"Nothing serious, General," replied the subaltern.
"You handled your troop with great judgment3 and courage. It shall be remembered. But it is easy to lead brave men; they shall not be forgotten. Ah, Colonel, you are quite right to come to me. I anticipated some trouble with the disaffected4 classes, so soon as it became known that we were still determined5 to maintain law and order in the State." These last words were spoken to a dark, bronzed man who had hurriedly entered the courtyard by a side gate. Colonel Sorrento, for such was the newcomer's name, was the military chief of the Police. Besides filling this important office, he discharged the duties of War-Minister to the Republic. The combination enabled the civil power to be supplemented by the military with great and convenient promptitude, whenever it was necessary or desirable to take strong measures. The arrangement was well suited to the times. Usually Sorrento was calm and serene7. He had seen many engagements and much war of the type which knows no quarter, had been several times wounded, and was regarded as a brave and callous8 man. But there is something appalling9 in the concentrated fury of a mob, and the Colonel's manner betrayed the fact that he was not quite proof against it.
"It is nothing,—a stone; but they were very violent. Some one had roused them; I had hoped to get away before the news was known. Who was it spoke6 to them?"
"Moret, the Civic11 Councillor, from the balcony of the hotel. A very dangerous man! He told them they were betrayed."
"Betrayed? What audacity12! Surely such language would come within the 20th Section of the Constitution: Inciting13 to violence against the person of the Head of the State by misrepresentation or otherwise." The President was well versed14 in those clauses of the public law which were intended to strengthen the hands of the Executive. "Have him arrested, Sorrento. We cannot allow the majesty15 of Government to be insulted with impunity,—or stay, perhaps it would be wiser to be magnanimous now that the matter is settled. I do not want a State prosecution16 just at present." Then he added in a louder voice: "This young officer, Colonel, discharged his duty with great determination,—a most excellent soldier. Please see that a note is made of it. Promotion17 should always go by merit, not by age, for services and not for service. We will not forget your behaviour, young man."
He ascended18 the steps and entered the hall of the palace, leaving the subaltern, a boy of twenty-two, flushed with pleasure and excitement, to build high hopes of future command and success.
The hall was spacious19 and well-proportioned. It was decorated in the purest style of the Lauranian Republic, the arms of which were everywhere displayed. The pillars were of ancient marble and by their size and colour attested20 the wealth and magnificence of former days. The tessellated pavement presented a pleasing pattern. Elaborate mosaics21 on the walls depicted22 scenes from the national history: the foundation of the city; the peace of 1370; the reception of the envoys23 of the Great Mogul: the victory of Brota; the death of Saldanho, that austere24 patriot25, who died rather than submit to a technical violation26 of the Constitution. And then coming down to later years, the walls showed the building of the Parliament House: the naval27 victory of Cape28 Cheronta, and finally the conclusion of the Civil War in 1883. On either side of the hall, in a deep alcove29, a bronze fountain, playing amid surrounding palms and ferns, imparted a feeling of refreshing30 coolness to the eye and ear. Facing the entrance was a broad staircase, leading to the state rooms whose doors were concealed31 by crimson32 curtains.
A woman stood at the top of the stairs. Her hands rested on the marble balustrade; her white dress contrasted with the bright-coloured curtains behind her. She was very beautiful, but her face wore an expression of alarm and anxiety. Woman-like she asked three questions at once. "What has happened, Antonio? Have the people risen? Why have they been firing?" She paused timidly at the head of the stairs, as if fearing to descend33.
"All is well," replied the President in his official manner. "Some of the disaffected have rioted, but the Colonel here has taken every precaution and order reigns34 once more, dearest." Then turning to Sorrento, he went on: "It is possible that the disturbances36 may be renewed. The troops should be confined to barracks and you may give them an extra day's pay to drink the health of the Republic. Double the Guards and you had better have the streets patrolled to-night. In case anything happens, you will find me here. Good-night, Colonel." He walked up a few steps, and the War-Minister, bowing gravely, turned and departed.
The woman came down the stairs and they met midway. He took both her hands in his and smiled affectionately; she, standing37 one step above him, bent38 forward and kissed him. It was an amiable39, though formal, salutation.
"Well," he said, "we have got through to-day all right, my dear; but how long it can go on, I do not know; the revolutionaries seem to get stronger every day. It was a very dangerous moment just now in the square; but is over for the present."
"I have passed an anxious hour," she said, and then, catching sight for the first time of his bruised40 forehead, she started. "But you are wounded."
"It is nothing," said the President. "They threw stones; now, we used bullets; they are better arguments."
"What happened at the Senate?"
