Life had fallen back into something like its accustomed routine with the Delaherches at their house in the Rue1 Maqua after the terrible shock of the capitulation, and for nearly four months the long days had been slowly slipping by under the depressing influence of the Prussian occupation.
There was one corner, however, of the immense structure that was always closed, as if it had no occupant: it was the chamber2 that Colonel de Vineuil still continued to inhabit, at the extreme end of the suite3 where the master and his family spent their daily life. While the other windows were thrown open, affording evidence by sight and sound of the activity that prevailed within, those of that room were dark and lifeless, their blinds invariably drawn4. The colonel had complained that the daylight hurt his eyes; no one knew whether or not this was strictly5 true, but a lamp was kept burning at his bedside day and night to humor him in his fancy. For two long months he had kept his bed, although Major Bouroche asserted there was nothing more serious than a contusion of the ankle and a fragment of bone chipped away; the wound refused to heal and complications of various kinds had ensued. He was able to get up now, but was in such a state of utter mental prostration6, his mysterious ailment7 had taken such firm hold upon his system, that he was content to spend his days in idleness, stretched on a lounge before a great wood fire. He had wasted away until he was little more than a shadow, and still the physician who was attending him could find no lesion to account for that lingering death. He was slowly fading away, like the flame of a lamp in which the supply of oil is giving out.
Mme. Delaherche, the mother, had immured8 herself there with him on the day succeeding the occupation. No doubt they understood each other, and had expressed in two words, once for all, their common purpose to seclude9 themselves in that apartment so long as there should be Prussians quartered in the house. They had afforded compulsory10 hospitality to many of the enemy for various lengths of time; one, a Captain, M. Gartlauben, was there still, had taken up his abode11 with them permanently12. But never since that first day had mention of those things passed the colonel's and the old lady's lips. Notwithstanding her seventy-eight years she was up every morning soon as it was day and came and took her position in the fauteuil that was awaiting her in the chimney nook opposite her old friend. There, by the steady, tranquil14 lamplight, she applied15 herself industriously16 to knitting socks for the children of the poor, while he, his eyes fixed18 on the crumbling20 brands, with no occupation for body or mind, was as one already dead, in a state of constantly increasing stupor21. They certainly did not exchange twenty words in the course of a day; whenever she, who still continued to go about the house at intervals22, involuntarily allowed some bit of news from the outer world to escape her lips, he silenced her with a gesture, so that no tidings of the siege of Paris, the disasters on the Loire and all the daily renewed horrors of the invasion had gained admission there. But the colonel might stop his ears and shut out the light of day as he would in his self-appointed tomb; the air he breathed must have brought him through key-hole and crevices23 intelligence of the calamity24 that was everywhere throughout the land, for every new day beheld25 him sinking, slowly dying, despite his determination not to know the evil news.
While matters were in this condition at one end of the house Delaherche, who was never contented26 unless occupied, was bustling27 about and making attempts to start up his business once more, but what with the disordered condition of the labor29 market and the pecuniary30 embarrassment31 of many among his customers, he had so far only put a few looms32 in motion. Then it occurred to him, as a means of killing33 the time that hung heavy on his hands, to make a complete inventory34 of his business and perfect certain changes and improvements that he had long had in mind. To assist him in his labors35 he had just then at his disposal a young man, the son of an old business acquaintance, who had drifted in on him after the battle. Edmond Lagarde, who, although he was twenty-three years old, would not have been taken for more than eighteen, had grown to man's estate in his father's little dry-goods shop at Passy; he was a sergeant36 in the 5th line regiment37 and had fought with great bravery throughout the campaign, so much so that he had been knocked over near the Minil gate about five o'clock, when the battle was virtually ended, his left arm shattered by one of the last shots fired that day, and Delaherche, when the other wounded were removed from the improvised38 ambulance in the drying room, had good-naturedly received him as an inmate39 of his house. It was under these circumstances that Edmond was now one of the family, having an apartment in the house and taking his meals at the common table, and, now that his wound was healed, acting40 as a sort of secretary to the manufacturer while waiting for a chance to get back to Paris. He had signed a parole binding41 himself not to attempt to leave the city, and owing to this and to his protector's influence the Prussian authorities did not interfere42 with him. He was fair, with blue eyes, and pretty as a woman; so timid withal that his face assumed a beautiful hue43 of rosy44 red whenever anyone spoke45 to him. He had been his mother's darling; she had impoverished46 herself, expending47 all the profits of their little business to send him to college. And he adored Paris and bewailed his compulsory absence from it when talking to Gilberte, did this wounded cherub48, whom the young woman had displayed great good-fellowship in nursing.
Finally, their household had received another addition in the person of M. de Gartlauben, a captain in the German landwehr, whose regiment had been sent to Sedan to supply the place of troops dispatched to service in the field. He was a personage of importance, notwithstanding his comparatively modest rank, for he was nephew to the governor-general, who, from his headquarters at Rheims, exercised unlimited49 power over all the district. He, too, prided himself on having lived at Paris, and seized every occasion ostentatiously to show he was not ignorant of its pleasures and refinements51; concealing53 beneath this film of varnish54 his inborn55 rusticity56, he assumed as well as he was able the polish of one accustomed to good society. His tall, portly form was always tightly buttoned in a close-fitting uniform, and he lied outrageously57 about his age, never being able to bring himself to own up to his forty-five years. Had he had more intelligence he might have made himself an object of greater dread58, but as it was his over-weening vanity, kept him in a continual state of satisfaction with himself, for never could such a thing have entered his mind as that anyone could dare to ridicule59 him.
At a subsequent period he rendered Delaherche services that were of inestimable value. But what days of terror and distress60 were those that followed upon the heels of the capitulation! the city, overrun with German soldiery, trembled in momentary61 dread of pillage62 and conflagration63. Then the armies of the victors streamed away toward the valley of the Seine, leaving behind them only sufficient men to form a garrison64, and the quiet that settled upon the place was that of a necropolis: the houses all closed, the shops shut, the streets deserted65 as soon as night closed in, the silence unbroken save for the hoarse66 cries and heavy tramp of the patrols. No letters or newspapers reached them from the outside world; Sedan was become a dungeon67, where the immured citizens waited in agonized68 suspense69 for the tidings of disaster with which the air was instinct. To render their misery70 complete they were threatened with famine; the city awoke one morning from its slumbers71 to find itself destitute72 of bread and meat and the country roundabout stripped naked, as if a devouring73 swarm74 of locusts75 had passed that way, by the hundreds of thousands of men who for a week past had been pouring along its roads and across its fields in a devastating76 torrent77. There were provisions only for two days, and the authorities were compelled to apply to Belgium for relief; all supplies now came from their neighbors across the frontier, whence the customs guards had disappeared, swept away like all else in the general cataclysm78. Finally there were never-ending vexations and annoyances79, a conflict that commenced to rage afresh each morning between the Prussian governor and his underlings, quartered at the Sous-Prefecture, and the Municipal Council, which was in permanent session at the Hotel de Ville. It was all in vain that the city fathers fought like heroes, discussing, objecting, protesting, contesting the ground inch by inch; the inhabitants had to succumb81 to the exactions that constantly became more burdensome, to the whims83 and unreasonableness84 of the stronger.
In the beginning Delaherche suffered great tribulation85 from the officers and soldiers who were billeted on him. It seemed as if representatives from every nationality on the face of the globe presented themselves at his door, pipe in mouth. Not a day passed but there came tumbling in upon the city two or three thousand men, horse, foot and dragoons, and although they were by rights entitled to nothing more than shelter and firing, it was often found expedient86 to send out in haste and get them provisions. The rooms they occupied were left in a shockingly filthy87 condition. It was not an infrequent occurrence that the officers came in drunk and made themselves even more obnoxious88 than their men. Such strict discipline was maintained, however, that instances of violence and marauding were rare; in all Sedan there were but two cases reported of outrages89 committed on women. It was not until a later period, when Paris displayed such stubbornness in her resistance, that, exasperated90 by the length to which the struggle was protracted91, alarmed by the attitude of the provinces and fearing a general rising of the populace, the savage92 war which the francs-tireurs had inaugurated, they laid the full weight of their heavy hand upon the suffering people.
