In the morning, Laurent and Therese, awoke in their respective rooms, with the same feeling of profound joy in their hearts: both said to themselves that their last night of terror had passed. They would no longer have to sleep alone, and they would mutually defend themselves against the drowned man.
Therese looked around her, giving a strange smile as she measured her great bed with her eyes. She rose and began to slowly dress herself, in anticipation1 of the arrival of Suzanne, who was to come and assist her with her bridal toilet.
Laurent, on awakening2, sat up in bed, and remained in that position for a few minutes, bidding farewell to his garret, which struck him as vile3. At last he was to quit this kennel4 and have a wife. It was in the month of December and he shivered. He sprang on the tile floor, saying to himself that he would be warm at night.
A week previously5, Madame Raquin, knowing how short he was of money, had slipped a purse into his hand containing 500 francs, which represented all her savings6. The young man had accepted this present without difficulty, and had rigged himself out from tip to toe. Moreover, the money of the old mercer permitted him to make Therese the customary presents.
The black trousers, dress coat, white waistcoat, shirt and cambric tie, hung spread out on a couple of chairs. Laurent washed, perfumed himself with a bottle of eau de Cologne, and then proceeded to carefully attire7 himself. He wished to look handsome. As he fastened his collar, a collar which was high and stiff, he experienced keen pain in the neck. The button escaped from his fingers. He lost patience. The starched8 linen9 seemed to cut into his flesh. Wishing to see what was the matter, he raised his chin, and perceived the bite Camille had given him looking quite red. The collar had slightly galled10 the scar.
Laurent pressed his lips together, and turned pale; the sight of this mark seaming his neck, frightened and irritated him at this moment. He crumpled11 up the collar, and selected another which he put on with every precaution, and then finished dressing12 himself. As he went downstairs his new clothes made him look rigid13. With his neck imprisoned14 in the inflexible15 linen, he dared not turn his head. At every movement he made, a pleat pinched the wound that the teeth of the drowned man had made in his flesh, and it was under the irritation16 of these sharp pricks17, that he got into the carriage, and went to fetch Therese to conduct her to the town-hall and church.
On the way, he picked up a clerk employed at the Orleans Railway Company, and old Michaud, who were to act as witnesses. When they reached the shop, everyone was ready: Grivet and Olivier, the witnesses of Therese, were there, along with Suzanne, who looked at the bride as little girls look at dolls they have just dressed up. Although Madame Raquin was no longer able to walk, she desired to accompany the couple everywhere, so she was hoisted18 into a conveyance19 and the party set out.
Everything passed off in a satisfactory manner at the town-hall and church. The calm and modest attitude of the bride and bridegroom was remarked and approved. They pronounced the sacramental "yes" with an emotion that moved Grivet himself. They were as if in a dream. Whether seated, or quietly kneeling side by side, they were rent by raging thoughts that flashed through their minds in spite of themselves, and they avoided looking at one another. When they seated themselves in their carriage, they seemed to be greater strangers than before.
It had been decided20 that the wedding feast should be a family affair at a little restaurant on the heights of Belleville. The Michauds and Grivet alone were invited. Until six in the evening, the wedding party drove along the boulevards, and then repaired to the cheap eating-house where a table was spread with seven covers in a small private room painted yellow, and reeking21 of dust and wine.
The repast was not accompanied by much gaiety. The newly married pair were grave and thoughtful. Since the morning, they had been experiencing strange sensations, which they did not seek to fathom22. From the commencement, they had felt bewildered at the rapidity with which the formalities and ceremony were performed, that had just bound them together for ever.
Then, the long drive on the boulevards had soothed23 them and made them drowsy24. It appeared to them that this drive lasted months. Nevertheless, they allowed themselves to be taken through the monotonous25 streets without displaying impatience26, looking at the shops and people with sparkless eyes, overcome by a numbness27 that made them feel stupid, and which they endeavoured to shake off by bursting into fits of laughter. When they entered the restaurant, they were weighed down by oppressive fatigue28, while increasing stupor29 continued to settle on them.