"I had expected trouble, you know. I told them in my speech that, in spite of the unsettled state of affairs, we had decided41 to restore the ancient Constitution of the Republic, but that it had been necessary to purge42 the register of the disaffected and rebellious43. The Mayor took it out of the box and they scrambled44 over each other to look at the total electorates45 for the divisions. When they saw how much they were reduced they were very angry. Godoy was speechless; he is a fool, that man. Louvet told them that it must be taken as an instalment, and that as things got more settled the franchise46 would be extended; but they howled with fury. Indeed, had it not been for the ushers47 and for a few men of the Guard, I believe they would have assaulted me there and then in the very Chamber48 itself. Moret shook his fist at me,—ridiculous young ass—and rushed out to harangue49 the mob."
"And Savrola?"
"Oh, Savrola,—he was quite calm; he laughed when he saw the register. 'It is only a question of a few months,' he said; 'I wonder you think it worth while.' I told him that I did not understand him, but he spoke the truth for all that;" and then, taking his wife's hand in his, he climbed the stairs slowly and thoughtfully.
But there is little rest for a public man in times of civil disturbance35. No sooner had Molara reached the top of the stairs and entered the reception-room, than a man advanced to meet him from a door at the far end. He was small, dark, and very ugly, with a face wrinkled with age and an indoor life. Its pallor showed all the more by contrast with his hair and short moustache, both of which were of that purple blackness to which Nature is unable to attain50. In his hand he carried a large bundle of papers, carefully disposed into departments by his long and delicate fingers. It was the Private Secretary.
"What is it, Miguel?" asked the President; "you have some papers for me?"
"Yes, Sir; a few minutes will suffice. You have had an exciting day; I rejoice it has terminated successfully."
"Several foreign despatches. Great Britain has sent a note about the Sphere of Influence to the south of the African Colony, to which the Foreign Minister has drafted a reply."
"Ah! these English,—how grasping, how domineering! But we must be firm. I will maintain the territories of the Republic against all enemies, internal or external. We cannot send armies, but, thank God, we can write despatches. Is it strong enough?"
"Your Excellency need have no fears. We have vindicated52 our rights most emphatically; it will be a great moral victory."
"I hope we shall get material as well as moral good out of it. The country is rich; there is paying gold; that explains the note. Of course we must reply severely53. What else?"
"There are some papers relating to the army, commissions and promotions54, Sir," said Miguel, fingering one particular bundle of his papers, the bundle that lay between his first and second fingers. "Those sentences for confirmation55, a draft of Morgon's Budget for information and opinion, and one or two minor56 matters."
"H'm, a long business! Very well, I will come and see to it. Dearest, you know how pressed I am. We shall meet to-night at the dinner. Have all the Ministers accepted?"
"All but Louvet, Antonio. He is detained by business."
"Business, pooh! He is afraid of the streets at night. What a thing it is to be a coward! Thus he misses a good dinner. At eight then, Lucile." And with a quick and decided step he passed through the small door of the private office followed by the Secretary.
Madame Antonio Molara remained standing for a moment in the great reception-room. Then she walked to the window and stepped out on to the balcony. The scene which stretched before her was one of surpassing beauty. The palace stood upon high ground commanding a wide view of the city and the harbour. The sun was low on the horizon, but the walls of the houses still stood out in glaring white. The red and blue tiled roofs were relieved by frequent gardens and squares whose green and graceful57 palms soothed58 and gratified the eye. To the north the great pile of the Senate House and Parliament buildings loomed59 up majestic60 and imposing61. Westward62 lay the harbour with its shipping63 and protecting forts. A few warships64 floated in the roads, and many white-sailed smacks65 dotted the waters of the Mediterranean66 Sea, which had already begun to change their blue for the more gorgeous colours of sunset.
As she stood there in the clear light of the autumn evening, she looked divinely beautiful. She had arrived at that age of life, when to the attractions of a maiden's beauty are added those of a woman's wit. Her perfect features were the mirror of her mind, and displayed with every emotion and every mood that vivacity67 of expression which is the greatest of woman's charms. Her tall figure was instinct with grace, and the almost classic dress she wore enhanced her beauty and harmonised with her surroundings.
