As a matter of fact, Mlle. Dupont had as many wrinkles in her soul as on her face. Her apparent amiability expressed itself chiefly in certain phrases of endearment5 or pity such as ma petite, ma chérie, Oh, quel malheur! and others of the same nature. To hear her, one might have thought that to this sensitive being everything was delicious, enchanting6, exquisite7, worthy8 of compassion9 or sympathy. The daughter of Bayonne Protestants, she had turned Catholic, and was, at bottom, a narrow, egotistic, rather ridiculous old woman. She treated all her boarders as she treated Nacha, and was prodigal10 to them of similar amenities11. She must have been about forty-five; but she looked more than fifty. She was tall, angular, stiff in her movements, with masculine features, and hair and eyebrows12 of a reddish cast. Her nose was sharply molded, and her hair, combed high in an ancient style, covering the greater part of her forehead and her ears, and hanging down the sides in ringlets that were not always in curl, gave her a somewhat ludicrous appearance. When she wished to appear particularly sweet-natured, she would lean ceremoniously toward the person addressing her, all the while smiling and blinking her small eyes.
Mlle. Dupont would quite frequently visit Nacha in her room.
"Always alone!" she would exclaim, clasping her hands, and shaking her head. "Would you care for a little company?"
"Yes, indeed; I'd be delighted!"
Then she would sit down beside Nacha and tell her what a fancy she had taken to her, and how she hoped she would never leave her house, and how much she enjoyed her.
"You are such a good girl, Nacha!"
"Oh, 'good,' Mademoiselle!"
Her landlady continued in eulogistic13 strain; and then came the moment for exchanging confidences! She wanted to know "everything" about her new friend, about her family, about the kind of work she had done, and what she lived on.... Nacha trembled before this curiosity. What should she reply? Such questions from anyone else would have annoyed her; but in "Mademoiselle's" case they seemed prompted by the affection she professed14 for her new friend, and a desire to be useful to her, and to know her better.
"Why do you want to know?" Nacha would ask.
"Oh, Mlle. Nacha! Nothing! Nothing at all! You wouldn't believe me if I told you—it's just because I'm so fond of you, you are so good, so—how shall I say—so innocent!"
Nacha reddened. Mlle. Dupont, watching her out of the corner of her eye, and a little constrained15, reddened also. "Oh, I can tell at a glance! You are not like some of the other girls I have known. As for me I admire goodness so much that I cannot understand how some women ... I don't know how it is! ... you see I was brought up on very religious principles; and I can't help having such high standards about character that I really can't endure the thought of the slightest slip.... No, I always say; let a woman have all the faults she likes: but let her morals at least be above reproach!"
Nacha, terrified, was wondering if "Mademoiselle" knew anything about her life; but she could only conclude that her being allowed to remain under that roof at all proved that her hostess was in total ignorance of her history. All these declarations of lofty principles and integrity of character, confirmed by the obvious austerity of her daily life, caused poor Nacha to look upon Mlle. Dupont as a superior being. Here at last was someone worthy of her intense admiration16! She went so far as to try to model her conduct upon that of her landlady, and avoided going out, believing that temptation and vice17 hovered18 outside the precincts of that house of refuge.
So she remained all day long in her room, going over the incidents of the day just passed, dreaming, wondering who Monsalvat could be, and what he wanted of her. Was he really what he appeared? Or had he practised a miserable19 deception20 on her, making use of his eloquent21 words to get her away from Arnedo, for his own advantage? This was not impossible; for to men all means are justified22 when the end is the woman their caprice has fastened upon. And she could not doubt that she was pleasing to Monsalvat. She remembered how he had looked at her, the first time they had ever seen one another, in the cabaret; he had followed her to the house—he had gone again to the cabaret to see her—and then how he had defended her! It couldn't be merely out of pity that he had risked incurring23 the insults and the violence of the patota! Does a man take such risks except for love? No, there could be no doubt: he was in love with her....
But, did she want him to be? What was the strange feeling she had for the man? Love or hate? Sometimes she thought she loved him with all the strength of her being; but when she remembered that she was now without resources, and that she would sooner or later be forced to have recourse to the means of livelihood24 so loathsome25 to her, she hated him. Why had he come to her house to torment26 her? Why had he spoken to her that way, knowing as he must that a woman of her kind is an outcast, and cannot change the manner of life that makes her so? Was he perhaps a lunatic, who took pleasure in doing her harm? Her head swam with all these questions and uncertainties28. Then again at times she reproached herself for having driven Monsalvat away. How happy it made her even to remember that he had thought they might be friends!
