The officers dared not refuse, but when the maid had brought the beer Morandot said to the major: “So you patronize this place now?”
“Yes—the beer is good.”
Laguitte chuckled8 but did not answer. Then the others began to chaff9 him about Melanie, and he took their remarks good-naturedly, simply shrugging his shoulders. The widow was undoubtedly10 a fine woman, however much people might talk. Some of those who disparaged11 her would, in reality, be only too pleased to win her good graces. Then turning to the little counter and assuming an engaging air, he shouted:
“Three more glasses, madame.”
Melanie was so taken aback that she rose and brought the beer herself. The major detained her at the table and forgot himself so far as to softly pat the hand which she had carelessly placed on the back of a chair. Used as she was to alternate brutality12 and flattery, she immediately became confident, believing in a sudden whim13 of gallantry on the part of the “old wreck,” as she was wont14 to style the major when talking with Phrosine. Doucet and Morandot looked at each other in surprise. Was the major actually stepping into Petticoat Burle’s shoes? The regiment would be convulsed if that were the case.
Suddenly, however, Laguitte, who kept his eye on the square, gave a start.
“Hallo, there’s Burle!” he exclaimed.
“Yes, it is his time,” explained Phrosine. “The captain passes every afternoon on his way from the office.”
In spite of his lameness15 the major had risen to his feet, pushing aside the chairs as he called out: “Burle! I say—come along and have a glass.”
The captain, quite aghast and unable to understand why Laguitte was at the widow’s, advanced mechanically. He was so perplexed16 that he again hesitated at the door.
“Another glass of beer,” ordered the major, and then turning to Burle, he added, “What’s the matter with you? Come in. Are you afraid of being eaten alive?”
The captain took a seat, and an awkward pause followed. Melanie, who brought the beer with trembling hands, dreaded17 some scene which might result in the closing of her establishment. The major’s gallantry made her uneasy, and she endeavored to slip away, but he invited her to drink with them, and before she could refuse he had ordered Phrosine to bring a liqueur glass of anisette, doing so with as much coolness as if he had been master of the house. Melanie was thus compelled to sit down between the captain and Laguitte, who exclaimed aggressively: “I WILL have ladies respected. We are French officers! Let us drink Madame’s health!”
Burle, with his eyes fixed18 on his glass, smiled in an embarrassed way. The two officers, shocked at the proceedings19, had already tried to get off. Fortunately the cafe was deserted20, save that the domino players were having their afternoon game. At every fresh oath which came from the major they glanced around, scandalized by such an unusual accession of customers and ready to threaten Melanie that they would leave her for the Café de la Gare if the soldiery was going to invade her place like flies that buzzed about, attracted by the stickiness of the tables which Phrosine scoured21 only on Saturdays. She was now reclining behind the counter, already reading a novel again.
“How’s this—you are not drinking with Madame?” roughly said the major to Burle. “Be civil at least!”
Then as Doucet and Morandot were again preparing to leave, he stopped them.
“Why can’t you wait? We’ll go together. It is only this brute22 who never knows how to behave himself.”
The two officers looked surprised at the major’s sudden bad temper. Melanie attempted to restore peace and with a light laugh placed her hands on the arms of both men. However, Laguitte disengaged himself.
“No,” he roared, “leave me alone. Why does he refuse to chink glasses with you? I shall not allow you to be insulted—do you hear? I am quite sick of him.”
Burle, paling under the insult, turned slightly and said to Morandot, “What does this mean? He calls me in here to insult me. Is he drunk?”
With a wild oath the major rose on his trembling legs and struck the captain’s cheek with his open hand. Melanie dived and thus escaped one half of the smack23. An appalling24 uproar25 ensued. Phrosine screamed behind the counter as if she herself had received the blow; the domino players also entrenched26 themselves behind their table in fear lest the soldiers should draw their swords and massacre27 them. However, Doucet and Morandot pinioned28 the captain to prevent him from springing at the major’s throat and forcibly let him to the door. When they got him outside they succeeded in quieting him a little by repeating that Laguitte was quite in the wrong. They would lay the affair before the colonel, having witnessed it, and the colonel would give his decision. As soon as they had got Burle away they returned to the cafe where they found Laguitte in reality greatly disturbed, with tears in his eyes but affecting stolid29 indifference30 and slowly finishing his beer.
“Listen, Major,” began Morandot, “that was very wrong on your part. The captain is your inferior in rank, and you know that he won’t be allowed to fight you.”
“But how has he offended you? He never uttered a word. Two old comrades too; it is absurd.”
The major made a vague gesture. “No matter. He annoyed me.”
