The best officers of the detachment were prisoners in the château. The subordinate who had been entrusted6 with the pursuit was young and inexperienced; the Cossack commander was a mere7 raider. They themselves belonged to the cavalry8. They decided, after inspecting the whole building carefully as nearly as they dared in view of the constant threat of discharge, that they would have to wait until morning, unless something occurred to them or some chance favored them. They trusted that at daylight they would have no difficulty in effecting an entrance somewhere. A total of three men dead and one wounded, to say nothing of the sentries9 and officers, had a discouraging effect on night work. They did not dream that there was an enemy, a French soldier, that is, nearer than Troyes. They supposed that the castle had been seized by some of the enraged10 country people who had escaped the Cossacks and that they could easily deal with them in the morning.
Incidentally, the wine cellars in which the peasants had been shut had openings to the outer air, and through them came shouts and cries which added to the mystification of the besiegers and increased their prudence11. The walls of the château were massive, the floors thick, the wine cellar far away, and no sound came from them to the inmates12 of the great hall. Indeed, in the exciting adventure that had taken place, the raiders had been completely forgot by Marteau and the others.
The conversation in the hall was not animated13. The Countess Laure, womanlike, at last began to ask questions.
"Monsieur Marteau," she asked persuasively14, "will you hear reason?"
"I will hear anything, mademoiselle, from you," was the instant reply.
"Think of the unhappy state of France."
"I have had reason enough to think of it to-night, mademoiselle. My father and my sister——" his voice faltered15.
"I know," said the girl sympathetically, and, indeed, she was deeply grieved for the misfortunes of the faithful and devoted16 old man and the young girl she had loved. She waited a moment and then continued. "The Emperor is at last facing defeat. His cause is hopeless."
"He yet lives," answered the soldier softly.
"Yes, of course," said the woman. "I do not understand the military situation, but my friends——"
"Will monsieur allow me the favor of a word?" interposed the chief Russian officer courteously17.
"If it is not to summon assistance you may speak," replied Marteau.
"As a soldier you know the situation as well as I," continued the Russian. "Prince Von Schwarzenberg has Napoleon in his grasp. He will hold him until he is ready to seize him, while Field-Marshal Blücher takes Paris."
"The Emperor yet lives," said Marteau, repeating his former remark with more emphasis and smiling somewhat scornfully. "It is not wise to portion the lion's skin while it covers his beating heart," he added meaningly.
"Not even the genius of your Emperor," persisted the Russian more earnestly, "will avail now, monsieur. He is lost, his cause as well. Why, this very convoy18 tells the story. We intercepted19 letters that told how pressing was its need. Your army is without arms, without food, without clothes."
"It still has its Emperor."
"Death!" cried the Russian impatiently. "Must we kill him in order to teach you a lesson?"
"You will not kill him while there is a soldier in France to interpose his body."
"Very heroic, doubtless," sneered20 the Russian, beginning to get angry. "But you know your cause is lost."
"And if it were?"
"Be reasonable. There are many Frenchmen with the allied21 armies. Your rank is——?"
"I am a Major on the Emperor's staff if you are interested to know."
"Major Marteau, I have no doubt that my interest with my Emperor, the Czar Alexander, with whom I am remotely connected—I may say I am a favorite officer in his guard—would doubtless insure you a Colonel's commission, perhaps even that of a General of Brigade, with my gracious master, or in the army of King Louis after we have replaced him on his throne if——"
"If what?"
"If you release us, restore us to our command. Permit us to send for horses to take the place of those we have killed to take the wagons of the valuable convoy to our own army."
"And you would have me abandon my Emperor?"
"For the good of France," urged the Russian meaningly.
"Will you answer me a question, monsieur?" continued the young man after a moment's deep thought.
"Certainly, if it be not treason to my master."
"Oh, you have views on treason, then," said the Frenchman adroitly22 and not giving the other time to answer he continued. "To what corps23 are you attached?"
"Count Sacken's."
"And whose division?"
"General Olsuvieff's."
"Monsieur," said the young Frenchman calmly, "it is more than probable that before to-morrow your division will be annihilated24 and the next day the corps of General Sacken may meet the same fate."
The Russian laughed scornfully at what seemed to him the wildest boasting.
"Are you mad?"
"Not so mad as you will be when it happens."
The Russian controlled himself with difficulty in the face of the irritating observations.
"And who will do this?" he asked, at last.
"The Emperor."
"Does he command the lightning-flash that he could hurl25 the thunder-bolt from Troyes?"
"Upon my word, I believe he does," laughed the Frenchman.
"This is foolish jesting, boy," broke out the Englishman. "I am a man of consideration in my own country. The lady here will bear me out. I offered you fifty pounds. I will give you five hundred if you will release us and——"
"And I offer you my—friendship," said the Countess, making a long pause before the last word.
How much of it she meant or how little no one could say. Any ruse26 was fair in war like this. Marteau looked at her. The color flamed to her cheek and died away. It had flamed into his cheek and died away also.
"Gentlemen," he said, "you offer me rank, money——" he paused—"friendship——" he shot a meaning glance at the young girl. He paused again.
"Well?" said the Russian.
"Speak out," said the Englishman. "Your answer, lad?"
"I refuse."
"Don't be a fool," roared Sir Gervaise bluntly.