Meanwhile Nacha was living on the money she had raised by pawning29 a few jewels. She was sorry now not to have accepted the sum Arnedo had offered her. Why so many scruples30 about accepting money? They became her strangely! Mlle. Dupont required payment in advance; so that she had had to part with a small brooch on the very day of her arrival in the boarding house. The jewels she still possessed31 were of a very modest sort and would scarcely provide her with means for even a month.
When she left Arnedo's apartment it was not with the intention of trying to lead a decent life. Convinced that she could not help being what she was, she had resolved to go on making a living as before. But now two things held her back; the memory of Monsalvat, and her regard for Mlle. Dupont. Never, while in that house, could she fall short of her "Mademoiselle's" ideals! The Frenchwoman's eloquence32 on the subject of "character" had impressed her. She felt the charm and the tranquillity33 of living respectably; and it was not merely the happy freedom from remorse34 which soothed35 her: the decency36 within her seemed, at last, to have found a home.
More helpful than anything else, however, was the thought of Monsalvat. In spite of her apparent evasion37, he had conquered her, leaving on her spirit an ineffaceable imprint38. Simply remembering him made it impossible for her to take up again her shameful39 profession; and when, hard pressed by need of money, or by habit of mind, she thought of yielding, Monsalvat's image appearing before her, imperious yet kind, strengthened her impulse to resist.
A month and a half passed while Nacha lived on in a beclouded dream, completely inactive. She got up at eleven, lunched with the other boarders, spent the afternoon in an easy chair, dreaming, reading, letting her somewhat indolent imagination wander; or she would lend herself to confidential40 chats with "Mademoiselle." She almost never went out. In the evening, after dinner, she joined the other boarders at their card games, and then went to bed late.
She did not care to call on her friends, for fear they would drop in to see her and compromise her with "Mademoiselle." Sometimes she thought she would go out to try to discover Monsalvat's whereabouts; but she knew nothing of his occupations, his associates, or the places he frequented. She felt certain that his being in the cabaret was quite accidental, and that, as he could scarcely hope to see her there, he would never go back.
She had spoken of him with some of the other people in the house, but they knew nothing she did not already know. One of them mentioned having read an article of Monsalvat's in the Patria, and Nacha telephoned to the newspaper office to ask for Monsalvat's address. However, no one there knew it.
On the few occasions when Nacha went out it was with Mlle. Dupont. One afternoon the latter insisted on Nacha's accompanying her to a "meeting." Nacha, curious, and eager for diversion, accepted the invitation, and together, they drove to a house in Independence Street. On the door Nacha saw a sign bearing a proper name and under it the legend "Happiness taught here." Beyond this door, in a room of small size, were several benches and chairs, occupied by a scattering41 of people. An individual, who looked like a Gypsy, was standing42 before this audience addressing it. Just as Nacha and Mlle. Dupont came in, he gave the order "Grand Chain!" and Nacha could not help laughing at this reminiscence of a country dance. "Mademoiselle" looked solemn reproof43 at her. The participants in the performance, men and women, as soon as they heard these words, took hold of hands and stood in a circle until the Gypsy-like performer, with a sanctimonious44 air, announced that "the spirit" had taken possession of him. One of the audience asked the spirit several questions, which the man answered in a faint, doleful, ghostly voice that seemed to come from beyond the tomb. When the questions were disposed of, Nacha, who had been frightened at first, wanted to speak with Riga. If she could only ask him what she should do! but she did not dare. Besides it was late and the man announced that the séance was over.
After their return to the house Nacha and Mlle. Dupont could talk of nothing but the spiritualist meeting. Mademoiselle was a fervent45 believer in all such manifestations46, which did not prevent her being an extremely devout47 Catholic, and the esteemed48 friend of some French priests who frequently called upon her. Nacha inquired of "Mademoiselle" if spirits knew everything.
"Ah, mais oui! Everything—the past, the future, what one ought to do—they can tell you everything, ma, chère!"
"Oh, much better, cards sometimes lie, but spirits, never, ma petite, never! How could a spirit lie! Mais ce n'est pas possible, mon amour!"