He could never be made to say anything else. Nothing more as to his motive32 was ever known. All the same, the scandal was a terrible one. The regiment was inclined to believe that Melanie, incensed33 by the captain’s defection, had contrived34 to entrap35 the major, telling him some abominable36 stories and prevailing37 upon him to insult and strike Burle publicly. Who would have thought it of that old fogy Laguitte, who professed38 to be a woman hater? they said. So he, too, had been caught at last. Despite the general indignation against Melanie, this adventure made her very conspicuous39, and her establishment soon drove a flourishing business.
On the following day the colonel summoned the major and the captain into his presence. He censured40 them sternly, accusing them of disgracing their uniform by frequenting unseemly haunts. What resolution had they come to, he asked, as he could not authorize41 them to fight? This same question had occupied the whole regiment for the last twenty-four hours. Apologies were unacceptable on account of the blow, but as Laguitte was almost unable to stand, it was hoped that, should the colonel insist upon it, some reconciliation42 might be patched up.
“Come,” said the colonel, “will you accept me as arbitrator?”
“I beg your pardon, Colonel,” interrupted the major; “I have brought you my resignation. Here it is. That settles everything. Please name the day for the duel43.”
“This is a most serious step, Major,” he began. “Two years more and you would be entitled to your full pension.”
But again did Laguitte cut him short, saying gruffly, “That is my own affair.”
“Oh, certainly! Well, I will send in your resignation, and as soon as it is accepted I will fix a day for the duel.”
The unexpected turn that events had taken startled the regiment. What possessed45 that lunatic major to persist in cutting the throat of his old comrade Burle? The officers again discussed Melanie; they even began to dream of her. There must surely be something wonderful about her since she had completely fascinated two such tough old veterans and brought them to a deadly feud46. Morandot, having met Laguitte, did not disguise his concern. If he—the major—was not killed, what would he live upon? He had no fortune, and the pension to which his cross of the Legion of Honor entitled him, with the half of a full regimental pension which he would obtain on resigning, would barely find him in bread. While Morandot was thus speaking Laguitte simply stared before him with his round eyes, persevering47 in the dumb obstinacy48 born of his narrow mind; and when his companion tried to question him regarding his hatred49 for Burle, he simply made the same vague gesture as before and once again repeated:
“He annoyed me; so much the worse.”
Every morning at mess and at the canteen the first words were: “Has the acceptance of the major’s resignation arrived?” The duel was impatiently expected and ardently50 discussed. The majority believed that Laguitte would be run through the body in three seconds, for it was madness for a man to fight with a paralyzed leg which did not even allow him to stand upright. A few, however, shook their heads. Laguitte had never been a marvel51 of intellect, that was true; for the last twenty years, indeed, he had been held up as an example of stupidity, but there had been a time when he was known as the best fencer of the regiment, and although he had begun as a drummer he had won his epaulets as the commander of a battalion4 by the sanguine52 bravery of a man who is quite unconscious of danger. On the other hand, Burle fenced indifferently and passed for a poltroon53. However, they would soon know what to think.
Meanwhile the excitement became more and more intense as the acceptance of Laguitte’s resignation was so long in coming. The major was unmistakably the most anxious and upset of everybody. A week had passed by, and the general inspection would commence two days later. Nothing, however, had come as yet. He shuddered54 at the thought that he had, perhaps, struck his old friend and sent in his resignation all in vain, without delaying the exposure for a single minute. He had in reality reasoned thus: If he himself were killed he would not have the worry of witnessing the scandal, and if he killed Burle, as he expected to do, the affair would undoubtedly be hushed up. Thus he would save the honor of the army, and the little chap would be able to get in at Saint-Cyr. Ah, why wouldn’t those wretched scribblers at the War Office hurry up a bit? The major could not keep still but was forever wandering about before the post office, stopping the estafettes and questioning the colonel’s orderly to find out if the acceptance had arrived. He lost his sleep and, careless as to people’s remarks, he leaned more and more heavily on his stick, hobbling about with no attempt to steady his gait.
On the day before that fixed for the inspection he was, as usual, on his way to the colonel’s quarters when he paused, startled, to see Mme Burle (who was taking Charles to school) a few paces ahead of him. He had not met her since the scene at the Café de Paris, for she had remained in seclusion55 at home. Unmanned at thus meeting her, he stepped down to leave the whole sidewalk free. Neither he nor the old lady bowed, and the little boy lifted his large inquisitive56 eyes in mute surprise. Mme Burle, cold and erect57, brushed past the major without the least sign of emotion or recognition. When she had passed he looked after her with an expression of stupefied compassion58.
When he arrived at the colonel’s quarters a captain in attendance greeted him with the words: “It’s all right at last. The papers have come.”
“Ah!” murmured Laguitte, growing very pale.
