The garden party is by no means a novelty of the present day. In the early part of this century—if not much earlier—Malagasy sovereigns seem to have been wont2 to treat their Court and friends to this species of entertainment.
The order which the Queen had given that her European visitors should attend upon her in the garden, was neither more nor less than an invitation to a garden party, or pic-nic, to be held the following day at one of her surburban retreats named Anosy, about half-a-mile from the city. Accordingly, early in the morning—for the Malagasy are early risers—their friend the Interpreter came to conduct them to the spot, with a gift of a striped lamba for each of the white men.
“Why she not send one for me?” demanded Ebony, pouting—and Ebony’s pout3 was something to take note of!
“’Cause you’re black and don’t need no clothing,” said Hockins, awkwardly attempting to put the lamba on his broad shoulders.
“Humph! if she knowed what splendid lobscouse an’ plum duff I kin4 make,” returned the negro, “Ranny Valony would hab sent me a silk lamba an’ made me her chief cook. Hows’ever, dere’s a good time comin’. I s’pose I ain’t to go to the party?”
“Yis—you muss go. All of you got to go. Kill-deaded—if you don’t go.”
“I’m your man, den1, for I don’t want to be deaded yet a while; moreover, I want to see de fun,” returned the negro.
Meanwhile the Interpreter showed them how to put on the lamba—with one end of it thrown over the left shoulder, like the Spaniard’s cloak,—and then conducted them to the palace, where they found three palanquins—or chairs supported by two staves—awaiting them. Getting into them they set off, preceded by the Interpreter in a similar conveyance5. Ebony and his bearers brought up the rear.
The Queen and her Court had already started some time. Our party soon reached the scene of festivities, at the south-east of the city. It was a charming spot, having large gardens laid out in the European style, with goodly trees overshadowing the pleasure-house of Anosy, and an extensive lake. The house was on an island in the lake, and was reached by a narrow causeway.
At the entrance to the place two enormous letters, “R R,” formed in grass borders that surrounded flower-beds, indicated that Radama Rex, the first king of that name, had originated those gardens. And they did him credit; for he had made great exertions6 to accumulate there specimens7 of the most useful and remarkable8 trees and plants in the country—especially those that were of service in materia medica. Some immense camphor-wood trees were among the most conspicuous10, and there were several specimens of a graceful11 fan-palm, as well as clumps12 of the long-leaved Ròfia. The lake was covered in part with a profusion13 of purple waterlilies, and was well stocked with gold-fish. In the garden and on the upper part of the grounds were luxuriant vines, besides figs14, mangoes, pine-apples, and coffee-plants.
Here, to the strains of an excellent band, hundreds of people, in white and striped lambas, and various gay costumes, were walking about enjoying themselves, conversing15 with animation16, or consuming rice, chickens, and beef, on mats beneath the mango and fig-trees. Elsewhere the more youthful and lively among them engaged in various games, such as racing17, jumping, etcetera.
“Come,” said their friend of the previous day—the Secretary—to Mark and his comrades, breaking in on their contemplation of the animated18 scene, “the Queen wishes to see you.”
Her Majesty19, who was dressed in a long robe of muslin, embroidered20 with gold, sat near the door of the garden-house, surrounded by her ladies, who all wore the simple but graceful native dress. A guard of soldiers stood near at hand.
The Queen merely wished to ask a few ceremonial questions of her visitors. While she was engaged with Hockins and the Secretary, Mark ventured to glance at the ladies of the Court, among whom he observed one who made a deep impression on him. She wore, if possible, a simpler dress than any of her companions, and no ornaments21 whatever. Her features were well formed, and her rather pensive22 countenance23 was very beautiful. When they were retiring from the presence of the Queen, Mark could not resist the temptation to ask the Secretary who she was.
“She does not look very self-willed,” returned Mark.
“True, and she is not really so—only in the matter of religion. I fear we shall lose her ere long, for she minds not the Queen, and no one who defies Ranavalona lives long. But come, let us sit down under this mango tree and eat. You must be hungry.”
He led them as he spoke25 to a sequestered26 spot near a coppice which partially27 guarded them from public gaze on three sides, and on the fourth side afforded them a charming view of the gardens, the gay assemblage, and the country beyond.
At first both Hockins and Ebony hesitated to sit down to breakfast with so distinguished28 a person as an Under-Secretary of State.
“Das so, massa,” chimed in Ebony in the same tone; “wittles nebber taste so pleasant in de cabin as in de fo’c’s’l.”
“Don’t object to anything,” replied Mark, quickly, “just do as I do.”
“Hall right, massa. Neck or nuffin—I’m your man!”
As for the seaman, he obeyed without reply, and in a few minutes they were busy with the Secretary over drumsticks and rice.
