D ’Egmont withdrew, and almost instantly reappeared with the French ambassador.
M. de Noailles made a very gallant1 appearance, being splendidly attired2 in white and silver. He removed his plumed3 and jewelled cap as he entered the room, and advanced with a very smiling and confident air towards Philip. While he was being presented to the Prince by the Count D’Egmont, the Duke of Alva entered the room. At the same time, two Spanish halberdiers stationed themselves near the door.
Philip received the ambassador with freezing politeness.
“Considering the relations unfortunately subsisting4 between my father, the Emperor, and the King, your master, I scarcely expected this visit from your excellency,” he said.
“I do not appear before your Highness in my quality of ambassador, but as a simple gentleman,” replied De Noailles. “I could not hear of the felon5 attack made upon you last night without desiring to offer my congratulations on your escape; but I might have hesitated to do so if rumour6, with its customary malice7, had not sought to fix the contrivance of the dark deed on me.”
“No one who knows your excellency could for a moment suspect you of planning such an affair,” rejoined Philip. “You would never strike a dishonourable and cowardly blow. Others may suspect you—I do not.”
103“He does not suspect him, because he is sure of his guilt,” muttered Alva.
“Having received this most gratifying assurance from your Highness, I will retire,” said De Noailles, slightly alarmed, “entreating you to believe that though placed by circumstances in an inimical position, I rejoice in your auspicious8 arrival in this country, and trust that Heaven may guard you from all ill, and shed its blessings9 upon you and her Majesty10.”
“Perfidious villain11! I marvel12 that lies of such magnitude choke him not,” exclaimed the Duke of Alva, involuntarily clutching his poniard.
“I thank your excellency for your good wishes, which I am convinced are as sincere as your vehement13 denial of all complicity in this black affair,” rejoined Philip. “But I must detain you a few minutes longer. You have come most à propos. I am about to interrogate14 one of my assailants, and shall be glad that you should be present during the examination.”
“The villain, as I have heard, is confined in the dungeon15 of the Bar-gate,” replied De Noailles. “I will attend there whenever your Highness may desire.”
“He is uneasy, and would fain get away,” muttered Alva, who was watching the ambassador narrowly.
“I shall not need to give you that trouble,” remarked Philip. “The examination will take place here.”
“In this chamber,” exclaimed De Noailles, startled. “I thought the man was desperately16 wounded and like to die.”
“It is true he is badly hurt, but he hath life enough in him to speak, as your excellency will find. He will be here anon,” observed Philip.
“But the scene will be disagreeable to me,” cried the ambassador. “I must crave17 your permission to withdraw.”
And without waiting for consent, he turned to depart; but D’Egmont and Alva planted themselves in his way.
“A prisoner,” he ejaculated, in consternation18.
“Ay, a prisoner at his Highness’s pleasure,” rejoined Alva.
“I protest against such violation19 of my privilege,” cried De Noailles, with mingled20 terror and anger.
“You can claim no privilege,” rejoined the Duke, sternly. 104“You stated expressly that you came here as a private gentleman, and not as an ambassador. Back Sir, at your peril21.”
Seeing there was no possibility of escape, De Noailles tried to assume a bold and unconcerned demeanour; but his nerves sustained another and yet severer shock as the door was thrown open, and a litter, the curtains of which were closely drawn22, was borne into the room, under the conduct of Osbert Clinton. In attendance upon the wounded man was Malwood, the chirurgeon.
Behind the litter came Rodomont Bittern, and the four bearers were Rodomont’s friends, who had voluntarily undertaken the office, in order to be present at the examination.
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1
gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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2
attired
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| adj.穿着整齐的v.使穿上衣服，使穿上盛装( attire的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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plumed
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| 饰有羽毛的 | |
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4
subsisting
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| v.（靠很少的钱或食物）维持生活，生存下去( subsist的现在分词 ) | |
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5
felon
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| n.重罪犯；adj.残忍的 | |
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6
rumour
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| n.谣言，谣传，传闻 | |
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7
malice
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| n.恶意，怨恨，蓄意；[律]预谋 | |
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8
auspicious
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| adj.吉利的；幸运的，吉兆的 | |
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9
blessings
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| n.（上帝的）祝福( blessing的名词复数 )；好事；福分；因祸得福 | |
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10
majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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11
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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12
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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13
vehement
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| adj.感情强烈的；热烈的；(人)有强烈感情的 | |
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14
interrogate
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| vt.讯问，审问，盘问 | |
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15
dungeon
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| n.地牢，土牢 | |
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16
desperately
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| adv.极度渴望地，绝望地，孤注一掷地 | |
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17
crave
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| vt.渴望得到，迫切需要，恳求，请求 | |
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18
consternation
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| n.大为吃惊，惊骇 | |
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19
violation
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| n.违反(行为)，违背(行为)，侵犯 | |
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20
mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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21
peril
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| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
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22
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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