrious house, and the heiress of immense wealth. But she learned also that her father had been murdered — murdered in the prime of his days — murdered by means of his brother, against whom she must now appear, and in punishing the destroyer of her parent doom11 her uncle to death.
When she remembered the manuscript so singularly found, and considered that when she wept to the sufferings it described, her tears had flowed for those of her father, her emotion cannot easily be imagined. The circumstances attending the discovery of these papers no longer appeared to be a work of chance, but of a Power whose designs are great and just. “O my father!” she would exclaim, “your last wish is fulfilled — the pitying heart you wished might trace your sufferings shall avenge12 them.”
On the return of Madame La Motte Adeline endeavoured, as usual, to suppress her own emotions, that she might sooth the affliction of her friend. She related what had passed in the courts after the departure of La Motte, and thus excited, even in the sorrowful heart of Madame, a momentary13 gleam of satisfaction. Adeline determined14 to recover, if possible, the manuscript. On inquiry15 she learned that La Motte, in the confusion of his departure, had left it among other things at the Abbey. This circumstance much distressed16 her, the more so because she believed its appearance might be of importance on the approaching trial: she determined, however, if she should recover her rights, to have the manuscript sought for.
In the evening Louis joined this mournful party: he came immediately from his father, whom he left more tranquil17 than he had been since the fatal sentence was pronounced. After a silent and melancholy18 supper they separated for the night, and Adeline, in the solitude19 of her chamber20, had leisure to meditate21 on the discoveries of this eventful day. The sufferings of her dead father, such as she had read them recorded by his own hand, pressed most forcibly to her thoughts. The narrative had formerly22 so much affected23 her heart, and interested her imagination, that her memory now faithfully reflected each particular circumstance there disclosed. But when she considered that she had been in the very chamber where her parent had suffered, where even his life had been sacrificed, and that she had probably seen the very dagger24, seen it stained with rust25, the rust of blood! by which he had fallen, the anguish26 and horror of her mind defied all control.
On the following day Adeline received orders to prepare for the prosecution27 of the Marquis de Montalt, which was to commence as soon as the requisite28 witnesses could be collected. Among these were the Abbess of the Convent, who had received her from the hands of d’Aunoy; Madame La Motte, who was present when Du Bosse compelled her husband to receive Adeline; and Peter, who had not only been witness to this circumstance, but who had conveyed her from the Abbey that she might escape the designs of the Marquis. La Motte, and Theodore La Luc, were incapacitated by the sentence of the law from appearing on the trial.
When La Motte was informed of the discovery of Adeline’s birth, and that her father had been murdered at the Abbey of St. Clair, he instantly remembered, and mentioned to his wife, the skeleton he found in the stone room leading to the subterranean29 cells. Neither of them doubted, from the situation in which it lay, hid in a chest in an obscure room strongly guarded, that La Motte had seen the remains30 of the late Marquis. Madame, however, determined not to shock Adeline with the mention of this circumstance till it should be necessary to declare it on the trial.
As the time of this trial drew near the distress and agitation of Adeline increased. Though justice demanded the life of the murderer, and though the tenderness and pity which the idea of her father called forth31 urged her to avenge his death, she could not, without horror, consider herself as the instrument of dispensing32 that justice which would deprive a fellow being of existence; and there were times when she wished the secret of her birth had never been revealed. If this sensibility was, in her peculiar33 circumstances, a weakness, it was at least an amiable34 one, and as such deserves to be reverenced35.
The accounts she received from Vaceau of the health of M. La Luc did not contribute to tranquillize her mind. The symptoms described by Clara seemed to say that he was in the last stage of a consumption, and the grief of Theodore and herself on this occasion was expressed in her letters with the lively eloquence36 so natural to her. Adeline loved and revered37 La Luc for his own worth, and for the parental38 tenderness he had shewed her, but he was still dearer to her as the father of Theodore, and her concern for his declining state was not inferior to that of his children. It was increased by the reflection that she had probably been the means of shortening his life, for she too well knew that the distress occasioned him by the situation in which it had been her misfortune to involve Theodore, had shattered his frame to its present infirmity. The same cause also with-held him from seeking in the climate of Montpellier the relief he had formerly been taught to expect there. When she looked round on the condition of her friends, her heart was almost overwhelmed with the prospect39; it seemed as if she was destined40 to involve all those most dear to her in calamity41. With respect to La Motte, whatever were his vices42, and whatever the designs in which he had formerly engaged against her, she forgot them all in the service he had finally rendered her, and considered it to be as much her duty, as she felt it to be her inclination43, to intercede44 in his behalf. This, however, in her present situation, she could not do with any hope of success; but if the suit, upon which depended the establishment of her rank, her fortune, and consequently her influence, should be decided45 in her favour, she determined to throw herself at the king’s feet, and, when she pleaded the cause of Theodore, ask the life of La Motte.