The free-and-easy sociability30 of that individual would have surprised them less if they had known that he had been specially9 commissioned by the Queen to look well after them, and gather all the information they might possess about the fugitive31 Christians32 who were hiding in the forests.
Fortunately our young student was quick-witted. He soon perceived the drift of the Secretary’s talk, and, without appearing to evade33 his questions, gave him such replies as conveyed to him no information whatever of the kind he desired. At the same time, he took occasion, when the Secretary’s attention was attracted by something that was going on, to lay his finger on his lips and bestow34 a look of solemn warning on his comrades, the effect of which on their intelligent minds was to make the negro intensely stupid and the seaman miraculously35 ignorant!
Now, while our friends are thus pleasantly engaged, we will return to Rafaravavy, whom we left standing36 among the Queen’s ladies.
Of all the ladies there that little brunette was not only the best-looking, the sweetest, the most innocent, but also, strange to say, the funniest; by which we do not mean to say that she tried to be funny—far from it, but that she had the keenest perception of the ludicrous, and as her perceptions were quick, and little jokes usually struck her, in vulgar parlance37, “all of a heap,” her little explosions of laughter were instantaneous and violently short-lived. Yet her natural temperament38 was grave and earnest, and her habitual39 expression, as we have said, pensive.
Indeed it would have been strange had it been otherwise, considering the times in which she lived, the many friends whom she had seen sacrificed by the violence of her royal mistress, and the terrible uncertainty40 that hung over her own fate.
After a time the Queen dismissed some of her attendants to ramble41 about the grounds,—among them Rafaravavy, who sauntered down one of the side-walks by herself.
She had not gone far when, on reaching a turn of the road where a small thicket42 of shrubs43 concealed45 her from the more public part of the garden, she heard her own name pronounced.
“Rafaravavy!” repeated the voice again, “fear not!” Next moment the bushes were turned aside, a man stepped on the path, and Ravonino stood before her! He seized her in his arms, and printed a fervent47 kiss upon her lips.
“Oh! Samuel,” she said, using her lover’s Christian name, which she naturally preferred, and speaking, of course, in her native tongue, “why did you come here? You know that it is death if you are caught.”
“I would risk more than death, if that were possible, to see you, Rafaravavy. But I come to ask you to fly with me. Our dear Lord’s counsel is that when we are persecuted48 we should flee to a place of safety.”
“Impossible!” said the girl, in a tone of decision that made her lover’s heart sink. “Besides, I am not persecuted. The Queen is fond of me, and bears much.”
“Fond of you she may well be, my loved one, she cannot help that; but she is fonder of herself, and the moment you go beyond a certain point she will order you out to execution. Has she not done the same sort of thing before? She is capable of doing it again. She will surely do it again. Come, dearest! let us fly now—this moment. I have a lamba here which will conceal44 most of your dress. Arrangements are made with some of our friends in the Lord to aid us. Bearers are ready. I will guide you to the caverns49 in the forest where my sister Ra-Ruth is longing50 to receive you, where many of your old friends are dwelling51 in security, where we worship God, and pray to Jesus, and sing the sweet old hymns52 in peace. Come, dear one! will you not come?”
It was evident that the intense earnestness of the lover was exerting powerful influence over the affectionate maiden53, for she began to waver.
“Oh! do not persuade me thus!” she said. “I know not what God would have me do. But the Queen has been very kind to me in spite of my religion, and sometimes I have thought that she listens to my pleading. Perhaps God may use me as the means of bringing her to Jesus. Think what that would be—not only to her own soul but to the multitudes who are now suffering in—”
At that moment footsteps were heard on the gravel54 walk. They were evidently approaching the spot where the lovers stood. Before Ravonino could make up his mind to drag her into the thicket by main force, Rafaravavy had disengaged herself and bounded away. At the same moment Ravonino glided55 into the shrubbery and disappeared.
A few seconds later and Mark Breezy stood on the spot they had quitted. He was alone.
“Strange!” he muttered to himself, “I am almost certain that she took this path, and I fancy that the man’s voice sounded like that of Ravonino. Nothing more natural than that he should ferret her out. Yet it seems to have been imagination.”
“It was not imagination,” said a rather stern voice at Mark’s elbow. He turned quickly.
“I was sure of it!” he exclaimed.
“If you were so sure of it,” said the guide, with a touch of bitterness, “why did you interrupt us and scare the maiden away?”
“You do me wrong in your thoughts,” replied the student, flushing. “One of the Queen’s secretaries is even at this moment coming along this track in company with Hockins and Ebony. While seated at breakfast I saw Rafaravavy walk in this direction, and somehow I took it into my head that you would surely meet her here—I know not why I thought so, unless it be that in like circumstances I myself would have acted the same part—so I hastened on in advance to warn you. Hush56! do you not hear their steps?”
