La Lison, attached to a train of seven carriages, three second and four first class, was already puffing4 and smoking under the span roof. When Jacques and Pecqueux arrived at the dep?t at about half-past five to get the engine ready, they uttered a growl5 of anxiety at the sight of this persistent6 snow rending7 the black sky. And now, at their post, they awaited the sound of the whistle, with eyes gazing far ahead beyond the gaping8 porch of the marquee, watching the silent, endless fall of flakes draping the obscurity in livid hue9.
The driver murmured:
"The devil take me if you can see a signal!"
"We may think ourselves lucky if we can get along," said the fireman.
Roubaud was on the platform with his lantern, having returned at the precise minute to resume his service. At moments his heavy eyelids10 closed with fatigue11, without him ceasing his supervision12. Jacques having inquired whether he knew anything as to the state of the line, he had just approached and pressed his hand, answering that as yet he had received no telegram; and as Séverine came down, wrapped in an ample cloak, he led her to a first class compartment13 and assisted her in. No doubt he caught sight of the anxious look of tenderness that the two sweethearts[Pg 199] exchanged; but he did not even trouble to tell his wife that it was imprudent to set out in such weather, and that she would do better to postpone15 her journey.
Passengers arrived, muffled16 up, loaded with travelling-bags, and there was quite a crush in the terrible morning cold. The snow did not even melt on the shoes of the travellers. The carriage doors were closed as soon as the people were in the compartments17 where they barricaded18 themselves; and the platform, badly lit by the uncertain glimmer19 of a few gas-burners, became deserted20. The light of the locomotive, attached to the base of the chimney, alone burnt brightly like a huge eye dilating21 its sheet of fire far into the obscurity.
Roubaud raised his lantern to give the signal of departure. The headguard blew his whistle, and Jacques answered, after opening the regulator and revolving22 the reversing-wheel. They started. For a minute the assistant station-master tranquilly24 gazed after the train disappearing in the tempest.
"Attention!" said Jacques to Pecqueux. "No joking to-day!"
He had not failed to remark that his companion seemed also worn out with fatigue. Assuredly the consequence of some spree on the previous night.
"Oh! no fear, no fear!" stammered25 the fireman.
As soon as they left the span roofing of the station, they were in the snow. The wind, blowing from the east, caught the locomotive in front, beating against it in violent gusts26. The two men in the cab did not suffer much at first, clothed as they were in thick woollen garments, with their eyes protected by spectacles. But the light on the engine, usually so brilliant at night, seemed swallowed up in the thick fall of snow. Instead of the metal way being illuminated27 three or four hundred yards ahead, it came into evidence in a sort of milky28 fog. The various objects could only be distinguished29 when the locomotive was quite close to them, and then they appeared indistinct, as in a dream.
[Pg 200]
The anxiety of the driver was complete when he recognised, on reaching the first signal-post, that he would certainly be unable, as he had feared, to see the red lights barring the lines at the regulation distances. From that moment he advanced with extreme prudence30, but without it being possible for him to slacken speed, for the wind offered extraordinary resistance, and delay would have been as dangerous as a too rapid advance.
As far as Harfleur, La Lison went along at a good and well-sustained pace. The layer of snow that had fallen did not as yet trouble Jacques, for, at the most, there were two feet on the line, and the snow-blade could easily clear away four. All his anxiety was to maintain the speed, well aware that the real merit of a driver, after temperance, and esteem31 for his engine, consisted in advancing in an uniform way, without jolting32, and at the highest pressure possible.
Indeed, his only defect lay in his obstinacy33 not to stop. He disobeyed the signals, always thinking he would have time to master La Lison; and so he now and again over-shot the mark, crushing the crackers34, the "corns" as they are termed, and, on two occasions, this habit had caused him to be suspended for a week. But now, in the great danger in which he felt himself, the thought that Séverine was there, that he was entrusted35 with her dear life, increased his strength of character tenfold; and he maintained his determination to be cautious all the way to Paris, all along that double metal line, bristling36 with obstacles that he must overcome.
Standing37 on the sheet of iron connecting the engine with the tender, continually jolted38 by their oscillation, Jacques, notwithstanding the snow, leant over the side, on the right, to get a better view. For he could distinguish nothing through the cab window clouded with water; and he remained with his face exposed to the gusts of wind, his skin pricked39 as with thousands of needles, and so pinched with cold that it seemed like being slashed40 with razors. Ever[Pg 201] and anon he withdrew to take breath; he removed his spectacles and wiped them; then he resumed his former position facing the hurricane, his eyes fixed41, in the expectation of seeing red lights; and so absorbed was he in his anxiety to find them, that on two occasions he fell a prey42 to the hallucination that crimson43 sparks were boring the white curtain of snow fluttering before him.
But, on a sudden, in the darkness, he felt a presentiment44 that his fireman was no longer there. Only a small lantern lit up the steam-gauge, so that the eyes of the driver might not be inconvenienced; and, on the enamelled face of the manometer, which preserved its clear lustre45, he noticed the trembling blue hand rapidly retreating. The fire was going down. The fireman had just stretched himself on the chest, vanquished46 by fatigue.
"Infernal rake!" exclaimed Jacques, shaking him in a rage.
Pecqueux rose, excusing himself in an unintelligible47 growl. He could hardly stand; but, by force of habit, he at once went to his fire, hammer in hand, breaking the coal, spreading it evenly on the bars with the shovel48. Then he swept up with the broom. And while the door of the fire-box remained open, a reflex from the furnace, like the flaming tail of a comet extending to the rear of the train, had set fire to the snow which fell across it in great golden drops.
After Harfleur began the big ascent49, ten miles long, which extends to Saint-Romain—the steepest on the line. And the driver stood to the engine, full of attention, anticipating that La Lison would have to make a famous effort to ascend50 this hill, already hard to climb in fine weather. With his hand on the reversing-wheel, he watched the telegraph poles fly by, endeavouring to form an idea of the speed. This decreased considerably51. La Lison was puffing, while the scraping of the snow-blade indicated growing resistance. He opened the door of the fire-box with the toe of his boot.[Pg 202] The fireman, half asleep, understood, and added more fuel to the embers, so as to increase the pressure.
The door was now becoming red-hot, lighting52 up the legs of both of them with a violet gleam. But neither felt the scorching53 heat in the current of icy air that enveloped54 them. The fireman, at a sign from his chief, had just raised the rod of the ash-pan which added to the draught55. The hand of the manometer at present marked ten atmospheres, and La Lison was exerting all the power it possessed56. At one moment, perceiving the water in the steam-gauge sink, the driver had to turn the injection-cock, although by doing so he diminished the pressure. Nevertheless, it rose again, the engine snorted and spat57 like an animal over-ridden, making jumps and efforts fit to convey the idea that it would suddenly crack some of its component58 pieces. And he treated La Lison roughly, like a woman who has grown old and lost her strength, ceasing to feel the same tenderness for it as formerly59.
"The lazy thing will never get to the top," said he between his set teeth—he who never uttered a word on the journey.
Pecqueux, in his drowsiness60, looked at him in astonishment61. What had he got now against La Lison? Was it not still the same brave, obedient locomotive, starting so readily that it was a pleasure to set it in motion; and gifted with such excellent vaporisation that it economised a tenth part of its coal between Paris and Havre? When an engine had slide valves like this one, so perfectly62 regulated, cutting the steam so miraculously63, they could overlook all imperfections, as in the case of a capricious, but steady and economical housewife. No doubt La Lison took too much grease, but what of that? They would grease it, and there was an end of the matter.
Just at that moment, Jacques, in exasperation64, repeated:
"It'll never reach the top, unless it's greased!"
[Pg 203]
And he did what he had not done thrice in his life. He took the oil-can to grease the engine as it went along. Climbing over the rail, he got on the frame-plate beside the boiler65, which he followed to the end. It was a most perilous66 undertaking67. His feet slipped on the narrow strip of iron, wet with snow. He was blinded, and the terrible wind threatened to sweep him away like a straw.
La Lison, with this man clinging to its side, continued its panting course in the darkness, cutting for itself a deep trench68 in the immense white sheet covering the ground. The engine shook him, but bore him along. On attaining69 the cross-piece in front, he held on to the rail with one hand, and, stooping down before the oil-box of the cylinder70 on the right, experienced the greatest difficulty in filling it. Then he had to go round to the other side, like a crawling insect, to grease the cylinder on the left. And when he got back to his post, he was exhausted71 and deadly pale, having felt himself face to face with death.
"Vile72 brute73!" he murmured.
Pecqueux had recovered, in a measure, from his drowsiness, and pulled himself together. He, too, was at his post, watching the line on the left. On ordinary occasions he had good eyes, better than those of his chief, but in this storm everything had disappeared. They, to whom each mile of the metal way was so familiar, could barely recognise the places they passed. The line had disappeared in the snow, the hedges, the houses, even, seemed about to follow suit. Around them was naught74 but a deserted and boundless75 expanse, where La Lison seemed to be careering at will, in a fit of madness.
Never had these two men felt so keenly the fraternal bond uniting them as on this advancing engine, let loose amidst all kinds of danger, where they were more alone, more abandoned by the world, than if locked up in a room by themselves; and where, moreover, they had the grievous, the[Pg 204] crushing responsibility of the human lives they were dragging after them.
