The Penguins had the finest army and the second navy in the world. This navy was commanded by the famous Chatillon, who bore the title of Emiralbahr, and by abbreviation Emiral. It is the same word which, unfortunately in a corrupt6 form, is used today among several European nations to designate the highest grade in the naval service. But as there was but one Emiral among the Penguins, a singular prestige, if I dare say so, was attached to that rank.
The Emiral did not belong to the nobility. A child of the people, he was loved by the people. They were flattered to see a man who sprang from their own ranks holding a position of honour. Chatillon was good-looking and fortune favoured him. He was not over-addicted to thought. No event ever disturbed his serene7 outlook.
The Reverend Father Agaric, surrendering to M. Bigourd’s reasons and recognising that the existing government could only be destroyed by one of its defenders8, cast his eyes upon Emiral Chatillon. He asked a large sum of money from his friend, the Reverend Father Cornemuse, which the latter handed him with a sigh. And with this sum he hired six hundred butcher boys of Alca to run behind Chatillon’s horse and shout, “Hurrah for the Emiral!” Henceforth Chatillon could not take a single step without being cheered.
Viscountess Olive asked him for a private interview. He received her at the Admiralty10 in a room decorated with anchors, shells, and grenades.
10 Or better, Emiralty.
She was discreetly9 dressed in greyish blue. A hat trimmed with roses covered her pretty, fair hair. Behind her veil her eyes shone like sapphires10. Although she came of Jewish origin there was no more fashionable woman in the whole nobility. She was tall and well shaped; her form was that of the year, her figure that of the season.
“Emiral,” said she, in a delightful12 voice, “I cannot conceal13 my emotion from you. . . . It is very natural . . . before a hero.”
“You are too kind. But tell me, Viscountess, what brings me the honour of your visit.”
“For a long time I have been anxious to see you, to speak to you. . . . So I very willingly undertook to convey a message to you.”
“Please take a seat.”
“How still it is here.”
“Yes, it is quiet enough.”
“You can hear the birds singing.”
“Sit down, then, dear lady.”
And he drew up an arm-chair for her.
She took a seat with her back to the light.
“Emiral, I came to bring you a very important message, a message . . . ”
“Explain.”
“Emiral, have you ever seen Prince Crucho?”
“Never.”
She sighed.
“It is a great pity. He would be so delighted to see you! He esteems14 and appreciates you. He has your portrait on his desk beside his mother’s. What a pity it is he is not better known! He is a charming prince and so grateful for what is done for him! He will be a great king. For he will be king without doubt. He will come back and sooner than people think. . . . What I have to tell you, the message with which I am entrusted16, refers precisely17 to . . . ”
The Emiral stood up.
“Not a word more, dear lady. I have the esteem15, the confidence of the Republic. I will not betray it. And why should I betray it? I am loaded with honours and dignities.”
“Allow me to tell you, my dear Emiral, that your honours and dignities are far from equalling what you deserve. If your services were properly rewarded, you would be Emiralissimo and Generalissimo, Commander-inchief of the troops both on land and sea. The Republic is very ungrateful to you.”
“All governments are more or less ungrateful.”
“Yes, but the Republicans are jealous of you. That class of person is always afraid of his superiors. They cannot endure the Services. Everything that has to do with the navy and the army is odious18 to them. They are afraid of you.”
“That is possible.”
“They are wretches19; they are ruining the country. Don’t you wish to save Penguinia?”
“In what way?”
“By sweeping20 away all the rascals22 of the Republic, all the Republicans.”
“What a proposal to make to me, dear lady!”
“It is what will certainly be done, if not by you, then by some one else. The Generalissimo, to mention him alone, is ready to throw all the ministers, deputies, and senators into the sea, and to recall Prince Crucho.”
“Oh, the rascal21, the scoundrel,” exclaimed the Emiral.
“Do to him what he would do to you. The prince will know how to recognise your services. He will give you the Constable23’s sword and a magnificent grant. I am commissioned, in the mean time, to hand you a pledge of his royal friendship.”
As she said these words she drew a green cockade from her bosom24.
“What is that?” asked the Emiral.
“It is his colours which Crucho sends you.”
“Be good enough to take them back.”
“So that they may be offered to the Generalissimo who will accept them! . . . No, Emiral, let me place them on your glorious breast.”
Chatillon gently repelled25 the lady. But for some minutes he thought her extremely pretty, and he felt this impression still more when two bare arms and the rosy26 palms of two delicate hands touched him lightly. He yielded almost immediately. Olive was slow in fastening the ribbon. Then when it was done she made a low courtesy and saluted27 Chatillon with the title of Constable.
“I have been ambitious like my comrades,” answered the sailor, “I don’t hide it, and perhaps I am so still; but upon my word of honour, when I look at you, the only desire I feel is for a cottage and a heart.”
She turned upon him the charming sapphire11 glances that flashed from under her eyelids28.
“That is to be had also . . . what are you doing, Emiral?”
“I am looking for the heart.”
When she left the Admiralty, the Viscountess went immediately to the Reverend Father Agaric to give an account of her visit.
“You must go to him again, dear lady,” said that austere29 monk30.
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1
penguins
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| n.企鹅( penguin的名词复数 ) | |
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porpoises
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| n.鼠海豚( porpoise的名词复数 ) | |
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inexplicable
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| adj.无法解释的，难理解的 | |
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fatality
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| n.不幸，灾祸，天命 | |
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naval
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| adj.海军的，军舰的，船的 | |
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corrupt
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| v.贿赂，收买；adj.腐败的，贪污的 | |
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serene
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| adj. 安详的，宁静的，平静的 | |
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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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discreetly
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| ad.(言行)审慎地，慎重地 | |
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sapphires
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| n.蓝宝石，钢玉宝石( sapphire的名词复数 )；蔚蓝色 | |
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sapphire
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| n.青玉，蓝宝石；adj.天蓝色的 | |
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delightful
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| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
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conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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esteems
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| n.尊敬，好评( esteem的名词复数 )v.尊敬( esteem的第三人称单数 )；敬重；认为；以为 | |
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esteem
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| n.尊敬，尊重；vt.尊重，敬重；把…看作 | |
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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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precisely
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| adv.恰好，正好，精确地，细致地 | |
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odious
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| adj.可憎的，讨厌的 | |
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wretches
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| n.不幸的人( wretch的名词复数 )；可怜的人；恶棍；坏蛋 | |
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sweeping
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| adj.范围广大的，一扫无遗的 | |
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rascal
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| n.流氓；不诚实的人 | |
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rascals
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| 流氓( rascal的名词复数 )； 无赖； （开玩笑说法）淘气的人（尤指小孩）； 恶作剧的人 | |
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constable
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| n.(英国)警察，警官 | |
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bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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repelled
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| v.击退( repel的过去式和过去分词 )；使厌恶；排斥；推开 | |
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rosy
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| adj.美好的，乐观的，玫瑰色的 | |
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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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eyelids
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| n.眼睑( eyelid的名词复数 )；眼睛也不眨一下；不露声色；面不改色 | |
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austere
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| adj.艰苦的；朴素的，朴实无华的；严峻的 | |
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monk
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| n.和尚，僧侣，修道士 | |
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