Delaherche had just had an experience with a lodger93 who had been quartered on him, a captain of cuirassiers, who made a practice of going to bed with his boots on and when he went away left his apartment in an unmentionably filthy condition, when in the last half of September Captain de Gartlauben came to his door one evening when it was raining in torrents94. The first hour he was there did not promise well for the pleasantness of their future relations; he carried matters with a high hand, insisting that he should be given the best bedroom, trailing the scabbard of his sword noisily up the marble staircase; but encountering Gilberte in the corridor he drew in his horns, bowed politely, and passed stiffly on. He was courted with great obsequiousness95, for everyone was well aware that a word from him to the colonel commanding the post of Sedan would suffice to mitigate96 a requisition or secure the release of a friend or relative. It was not very long since his uncle, the governor-general at Rheims, had promulgated97 a particularly detestable and cold-blooded order, proclaiming martial98 law and decreeing the penalty of death to whomsoever should give aid and comfort to the enemy, whether by acting for them as a spy, by leading astray German troops that had been entrusted99 to their guidance, by destroying bridges and artillery100, or by damaging the railroads and telegraph lines. The enemy meant the French, of course, and the citizens scowled101 and involuntarily doubled their fists as they read the great white placard nailed against the door of post headquarters which attributed to them as a crime their best and most sacred aspirations102. It was so hard, too, to have to receive their intelligence of German victories through the cheering of the garrison! Hardly a day passed over their heads that they were spared this bitter humiliation103; the soldiers would light great fires and sit around them, feasting and drinking all night long, while the townspeople, who were not allowed to be in the streets after nine o'clock, listened to the tumult104 from the depths of their darkened houses, crazed with suspense, wondering what new catastrophe105 had befallen. It was on one of these occasions, somewhere about the middle of October, that M. de Gartlauben for the first time proved himself to be possessed106 of some delicacy107 of feeling. Sedan had been jubilant all that day with renewed hopes, for there was a rumor108 that the army of the Loire, then marching to the relief of Paris, had gained a great victory; but how many times before had the best of news been converted into tidings of disaster! and sure enough, early in the evening it became known for certain that the Bavarians had taken Orleans. Some soldiers had collected in a house across the way from the factory in the Rue Maqua, and were so boisterous109 in their rejoicings that the Captain, noticing Gilberte's annoyance80, went and silenced them, remarking that he himself thought their uproar110 ill-timed.
Toward the close of the month M. de Gartlauben was in position to render some further trifling111 services. The Prussian authorities, in the course of sundry112 administrative113 reforms inaugurated by them, had appointed a German Sous-Prefect, and although this step did not put an end to the exactions to which the city was subjected, the new official showed himself to be comparatively reasonable. One of the most frequent among the causes of difference that were constantly springing up between the officers of the post and the municipal council was that which arose from the custom of requisitioning carriages for the use of the staff, and there was a great hullaballoo raised one morning that Delaherche failed to send his caleche and pair to the Sous-Prefecture: the mayor was arrested and the manufacturer would have gone to keep him company up in the citadel114 had it not been for M. de Gartlauben, who promptly115 quelled116 the rising storm. Another day he secured a stay of proceedings117 for the city, which had been mulcted in the sum of thirty thousand francs to punish it for its alleged118 dilatoriness119 in rebuilding the bridge of Villette, a bridge that the Prussians themselves had destroyed: a disastrous120 piece of business that was near being the ruin of Sedan. It was after the surrender at Metz, however, that Delaherche contracted his main debt of gratitude121 to his guest. The terrible news burst on the citizens like a thunderclap, dashing to the ground all their remaining hopes, and early in the ensuing week the streets again began to be encumbered122 with the countless123 hosts of the German forces, streaming down from the conquered fortress124: the army of Prince Frederick Charles moving on the Loire, that of General Manteuffel, whose destination was Amiens and Rouen, and other corps125 on the march to reinforce the besiegers before Paris. For several days the houses were full to overflowing126 with soldiers, the butchers' and bakers127' shops were swept clean, to the last bone, to the last crumb19; the streets were pervaded128 by a greasy130, tallowy odor, as after the passage of the great migratory131 bands of olden times. The buildings in the Rue Maqua, protected by a friendly influence, escaped the devastating irruption, and were only called on to give shelter to a few of the leaders, men of education and refinement50.
Owing to these circumstances, Delaherche at last began to lay aside his frostiness of manner. As a general thing the bourgeois132 families shut themselves in their apartments and avoided all communication with the officers who were billeted on them; but to him, who was of a sociable133 nature and liked to extract from life what enjoyment134 it had to offer, this enforced sulkiness in the end became unbearable135. His great, silent house, where the inmates136 lived apart from one another in a chill atmosphere of distrust and mutual137 dislike, damped his spirits terribly. He began by stopping M. de Gartlauben on the stairs one day to thank him for his favors, and thus by degrees it became a regular habit with the two men to exchange a few words when they met. The result was that one evening the Prussian captain found himself seated in his host's study before the fireplace where some great oak logs were blazing, smoking a cigar and amicably138 discussing the news of the day. For the first two weeks of their new intimacy139 Gilberte did not make her appearance in the room; he affected140 to ignore her existence, although, at every faintest sound, his glance would be directed expectantly upon the door of the connecting apartment. It seemed to be his object to keep his position as an enemy as much as possible in the background, trying to show he was not narrow-minded or a bigoted141 patriot142, laughing and joking pleasantly over certain rather ridiculous requisitions. For example, a demand was made one day for a coffin143 and a shroud144; that shroud and coffin afforded him no end of amusement. As regarded other things, such as coal, oil, milk, sugar, butter, bread, meat, to say nothing of clothing, stoves and lamps--all the necessaries of daily life, in a word--he shrugged145 his shoulders: _mon Dieu!_ what would you have? No doubt it was vexatious; he was even willing to admit that their demands were excessive, but that was how it was in war times; they had to keep themselves alive in the enemy's country. Delaherche, who was very sore over these incessant146 requisitions, expressed his opinion of them with frankness, pulling them to pieces mercilessly at their nightly confabs, in much the same way as he might have criticised the cook's kitchen accounts. On only one occasion did their discussion become at all acrimonious147, and that was in relation to the impost148 of a million francs that the Prussian prefet at Rethel had levied149 on the department of the Ardennes, the alleged pretense150 of which was to indemnify Germany for damages caused by French ships of war and by the expulsion of Germans domiciled in French territory. Sedan's proportionate share of the assessment151 was forty-two thousand francs. And he labored152 strenuously153 with his visitor to convince him of the iniquity154 of the imposition; the city was differently circumstanced from the other towns, it had had more than its share of affliction, and should not be burdened with that new exaction82. The pair always came out of their discussions better friends than when they went in; one delighted to have had an opportunity of hearing himself talk, the other pleased with himself for having displayed a truly Parisian urbanity.
One evening Gilberte came into the room, with her air of thoughtless gayety. She paused at the threshold, affecting embarrassment. M. de Gartlauben rose, and with much tact155 presently withdrew, but on repeating his visit the following evening and finding Gilberte there again, he settled himself in his usual seat in the chimney-corner. It was the commencement of a succession of delightful156 evenings that they passed together in the study of the master of the house, not in the drawing-room--wherein lay a nice distinction. And at a later period when, yielding to their guest's entreaties157, the young woman consented to play for him, she did not invite him to the salon158, but entered the room alone, leaving the communicating door open. In those bitter winter evenings the old oaks of the Ardennes gave out a grateful warmth from the depths of the great cavernous fireplace; there was a cup of fragrant159 tea for them about ten o'clock; they laughed and chatted in the comfortable, bright room. And it did not require extra powers of vision to see that M. de Gartlauben was rapidly falling head over ears in love with that sprightly160 young woman, who flirted161 with him as audaciously as she had flirted in former days at Charleville with Captain Beaudoin's friends. He began to pay increased attention to his person, displayed a gallantry that verged163 on the fantastic, was raised to the pinnacle164 of bliss165 by the most trifling favor, tormented166 by the one ever-present anxiety not to appear a barbarian167 in her eyes, a rude soldier who did not know the ways of women.
