Savrola read these criticisms with disdain12. He had recognised the fact that such things would be said, and had deliberately13 exposed himself to them. He knew he had been unwise to go: he had known that from the first; and yet somehow he did not regret his mistake. After all, why should his party dictate14 to him how he should rule his private life? He would never resign his right to go where he pleased. In this case he had followed his own inclination15, and the odium which had been cast upon him was the price he was prepared to pay. When he thought of his conversation in the garden, he did not feel that he had made a bad bargain. The damage however must be repaired. He looked over the notes of his speech again, polished his sentences, considered his points, collected his arguments, and made some additions which he thought appropriate to the altered state of public feeling.
In this occupation the morning passed. Moret came in to luncheon16. He refrained from actually saying "I told you so," but his looks showed that he felt his judgment17 was for the future established on unshakable foundations. His was a character easily elated or depressed18. Now he was gloomy and despondent19, regarding the cause as already lost. Only a forlorn hope remained; Savrola might express his regret at the meeting, and appeal to the people to remember his former services. He suggested this to his leader, who laughed merrily at the idea. "My dear Louis," he said, "I shall do nothing of the sort. I will never resign my own independence; I shall always go where I like and do what I like, and if they are not pleased, they can find someone else to discharge their public business." Moret shuddered20. Savrola continued: "I shall not actually tell them so, but my manner will show them that I fear their reproaches as little as Molara's enmity."
"Oh, I shall make them listen. There may be some howling at first, but they will change their note before I have gone very far."
His confidence was contagious22. Moret's spirits revived under its influence and that of a bottle of excellent claret. Like Napoleon the Third, he felt that all might yet be regained23.
Meanwhile the President was extremely well satisfied with the first result of his schemes. He had not foreseen that Savrola's acceptance of the invitation to the ball would involve him in so much unpopularity, and, although it was a poor compliment to himself, it was an unexpected advantage. Besides, as Miguel had remarked, everything was going on very well in other directions. He had hardened his heart and dismissed his scruples24; stern, bitter necessity had thrust him on an unpleasant course, but now that he had started he was determined25 to go on. In the meantime affairs pressed on all sides. The British Government were displaying an attitude of resolution on the African Question. His violent despatch26 had not settled the matter, as he had hoped and even anticipated; it had become necessary to supplement his words by actions. The African port must not be left undefended; the fleet must go there at once. It was not a moment when he could well afford to be without the five ships of war whose presence in the harbour overawed many of the discontented; but he felt that a vigorous foreign policy would be popular, or at least sufficiently27 interesting to keep the public mind from domestic agitation28. He also knew that a disaster abroad would precipitate29 a revolution at home. It was necessary to be very careful. He recognised the power and resources of Great Britain; he had no illusions on the subject of the comparative weakness of Laurania. In that indeed lay their only strength. The British Government would do all in their power to avoid fighting (bullying, polite Europe would call it) so small a State. It was a game of bluff30; the further he could go, the better for the situation at home, but one step too far meant ruin. It was a delicate game to play, and it taxed to the utmost the energies and talents of a strong, able man.
"The Admiral is here, Your Excellency," said Miguel entering the room, followed immediately by a short, red-faced man in naval32 uniform.
"Good-morning, my dear de Mello," cried the President, rising and shaking the newcomer's hand with great cordiality. "I have got some sailing-orders for you at last."
"Well," said de Mello bluntly, "I am sick of lying up waiting for your agitators to rise."
"There is work of a difficult and exciting nature before you. Where's that translation of the cipher33 telegram, Miguel? Ah, thank you,—look here, Admiral."
The sailor read the paper, and whistled significantly. "It may go further than you wish, Molara, this time," he said unceremoniously.
"I shall place the matter in your hands; you will be able to save this situation, as you have saved so many others."
"Where did this come from?" asked de Mello.
"From French sources."
"She is a powerful ship, the Aggressor,—latest design, newest guns, in fact all the modern improvements; I have nothing that she could not sink in ten minutes; besides, there are some gunboats there as well."
"I know the situation is difficult," said the President; "that is why I am entrusting34 it to you! Now listen; whatever happens I don't want fighting; that would only end in disaster; and you know what disaster would mean here. You must argue and parley35 and protest on every point, and cause as much delay as possible. Consult me by telegraph on every occasion, and try to make friends with the English admiral; that is half the battle. If it ever comes to a question of bombardment, we shall give in and protest again. I will have your instructions forwarded to you in writing this evening. You had better steam to-night. You understand the game?"
"Yes," said de Mello, "I have played it before." He shook hands and walked to the door.
