It was in the midst of the alarms, the horror, and feverish1 agitation2 following hard upon the taking of the Bastille and the assassination3 and flight of so many important personages, that Mr. Jefferson, one evening, received from Monsieur de Lafayette a hurried note, requesting a dinner for himself and several friends. Mr. Morris and Calvert, who were dining with Mr. Jefferson, would have retired4, that the company might be alone, but Monsieur de Lafayette, coming in almost instantly, urged upon the gentlemen to remain.
"Tis to be a political deliberation, at which we shall be most happy and grateful to have you assist," he said, graciously, for, though he disliked Mr. Morris, he appreciated his abilities, and as for Calvert, he both liked and admired the young man, having the greatest confidence in his good sense and keen judgment5.
Mr. Jefferson, though deeply embarrassed by that thoughtlessness which made the American Legation the rendezvous6 for the leaders of opposing factions7 in French politics, made his unexpected guests as welcome as possible, but, though he was urged again and again to express himself by Lafayette and his friends—he had brought with him some of the most brilliant and most influential8 of the revolutionary leaders, d'Azay, Barnave, Lameth, Mounier, and Duport—he yet remained an almost silent spectator of the prolonged debate which took place when the cloth had been removed and wine placed on the table, according to the American custom. The discussion was opened by Lafayette, who submitted to the consideration of the assembled company his "Rights of Man," to which he was inordinately9 attached and which he designed as a prelude10 to the new constitution. With pride and emphasis he read aloud the most important of his dicta, and which, he owned with a profound bow to Mr. Jefferson, had been largely inspired by the great Declaration of Independence.
"The Rights of Man" were received with acclaim11 and approved almost without a dissenting12 voice, and then was introduced the main theme of the discussion—the new constitution projected by the Assembly. So incredibly frank were the deliberations that the three American gentlemen could not but marvel13 that they were allowed to be present. 'Twas a curious exhibition of weakness, thought Calvert, that they should be allowed, nay14, urged, to participate in such a session. So intimate, indeed, were the details presented to the company by its different members, so momentous15 the questions raised and settled, that even Mr. Morris, usually so impetuous, hesitated to express an opinion. Only when it had been decided16 that the King should have a suspensive veto; that the Legislature should be composed of but one chamber17, elected by the people; only when it was evident that the noblesse were to be rendered powerless and that Lafayette had abandoned his King, did Mr. Morris burst forth18.
"This is madness, Marquis," he says, scarce able to contain himself. "Take from the King his power and this realm will fall into anarchy19, a bloody20 disunion, the like of which the world has never seen! This country is used to being governed, it must continue to be governed. Strengthen the King's hands—for God's sake, do not weaken them! Attach yourself to the King's party—'tis this unhappy country's only hope of salvation21. Range yourself on the side of His Majesty's authority, not on that of this insane, uncontrollable people. What have I seen to-day? As I walked under the arcade22 of the Palais Royal, what was the horrible, the incredibly horrible sight that met my eyes? The head of one of your chief men—of Foulon, Counsellor of State, borne aloft on a pike, the body dragged naked on the earth, as though 'twere some dishonored slave of Roman days. Gracious God! what a people! Have we gone backward centuries to pagan atrocities23? And you talk of making this people the supreme24 authority in France! Your party is mad!"
"If 'tis madness," says Monsieur de Lafayette, coldly, "I am none the less determined25 to die with them."
"'Twould be more sensible to bring them to their senses and live with them," returned Mr. Morris, dryly.
"We cannot hope to gain the liberty, so long and so hardly withheld26 from us, without bloodshed. Mr. Jefferson himself hath said that the tree of liberty must be watered with blood."
"'Tis a different creed27 from the one you believed in but a short time ago," rejoined Mr. Morris. "'Twas not very long since I heard you prophesying28 a bloodless revolution. And this horde29 of undisciplined troops, for which you are responsible—do you not tremble for your authority when you deny the King's?"