The snow continued falling thicker than ever. They were still ascending76, when the fireman, in his turn, fancied he perceived the glint of a red light in the distance and told his chief. But already he had lost it. His eyes must have been dreaming, as he sometimes said. And the driver, who had seen nothing, remained with a beating heart, troubled at this hallucination of another, and losing confidence in himself.
What he imagined he distinguished beyond the myriads77 of pale flakes were immense black forms, enormous masses, like gigantic pieces of the night, which seemed to displace themselves and come before the engine. Could these be landslips, mountains barring the line against which the train was about to crush? Then, affrighted, he pulled the rod of the whistle, and whistled long, despairingly; and this lamentation78 went slowly and lugubriously80 through the storm. Then he was astonished to find that he had whistled at the right moment, for the train was passing the station of Saint-Romain at express speed, and he had thought it two miles away.
La Lison, having got over the terrible ascent, began rolling on more at ease, and Jacques had time to breathe. Between Saint-Romain and Bolbec the line makes an imperceptible rise, so that all would, no doubt, be well until the other side of the plateau. While he was at Beuzeville, during the three minutes' stoppage, he nevertheless called the station-master, whom he perceived on the platform, wishing to convey to him his anxiety about this snow, which continued getting deeper and deeper: he would never be able to reach Rouen; the best thing would be to put on another engine, while he was at a dep?t, where locomotives were always ready. But the station-master answered that he had no orders, and that he did not feel disposed to take the responsibility of such a measure on himself. All he offered to do was to give five or[Pg 205] six wooden shovels81 to clear the line in case of need; and Pecqueux took the shovels, which he placed in a corner of the tender.
On the plateau, La Lison, as Jacques had foreseen, continued to advance at a good speed, and without too much trouble. Nevertheless, it tired. At every minute the driver had to make a sign and open the fire-box, so that the fireman might put on coal. And each time he did so, above the mournful train, standing out in black upon all this whiteness and covered with a winding82 sheet of snow, flamed the dazzling tail of the comet, boring into the night.
At three-quarters of an hour past seven, day was breaking; but the wan83 dawn could hardly be discerned in the immense whitish whirlwind filling space within the entire horizon. This uncertain light, by which nothing could as yet be distinguished, increased the anxiety of the two men, who, with eyes watering, notwithstanding their spectacles, did their utmost to pierce the distance. The driver, without letting go the reversing-wheel never quitted the rod of the whistle. He sounded it almost continuously, by prudence, giving a shriek84 of distress85 that penetrated86 like a wail87 to the depths of this desert of snow.
They passed Bolbec, and then Yvetot, without difficulty. But at Motteville, Jacques made inquiries88 of the assistant station-master for precise information as to the state of the line. No train had yet arrived, and a telegram that had been received merely stated that the slow train from Paris was blocked at Rouen in safety. And La Lison went on again, descending89 at her heavy and weary gait the ten miles or so of gentle slope to Barentin.
Daylight now began to appear, but very dimly; and it seemed as if this livid glimmer came from the snow itself which fell more densely90, confused and cold, overwhelming the earth with the refuse of the sky. As day grew, the violence of the wind redoubled, and the snowflakes were driven along[Pg 206] in balls. At every moment the fireman had to take his shovel to clear the coal at the back of the tender between the partitions of the water-tank.
The country, to right and left, so absolutely defied recognition, that the two men felt as if they were being borne along in a dream. The vast flat fields, the rich pastures enclosed in green hedges, the apple orchards91 were naught but a white sea, barely swelling92 with choppy waves, a pallid93, quivering expanse where everything became white. And the driver erect94, with his hand on the reversing-wheel, his face lacerated by the gusts of wind, began to suffer terribly from cold.
When the train stopped at Barentin, M. Bessière, the station-master, himself approached the engine, to warn Jacques that a considerable accumulation of snow had been signalled in the vicinity of La Croix-de-Maufras.
"I believe it is still possible to pass," he added; "but it will not be without difficulty."
Thereupon, the young man flew into a passion, and with an oath exclaimed:
"I said as much at Beuzeville! Why couldn't they put on a second locomotive? We shall be in a nice mess now!"
The headguard had just left his van, and he became angry as well. He was frozen in his box, and declared that he could not distinguish a signal from a telegraph pole. It was a regular groping journey in all this white.
"Anyhow, you are warned," said M. Bessière.
In the meantime the passengers were astonished at this prolonged stoppage, amid the complete silence enveloping95 the station, without a shout from any of the staff, or the banging of a door. A few windows were lowered, and heads appeared: a very stout96 lady with a couple of charming, fair young girls, no doubt her daughters, all three English for certain; and, further on, a very pretty dark, young woman, who was made to draw in her head by an elderly gentleman;[Pg 207] while two men, one young and the other old, chatted from one carriage to the other, with their bodies half out of the windows.
But as Jacques cast a glance behind him, he perceived only Séverine, who was also looking out and gazing anxiously in his direction. Ah! the dear creature, how uneasy she must be, and what a heartburn he experienced knowing her there, so near and yet so far away in all this danger!
"Come! Be off!" concluded the station-master. "It is no use frightening the people."
He gave the signal himself. The headguard, who had got into his van, whistled; and once more La Lison went off, after answering with a long wail of complaint.
Jacques at once felt that the state of the line had changed. It was no longer the plain, the eternal unfolding of the thick sheet of snow, through which the engine ran along, like a steam-boat, leaving a trail behind her. They were entering the uneven97 country of hills and dales, whose enormous undulation extended as far as Malaunay, breaking up the ground into heaps; and here the snow had collected in an unequal manner. In places the line proved free, while in others it was blocked by drifts of considerable magnitude. The wind that swept the embankments filled up the cuttings; and thus there was a continual succession of obstacles to be overcome: bits of clear line blocked by absolute ramparts. It was now broad daylight, and the devastated98 country, those narrow gorges99, those steep slopes, resembled in their white coating, the desolation of an ocean of ice remaining motionless in the storm.
Never had Jacques felt so penetrated by the cold. His face seemed bleeding from the stinging flagellation of the snow; and he had lost consciousness of his hands, which were so benumbed and so bereft100 of sensibility, that he shuddered101 on perceiving he could not feel the touch of the reversing-wheel. When he raised his elbow to pull the[Pg 208] rod of the whistle, his arm weighed on the shoulder as if dead. He could not have affirmed that his legs still carried him, amid the constant shocks of oscillation that tore his inside. Great fatigue had gained him, along with the cold, whose icy chill was attaining his head. He began to doubt whether he existed, whether he was still driving, for he already only turned the wheel in a mechanical way; and, half silly, he watched the manometer going back.
All kinds of hallucinations passed through his head. Was not that a felled tree, over there, lying across the line? Had he not caught sight of a red flag flying above that hedge? Were not crackers going off every minute amidst the clatter102 of the wheels? He could not have answered. He repeated to himself that he ought to stop, and he lacked the firmness of will to do so. This crisis tortured him for a few minutes; then, abruptly103, the sight of Pecqueux, who had fallen asleep again on the chest, overcome by the cold from which he was suffering himself, threw him into such a frightful104 rage that it seemed to bring him warmth.
"Ah! the abominable105 brute!" he exclaimed.
And he, who was usually so lenient106 for the vices107 of this drunkard, kicked him until he awoke, and was on his feet. Pecqueux, benumbed with cold, grumbled108 as he grasped the shovel:
"That'll do, that'll do; I'm going there!"
With the fire made up, the pressure rose; and it was time, for La Lison had just entered a cutting where it had to cleave109 through four feet of snow. It advanced with an energetic effort, vibrating in every part. For an instant it showed signs of exhaustion110, and seemed as if about to stand still, like a vessel111 that has touched a sandbank. What increased the weight it had to draw was the snow, which had accumulated in a heavy layer on the roofs of the carriages.
They continued thus, seaming the whiteness with a dark line, with this white sheet spread over them; while the[Pg 209] engine itself had only borders of ermine draping its sombre sides, where the snowflakes melted to run off in rain. Once more it extricated112 itself, notwithstanding the weight, and passed on. At the top of an embankment, that made a great curve, the train could still be seen advancing without difficulty, like a strip of shadow lost in some fairyland sparkling with whiteness.
But, farther on, the cuttings began again; and Jacques and Pecqueux, who had felt La Lison touch, stiffened113 themselves against the cold, erect at their posts, which even, were they dying, they could not desert. Once more the engine lost speed; it had got between two talus, and the stoppage came slowly and without a shock. It seemed as if glued there, exhausted; as though all its wheels were clogged114, tighter and tighter. It ceased moving, the end had come; the snow held the engine powerless.
"It's all up!" growled115 Jacques with an oath.
He remained a few seconds longer at his post, his hand on the wheel, opening everything to see if the obstacle would yield. Then, hearing La Lison spitting and snorting in vain, he shut the regulator, and, in his fury, swore worse than ever.
The headguard leant out from the door of his van, and Pecqueux, turning round, shouted to him:
"It's all up! We're stuck!"
Briskly the guard sprang into the snow, which reached to his knees. He approached, and the three men consulted together.
