In which the Ancient and Solemn German Waltz Becomes a Whirlwind.
But if the spectators, on leaving the theatre, resumed their customary calm, if they quietly regained1 their homes, preserving only a sort of passing stupefaction, they had none the less undergone a remarkable2 exaltation, and overcome and weary as if they had committed some excess of dissipation, they fell heavily upon their beds.
The next day each Quiquendonian had a kind of recollection of what had occurred the evening before. One missed his hat, lost in the hubbub3; another a coat-flap, torn in the brawl4; one her delicately fashioned shoe, another her best mantle5. Memory returned to these worthy6 people, and with it a certain shame for their unjustifiable agitation7. It seemed to them an orgy in which they were the unconscious heroes and heroines. They did not speak of it; they did not wish to think of it. But the most astounded8 personage in the town was Van Tricasse the burgomaster.
The next morning, on waking, he could not find his wig9. Lotchè looked everywhere for it, but in vain. The wig had remained on the field of battle. As for having it publicly claimed by Jean Mistrol, the town-crier,— no, it would not do. It were better to lose the wig than to advertise himself thus, as he had the honour to be the first magistrate10 of Quiquendone.
The worthy Van Tricasse was reflecting upon this, extended beneath his sheets, with bruised11 body, heavy head, furred tongue, and burning breast. He felt no desire to get up; on the contrary; and his brain worked more during this morning than it had probably worked before for forty years. The worthy magistrate recalled to his mind all the incidents of the incomprehensible performance. He connected them with the events which had taken place shortly before at Doctor Ox’s reception. He tried to discover the causes of the singular excitability which, on two occasions, had betrayed itself in the best citizens of the town.
“What can be going on?” he asked himself. “What giddy spirit has taken possession of my peaceable town of Quiquendone? Are we about to go mad, and must we make the town one vast asylum12? For yesterday we were all there, notables, counsellors, judges, advocates, physicians, schoolmasters; and ail13, if my memory serves me,— all of us were assailed14 by this excess of furious folly15! But what was there in that infernal music? It is inexplicable16! Yet I certainly ate or drank nothing which could put me into such a state. No; yesterday I had for dinner a slice of overdone17 veal18, several spoonfuls of spinach19 with sugar, eggs, and a little beer and water,— that couldn’t get into my head! No! There is something that I cannot explain, and as, after all, I am responsible for the conduct of the citizens, I will have an investigation20.”
But the investigation, though decided21 upon by the municipal council, produced no result. If the facts were clear, the causes escaped the sagacity of the magistrates22. Besides, tranquillity23 had been restored in the public mind, and with tranquillity, forgetfulness of the strange scenes of the theatre. The newspapers avoided speaking of them, and the account of the performance which appeared in the “Quiquendone Memorial,” made no allusion25 to this intoxication26 of the entire audience.
Meanwhile, though the town resumed its habitual27 phlegm, and became apparently28 Flemish as before, it was observable that, at bottom, the character and temperament29 of the people changed little by little. One might have truly said, with Dominique Custos, the doctor, that “their nerves were affected30.”
Let us explain. This undoubted change only took place under certain conditions. When the Quiquendonians passed through the streets of the town, walked in the squares or along the Vaar, they were always the cold and methodical people of former days. So, too, when they remained at home, some working with their hands and others with their heads,— these doing nothing, those thinking nothing,— their private life was silent, inert31, vegetating32 as before. No quarrels, no household squabbles, no acceleration33 in the beating of the heart, no excitement of the brain. The mean of their pulsations remained as it was of old, from fifty to fifty-two per minute.
But, strange and inexplicable phenomenon though it was, which would have defied the sagacity of the most ingenious physiologists34 of the day, if the inhabitants of Quiquendone did not change in their home life, they were visibly changed in their civil life and in their relations between man and man, to which it leads.
If they met together in some public edifice35, it did not “work well,” as Commissary Passauf expressed it. On ‘change, at the town-hall, in the amphitheatre of the academy, at the sessions of the council, as well as at the reunions of the savants, a strange excitement seized the assembled citizens. Their relations with each other became embarrassing before they had been together an hour. In two hours the discussion degenerated36 into an angry dispute. Heads became heated, and personalities37 were used. Even at church, during the sermon, the faithful could not listen to Van Stabel, the minister, in patience, and he threw himself about in the pulpit and lectured his flock with far more than his usual severity. At last this state of things brought about altercations38 more grave, alas39! than that between Gustos and Schut, and if they did not require the interference of the authorities, it was because the antagonists40, after returning home, found there, with its calm, forgetfulness of the offences offered and received.
