Madame Raquin had formerly1 been a mercer at Vernon. For close upon five-and-twenty years, she had kept a small shop in that town. A few years after the death of her husband, becoming subject to fits of faintness, she sold her business. Her savings2 added to the price of this sale placed a capital of 40,000 francs in her hand which she invested so that it brought her in an income of 2,000 francs a year. This sum amply sufficed for her requirements. She led the life of a recluse3. Ignoring the poignant4 joys and cares of this world, she arranged for herself a tranquil5 existence of peace and happiness.
At an annual rental6 of 400 francs she took a small house with a garden descending7 to the edge of the Seine. This enclosed, quiet residence vaguely8 recalled the cloister9. It stood in the centre of large fields, and was approached by a narrow path. The windows of the dwelling10 opened to the river and to the solitary11 hillocks on the opposite bank. The good lady, who had passed the half century, shut herself up in this solitary retreat, where along with her son Camille and her niece Therese, she partook of serene12 joy.
Although Camille was then twenty, his mother continued to spoil him like a little child. She adored him because she had shielded him from death, throughout a tedious childhood of constant suffering. The boy contracted every fever, every imaginable malady13, one after the other. Madame Raquin struggled for fifteen years against these terrible evils, which arrived in rapid succession to tear her son away from her. She vanquished15 them all by patience, care, and adoration16. Camille having grown up, rescued from death, had contracted a shiver from the torture of the repeated shocks he had undergone. Arrested in his growth, he remained short and delicate. His long, thin limbs moved slowly and wearily. But his mother loved him all the more on account of this weakness that arched his back. She observed his thin, pale face with triumphant17 tenderness when she thought of how she had brought him back to life more than ten times over.
During the brief spaces of repose18 that his sufferings allowed him, the child attended a commercial school at Vernon. There he learned orthography19 and arithmetic. His science was limited to the four rules, and a very superficial knowledge of grammar. Later on, he took lessons in writing and bookkeeping. Madame Raquin began to tremble when advised to send her son to college. She knew he would die if separated from her, and she said the books would kill him. So Camille remained ignorant, and this ignorance seemed to increase his weakness.
At eighteen, having nothing to do, bored to death at the delicate attention of his mother, he took a situation as clerk with a linen20 merchant, where he earned 60 francs a month. Being of a restless nature idleness proved unbearable21. He found greater calm and better health in this labour of a brute22 which kept him bent23 all day long over invoices24, over enormous additions, each figure of which he patiently added up. At night, broken down with fatigue25, without an idea in his head, he enjoyed infinite delight in the doltishness26 that settled on him. He had to quarrel with his mother to go with the dealer27 in linen. She wanted to keep him always with her, between a couple of blankets, far from the accidents of life.
But the young man spoke28 as master. He claimed work as children claim toys, not from a feeling of duty, but by instinct, by a necessity of nature. The tenderness, the devotedness29 of his mother had instilled30 into him an egotism that was ferocious31. He fancied he loved those who pitied and caressed32 him; but, in reality, he lived apart, within himself, loving naught33 but his comfort, seeking by all possible means to increase his enjoyment34. When the tender affection of Madame Raquin disgusted him, he plunged35 with delight into a stupid occupation that saved him from infusions37 and potions.
In the evening, on his return from the office, he ran to the bank of the Seine with his cousin Therese who was then close upon eighteen. One day, sixteen years previously38, while Madame Raquin was still a mercer, her brother Captain Degans brought her a little girl in his arms. He had just arrived from Algeria.
"Here is a child," said he with a smile, "and you are her aunt. The mother is dead and I don't know what to do with her. I'll give her to you."
The mercer took the child, smiled at her and kissed her rosy39 cheeks. Although Degans remained a week at Vernon, his sister barely put a question to him concerning the little girl he had brought her. She understood vaguely that the dear little creature was born at Oran, and that her mother was a woman of the country of great beauty. The Captain, an hour before his departure, handed his sister a certificate of birth in which Therese, acknowledged by him to be his child, bore his name. He rejoined his regiment40, and was never seen again at Vernon, being killed a few years later in Africa.