Nacha liked to have her fortune read from cards at frequent intervals50. Now she thought she would prefer to talk with Riga, the "professor of happiness" acting51 as medium. Riga would not lie to her. Nevertheless, on the two or three other occasions when she went to a spiritualist séance she had not the courage to ask that Riga's spirit be summoned. It was not so much shyness nor shame which held her back, as fear—Riga would be sure to reproach her for her manner of living....
But one day a strange thing happened! Nacha unwittingly came upon Mlle. Dupont in circumstances so compromising to that lady that Nacha, confused, and distressed52, thought only of relieving her friend's embarrassment53. Nothing, thought Nacha, but her entire confidence could show Mlle. Dupont that she still held her in high regard. So, swayed by a generous impulse, she told her hostess the story of her own life. And when she had done so Mlle. Dupont turned upon her with a request for the month's rent!
Another crumbled54 illusion! Nacha wept bitterly over its ruins. It was faith in this woman's strength which had helped her all this while to resist despair; now she had lost the only refuge she knew in the whole world; and tomorrow she would lose what would cost her more than either of these: she would lose hope in herself. She would have to go back to the world which had doomed55 her to a disreputable life, which would allow her to live no other....
She decided56, however, before taking any other measure to meet Mlle. Dupont's demands for money, to call on Torres for help. But, the next day, early in the morning, the servant told her that one of the priests who frequently called on Mlle. Dupont wanted to speak to her. Nacha went to the parlor57. Father Duchaine, round of figure and of face, sat there waiting for her. His gestures too were round, as were his short fat fingers; and he spoke27 with a round little mouth. Nacha did not conceal58 her astonishment59 at this unexpected call.
"Mademoiselle, the fact is...."
He stood, apparently60 searching for words with which to state the fact, gazing at the floor, placing his right hand on his mouth, and taking it away when his meaning required the elucidation61 of a circle described by a fat arm in the air.
"You know Mademoiselle! Such a saint! Her parents, although they were not Catholics, were good people, God-fearing, virtue62-loving. Providence63 was watching over our dear Mademoiselle! When they died, her aunt, a good religious woman, took her to live with her; and in this aunt's house Mademoiselle became a convert."
Nacha, gazing wide-eyed at the priest, wondered what this was all about.
"Well, you know, you understand of course—in short, it seems that your life has not been exactly—what can I say—exemplary! Perhaps I am not clear.... You know, you understand, that in this house ... where ... how shall I put it?..."
His eyes rolled upward, and he wriggled64 in search of elusive65 phrases. His arm beat the air when suddenly the desired words slipped into place, and beaming, he exclaimed, "where virtue is crystal pure! You see that you ... with your way of living ... and no ... that is to say ... well, it really will not do for you to remain here!..."
"You mean, she is putting me out of the house!" exclaimed Nacha, with indignation.
"Ah!... You understand.... Yes, you understand—precisely!..."
"Very well, I shall go today. Now be so kind as to leave me."
The priest made a well rounded bow, and went out. Scarcely had he set foot in the hall than he returned, for he had heard Nacha calling him.
"You wish...?"
Nacha had for a moment thought of throwing more light on the "crystal pure" virtue to which the priest had alluded66. She would have enjoyed the relief of striking out once at least at the perversity67 and hypocrisy68 her landlady represented....
"What is it, se?orita?"
But Nacha suddenly felt that such vengeance69 was a small piece of business. No, it was not in her to be petty in this fashion! Let this woman put her out on the street; let her tell her priests what Nacha had told her in confidence in order to console her; let her do what she would! She, at least, Nacha Regules, could not betray to anyone what she had promised never to reveal!
"Nothing, Father! Leave me, please!"
She went to her room, dressed as carefully as the day before, and went out to the street. There she took a passing taxi, giving the chauffeur70 the address of a boarding house in Lavalle Street. She would never be asked if her past life had been "exemplary" before being admitted to lodge71 in this house!
