An episode now came to our knowledge in which Bourgonef manifested an unusual depth of interest. I was led to notice this interest, because it had seemed to me that in the crime itself, and the discussions which arose out of it, he shared but little of the universal excitement. I do not mean that he was indifferent—by no means; but the horror of the crime did not seem to fascinate his imagination as it fascinated ours. He could talk quite as readily of other things, and far more readily of the French affairs. But on the contrary, in this new episode he showed peculiar2 interest. It appeared that Lehfeldt, moved, perhaps, partly by a sense of the injustice3 which had been done to Kerkel in even suspecting him of the crime, and in submitting him to an examination more poignantly4 affecting to him under such circumstances than a public trial would have been under others; and moved partly by the sense that Lieschen's love had practically drawn5 Kerkel within the family—for her choice of him as a husband had made him morally, if not legally, a son-in-law; and moved partly by the sense of loneliness which had now settled on their childless home,—Lehfeldt had in the most pathetic and considerate terms begged Kerkel to take the place of his adopted son, and become joint6 partner with him in the business. This, however, Kerkel had gently yet firmly declined. He averred7 that he felt no injury, though great pain had been inflicted8 on him by the examination. He himself in such a case would not have shrunk from demanding that his own brother should be tried, under suspicions of similar urgency. It was simple justice that all who were suspected should be examined; justice also to them that they might for ever clear themselves of doubtful appearances. But for the rest, while he felt his old affectionate respect for his master, he could recognize no claim to be removed from his present position. Had she lived, said the heartbroken youth, he would gladly have consented to accept any fortune which her love might bestow9, because he felt that his own love and the devotion of a life might repay it. But there was nothing now that he could give in exchange. For his services he was amply paid; his feelings towards Lieschen's parents must continue what they had ever been. In vain Lehfeldt pleaded, in vain many friends argued. Franz remained respectfully firm in his refusal.
This, as I said, interested Bourgonef immensely. He seemed to enter completely into the minds of the sorrowing, pleading parents, and the sorrowing, denying lover. He appreciated and expounded10 their motives11 with a subtlety12 and delicacy13 of perception which surprised and delighted me. It showed the refinement14 of his moral nature. But, at the same time, it rendered his minor15 degree of interest in the other episodes of the story, those which had a more direct and overpowering appeal to the heart, a greater paradox16.
Human nature is troubled in the presence of all mystery which has not by long familiarity lost its power of soliciting17 attention; and for my own part, I have always been uneasy in the presence of moral problems. Puzzled by the contradictions which I noticed in Bourgonef, I tried to discover whether he had any general repugnance18 to stories of crimes, or any special repugnance to murders, or, finally, any strange repugnance to this particular case now everywhere discussed. And it is not a little remarkable19 that during three separate interviews, in the course of which I severally, and as I thought artfully, introduced these topics, making them seem to arise naturally out of the suggestion of our talk, I totally failed to arrive at any distinct conclusion. I was afraid to put the direct question: Do you not share the common feeling of interest in criminal stories? This question would doubtless have elicited20 a categorical reply; but somehow, the consciousness of an arriere-pensee made me shrink from putting such a question.
Reflecting on this indifference21 on a special point, and on the numerous manifestations22 I had noticed of his sensibility, I came at last to the conclusion that he must be a man of tender heart, whose delicate sensibilities easily shrank from the horrible under every form; and no more permitted him to dwell unnecessarily upon painful facts, than they permit imaginative minds to dwell on the details of an operation.
I had not long settled this in my mind before an accident suddenly threw a lurid23 light upon many details noticed previously24, and painfully revived that inexplicable25 repulsion with which I had at first regarded him. A new suspicion filled my mind, or rather, let me say, a distinct shape was impressed upon many fluctuating suspicions. It scarcely admitted of argument, and at times seemed preposterous26, nevertheless it persisted. The mind which in broad daylight assents27 to all that can be alleged29 against the absurdities30 of the belief in apparitions31, will often acknowledge the dim terrors of darkness and loneliness—terrors at possibilities of supernatural visitations. In like manner, in the clear daylight of reason I could see the absurdity32 of my suspicion, but the vague stirrings of feeling remained unsilenced. I was haunted by the dim horrors of a possibility.
Thus it arose. We were both going to Munich, and Bourgonef had shortened his contemplated33 stay at Nuremberg that he might have the pleasure of accompanying me; adding also that he, too, should be glad to reach Munich, not only for its art, but for its greater command of papers and intelligence respecting what was then going on in France. On the night preceding the morning of our departure, I was seated in his room, smoking and discussing as usual, while Ivan, his servant, packed up his things in two large portmanteaus.