"They will obey me, they love me," cried Lafayette, rising in some confusion, not unmixed with anger. "At any rate, 'tis too late to draw back. Our dispositions30 are taken, gentlemen," he adds, turning to the company, which had risen at his signal, "and we will now withdraw, sensible of the courtesy and hospitality we have received," and with a bow to Mr. Morris and Calvert, he passed from the room, accompanied by Mr. Jefferson and followed by the rest of the gentlemen.
"What madness!" exclaimed Mr. Morris, as the door closed upon the company. "This is a country where everything is talked about and nothing understood, my boy." He sank into a chair opposite Calvert's and poured himself a glass of wine.
"There goes a man who, in his vanity, thinks himself capable of controlling these terrific forces he has helped to awaken31, but, if I mistake not, he is not equal to the business in hand. He has the best intentions, but is lacking in judgment and strength. He has le besoin de briller, unfortunately, and does from vanity what he should do from conviction. I am almost glad that affairs call me to England for a while and that I shall not be a witness to the Marquis's mistakes and the horrors toward which I see France fast drifting."
"You are leaving for England?" asked Calvert, in surprise.
"Yes," returned Mr. Morris. "I have thought for some time that it would be necessary for me to go to London on business connected with my brother's estate in America, and letters which I received lately have decided me to go at once. Moreover," and here he hesitated slightly and laughed his dry, humorous laugh, "I have ever thought discretion32 the better part of valor33, my boy. To speak plainly, Madame de Flahaut becomes too exigeante. I have told her that I am perfectly34 my own master with respect to her, and that, having no idea of inspiring her with a tender passion, I have no idea either of subjecting myself to one, but I hardly think she understands my attitude toward her. Besides," he went on, with so sudden a change of tone and sentiment that Calvert could not forbear smiling, "I find her too agreeable to bear with equanimity35 her treatment of me. The other day, at Madame de Chastellux's, her reception of me was such that I think I would not again have troubled her with a visit had she not sent for me to-day."
"And did you go?" asked Calvert, smiling.
"Yes," said Mr. Morris, bursting out laughing. "Of course I went, Ned—that is the way with all of us—the women treat us with contempt and we go away in a huff, vowing37 never to see them again, and they beckon38 to us and back we go, glad to have a word or glance again. She treated me very civilly indeed, and received me at her toilet—'twas a very decent performance, I assure you, Ned. She undressed, even to the shift, with the utmost modesty39, and I would have found it a pleasant enough experience, if a trifle astounding40 to my American mind, had it not been for the presence of the Bishop41 of Autun, who came in and who is confoundedly at his ease in Madame de Flahaut's society. High ho! we two are not the only favored ones. She is a thorough-paced flirt42 and plays off Curt43 against Wycombe—he is Lansdowne's son and her latest admirer—or the Bishop against myself, as it suits her whim44. I would warn you to beware of women as the authors of all mischief45 and suffering, did I not think it too late," he said, looking keenly at the young man, who blushed deeply. "Come to London with me, Ned," he went on, impulsively46, after an instant's silence. "I think you and I will not be bad travelling companions and will enjoy the journey together prodigiously47."
"I thank you, Mr. Morris," said Calvert, shaking his head, "but—but 'tis impossible for me to leave France."
"Ah, 'tis as I thought," said Mr. Morris, slowly, "and Madame de St. André is a most charming and beautiful woman. Forgive me for having guessed your secret, boy. 'Tis my interest in you which makes me seem impertinent. Have you told her that you love her?"
"'Tis a poor game to tell all one knows," says Calvert, again shaking his head and smiling a little bitterly. "Besides, it would be but folly48 in this case."
