"Well, little girls, what's the matter now?" he asked, paternally1, for the excellent man adored his nieces.
"Helen says it's not best to go on with the Pole, and is perfectly2 nonsensical, uncle," began Amy, petulantly3, and not very coherently.
"Better be silly now than sorry by and by. I only suggested that, being interesting, and Amy romantic, she might find this young man too charming, if we see too much of him," said Helen.
"Bless my soul, what an idea!" cried the major. "Why, Nell, he's an invalid4, a Catholic, and a foreigner, any one of which objections are enough to settle that matter. Little Amy isn't so foolish as to be in danger of losing her heart to a person so entirely5 out of the question as this poor lad, is she?"
"Of course not. You do me justice, uncle. Nell thinks she may pity and pet any one she likes because she is five years older than I, and entirely forgets that she is a great deal more attractive than a feeble thing like me. I should as soon think of losing my heart to Hoffman as to the Pole, even if he wasn't what he is. One may surely be kind to a dying man, without being accused of coquetry;" and Amy sobbed6 in the most heart-rending manner.
Helen comforted her by withdrawing all objections, and promising7 to leave the matter in the major's hands. But she shook her head privately8 when she saw the ill-disguised eagerness with which her cousin glanced up and down the platform after they were in the train, and she whispered to her uncle, unobserved,—
"Leave future meetings to chance, and don't ask the Pole in, if you can help it."
"Nonsense, my dear. You are as particular as your aunt. The lad amuses me, and you can't deny you like to nurse sick heroes," was all the answer she got, as the major, with true masculine perversity10, put his head out of the window and hailed Casimer as he was passing with a bow.
"Here, Teblinski, my good fellow, don't desert us. We've always a spare seat for you, if you haven't pleasanter quarters."
With a flush of pleasure the young man came up, but hesitated to accept the invitation till Helen seconded it with a smile of welcome.
Amy was in an injured mood, and, shrouded11 in a great blue veil, pensively12 reclined in her corner as if indifferent to everything about her. But soon the cloud passed, and she emerged in a radiant state of good humor, which lasted unbroken until the journey ended.
For two days they went on together, a very happy party, for the major called in Hoffman to see his friend and describe the places through which they passed. An arrangement very agreeable to all, as Karl was a favorite, and every one missed him when away.
At Lausanne they waited while he crossed the lake to secure rooms at Vevay. On his return he reported that all the hotels and pensions were full, but that at La Tour he had secured rooms for a few weeks in a quaint13 old chateau14 on the banks of the lake.
"Count Severin is absent in Egypt, and the housekeeper15 has permission to let the apartments to transient visitors. The suite16 of rooms I speak of were engaged to a party who are detained by sickness—they are cheap, pleasant, and comfortable. A salon17 and four bed-rooms. I engaged them all, thinking that Teblinski might like a room there till he finds lodgings18 at Montreaux. We can enter at once, and I am sure the ladies will approve of the picturesque19 place."
"Well done, Hoffman; off we go without delay, for I really long to rest my old bones in something like a home, after this long trip," said the major, who always kept his little troop in light marching order.
The sail across that loveliest of lakes prepared the new-comers to be charmed with all they saw; and when, entering by the old stone gate, they were led into a large saloon, quaintly20 furnished and opening into a terrace-garden overhanging the water, with Chillon and the Alps in sight, Amy declared nothing could be more perfect, and Helen's face proved her satisfaction.
An English widow and two quiet old German professors on a vacation were the only inmates21 besides themselves and the buxom22 Swiss housekeeper and her maids.
It was late when our party arrived, and there was only time for a hasty survey of their rooms and a stroll in the garden before dinner.
The great chamber23, with its shadowy bed, dark mirrors, ghostly wainscot-doors and narrow windows, had not been brightened for a long time by such a charming little apparition24 as Amy when she shook out her airy muslins, smoothed her curls, and assumed all manner of distracting devices for the captivation of mankind. Even Helen, though not much given to personal vanity, found herself putting flowers in her hair, and studying the effect of bracelets25 on her handsome arms, as if there was some especial need of looking her best on this occasion.
Both were certainly great ornaments26 to the drawing-room that evening, as the old professors agreed while they sat blinking at them, like a pair of benign27 owls28. Casimer surprised them by his skill in music, for, though forbidden to sing on account of his weak lungs, he played as if inspired. Amy hovered29 about him like a moth30; the major cultivated the acquaintance of the plump widow; and Helen stood at the window, enjoying the lovely night and music, till something happened which destroyed her pleasure in both.
The window was open, and, leaning from it, she was watching the lake, when the sound of a heavy sigh caught her ear. There was no moon, but through the starlight she saw a man's figure among the shrubs31 below, sitting with bent32 head and hidden face in the forlorn attitude of one shut out from the music, light, and gayety that reigned33 within.