A few days preceding that of the trial Adeline was informed a stranger desired to speak with her, and on going to the room where he was she found M. Vernueil. Her countenance46 expressed both surprize and satisfaction at this unexpected meeting, and she inquired, though with little expectation of an affirmative, if he had heard of M. La Luc. “I have seen him,” said M. Vernueil; “I am just come from Vaceau. But I am sorry I cannot give you a better account of his health. He is greatly altered since I saw him before.”
Adeline could scarcely refrain from tears at the recollection these words revived of the calamities47 which had occasiond this lamented48 change. M. Verneuil delivered her a packet from Clara; as he presented it he said, “Beside this introduction to your notice, I have a claim of a different kind, which I am proud to assert, and which will perhaps justify49 the permission I ask of speaking upon your affairs.” — Adeline bowed, and M. Verneuil, with a countenance expressive50 of the most tender solicitude51, added that he had heard of the late proceeding52 of the parliament of Paris, and of the discoveries that so intimately concerned her. “I know not,” continued he, “whether I ought to congratulate or condole53 with you on this trying occasion. That I sincerely sympathize in all that concerns you I hope you will believe, and I cannot deny myself the pleasure of telling you that I am related, though distantly, to the late Marchioness, your mother, for that she was your mother I cannot doubt.”
Adeline rose hastily and advanced towards M. Verneuil; surprize and satisfaction re-animated her features. “Do I indeed see a relation?” said she in a sweet and tremulous voice, “and one whom I can welcome as a friend?” Tears trembled in her eyes; and she received M. Verneuil’s embrace in silence. It was some time before her emotion would permit her to speak.
To Adeline, who from her earliest infancy55 had been abandoned to strangers, a forlorn and helpless orphan; who had never till lately known a relation, and who then found one in the person of an inveterate56 enemy, to her this discovery was as delightful57 as unexpected. But after struggling for some time with the various emotions that pressed upon her heart, she begged M. Verneuil permission to withdraw till she could recover composure. He would have taken leave, but she entreated58 him not to go.
The interest which M. Verneuil took in the concerns of La Luc, which was strengthened by his increasing regard for Clara, had drawn59 him to Vaceau, where he was informed of the family and peculiar circumstances of Adeline. On receiving this intelligence he immediately set out for Paris to offer his protection and assistance to his newly-discovered relation, and to aid, if possible, the cause of Theodore.
Adeline in a short time returned, and could then bear to converse60 on the subject of her family. M. Verneuil offered her his support and assistance, if they should be found necessary. “But I trust,” added he, “to the justness of your cause, and hope it will not require any adventitious61 aid. To those who remember the late Marchioness, your features bring sufficient evidence of your birth. As a proof that my judgement in this instance is not biassed62 by prejudice, the resemblance struck me when I was in Savoy, though I knew the Marchioness only by her portrait; and I believe I mentioned to M. La Luc that you often reminded me of a deceased relation. You may form some judgement of this yourself,” added M. Verneuil, taking a miniature from his pocket. “This was your amiable mother.”
Adeline’s countenance changed; she received the picture eagerly, gazed on it for a long time in silence, and her eyes filled with tears. It was not the resemblance she studied, but the countenance — the mild and beautiful countenance of her parent, whose blue eyes, full of tender sweetness, seemed bent63 upon her’s; while a soft smile played on her lips; Adeline pressed the picture to her’s, and again gazed in silent reverie. At length, with a deep sigh, she said, “This surely was my mother. Had she but lived, O my poor father! you had been spared.” This reflection quite overcame her, and she burst into tears. M. Verneuil did not interrupt her grief but took her hand and sat by her without speaking till she became more composed. Again kissing the picture, she held it out to him with a hesitating look. “No,” said he, “it is already with its true owner.” She thanked him with a smile of ineffable64 sweetness, and after some conversation on the subject of the approaching trial, on which occasion she requested M. Verneuil would support her by his presence, he withdrew, having begged leave to repeat his visit on the following day.
Adeline now opened her packet, and saw once more the well-know characters of Theodore; for a moment she felt as if in his presence, and the conscious blush overspread her cheek; with a trembling hand she broke the seal, and read the tenderest assurances and solicitudes65 of his love; she often paused that she might prolong the sweet emotions which these assurances awakened66, but while tears of tenderness stood trembling on her eyelids67, the bitter recollection of his situation would return, and they fell in anguish on her bosom68.
He congratulated her, and with peculiar delicacy69, on the prospects70 of life which were opening to her; said every thing that might tend to animate54 and support her, but avoid dwelling71 on his own circumstances, except by expressing his sense of the zeal72 and kindness of his commanding officer, and adding, that he did not despair of finally obtaining a pardon.
This hope, though but faintly expressed, and written evidently for the purpose of consoling Adeline, did not entirely73 fail of the desired effect. She yielded to its enchanting74 influence, and forgot for a while the many subjects of care and anxiety which surrounded her. Theodore said little of his father’s health; what he did say was by no means so discouraging as the accounts of Clara, who, less anxious to conceal75 a truth that must give pain to Adeline, expressed, without reserve, all her apprehension76 and concern.