"Folly!" exclaimed Mr. Morris. "Don't be above committing follies49, Ned! Old age will be but a dreary50 thing if we have not the follies of youth to look back upon. Happiness and folly go hand in hand sometimes. Don't miss one in avoiding the other, boy! Besides, why do you call your love for her folly? By the Lord Harry," he burst out, "why shouldn't she love you in return? 'Tis true you are not one of the dukes or marquises who follow her about, but I think that no disability, and, were she not a capricious, worldly woman, she would have the wit vastly to prefer a clean, honest American gentleman to these dissolute popinjays, whose titles, riches, and very life are being menaced. Were I a woman, Ned," and he gave the young man a kindly51 look, "I think I could find it in my heart to admire and respect you above most men."
"'Tis far more than I can hope for in Madame de St. André, and it has been madness for me to think of her for a moment," said Calvert, gloomily.
"Then come away," urged Mr. Morris. "Come with me to London." But
Calvert was not to be persuaded.
"You counselled me a while ago not to be afraid of committing follies," he said, looking at the older man. "I think I am capable of all folly—I don't dare hope, but I cannot leave her."
"Ah, you are not as wise as I, my boy," returned Mr. Morris, smiling cynically52. "You stay because you care too much and I go for the same reason. Believe me, mine is the better plan. But if you stay, speak! Perhaps, after all, she may have the sense to appreciate you. Though she is worldly and ambitious, there is a leaven53 of sincerity54 and purity in her nature, I think. And then, who can guess what is in a woman's heart? 'Tis the greatest of puzzles. Who knows what you may find in Adrienne de St. André's, Ned? She is a high-spirited creature, trained in her world to conceal55 her feelings, should she be unfashionable enough to have any, and perhaps the indifference56 with which she treats you is but a mask. There are women like that, boy, who are as great actresses as Raucourt or Contat, and who would die before they betrayed themselves, just as there are women to whom candor57 is as natural as breathing and who can no more help showing the depth and tenderness of their hearts than the sun can help shining. And now," he said, rising as Mr. Jefferson entered the room, "I must be going or I shall be imprudent enough to make some observations on the extraordinary proceedings58 of this evening."
"Extraordinary indeed," said Mr. Jefferson, with a troubled air, as he seated himself. "I shall wait upon Montmorin in the morning and explain how it has happened that the American Legation has been the rendezvous for the political leaders of France. But though this affair has deeply embarrassed me, I would not, for a great deal, have missed hearing the coolness and candor of argument, the logical reasoning and chaste36 eloquence59 of the discussion this evening. Would that it had all been employed in a better cause! It seems almost pitiful that these men should be battling for a King who, though meaning well toward the nation, is swayed absolutely by a Queen, proud, disdainful of all restraint, concerned only in the present pleasure, a gambler and intrigante. Dr. Franklin and I have seen her in company with d'Artois and Coigny and the Duchesse de Polignac, than whom there is no more infamous60 woman in France, gambling61 and looking on at the wild dances and buffoonery of a guinguette, and, though her incognita was respected, think you the people did not know the Queen? 'Tis to preserve the throne of a woman such as that that Lafayette and d'Azay and Barnave bend all their powerful young energies and talents and may, perhaps, give their young lives!"
"There are those who think differently about Louis and Marie Antoinette, and who consider the Queen the better man of the two," replied Mr. Morris, dryly. "But 'tis past my patience, the whole thing, and I can scarce trust myself to think of it. By the way, Ned," he said, suddenly turning to Calvert, "'twas that villain62 Bertrand, that protégé of yours, who was carrying the head of that poor devil, Foulon, on his pike this afternoon. I recognized the fellow instantly, and I think he knew me, too, though he was near crazed with blood and excitement. He handed the bike to a companion and slunk into the crowd when he saw me. Have a care of him, boy. 'Twas the most awful sight my eyes ever rested on! And now, good-night." At the door he looked back and saw Mr. Jefferson filling his long pipe with fragrant63 Virginia tobacco and Calvert still sitting beside the table with the troubled look on his thoughtful young face.
A week later, after having bidden good-by to his friends in Versailles and Paris and having obtained a passport from Lafayette at the H?tel de Ville, he set out for London, from which capital he did not return until the middle of September.