Ivan was a serf who spoke34 no word of any language but his own. Although of a brutal35, almost idiotic36 type, he was loudly eulogized by his master as the model of fidelity37 and usefulness. Bourgonef treated him with gentleness, though with a certain imperiousness; much as one might treat a savage38 mastiff which it was necessary to dominate without exasperating39. He more than once spoke of Ivan as a living satire40 on physiognomists and phrenologists; and as I am a phrenologist, I listened with some incredulity.
"Look at him," he would say. "Observe the low, retreating brow, the flat face, the surly mouth, the broad base of the head, and the huge bull-like neck. Would not anyone say Ivan was as destructive as a panther, as tenacious41 as a bull-dog, as brutal as a bull? Yet he is the gentlest of sluggish42 creatures, and as tender-hearted as a girl! That thick-set muscular frame shrouds43 a hare's heart. He is so faithful and so attached that I believe for me he would risk his life; but on no account could you get him to place himself in danger on his own account. Part of his love for me is gratitude44 for having rescued him from the conscription: the dangers incident to a military life had no charm for him!"
Now, although Bourgonef, who was not a phrenologist, might be convinced of the absence of ferocious45 instincts in Ivan, to me, as a phrenologist, the statement was eminently46 incredible. All the appearances of his manner were such as to confirm his master's opinion. He was quiet, even tender in his attentions. But the tyrannous influence of ideas and physical impressions cannot be set aside; and no evidence would permanently47 have kept down my distrust of this man. When women shriek48 at the sight of a gun, it is in vain that you solemnly assure them that the gun is not loaded. "I don't know," they reply,—"at any rate, I don't like it." I was much in this attitude with regard to Ivan. He might be harmless. I didn't know that; what I did know was—that I didn't like his looks.
On this night he was moving noiselessly about the room, employed in packing. Bourgonef's talk rambled49 over the old themes; and I thought I had never before met with one of my own age whose society was so perfectly50 delightful51. He was not so conspicuously52 my superior on all points that I felt the restraints inevitably53 imposed by superiority; yet he was in many respects sufficiently54 above me in knowledge and power to make me eager to have his assent28 to my views where we differed, and to have him enlighten me where I knew myself to be weak.
In the very moment of my most cordial admiration55 came a shock. Ivan, on passing from one part of the room to the other, caught his foot in the strap56 of the portmanteau and fell. The small wooden box, something of a glove-box, which he held in his hand at the time, fell on the floor, and falling over, discharged its contents close to Bourgonef's feet. The objects which caught my eyes were several pairs of gloves, a rouge57-pot and hare's foot, and a black beard!
By what caprice of imagination was it that the sight of this false beard lying at Bourgonef's feet thrilled me with horror? In one lightning-flash I beheld58 the archway—the stranger with the startled eyes—this stranger no longer unknown to me, but too fatally recognized as Bourgonef—and at his feet the murdered girl!
Moved by what subtle springs of suggestion I know not, but there before me stood that dreadful vision, seen in a lurid light, but seen as clearly as if the actual presence of the objects were obtruding59 itself upon my eyes. In the inexpressible horror of this vision my heart seemed clutched with an icy hand.
Fortunately Bourgonef's attention was called away from me. He spoke angrily some short sentence, which of course was in Russian, and therefore unintelligible60 to me. He then stooped, and picking up the rouge-pot, held it towards me with his melancholy61 smile. He was very red in the face; but that may have been either anger or the effect of sudden stooping. "I see you are surprised at these masquerading follies," he said in a tone which, though low, was perfectly calm. "You must not suppose that I beautify my sallow cheeks on ordinary occasions."
He then quietly handed the pot to Ivan, who replaced it with the gloves and the beard in the box; and after making an inquiry62 which sounded like a growl63, to which Bourgonef answered negatively, he continued his packing.
Bourgonef resumed his cigar and his argument as if nothing had happened.
The vision had disappeared, but a confused mass of moving figures took its place. My heart throbbed64 so violently that it seemed to me as if its tumult65 must be heard by others. Yet my face must have been tolerably calm, since Bourgonef made no comment on it.
I answered his remarks in vague fragments, for, in truth, my thoughts were flying from conjecture66 to conjecture. I remembered that the stranger had a florid complexion67; was this rouge? It is true that I fancied the stranger carried a walking-stick in his right hand; if so, this was enough to crush all suspicions of his identity with Bourgonef; but then I was rather hazy68 on this point, and probably did not observe a walking-stick.
After a while my inattention struck him, and looking at me with some concern, he inquired if there was anything the matter. I pleaded a colic, which I attributed to the imprudence of having indulged in sauerkraut at dinner. He advised me to take a little brandy; but, affecting a fresh access of pain, I bade him good- night. He hoped I should be all right on the morrow—if not, he added, we can postpone69 our journey till the day after.
Once in my own room I bolted the door, and sat down on the edge of the bed in a tumult of excitement.