And thus it was that in the big, gloomy house in the Rue Maqua a twofold life went on. While at meal-times Edmond, the wounded cherub with the pretty face, lent a listening ear to Delaherche's unceasing chatter168, blushing if ever Gilberte asked him to pass her the salt, while at evening M. de Gartlauben, seated in the study, with eyes upturned in silent ecstasy169, listened to a sonata170 by Mozart performed for his benefit by the young woman in the adjoining drawing-room, a stillness as of death continued to pervade129 the apartment where Colonel de Vineuil and Madame Delaherche spent their days, the blinds tight drawn, the lamp continually burning, like a votive candle illuminating171 a tomb. December had come and wrapped the city in a winding-sheet of snow; the cruel news seemed all the bitterer for the piercing cold. After General Ducrot's repulse172 at Champigny, after the loss of Orleans, there was left but one dark, sullen173 hope: that the soil of France might avenge174 their defeat, exterminate175 and swallow up the victors. Let the snow fall thicker and thicker still, let the earth's crust crack and open under the biting frost, that in it the entire German nation might find a grave! And there came another sorrow to wring176 poor Madame Delaherche's heart. One night when her son was from home, having been suddenly called away to Belgium on business, chancing to pass Gilberte's door she heard within a low murmur177 of voices and smothered178 laughter. Disgusted and sick at heart she returned to her own room, where her horror of the abominable179 thing she suspected the existence of would not let her sleep: it could have been none other but the Prussian whose voice she heard; she had thought she had noticed glances of intelligence passing; she was prostrated180 by this supreme181 disgrace. Ah, that woman, that abandoned woman, whom her son had insisted on bringing to the house despite her commands and prayers, whom she had forgiven, by her silence, after Captain Beaudoin's death! And now the thing was repeated, and this time the infamy182 was even worse. What was she to do? Such an enormity must not go unpunished beneath her roof. Her mind was torn by the conflict that raged there, in her uncertainty183 as to the course she should pursue. The colonel, desiring to know nothing of what occurred outside his room, always checked her with a gesture when he thought she was about to give him any piece of news, and she had said nothing to him of the matter that had caused her such suffering; but on those days when she came to him with tears standing13 in her eyes and sat for hours in mournful silence, he would look at her and say to himself that France had sustained yet another defeat.
This was the condition of affairs in the house in the Rue Maqua when Henriette dropped in there one morning to endeavor to secure Delaherche's influence in favor of Father Fouchard. She had heard people speak, smiling significantly as they did so, of the servitude to which Gilberte had reduced Captain de Gartlauben; she was, therefore, somewhat embarrassed when she encountered old Madame Delaherche, to whom she thought it her duty to explain the object of her visit, ascending184 the great staircase on her way to the colonel's apartment.
"Dear madame, it would be so kind of you to assist us! My uncle is in great danger; they talk of sending him away to Germany."
The old lady, although she had a sincere affection for Henriette, could scarce conceal52 her anger as she replied:
"I am powerless to help you, my child; you should not apply to me." And she continued, notwithstanding the agitation185 on the other's face: "You have selected an unfortunate moment for your visit; my son has to go to Belgium to-night. Besides, he could not have helped you; he has no more influence than I have. Go to my daughter-in-law; she is all powerful."
And she passed on toward the colonel's room, leaving Henriette distressed186 to have unwittingly involved herself in a family drama. Within the last twenty-four hours Madame Delaherche had made up her mind to lay the whole matter before her son before his departure for Belgium, whither he was going to negotiate a large purchase of coal to enable him to put some of his idle looms in motion. She could not endure the thought that the abominable thing should be repeated beneath her eyes while he was absent, and was only waiting to make sure he would not defer187 his departure until some other day, as he had been doing all the past week. It was a terrible thing to contemplate188: the wreck189 of her son's happiness, the Prussian disgraced and driven from their doors, the wife, too, thrust forth190 upon the street and her name ignominiously191 placarded on the walls, as had been threatened would be done with any woman who should dishonor herself with a German.
"Ah, how glad I am to see you! It seems an age since we met, and one grows old so fast in the midst of all these horrors!" Thus running on she dragged her friend to her bedroom, where she seated her on the lounge and snuggled down close beside her. "Come, take off your things; you must stay and breakfast with us. But first we'll talk a bit; you must have such lots and lots of things to tell me! I know that you are without news of your brother. Ah, that poor Maurice, how I pity him, shut up in Paris, with no gas, no wood, no bread, perhaps! And that young man whom you have been nursing, that friend of your brother's--oh! a little bird has told me all about it--isn't it for his sake you are here to-day?"
Henriette's conscience smote195 her, and she did not answer. Was it not really for Jean's sake that she had come, in order that, the old uncle being released, the invalid196, who had grown so dear to her, might have no further cause for alarm? It distressed her to hear his name mentioned by Gilberte; she could not endure the thought of enlisting197 in his favor an influence that was of so ambiguous a character. Her inbred scruples198 of a pure, honest woman made themselves felt, now it seemed to her that the rumors199 of a liaison200 with the Prussian captain had some foundation.
"Then I'm to understand that it's in behalf of this young man that you come to us for assistance?" Gilberte insistently201 went on, as if enjoying her friend's discomfiture202. And as the latter, cornered and unable to maintain silence longer, finally spoke of Father Fouchard's arrest: "Why, to be sure! What a silly thing I am--and I was talking of it only this morning! You did well in coming to us, my dear; we must go about your uncle's affair at once and see what we can do for him, for the last news I had was not reassuring203. They are on the lookout204 for someone of whom to make an example."
"Yes, I have had you in mind all along," Henriette hesitatingly replied. "I thought you might be willing to assist me with your advice, perhaps with something more substantial--"
The young woman laughed merrily. "You little goose, I'll have your uncle released inside three days. Don't you know that I have a Prussian captain here in the house who stands ready to obey my every order? Understand, he can refuse me nothing!" And she laughed more heartily205 than ever, in the giddy, thoughtless triumph of her coquettish nature, holding in her own and patting the hands of her friend, who was so uncomfortable that she could not find words in which to express her thanks, horrified206 by the avowal207 that was implied in what she had just heard. But how to account for such serenity208, such childlike gayety? "Leave it to me; I'll send you home to-night with a mind at rest."
When they passed into the dining room Henriette was struck by Edmond's delicate beauty, never having seen him before. She eyed him with the pleasure she would have felt in looking at a pretty toy. Could it be possible that that boy had served in the army? and how could they have been so cruel as to break his arm? The story of his gallantry in the field made him even more interesting still, and Delaherche, who had received Henriette with the cordiality of a man to whom the sight of a new face is a godsend, while the servants were handing round the cutlets and the potatoes cooked in their jackets, never seemed to tire of eulogizing his secretary, who was as industrious17 and well behaved as he was handsome. They made a very pleasant and homelike picture, the four, thus seated around the bright table in the snug194, warm dining room.
"So you want us to interest ourselves in Father Fouchard's case, and it's to that we owe the pleasure of your visit, eh?" said the manufacturer. "I'm extremely sorry that I have to go away to-night, but my wife will set things straight for you in a jiffy; there's no resisting her, she has only to ask for a thing to get it." He laughed as he concluded his speech, which was uttered in perfect simplicity209 of soul, evidently pleased and flattered that his wife possessed such influence, in which he shone with a kind of reflected glory. Then turning suddenly to her: "By the way, my dear, has Edmond told you of his great discovery?"