"It is Karl," she thought, and was about to speak, when, as if startled by some sound she did not hear, he rose and vanished in the gloom of the garden.
"Poor man! he thought of his wife and child, perhaps, sitting here alone while all the rest make merry, with no care for him. Uncle must see to this;" and Helen fell into a reverie till Amy came to propose retiring.
"I meant to have seen where all these doors led, but was so busy dressing34 I had no time, so must leave it for my amusement to-morrow. Uncle says it's a very Radcliffian place. How like an angel that man did play!" chattered35 Amy, and lulled36 herself to sleep by humming the last air Casimer had given them.
Helen could not sleep, for the lonely figure in the garden haunted her, and she wearied herself with conjectures37 about Hoffman and his mystery. Hour after hour rung from the cuckoo-clock in the hall, but still she lay awake, watching the curious shadows in the room, and exciting herself with recalling the tales of German goblins with which the courier had amused them the day before.
"It is close and musty here, with all this old tapestry38 and stuff about; I'll open the other window," she thought; and, noiselessly slipping from Amy's side, she threw on wrapper and slippers39, lighted her candle and tried to unbolt the tall, diamond-paned lattice. It was rusty40 and would not yield, and, giving it up, she glanced about to see whence air could be admitted. There were four doors in the room, all low and arched, with clumsy locks and heavy handles. One opened into a closet, one into the passage; the third was locked, but the fourth opened easily, and, lifting her light, she peeped into a small octagon room, full of all manner of curiosities. What they were she had no time to see, for her startled eyes were riveted41 on an object that turned her faint and cold with terror.
A heavy table stood in the middle of the room, and seated at it, with some kind of weapon before him, was a man who looked over his shoulder, with a ghastly face half hidden by hair and beard, and fierce black eyes as full of malignant42 menace as was the clinched43 hand holding the pistol. One instant Helen looked, the next flung to the door, bolted it and dropped into a chair, trembling in every limb. The noise did not wake Amy, and a moment's thought showed Helen the wisdom of keeping her in ignorance of this affair. She knew the major was close by, and possessing much courage, she resolved to wait a little before rousing the house.
Hardly had she collected herself, when steps were heard moving softly in the octagon room. Her light had gone out as she closed the door, and sitting close by in the dark, she heard the sound of some one breathing as he listened at the key-hole. Then a careful hand tried the door, so noiselessly that no sleeper44 would have been awakened45; and as if to guard against a second surprise, the unknown person drew two bolts across the door and stole away.
"Safe for a time; but I'll not pass another night under this roof, unless this is satisfactorily cleared up," thought Helen, now feeling more angry than frightened.
The last hour that struck was three, and soon the summer dawn reddened the sky. Dressing herself, Helen sat by Amy, a sleepless46 guard, till she woke, smiling and rosy47 as a child. Saying nothing of her last night's alarm, Helen went down to breakfast a little paler than usual, but otherwise unchanged. The major never liked to be disturbed till he had broken his fast, and the moment they rose from the table he exclaimed,—
"Now, girls, come and see the mysteries of Udolpho."
"I'll say nothing, yet," thought Helen, feeling braver by daylight, yet troubled by her secret, for Hoffman might be a traitor48, and this charming chateau a den9 of thieves. Such things had been, and she was in a mood to believe anything.
The upper story was a perfect museum of antique relics49, very entertaining to examine. Having finished these, Hoffman, who acted as guide, led them into a little gloomy room containing a straw pallet, a stone table with a loaf and pitcher50 on it, and, kneeling before a crucifix, where the light from a single slit51 in the wall fell on him, was the figure of a monk52. The waxen mask was life-like, the attitude effective, and the cell excellently arranged. Amy cried out when she first saw it, but a second glance reassured53 her, and she patted the bald head approvingly, as Karl explained.—
"Count Severin is an antiquarian, and amuses himself with things of this sort. In old times there really was a hermit54 here, and this is his effigy55. Come down these narrow stairs, if you please, and see the rest of the mummery."
Down they went, and the instant Helen looked about her, she burst into a hysterical56 laugh, for there sat her ruffian, exactly as she saw him, glaring over his shoulder with threatening eyes, and one hand on the pistol. They all looked at her, for she was pale, and her merriment unnatural57; so, feeling she had excited curiosity, she gratified it by narrating58 her night's adventure. Hoffman looked much concerned.
"Pardon, mademoiselle, the door should have been bolted on this side. It usually is, but that room being unused, it was forgotten. I remembered it, and having risen early, crept up to make sure that you did not come upon this ugly thing unexpectedly. But I was too late, it seems; you have suffered, to my sorrow."