Therese grew up under the fostering care of her aunt, sleeping in the same bed as Camille. She who had an iron constitution, received the treatment of a delicate child, partaking of the same medicine as her cousin, and kept in the warm air of the room occupied by the invalid41. For hours she remained crouching42 over the fire, in thought, watching the flames before her, without lowering her eyelids43.
This obligatory44 life of a convalescent caused her to retire within herself. She got into the habit of talking in a low voice, of moving about noiselessly, of remaining mute and motionless on a chair with expressionless, open eyes. But, when she raised an arm, when she advanced a foot, it was easy to perceive that she possessed45 feline46 suppleness48, short, potent49 muscles, and that unmistakable energy and passion slumbered50 in her soporous frame. Her cousin having fallen down one day in a fainting fit, she abruptly51 picked him up and carried him--an effort of strength that turned her cheeks scarlet52. The cloistered53 life she led, the debilitating54 regimen to which she found herself subjected, failed to weaken her thin, robust55 form. Only her face took a pale, and even a slightly yellowish tint56, making her look almost ugly in the shade. Ever and anon she went to the window, and contemplated57 the opposite houses on which the sun threw sheets of gold.
When Madame Raquin sold her business, and withdrew to the little place beside the river, Therese experienced secret thrills of joy. Her aunt had so frequently repeated to her: "Don't make a noise; be quiet," that she kept all the impetuosity of her nature carefully concealed58 within her. She possessed supreme59 composure, and an apparent tranquillity60 that masked terrible transports. She still fancied herself in the room of her cousin, beside a dying child, and had the softened61 movements, the periods of silence, the placidity62, the faltering63 speech of an old woman.
When she saw the garden, the clear river, the vast green hillocks ascending64 on the horizon, she felt a savage65 desire to run and shout. She felt her heart thumping66 fit to burst in her bosom67; but not a muscle of her face moved, and she merely smiled when her aunt inquired whether she was pleased with her new home.
Life now became more pleasant for her. She maintained her supple47 gait, her calm, indifferent countenance68, she remained the child brought up in the bed of an invalid; but inwardly she lived a burning, passionate69 existence. When alone on the grass beside the water, she would lie down flat on her stomach like an animal, her black eyes wide open, her body writhing70, ready to spring. And she stayed there for hours, without a thought, scorched71 by the sun, delighted at being able to thrust her fingers in the earth. She had the most ridiculous dreams; she looked at the roaring river in defiance72, imagining that the water was about to leap on her and attack her. Then she became rigid73, preparing for the defence, and angrily inquiring of herself how she could vanquish14 the torrent74.
At night, Therese, appeased75 and silent, stitched beside her aunt, with a countenance that seemed to be dozing76 in the gleam that softly glided77 from beneath the lamp shade. Camille buried in an armchair thought of his additions. A word uttered in a low voice, alone disturbed, at moments, the peacefulness of this drowsy78 home.
Madame Raquin observed her children with serene benevolence79. She had resolved to make them husband and wife. She continued to treat her son as if he were at death's door; and she trembled when she happened to reflect that she would one day die herself, and would leave him alone and suffering. In that contingency80, she relied on Therese, saying to herself that the young girl would be a vigilant81 guardian82 beside Camille. Her niece with her tranquil manner, and mute devotedness, inspired her with unlimited83 confidence. She had seen Therese at work, and wished to give her to her son as a guardian angel. This marriage was a solution to the matter, foreseen and settled in her mind.
The children knew for a long time that they were one day to marry. They had grown up with this idea, which had thus become familiar and natural to them. The union was spoken of in the family as a necessary and positive thing. Madame Raquin had said:
"We will wait until Therese is one-and-twenty."
And they waited patiently, without excitement, and without a blush.
Camille, whose blood had become impoverished84 by illness, had remained a little boy in the eyes of his cousin. He kissed her as he kissed his mother, by habit, without losing any of his egotistic tranquillity. He looked upon her as an obliging comrade who helped him to amuse himself, and who, if occasion offered, prepared him an infusion36. When playing with her, when he held her in his arms, it was as if he had a boy to deal with. He experienced no thrill, and at these moments the idea had never occurred to him of planting a warm kiss on her lips as she struggled with a nervous laugh to free herself.