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1
motive
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| n.动机，目的；adv.发动的，运动的 | |
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peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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injustice
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| n.非正义，不公正，不公平，侵犯（别人的）权利 | |
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poignantly
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drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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joint
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| adj.联合的，共同的；n.关节，接合处；v.连接，贴合 | |
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7
averred
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| v.断言( aver的过去式和过去分词 )；证实；证明…属实；作为事实提出 | |
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8
inflicted
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| 把…强加给，使承受，遭受( inflict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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bestow
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| v.把…赠与，把…授予；花费 | |
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expounded
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| 论述，详细讲解( expound的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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motives
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| n.动机，目的( motive的名词复数 ) | |
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subtlety
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| n.微妙，敏锐，精巧；微妙之处，细微的区别 | |
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delicacy
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| n.精致，细微，微妙，精良；美味，佳肴 | |
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refinement
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| n.文雅；高尚；精美；精制；精炼 | |
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minor
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| adj.较小(少)的，较次要的；n.辅修学科；vi.辅修 | |
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paradox
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| n.似乎矛盾却正确的说法；自相矛盾的人(物) | |
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17
soliciting
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| v.恳求( solicit的现在分词 )；（指娼妇）拉客；索求；征求 | |
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18
repugnance
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| n.嫌恶 | |
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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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elicited
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| 引出，探出( elicit的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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indifference
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| n.不感兴趣，不关心，冷淡，不在乎 | |
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22
manifestations
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| n.表示，显示（manifestation的复数形式） | |
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lurid
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| adj.可怕的；血红的；苍白的 | |
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previously
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| adv.以前，先前（地） | |
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inexplicable
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| adj.无法解释的，难理解的 | |
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preposterous
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| adj.荒谬的，可笑的 | |
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assents
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| 同意，赞同( assent的名词复数 ) | |
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assent
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| v.批准，认可；n.批准，认可 | |
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alleged
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| a.被指控的，嫌疑的 | |
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30
absurdities
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| n.极端无理性( absurdity的名词复数 )；荒谬；谬论；荒谬的行为 | |
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31
apparitions
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| n.特异景象( apparition的名词复数 )；幽灵；鬼；（特异景象等的）出现 | |
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32
absurdity
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| n.荒谬，愚蠢；谬论 | |
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33
contemplated
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| adj. 预期的 动词contemplate的过去分词形式 | |
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34
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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35
brutal
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| adj.残忍的，野蛮的，不讲理的 | |
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idiotic
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| adj.白痴的 | |
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fidelity
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| n.忠诚，忠实；精确 | |
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38
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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39
exasperating
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| adj. 激怒的 动词exasperate的现在分词形式 | |
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40
satire
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| n.讽刺，讽刺文学，讽刺作品 | |
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41
tenacious
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| adj.顽强的，固执的，记忆力强的，粘的 | |
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42
sluggish
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| adj.懒惰的，迟钝的，无精打采的 | |
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43
shrouds
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| n.裹尸布( shroud的名词复数 )；寿衣；遮蔽物；覆盖物v.隐瞒( shroud的第三人称单数 )；保密 | |
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44
gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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45
ferocious
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| adj.凶猛的，残暴的，极度的，十分强烈的 | |
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46
eminently
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| adv.突出地；显著地；不寻常地 | |
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permanently
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| adv.永恒地，永久地，固定不变地 | |
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48
shriek
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| v./n.尖叫，叫喊 | |
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49
rambled
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| （无目的地）漫游( ramble的过去式和过去分词 )； （喻）漫谈； 扯淡； 长篇大论 | |
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50
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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51
delightful
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| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
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52
conspicuously
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| ad.明显地，惹人注目地 | |
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53
inevitably
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| adv.不可避免地；必然发生地 | |
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54
sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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55
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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56
strap
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| n.皮带，带子；v.用带扣住，束牢；用绷带包扎 | |
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57
rouge
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| n.胭脂，口红唇膏；v.(在…上)擦口红 | |
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58
beheld
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| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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59
obtruding
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| v.强行向前，强行，强迫( obtrude的现在分词 ) | |
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60
unintelligible
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| adj.无法了解的，难解的，莫明其妙的 | |
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61
melancholy
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| n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的 | |
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62
inquiry
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| n.打听，询问，调查，查问 | |
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63
growl
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| v.（狗等）嗥叫，（炮等）轰鸣；n.嗥叫，轰鸣 | |
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64
throbbed
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| 抽痛( throb的过去式和过去分词 )； （心脏、脉搏等）跳动 | |
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65
tumult
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| n.喧哗；激动，混乱；吵闹 | |
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66
conjecture
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| n./v.推测，猜测 | |
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67
complexion
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| n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格 | |
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68
hazy
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| adj.有薄雾的，朦胧的；不肯定的，模糊的 | |
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69
postpone
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| v.延期，推迟 | |
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