Something in her face suggested a wistful aspiration68. Lucile had married Antonio Molara nearly five years before, when he was in the height and vigour69 of his power. Her family had been among the stoutest70 supporters of his cause, and her father and brother had lost their lives on the battlefield of Sorato. Her mother, broken down by calamity71 and sorrow, lived only to commend her daughter to the care of their most powerful friend, the general who had saved the State and would now rule it. He had accepted the task at first from a feeling of obligation to those who had followed his star so faithfully, but afterwards from other motives72. Before a month had passed he fell in love with the beautiful girl whom Fortune had led to him. She admired his courage, his energy, and his resource; the splendours of the office that he filled were not without their influence; he offered her wealth and position,—almost a throne; and besides he was a fine figure of a man. She was twenty-three when they married. For many months her life had been a busy one. Receptions, balls, and parties had filled the winter season with the unremitting labour of entertaining. Foreign princes had paid her homage73, not only as the loveliest woman in Europe, but also as a great political figure. Her salon74 was crowded with the most famous men from every country. Statesmen, soldiers, poets, and men of science had worshipped at the shrine75. She had mixed in matters of State. Suave76 and courtly ambassadors had thrown out delicate hints, and she had replied with unofficial answers. Plenipotentiaries had explained the details of treaties and protocols77, with remarkable78 elaboration, for her benefit. Philanthropists had argued, urged, and expounded79 their views or whims80. Every one talked to her of public business. Even her maid had approached her with an application for the advancement81 of her brother, a clerk in the Post Office; and every one had admired her until admiration82 itself, the most delicious drink that a woman tastes, became insipid83.
But even during the first few years there had been something wanting. What it was Lucile had never been able to guess. Her husband was affectionate and such time as he could spare from public matters was at her service. Of late things had been less bright. The agitation84 of the country, the rising forces of Democracy, added to the already heavy business of the Republic, had taxed the President's time and energies to the full. Hard lines had come into his face, lines of work and anxiety, and sometimes she had caught a look of awful weariness, as of one who toils85 and yet foresees that his labour will be vain. He saw her less frequently, and in those short intervals86 talked more and more of business and politics.
A feeling of unrest seemed to pervade87 the capital. The season, which had just begun, had opened badly. Many of the great families had remained in their summer residences on the slopes of the mountains, though the plains were already cool and green; others had kept to their own houses in the city, and only the most formal entertainments at the palace had been attended. As the outlook became more threatening it seemed that she was able to help him less. Passions were being roused that blinded the eyes to beauty and dulled the mind to charm. She was still a queen, but her subjects were sullen88 and inattentive. What could she do to help him, now that he was so hard pressed? The thought of abdication89 was odious90 to her, as to every woman. Must she remain directing the ceremonies of the Court after the brilliancy had died out, while enemies were working night and day to overturn all that she was attached to?
"Can I do nothing, nothing?" she murmured. "Have I played my part? Is the best of life over?" and then, with a hot wave of petulant91 resolve, "I will do it,—but what?"
The question remained unanswered; the edge of the sun dipped beneath the horizon and at the end of the military mole92, from the shapeless mound93 of earth that marked the protecting battery of the harbour, sprang a puff94 of smoke. It was the evening gun, and the sound of the report, floating faintly up to her, interrupted the unpleasing reflections which had filled her thoughts; but they left a memory behind. She turned with a sigh and re-entered the palace; gradually the daylight died away and it became night.
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1
gateway
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| n.大门口，出入口，途径，方法 | |
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fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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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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disaffected
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| adj.（政治上）不满的，叛离的 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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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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7
serene
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| adj. 安详的，宁静的，平静的 | |
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callous
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| adj.无情的，冷淡的，硬结的，起老茧的 | |
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appalling
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| adj.骇人听闻的，令人震惊的，可怕的 | |
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catching
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| adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住 | |
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civic
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| adj.城市的，都市的，市民的，公民的 | |
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audacity
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| n.大胆，卤莽，无礼 | |
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inciting
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| 刺激的，煽动的 | |
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versed
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| adj. 精通，熟练 | |
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majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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prosecution
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| n.起诉，告发，检举，执行，经营 | |
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promotion
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| n.提升，晋级；促销，宣传 | |
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ascended
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| v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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spacious
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| adj.广阔的，宽敞的 | |
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attested
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| adj.经检验证明无病的，经检验证明无菌的v.证明( attest的过去式和过去分词 )；证实；声称…属实；使宣誓 | |
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21
mosaics
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| n.马赛克( mosaic的名词复数 )；镶嵌；镶嵌工艺；镶嵌图案 | |
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depicted
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| 描绘，描画( depict的过去式和过去分词 )； 描述 | |
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envoys
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| 使节( envoy的名词复数 )； 公使； 谈判代表； 使节身份 | |
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austere
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| adj.艰苦的；朴素的，朴实无华的；严峻的 | |
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patriot
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| n.爱国者，爱国主义者 | |
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violation
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| n.违反(行为)，违背(行为)，侵犯 | |
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naval
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| adj.海军的，军舰的，船的 | |
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cape
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| n.海角，岬；披肩，短披风 | |
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alcove
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| n.凹室 | |
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refreshing
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| adj.使精神振作的，使人清爽的，使人喜欢的 | |
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concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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crimson
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| n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色 | |
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descend