And again he beheld60 the old lady walking on, relentlessly61 rigid62 and holding the little boy’s hand. What! He had longed so eagerly for those papers for eight days past, and now when the scraps63 had come he felt his brain on fire and his heart lacerated.
The duel took place on the morrow, in the barrack yard behind a low wall. The air was keen, the sun shining brightly. Laguitte had almost to be carried to the ground; one of his seconds supported him on one side, while on the other he leaned heavily, on his stick. Burle looked half asleep; his face was puffy with unhealthy fat, as if he had spent a night of debauchery. Not a word was spoken. They were all anxious to have it over.
Captain Doucet crossed the swords of the two adversaries64 and then drew back, saying: “Set to, gentlemen.”
Burle was the first to attack; he wanted to test Laguitte’s strength and ascertain65 what he had to expect. For the last ten days the encounter had seemed to him a ghastly nightmare which he could not fathom66. At times a hideous67 suspicion assailed68 him, but he put it aside with terror, for it meant death, and he refused to believe that a friend could play him such a trick, even to set things right. Besides, Laguitte’s leg reasssured him; he would prick69 the major on the shoulder, and then all would be over.
During well-nigh a couple of minutes the swords clashed, and then the captain lunged, but the major, recovering his old suppleness70 of wrist, parried in a masterly style, and if he had returned the attack Burle would have been pierced through. The captain now fell back; he was livid, for he felt that he was at the mercy of the man who had just spared him. At last he understood that this was an execution.
Laguitte, squarely poised71 on his infirm legs and seemingly turned to stone, stood waiting. The two men looked at each other fixedly72. In Burle’s blurred73 eyes there arose a supplication—a prayer for pardon. He knew why he was going to die, and like a child he promised not to transgress74 again. But the major’s eyes remained implacable; honor had spoken, and he silenced his emotion and his pity.
“Let it end,” he muttered between his teeth.
Then it was he who attacked. Like a flash of lightning his sword flamed, flying from right to left, and then with a resistless thrust it pierced the breast of the captain, who fell like a log without even a groan75.
Laguitte had released his hold upon his sword and stood gazing at that poor old rascal76 Burle, who was stretched upon his back with his fat stomach bulging77 out.
“Oh, my God! My God!” repeated the major furiously and despairingly, and then he began to swear.
They led him away, and, both his legs failing him, he had to be supported on either side, for he could not even use his stick.
Two months later the ex-major was crawling slowly along in the sunlight down a lonely street of Vauchamp, when he again found himself face to face with Mme Burle and little Charles. They were both in deep mourning. He tried to avoid them, but he now only walked with difficulty, and they advanced straight upon him without hurrying or slackening their steps. Charles still had the same gentle, girlish, frightened face, and Mme Burle retained her stern, rigid demeanor78, looking even harsher than ever.
As Laguitte shrank into the corner of a doorway79 to leave the whole street to them, she abruptly80 stopped in front of him and stretched out her hand. He hesitated and then took it and pressed it, but he trembled so violently that he made the old lady’s arm shake. They exchanged glances in silence.
“Charles,” said the boy’s grandmother at last, “shake hands with the major.” The boy obeyed without understanding. The major, who was very pale, barely ventured to touch the child’s frail81 fingers; then, feeling that he ought to speak, he stammered82 out: “You still intend to send him to Saint-Cyr?”
“Of course, when he is old enough,” answered Mme Burle.
But during the following week Charles was carried off by typhoid fever. One evening his grandmother had again read him the story of the Vengeur to make him bold, and in the night he had become delirious83. The poor little fellow died of fright.