“Forgive me,” said Ravonino, extending his hand, and grasping that of his friend. Then, speaking low and hurriedly, “You are in favour at Court. Will you befriend her?”
“I will. You may depend on me!”
There was no time for more. Already it was almost too late, for the guide had barely disappeared in the thicket when his comrades and the Secretary appeared.
“Hallo! doctor,” exclaimed Hockins, “was ye arter a pretty girl that you bolted so, all of a sudden?”
“Yes, I was,” answered Mark promptly57. “I saw one of the Queen’s ladies come in this direction and ran after her! I suppose there is no harm in that, Mr Secretary? You don’t forbid men to look at your women, do you, like the Arabs?”
“Certainly not,” replied the Secretary, with a slight smile and a ceremonial bow.
“Come, then, let us follow the track, we may yet meet her.”
So saying, Mark led the way along the path where Rafaravavy had vanished, not for the purpose of overtaking her, but in order to give his friend time and opportunity to get out of the thicket unperceived.
On the evening of that same day, after the garden festivities were over, Queen Ranavalona sat in her palace with a frown on her brow, for, despite her determination and frequent commands, the Christians in the town still persisted in holding secret meetings for worship. Those who knew her moods saw plainly that she was fanning the smouldering fires of anger, and that it needed but a small matter to cause them to burst out into a devouring58 flame.
While she was in this critical frame of mind an influential59 courtier appeared before her. He seemed to be greatly excited.
“Madam,” he said, “I request that a bright and sharp spear may be brought to me!”
Somewhat surprised at the nature of the request, the Queen asked to know the reason.
“Madam,” continued the courtier, “I cannot but see with grief the dishonour60 that is done, not only to our idols61 but to the memory of your own predecessors62, by the doctrines63 of these foreigners. Our ancient customs are being destroyed and the new faith is spreading on every hand. All this is but preparatory to the invasion of Madagascar by Europeans; and, as I would rather die than see my Queen and country so disgraced, I ask for a spear to pierce my heart before the evil day arrives.”
This speech had a powerful effect on the Queen. She began to regard Christianity as not merely a sacrilege, but a political offence; for were not people learning to despise the idols of their forefathers64 and to cease praying to the royal ancestors by whom the kingdom had been established, and under whom the country had become great and powerful? Might they not eventually despise herself and learn to treat their living sovereign with contempt?
For some time Ranavalona remained silent, leaning her forehead on her hand. Suddenly she looked up with a flushed countenance.
“It is true—all true,” she said. “When I was carried along in procession to-day did I not hear these Christians singing one of their hated hymns? They will not cease till some of them lose their heads. Have you got with you the formal accusation65 that was made before my chief judge yesterday?”
“No, madam, I have not.”
“Go. Fetch it and read it to me.”
The courtier bowed, left the apartment, and speedily returned with a paper containing the accusations66 referred to. Unfolding it, he read as follows:—
“First. The Christians are accused of despising the idols. Second. They are always praying. Third. They will not swear, but merely affirm. Fourth. Their women are chaste67. Fifth. They are of one mind with regard to their religion. Sixth. They observe the Sabbath as a sacred day.”
Strange to say, this catalogue of so-called accusations deeply affected68 the queen with grief and rage.
“I swear,” she said, with flashing eyes and clenched69 hands, “that I will root out this religion of the Europeans if it should cost the life of every Christian in the land! Go. Leave me!”
For a fortnight subsequent to this the palace and Court appeared as if in mourning for some public calamity70. No band played; no amusements were allowed, and a dread71 of impending72 evil seemed to weigh upon the spirits of all classes. During this time, also, measures were taken to effect the final destruction, as far as possible, of all that had been done in the country by the teaching of the missionaries73 and their converts.
At last the storm burst. A Kabàry, or immense general assembly of the nation, was called by proclamation at the capital. The people were only too well aware of what this signified to doubt that the Queen was thoroughly74 in earnest and in one of her worst moods. With trembling hearts they hastened to obey the summons.