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| vt./vi.传下来，下来，下降 | |
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reigns
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| n.君主的统治( reign的名词复数 )；君主统治时期；任期；当政期 | |
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disturbance
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| n.动乱，骚动；打扰，干扰；(身心)失调 | |
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disturbances
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| n.骚乱( disturbance的名词复数 )；打扰；困扰；障碍 | |
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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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bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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amiable
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| adj.和蔼可亲的，友善的，亲切的 | |
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bruised
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| [医]青肿的，瘀紫的 | |
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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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42
purge
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| n.整肃，清除，泻药，净化；vt.净化，清除，摆脱；vi.清除，通便，腹泻，变得清洁 | |
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rebellious
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| adj.造反的，反抗的，难控制的 | |
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44
scrambled
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| v.快速爬行( scramble的过去式和过去分词 )；攀登；争夺；（军事飞机）紧急起飞 | |
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electorates
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| 全体选民( electorate的名词复数 ) | |
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franchise
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| n.特许，特权，专营权，特许权 | |
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ushers
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| n.引座员( usher的名词复数 )；招待员；门房；助理教员v.引，领，陪同( usher的第三人称单数 ) | |
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48
chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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harangue
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| n.慷慨冗长的训话，言辞激烈的讲话 | |
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50
attain
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| vt.达到，获得，完成 | |
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51
devoid
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| adj.全无的，缺乏的 | |
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52
vindicated
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| v.澄清（某人/某事物）受到的责难或嫌疑( vindicate的过去式和过去分词 )；表明或证明（所争辩的事物）属实、正当、有效等；维护 | |
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53
severely
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| adv.严格地；严厉地；非常恶劣地 | |
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54
promotions
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| 促进( promotion的名词复数 )； 提升； 推广； 宣传 | |
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55
confirmation
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| n.证实，确认，批准 | |
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56
minor
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| adj.较小(少)的，较次要的；n.辅修学科；vi.辅修 | |
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graceful
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| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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soothed
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| v.安慰( soothe的过去式和过去分词 )；抚慰；使舒服；减轻痛苦 | |
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loomed
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| v.隐约出现，阴森地逼近( loom的过去式和过去分词 )；隐约出现，阴森地逼近 | |
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majestic
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| adj.雄伟的，壮丽的，庄严的，威严的，崇高的 | |
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imposing
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| adj.使人难忘的，壮丽的，堂皇的，雄伟的 | |
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westward
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| n.西方，西部；adj.西方的，向西的；adv.向西 | |
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shipping
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| n.船运（发货，运输，乘船） | |
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warships
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| 军舰，战舰( warship的名词复数 )； 舰只 | |
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smacks
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| 掌掴（声）( smack的名词复数 )； 海洛因； （打的）一拳； 打巴掌 | |
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Mediterranean
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| adj.地中海的；地中海沿岸的 | |
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vivacity
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| n.快活，活泼，精神充沛 | |
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aspiration
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| n.志向，志趣抱负；渴望；(语)送气音；吸出 | |
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vigour
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| （=vigor）n.智力，体力，精力 | |
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stoutest
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| 粗壮的( stout的最高级 )； 结实的； 坚固的； 坚定的 | |
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calamity
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| n.灾害，祸患，不幸事件 | |
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motives
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| n.动机，目的( motive的名词复数 ) | |
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homage
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| n.尊敬，敬意，崇敬 | |
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74
salon
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| n.[法]沙龙；客厅；营业性的高级服务室 | |
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shrine
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| n.圣地，神龛，庙；v.将...置于神龛内，把...奉为神圣 | |
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suave
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| adj.温和的；柔和的；文雅的 | |
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protocols
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| n.礼仪( protocol的名词复数 )；（外交条约的）草案；（数据传递的）协议；科学实验报告（或计划） | |
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remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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expounded
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| 论述，详细讲解( expound的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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WHIMS
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| 虚妄，禅病 | |
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advancement
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| n.前进，促进，提升 | |
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admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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insipid
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| adj.无味的，枯燥乏味的，单调的 | |
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agitation
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| n.搅动；搅拌；鼓动，煽动 | |
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toils
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| 网 | |
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intervals
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| n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 )；间隔时间；[数学]区间；（戏剧、电影或音乐会的）幕间休息 | |
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pervade
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| v.弥漫，遍及，充满，渗透，漫延 | |
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sullen
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| adj.愠怒的，闷闷不乐的，(天气等)阴沉的 | |
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abdication
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| n.辞职；退位 | |
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odious
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| adj.可憎的，讨厌的 | |
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petulant
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| adj.性急的，暴躁的 | |
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mole
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| n.胎块；痣；克分子 | |
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mound
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| n.土墩，堤，小山；v.筑堤，用土堆防卫 | |
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puff
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| n.一口(气)；一阵(风)；v.喷气，喘气 | |
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