The girl also seemed to have remained cold and indifferent. At times her great eyes rested on Camille and fixedly85 gazed at him with sovereign calm. On such occasions her lips alone made almost imperceptible little motions. Nothing could be read on her expressionless countenance, which an inexorable will always maintained gentle and attentive87. Therese became grave when the conversation turned to her marriage, contenting herself with approving all that Madame Raquin said by a sign of the head. Camille went to sleep.
On summer evenings, the two young people ran to the edge of the water. Camille, irritated at the incessant88 attentions of his mother, at times broke out in open revolt. He wished to run about and make himself ill, to escape the fondling that disgusted him. He would then drag Therese along with him, provoking her to wrestle89, to roll in the grass. One day, having pushed his cousin down, the young girl bounded to her feet with all the savageness90 of a wild beast, and, with flaming face and bloodshot eyes, fell upon him with clenched91 fists. Camille in fear sank to the ground.
Months and years passed by, and at length the day fixed86 for the marriage arrived. Madame Raquin took Therese apart, spoke to her of her father and mother, and related to her the story of her birth. The young girl listened to her aunt, and when she had finished speaking, kissed her, without answering a word.
At night, Therese, instead of going into her own room, which was on the left of the staircase, entered that of her cousin which was on the right. This was all the change that occurred in her mode of life. The following day, when the young couple came downstairs, Camille had still his sickly languidness, his righteous tranquillity of an egotist. Therese still maintained her gentle indifference92, and her restrained expression of frightful93 calmness.
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1
formerly
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| adv.从前，以前 | |
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savings
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| n.存款，储蓄 | |
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recluse
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| n.隐居者 | |
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poignant
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| adj.令人痛苦的，辛酸的，惨痛的 | |
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tranquil
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| adj. 安静的, 宁静的, 稳定的, 不变的 | |
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rental
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| n.租赁，出租，出租业 | |
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descending
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| n. 下行 adj. 下降的 | |
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vaguely
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| adv.含糊地，暖昧地 | |
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cloister
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| n.修道院；v.隐退，使与世隔绝 | |
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dwelling
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| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
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solitary
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| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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serene
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| adj. 安详的，宁静的，平静的 | |
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malady
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| n.病，疾病(通常做比喻) | |
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vanquish
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| v.征服，战胜；克服；抑制 | |
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vanquished
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| v.征服( vanquish的过去式和过去分词 )；战胜；克服；抑制 | |
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adoration
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| n.爱慕，崇拜 | |
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triumphant
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| adj.胜利的，成功的；狂欢的，喜悦的 | |
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repose
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| v.(使)休息；n.安息 | |
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orthography
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| n.拼字法，拼字式 | |
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linen
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| n.亚麻布，亚麻线，亚麻制品；adj.亚麻布制的，亚麻的 | |
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unbearable
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| adj.不能容忍的；忍受不住的 | |
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brute
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| n.野兽，兽性 | |
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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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invoices
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| 发票( invoice的名词复数 )； （发货或服务）费用清单； 清单上货物的装运； 货物的托运 | |
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25
fatigue
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| n.疲劳，劳累 | |
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doltishness
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| doltishness' S | |
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dealer
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| n.商人，贩子 | |
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28
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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29
devotedness
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30
instilled
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| v.逐渐使某人获得（某种可取的品质），逐步灌输( instill的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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ferocious
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| adj.凶猛的，残暴的，极度的，十分强烈的 | |
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caressed
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| 爱抚或抚摸…( caress的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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naught
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| n.无，零 [=nought] | |
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enjoyment
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| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
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plunged
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| v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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infusion
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| n.灌输 | |
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infusions
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| n.沏或泡成的浸液（如茶等）( infusion的名词复数 )；注入，注入物 | |
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previously
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| adv.以前，先前（地） | |
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rosy
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| adj.美好的，乐观的，玫瑰色的 | |
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regiment