"No; what discovery?" asked Gilberte, turning her pretty caressing211 eyes full on the young sergeant.
The cherub blushed whenever a woman looked at him in that way, as if the exquisiteness212 of his sensations was too much for him. "It's nothing, madame; only a bit of old lace; I heard you saying the other day you wanted some to put on your mauve peignoir. I happened yesterday to come across five yards of old Bruges point, something really handsome and very cheap. The woman will be here presently to show it to you."
She could have kissed him, so delighted was she. "Oh, how nice of you! You shall have your reward."
Then, while a terrine of foie-gras, purchased in Belgium, was being served, the conversation took another turn; dwelling213 for an instant on the quantities of fish that were dying of poison in the Meuse, and finally coming around to the subject of the pestilence214 that menaced Sedan when there should be a thaw215. Even as early as November, there had been several cases of disease of an epidemic216 character. Six thousand francs had been expended217 after the battle in cleansing218 the city and collecting and burning clothing, knapsacks, haversacks, all the debris219 that was capable of harboring infection; but, for all that, the surrounding fields continued to exhale220 sickening odors whenever there came a day or two of warmer weather, so replete221 were they with half-buried corpses222, covered only with a few inches of loose earth. In every direction the ground was dotted with graves; the soil cracked and split in obedience223 to the forces acting beneath its surface, and from the fissures224 thus formed the gases of putrefaction225 issued to poison the living. In those more recent days, moreover, another center of contamination had been discovered, the Meuse, although there had already been removed from it the bodies of more than twelve hundred dead horses. It was generally believed that there were no more human remains226 left in the stream, until, one day, a _garde champetre_, looking attentively227 down into the water where it was some six feet deep, discovered some objects glimmering228 at the bottom, that at first he took for stones; but they proved to be corpses of men, that had been mutilated in such a manner as to prevent the gas from accumulating in the cavities of the body and hence had been kept from rising to the surface. For near four months they had been lying there in the water among the eel-grass. When grappled for the irons brought them up in fragments, a head, an arm, or a leg at a time; at times the force of the current would suffice to detach a hand or foot and send it rolling down the stream. Great bubbles of gas rose to the surface and burst, still further empoisoning the air.
"We shall get along well enough as long as the cold weather lasts," remarked Delaherche, "but as soon as the snow is off the ground we shall have to go to work in earnest to abate229 the nuisance; if we don't we shall be wanting graves for ourselves." And when his wife laughingly asked him if he could not find some more agreeable subject to talk about at the table, he concluded by saying: "Well, it will be a long time before any of us will care to eat any fish out of the Meuse."
They had finished their repast, and the coffee was being poured, when the maid came to the door and announced that M. de Gartlauben presented his compliments and wanted to know if he might be allowed to see them for a moment. There was a slight flutter of excitement, for it was the first time he had ever presented himself at that hour of the day. Delaherche, seeing in the circumstance a favorable opportunity for presenting Henriette to him, gave orders that he should be introduced at once. The doughty230 captain, when he beheld another young woman in the room, surpassed himself in politeness, even accepting a cup of coffee, which he took without sugar, as he had seen many people do at Paris. He had only asked to be received at that unusual hour, he said, that he might tell Madame he had succeeded in obtaining the pardon of one of her proteges, a poor operative in the factory who had been arrested on account of a squabble with a Prussian. And Gilberte thereon seized the opportunity to mention Father Fouchard's case.
"Captain, I wish to make you acquainted with one of my dearest friends, who desires to place herself under your protection. She is the niece of the farmer who was arrested lately at Remilly, as you are aware, for being mixed up with that business of the francs-tireurs."
"Yes, yes, I know; the affair of the spy, the poor fellow who was found in a sack with his throat cut. It's a bad business, a very bad business. I am afraid I shall not be able to do anything."
"Oh, Captain, don't say that! I should consider it such a favor!"
There was a caress210 in the look she cast on him, while he beamed with satisfaction, bowing his head in gallant162 obedience. Her wish was his law!
"You would have all my gratitude, sir," faintly murmured Henriette, to whose memory suddenly rose the image of her husband, her dear Weiss, slaughtered231 down yonder at Bazeilles, filling her with invincible232 repugnance233.
Edmond, who had discreetly234 taken himself off on the arrival of the captain, now reappeared and whispered something in Gilberte's ear. She rose quickly from the table, and, announcing to the company that she was going to inspect her lace, excused herself and followed the young man from the room. Henriette, thus left alone with the two men, went and took a seat by herself in the embrasure of a window, while they remained seated at the table and went on talking in a loud tone.
"Captain, you'll have a _petit verre_ with me. You see I don't stand on ceremony with you; I say whatever comes into my head, because I know you to be a fair-minded man. Now I tell you your prefet is all wrong in trying to extort235 those forty-two thousand francs from the city. Just think once of all our losses since the beginning of the war. In the first place, before the battle, we had the entire French army on our hands, a set of ragged193, hungry, exhausted236 men; and then along came your rascals237, and their appetites were not so very poor, either. The passage of those troops through the place, what with requisitions, repairing damages and expenses of all sorts, stood us in a million and a half. Add as much more for the destruction caused by your artillery and by conflagration during the battle; there you have three millions. Finally, I am well within bounds in estimating the loss sustained by our trade and manufactures at two millions. What do you say to that, eh? A grand total of five million francs for a city of thirteen thousand inhabitants! And now you come and ask us for forty-two thousand more as a contribution to the expense of carrying on the war against us! Is it fair, is it reasonable? I leave it to your own sense of justice."
M. de Gartlauben nodded his head with an air of profundity238, and made answer:
"What can you expect? It is the fortune of war, the fortune of war."
To Henriette, seated in her window seat, her ears ringing, and vague, sad images of every sort fleeting239 through her brain, the time seemed to pass with mortal slowness, while Delaherche asserted on his word of honor that Sedan could never have weathered the crisis produced by the exportation of all their specie had it not been for the wisdom of the local magnates in emitting an issue of paper money, a step that had saved the city from financial ruin.
"Captain, will you have just a drop of cognac more?" and he skipped to another topic. "It was not France that started the war; it was the Emperor. Ah, I was greatly deceived in the Emperor. He need never expect to sit on the throne again; we would see the country dismembered first. Look here! there was just one man in this country last July who saw things as they were, and that was M. Thiers; and his action at the present time in visiting the different capitals of Europe is most wise and patriotic240. He has the best wishes of every good citizen; may he be successful!"
He expressed the conclusion of his idea by a gesture, for he would have considered it improper241 to speak of his desire for peace before a Prussian, no matter how friendly he might be, although the desire burned fiercely in his bosom242, as it did in that of every member of the old conservative bourgeoisie who had favored the plebiscite. Their men and money were exhausted, it was time for them to throw up the sponge; and a deep-seated feeling of hatred243 toward Paris, for the obstinacy244 with which it held out, prevailed in all the provinces that were in possession of the enemy. He concluded in a lower tone, his allusion245 being to Gambetta's inflammatory proclamations:
"No, no, we cannot give our suffrages246 to fools and madmen. The course they advocate would end in general massacre247. I, for my part, am for M. Thiers, who would submit the questions at issue to the popular vote, and as for their Republic, great heavens! let them have it if they want it, while waiting for something better; it don't trouble me in the slightest."
Captain de Gartlauben continued to nod his head very politely with an approving air, murmuring:
"To be sure, to be sure--"
Henriette, whose feeling of distress had been increasing, could stand their talk no longer. She could assign no definite reason for the sensation of inquietude that possessed her; it was only a longing248 to get away, and she rose and left the room quietly in quest of Gilberte, whose absence had been so long protracted. On entering the bedroom, however, she was greatly surprised to find her friend stretched on the lounge, weeping bitterly and manifestly suffering from some extremely painful emotion.