The President accompanied him. "It is possible," he said earnestly, "that I shall want you back here before you have gone very far; there are many signs of trouble in the city, and after all Strelitz is still on the frontier waiting for a chance. If I send for you, you will come?" There was almost an appealing note in his tone.
"Come?" said the Admiral. "Of course I will come,—full steam ahead. I have had my big gun trained on the Parliament House for the last month, and I mean to let it off one day. Oh, you can trust the fleet."
"Thank God I never doubted that," said the President with some emotion, and shaking de Mello's hand warmly, he returned to his writing-table. He felt that the Admiral was thoroughly36 loyal to the Government.
These men who live their lives in great machines, become involved in the mechanism37 themselves. De Mello had lived on warships38 all his days, and neither knew nor cared for anything else. Landsmen and civilians39 he despised with a supreme40 professional contempt. Such parts of the world as bordered on the sea, he regarded as possible targets of different types; for the rest he cared nothing. With equal interest he would burst his shells on patriots41 struggling to be free or foreign enemies, on a hostile fort or on his native town. As long as the authority to fire reached him through the proper channel, he was content; after that he regarded the question from a purely42 technical standpoint.
The afternoon was far advanced before the President finished the varied43 labours of his office. "There is a great meeting to-night, is there not?" he asked Miguel.
"Yes," said the Secretary, "in the City-Hall; Savrola is going to speak."
"Have you arranged about an opposition44?"
"Some of the secret police are going to make a little, I believe; Colonel Sorrento has arranged that. But I fancy Se?or Savrola's party are rather displeased45 with him, as it is."
"Ah," said Molara, "I know his powers; he will tear their very hearts out with his words. He is a terrible force; we must take every precaution. I suppose the troops have been ordered to be under arms? There is nothing he cannot do with a crowd,—curse him!"
"The Colonel was here this morning; he told me he was making arrangements."
"It is good," said the President; "he knows his own safety is involved. Where do I dine to-night?"
"With Se?or Louvet, at the Home Office, an official dinner."
"How detestable! Still he has a plain cook and he will be worth watching to-night. He gets in such a state of terror when Savrola holds forth46 that he is ridiculous. I hate cowards, but they make the world the merrier."
He bade the Secretary good-night and left the room. Outside he met Lucile. "Dearest," he said, "I am dining out to-night, an official dinner at Louvet's. It is a nuisance, but I must go. Perhaps I shall not be back till late. I am sorry to leave you like this, but in these busy days I can hardly call my soul my own."
"Never mind, Antonio," she replied; "I know how you are pressed with work. What has happened about the English affair?"
"I don't like the situation at all," said Molara. "They have a Jingo Government in power and have sent ships as an answer to our note. It is most unfortunate. Now I have to send the fleet away,—at such a moment." He groaned47 moodily48.
"I told Sir Richard that we had to think of the situation here, and that the despatch was meant for domestic purposes," said Lucile.
"I think," said the President, "that the English Government also have to keep the electorate49 amused. It is a Conservative ministry50; they must keep things going abroad to divert the public mind from advanced legislation. What, more still, Miguel?"
"Yes, Sir; this bag has just arrived, with several important despatches which require your immediate31 attention."
The President looked for a moment as if he would like to tell Miguel to take himself and his despatches to the infernal regions; but he repressed the inclination. "Good, I will come. I shall see you at breakfast to-morrow, my dear, till then, farewell," and giving her a weary smile he walked off.
Thus it is that great men enjoy the power they risk their lives to gain and often meet their deaths to hold.
Lucile was left alone, not for the first time when she had wanted companionship and sympathy. She was conscious of an unsatisfactory sensation with regard to existence generally. It was one of those moments when the prizes and penalties of life seem equally stale and futile51. She sought refuge in excitement. The project she had conceived the night before began to take actual shape in her mind; yes, she would hear him speak. Going to her room she rang the bell. The maid came quickly. "What time is the meeting to-night?"
"At eight, Your Excellency," said the girl.
"You have a ticket for it?"
"Yes, my brother——"
"Well, give it to me; I want to hear this man speak. He will attack the Government; I must be there to report to the President."
The maid looked astonished, but gave up the ticket meekly52. For six years she had been Lucile's maid, and was devoted53 to her young and beautiful mistress. "What will Your Excellency wear?" was her only remark.
"Something dark, with a thick veil," said Lucile. "Don't speak of this to anyone."
"Oh no, Your Ex——"
"Not even to your brother."
"Oh, no, Your Excellency."
"Say I have a headache and have gone to bed. You must go to your room yourself."