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1
den
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| n.兽穴；秘密地方；安静的小房间，私室 | |
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wont
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| adj.习惯于；v.习惯；n.习惯 | |
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pout
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| v.撅嘴；绷脸；n.撅嘴；生气，不高兴 | |
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kin
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| n.家族，亲属，血缘关系；adj.亲属关系的，同类的 | |
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conveyance
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| n.(不动产等的)转让，让与；转让证书；传送；运送；表达；（正）运输工具 | |
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6
exertions
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| n.努力( exertion的名词复数 )；费力；（能力、权力等的）运用；行使 | |
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specimens
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| n.样品( specimen的名词复数 )；范例；（化验的）抽样；某种类型的人 | |
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8
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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specially
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| adv.特定地；特殊地；明确地 | |
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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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graceful
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| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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clumps
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| n.（树、灌木、植物等的）丛、簇( clump的名词复数 )；（土、泥等）团；块；笨重的脚步声v.（树、灌木、植物等的）丛、簇( clump的第三人称单数 )；（土、泥等）团；块；笨重的脚步声 | |
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13
profusion
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| n.挥霍；丰富 | |
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figs
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| figures 数字，图形，外形 | |
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conversing
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| v.交谈，谈话( converse的现在分词 ) | |
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animation
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| n.活泼，兴奋，卡通片／动画片的制作 | |
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racing
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| n.竞赛，赛马；adj.竞赛用的，赛马用的 | |
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animated
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| adj.生气勃勃的，活跃的，愉快的 | |
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majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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embroidered
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| adj．绣花的 | |
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ornaments
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| n.装饰( ornament的名词复数 )；点缀；装饰品；首饰v.装饰，点缀，美化( ornament的第三人称单数 ) | |
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pensive
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| a.沉思的,哀思的,忧沉的 | |
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countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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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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sequestered
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| adj.扣押的；隐退的；幽静的；偏僻的v.使隔绝，使隔离( sequester的过去式和过去分词 )；扣押 | |
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partially
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| adv.部分地，从某些方面讲 | |
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distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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seaman
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| n.海员，水手，水兵 | |
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sociability
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| n.好交际，社交性，善于交际 | |
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fugitive
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| adj.逃亡的，易逝的；n.逃犯，逃亡者 | |
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Christians
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| n.基督教徒( Christian的名词复数 ) | |
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evade
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| vt.逃避，回避；避开，躲避 | |
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bestow
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| v.把…赠与，把…授予；花费 | |
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miraculously
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| ad.奇迹般地 | |
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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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parlance
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| n.说法；语调 | |
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temperament
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| n.气质，性格，性情 | |
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habitual
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| adj.习惯性的；通常的，惯常的 | |
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uncertainty
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| n.易变，靠不住，不确知，不确定的事物 | |
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ramble
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| v.漫步，漫谈，漫游；n.漫步，闲谈，蔓延 | |
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42
thicket
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| n.灌木丛，树林 | |
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43
shrubs
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| 灌木( shrub的名词复数 ) | |
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conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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45
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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46
abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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47
fervent
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| adj.热的，热烈的，热情的 | |
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48
persecuted
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| （尤指宗教或政治信仰的）迫害(~sb. for sth.)( persecute的过去式和过去分词 )； 烦扰，困扰或骚扰某人 | |
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49
caverns
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| 大山洞，大洞穴( cavern的名词复数 ) | |
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longing
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| n.（for）渴望 | |
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51
dwelling
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| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
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52
hymns
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| n.赞美诗，圣歌，颂歌( hymn的名词复数 ) | |
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53
maiden
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| n.少女，处女；adj.未婚的，纯洁的，无经验的 | |
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gravel
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| n.砂跞；砂砾层；结石 | |
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55
glided
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| v.滑动( glide的过去式和过去分词 )；掠过；（鸟或飞机 ） 滑翔 | |
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56
hush
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| int.嘘，别出声；n.沉默，静寂；v.使安静 | |
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57
promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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58
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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59
influential
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| adj.有影响的，有权势的 | |
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60
dishonour
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| n./vt.拒付（支票、汇票、票据等）；vt.凌辱，使丢脸；n.不名誉，耻辱，不光彩 | |
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61
idols
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| 偶像( idol的名词复数 )； 受崇拜的人或物； 受到热爱和崇拜的人或物； 神像 | |
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62
predecessors
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| n.前任( predecessor的名词复数 )；前辈；（被取代的）原有事物；前身 | |
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doctrines
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| n.教条( doctrine的名词复数 )；教义；学说；（政府政策的）正式声明 | |
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64
forefathers
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| n.祖先，先人；祖先，祖宗( forefather的名词复数 )；列祖列宗；前人 | |
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65
accusation
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| n.控告，指责，谴责 | |
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66
accusations
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| n.指责( accusation的名词复数 )；指控；控告；（被告发、控告的）罪名 | |
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67
chaste
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| adj.贞洁的；有道德的；善良的；简朴的 | |
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68
affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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69
clenched
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| v.紧握，抓紧，咬紧( clench的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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70
calamity
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| n.灾害，祸患，不幸事件 | |
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71
dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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72
impending
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| a.imminent, about to come or happen | |
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73
missionaries
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| n.传教士( missionary的名词复数 ) | |
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74
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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