"Why, what is the matter? What has happened you?"
The young woman's tears flowed faster still and she would not speak, manifesting a confusion that sent every drop of blood coursing from her heart up to her face. At last, throwing herself into the arms that were opened to receive her and concealing her face in the other's bosom, she stammered249:
"Oh, darling if you but knew. I shall never dare to tell you--and yet I have no one but you, you alone perhaps can tell me what is best to do." A shiver passed through her frame, her voice was scarcely audible. "I was with Edmond--and then--and then Madame Delaherche came into the room and caught me--"
"Caught you! What do you mean?"
"Yes, we were here in the room; he was holding me in his arms and kissing me--" And clasping Henriette convulsively in her trembling arms she told her all. "Oh, my darling, don't judge me severely250; I could not bear it! I know I promised you it should never happen again, but you have seen Edmond, you know how brave he is, how handsome! And think once of the poor young man, wounded, ill, with no one to give him a mother's care! And then he has never had the enjoyments251 that wealth affords; his family have pinched themselves to give him an education. I could not be harsh with him."
Henriette listened, the picture of surprise; she could not recover from her amazement252. "What! you don't mean to say it was the little sergeant! Why, my dear, everyone believes the Prussian to be your lover!"
Gilberte straightened herself up with an indignant air, and dried her eyes. "The Prussian my lover? No, thank you! He's detestable; I can't endure him. I wonder what they take me for? What have I ever done that they should suppose I could be guilty of such baseness? No, never! I would rather die than do such a thing!" In the earnestness of her protestations her beauty had assumed an angry and more lofty cast that made her look other than she was. And all at once, sudden as a flash, her coquettish gayety, her thoughtless levity253, came back to her face, accompanied by a peal254 of silvery laughter. "I won't deny that I amuse myself at his expense. He adores me, and I have only to give him a look to make him obey. You have no idea what fun it is to bamboozle255 that great big man, who seems to think he will have his reward some day."
"But that is a very dangerous game you're playing," Henriette gravely said.
"Oh, do you think so? What risk do I incur256? When he comes to see he has nothing to expect he can't do more than be angry with me and go away. But he will never see it! You don't know the man; I read him like a book from the very start: he is one of those men with whom a woman can do what she pleases and incur no danger. I have an instinct that guides me in these matters and which has never deceived me. He is too consumed by vanity; no human consideration will ever drive it into his head that by any possibility a woman could get the better of him. And all he will get from me will be permission to carry away my remembrance, with the consoling thought that he has done the proper thing and behaved himself like a gallant man who has long been an inhabitant of Paris." And with her air of triumphant257 gayety she added: "But before he leaves he shall cause Uncle Fouchard to be set at liberty, and all his recompense for his trouble shall be a cup of tea sweetened by these fingers."
But suddenly her fears returned to her: she remembered what must be the terrible consequences of her indiscretion, and her eyes were again bedewed with tears.
"_Mon Dieu!_ and Madame Delaherche--how will it all end? She bears me no love; she is capable of telling the whole story to my husband."
Henriette had recovered her composure. She dried her friend's eyes, and made her rise from the lounge and arrange her disordered clothing.
"Listen, my dear; I cannot bring myself to scold you, and yet you know what my sentiments must be. But I was so alarmed by the stories I heard about the Prussian, the business wore such an extremely ugly aspect, that this affair really comes to me as a sort of relief by comparison. Cease weeping; things may come out all right."
Her action was taken none too soon, for almost immediately Delaherche and his mother entered the room. He said that he had made up his mind to take the train for Brussels that afternoon and had been giving orders to have a carriage ready to carry him across the frontier into Belgium; so he had come to say good-by to his wife. Then turning and addressing Henriette:
"You need have no further fears. M. de Gartlauben, just is he was going away, promised me he would attend to your uncle's case, and although I shall not be here, my wife will keep an eye to it."
Since Madame Delaherche had made her appearance in the apartment Gilberte had not once taken her anxious eyes from off her face. Would she speak, would she tell what she had seen, and keep her son from starting on his projected journey? The elder lady, also, soon as she crossed the threshold, had bent258 her fixed gaze in silence on her daughter-in-law. Doubtless her stern patriotism259 induced her to view the matter in somewhat the same light that Henriette had viewed it. _Mon Dieu!_ since it was that young man, that Frenchman who had fought so bravely, was it not her duty to forgive, even as she had forgiven once before, in Captain Beaudoin's case? A look of greater softness rose to her eyes; she averted260 her head. Her son might go; Edmond would be there to protect Gilberte against the Prussian. She even smiled faintly, she whose grim face had never once relaxed since the news of the victory at Coulmiers.
"_Au revoir_," she said, folding her son in her arms. "Finish up your business quickly as you can and come back to us."
And she took herself slowly away, returning to the prison-like chamber across the corridor, where the colonel, with his dull gaze, was peering into the shadows that lay outside the disk of bright light which fell from the lamp.
Henriette returned to Remilly that same evening, and one morning, three days afterward261, had the pleasure to see Father Fouchard come walking into the house, as calmly as if he had merely stepped out to transact262 some business in the neighborhood. He took a seat by the table and refreshed himself with some bread and cheese, and to all the questions that were put to him replied with cool deliberation, like a man who had never seen anything to alarm him in his situation. What reason had he to be afraid? He had done nothing wrong; it was not he who had killed the Prussian, was it? So he had just said to the authorities: "Investigate the matter; I know nothing about it." And they could do nothing but release him, and the mayor as well, seeing they had no proofs against them. But the eyes of the crafty263, sly old peasant gleamed with delight at the thought of how nicely he had pulled the wool over the eyes of those dirty blackguards, who were beginning to higgle with him over the quality of the meat he furnished to them.
December was drawing near its end, and Jean insisted on going away. His leg was quite strong again, and the doctor announced that he was fit to go and join the army. This was to Henriette a subject of profoundest sorrow, which she kept locked in her bosom as well as she was able. No tidings from Paris had reached them since the disastrous battle of Champigny; all they knew was that Maurice's regiment had been exposed to a murderous fire and had suffered severely. Ever that deep, unbroken silence; no letter, never the briefest line for them, when they knew that families in Raucourt and Sedan were receiving intelligence of their loved ones by circuitous264 ways. Perhaps the pigeon that was bringing them the so eagerly wished-for news had fallen a victim to some hungry bird of prey265, perhaps the bullet of a Prussian had brought it to the ground at the margin266 of a wood. But the fear that haunted them most of all was that Maurice was dead; the silence of the great city off yonder in the distance, uttering no cry in the mortal hug of the investment, was become to them in their agonized suspense the silence of death. They had abandoned all hope of tidings, and when Jean declared his settled purpose to be gone, Henriette only gave utterance267 to this stifled268 cry of despair:
"My God! then all is ended, and I am to be left alone!"
It was Jean's desire to go and serve with the Army of the North, which had recently been re-formed under General Faidherbe. Now that General Manteuffel's corps had moved forward to Dieppe there were three departments, cut off from the rest of France, that this army had to defend, le Nord, le Pas-de-Calais, and la Somme, and Jean's plan, not a difficult one to carry into execution, was simply to make for Bouillon and thence complete his journey across Belgian territory. He knew that the 23d corps was being recruited, mainly from such old soldiers of Sedan and Metz as could be gathered to the standards. He had heard it reported that General Faidherbe was about to take the field, and had definitely appointed the next ensuing Sunday as the day of his departure, when news reached him of the battle of Pont-Noyelle, that drawn battle which came so near being a victory for the French.