The maid hurried off to get the dress and bonnet54. Lucile felt full of the nervous excitement her resolve had raised. It was an adventure, it would be an experience, more than that, she would see him. The crowd,—when she thought of them she felt a little frightened, but then she remembered that women frequently went to these demonstrations55, and there would be plenty of police to keep order. She dressed herself hastily in the clothes that the maid brought, and descending56 the stairs, entered the garden. It was already dusk, but Lucile had no difficulty in finding her way to a small private gate in the wall, which her key unlocked.
She stepped into the street. All was very quiet. The gas lamps flared57 in a long double row till they almost met in the distant perspective. A few people were hurrying in the direction of the City-Hall. She followed them.
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
disapproval
|
|
| n.反对，不赞成 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
justified
|
|
| a.正当的，有理的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
organisation
|
|
| n.组织，安排，团体，有机休 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
severely
|
|
| adv.严格地；严厉地；非常恶劣地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
alluded
|
|
| 提及，暗指( allude的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
groans
|
|
| n.呻吟，叹息( groan的名词复数 )；呻吟般的声音v.呻吟( groan的第三人称单数 )；发牢骚；抱怨；受苦 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
sordid
|
|
| adj.肮脏的，不干净的，卑鄙的，暗淡的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
agitators
|
|
| n.（尤指政治变革的）鼓动者( agitator的名词复数 )；煽动者；搅拌器；搅拌机 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
prospect
|
|
| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
irresistible
|
|
| adj.非常诱人的，无法拒绝的，无法抗拒的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
austere
|
|
| adj.艰苦的；朴素的，朴实无华的；严峻的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
disdain
|
|
| n.鄙视，轻视；v.轻视，鄙视，不屑 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
deliberately
|
|
| adv.审慎地；蓄意地；故意地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
dictate
|
|
| v.口授；(使)听写；指令，指示，命令 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
inclination
|
|
| n.倾斜；点头；弯腰；斜坡；倾度；倾向；爱好 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
luncheon
|
|
| n.午宴，午餐，便宴 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
judgment
|
|
| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
depressed
|
|
| adj.沮丧的，抑郁的，不景气的，萧条的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
despondent
|
|
| adj.失望的，沮丧的，泄气的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
shuddered
|
|
| 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 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
hostility
|
|
| n.敌对，敌意；抵制［pl.］交战，战争 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
contagious
|
|
| adj.传染性的，有感染力的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
regained
|
|
| 复得( regain的过去式和过去分词 )； 赢回； 重回； 复至某地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
scruples
|
|
| n.良心上的不安( scruple的名词复数 )；顾虑，顾忌v.感到于心不安，有顾忌( scruple的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
determined
|
|
| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
despatch
|
|
| n./v.(dispatch)派遣；发送；n.急件；新闻报道 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
sufficiently
|
|
| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
agitation
|
|
| n.搅动；搅拌；鼓动，煽动 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
precipitate
|
|
| adj.突如其来的；vt.使突然发生；n.沉淀物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
bluff
|
|
| v.虚张声势，用假象骗人；n.虚张声势，欺骗 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
immediate
|
|
| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
naval
|
|
| adj.海军的，军舰的，船的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
cipher
|
|
| n.零；无影响力的人；密码 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
entrusting
|
|
| v.委托，托付( entrust的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
parley
|
|
| n.谈判 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
thoroughly
|
|
| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
mechanism
|
|
| n.机械装置；机构，结构 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
warships
|
|
| 军舰，战舰( warship的名词复数 )； 舰只 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
civilians
|
|
| 平民，百姓( civilian的名词复数 )； 老百姓 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
supreme
|
|
| adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
patriots
|
|
| 爱国者，爱国主义者( patriot的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
purely
|
|
| adv.纯粹地，完全地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
varied
|
|
| adj.多样的，多变化的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
opposition
|
|
| n.反对，敌对 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
displeased
|
|
| a.不快的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
forth
|
|
| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
groaned
|
|
| v.呻吟( groan的过去式和过去分词 )；发牢骚；抱怨；受苦 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
moodily
|
|
| adv.喜怒无常地；情绪多变地；心情不稳地；易生气地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
electorate
|
|
| n.全体选民；选区 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
ministry
|
|
| n.(政府的)部；牧师 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
futile
|
|
| adj.无效的，无用的，无希望的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
meekly
|
|
| adv.温顺地，逆来顺受地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
devoted
|
|
| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
bonnet
|
|
| n.无边女帽；童帽 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
demonstrations
|
|
| 证明( demonstration的名词复数 )； 表明； 表达； 游行示威 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
descending
|
|
| n. 下行 adj. 下降的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
Flared
|
|
| adj. 端部张开的, 爆发的, 加宽的, 漏斗式的 动词flare的过去式和过去分词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |