The bellicose3 visit to Kreisler now projected was launched to a slow blast of Humour, ready, when the time came, to turn into a storm. His contempt for the German would not allow him to enter into anything seriously against him. Kreisler was a joke. Jokes, it had to be admitted (and in that they became more effective than ever), were able to make you sweat.
That Kreisler could be anywhere but at the Café de l’Aigle on the following evening never entered Tarr’s head. As he was on an unpleasant errand, he took it for granted that Fate would on this occasion put everything punctually at his disposal. Had it been an errand of pleasure, he would have instinctively4 supposed the reverse.
At ten, and at half-past, his rival had not yet arrived. Tarr set out to make rapidly a tour of the other cafés. But Kreisler might be turning over a[239] new leaf. He might be going to bed, as on the previous evening. He must not be again sought, though, on his own territory. The moral disadvantage of this position, on a man’s few feet of most intimate floor space, Tarr had clearly realized.
The Café Souchet, the most frequented café of the Quarter, entered merely in a spirit of German thoroughness, was, however, the one. More alert, and brushed up a little, Tarr thought, Kreisler was sitting with another man, with a bearded, na?f, and rather pleasant face, over his coffee. No pile of saucers this time attended him.
The stranger was a complication. Perhaps the night’s affair should be put off until the conditions were more favourable5. But Tarr’s vanity was impatient. His wait in the original café had made him nervous and hardly capable of acting6 with circumspection7. On the other hand, it might come at once. This was an opposite complication. Kreisler might open hostilities8 on the spot. This would rob him of the subtle benefits to be derived9 from his gradual strategy. This must be risked. He was not very calm. He crudely went up to Kreisler’s table and sat down. The feeling of the lack of aplomb10 in this action, and his disappointment at the presence of the other man, chased the necessary good humour out of his face. He had carefully preserved this expression for some time, even walking lazily and quietly as if he were carrying a jug11 of milk. Now it vanished in a moment. Despite himself, he sat down opposite Kreisler as solemn as a judge, pale, his eyes fixed12 on the object of his activity with something like a scowl13.
But, his first absorption in his own sensations lifted and eased a little, he recognized that something very unusual was in the air.
Kreisler and his friend were not speaking or doing anything visibly. They were just sitting still, two self-possessed malefactors. Nevertheless, Tarr’s arrival to all appearance disturbed and even startled them, as if they had been completely wrapped up in some engrossing14 game or conspiracy15.
[240]
Kreisler had his eyes trained across the room. The other man, too, was turned slightly in that direction, although his eyes followed the tapping of his boot against the ironwork of the table, and he only looked up occasionally.
Kreisler turned round, stared at Tarr without at once taking in who it was; then, as though saying to himself, “It’s only Bertha’s Englishman,” he took up his former wilful16 and patient attitude, his eyes fixed.
Tarr had grinned a little as Kreisler turned his way, rescued from his solemnity. There was just a perceptible twist in the German’s neck and shade of expression that would have said “Ah, there you are? Well, be quiet, we’re having some fun. Just you wait!”
But Tarr was so busy with his own feelings that he didn’t understand this message. He wondered if he had been seen by Kreisler in the distance, and if this reception had been concerted between him and his friend. If so, why?
Sitting, as he was, with his back to the room, he stared at his neighbour. His late boon17 companion distinctly was waiting, with absurd patience, for something. The poise18 of his head, the set of his yellow Prussian jaw19, were truculent20, although otherwise he was peaceful and attentive21. His collar looked new rather than clean. His necktie was one not familiar to Tarr. Boots shone impassibly under the table.
Tarr screwed his chair sideways, and faced the room. It was full of people—very athletically22 dressed American men, all the varieties of the provincial23 in American women, powdering their noses and ogling24 Turks, or sitting, the younger ones, with blameless interest and fine complexions25. And there were plenty of Turks, Mexicans, Russians and other “types” for the American ladies! In the wide passage-way into the further rooms sat the orchestra, playing the “Moonlight Sonata,” Dvorak and the “Machiche.”
[241]
In the middle of the room, at Tarr’s back, he now saw a group of eight or ten young men whom he had seen occasionally in the Café Berne. They looked rather German, but smoother and more vivacious26. Poles or Austrians, then? Two or three of them appeared to be amusing themselves at his expense. Had they noticed the little drama that he was conducting at his table? Were they friends of Kreisler’s, too?—He was incapable27 of working anything out. He flushed and felt far more like beginning on them than on his complicated idiot of a neighbour, who had become a cold task. This genuine feeling illuminated28 for him the tired frigidity29 of his present employment.