"The only thing we can do is to try and dig it out," said the driver at last. "Fortunately, we have some shovels. Call the second guard at the end of the train, and between us four we shall be able to clear the wheels."
They gave a sign to the other guard behind, who had also left his van. He made his way to them with great difficulty, getting at times half buried in the snow.
But this stoppage in the open country, amid this pallid[Pg 210] solitude116, this clear sound of voices discussing what must be done, the guard floundering along beside the train with laborious117 strides had made the passengers uneasy. The windows went down; the people called out and questioned one another; a regular confusion ensued—vague, as yet, but becoming more pronounced.
"Where are we? Why have they stopped? What is the matter? Good heavens! is there an accident?"
The guard found it necessary to allay118 the alarm; and just as he advanced to the carriages, the English lady, whose fat red face was flanked by the charming countenances120 of her daughters, inquired with a strong accent:
"Guard, is there any danger?"
"No, no, madam," he replied. "It's only a little snow. We shall be going on at once."
And the window went up again amid the bright twittering of the young girls—that music of English syllables121 which is so sparkling on rosy122 lips. Both were laughing, very much amused.
But the elderly gentleman, who was farther on, also called the guard, while his young wife risked her pretty dark head behind him.
"How was it that no precautions were taken? It is unbearable123. I am returning from London. My business requires my presence in Paris this morning, and I warn you that I shall make the company responsible for any delay."
"We shall be going on again in three minutes, sir," said the guard.
The cold was terrible; the snow entered the carriages, driving in the heads and bringing up the windows. But the agitation124 continued within the closed vehicles, where everyone was disturbed by a low hum of anxiety. A couple of windows alone remained down; and two travellers leaning out, three compartments away from each other, were talking. One was an American some forty years of age, and the[Pg 211] other a young gentleman from Havre. Both were very much interested in the task of clearing away the snow.
"In America everyone would get down and take a shovel," remarked the former.
"Oh! it is nothing!" answered the other. "I was blocked twice last year. My business brings me to Paris every week."
"And mine every three weeks, or so."
"What! from New York?"
"Yes; from New York."
It was Jacques who directed the labour. Perceiving Séverine at the door of the first carriage, where she always took her seat, so as to be near him, he gave her a look of entreaty125; and she, understanding, drew back out of the icy wind that was stinging her face. Then, with her occupying his thoughts, he worked away heartily126.
But he remarked that the cause of the stoppage, the embedment127 in the snow had nothing to do with the wheels, which cut through the deepest drifts. It was the ash-pan, placed between them, that produced the obstruction128, by driving the snow along, compressing it into enormous lumps. And he was struck with an idea.
"We must unscrew the ash-pan," said he.
At first the headguard opposed the suggestion. The driver was under his orders, and he would not give his consent to the engine being touched. Then, giving way to argument, he said:
"If you take the responsibility, all right!"
Only it was a hard job. Stretched out beneath the engine, with their backs in the melting snow, Jacques and Pecqueux had to toil129 for nearly half an hour. Fortunately they had spare screwdrivers130 in the toolchest. At last, at the risk of burning themselves and getting crushed a score of times over, they managed to take the ash-pan down. But they had not done with it yet. It was necessary to drag it away. Being an enormous weight, it got jammed in the wheels and[Pg 212] cylinders131. Nevertheless, the four together were able to pull it out, and drag it off the line to the foot of the embankment.
"Now let us finish clearing away the snow," said the guard.
The train had been close upon an hour in distress, and the alarm of the passengers had increased. Every minute a glass went down, and a voice inquired why they did not go on. There was a regular panic, with shouts and tears, in an increscent crisis of craziness.
"No, no, enough has been cleared away," said Jacques. "Jump up, I'll see to the rest."
He was once more at his post, along with Pecqueux, and when the two guards had gained their vans, he turned on the exhaust-tap. The deafening132 rush of scalding steam melted the remainder of the snow still clinging to the line. Then, with his hand on the wheel, he reversed the engine, and slowly retreated to a distance of about four hundred yards, to give it a run. And having piled up the fire, and attained133 a pressure exceeding what was permitted by the regulations, he sent La Lison against the wall of snow with all its might and all the weight of the train it drew.
The locomotive gave a terrific grunt134, similar to that of a woodman driving his axe135 into a great tree, and it seemed as though all the powerful ironwork was about to crack. It could not pass yet. It came to a standstill, smoking and vibrating all over with the shock. Twice the driver had to repeat the man?uvre, running back, then dashing against the snow to drive it away. On each occasion, La Lison, girded for the encounter, struck its chest against the impediment with the furious respiration136 of a giant, but to no purpose. At last, regaining137 breath, it strained its metal muscles in a supreme138 effort and passed, while the train followed ponderously139 behind, between the two walls of snow ripped asunder141. It was free!
"A good brute, all the same!" growled Pecqueux.
Jacques, half blinded, removed his spectacles and wiped[Pg 213] them. His heart beat hard. He no longer felt the cold. But abruptly he remembered a deep cutting, some four hundred yards away from La Croix-de-Maufras. It opened in the direction of the wind, and the snow must have accumulated there in a considerable quantity. He at once felt certain that this was the rock, marked out, whereon he would founder142. He bent143 forward. In the distance, after a final curve, the trench appeared before him in a straight line, like a long ditch full of snow. It was broad daylight, and the boundless whiteness sparkled amid the unceasing fall of snowflakes.
La Lison skimmed along at a medium speed, having encountered no further obstacle. By precaution, the lanterns had been left burning in front and behind; and the white light at the base of the chimney shone in the daylight like a living Cyclopean eye. The engine rolled along, approaching the cutting, with this eye wide open. Then it seemed to pant, with the gentle short respiration of an affrighted steed. It shook with deep thrills, it reared, and was only impelled144 forward under the vigorous hand of the driver. The latter had rapidly opened the door of the fire-box for the fireman to put in coal. And now it was no more the tail of a comet illuminating145 the night, it was a plume146 of thick black smoke, soiling the great shivering pallidness147 of the sky.
La Lison advanced. At last it had to enter the cutting. The slopes, to right and left, were deep in snow; and at the bottom not a vestige148 of the line could be seen. It was like the bed of a torrent149 filled up with snow from side to side. The locomotive passed in, rolling along for sixty or seventy yards, with exhausted respiration that grew shorter and shorter. The snow it pushed forward formed a barrier in front, which flew about and rose like an ungovernable flood threatening to engulf150 it. For a moment it appeared overwhelmed and vanquished. But, in a final effort, it delivered itself to advance another forty yards. That was the end, the last pang151 of death. Lumps of snow fell down covering the wheels; all[Pg 214] the pieces of the mechanism152 were smothered153, connected with one another by chains of ice. And La Lison stopped definitely, expiring in the intense cold. Its respiration died away, it was motionless and dead.
"There, we're done for now," said Jacques. "That is just what I expected."
He at once wanted to reverse the engine, to try the previous man?uvre again. But, this time, La Lison did not move. It refused either to go back or advance, it was blocked everywhere, riveted154 to the ground, inert155 and insensible. Behind, the train, buried in a thick bed reaching to the doors, also seemed dead. The snow, far from ceasing, fell more densely than before in prolonged squalls. They were in a drift, where engine and carriages, already half covered up, would soon disappear amid the shivering silence of this hoary156 solitude. Nothing more moved. The snow was weaving the winding sheet.
"What!" exclaimed the chiefguard, leaning out of his van; "has it begun again?"
"We're done for!" Pecqueux simply shouted.
This time, indeed, the position proved critical. The guard in the rear ran and placed fog-signals on the line, to protect the train at the back; while the driver sounded distractedly, with swift breaks, the panting, lugubrious79 whistle of distress. But the snow loading the air, the sound was lost, and could not even have reached Barentin. What was to be done? They were but four, and they would never be able to clear away such an immense mass—a regular gang of labourers would be necessary. It became imperative157 to run for assistance. And the worst of it was that the passengers were again in a panic.
A door opened. The pretty dark lady sprang from her carriage in a fright, thinking they had met with an accident. Her husband, the elderly commercial man, followed, exclaiming:
[Pg 215]
"I shall write to the Minister. It's an outrage158!"
Then came the tears of the women, the furious voices of the men, as they jumped from their compartments, amid the violent shocks of the lowered windows. The two young English girls, who were at ease and smiling, alone displayed some gaiety. While the headguard was trying to calm the crowd, the younger of the two said to him in French, with a slight Britannic accent:
"So, it is here that we stop, then, guard?"
Several men had got down, notwithstanding the depth of snow in which their legs entirely159 disappeared. The American again found himself beside the young man from Havre, and both made their way to the engine, to see for themselves. They tossed their heads.
"It will take four or five hours to get us out of that," said one.
"At least," answered the other, "and even then it will require a score of workmen."
Jacques had just persuaded the headguard to send his companion to Barentin to ask for help. Neither the driver nor the fireman could leave the engine.
The man was already far away, they soon lost sight of him at the end of the cutting. He had three miles to walk, and perhaps would not be back before two hours. And Jacques, in despair, left his post for an instant, and ran to the first carriage where he perceived Séverine who had let down the glass.