《Nana娜娜》
《Doctor Pascal》
《Nana娜娜》
《Doctor Pascal》
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1
regiment
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| n.团，多数，管理；v.组织，编成团，统制 | |
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inspection
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| n.检查，审查，检阅 | |
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battalions
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| n.（陆军的）一营（大约有一千兵士）( battalion的名词复数 )；协同作战的部队；军队；（组织在一起工作的）队伍 | |
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battalion
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| n.营；部队；大队(的人) | |
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cane
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| n.手杖，细长的茎，藤条；v.以杖击，以藤编制的 | |
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winked
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| v.使眼色( wink的过去式和过去分词 )；递眼色（表示友好或高兴等）；（指光）闪烁；闪亮 | |
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divan
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| n.长沙发；（波斯或其他东方诗人的）诗集 | |
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chuckled
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| 轻声地笑( chuckle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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chaff
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| v.取笑，嘲笑；n.谷壳 | |
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undoubtedly
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| adv.确实地，无疑地 | |
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disparaged
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| v.轻视( disparage的过去式和过去分词 )；贬低；批评；非难 | |
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brutality
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| n.野蛮的行为，残忍，野蛮 | |
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whim
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| n.一时的兴致，突然的念头；奇想，幻想 | |
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wont
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| adj.习惯于；v.习惯；n.习惯 | |
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lameness
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| n. 跛, 瘸, 残废 | |
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perplexed
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| adj.不知所措的 | |
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dreaded
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| adj.令人畏惧的；害怕的v.害怕，恐惧，担心( dread的过去式和过去分词) | |
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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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proceedings
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| n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报 | |
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deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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scoured
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| 走遍（某地）搜寻（人或物）( scour的过去式和过去分词 )； （用力）刷； 擦净； 擦亮 | |
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brute
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| n.野兽，兽性 | |
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smack
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| vt.拍，打，掴；咂嘴；vi.含有…意味；n.拍 | |
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appalling
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| adj.骇人听闻的，令人震惊的，可怕的 | |
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uproar
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| n.骚动，喧嚣，鼎沸 | |
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entrenched
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| adj.确立的，不容易改的(风俗习惯) | |
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massacre
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| n.残杀，大屠杀；v.残杀，集体屠杀 | |
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pinioned
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| v.抓住[捆住]（双臂）( pinion的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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stolid
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| adj.无动于衷的，感情麻木的 | |
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indifference
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| n.不感兴趣，不关心，冷淡，不在乎 | |
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remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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motive
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| n.动机，目的；adv.发动的，运动的 | |
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incensed
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| 盛怒的 | |
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contrived
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| adj.不自然的，做作的；虚构的 | |
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entrap
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| v.以网或陷阱捕捉，使陷入圈套 | |
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abominable
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| adj.可厌的，令人憎恶的 | |
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prevailing
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| adj.盛行的；占优势的；主要的 | |
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professed
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| 公开声称的，伪称的，已立誓信教的 | |
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conspicuous
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| adj.明眼的，惹人注目的；炫耀的，摆阔气的 | |
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censured
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| v.指责，非难，谴责( censure的过去式 ) | |
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authorize
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| v.授权，委任；批准，认可 | |
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reconciliation
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| n.和解，和谐，一致 | |
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duel
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| n./v.决斗；(双方的)斗争 | |
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amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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feud
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| n.长期不和；世仇；v.长期争斗；世代结仇 | |
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persevering
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| a.坚忍不拔的 | |
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obstinacy
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| n.顽固；（病痛等）难治 | |
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hatred
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| n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨 | |
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ardently
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| adv.热心地，热烈地 | |
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marvel
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| vi.(at)惊叹vt.感到惊异；n.令人惊异的事 | |
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sanguine
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| adj.充满希望的，乐观的，血红色的 | |
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poltroon
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| n.胆怯者；懦夫 | |
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54
shuddered
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| v.战栗( shudder的过去式和过去分词 )；发抖；（机器、车辆等）突然震动；颤动 | |
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seclusion
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| n.隐遁，隔离 | |
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inquisitive
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| adj.求知欲强的，好奇的，好寻根究底的 | |
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erect
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| n./v.树立，建立，使竖立；adj.直立的，垂直的 | |
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compassion
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| n.同情，怜悯 | |
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growled
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| v.（动物）发狺狺声， （雷）作隆隆声( growl的过去式和过去分词 )；低声咆哮着说 | |
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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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relentlessly
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| adv.不屈不挠地；残酷地；不间断 | |
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rigid
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| adj.严格的，死板的；刚硬的，僵硬的 | |
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scraps
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| 油渣 | |
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adversaries
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| n.对手，敌手( adversary的名词复数 ) | |
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ascertain
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| vt.发现，确定，查明，弄清 | |
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fathom
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| v.领悟，彻底了解 | |
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hideous
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| adj.丑陋的，可憎的，可怕的，恐怖的 | |
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assailed
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| v.攻击( assail的过去式和过去分词 )；困扰；质问；毅然应对 | |
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prick
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| v.刺伤，刺痛，刺孔；n.刺伤，刺痛 | |
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suppleness
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| 柔软； 灵活； 易弯曲； 顺从 | |
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71
poised
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| a.摆好姿势不动的 | |
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72
fixedly
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| adv.固定地；不屈地，坚定不移地 | |
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blurred
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| v.（使）变模糊( blur的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）难以区分；模模糊糊；迷离 | |
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transgress
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| vt.违反，逾越 | |
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groan
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| vi./n.呻吟，抱怨；(发出)呻吟般的声音 | |
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rascal
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| n.流氓；不诚实的人 | |
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bulging
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| 膨胀； 凸出（部）； 打气； 折皱 | |
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demeanor
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| n.行为；风度 | |
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doorway
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| n.门口，(喻)入门；门路，途径 | |
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80
abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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81
frail
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| adj.身体虚弱的；易损坏的 | |
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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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delirious
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| adj.不省人事的，神智昏迷的 | |
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