It was Dr. Dalichamp again in this instance who offered the services of his gig and himself as driver to Bouillon. The good man's courage and kindness were boundless269. At Raucourt, where typhus was raging, communicated by the Bavarians, there was not a house where he had not one or more patients, and this labor was additional to his regular attendance at the two hospitals at Raucourt and Remilly. His ardent270 patriotism, the impulse that prompted him to protest against unnecessary barbarity, had twice led to his being arrested by the Prussians, only to be released on each occasion. He gave a little laugh of satisfaction, therefore, the morning he came with his vehicle to take up Jean, pleased to be the instrument of assisting the escape of another of the victims of Sedan, those poor, brave fellows, as he called them, to whom he gave his professional services and whom he aided with his purse. Jean, who knew of Henriette's straitened circumstances and had been suffering from lack of funds since his relapse, accepted gratefully the fifty francs that the doctor offered him for traveling expenses.
Father Fouchard did things handsomely at the leave-taking, sending Silvine to the cellar for two bottles of wine and insisting that everyone should drink a glass to the extermination271 of the Germans. He was a man of importance in the country nowadays and had his "plum" hidden away somewhere or other; he could sleep in peace now that the francs-tireurs had disappeared, driven like wild beasts from their lair272, and his sole wish was for a speedy conclusion of the war. He had even gone so far in one of his generous fits as to pay Prosper273 his wages in order to retain his services on the farm, which the young man had no thought of leaving. He touched glasses with Prosper, and also with Silvine, whom he at times was half inclined to marry, knowing what a treasure he had in his faithful, hard-working little servant; but what was the use? he knew she would never leave him, that she would still be there when Charlot should be grown and go in turn to serve his country as a soldier. And touching274 his glass to Henriette's, Jean's, and the doctor's, he exclaimed:
"Here's to the health of you all! May you all prosper and be no worse off than I am!"
Henriette would not let Jean go away without accompanying him as far as Sedan. He was in citizen's dress, wearing a frock coat and derby hat that the doctor had loaned him. The day was piercingly cold; the sun's rays were reflected from a crust of glittering snow. Their intention had been to pass through the city without stopping, but when Jean learned that his old colonel was still at the Delaherches' he felt an irresistible275 desire to go and pay his respects to him, and at the same time thank the manufacturer for his many kindnesses. His visit was destined276 to bring him an additional, a final sorrow, in that city of mournful memories. On reaching the structure in the Rue Maqua they found the household in a condition of the greatest distress and disorder28, Gilberte wringing277 her hands, Madame Delaherche weeping great silent tears, while her son, who had come in from the factory, where work was gradually being resumed, uttered exclamations278 of surprise. The colonel had just been discovered, stone dead, lying exactly as he had fallen, in a heap on the floor of his chamber. The physician, who was summoned with all haste, could assign no cause for the sudden death; there was no indication of paralysis279 or heart trouble. The colonel had been stricken down, and no one could tell from what quarter the blow came; but the following morning, when the room was thrown open, a piece of an old newspaper was found, lying on the carpet, that had been wrapped around a book and contained the account of the surrender of Metz.
"My, dear," said Gilberte to Henriette, "as Captain de Gartlauben was coming downstairs just now he removed his hat as he passed the door of the room where my uncle's body is lying. Edmond saw it; he's an extremely well-bred man, don't you think so?"
In all their intimacy Jean had never yet kissed Henriette. Before resuming his seat in the gig with the doctor he endeavored to thank her for all her devoted280 kindness, for having nursed and loved him as a brother, but somehow the words would not come at his command; he opened his arms and, with a great sob281, clasped her in a long embrace, and she, beside herself with the grief of parting, returned his kiss. Then the horse started, he turned about in his seat, there was a waving of hands, while again and again two sorrowful voices repeated in choking accents:
"Farewell! Farewell!"
On her return to Remilly that evening Henriette reported for duty at the hospital. During the silent watches of the night she was visited by another convulsive attack of sobbing282, and wept, wept as if her tears would never cease to flow, clasping her hands before her as if between them to strangle her bitter sorrow.
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1
rue
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| n.懊悔，芸香，后悔；v.后悔，悲伤，懊悔 | |
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chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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suite
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| n.一套(家具)；套房；随从人员 | |
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drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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strictly
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| adv.严厉地，严格地；严密地 | |
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prostration
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| n. 平伏, 跪倒, 疲劳 | |
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7
ailment
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| n.疾病，小病 | |
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immured
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| v.禁闭，监禁( immure的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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seclude
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| vi.使隔离，使孤立，使隐退 | |
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10
compulsory
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| n.强制的，必修的；规定的，义务的 | |
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abode
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| n.住处，住所 | |
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permanently
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| adv.永恒地，永久地，固定不变地 | |
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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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tranquil
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| adj. 安静的, 宁静的, 稳定的, 不变的 | |
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15
applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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industriously
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industrious
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| adj.勤劳的，刻苦的，奋发的 | |
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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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crumb
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| n.饼屑，面包屑，小量 | |
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crumbling
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| adj.摇摇欲坠的 | |
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stupor
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| v.昏迷；不省人事 | |
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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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crevices
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| n.（尤指岩石的）裂缝，缺口( crevice的名词复数 ) | |
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calamity
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| n.灾害，祸患，不幸事件 | |
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beheld
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| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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contented
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| adj.满意的，安心的，知足的 | |
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bustling
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| adj.喧闹的 | |
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disorder
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| n.紊乱，混乱；骚动，骚乱；疾病，失调 | |
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labor
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| n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦 | |
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30
pecuniary
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| adj.金钱的；金钱上的 | |
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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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32
looms
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| n.织布机( loom的名词复数 )v.隐约出现，阴森地逼近( loom的第三人称单数 )；隐约出现，阴森地逼近 | |
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33
killing
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| n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财 | |
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inventory
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| n.详细目录，存货清单 | |
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labors
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| v.努力争取(for)( labor的第三人称单数 )；苦干；详细分析；（指引擎）缓慢而困难地运转 | |
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sergeant
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| n.警官，中士 | |
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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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improvised
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| a.即席而作的,即兴的 | |
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39
inmate
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| n.被收容者；(房屋等的)居住人；住院人 | |
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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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binding
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| 有约束力的，有效的，应遵守的 | |
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42
interfere
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| v.(in)干涉，干预；(with)妨碍，打扰 | |
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43
hue
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| n.色度；色调；样子 | |
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44
rosy
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| adj.美好的，乐观的，玫瑰色的 | |
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45
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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46
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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47
expending
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| v.花费( expend的现在分词 )；使用（钱等）做某事；用光；耗尽 | |
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48
cherub
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| n.小天使，胖娃娃 | |
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49
unlimited
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| adj.无限的，不受控制的，无条件的 | |
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50
refinement
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| n.文雅；高尚；精美；精制；精炼 | |
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51
refinements
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| n.（生活）风雅；精炼( refinement的名词复数 )；改良品；细微的改良；优雅或高贵的动作 | |
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52
conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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53
concealing
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，遮住( conceal的现在分词 ) | |
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54
varnish
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| n.清漆；v.上清漆；粉饰 | |
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55
inborn
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| adj.天生的，生来的，先天的 | |
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56
rusticity
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| n.乡村的特点、风格或气息 | |
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57
outrageously
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| 凶残地； 肆无忌惮地； 令人不能容忍地； 不寻常地 | |
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58
dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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59
ridicule
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| v.讥讽，挖苦；n.嘲弄 | |
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60
distress
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| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
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61
momentary
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| adj.片刻的，瞬息的；短暂的 | |
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62
pillage
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| v.抢劫；掠夺；n.抢劫，掠夺；掠夺物 | |
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63
conflagration
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| n.建筑物或森林大火 | |
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64
garrison
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| n.卫戍部队；驻地，卫戍区；vt.派(兵)驻防 | |
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65
deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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66
hoarse
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| adj.嘶哑的，沙哑的 | |
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67
dungeon
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| n.地牢，土牢 | |
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68
agonized
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| v.使（极度）痛苦，折磨( agonize的过去式和过去分词 )；苦斗；苦苦思索；感到极度痛苦 | |
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69
suspense
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| n.（对可能发生的事）紧张感，担心，挂虑 | |
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70
misery
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| n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦 | |
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71
slumbers
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| 睡眠，安眠( slumber的名词复数 ) | |
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72
destitute
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| adj.缺乏的；穷困的 | |
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73
devouring
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| 吞没( devour的现在分词 )； 耗尽； 津津有味地看； 狼吞虎咽地吃光 | |
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74
swarm
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| n.(昆虫)等一大群；vi.成群飞舞；蜂拥而入 | |