"Don't be afraid," said he rapidly; "you have nothing to fear."
She answered in the same tone, avoiding familiarity lest she might be overheard:
"I'm not afraid; only I've been very uneasy about you."
And this was said so sweetly that both were consoled, and smiled at one another. But as Jacques turned round, he was surprised to see Flore at the top of the cutting; then[Pg 216] Misard, accompanied by two other men, whom he failed to recognise at first. They had heard the distress whistle; and Misard, who was off duty, had hastened to the spot along with his two companions, whom he had been treating to a morning draught of white wine. One of these men proved to be Cabuche, thrown out of work by the snow, and the other Ozil, who had come from Malaunay through the tunnel, to pay court to Flore, whom he still pursued with his attentions, in spite of the bad reception he met with. She, out of curiosity, like a great vagabond girl, brave and strong as a young man, accompanied them.
For her and her father, this was a great event—an extraordinary adventure, this train stopping, so to say, at their door. During the five years they had been living there, at every hour of the day and night, in fine weather and foul160, how many trains had they seen dart161 by! All were borne away in the same breath that brought them. Not one had even slackened speed. They saw them dash ahead, fade in the distance, disappear, before they had time to learn anything about them. The whole world filed past; the human multitude carried along full steam, without them having knowledge of aught else than faces caught sight of in a flash—faces they were never more to set eyes on, apart from a few that became familiar to them, through being seen over and over again on particular days, and to which they could attach no name.
And here, in the snow, a train arrived at their door. The natural order of things was reversed. They stared to their hearts' content at this little unknown world of people, whom an accident had cast on the line; they contemplated162 them with the rounded eyes of savages163, who had sped to a shore where a number of Europeans had been shipwrecked. Those open doors revealing ladies wrapped in furs, those men who had got out in thick overcoats; all this comfortable luxury, stranded165 amid this sea of ice, struck them with astonishment.
[Pg 217]
But Flore had recognised Séverine. She, who watched each time for the train driven by Jacques, had perceived, during the past few weeks, the presence of this woman in the express on Friday morning; and the more readily, as Séverine, on approaching the level crossing, put her head out of the window to take a glance at her property of La Croix-de-Maufras. The eyes of Flore clouded as she noticed her talking in an undertone with the driver.
"Ah! Madame Roubaud!" exclaimed Misard, who had also just recognised her; and at once assuming his obsequious166 manner, he continued: "What dreadful bad luck! But you cannot remain there, you must come to our house."
Jacques, after pressing the hand of the gateman, supported his invitation.
"He is right," said he. "We may have to wait here for hours, and you will be perished to death."
Séverine refused. She was well wrapped up, she said. Then, the four hundred yards in the snow frightened her a little. Thereupon Flore drew near, and, looking fixedly167 at her with her great eyes, ended by saying:
"Come, madam, I will carry you."
And before Séverine had time to accept she had caught her in her arms, vigorous as those of a young man, and lifted her up like a little child. She set her down on the other side of the line, at a spot which had been well-trodden, and where the feet no longer sank into the snow. Some of the travellers began to laugh, marvelling168 at the achievement. What a strapping169 wench! If they only had a dozen of the same kidney the train would be free in a couple of hours.
In the meanwhile, the suggestion that Misard had been heard to make, this house of the gatekeeper, where they could take refuge, find a fire, and perhaps bread and wine, flew from one carriage to another. The panic had calmed down when the people understood that they ran no immediate170 danger; only the position remained none the less lamentable:[Pg 218] the foot-warmers were becoming cold, it was nine o'clock, and if help tarried they would be suffering from hunger and thirst. Besides, the line might remain blocked much longer than was anticipated. Who could say they would not have to sleep there?
The passengers divided into two camps: those who in despair would not quit the carriages, and installed themselves as if they were going to end their days there, wrapped up in their blankets, stretched out in a peevish171 frame of mind on the seats; and those who preferred risking the trip, in the hope of finding more comfortable quarters, and, who above all, were desirous of escaping from this nightmare of a train stranded in the snow and being frozen to death. Quite a small party was formed, the elderly commercial man and his young wife, the English lady and her two daughters, the young man from Havre, the American, and a dozen others all ready to set out.
Jacques, in a low voice, had persuaded Séverine to join them, vowing172 he would take her news, if he could get away. And as Flore continued observing them with her clouded eyes, he addressed her gently, like an old friend:
"All right! It's understood, you will show these ladies and gentlemen the way. I shall keep Misard and the others. We'll set to work and do what we can until help arrives."
Cabuche, Ozil, and Misard, in fact, at once caught hold of shovels to join Pecqueux and the headguard who were already attacking the snow. The little gang strove to clear the engine, digging round the wheels and emptying their shovels against the sides of the cutting. Nobody spoke173, nothing could be heard but the sound of their impulsive174 labour amid the gloomy oppression of the pallid country. And when the little troop of passengers were far away, they took a last look at the train, which remained alone, showing merely a thin black line beneath the thick layer of white weighing on the top of it. The travellers remaining behind[Pg 219] had closed the doors and put up the glasses. The snow continued falling, slowly but surely, and with mute obstinacy, burying engine and carriages.
Flore wanted to take Séverine in her arms again; but the latter refused, wishing to walk like the others. The four hundred yards were painful to get over, particularly in the cutting where the people sank in up to the hips175; and on two occasions it became necessary to go to the rescue of the stout English lady who was half smothered. Her daughters, who were delighted, continued laughing. The young wife of the old gentleman, having slipped, consented to take the arm of the young man from Havre; while her husband ran down France with the American. On issuing from the cutting walking became easier; the little band advanced along an embankment in single file, beaten by the wind, carefully avoiding the edges rendered uncertain and dangerous by the snow.
At length they arrived, and Flore took them into the kitchen where she was unable to find a seat for all, as there proved to be quite a score of them crowding the room, which fortunately was fairly large. The only thing she could think of was to go and fetch some planks176, and rig up a couple of forms by the aid of the chairs she possessed. She then threw a faggot on the hearth177, and made a gesture to indicate that they must not ask her for anything more. She had not uttered a word. She remained erect, gazing at these people with her large greenish eyes, in the fierce, bold manner of a great blonde savage164.
Apart from the face of Séverine, those of the American, and the young man from Havre alone, were known to her. These she was familiar with through having frequently noticed them at the windows for months past; and she examined them, now, just as one studies an insect which, after buzzing about in the air, has at length settled on something, and which it was impossible to follow on the[Pg 220] wing. They struck her as peculiar178. She had not imagined them exactly thus, having caught but a glimpse of their features. As to the other people, they seemed to her to belong to a different race—to be the inhabitants of an unknown land, fallen from the sky, who brought into her home, right into her kitchen, garments, customs, and ideas that she had never anticipated finding there.
The English lady confided179 to the young wife of the commercial gentleman that she was on her way to join her eldest180 son, a high functionary181 in India; and the young woman joked about the ill-luck she had met with, on the first occasion she happened to have the caprice to accompany her husband to London where he went twice a year. All lamented182 being blocked in this desert. What were they to do for food, and how were they going to sleep? What could be done, good heavens!
Flore, who was listening to them motionless, having caught the eyes of Séverine, seated on a chair before the fire, made her a sign that she wanted to take her into the adjoining room.
"Mamma," said she as they entered, "it's Madame Roubaud. Wouldn't you like to have a chat with her?"
Phasie was in bed, her face yellow, her legs swollen183; so ill that she had not been able to get up for a fortnight. And she passed this time in the poorly furnished room, heated to suffocation184 by an iron stove, obstinately185 pondering over the fixed idea she had got into her head, without any other amusement than the shock of the trains as they flew past full speed.
"Ah! Madame Roubaud," she murmured; "very good, very good."
Flore told her of the accident, and spoke to her of the people she had brought home, and who were there in the kitchen. But such things had ceased to interest her.
"Very good, very good," she repeated in the same weary voice.
[Pg 221]
Suddenly she recollected187, and raised her head an instant to say:
"If madam would like to see her house, the keys are hanging there, near the wardrobe."
But Séverine refused. A shiver had come over her at the thought of going to La Croix-de-Maufras in this snow, in this livid daylight. No, no, there was nothing she desired to do there. She preferred to remain where she was, and wait in the warmth.
"Be seated, madam," resumed Flore. "It is more comfortable here than in the other room; and, besides, we shall never be able to find sufficient bread for all these people; whereas, if you are hungry, there will always be a bit for you."
She had handed her a chair, and continued to show herself attentive188, making a visible effort to attenuate189 her usual rough manner. But her eyes never quitted the young woman. It seemed as if she wished to read her; to arrive at a certainty in regard to a particular question that she had already been asking herself for some time; and, in her eagerness, she felt a desire to approach her, to stare her out of countenance119, to touch her, so as to know.
Séverine expressed her thanks, and made herself comfortable near the stove, preferring, indeed, to be alone with the invalid190 in this room, where she hoped Jacques would find means to join her. Two hours passed. Yielding to the oppressive heat, she had fallen asleep, after chatting about the neighbourhood. Suddenly, Flore, who at every minute had been summoned to the kitchen, opened the door, saying in her harsh tones:
"Go in, as she is there."