He had moved his chair a little to the right, towards the group at his back, and more in front of Kreisler, so that he could look into his face. On turning back now, and comparing the directions of the various pairs of eyes engaged, he at length concluded that he was without the sphere of interest; just without it.
At this moment Kreisler sprang up. His head was thrust forward, his hands were in rear, partly clenched31 and partly facilitating his passage between the tables by hemming32 in his coat tails. The smooth round cloth at the top of his back, his smooth head above that with no back to it, struck Tarr in the way a momentary33 smell of sweat would. Germans had no backs to them, or were like polished pebbles34 behind. Tarr mechanically moved his hand upwards35 from his lap to the edge of the table on the way to ward30 off a blow. He was dazed by all the details of this meeting, and the peculiar36 miscarriage37 of his plan.
But Kreisler brushed past him with the swift deftness38 of a person absorbed with some strong movement of the will. The next moment Tarr saw the party of young men he had been observing in a sort of noisy blur39 of commotion40. Kreisler was in among them, working on something in their midst. There were two blows—smack—smack; an interval41 between them. He could not see who had received them.
Tarr then heard Kreisler shout in German:
[242]
“For the second time to-day! Is your courage so slow that I must do it a third time?”
Conversation had stopped in the café and everybody was standing42. The companions of the man smacked43, too, had risen in their seats. They were expostulating in three languages. Several were mixed up with the gar?ons, who had rushed up to do their usual police work on such occasions. Over Kreisler’s shoulder, his eyes carbonized to a black sweetness, his cheeks a sweet sallow-white, with a red mark where Kreisler’s hand had been, Tarr saw the man his German friend had singled out. He had sprung towards the aggressor, but by that time Kreisler had been seized from behind and was being hustled44 towards the door. The blow seemed to hurt his vanity so much that he was standing half-conscious till the pain abated45. He seemed to wish to brush the blow off, but was too vain to raise his hands to his cheek. It was left there like a scorching46 compress. His friends, Kreisler wrenched47 away from them, were left standing in a group, in attitudes more or less of violent expostulation and excitement.
Kreisler receded48 in the midst of a band of waiters towards the door. He was resisting and protesting, but not too much to retard49 his quick exit. The gar?ons had the self-conscious unconcern of civilian50 braves.
The young man attacked and his friends were explaining what had happened, next, to the manager of the café. A gar?on brought in a card on a plate. There was a new outburst of protest and contempt from the others. The plate was presented to the individual chiefly concerned, who brushed it away, as though he had been refusing a dish that a waiter was, for some reason, pressing upon him. Then suddenly he took up the card, tore it in half, and again waived51 away the persistent52 platter. The gar?on looked at the manager of the café and then returned to the door.
So this was what Kreisler and the little bearded[243] man had been so busy about! Kreisler had laid his plans for the evening as well! Tarr’s scheme was destined53 not to be realized; unless he followed Kreisler at once, and got up a second row, a more good-natured one, just outside the café? Should he go out now and punch Kreisler’s head, fight about a little bit, and then depart, his business done, and leave Kreisler to go on with his other row? For he felt that Kreisler intended making an evening of it. His companion had not taken part in the fracas54, but had followed on his heels in his ejection, protesting with a vehemence55 that was intended to hypnotize.
Just at the moment when he had felt that he was going to be one of the principal parties to a violent scene, Tarr had witnessed, not himself at all, but another man snatched up into his r?le. He felt relieved. As he watched the man Kreisler had struck, he seemed to be watching himself. And yet he felt rather on the side of Kreisler. With a mortified56 chuckle57 he prepared to pay for his drink and be off, leaving Kreisler for ever to his very complicated, mysterious and turbulent existence. He noticed just then that Kreisler’s friend had come back again, and was talking to the man who had been struck. He could hear that they were speaking Russian or Polish. With great collectedness, Kreisler’s emissary, evidently, was meeting their noisy expostulations. He could not at least, like a card, be torn in half! On the other hand, in his person he embodied58 the respectability of a visiting card. He was dressed with perfect “correctness” suitable to such occasions and such missions as his appeared to be. By his gestures (one of which was the taking an imaginary card between his thumb and forefinger59 and tearing it) Tarr could follow a little what he was saying.