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75
locusts
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| n.蝗虫( locust的名词复数 )；贪吃的人；破坏者；槐树 | |
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76
devastating
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| adj.毁灭性的，令人震惊的，强有力的 | |
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77
torrent
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| n.激流，洪流；爆发，(话语等的)连发 | |
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78
cataclysm
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| n.洪水，剧变，大灾难 | |
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79
annoyances
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| n.恼怒( annoyance的名词复数 )；烦恼；打扰；使人烦恼的事 | |
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80
annoyance
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| n.恼怒，生气，烦恼 | |
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81
succumb
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| v.屈服，屈从；死 | |
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82
exaction
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| n.强求，强征；杂税 | |
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83
WHIMS
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| 虚妄，禅病 | |
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84
unreasonableness
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| 无理性； 横逆 | |
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85
tribulation
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| n.苦难，灾难 | |
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86
expedient
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|
| adj.有用的，有利的；n.紧急的办法，权宜之计 | |
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87
filthy
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| adj.卑劣的；恶劣的，肮脏的 | |
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88
obnoxious
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| adj.极恼人的，讨人厌的，可憎的 | |
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89
outrages
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| 引起…的义愤，激怒( outrage的第三人称单数 ) | |
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90
exasperated
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| adj.恼怒的 | |
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91
protracted
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|
| adj.拖延的；延长的v.拖延“protract”的过去式和过去分词 | |
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92
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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93
lodger
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| n.寄宿人，房客 | |
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94
torrents
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| n.倾注；奔流( torrent的名词复数 )；急流；爆发；连续不断 | |
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95
obsequiousness
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| 媚骨 | |
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96
mitigate
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| vt.（使）减轻，（使）缓和 | |
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97
promulgated
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| v.宣扬（某事物）( promulgate的过去式和过去分词 )；传播；公布；颁布（法令、新法律等） | |
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98
martial
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| adj.战争的，军事的，尚武的，威武的 | |
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99
entrusted
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| v.委托，托付( entrust的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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100
artillery
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| n.(军)火炮，大炮；炮兵(部队) | |
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101
scowled
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| 怒视，生气地皱眉( scowl的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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102
aspirations
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| 强烈的愿望( aspiration的名词复数 )； 志向； 发送气音； 发 h 音 | |
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103
humiliation
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| n.羞辱 | |
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104
tumult
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| n.喧哗；激动，混乱；吵闹 | |
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105
catastrophe
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| n.大灾难，大祸 | |
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106
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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107
delicacy
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| n.精致，细微，微妙，精良；美味，佳肴 | |
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108
rumor
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| n.谣言，谣传，传说 | |
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109
boisterous
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| adj.喧闹的，欢闹的 | |
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110
uproar
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| n.骚动，喧嚣，鼎沸 | |
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111
trifling
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| adj.微不足道的；没什么价值的 | |
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112
sundry
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| adj.各式各样的，种种的 | |
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113
administrative
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| adj.行政的，管理的 | |
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114
citadel
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| n.城堡；堡垒；避难所 | |
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115
promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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116
quelled
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| v.（用武力）制止，结束，镇压( quell的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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117
proceedings
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| n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报 | |
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118
alleged
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| a.被指控的，嫌疑的 | |
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119
dilatoriness
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| n.迟缓，拖延 | |
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120
disastrous
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| adj.灾难性的，造成灾害的；极坏的，很糟的 | |
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121
gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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122
encumbered
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| v.妨碍，阻碍，拖累( encumber的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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123
countless
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| adj.无数的，多得不计其数的 | |
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124
fortress
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| n.堡垒，防御工事 | |
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125
corps
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| n.(通信等兵种的)部队；(同类作的)一组 | |
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126
overflowing
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| n. 溢出物,溢流 adj. 充沛的，充满的 动词overflow的现在分词形式 | |
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127
bakers
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| n.面包师( baker的名词复数 )；面包店；面包店店主；十三 | |
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128
pervaded
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| v.遍及，弥漫( pervade的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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129
pervade
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| v.弥漫，遍及，充满，渗透，漫延 | |
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130
greasy
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| adj. 多脂的，油脂的 | |
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131
migratory
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| n.候鸟，迁移 | |
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132
bourgeois
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| adj./n.追求物质享受的(人)；中产阶级分子 | |
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133
sociable
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| adj.好交际的，友好的，合群的 | |
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134
enjoyment
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| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
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135
unbearable
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| adj.不能容忍的；忍受不住的 | |
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136
inmates
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| n.囚犯( inmate的名词复数 ) | |
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137
mutual
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| adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的 | |
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138
amicably
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| adv.友善地 | |
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139
intimacy
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| n.熟悉，亲密，密切关系，亲昵的言行 | |
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140
affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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141
bigoted
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| adj.固执己见的，心胸狭窄的 | |
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142
patriot
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| n.爱国者，爱国主义者 | |
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143
coffin
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| n.棺材，灵柩 | |
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144
shroud
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| n.裹尸布，寿衣；罩，幕；vt.覆盖，隐藏 | |
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145
shrugged
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| vt.耸肩（shrug的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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146
incessant
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| adj.不停的，连续的 | |
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147
acrimonious
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| adj.严厉的，辛辣的，刻毒的 | |
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148
impost
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| n.进口税，关税 | |
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149
levied
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| 征（兵）( levy的过去式和过去分词 )； 索取； 发动（战争）； 征税 | |
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150
pretense
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| n.矫饰，做作，借口 | |
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151
assessment
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| n.评价；评估；对财产的估价，被估定的金额 | |
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152
labored
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| adj.吃力的，谨慎的v.努力争取(for)( labor的过去式和过去分词 )；苦干；详细分析；（指引擎）缓慢而困难地运转 | |
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153
strenuously
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| adv.奋发地，费力地 | |
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154
iniquity
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| n.邪恶；不公正 | |
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155
tact
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| n.机敏，圆滑，得体 | |
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156
delightful
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| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
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157
entreaties
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| n.恳求，乞求( entreaty的名词复数 ) | |
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158
salon
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| n.[法]沙龙；客厅；营业性的高级服务室 | |
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159
fragrant
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| adj.芬香的，馥郁的，愉快的 | |
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160
sprightly
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| adj.愉快的，活泼的 | |
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161
flirted
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| v.调情，打情骂俏( flirt的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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162
gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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163
verged
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| 接近，逼近（verge的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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164
pinnacle
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| n.尖塔，尖顶，山峰；(喻)顶峰 | |
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165
bliss
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| n.狂喜，福佑，天赐的福 | |
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166
tormented
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| 饱受折磨的 | |
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167
barbarian
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| n.野蛮人；adj.野蛮(人)的；未开化的 | |
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168
chatter
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| vi.／n.喋喋不休；短促尖叫；(牙齿)打战 | |
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169
ecstasy
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| n.狂喜，心醉神怡，入迷 | |
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170
sonata
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| n.奏鸣曲 | |
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171
illuminating
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| a.富于启发性的，有助阐明的 | |
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172
repulse
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| n.击退，拒绝；vt.逐退，击退，拒绝 | |
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173
sullen
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| adj.愠怒的，闷闷不乐的，(天气等)阴沉的 | |
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174
avenge
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| v.为...复仇，为...报仇 | |
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175
exterminate
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| v.扑灭，消灭，根绝 | |
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176
wring
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| n.扭绞；v.拧，绞出，扭 | |
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177
murmur
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| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
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178
smothered