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| n.团，多数，管理；v.组织，编成团，统制 | |
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invalid
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| n.病人，伤残人；adj.有病的，伤残的；无效的 | |
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42
crouching
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| v.屈膝，蹲伏( crouch的现在分词 ) | |
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43
eyelids
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| n.眼睑( eyelid的名词复数 )；眼睛也不眨一下；不露声色；面不改色 | |
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obligatory
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| adj.强制性的，义务的，必须的 | |
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possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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feline
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| adj.猫科的 | |
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47
supple
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| adj.柔软的，易弯的，逢迎的，顺从的，灵活的；vt.使柔软，使柔顺，使顺从；vi.变柔软，变柔顺 | |
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suppleness
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| 柔软； 灵活； 易弯曲； 顺从 | |
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potent
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| adj.强有力的，有权势的；有效力的 | |
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slumbered
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| 微睡，睡眠（slumber的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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52
scarlet
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| n.深红色，绯红色，红衣；adj.绯红色的 | |
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53
cloistered
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| adj.隐居的，躲开尘世纷争的v.隐退，使与世隔绝( cloister的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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54
debilitating
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| a.使衰弱的 | |
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robust
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| adj.强壮的，强健的，粗野的，需要体力的，浓的 | |
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tint
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| n.淡色，浅色；染发剂；vt.着以淡淡的颜色 | |
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contemplated
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| adj. 预期的 动词contemplate的过去分词形式 | |
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58
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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supreme
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| adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的 | |
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60
tranquillity
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| n. 平静, 安静 | |
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61
softened
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| （使）变软( soften的过去式和过去分词 )； 缓解打击； 缓和； 安慰 | |
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placidity
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| n.平静，安静，温和 | |
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faltering
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| 犹豫的，支吾的，蹒跚的 | |
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ascending
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| adj.上升的，向上的 | |
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savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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thumping
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| adj.重大的，巨大的；重击的；尺码大的；极好的adv.极端地；非常地v.重击(thump的现在分词)；狠打；怦怦地跳；全力支持 | |
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bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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passionate
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，激昂的，易动情的，易怒的，性情暴躁的 | |
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writhing
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| （因极度痛苦而）扭动或翻滚( writhe的现在分词 ) | |
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scorched
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| 烧焦，烤焦( scorch的过去式和过去分词 )； 使（植物）枯萎，把…晒枯； 高速行驶； 枯焦 | |
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defiance
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| n.挑战，挑衅，蔑视，违抗 | |
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rigid
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| adj.严格的，死板的；刚硬的，僵硬的 | |
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torrent
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| n.激流，洪流；爆发，(话语等的)连发 | |
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appeased
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| 安抚，抚慰( appease的过去式和过去分词 )； 绥靖（满足另一国的要求以避免战争） | |
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dozing
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| v.打瞌睡,假寐 n.瞌睡 | |
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glided
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| v.滑动( glide的过去式和过去分词 )；掠过；（鸟或飞机 ） 滑翔 | |
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drowsy
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| adj.昏昏欲睡的，令人发困的 | |
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benevolence
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| n.慈悲，捐助 | |
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contingency
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| n.意外事件，可能性 | |
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vigilant
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| adj.警觉的，警戒的，警惕的 | |
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82
guardian
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| n.监护人；守卫者，保护者 | |
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83
unlimited
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| adj.无限的，不受控制的，无条件的 | |
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84
impoverished
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| adj.穷困的，无力的，用尽了的v.使（某人）贫穷( impoverish的过去式和过去分词 )；使（某物）贫瘠或恶化 | |
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85
fixedly
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| adv.固定地；不屈地，坚定不移地 | |
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86
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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87
attentive
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| adj.注意的，专心的；关心(别人)的，殷勤的 | |
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88
incessant
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| adj.不停的，连续的 | |
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89
wrestle
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| vi.摔跤，角力；搏斗；全力对付 | |
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90
savageness
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| 天然，野蛮 | |
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91
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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92
indifference
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| n.不感兴趣，不关心，冷淡，不在乎 | |
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93
frightful
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| adj.可怕的；讨厌的 | |
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