“That, sir,” he seemed to assert, “is not the way to treat a gentleman. That, too, is an insult no gentleman will support.” He pointed60 towards the door. “Herr Kreisler, as you know, cannot enter the café; he is waiting there for your reply. He has been turned out like a drunken workman.”
[244]
The Russian was as grave as he was collected, and stood in front of the other principal in this affair, who had sat down again now, with the evident determination to get a different reply. The talking went on for some time. Then he turned towards Tarr, and, seeing him watching the discussion, came towards him, raising his hat. He said in French:
“You know Herr Kreisler, I believe. Will you consent to act for him with me, in an affair that unfortunately?? If you would step over here, I will put you ‘au courant.’”
“I’m afraid I cannot act for Herr Kreisler, as I am leaving Paris early to-morrow morning,” Tarr replied.
But the Russian displayed the same persistence61 with him as he had observed him already capable of with the other people.
At last Tarr said, “I don’t mind acting temporarily for a few minutes, now, until you can find somebody else. But you must understand that I cannot delay my journey—you must find a substitute at once.”
The Russian explained with businesslike gusto and precision, having drawn62 him towards the door (seemingly to cut off a possible retreat of the enemy), that it was a grave affair. Kreisler’s honour was compromised. His friend Otto Kreisler had been provoked in an extraordinary fashion. Stories had been put about concerning him, affecting seriously the sentiments of a girl he knew regarding him; put about with that object by another gentleman, also acquainted with this girl. The Russian luxuriated emphatically on this point. Tarr suggested that they should settle the matter at once, as he had not very much time. He was puzzled. Surely the girl mentioned must be Bertha? If so, had Bertha been telling more fibs? Was the Kreisler mystery after all to her discredit63? Perhaps he was now in the presence of another rival, existing, unknown to him, even during his friendship with her.
In this heroic, very solemnly official atmosphere of ladies’ “honour” and the “honour” of gentlemen, that the little Russian was creating, Tarr unwillingly[245] remained for some time. Noisy bursts of protest from other members of the opposing party met the Russian’s points. “It was all nonsense;” they shouted; “there could be no question of honour here. Kreisler was a quarrelsome German. He was drunk.” Tarr liked his own farces64. But to be drawn into the service of one of Kreisler’s was a humiliation65. Kreisler, without taking any notice of him, had turned the tables.
The discussion was interminable. They were now speaking French. The entire café appeared to be participating. Several times the principal on the other side attempted to go, evidently very cross at the noisy scene. Then Anastasya’s name was mentioned. Tarr found new interest in the scene.
“You and Herr Kreisler,” the Russian was saying patiently and distinctly, “exchanged blows, I understand, this afternoon, before this lady. This was as a result of my friend Herr Kreisler demanding certain explanations from you which you refused to give. These explanations had reference to certain stories you are supposed to have circulated as regards him.”
“Circulated—as regards—that chimpanzee you are conducting about?
“If you please! By being abusive you cannot escape. You are accused by my friend of having at his expense?”
“Expense? Does he want money?”
“If you please! You cannot buy off Herr Kreisler; but he might be willing for you to pay a substitute if you find it—inconvenient??”
“I find you, bearded idiot!?”
“We can settle all that afterwards. You understand me? I shall be quite ready! But at present it is the affair between you and Herr Kreisler?”
In brief, it was the hapless Soltyk that Kreisler had eventually got hold of, and had just now publicly smacked, having some hours before smacked him privately66.