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1
feverish
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| adj.发烧的，狂热的，兴奋的 | |
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agitation
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| n.搅动；搅拌；鼓动，煽动 | |
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assassination
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| n.暗杀；暗杀事件 | |
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retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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rendezvous
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| n.约会，约会地点，汇合点；vi.汇合，集合；vt.使汇合，使在汇合地点相遇 | |
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factions
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| 组织中的小派别，派系( faction的名词复数 ) | |
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influential
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| adj.有影响的，有权势的 | |
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inordinately
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| adv.无度地，非常地 | |
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prelude
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| n.序言，前兆，序曲 | |
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acclaim
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| v.向…欢呼，公认；n.欢呼，喝彩，称赞 | |
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dissenting
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| adj.不同意的 | |
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marvel
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| vi.(at)惊叹vt.感到惊异；n.令人惊异的事 | |
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nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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momentous
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| adj.重要的，重大的 | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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anarchy
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| n.无政府状态；社会秩序混乱，无秩序 | |
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bloody
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| adj.非常的的；流血的；残忍的；adv.很；vt.血染 | |
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salvation
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| n.（尤指基督）救世，超度，拯救，解困 | |
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arcade
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| n.拱廊；(一侧或两侧有商店的)通道 | |
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atrocities
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| n.邪恶，暴行( atrocity的名词复数 )；滔天大罪 | |
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supreme
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| adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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withheld
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| withhold过去式及过去分词 | |
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creed
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| n.信条；信念，纲领 | |
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prophesying
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| v.预告，预言( prophesy的现在分词 ) | |
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horde
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| n.群众，一大群 | |
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dispositions
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| 安排( disposition的名词复数 )； 倾向； （财产、金钱的）处置； 气质 | |
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awaken
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| vi.醒，觉醒；vt.唤醒，使觉醒，唤起，激起 | |
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discretion
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| n.谨慎；随意处理 | |
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valor
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| n.勇气，英勇 | |
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perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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equanimity
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| n.沉着，镇定 | |
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chaste
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| adj.贞洁的；有道德的；善良的；简朴的 | |
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vowing
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| 起誓，发誓（vow的现在分词形式） | |
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beckon
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| v.(以点头或打手势)向...示意，召唤 | |
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modesty
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| n.谦逊，虚心，端庄，稳重，羞怯，朴素 | |
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astounding
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| adj.使人震惊的vt.使震惊，使大吃一惊astound的现在分词) | |
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bishop
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| n.主教，（国际象棋）象 | |
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flirt
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| v.调情，挑逗，调戏；n.调情者，卖俏者 | |
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curt
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| adj.简短的，草率的 | |
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whim
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| n.一时的兴致，突然的念头；奇想，幻想 | |
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mischief
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| n.损害，伤害，危害；恶作剧，捣蛋，胡闹 | |
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impulsively
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| adv.冲动地 | |
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prodigiously
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| adv.异常地，惊人地，巨大地 | |
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folly
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| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
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follies
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| 罪恶，时事讽刺剧； 愚蠢，蠢笨，愚蠢的行为、思想或做法( folly的名词复数 ) | |
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dreary
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| adj.令人沮丧的，沉闷的，单调乏味的 | |
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51
kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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52
cynically
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| adv.爱嘲笑地，冷笑地 | |
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53
leaven
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| v.使发酵；n.酵母；影响 | |
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sincerity
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| n.真诚，诚意；真实 | |
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conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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indifference
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| n.不感兴趣，不关心，冷淡，不在乎 | |
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candor
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| n.坦白，率真 | |
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proceedings
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| n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报 | |
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eloquence
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| n.雄辩；口才，修辞 | |
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infamous
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| adj.声名狼藉的，臭名昭著的，邪恶的 | |
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gambling
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| n.赌博；投机 | |
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villain
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| n.反派演员，反面人物；恶棍；问题的起因 | |
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fragrant
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| adj.芬香的，馥郁的，愉快的 | |
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