It was Jacques who had escaped with good news. The man sent to Barentin had just brought back a whole gang, some thirty soldiers, whom the administration, foreseeing accidents, had dispatched to the threatened points on the[Pg 222] line; and they were all hard at work with pick and shovel. Only it would be a long job, and the train would, perhaps, not be able to get off again before evening.
"Anyhow, you are not so badly off," he added; "have patience. And, Aunt Phasie, you will not let Madame Roubaud starve, will you?"
Phasie, at the sight of her big lad, as she called him, had with difficulty sat up, and she looked at him, revived and happy, listening to him talking. When he had drawn191 near her bed, she replied:
"Of course not, of course not. Ah! my big lad, so there you are. And so it's you who have got caught in the snow; and that silly girl never told me so."
Turning to her daughter, she said reproachfully:
"Try and be polite, anyhow. Return to those ladies and gentlemen, show them some attention, so that they may not tell the company that we are no better than savages."
Flore remained planted between Jacques and Séverine. She appeared to hesitate for an instant, asking herself if she should not obstinately remain there, in spite of her mother. But she reflected that she would see nothing; the presence of the invalid would prevent any familiarity between the other two; and she withdrew, after taking a long look at them.
"What! Aunt Phasie!" exclaimed Jacques sadly; "you have taken to your bed for good? Then it's serious?"
She drew him towards her, forcing him even to seat himself at the edge of the mattress192; and without troubling any further about the young woman, who had discreetly194 moved away, she proceeded to relieve herself in a very low voice.
"Oh! yes, serious! It's a miracle if you find me alive. I wouldn't write to you, because such things can't be written. I've had a narrow escape; but now I am already better, and I believe I shall get over it again this time."
He examined her, alarmed at the progress of the malady,[Pg 223] and found she had not preserved a vestige of the handsome, healthy woman of former days.
"Then you still suffer from your cramps195 and dizziness, my poor Aunt Phasie?" said he.
She squeezed his hand fit to crush it, continuing in a still lower tone:
"Just fancy, I caught him. You know, that do what I would, I could not find out how he managed to give me his drug. I didn't drink, I didn't eat anything he touched, and all the same, every night I had my inside afire. Well, he mixed it with the salt! One night, I saw him; and I was in the habit of putting salt on everything in quantities to make the food healthy!"
Since Jacques had known Séverine, he sometimes pondered in doubt over this story of slow and obstinate186 poisoning, as one thinks of the nightmare. In his turn he tenderly pressed the hands of the invalid, and sought to calm her.
"Come, is all this possible? To say such things you should really be quite sure; and, besides, it drags on too long. Ah! it's more likely an illness that the doctors do not understand!"
"An illness," she resumed, with a sneer196; "yes, an illness that he stuck into me! As for the doctors, you are right; two came here, who understood nothing, and who were not even of the same mind. I'll never allow another of such creatures to put a foot in this house again. Do you hear, he gave it me in the salt. I swear to you I saw him! It's for my 1,000 frcs., the 1,000 frcs. papa left me. He says to himself, that when he has done away with me, he'll soon find them. But, as to that, I defy him. They are in a place where nobody will find them. Never, never! I may die, but I am at ease on that score. No one will ever have my 1,000 frcs.!"
"But, Aunt Phasie," answered Jacques, "in your place, if I were so sure as all that, I should send for the gendarmes197."
[Pg 224]
She made a gesture of repugnance198.
"Oh! no, not the gendarmes," said she. "This matter only concerns us. It is between him and me. I know that he wants to gobble me up; and naturally I do not wish him to do it. So you see I have only to defend myself; not to be such a fool as I have been with his salt. Eh! who would ever have thought it? An abortion199 like that, a little whipper-snapper of a man whom one could stuff into one's pocket, and who, in the long-run, would get the better of a big woman like me, if one let him have his own way with his teeth like those of a rat."
She was seized with a little shiver, and breathed heavily before she could conclude.
"No matter," said she at last, "he will be short of his reckoning again this time. I am getting better. I shall be on my legs before a fortnight. And he'll have to be very clever to catch me again. Ah! yes, I shall be curious to see him do it. If he discovers a way to give me any more of his drug, he will decidedly be the stronger of the two; and then, so much the worse for me. I shall kick the bucket. But I don't want to have any meddling201 between us!"
Jacques thought it must be her illness that caused her brain to be haunted by these sombre ideas; and, to amuse her, he tried joking, when, all at once, she began trembling under the bedclothes.
"Here he is," she whispered. "I can feel him coming whenever he approaches."
And sure enough, Misard entered a few seconds afterwards. She had become livid, a prey to that indomitable fright which huge creatures feel in presence of the insect that preys202 upon them. For, notwithstanding her obstinate determination to defend herself single-handed, she felt an increasing terror of him that she would not confess. Misard cast a sharp look at her and the driver, from the threshold, and then, gave himself an air of not having noticed them side by side.[Pg 225] With his expressionless eyes, his thin lips, his mild manner of a puny203 man, he was already showing great attention to Séverine.
"I thought madam would perhaps like to take advantage of the opportunity, to have a look at her property. So I managed to slip away for a moment. If madam wishes I will accompany her."
And as the young woman still refused, he continued in a doleful voice:
"Madam was perhaps surprised in regard to the fruit. It was all wormeaten, and was really not worth packing up. Then we had a gale204 that did a lot of harm. Ah! it's a pity madam cannot sell the place! One gentleman came who wanted some repairs done. Anyhow, I am at the disposal of madam; and madam may be sure that I replace her here, as if she were here herself."
Then he insisted on giving her bread and pears, pears from his own garden, which were not wormeaten, and she accepted.
As Misard crossed the kitchen he told the passengers that the work of clearing away the snow was proceeding205, but it would take another four or five hours. It had struck midday, and there ensued more lamentation, for all were becoming very hungry. Flore had just declared that she would not have sufficient bread for everyone. But she had plenty of wine. She had brought ten quarts up from the cellar, and only a moment before, had set them in a line on the table.
Then there were not enough glasses, and they had to drink by groups, the English lady with her two daughters, the old gentleman with his young wife. The latter had found a zealous206, inventful groom207 in the young man from Havre, who watched over her well-being208. He disappeared and returned with apples and a loaf which he had found in the woodhouse. Flore was angry, saying this was bread for her sick mother. But he had already commenced cutting it up, and handing pieces to the ladies, beginning with the young wife, who[Pg 226] smiled at him amiably209, feeling very much flattered at his attention.
Her husband was not offended; indeed, he no longer paid any attention to her, being engaged with the American in exalting210 the commercial customs of New York. The two English girls had never munched211 apples so heartily. Their mother, who felt very weary, was half asleep. Two ladies were seated on the ground before the hearth, overcome by waiting. Men who had gone out to smoke, in front of the house to kill a quarter of an hour, returned perishing and shivering with cold. Little by little the uneasy feeling increased, partly from hunger having only been half satisfied and partly from fatigue, augmented212 by impatience213 and absence of all comfort. The scene was assuming the aspect of a shipwrecked camp, of the desolation of a band of civilised people, cast by the waves on a desert island.
And as Misard, going backward and forward, left the door open, Aunt Phasie gazed on the picture from her bed of sickness. So these were the kind of people whom she had seen flash past, during close upon a year that she had been dragging herself from her mattress to her chair. It was now but rarely that she could go on to the siding. She passed her days and nights alone, riveted there, her eyes on the window, without any other company than those trains which flew by so swiftly.
She had always complained of this outlandish place, where they never received a visit; and here was quite a small crowd come from the unknown. And only to think that among them—among those people in a hurry to get to their business—not one had the least idea of the thing that troubled her, of that filth214 which had been mixed with her salt! She had taken that device to heart, and she asked herself how it was possible for a person to be guilty of such cunning rascality215 without anybody perceiving it. A sufficient multitude passed by them, thousands and thousands of people; but they all[Pg 227] dashed on, not one would have imagined that a murder was calmly being committed in this little, low-roofed dwelling216, without any set out. And Aunt Phasie looked at one after the other of these persons, fallen as it were from the moon, reflecting that when people have their minds so occupied with other things, it is not surprising that they should walk into pools of mire217, and not know it.
"Are you going back there?" Misard inquired of Jacques.
"Yes, yes," replied the latter; "I'm coming immediately."
Misard went off closing the door. And Phasie, retaining the young man by the hand, whispered in his ear:
"If I kick the bucket, you'll see what a face he'll pull when he's unable to find the cash. That's what amuses me when I think of it. I shall go off contented218 all the same."
"And then, Aunt Phasie, it'll be lost for everybody," said Jacques. "Won't you leave it to your daughter?"
"To Flore? For him to take it from her? Ah! no, for certain. Not even to you, my big lad, because you also are too stupid, he'd get some of it. To no one; to the earth, where I shall go and join it!"
She was exhausted, and Jacques, having made her comfortable in bed, calmed her by embracing her, and promising219 to return and see her again shortly. Then, as she seemed to be falling asleep, he passed behind Séverine, who was still seated near the stove, raising his finger with a smile to caution her to be prudent14. In a pretty, silent movement she threw back her head offering her lips, and he, bending over, pressed his mouth to them in a deep discreet193 kiss. Their eyes closed, and when the lids rose again it was to find Flore standing in the doorway220 gazing at them.