Placed at table opposite one another, they smiled with an air of constraint30, and then fell into the same heavy reverie as before, eating, answering questions, moving their limbs like machines. Amidst the idle lassitude of their minds, the same string of flying thoughts returned ceaselessly. They were married, and yet unconscious of their new condition, which caused them profound astonishment31. They imagined an abyss still separated them, and at moments asked themselves how they could get over this unfathomable depth. They fancied they were living previous to the murder, when a material obstacle stood between them.
Then they abruptly32 remembered they would occupy the same apartment that night, in a few hours, and they gazed at one another in astonishment, unable to comprehend why they should be permitted to do so. They did not feel they were united, but, on the contrary, were dreaming that they had just been violently separated, and one cast far from the other.
The silly chuckling33 of the guests beside them, who wished to hear them talk familiarly, so as to dispel34 all restraint, made them stammer35 and colour. They could never make up their minds to treat one another as sweethearts in the presence of company.
Waiting had extinguished the flame that had formerly36 fired them. All the past had disappeared. They had forgotten their violent passion, they forgot even their joy of the morning, that profound joy they had experienced at the thought that they would no more be afraid. They were simply wearied and bewildered at all that was taking place. The events of the day turned round and round in their heads, appearing incomprehensible and monstrous37. They sat there mute and smiling, expecting nothing, hoping for nothing. Mingled38 with their dejection of spirits, was a restless anxiety that proved vaguely39 painful.
At every movement Laurent made with his neck, he felt a sharp burn devouring40 his flesh; his collar cut and pinched the bite of Camille. While the mayor read out to him the law bearing on marriage, while the priest spoke41 to him of the Almighty42, at every minute of this long day, he had felt the teeth of the drowned man entering his skin. At times, he imagined a streak43 of blood was running down his chest, and would bespatter his white waistcoat with crimson44.
Madame Raquin was inwardly grateful to the newly married couple for their gravity. Noisy joy would have wounded the poor mother. In her mind, her son was there, invisible, handing Therese over to Laurent.
Grivet had other ideas. He considered the wedding party sad, and wanted to enliven it, notwithstanding the looks of Michaud and Olivier which riveted45 him to his chair each time he wished to get up and say something silly. Nevertheless, he managed to rise once and propose a toast.
It was necessary to touch glasses. Therese and Laurent had turned extremely pale on hearing this sentence. They had never dreamed that they might have children. The thought flashed through them like an icy shiver. They nervously47 joined glasses with the others, examining one another, surprised and alarmed to find themselves there, face to face.
The party rose from table early. The guests wished to accompany the newly married pair to the nuptial48 chamber49. It was barely half-past nine when they all returned to the shop in the arcade50. The dealer51 in imitation jewelry52 was still there in her cupboard, before the box lined with blue velvet53. She raised her head inquisitively54, gazing at the young husband and wife with a smile. The latter caught her eyes, and was terrified. It struck her that perhaps this old woman was aware of their former meetings, by having noticed Laurent slipping into the little corridor.
When they all arrived on the upper floor, Therese withdrew almost immediately, with Madame Raquin and Suzanne, the men remaining in the dining-room, while the bride performed her toilet for the night. Laurent, nerveless and depressed55, did not experience the least impatience, but listened complacently56 to the coarse jokes of old Michaud and Grivet, who indulged themselves to their hearts' content, now that the ladies were no longer present. When Suzanne and Madame Raquin quitted the nuptial apartment, and the old mercer in an unsteady voice told the young man that his wife awaited him, he started. For an instant he remained bewildered. Then he feverishly57 grasped the hands extended to him, and entered the room, clinging to the door like a man under the influence of drink.