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| （使）窒息， （使）透不过气( smother的过去式和过去分词 )； 覆盖； 忍住； 抑制 | |
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179
abominable
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|
| adj.可厌的，令人憎恶的 | |
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180
prostrated
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|
| v.使俯伏，使拜倒( prostrate的过去式和过去分词 )；（指疾病、天气等）使某人无能为力 | |
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181
supreme
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|
| adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的 | |
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182
infamy
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| n.声名狼藉，出丑，恶行 | |
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183
uncertainty
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| n.易变，靠不住，不确知，不确定的事物 | |
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184
ascending
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| adj.上升的，向上的 | |
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185
agitation
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| n.搅动；搅拌；鼓动，煽动 | |
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186
distressed
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| 痛苦的 | |
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187
defer
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| vt.推迟，拖延；vi.(to)遵从，听从，服从 | |
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188
contemplate
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| vt.盘算，计议；周密考虑；注视，凝视 | |
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189
wreck
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| n.失事，遇难；沉船；vt.(船等)失事，遇难 | |
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190
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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191
ignominiously
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| adv.耻辱地，屈辱地，丢脸地 | |
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192
beholding
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| v.看，注视( behold的现在分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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193
ragged
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| adj.衣衫褴褛的，粗糙的，刺耳的 | |
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194
snug
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| adj.温暖舒适的，合身的，安全的；v.使整洁干净，舒适地依靠，紧贴；n.（英）酒吧里的私房 | |
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195
smote
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| v.猛打，重击，打击( smite的过去式 ) | |
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196
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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197
enlisting
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| v.（使）入伍， （使）参军( enlist的现在分词 )；获得（帮助或支持） | |
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198
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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199
rumors
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| n.传闻( rumor的名词复数 )；[古]名誉；咕哝；[古]喧嚷v.传闻( rumor的第三人称单数 )；[古]名誉；咕哝；[古]喧嚷 | |
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200
liaison
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| n.联系，（未婚男女间的）暖昧关系，私通 | |
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201
insistently
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| ad.坚持地 | |
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202
discomfiture
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| n.崩溃；大败；挫败；困惑 | |
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203
reassuring
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| a.使人消除恐惧和疑虑的，使人放心的 | |
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204
lookout
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| n.注意，前途，瞭望台 | |
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205
heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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206
horrified
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| a.(表现出)恐惧的 | |
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207
avowal
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| n.公开宣称，坦白承认 | |
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208
serenity
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| n.宁静，沉着，晴朗 | |
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209
simplicity
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| n.简单，简易；朴素；直率，单纯 | |
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210
caress
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| vt./n.爱抚，抚摸 | |
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211
caressing
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| 爱抚的，表现爱情的，亲切的 | |
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212
exquisiteness
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213
dwelling
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| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
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214
pestilence
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| n.瘟疫 | |
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215
thaw
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| v.（使）融化，（使）变得友善；n.融化，缓和 | |
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216
epidemic
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| n.流行病；盛行；adj.流行性的，流传极广的 | |
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217
expended
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| v.花费( expend的过去式和过去分词 )；使用（钱等）做某事；用光；耗尽 | |
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218
cleansing
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| n. 净化(垃圾) adj. 清洁用的 动词cleanse的现在分词 | |
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219
debris
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| n.瓦砾堆，废墟，碎片 | |
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220
exhale
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| v.呼气，散出，吐出，蒸发 | |
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221
replete
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| adj.饱满的，塞满的；n.贮蜜蚁 | |
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222
corpses
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| n.死尸，尸体( corpse的名词复数 ) | |
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223
obedience
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| n.服从，顺从 | |
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224
fissures
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| n.狭长裂缝或裂隙( fissure的名词复数 )；裂伤；分歧；分裂v.裂开( fissure的第三人称单数 ) | |
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225
putrefaction
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| n.腐坏，腐败 | |
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226
remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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227
attentively
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| adv.聚精会神地；周到地；谛；凝神 | |
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228
glimmering
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| n.微光，隐约的一瞥adj.薄弱地发光的v.发闪光，发微光( glimmer的现在分词 ) | |
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229
abate
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| vi.(风势，疼痛等)减弱，减轻，减退 | |
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230
doughty
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| adj.勇猛的，坚强的 | |
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231
slaughtered
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| v.屠杀，杀戮，屠宰( slaughter的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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232
invincible
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| adj.不可征服的，难以制服的 | |
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233
repugnance
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| n.嫌恶 | |
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234
discreetly
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| ad.(言行)审慎地，慎重地 | |
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235
extort
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| v.勒索，敲诈，强要 | |
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236
exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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237
rascals
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| 流氓( rascal的名词复数 )； 无赖； （开玩笑说法）淘气的人（尤指小孩）； 恶作剧的人 | |
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238
profundity
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| n.渊博；深奥，深刻 | |
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239
fleeting
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| adj.短暂的，飞逝的 | |
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240
patriotic
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| adj.爱国的，有爱国心的 | |
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241
improper
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| adj.不适当的，不合适的，不正确的，不合礼仪的 | |
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242
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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243
hatred
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| n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨 | |
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244
obstinacy
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| n.顽固；（病痛等）难治 | |
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245
allusion
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| n.暗示，间接提示 | |
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246
suffrages
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| （政治性选举的）选举权，投票权( suffrage的名词复数 ) | |
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247
massacre
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| n.残杀，大屠杀；v.残杀，集体屠杀 | |
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248
longing
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| n.（for）渴望 | |
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249
stammered
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| v.结巴地说出( stammer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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250
severely
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| adv.严格地；严厉地；非常恶劣地 | |
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251
enjoyments
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| 愉快( enjoyment的名词复数 )； 令人愉快的事物； 享有； 享受 | |
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252
amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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253
levity
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| n.轻率，轻浮，不稳定，多变 | |
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254
peal
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| n.钟声；v.鸣响 | |
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255
bamboozle
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| v.欺骗，隐瞒 | |
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256
incur
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| vt.招致，蒙受，遭遇 | |
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257
triumphant
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| adj.胜利的，成功的；狂欢的，喜悦的 | |
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258
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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259
patriotism
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| n.爱国精神，爱国心，爱国主义 | |
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260
averted
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| 防止，避免( avert的过去式和过去分词 )； 转移 | |
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261
afterward
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| adv.后来；以后 | |
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262
transact
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| v.处理；做交易；谈判 | |
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263
crafty
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| adj.狡猾的，诡诈的 | |
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264
circuitous
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| adj.迂回的路的，迂曲的，绕行的 | |
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265
prey
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| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
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266
margin
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| n.页边空白；差额；余地，余裕；边，边缘 | |
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267
utterance
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| n.用言语表达，话语，言语 | |
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268
stifled
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| （使）窒息， （使）窒闷( stifle的过去式和过去分词 )； 镇压，遏制； 堵 | |
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269
boundless
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| adj.无限的；无边无际的；巨大的 | |
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270
ardent
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，强烈的，烈性的 | |
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271
extermination
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| n.消灭，根绝 | |
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272
lair
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| n.野兽的巢穴；躲藏处 | |
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273
prosper
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| v.成功，兴隆，昌盛；使成功，使昌隆，繁荣 | |
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274
touching
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| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
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275
irresistible
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| adj.非常诱人的，无法拒绝的，无法抗拒的 | |
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276
destined
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| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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277
wringing
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| 淋湿的，湿透的 | |
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278
exclamations
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| n.呼喊( exclamation的名词复数 )；感叹；感叹语；感叹词 | |
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279
paralysis
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| n.麻痹(症)；瘫痪(症) | |
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280
devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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281
sob
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| n.空间轨道的轰炸机；呜咽，哭泣 | |
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282
sobbing
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| <主方>Ⅰ adj.湿透的 | |
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