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1
farce
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| n.闹剧，笑剧，滑稽戏；胡闹 | |
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2
initiate
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| vt.开始，创始，发动；启蒙，使入门；引入 | |
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3
bellicose
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| adj.好战的；好争吵的 | |
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4
instinctively
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| adv.本能地 | |
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5
favourable
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| adj.赞成的，称赞的，有利的，良好的，顺利的 | |
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6
acting
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| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
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7
circumspection
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| n.细心，慎重 | |
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8
hostilities
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| n.战争；敌意(hostility的复数)；敌对状态；战事 | |
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9
derived
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| vi.起源；由来；衍生；导出v.得到( derive的过去式和过去分词 )；（从…中）得到获得；源于；（从…中）提取 | |
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10
aplomb
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| n.沉着，镇静 | |
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11
jug
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| n.(有柄，小口，可盛水等的)大壶，罐，盂 | |
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12
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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13
scowl
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| vi.(at)生气地皱眉，沉下脸，怒视；n.怒容 | |
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14
engrossing
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| adj.使人全神贯注的，引人入胜的v.使全神贯注( engross的现在分词 ) | |
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15
conspiracy
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| n.阴谋，密谋，共谋 | |
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16
wilful
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| adj.任性的，故意的 | |
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boon
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| n.恩赐，恩物，恩惠 | |
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18
poise
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| vt./vi. 平衡，保持平衡；n.泰然自若，自信 | |
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19
jaw
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| n.颚，颌，说教，流言蜚语；v.喋喋不休，教训 | |
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20
truculent
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| adj.野蛮的，粗野的 | |
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21
attentive
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| adj.注意的，专心的；关心(别人)的，殷勤的 | |
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22
athletically
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| adv.竞赛地，运动比赛地，具运动员风范地 | |
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23
provincial
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| adj.省的，地方的；n．外省人，乡下人 | |
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24
ogling
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| v.（向…）抛媚眼，送秋波( ogle的现在分词 ) | |
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25
complexions
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| 肤色( complexion的名词复数 )； 面色； 局面； 性质 | |
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vivacious
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| adj.活泼的，快活的 | |
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incapable
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| adj.无能力的，不能做某事的 | |
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28
illuminated
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| adj.被照明的；受启迪的 | |
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29
frigidity
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| n.寒冷；冷淡；索然无味；（尤指妇女的）性感缺失 | |
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30
ward
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| n.守卫，监护，病房，行政区，由监护人或法院保护的人（尤指儿童）；vt.守护，躲开 | |
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31
clenched
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| v.紧握，抓紧，咬紧( clench的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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32
hemming
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| 卷边 | |
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33
momentary
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| adj.片刻的，瞬息的；短暂的 | |
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34
pebbles
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| [复数]鹅卵石； 沙砾； 卵石，小圆石( pebble的名词复数 ) | |
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35
upwards
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| adv.向上，在更高处...以上 | |
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36
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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37
miscarriage
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| n.失败，未达到预期的结果；流产 | |
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38
deftness
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39
blur
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| n.模糊不清的事物；vt.使模糊，使看不清楚 | |
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40
commotion
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| n.骚动，动乱 | |
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41
interval
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| n.间隔，间距；幕间休息，中场休息 | |
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42
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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43
smacked
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| 拍，打，掴( smack的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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44
hustled
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| 催促（hustle的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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45
abated
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| 减少( abate的过去式和过去分词 )； 减去； 降价； 撤消（诉讼） | |
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46
scorching
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| adj. 灼热的 | |
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47
wrenched
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| v.（猛力地）扭( wrench的过去式和过去分词 )；扭伤；使感到痛苦；使悲痛 | |
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48
receded
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| v.逐渐远离( recede的过去式和过去分词 )；向后倾斜；自原处后退或避开别人的注视；尤指问题 | |
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49
retard
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| n.阻止，延迟；vt.妨碍，延迟，使减速 | |
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50
civilian
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| adj.平民的，民用的，民众的 | |
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51
waived
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| v.宣布放弃( waive的过去式和过去分词 )；搁置；推迟；放弃（权利、要求等） | |
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52
persistent
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| adj.坚持不懈的，执意的；持续的 | |
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53
destined
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| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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54
fracas
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| n.打架；吵闹 | |
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55
vehemence
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| n.热切；激烈；愤怒 | |
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56
mortified
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| v.使受辱( mortify的过去式和过去分词 )；伤害（人的感情）；克制；抑制（肉体、情感等） | |
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57
chuckle
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| vi.／n.轻声笑，咯咯笑 | |
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58
embodied
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| v.表现( embody的过去式和过去分词 )；象征；包括；包含 | |
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59
forefinger
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| n.食指 | |
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60
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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61
persistence
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| n.坚持，持续，存留 | |
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62
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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63
discredit
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| vt.使不可置信；n.丧失信义；不信，怀疑 | |
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64
farces
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| n.笑剧( farce的名词复数 )；闹剧；笑剧剧目；作假的可笑场面 | |
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65
humiliation
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| n.羞辱 | |
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66
privately
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| adv.以私人的身份，悄悄地，私下地 | |
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