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
anticipation
|
|
| n.预期，预料，期望 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
awakening
|
|
| n.觉醒，醒悟 adj.觉醒中的；唤醒的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
vile
|
|
| adj.卑鄙的，可耻的，邪恶的；坏透的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
kennel
|
|
| n.狗舍，狗窝 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
previously
|
|
| adv.以前，先前（地） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
savings
|
|
| n.存款，储蓄 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
attire
|
|
| v.穿衣，装扮[同]array；n.衣着；盛装 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
starched
|
|
| adj.浆硬的，硬挺的，拘泥刻板的v.把（衣服、床单等）浆一浆( starch的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
linen
|
|
| n.亚麻布，亚麻线，亚麻制品；adj.亚麻布制的，亚麻的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
galled
|
|
| v.使…擦痛( gall的过去式和过去分词 )；擦伤；烦扰；侮辱 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
crumpled
|
|
| adj. 弯扭的, 变皱的 动词crumple的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
dressing
|
|
| n.(食物)调料；包扎伤口的用品，敷料 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
rigid
|
|
| adj.严格的，死板的；刚硬的，僵硬的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
imprisoned
|
|
| 下狱，监禁( imprison的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
inflexible
|
|
| adj.不可改变的，不受影响的，不屈服的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
irritation
|
|
| n.激怒，恼怒，生气 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
pricks
|
|
| 刺痛( prick的名词复数 )； 刺孔； 刺痕； 植物的刺 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
hoisted
|
|
| 把…吊起，升起( hoist的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
conveyance
|
|
| n.(不动产等的)转让，让与；转让证书；传送；运送；表达；（正）运输工具 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
decided
|
|
| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
reeking
|
|
| v.发出浓烈的臭气( reek的现在分词 )；散发臭气；发出难闻的气味 (of sth)；明显带有（令人不快或生疑的跡象） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
fathom
|
|
| v.领悟，彻底了解 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
soothed
|
|
| v.安慰( soothe的过去式和过去分词 )；抚慰；使舒服；减轻痛苦 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
drowsy
|
|
| adj.昏昏欲睡的，令人发困的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
monotonous
|
|
| adj.单调的，一成不变的，使人厌倦的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
impatience
|
|
| n.不耐烦，急躁 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
numbness
|
|
| n.无感觉，麻木，惊呆 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
fatigue
|
|
| n.疲劳，劳累 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
stupor
|
|
| v.昏迷；不省人事 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
constraint
|
|
| n.(on)约束，限制；限制(或约束)性的事物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
astonishment
|
|
| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
abruptly
|
|
| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
chuckling
|
|
| 轻声地笑( chuckle的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
dispel
|
|
| vt.驱走，驱散，消除 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
stammer
|
|
| n.结巴，口吃；v.结结巴巴地说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
formerly
|
|
| adv.从前，以前 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
monstrous
|
|
| adj.巨大的；恐怖的；可耻的，丢脸的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
mingled
|
|
| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
vaguely
|
|
| adv.含糊地，暖昧地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
devouring
|
|
| 吞没( devour的现在分词 )； 耗尽； 津津有味地看； 狼吞虎咽地吃光 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
spoke
|
|
| 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 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
almighty
|
|
| adj.全能的，万能的；很大的，很强的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
streak
|
|
| n.条理，斑纹，倾向，少许，痕迹；v.加条纹，变成条纹，奔驰，快速移动 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
crimson
|
|
| n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
riveted
|
|
| 铆接( rivet的过去式和过去分词 )； 把…固定住； 吸引； 引起某人的注意 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
sprightly
|
|
| adj.愉快的，活泼的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
nervously
|
|
| adv.神情激动地，不安地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
nuptial
|
|
| adj.婚姻的，婚礼的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
chamber
|
|
| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
arcade
|
|
| n.拱廊；(一侧或两侧有商店的)通道 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
dealer
|
|
| n.商人，贩子 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
jewelry
|
|
| n.（jewllery）（总称）珠宝 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
velvet
|
|
| n.丝绒，天鹅绒；adj.丝绒制的，柔软的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
inquisitively
|
|
| 过分好奇地； 好问地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
depressed
|
|
| adj.沮丧的，抑郁的，不景气的，萧条的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
complacently
|
|
| adv. 满足地, 自满地, 沾沾自喜地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
feverishly
|
|
| adv. 兴奋地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |