In this position each made good use of his eyes and Fred Ashman's, from some cause or other, continually wandered to the draped curtains at the right of the ruler, between which he must pass when entering or leaving that part of his residence.
It was while his gaze was used on these curtains that he saw them gently agitated1 in a way which left no doubt that some person on the other side was the cause.
By and by he discerned part of a dainty hand, and the next minute became aware that a pair of the most beautifully lustrous3 eyes on which he had ever gazed was peering into the apartment.
"It is Ariel," was his instant thought, "and she as listening to the words that we are speaking."
The thought had hardly found shape, when one eye, a part of a lovely face and the top of the head were discerned, as the owner, giving rein4 to her curiosity, ventured upon a little further view of the visitors.
Then, as if conscious of her breach5 of etiquette6, she withdrew, like a flash, from view altogether.
But he knew it was only for a brief interval7, and sure enough, the eyes speedily appeared at another portion of the curtains, where the beauteous princess must have believed she was not observed, for she looked steadily8 at the faces of the visitors, with a depth of interest that it was vain for her to attempt to conceal9.
The heart of Fred Ashman gave a flutter, when he realized that the midnight orbs10 were fastened upon him, and, evidently studying his countenance11 with more interest than those of his companions.
Feeling a peculiar12 boldness, because of the strange situation in which he was placed, he deliberately13 smiled at the unknown one.
She could not have vanished more suddenly had she been snatched away by the hand of some ogre.
A pang14 shot through Fred's heart, as he felt that he had driven away the enchantress by his own forwardness. He reproached himself bitterly for having overreached himself.
But while he was lamenting15, he once more discovered the eyes, rivalling the diamonds in the crown of her royal father, slyly viewing him from the other side of the curtain. This time the fair one took care that no part of her countenance was visible, and the young man was equally guarded for the time, not to betray his sweet knowledge of the other's scrutiny16.
It was at this juncture17, that King Haffgo addressed some pointed18 questions to Ashman who was forced to withdraw his gaze from the marvellously attractive sight, and fasten it upon the rugged19 and wrinkled countenance of the king of the Murhapas.
But those eyes were in his field of vision, and, even while speaking to the potentate20, his glance continually wandered to the orbs which attracted him as the lodestone draws the magnet.
But alas21! the American forgot a fact of the first importance: the eyes of the father were as observant as those of his only child. He saw the furtive22 glances at the curtains, and a slight rustling23 at his right hand told him that his beloved Ariel, with the curiosity of her sex, was playing the eavesdropper24.
The indulgent father would have cared nothing for this, had he not discovered the extraordinary interest which one of his three callers manifested in his child. In that moment, the distrust which he felt of the strange race was turned to violent hatred25 toward one of its members, because of his unpardonable insolence26 in daring to return the gaze with a smile.
The king suddenly leaned the javelin27 in his hand against the chair in which he was sitting, and partly rose from his seat as if about to descend28 from the throne. Instead of doing so, he leaned slightly to one side, and, with a quick movement, seized one of the curtains and snatched it aside.
The act, which was like the flitting of a bird's wing, caused Ariel, his daughter, to stand forth29 fully2 revealed!
If the white men had been dazzled by the amazing collection of diamonds on the brow of the king, it may be said that they were now blinded for the moment by the vision of loveliness which burst upon them, like the unexpected emergence30 of the sun from behind a dark cloud.
Before the princess could rally from her bewilderment, her father sharply commanded her to advance. She knew that that affectionate parent could be stern and cruel as well as loving and affectionate, and with her eyes bent31 modestly on the floor she stepped forward and stood beside him.
Her hair, instead of being auburn like her parent's, was as black as the raven's wing. It hung in luxuriant wavy32 masses below her waist, being gathered by a white clasp of burnished33 silver at the back of the neck, without which it would have enveloped34 all the upper part of her body in its fleecy veil.
Her gown of spotless white, composed of native cloth, as fine as satin, was without any ornament35. It was encircled at the waist by a golden girdle, falling in folds which concealed36 the rest of the figure, leaving only one Cinderella-like foot to twinkle from the front, like a jewel of rare beauty.
But no eye could fail to see that the slight girlish figure was of ravishing perfection. The waist was slender, the partly revealed arms were as delicate as lilies, the tiny hands with their tapering37 fingers were like those of a fairy, while the countenance was one of the fairest that ever sun shone on.
The contour was such as Rubens delighted to place on canvas, and that Michael Angelo loved to carve from the snowy marble. The Grecian nose, the small mouth, the white teeth, unstained like those of her countrymen and countrywomen, the wealth of hair, the lustrous, soulful eyes, the sea-shell-like tint38 of the cheeks, all these fell upon the startled vision of the explorers with such overpowering suddenness that for the moment they believed they were dreaming, or that some trick of magic revealed to them a picture which had no reality.
"Look upon the white men!" commanded the king speaking in English, and with a sternness which left disobedience out of the question; "look, I say, for never will come the opportunity to see them again."
It was then that Ariel raised her eyes, and turned them toward the trio, gazing at no one in particular—for she knew her parent was closely studying her—but seeming to fix them upon some one miles behind them.
Grimcke, Long and Ashman again bowed their heads almost to the ground, and, feeling that the interview was over, began withdrawing.
Like the vassals39 leaving the presence of their sovereign, they did so walking backward, with their faces toward the throne, and making a low obeisance40 with each step.
The king looked steadily at them, without inclining his head or making the slightest acknowledgment of the salutation. Had not Fred Ashman been mad with the intoxication41 of his new, overwhelming passion, he would have observed that which was noticed by Grimcke and Long: the King was watching him.
The young American hardly raised his gaze from the floor, until in his retreat, he found himself at the entrance, by which all three had come in to the apartment. His companions had made their final obeisance and disappeared, while he was left with Ziffak standing42 near the middle of the apartment, his pose such that he could glance at his royal relative or at him without shifting his body.
It now became Fred's duty to assume the perpendicular43, in order to effect a graceful44 withdrawal45.
As he came upright once more, he looked straight into the countenance of the scowling46 king. Then—he could not help it—-his eyes flashed in the face of the blushing Ariel, who was gazing fixedly47 at him, and he smiled and saluted48 her.
It was a daring thing to do, with the eyes of the king and the head chieftain upon him. He never understood how it was that it was done. The salutation might have been forgiven, but that smile was an offense49 like smiting50 King Haffgo's countenance with the back of the open hand.
But wonder of wonders! the ruby51 lips of the radiant beauty parted for an instant in the faintest possible smile which lit up her countenance like a burst of sunshine. Ashman noticed not the diamond bracelet52 and necklace, which flashed in all their prismatic beauty, but knew only that she had returned the smile of recognition. For that boon53 he would have risked life a thousand times over.
Both Ziffak and the king were looking at the white man at the moment; but, as if suspicion had entered the brain of the infuriated monarch54, he quickly shifted his head and glared at his daughter.
The movement was like the dart55 of a serpent, but that shadowy smile on the face of Ariel had passed, as the lightning flash cleaves56 the midnight, leaving the darkness deeper than before.
The king saw it not, and well for his child that so it was; for, much as he cherished her, he would have smitten57 her to the earth had he dreamed that she ventured on such a response to the impudence58 of the white man, whose very life was his own only through the sufferance of King Haffgo.
Not until Fred Ashman found himself in the air on the outside of the place did he realize what he had done. He feared that he had committed a fatal indiscretion, but when he asked, himself whether he would recall it if he could, his heart said "No."
The afternoon was drawing to a close, and there was a sensible coolness in the air. The natives who had remained standing round the front of the palace, when the explorers first went inside, had grown tired of waiting and, scattered59 in different directions. The Murhapa village wore its usual appearance, so in contrast with what met the eyes of our friends when they first saw it.
The Professor and the New Englander were waiting near the door for Ashman to join them. As he came out, the former shook his head, with a laugh, as an intimation that the young man in the ardor60 of his interest had made a mistake.
Fred admitted that possibly he had forgotten himself, but added that it was now too late to recall what had been done, and he was not sure that he would do so, if the opportunity were given.
"At any rate," said he, "we are promised safe treatment for a couple of days, provided we don't stray off or misbehave ourselves. Our visit can't amount to anything after all, since we must start for home whenever King Haffgo gives his command."
"A good deal may take place in two days," said the Professor significantly.
"And a good deal after five days," was the more significant remark of Jared Long.
It was evident from these declarations that Grimcke and Long had in mind the same thought; which came to Ashman himself, when the ruler of the Murhapas made known to his guests that they must take their departure within such a brief period.
While no one of the three would have dared to signify dissent61, yet they were not the men to come so many hundred miles, forcing their way through endless dangers to turn about and retrace62 their steps at the command of a savage63 who looked upon himself as king, simply because he was able to lord it over a horde64 of barbarians65.
It was no place to discuss their plans, in front of the "palace," especially as the natives were beginning to gather around them again, and among them it was certain was more than one who understood the English tongue "as she is spoke66."
They were waiting for the coming of Ziffak, who was still within. He was their chaperon, and without his guidance, they did not dare to move from the spot.
"Hark!" suddenly exclaimed the Professor, raising his hand as a signal for the whispering to cease.
The sound of voices was heard inside. They recognized the tones of Ziffak, to which they had become accustomed since the previous night. Those of King Haffgo were also distinguishable, and there could be no doubt to whom the low silvery accents heard only occasionally belonged.
The alarming feature of it all was, that the king was in an unmistakably angry mood. He not only talked fast but he talked loud, sure evidence of his excited feelings. It sounded as if Ziffak was striving to placate67 him, but his royal brother grew more savage each moment.
The words of all were uttered in the Murhapa tongue, so that the listeners could form no idea of their meaning. Had they been able to do so, it is safe to say that they would have been in anything but a comfortable frame of mind.
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1
agitated
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| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
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fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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lustrous
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| adj.有光泽的；光辉的 | |
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rein
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| n.疆绳，统治，支配；vt.以僵绳控制，统治 | |
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breach
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| n.违反，不履行；破裂；vt.冲破，攻破 | |
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etiquette
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| n.礼仪，礼节；规矩 | |
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interval
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| n.间隔，间距；幕间休息，中场休息 | |
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8
steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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orbs
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| abbr.off-reservation boarding school 在校寄宿学校n.球，天体，圆形物( orb的名词复数 ) | |
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11
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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12
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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deliberately
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| adv.审慎地；蓄意地；故意地 | |
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pang
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| n.剧痛，悲痛，苦闷 | |
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15
lamenting
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| adj.悲伤的，悲哀的v.（为…）哀悼，痛哭，悲伤( lament的现在分词 ) | |
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16
scrutiny
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| n.详细检查，仔细观察 | |
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juncture
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| n.时刻，关键时刻，紧要关头 | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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rugged
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| adj.高低不平的，粗糙的，粗壮的，强健的 | |
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potentate
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| n.统治者；君主 | |
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alas
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| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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furtive
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| adj.鬼鬼崇崇的，偷偷摸摸的 | |
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rustling
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| n. 瑟瑟声，沙沙声 adj. 发沙沙声的 | |
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24
eavesdropper
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| 偷听者 | |
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hatred
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| n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨 | |
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insolence
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| n.傲慢；无礼；厚颜；傲慢的态度 | |
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javelin
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| n.标枪，投枪 | |
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28
descend
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| vt./vi.传下来，下来，下降 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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emergence
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| n.浮现，显现，出现，（植物）突出体 | |
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bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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32
wavy
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| adj.有波浪的，多浪的，波浪状的，波动的，不稳定的 | |
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33
burnished
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| adj.抛光的，光亮的v.擦亮（金属等），磨光( burnish的过去式和过去分词 )；被擦亮，磨光 | |
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34
enveloped
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| v.包围，笼罩，包住( envelop的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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ornament
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| v.装饰，美化；n.装饰，装饰物 | |
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concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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tapering
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| adj.尖端细的 | |
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38
tint
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| n.淡色，浅色；染发剂；vt.着以淡淡的颜色 | |
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39
vassals
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| n.奴仆( vassal的名词复数 )；（封建时代）诸侯；从属者；下属 | |
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40
obeisance
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| n.鞠躬，敬礼 | |
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41
intoxication
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| n.wild excitement;drunkenness；poisoning | |
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42
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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43
perpendicular
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| adj.垂直的，直立的；n.垂直线，垂直的位置 | |
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44
graceful
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| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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45
withdrawal
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| n.取回，提款；撤退，撤军；收回，撤销 | |
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46
scowling
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| 怒视，生气地皱眉( scowl的现在分词 ) | |
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47
fixedly
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| adv.固定地；不屈地，坚定不移地 | |
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48
saluted
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| v.欢迎，致敬( salute的过去式和过去分词 )；赞扬，赞颂 | |
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49
offense
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| n.犯规，违法行为；冒犯，得罪 | |
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50
smiting
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| v.猛打，重击，打击( smite的现在分词 ) | |
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51
ruby
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| n.红宝石，红宝石色 | |
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52
bracelet
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| n.手镯，臂镯 | |
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53
boon
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| n.恩赐，恩物，恩惠 | |
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54
monarch
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| n.帝王，君主，最高统治者 | |
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55
dart
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| v.猛冲，投掷；n.飞镖，猛冲 | |
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56
cleaves
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| v.劈开，剁开，割开( cleave的第三人称单数 ) | |
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57
smitten
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| 猛打，重击，打击( smite的过去分词 ) | |
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58
impudence
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| n.厚颜无耻；冒失；无礼 | |
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59
scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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ardor
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| n.热情，狂热 | |
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61
dissent
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| n./v.不同意，持异议 | |
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62
retrace
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| v.折回；追溯，探源 | |
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savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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horde
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| n.群众，一大群 | |
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barbarians
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| n.野蛮人( barbarian的名词复数 )；外国人；粗野的人；无教养的人 | |
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66
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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67
placate
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| v.抚慰，平息(愤怒) | |
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