"Has madam done with the bread?" she inquired in a hoarse221 voice.
Séverine, confused and very much annoyed, stammered out:
"Yes, yes. Thank you."
For an instant Jacques fixed his flaming eyes on the girl.[Pg 228] He hesitated, his lips trembling, as if he wanted to speak. Then, with a furious, threatening gesture, he made up his mind to leave. The door was slammed violently behind him.
Flore remained erect, presenting the tall stature222 of a warrior223 virgin224, coifed with a heavy helmet of fair hair. So she had not been deceived by the anguish225 she had felt each Friday, at the sight of this lady in the train he drove. She was at last in possession of the absolute certainty she had been seeking since she held them there together. The man she was in love with, would never love her. It was this slim woman, this insignificant226 creature that he had chosen; and her regret at having refused him a kiss that night when he had brutally227 attempted to take one, touched her so keenly that she would have sobbed228. For, according to her simple reasoning, it would have been she whom he would have embraced now, had she kissed him before the other. Where could she find him alone at this hour, to cast herself on his neck and cry, "Take me, I was stupid, because I did not know!"
But, in her impotence, she felt a rage rising within her against the frail229 creature seated there, uneasy and stammering230. With one clasp of her arms, hard as those of a wrestler231, she could stifle232 her like a little bird. Why did she hesitate to do so? She vowed233 she would be revenged, nevertheless, being aware of things connected with this rival that would send her to prison, she whom they permitted to remain at liberty; and tortured by jealousy234, bursting with anger, she began clearing away the remainder of the bread and pears with the hasty movements of a beautiful untamed girl.
"As madam will take no more, I'll give this to the others," said she.
Three o'clock struck, then four o'clock. The time dragged on, immeasurably long, amidst increasing lassitude and irritation235. Here was livid night returning to the vast expanse of white country. Every ten minutes the men who went out to see[Pg 229] from a distance how the work was proceeding, returned with the information that the engine did not appear to be cleared. Even the two English girls began weeping in a fit of enervation236. In a corner, the pretty dark lady had fallen asleep against the shoulder of the young man from Havre, a circumstance the elderly husband did not even notice, amid the general abandonment that had swept away decorum.
The room was becoming cold. Everyone was shivering, and not a soul thought of throwing some wood on the fire. The American took himself off, thinking he would feel much more comfortable stretched out on one of the seats in a carriage. That was now the general idea. Everyone expressed regret: they should have remained where they were. Anyhow, had they done so, they would never have been devoured237 by the anxiety to learn what was going on there. It was necessary to restrain the English lady, who also spoke of regaining her compartment, and going to bed there. When they placed a candle on a corner of the table, to light the people in this dark kitchen, the feeling of discouragement became intense, and everyone gave way to dull despair.
The removal of the snow from the line was nevertheless coming to an end; and while the troop of soldiers, who had set the engine free, were clearing the metals in front, the driver and fireman had ascended238 to their post.
Jacques, observing that the snow had at last ceased, regained239 confidence. Ozil, the pointsman, had told him positively240, that on the other side of the tunnel, in the neighbourhood of Malaunay, the state of the line was much better. But he questioned him again.
"You came through the tunnel on foot, and were able to enter, and issue from it without any difficulty?" said he.
"When I keep on telling you so," answered the other. "You will get through, take my word for it."
Cabuche, who had been working with the energy of a good giant, was already retiring in his timid, shy manner, which[Pg 230] his recent difference with the judicial241 authorities had only increased; and it became necessary for Jacques to call to him.
"I say, comrade," he shouted, "hand me those shovels that belong to us, over there against the slope, so that if we happen to want them we shall be able to find them again."
And when the quarryman had rendered him this last service he gave him a hearty242 shake of the hand, to show him that he felt esteem for him in spite of all, having seen him at work.
"You are a good fellow, you are," said he.
This mark of friendship agitated243 Cabuche in an extraordinary manner.
"Thank you," he answered simply, stifling244 his tears.
Misard, who had made friends with him again, after accusing him before the examining-magistrate, gave his approval with an inclination245 of the head, pinching his lips into a slight smile. He had long since ceased working, and, with his hands in his pockets, stood gazing at the train with a bilious246 look, as if waiting to see whether he would not be able to pick up something lost between the wheels.
At length, the headguard had just decided200 with Jacques that an attempt could be made to go on again, when Pecqueux, who had got down on to the line, called the driver.
"Come and look!" said he. "One of the cylinders has had a shock."
Jacques, approaching him, also bent down. He had already discovered, on examining La Lison carefully, that it had received a blow at the place indicated. In clearing the engine, the workmen had ascertained247 that some oak sleepers248, left at the bottom of the slope by the platelayers, had been shifted by the action of the snow and wind, so that they rested on the rails; and the stoppage, even, must have been partly due to this obstruction, for the locomotive had run against the sleepers. They could see the scratch on the box of the cylinder, and the piston249 it enclosed seemed[Pg 231] slightly bent; but that was all the visible harm, and the fears of the driver were at first removed. Perhaps there existed serious interior injuries; nothing is more delicate than the complicated mechanism of the slide valves, where beats the heart, the living spirit of the machine.
Jacques got up again, blew the whistle, and opened the regulator to feel the articulations of La Lison. It took a long time to move, like a person bruised250 by a fall, who has difficulty in recovering the use of his limbs. At last, with a painful puff3, it started, gave a few turns of the wheels still dizzy and ponderous140. It would do, it could move, and would perform the journey. Only Jacques tossed his head, for he, who knew the locomotive thoroughly251, had just felt something singular in his hand—something that had undergone a change, that had grown old, that had been touched somewhere with a mortal blow. It must have got this in the snow, cut to the heart, a death chill, like those strongly built young women who fall into a decline through having returned home one night, from a ball, in icy cold rain.
Again Jacques blew the whistle, after Pecqueux had opened the exhaust pipe. The two guards were at their posts. Mizard, Ozil, and Cabuche, had got on the footboard of the leading van; and the train slowly issued from the cutting between the soldiers, armed with their shovels, who had stood back to right and left along the base of the slopes. Then it stopped before the house of the gatekeeper to pick up the passengers.
Flore was there, in front. Ozil and Cabuche joined her and remained at her side; while Misard was now assiduous in his attentions, greeting the ladies and gentlemen who left his dwelling, and collecting the silver pieces. So at last the deliverance had come. But they had waited too long. All these people were shivering with cold, dying of hunger and exhaustion. The English lady led off her two daughters, who were half asleep; the young man from Havre got into[Pg 232] the same compartment as the pretty dark lady, who looked very languid, and made himself most agreeable to the husband. And what with the slush caused by the trampled-down snow, the pushing, the free and easy manners, anyone might almost have imagined himself present at the entraining of a troop in flight, who had lost even the instinct of decent behaviour.
For an instant, Aunt Phasie appeared at the window of her room. Curiosity had bought her from her mattress, and she had dragged herself there to see. Her great hollow eyes of sickness watched this unknown crowd, these passers-by of the world on the move, whom she would never look on again, who were brought there and borne away by the tempest.
Séverine left the house the last. Turning her head she smiled at Jacques, who leant over to follow her to her carriage with his eyes. And Flore, who was on the look-out for them, again turned pale at this tranquil23 exchange of tenderness. Abruptly she drew nearer to Ozil, whom hitherto she had repelled252, as if now, in her hatred253, she felt the need of a man.
The headguard gave the signal. La Lison answered with a plaintive254 whistle; and Jacques this time started off, not to stop again before Rouen. It was six o'clock. Night was completing its descent from the black sky on to the white earth; but a pale, and frightfully melancholy255 reflex remained nearly level with the ground, lighting up the desolation of the ravaged256 country. And, in this uncertain glimmer, the house of La Croix-de-Maufras rose up aslant257, more dilapidated than ever, and all black in the midst of the snow, with the notice nailed to the shut-up front, "For Sale."