"I refuse, I repeat," said Marteau. "While the Emperor lives I am his man. Not rank, not money, not friendship, not love itself even could move me. Enough, gentlemen," he continued imperiously as the two Russians and the Englishman all began to speak at once. "No more. Such propositions are insults."
"There is another appeal which ought to be brought to your attention, young sir," said the second Russian officer when he could be heard.
"And what is that?"
"Your life. You know that as soon as day breaks the château will be seized. You are a self-confessed spy. You came here wearing a Russian uniform. As soon as we are released we shall hang you as a spy. But if you release us now, on my word of honor you shall go free."
"Monsieur is a very brave man," said Marteau smiling.
"Why?"
"To threaten me with death while he is in my power. You are the only witnesses. I could make way with you all."
"You forget the Countess and the English gentleman."
"Although the Countess is the enemy of France——"
"Nay27, nay, the friend," interposed the girl.
"Be it so. Although she is the enemy of the Emperor then, I cannot believe that she could condemn28 to death by her testimony29 the man who has saved her from worse than death, and as for the English gentleman——"
"Damme if I'd say a word to hurt you, if only for what you have done for her, whether you release me or not," cried Yeovil.
"You see?"
"Monsieur Jean," said the Countess, "you put me under great obligations to you."
"By saving your life, your honor, mademoiselle! I gladly——"
"By giving me your confidence," interrupted the girl, who in her secret heart was delighted at the stand the young officer had taken. She would have despised him if he had succumbed30 to the temptation of which she herself was part.
"I could do no less, mademoiselle," returned Marteau. "I and my forbears have served your house and known it and loved it for eight hundred years."
"I know it," answered the girl. "I value the association. I am proud of it."
"And since you know it and recognize it perhaps you will tell me how you happen to be here."
"Willingly," answered Mademoiselle Laure. "The estates are to be sold. There are deeds and papers of value in the château without which transactions could not be completed. I alone knew where they were. With Monsieur Yeovil, my uncle's friend and the father of——" she hesitated and then went on, "so I came to France."
"But with the invading armies——"
"There was no other way. The Czar Alexander gave me a safe conduct. A company of his guards escorted us. Sir Gervaise Yeovil was accredited31 to Lord Castlereagh, but with his permission he brought me here first. My uncle was too old to come. Arrived here we found the Cossacks, the wagon-train. There was a battle, a victory, pursuit. Then those villains32 seized us. They stole upon us unsuspecting, having murdered the sentries, and then you came."
"I see. And have you the papers?"
"They are—— Not yet, but I may take them?"
"Assuredly, so far as I am concerned," answered Marteau, "although I regret to see the old estate pass out of the hands of the ancient family."
"I regret it also, but I am powerless."
"We played together here as children," said Marteau. "My father has kept it well since. Your father died and now mine is gone——"
"And I am very sorry," answered the young woman softly.
Marteau turned away, peered out of the window and sank into gloomy silence.
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收听单词发音
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1
entreaties
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| n.恳求，乞求( entreaty的名词复数 ) | |
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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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defenders
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| n.防御者( defender的名词复数 )；守卫者；保护者；辩护者 | |
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wagons
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| n.四轮的运货马车( wagon的名词复数 )；铁路货车；小手推车 | |
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5
kindled
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| （使某物）燃烧，着火( kindle的过去式和过去分词 )； 激起（感情等）； 发亮，放光 | |
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entrusted
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| v.委托，托付( entrust的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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cavalry
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| n.骑兵；轻装甲部队 | |
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9
sentries
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| 哨兵，步兵( sentry的名词复数 ) | |
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enraged
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| 使暴怒( enrage的过去式和过去分词 )； 歜； 激愤 | |
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prudence
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| n.谨慎，精明，节俭 | |
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12
inmates
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| n.囚犯( inmate的名词复数 ) | |
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13
animated
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| adj.生气勃勃的，活跃的，愉快的 | |
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persuasively
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| adv.口才好地；令人信服地 | |
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15
faltered
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| （嗓音）颤抖( falter的过去式和过去分词 )； 支吾其词； 蹒跚； 摇晃 | |
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16
devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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courteously
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| adv.有礼貌地，亲切地 | |
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18
convoy
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| vt.护送，护卫，护航；n.护送；护送队 | |
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19
intercepted
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| 拦截( intercept的过去式和过去分词 )； 截住； 截击； 拦阻 | |
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20
sneered
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| 讥笑，冷笑( sneer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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allied
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| adj.协约国的；同盟国的 | |
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adroitly
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| adv.熟练地，敏捷地 | |
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corps
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| n.(通信等兵种的)部队；(同类作的)一组 | |
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24
annihilated
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| v.（彻底）消灭( annihilate的过去式和过去分词 )；使无效；废止；彻底击溃 | |
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hurl
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| vt.猛投，力掷，声叫骂 | |
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ruse
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| n.诡计，计策；诡计 | |
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27
nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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28
condemn
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| vt.谴责，指责；宣判(罪犯)，判刑 | |
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testimony
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| n.证词；见证，证明 | |
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30
succumbed
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| 不再抵抗（诱惑、疾病、攻击等）( succumb的过去式和过去分词 )； 屈从； 被压垮； 死 | |
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31
accredited
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| adj.可接受的；可信任的；公认的；质量合格的v.相信( accredit的过去式和过去分词 )；委托；委任；把…归结于 | |
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32
villains
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| n.恶棍( villain的名词复数 )；罪犯；（小说、戏剧等中的）反面人物；淘气鬼 | |
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