This peculiarity41 could not be observed by these minds, which were absolutely incapable42 of recognizing what was passing in them. One person only in the town, he whose office the council had thought of suppressing for thirty years, Michael Passauf, had remarked that this excitement, which was absent from private houses, quickly revealed itself in public edifices43; and he asked himself, not without a certain anxiety, what would happen if this infection should ever develop itself in the family mansions45, and if the epidemic46 — this was the word he used — should extend through the streets of the town. Then there would be no more forgetfulness of insults, no more tranquillity, no intermission in the delirium47; but a permanent inflammation, which would inevitably48 bring the Quiquendonians into collision with each other.
“What would happen then?” Commissary Passauf asked himself in terror. “How could these furious savages49 be arrested? How check these goaded50 temperaments51? My office would be no longer a sinecure52, and the council would be obliged to double my salary — unless it should arrest me myself, for disturbing the public peace!”
These very reasonable fears began to be realized. The infection spread from ‘change, the theatre, the church, the town-hall, the academy, the market, into private houses, and that in less than a fortnight after the terrible performance of the “Huguenots.”
Its first symptoms appeared in the house of Collaert, the banker.
That wealthy personage gave a ball, or at least a dancing-party, to the notabilities of the town. He had issued, some months before, a loan of thirty thousand francs, three quarters of which had been subscribed53; and to celebrate this financial success, he had opened his drawing-rooms, and given a party to his fellow-citizens.
Everybody knows that Flemish parties are innocent and tranquil24 enough, the principal expense of which is usually in beer and syrups54. Some conversation on the weather, the appearance of the crops, the fine condition of the gardens, the care of flowers, and especially of tulips; a slow and measured dance, from time to time, perhaps a minuet; sometimes a waltz, but one of those German waltzes which achieve a turn and a half per minute, and during which the dancers hold each other as far apart as their arms will permit,— such is the usual fashion of the balls attended by the aristocratic society of Quiquendone. The polka, after being altered to four time, had tried to become accustomed to it; but the dancers always lagged behind the orchestra, no matter how slow the measure, and it had to be abandoned.
These peaceable reunions, in which the youths and maidens55 enjoyed an honest and moderate pleasure, had never been attended by any outburst of ill-nature. Why, then, on this evening at Collaert the banker’s, did the syrups seem to be transformed into heady wines, into sparkling champagne56, into heating punches? Why, towards the middle of the evening, did a sort of mysterious intoxication take possession of the guests? Why did the minuet become a jig57? Why did the orchestra hurry with its harmonies? Why did the candles, just as at the theatre, burn with unwonted refulgence58? What electric current invaded the banker’s drawing-rooms? How happened it that the couples held each other so closely, and clasped each other’s hands so convulsively, that the “cavaliers seuls” made themselves conspicuous59 by certain extraordinary steps in that figure usually so grave, so solemn, so majestic60, so very proper?
Alas! what OEdipus could have answered these unsolvable questions? Commissary Passauf, who was present at the party, saw the storm coming distinctly, but he could not control it or fly from it, and he felt a kind of intoxication entering his own brain. All his physical and emotional faculties61 increased in intensity62. He was seen, several times, to throw himself upon the confectionery and devour63 the dishes, as if he had just broken a long fast.
The animation64 of the ball was increasing all this while. A long murmur65, like a dull buzzing, escaped from all breasts. They danced — really danced. The feet were agitated66 by increasing frenzy67. The faces became as purple as those of Silenus. The eyes shone like carbuncles. The general fermentation rose to the highest pitch.
And when the orchestra thundered out the waltz in “Der Freyschütz,”— when this waltz, so German, and with a movement so slow, was attacked with wild arms by the musicians,— ah! it was no longer a waltz, but an insensate whirlwind, a giddy rotation68, a gyration69 worthy of being led by some Mephistopheles, beating the measure with a firebrand! Then a galop, an infernal galop, which lasted an hour without any one being able to stop it, whirled off, in its windings70, across the halls, the drawing-rooms, the antechambers, by the staircases, from the cellar to the garret of the opulent mansion44, the young men and young girls, the fathers and mothers, people of every age, of every weight, of both sexes; Collaert, the fat banker, and Madame Collaert, and the counsellors, and the magistrates, and the chief justice, and Niklausse, and Madame Van Tricasse, and the Burgomaster Van Tricasse, and the Commissary Passauf himself, who never could recall afterwards who had been his partner on that terrible evening.
it was no longer a waltz
But she did not forget! And ever since that day she has seen in her dreams the fiery71 commissary, enfolding her in an impassioned embrace! And “she”— was the amiable72 Tatanémance!