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exclamation
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| n.感叹号，惊呼，惊叹词 | |
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flakes
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| 小薄片( flake的名词复数 )； （尤指）碎片； 雪花； 古怪的人 | |
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puff
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puffing
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growl
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persistent
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| adj.坚持不懈的，执意的；持续的 | |
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7
rending
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| v.撕碎( rend的现在分词 )；分裂；（因愤怒、痛苦等而）揪扯（衣服或头发等）；（声音等）刺破 | |
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gaping
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| adj.口的；张口的；敞口的；多洞穴的v.目瞪口呆地凝视( gape的现在分词 )；张开，张大 | |
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9
hue
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| n.色度；色调；样子 | |
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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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fatigue
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| n.疲劳，劳累 | |
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12
supervision
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| n.监督，管理 | |
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13
compartment
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| n.卧车包房，隔间；分隔的空间 | |
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14
prudent
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| adj.谨慎的，有远见的，精打细算的 | |
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postpone
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| v.延期，推迟 | |
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16
muffled
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| adj.（声音）被隔的；听不太清的；（衣服）裹严的；蒙住的v.压抑，捂住( muffle的过去式和过去分词 )；用厚厚的衣帽包着（自己） | |
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17
compartments
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| n.间隔( compartment的名词复数 )；（列车车厢的）隔间；（家具或设备等的）分隔间；隔层 | |
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18
barricaded
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| 设路障于，以障碍物阻塞( barricade的过去式和过去分词 )； 设路障[防御工事]保卫或固守 | |
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19
glimmer
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| v.发出闪烁的微光；n.微光，微弱的闪光 | |
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20
deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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21
dilating
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| v.（使某物）扩大，膨胀，张大( dilate的现在分词 ) | |
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22
revolving
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| adj.旋转的，轮转式的；循环的v.（使）旋转( revolve的现在分词 )；细想 | |
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23
tranquil
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| adj. 安静的, 宁静的, 稳定的, 不变的 | |
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24
tranquilly
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| adv. 宁静地 | |
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25
stammered
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| v.结巴地说出( stammer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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26
gusts
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| 一阵强风( gust的名词复数 )； （怒、笑等的）爆发； （感情的）迸发； 发作 | |
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27
illuminated
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| adj.被照明的；受启迪的 | |
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28
milky
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| adj.牛奶的，多奶的；乳白色的 | |
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29
distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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30
prudence
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| n.谨慎，精明，节俭 | |
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31
esteem
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| n.尊敬，尊重；vt.尊重，敬重；把…看作 | |
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32
jolting
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| adj.令人震惊的 | |
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33
obstinacy
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| n.顽固；（病痛等）难治 | |
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34
crackers
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| adj.精神错乱的，癫狂的n.爆竹( cracker的名词复数 )；薄脆饼干；（认为）十分愉快的事；迷人的姑娘 | |
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35
entrusted
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| v.委托，托付( entrust的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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36
bristling
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| a.竖立的 | |
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37
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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38
jolted
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| （使）摇动， （使）震惊( jolt的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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39
pricked
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| 刺，扎，戳( prick的过去式和过去分词 )； 刺伤； 刺痛； 使剧痛 | |
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40
slashed
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| v.挥砍( slash的过去式和过去分词 )；鞭打；割破；削减 | |
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41
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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42
prey
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| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
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43
crimson
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| n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色 | |
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44
presentiment
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| n.预感，预觉 | |
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45
lustre
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| n.光亮，光泽；荣誉 | |
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46
vanquished
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| v.征服( vanquish的过去式和过去分词 )；战胜；克服；抑制 | |
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47
unintelligible
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| adj.无法了解的，难解的，莫明其妙的 | |
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48
shovel
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| n.铁锨，铲子，一铲之量；v.铲，铲出 | |
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49
ascent
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| n.(声望或地位)提高；上升，升高；登高 | |
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50
ascend
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| vi.渐渐上升，升高；vt.攀登，登上 | |
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51
considerably
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| adv.极大地；相当大地；在很大程度上 | |
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52
lighting
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| n.照明，光线的明暗，舞台灯光 | |
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53
scorching
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| adj. 灼热的 | |
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54
enveloped
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| v.包围，笼罩，包住( envelop的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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55
draught
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| n.拉，牵引，拖；一网（饮，吸，阵)；顿服药量，通风；v.起草，设计 | |
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56
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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57
spat
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| n.口角，掌击；v.发出呼噜呼噜声 | |
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58
component
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| n.组成部分，成分，元件；adj.组成的，合成的 | |
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59
formerly
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| adv.从前，以前 | |
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60
drowsiness
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| n.睡意；嗜睡 | |
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61
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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62
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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63
miraculously
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| ad.奇迹般地 | |
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64
exasperation
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| n.愤慨 | |
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65
boiler
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| n.锅炉；煮器(壶，锅等) | |
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66
perilous
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| adj.危险的，冒险的 | |
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67
undertaking
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| n.保证，许诺，事业 | |
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68
trench
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| n./v.(挖)沟，(挖)战壕 | |
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69
attaining
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| （通常经过努力）实现( attain的现在分词 )； 达到； 获得； 达到（某年龄、水平、状况） | |
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70
cylinder
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| n.圆筒，柱(面)，汽缸 | |
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71
exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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72
vile
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| adj.卑鄙的，可耻的，邪恶的；坏透的 | |
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73
brute
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| n.野兽，兽性 | |
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74
naught
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| n.无，零 [=nought] | |
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75
boundless
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| adj.无限的；无边无际的；巨大的 | |
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76
ascending
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| adj.上升的，向上的 | |
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77
myriads
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| n.无数，极大数量( myriad的名词复数 ) | |
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78
lamentation
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| n.悲叹，哀悼 | |
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79
lugubrious
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| adj.悲哀的，忧郁的 | |
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80
lugubriously
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81
shovels
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| n.铲子( shovel的名词复数 )；锹；推土机、挖土机等的)铲；铲形部份v.铲子( shovel的第三人称单数 )；锹；推土机、挖土机等的)铲；铲形部份 | |
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82
winding
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| n.绕，缠，绕组，线圈 | |
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83
wan
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| (wide area network)广域网 | |
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84
shriek
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| v./n.尖叫，叫喊 | |
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85
distress
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| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
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86
penetrated
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| adj. 击穿的，鞭辟入里的 动词penetrate的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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87
wail
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| vt./vi.大声哀号，恸哭；呼啸，尖啸 | |
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88
inquiries
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| n.调查( inquiry的名词复数 )；疑问；探究；打听 | |
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89
descending
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| n. 下行 adj. 下降的 | |
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90
densely
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| ad.密集地；浓厚地 | |
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91
orchards
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| （通常指围起来的）果园( orchard的名词复数 ) | |
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92
swelling
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| n.肿胀 | |
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93
pallid
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| adj.苍白的，呆板的 | |
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94
erect
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| n./v.树立，建立，使竖立；adj.直立的，垂直的 | |
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95
enveloping
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| v.包围，笼罩，包住( envelop的现在分词 ) | |
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97
uneven
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| adj.不平坦的，不规则的，不均匀的 | |
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98
devastated
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| v.彻底破坏( devastate的过去式和过去分词)；摧毁；毁灭；在感情上（精神上、财务上等）压垮adj.毁坏的；极为震惊的 | |
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99
gorges
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| n.山峡，峡谷( gorge的名词复数 )；咽喉v.（用食物把自己）塞饱，填饱( gorge的第三人称单数 )；作呕 | |
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100
bereft
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| adj.被剥夺的 | |
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101
shuddered
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| v.战栗( shudder的过去式和过去分词 )；发抖；（机器、车辆等）突然震动；颤动 | |
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102
clatter
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| v./n.(使)发出连续而清脆的撞击声 | |
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103
abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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104
frightful
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| adj.可怕的；讨厌的 | |
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105
abominable
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| adj.可厌的，令人憎恶的 | |
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106
lenient
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| adj.宽大的，仁慈的 | |
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107
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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108
grumbled
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| 抱怨( grumble的过去式和过去分词 )； 发牢骚； 咕哝； 发哼声 | |
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109
cleave
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| v．(clave；cleaved)粘着，粘住；坚持；依恋 | |
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110
exhaustion
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| n.耗尽枯竭，疲惫，筋疲力尽，竭尽，详尽无遗的论述 | |
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111
vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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112
extricated
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| v.使摆脱困难，脱身( extricate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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113
stiffened
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| 加强的 | |
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114
clogged
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| （使）阻碍( clog的过去式和过去分词 )； 淤滞 | |
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115
growled
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| v.（动物）发狺狺声， （雷）作隆隆声( growl的过去式和过去分词 )；低声咆哮着说 | |
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116
solitude
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| n. 孤独; 独居,荒僻之地,幽静的地方 | |
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117
laborious
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| adj.吃力的，努力的，不流畅 | |
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118
allay
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| v.消除，减轻(恐惧、怀疑等) | |
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119
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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120
countenances
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| n.面容( countenance的名词复数 )；表情；镇静；道义支持 | |
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121
syllables
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| n.音节( syllable的名词复数 ) | |
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122
rosy
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| adj.美好的，乐观的，玫瑰色的 | |
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123
unbearable
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| adj.不能容忍的；忍受不住的 | |
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124
agitation
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| n.搅动；搅拌；鼓动，煽动 | |
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125
entreaty
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| n.恳求，哀求 | |
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126
heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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127
embedment
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| 嵌入件，埋置； 灌封 | |
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128
obstruction
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| n.阻塞，堵塞；障碍物 | |
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129
toil
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| vi.辛劳工作，艰难地行动；n.苦工，难事 | |
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130
screwdrivers
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| n.螺丝刀( screwdriver的名词复数 )；螺丝起子；改锥；伏特加橙汁鸡尾酒 | |
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131
cylinders