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1
landlady
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| n.女房东，女地主 | |
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amiability
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| n.和蔼可亲的，亲切的，友善的 | |
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kindliness
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| n.厚道，亲切，友好的行为 | |
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punctilious
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| adj.谨慎的，谨小慎微的 | |
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endearment
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| n.表示亲爱的行为 | |
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enchanting
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| a.讨人喜欢的 | |
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exquisite
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| adj.精美的；敏锐的；剧烈的，感觉强烈的 | |
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worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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compassion
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| n.同情，怜悯 | |
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prodigal
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| adj.浪费的，挥霍的，放荡的 | |
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amenities
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| n.令人愉快的事物；礼仪；礼节；便利设施；礼仪( amenity的名词复数 )；便利设施；（环境等的）舒适；（性情等的）愉快 | |
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eyebrows
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| 眉毛( eyebrow的名词复数 ) | |
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eulogistic
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| adj.颂扬的，颂词的 | |
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professed
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| 公开声称的，伪称的，已立誓信教的 | |
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constrained
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| adj.束缚的,节制的 | |
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admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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vice
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| n.坏事；恶习；[pl.]台钳，老虎钳；adj.副的 | |
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hovered
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| 鸟( hover的过去式和过去分词 )； 靠近（某事物）； （人）徘徊； 犹豫 | |
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miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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deception
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| n.欺骗，欺诈；骗局，诡计 | |
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eloquent
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| adj.雄辩的，口才流利的；明白显示出的 | |
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justified
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| a.正当的，有理的 | |
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incurring
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| 遭受，招致，引起( incur的现在分词 ) | |
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livelihood
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| n.生计，谋生之道 | |
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loathsome
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| adj.讨厌的，令人厌恶的 | |
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torment
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| n.折磨；令人痛苦的东西(人)；vt.折磨；纠缠 | |
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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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uncertainties
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| 无把握( uncertainty的名词复数 )； 不确定； 变化不定； 无把握、不确定的事物 | |
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pawning
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| v.典当，抵押( pawn的现在分词 )；以（某事物）担保 | |
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scruples
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| 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 ) | |
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possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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eloquence
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| n.雄辩；口才，修辞 | |
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tranquillity
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| n. 平静, 安静 | |
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remorse
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| n.痛恨，悔恨，自责 | |
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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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decency
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| n.体面，得体，合宜，正派，庄重 | |
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evasion
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| n.逃避，偷漏(税) | |
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imprint
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| n.印痕，痕迹；深刻的印象；vt.压印，牢记 | |
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shameful
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| adj.可耻的，不道德的 | |
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confidential
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| adj.秘（机）密的，表示信任的，担任机密工作的 | |
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scattering
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| n.[物]散射；散乱，分散；在媒介质中的散播adj.散乱的；分散在不同范围的；广泛扩散的；（选票）数量分散的v.散射(scatter的ing形式)；散布；驱散 | |
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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
reproof
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| n.斥责，责备 | |
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sanctimonious
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| adj.假装神圣的，假装虔诚的，假装诚实的 | |
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fervent
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| adj.热的，热烈的，热情的 | |
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manifestations
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| n.表示，显示（manifestation的复数形式） | |
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devout
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| adj.虔诚的，虔敬的，衷心的 (n.devoutness) | |
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esteemed
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| adj.受人尊敬的v.尊敬( esteem的过去式和过去分词 )；敬重；认为；以为 | |
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49
tellers
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| n.（银行）出纳员( teller的名词复数 )；（投票时的）计票员；讲故事等的人；讲述者 | |
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50
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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51
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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distressed
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| 痛苦的 | |
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embarrassment
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| n.尴尬；使人为难的人(事物)；障碍；窘迫 | |
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54
crumbled
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| （把…）弄碎， （使）碎成细屑( crumble的过去式和过去分词 )； 衰落； 坍塌； 损坏 | |
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doomed
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| 命定的 | |
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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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parlor
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| n.店铺，营业室；会客室，客厅 | |
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conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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elucidation
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| n.说明，阐明 | |
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virtue
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| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
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providence
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| n.深谋远虑，天道，天意；远见；节约；上帝 | |
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wriggled
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| v.扭动，蠕动，蜿蜒行进( wriggle的过去式和过去分词 )；（使身体某一部位）扭动；耍滑不做，逃避（应做的事等） | |
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elusive
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| adj.难以表达(捉摸)的；令人困惑的；逃避的 | |
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alluded
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| 提及，暗指( allude的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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perversity
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| n.任性；刚愎自用 | |
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hypocrisy
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| n.伪善，虚伪 | |
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vengeance
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| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
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70
chauffeur
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| n.(受雇于私人或公司的)司机；v.为…开车 | |
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71
lodge
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| v.临时住宿，寄宿，寄存，容纳；n.传达室，小旅馆 | |
参考例句： |
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