收听单词发音 |
1
regained
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| 复得( regain的过去式和过去分词 )； 赢回； 重回； 复至某地 | |
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remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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hubbub
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| n.嘈杂；骚乱 | |
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brawl
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| n.大声争吵，喧嚷；v.吵架，对骂 | |
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mantle
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| n.斗篷，覆罩之物，罩子；v.罩住，覆盖，脸红 | |
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worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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agitation
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| n.搅动；搅拌；鼓动，煽动 | |
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astounded
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| v.使震惊(astound的过去式和过去分词)；愕然；愕；惊讶 | |
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wig
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| n.假发 | |
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magistrate
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| n.地方行政官，地方法官，治安官 | |
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bruised
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| [医]青肿的，瘀紫的 | |
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asylum
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| n.避难所，庇护所，避难 | |
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13
ail
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| v.生病，折磨，苦恼 | |
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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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folly
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| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
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16
inexplicable
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| adj.无法解释的，难理解的 | |
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overdone
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| v.做得过分( overdo的过去分词 )；太夸张；把…煮得太久；（工作等）过度 | |
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veal
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| n.小牛肉 | |
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spinach
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| n.菠菜 | |
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investigation
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| n.调查，调查研究 | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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magistrates
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| 地方法官，治安官( magistrate的名词复数 ) | |
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tranquillity
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| n. 平静, 安静 | |
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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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25
allusion
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| n.暗示，间接提示 | |
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26
intoxication
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| n.wild excitement;drunkenness；poisoning | |
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habitual
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| adj.习惯性的；通常的，惯常的 | |
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apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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temperament
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| n.气质，性格，性情 | |
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affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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31
inert
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| adj.无活动能力的，惰性的；迟钝的 | |
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32
vegetating
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| v.过单调呆板的生活( vegetate的现在分词 )；植物似地生长；（瘤、疣等）长大 | |
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33
acceleration
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| n.加速，加速度 | |
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34
physiologists
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| n.生理学者( physiologist的名词复数 )；生理学( physiology的名词复数 )；生理机能 | |
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35
edifice
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| n.宏伟的建筑物(如宫殿，教室) | |
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degenerated
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| 衰退，堕落，退化( degenerate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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personalities
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| n. 诽谤，（对某人容貌、性格等所进行的）人身攻击； 人身攻击；人格, 个性, 名人( personality的名词复数 ) | |
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altercations
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| n.争辩，争吵( altercation的名词复数 ) | |
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alas
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| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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antagonists
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| 对立[对抗] 者，对手，敌手( antagonist的名词复数 )； 对抗肌； 对抗药 | |
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peculiarity
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| n.独特性，特色；特殊的东西；怪癖 | |
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42
incapable
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| adj.无能力的，不能做某事的 | |
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43
edifices
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| n.大建筑物( edifice的名词复数 ) | |
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44
mansion
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| n.大厦，大楼；宅第 | |
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45
mansions
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| n.宅第，公馆，大厦( mansion的名词复数 ) | |
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46
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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47
delirium
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| n. 神智昏迷,说胡话;极度兴奋 | |
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48
inevitably
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| adv.不可避免地；必然发生地 | |
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49
savages
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| 未开化的人，野蛮人( savage的名词复数 ) | |
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50
goaded
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| v.刺激( goad的过去式和过去分词 )；激励；（用尖棒）驱赶；驱使（或怂恿、刺激）某人 | |
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51
temperaments
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| 性格( temperament的名词复数 )； （人或动物的）气质； 易冲动； （性情）暴躁 | |
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52
sinecure
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| n.闲差事，挂名职务 | |
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53
subscribed
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| v.捐助( subscribe的过去式和过去分词 )；签署，题词；订阅；同意 | |
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54
syrups
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| n.糖浆，糖汁( syrup的名词复数 )；糖浆类药品 | |
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maidens
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| 处女( maiden的名词复数 )； 少女； 未婚女子； （板球运动）未得分的一轮投球 | |
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56
champagne
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| n.香槟酒；微黄色 | |
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57
jig
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| n.快步舞（曲）；v.上下晃动；用夹具辅助加工；蹦蹦跳跳 | |
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58
refulgence
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| n.辉煌，光亮 | |
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59
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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majestic
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| adj.雄伟的，壮丽的，庄严的，威严的，崇高的 | |
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faculties
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| n.能力( faculty的名词复数 )；全体教职员；技巧；院 | |
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intensity
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| n.强烈，剧烈；强度；烈度 | |
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63
devour
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| v.吞没；贪婪地注视或谛听，贪读；使着迷 | |
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64
animation
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| n.活泼，兴奋，卡通片／动画片的制作 | |
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65
murmur
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| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
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agitated
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| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
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frenzy
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| n.疯狂，狂热，极度的激动 | |
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68
rotation
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| n.旋转；循环，轮流 | |
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69
gyration
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| n.旋转 | |
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70
windings
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| （道路、河流等）蜿蜒的，弯曲的( winding的名词复数 )； 缠绕( wind的现在分词 )； 卷绕； 转动（把手） | |
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71
fiery
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| adj.燃烧着的，火红的；暴躁的；激烈的 | |
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amiable
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| adj.和蔼可亲的，友善的，亲切的 | |
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