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1
narrative
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| n.叙述，故事；adj.叙事的，故事体的 | |
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lodging
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| n.寄宿，住所；(大学生的)校外宿舍 | |
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distress
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| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
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inflict
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| vt.(on)把…强加给，使遭受，使承担 | |
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harassed
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| adj. 疲倦的，厌烦的 动词harass的过去式和过去分词 | |
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fatigue
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| n.疲劳，劳累 | |
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agitation
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| n.搅动；搅拌；鼓动，煽动 | |
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orphan
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| n.孤儿；adj.无父母的 | |
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subsisting
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| v.（靠很少的钱或食物）维持生活，生存下去( subsist的现在分词 ) | |
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10
bounty
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| n.慷慨的赠予物，奖金；慷慨，大方；施与 | |
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doom
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| n.厄运，劫数；v.注定，命定 | |
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12
avenge
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| v.为...复仇，为...报仇 | |
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13
momentary
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| adj.片刻的，瞬息的；短暂的 | |
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14
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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15
inquiry
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| n.打听，询问，调查，查问 | |
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distressed
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| 痛苦的 | |
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tranquil
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| adj. 安静的, 宁静的, 稳定的, 不变的 | |
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melancholy
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| n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的 | |
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19
solitude
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| n. 孤独; 独居,荒僻之地,幽静的地方 | |
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chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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meditate
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| v.想，考虑，（尤指宗教上的）沉思，冥想 | |
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22
formerly
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| adv.从前，以前 | |
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affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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dagger
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| n.匕首，短剑，剑号 | |
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rust
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| n.锈；v.生锈；(脑子)衰退 | |
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anguish
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| n.(尤指心灵上的)极度痛苦，烦恼 | |
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prosecution
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| n.起诉，告发，检举，执行，经营 | |
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28
requisite
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| adj.需要的，必不可少的；n.必需品 | |
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subterranean
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| adj.地下的，地表下的 | |
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remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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32
dispensing
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| v.分配( dispense的现在分词 )；施与；配（药） | |
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peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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amiable
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| adj.和蔼可亲的，友善的，亲切的 | |
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35
reverenced
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| v.尊敬，崇敬( reverence的过去式和过去分词 )；敬礼 | |
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eloquence
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| n.雄辩；口才，修辞 | |
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revered
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| v.崇敬，尊崇，敬畏( revere的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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parental
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| adj.父母的；父的；母的 | |
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prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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40
destined
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| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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41
calamity
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| n.灾害，祸患，不幸事件 | |
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42
vices
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| 缺陷( vice的名词复数 )； 恶习； 不道德行为； 台钳 | |
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43
inclination
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| n.倾斜；点头；弯腰；斜坡；倾度；倾向；爱好 | |
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intercede
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| vi.仲裁，说情 | |
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45
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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46
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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47
calamities
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| n.灾祸，灾难( calamity的名词复数 )；不幸之事 | |
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48
lamented
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| adj.被哀悼的，令人遗憾的v.（为…）哀悼，痛哭，悲伤( lament的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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49
justify
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| vt.证明…正当(或有理)，为…辩护 | |
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50
expressive
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| adj.表现的，表达…的，富于表情的 | |
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51
solicitude
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| n.焦虑 | |
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52
proceeding
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| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
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53
condole
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| v.同情；慰问 | |
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54
animate
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| v.赋于生命，鼓励；adj.有生命的，有生气的 | |
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55
infancy
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| n.婴儿期；幼年期；初期 | |
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56
inveterate
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| adj.积习已深的，根深蒂固的 | |
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57
delightful
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| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
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58
entreated
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| 恳求，乞求( entreat的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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59
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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converse
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| vi.谈话，谈天，闲聊；adv.相反的，相反 | |
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61
adventitious
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| adj.偶然的 | |
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62
biassed
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| （统计试验中）结果偏倚的，有偏的 | |
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bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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ineffable
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| adj.无法表达的，不可言喻的 | |
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solicitudes
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| n.关心，挂念，渴望( solicitude的名词复数 ) | |
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66
awakened
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| v.（使）醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）觉醒；弄醒；（使）意识到 | |
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67
eyelids
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| n.眼睑( eyelid的名词复数 )；眼睛也不眨一下；不露声色；面不改色 | |
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bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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delicacy
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| n.精致，细微，微妙，精良；美味，佳肴 | |
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prospects
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| n.希望，前途(恒为复数) | |
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71
dwelling
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| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
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72
zeal
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| n.热心，热情，热忱 | |
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73
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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74
enchanting
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| a.讨人喜欢的 | |
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75
conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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apprehension
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| n.理解，领悟；逮捕，拘捕；忧虑 | |
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