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| n.圆筒( cylinder的名词复数 )；圆柱；汽缸；（尤指用作容器的）圆筒状物 | |
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132
deafening
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| adj. 振耳欲聋的, 极喧闹的 动词deafen的现在分词形式 | |
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133
attained
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| （通常经过努力）实现( attain的过去式和过去分词 )； 达到； 获得； 达到（某年龄、水平、状况） | |
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134
grunt
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| v.嘟哝；作呼噜声；n.呼噜声，嘟哝 | |
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135
axe
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| n.斧子；v.用斧头砍，削减 | |
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136
respiration
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| n.呼吸作用；一次呼吸；植物光合作用 | |
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137
regaining
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| 复得( regain的现在分词 )； 赢回； 重回； 复至某地 | |
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138
supreme
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| adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的 | |
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139
ponderously
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140
ponderous
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| adj.沉重的，笨重的，(文章)冗长的 | |
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141
asunder
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| adj.分离的，化为碎片 | |
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142
Founder
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| n.创始者，缔造者 | |
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143
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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144
impelled
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| v.推动、推进或敦促某人做某事( impel的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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145
illuminating
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| a.富于启发性的，有助阐明的 | |
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146
plume
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| n.羽毛；v.整理羽毛，骚首弄姿，用羽毛装饰 | |
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147
pallidness
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148
vestige
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| n.痕迹，遗迹，残余 | |
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149
torrent
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| n.激流，洪流；爆发，(话语等的)连发 | |
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150
engulf
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| vt.吞没，吞食 | |
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151
pang
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| n.剧痛，悲痛，苦闷 | |
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152
mechanism
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| n.机械装置；机构，结构 | |
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153
smothered
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| （使）窒息， （使）透不过气( smother的过去式和过去分词 )； 覆盖； 忍住； 抑制 | |
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154
riveted
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| 铆接( rivet的过去式和过去分词 )； 把…固定住； 吸引； 引起某人的注意 | |
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155
inert
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| adj.无活动能力的，惰性的；迟钝的 | |
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156
hoary
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| adj.古老的；鬓发斑白的 | |
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157
imperative
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| n.命令，需要；规则；祈使语气；adj.强制的；紧急的 | |
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158
outrage
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| n.暴行，侮辱，愤怒；vt.凌辱，激怒 | |
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159
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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160
foul
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| adj.污秽的；邪恶的；v.弄脏；妨害；犯规；n.犯规 | |
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161
dart
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| v.猛冲，投掷；n.飞镖，猛冲 | |
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162
contemplated
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| adj. 预期的 动词contemplate的过去分词形式 | |
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163
savages
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| 未开化的人，野蛮人( savage的名词复数 ) | |
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164
savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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165
stranded
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| a.搁浅的，进退两难的 | |
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166
obsequious
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| adj.谄媚的，奉承的，顺从的 | |
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167
fixedly
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| adv.固定地；不屈地，坚定不移地 | |
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168
marvelling
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| v.惊奇，对…感到惊奇( marvel的现在分词 ) | |
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169
strapping
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| adj. 魁伟的, 身材高大健壮的 n. 皮绳或皮带的材料, 裹伤胶带, 皮鞭 动词strap的现在分词形式 | |
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170
immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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171
peevish
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| adj.易怒的，坏脾气的 | |
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172
vowing
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| 起誓，发誓（vow的现在分词形式） | |
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173
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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174
impulsive
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| adj.冲动的，刺激的；有推动力的 | |
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175
hips
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| abbr.high impact polystyrene 高冲击强度聚苯乙烯，耐冲性聚苯乙烯n.臀部( hip的名词复数 )；[建筑学]屋脊；臀围（尺寸）；臀部…的 | |
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176
planks
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| （厚）木板( plank的名词复数 )； 政纲条目，政策要点 | |
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177
hearth
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| n.壁炉炉床，壁炉地面 | |
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178
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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179
confided
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| v.吐露（秘密，心事等）( confide的过去式和过去分词 )；（向某人）吐露（隐私、秘密等） | |
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180
eldest
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| adj.最年长的，最年老的 | |
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181
functionary
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| n.官员；公职人员 | |
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182
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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183
swollen
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| adj.肿大的，水涨的；v.使变大，肿胀 | |
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184
suffocation
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| n.窒息 | |
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185
obstinately
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| ad.固执地，顽固地 | |
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186
obstinate
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| adj.顽固的，倔强的，不易屈服的，较难治愈的 | |
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187
recollected
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| adj.冷静的；镇定的；被回忆起的；沉思默想的v.记起，想起( recollect的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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188
attentive
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| adj.注意的，专心的；关心(别人)的，殷勤的 | |
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189
attenuate
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| v.使变小，使减弱 | |
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190
invalid
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| n.病人，伤残人；adj.有病的，伤残的；无效的 | |
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191
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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192
mattress
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| n.床垫，床褥 | |
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193
discreet
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| adj.(言行)谨慎的；慎重的；有判断力的 | |
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194
discreetly
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| ad.(言行)审慎地，慎重地 | |
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195
cramps
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| n. 抽筋, 腹部绞痛, 铁箍 adj. 狭窄的, 难解的 v. 使...抽筋, 以铁箍扣紧, 束缚 | |
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196
sneer
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| v.轻蔑；嘲笑；n.嘲笑，讥讽的言语 | |
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197
gendarmes
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| n.宪兵，警官( gendarme的名词复数 ) | |
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198
repugnance
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| n.嫌恶 | |
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199
abortion
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| n.流产，堕胎 | |
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200
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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201
meddling
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| v.干涉，干预（他人事务）( meddle的现在分词 ) | |
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202
preys
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| v.掠食( prey的第三人称单数 )；掠食；折磨；（人）靠欺诈为生 | |
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203
puny
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| adj.微不足道的，弱小的 | |
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204
gale
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| n.大风，强风，一阵闹声（尤指笑声等） | |
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205
proceeding
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| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
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206
zealous
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| adj.狂热的，热心的 | |
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207
groom
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| vt.给（马、狗等）梳毛，照料，使...整洁 | |
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208
well-being
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| n.安康，安乐，幸福 | |
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209
amiably
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| adv.和蔼可亲地，亲切地 | |
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210
exalting
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| a.令人激动的，令人喜悦的 | |
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211
munched
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| v.用力咀嚼（某物），大嚼( munch的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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212
Augmented
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| adj.增音的 动词augment的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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213
impatience
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| n.不耐烦，急躁 | |
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214
filth
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| n.肮脏，污物，污秽；淫猥 | |
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215
rascality
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| 流氓性，流氓集团 | |
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216
dwelling
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| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
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217
mire
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| n.泥沼，泥泞；v.使...陷于泥泞，使...陷入困境 | |
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218
contented
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| adj.满意的，安心的，知足的 | |
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219
promising
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| adj.有希望的，有前途的 | |
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220
doorway
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| n.门口，(喻)入门；门路，途径 | |
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221
hoarse
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| adj.嘶哑的，沙哑的 | |
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222
stature
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| n.（高度）水平，（高度）境界，身高，身材 | |
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223
warrior
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| n.勇士，武士，斗士 | |
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224
virgin
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| n.处女，未婚女子；adj.未经使用的；未经开发的 | |
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225
anguish
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| n.(尤指心灵上的)极度痛苦，烦恼 | |
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226
insignificant
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| adj.无关紧要的，可忽略的，无意义的 | |
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227
brutally
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| adv.残忍地，野蛮地，冷酷无情地 | |
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228
sobbed
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| 哭泣，啜泣( sob的过去式和过去分词 )； 哭诉，呜咽地说 | |
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229
frail
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| adj.身体虚弱的；易损坏的 | |
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230
stammering
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| v.结巴地说出( stammer的现在分词 ) | |
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231
wrestler
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| n.摔角选手，扭 | |
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232
stifle
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| vt.使窒息；闷死；扼杀；抑止，阻止 | |
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233
vowed
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| 起誓，发誓（vow的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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234
jealousy
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| n.妒忌，嫉妒，猜忌 | |
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235
irritation
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| n.激怒，恼怒，生气 | |
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236
enervation
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| n.无活力，衰弱 | |
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237
devoured
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| 吞没( devour的过去式和过去分词 )； 耗尽； 津津有味地看； 狼吞虎咽地吃光 | |
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238
ascended
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| v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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239
regained
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| 复得( regain的过去式和过去分词 )； 赢回； 重回； 复至某地 | |
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240
positively
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| adv.明确地，断然，坚决地；实在，确实 | |
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241
judicial
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| adj.司法的，法庭的，审判的，明断的，公正的 | |
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242
hearty
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| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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243
agitated
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| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
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244
stifling
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| a.令人窒息的 | |
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245
inclination
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| n.倾斜；点头；弯腰；斜坡；倾度；倾向；爱好 | |
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246
bilious
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| adj.胆汁过多的；易怒的 | |
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247
ascertained
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| v.弄清，确定，查明( ascertain的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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248
sleepers
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| n.卧铺（通常以复数形式出现）；卧车( sleeper的名词复数 )；轨枕；睡觉（呈某种状态）的人；小耳环 | |
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249
piston
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| n.活塞 | |
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250
bruised
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| [医]青肿的，瘀紫的 | |
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251
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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252
repelled
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| v.击退( repel的过去式和过去分词 )；使厌恶；排斥；推开 | |
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253
hatred
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| n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨 | |
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254
plaintive
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| adj.可怜的，伤心的 | |
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255
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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256
ravaged
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| 毁坏( ravage的过去式和过去分词 )； 蹂躏； 劫掠； 抢劫 | |
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257
aslant
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| adv.倾斜地；adj.斜的 | |
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