"Dear Nell, and that was why I found you so pale and cold and quiet, sitting by me when I woke, guarding me faithfully as you promised you would. How brave and kind you were!"
"There is a legend that once the owner of the chateau amused himself by decoying travellers here, putting them to sleep in that room, and by various devices alluring63 them thither64. Here, one step beyond the threshold of the door, was a trap, down which the unfortunates were precipitated65 to the dungeon66 at the bottom of the tower, there to die and be cast into the lake through a water-gate, still to be seen. Severin keeps this flattering likeness67 of the rascal68, as he does the monk above, to amuse visitors by daylight, not at night, mademoiselle."
And Hoffman looked wrathfully at the image, as if he would much enjoy sending it down the trap.
"How ridiculous! I shall not go about this place alone, for fear of lighting69 upon some horror of this sort. I've had enough; come away into the garden; it's full of roses, and we may have as many as we like."
As she spoke70 Amy involuntarily put out her hand for Casimer to lead her down the steep stone steps, and he pressed the little hand with a tender look which caused it to be hastily withdrawn71.
"Here are your roses. Pretty flower; I know its meaning in English, for it is the same with us. To give a bud to a lady is to confess the beginning of love, a half open one tells of its growth, and a full-blown one is to declare one's passion. Do you have that custom in your land, mademoiselle?"
He had gathered the three as he spoke, and held the bud separately while looking at his companion wistfully.
"No, we are not poetical72, like your people, but it is a pretty fancy," and Amy settled her bouquet73 with an absorbed expression, though inwardly wondering what he would do with his flowers.
He stood silent a moment, with a sudden flush sweeping74 across his face, then flung all three into the lake with a gesture that made the girl start, and muttered between his teeth:
"No, no; for me it is too late."
She affected75 not to hear, but making up a second bouquet, she gave it to him, with no touch of coquetry in compassionate76 eyes or gentle voice.
"Make your room bright with these. When one is ill nothing is so cheering as the sight of flowers."
As Karl crossed the courtyard a little child ran to meet him with outstretched arms and a shout of satisfaction. He caught it up and carried it away on his shoulder, like one used to caress78 and be caressed79 by children.
Helen, waiting at the door of the tower while the major dusted his coat, saw this, and said, suddenly, directing his attention to man and child,—
"He seems fond of little people. I wonder if he has any of his own."
"Hoffman? No, my dear; he's not married; I asked him that when I engaged him."
"And he said he was not?"
"Yes; he's not more than five or six-and-twenty, and fond of a wandering life, so what should he want of a wife and a flock of bantlings?"
"He seems sad and sober sometimes, and I fancied he might have some domestic trouble to harass80 him. Don't you think there is something peculiar81 about him?" asked Helen, remembering Hoffman's hint that her uncle knew his wish to travel incognito82, and wondering if he would throw any light upon the matter. But the major's face was impenetrable and his answer unsatisfactory.
"Well, I don't know. Every one has some worry or other, and as for being peculiar, all foreigners seem more or less so to us, they are so unreserved and demonstrative. I like Hoffman more and more every day, and shall be sorry when I part with him."
"Ludmilla is his sister, then, or he didn't tell uncle the truth. It is no concern of mine; but I wish I knew," thought Helen anxiously, and then wondered why she should care.
A feeling of distrust had taken possession of her and she determined83 to be on the watch, for the unsuspicious major would be easily duped, and Helen trusted more to her own quick and keen eye than to his experience. She tried to show nothing of the change in her manner: but Hoffman perceived it, and bore it with a proud patience which often touched her heart, but never altered her purpose.
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1
paternally
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| adv.父亲似地；父亲一般地 | |
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perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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petulantly
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invalid
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| n.病人，伤残人；adj.有病的，伤残的；无效的 | |
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entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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sobbed
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| 哭泣，啜泣( sob的过去式和过去分词 )； 哭诉，呜咽地说 | |
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promising
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| adj.有希望的，有前途的 | |
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privately
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| adv.以私人的身份，悄悄地，私下地 | |
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den
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| n.兽穴；秘密地方；安静的小房间，私室 | |
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perversity
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| n.任性；刚愎自用 | |
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shrouded
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| v.隐瞒( shroud的过去式和过去分词 )；保密 | |
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pensively
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| adv.沉思地，焦虑地 | |
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quaint
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| adj.古雅的，离奇有趣的，奇怪的 | |
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chateau
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| n.城堡，别墅 | |
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housekeeper
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| n.管理家务的主妇，女管家 | |
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suite
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| n.一套(家具)；套房；随从人员 | |
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salon
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| n.[法]沙龙；客厅；营业性的高级服务室 | |
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lodgings
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| n. 出租的房舍, 寄宿舍 | |
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picturesque
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| adj.美丽如画的，（语言）生动的，绘声绘色的 | |
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quaintly
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| adv.古怪离奇地 | |
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inmates
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| n.囚犯( inmate的名词复数 ) | |
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buxom
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| adj.（妇女）丰满的，有健康美的 | |
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chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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apparition
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| n.幽灵，神奇的现象 | |
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bracelets
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| n.手镯，臂镯( bracelet的名词复数 ) | |
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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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benign
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| adj.善良的，慈祥的；良性的，无危险的 | |
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owls
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| n.猫头鹰( owl的名词复数 ) | |
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hovered
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| 鸟( hover的过去式和过去分词 )； 靠近（某事物）； （人）徘徊； 犹豫 | |
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moth
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| n.蛾，蛀虫 | |
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shrubs
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| 灌木( shrub的名词复数 ) | |
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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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reigned
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| vi.当政，统治（reign的过去式形式） | |
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dressing
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| n.(食物)调料；包扎伤口的用品，敷料 | |
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chattered
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| （人）喋喋不休( chatter的过去式 )； 唠叨； （牙齿）打战； （机器）震颤 | |
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lulled
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| vt.使镇静，使安静（lull的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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conjectures
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| 推测，猜想( conjecture的名词复数 ) | |
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tapestry
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| n.挂毯，丰富多采的画面 | |
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slippers
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| n. 拖鞋 | |
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rusty
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| adj.生锈的；锈色的；荒废了的 | |
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41
riveted
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| 铆接( rivet的过去式和过去分词 )； 把…固定住； 吸引； 引起某人的注意 | |
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malignant
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| adj.恶性的，致命的；恶意的，恶毒的 | |
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clinched
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| v.（尤指两人）互相紧紧抱[扭]住( clinch的过去式和过去分词 )；解决（争端、交易），达成（协议） | |
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sleeper
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| n.睡眠者，卧车，卧铺 | |
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45
awakened
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| v.（使）醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）觉醒；弄醒；（使）意识到 | |
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sleepless
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| adj.不睡眠的，睡不著的，不休息的 | |
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rosy
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| adj.美好的，乐观的，玫瑰色的 | |
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traitor
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| n.叛徒，卖国贼 | |
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relics
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| [pl.］n.遗物，遗迹，遗产；遗体，尸骸 | |
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50
pitcher
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| n.(有嘴和柄的)大水罐；(棒球)投手 | |
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51
slit
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| n.狭长的切口；裂缝；vt.切开，撕裂 | |
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52
monk
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| n.和尚，僧侣，修道士 | |
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53
reassured
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| adj.使消除疑虑的；使放心的v.再保证，恢复信心( reassure的过去式和过去分词) | |
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54
hermit
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| n.隐士，修道者；隐居 | |
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effigy
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| n.肖像 | |
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56
hysterical
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| adj.情绪异常激动的，歇斯底里般的 | |
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unnatural
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| adj.不自然的；反常的 | |
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58
narrating
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| v.故事( narrate的现在分词 ) | |
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villain
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| n.反派演员，反面人物；恶棍；问题的起因 | |
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60
prank
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| n.开玩笑，恶作剧；v.装饰；打扮；炫耀自己 | |
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aquiline
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| adj.钩状的，鹰的 | |
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testily
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| adv. 易怒地, 暴躁地 | |
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alluring
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| adj.吸引人的，迷人的 | |
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thither
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| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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precipitated
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| v.（突如其来地）使发生( precipitate的过去式和过去分词 )；促成；猛然摔下；使沉淀 | |
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66
dungeon
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| n.地牢，土牢 | |
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67
likeness
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| n.相像，相似（之处） | |
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68
rascal
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| n.流氓；不诚实的人 | |
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69
lighting
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| n.照明，光线的明暗，舞台灯光 | |
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70
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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71
withdrawn
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| vt.收回；使退出；vi.撤退，退出 | |
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poetical
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| adj.似诗人的；诗一般的；韵文的；富有诗意的 | |
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73
bouquet
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| n.花束，酒香 | |
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sweeping
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| adj.范围广大的，一扫无遗的 | |
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affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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compassionate
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| adj.有同情心的，表示同情的 | |
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descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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caress
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| vt./n.爱抚，抚摸 | |
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caressed
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| 爱抚或抚摸…( caress的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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harass
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| vt.使烦恼，折磨，骚扰 | |
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81
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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incognito
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| adv.匿名地；n.隐姓埋名；adj.化装的，用假名的，隐匿姓名身份的 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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