It was not a large body. At the instance of Gondremark, it had undergone a strict purgation, and was now composed exclusively of tools. Three secretaries sat at a side-table. Seraphina took the head; on her right was the Baron5, on her left Greisengesang; below these Grafinski the treasurer6, Count Eisenthal, a couple of non-combatants, and, to the surprise of all, Gotthold. He had been named a privy7 councillor by Otto, merely that he might profit by the salary; and as he was never known to attend a meeting, it had occurred to nobody to cancel his appointment. His present appearance was the more ominous8, coming when it did. Gondremark scowled9 upon him; and the non-combatant on his right, intercepting10 this black look, edged away from one who was so clearly out of favour.
‘The hour presses, your Highness,’ said the Baron; ‘may we proceed to business?’
‘At once,’ replied Seraphina.
‘Your Highness will pardon me,’ said Gotthold; ‘but you are still, perhaps, unacquainted with the fact that Prince Otto has returned.’
‘The Prince will not attend the council,’ replied Seraphina, with a momentary11 blush. ‘The despatches, Herr Cancellarius? There is one for Gerolstein?’
A secretary brought a paper.
‘Here, madam,’ said Greisengesang. ‘Shall I read it?’
‘We are all familiar with its terms,’ replied Gondremark. ‘Your Highness approves?’
‘Unhesitatingly,’ said Seraphina.
‘It may then be held as read,’ concluded the Baron. ‘Will your Highness sign?’
The Princess did so; Gondremark, Eisenthal, and one of the non-combatants followed suit; and the paper was then passed across the table to the librarian. He proceeded leisurely13 to read.
‘We have no time to spare, Herr Doctor,’ cried the Baron brutally14. ‘If you do not choose to sign on the authority of your sovereign, pass it on. Or you may leave the table,’ he added, his temper ripping out.
‘I decline your invitation, Herr von Gondremark; and my sovereign, as I continue to observe with regret, is still absent from the board,’ replied the Doctor calmly; and he resumed the perusal15 of the paper, the rest chafing16 and exchanging glances. ‘Madame and gentlemen,’ he said, at last, ‘what I hold in my hand is simply a declaration of war.’
‘Simply,’ said Seraphina, flashing defiance17.
‘The sovereign of this country is under the same roof with us,’ continued Gotthold, ‘and I insist he shall be summoned. It is needless to adduce my reasons; you are all ashamed at heart of this projected treachery.’
The council waved like a sea. There were various outcries.
‘You insult the Princess,’ thundered Gondremark.
‘I maintain my protest,’ replied Gotthold.
At the height of this confusion the door was thrown open; an usher18 announced, ‘Gentlemen, the Prince!’ and Otto, with his most excellent bearing, entered the apartment. It was like oil upon the troubled waters; every one settled instantly into his place, and Griesengesang, to give himself a countenance19, became absorbed in the arrangement of his papers; but in their eagerness to dissemble, one and all neglected to rise.
‘Gentlemen,’ said the Prince, pausing.
They all got to their feet in a moment; and this reproof20 still further demoralised the weaker brethren.
The Prince moved slowly towards the lower end of the table; then he paused again, and, fixing his eye on Greisengesang, ‘How comes it, Herr Cancellarius,’ he asked, ‘that I have received no notice of the change of hour?’
‘Your Highness,’ replied the Chancellor21, ‘her Highness the Princess . . .’ and there paused.
‘I understood,’ said Seraphina, taking him up, ‘that you did not purpose to be present.’
Their eyes met for a second, and Seraphina’s fell; but her anger only burned the brighter for that private shame.
‘And now, gentlemen,’ said Otto, taking his chair, ‘I pray you to be seated. I have been absent: there are doubtless some arrears22; but ere we proceed to business, Herr Grafinski, you will direct four thousand crowns to be sent to me at once. Make a note, if you please,’ he added, as the treasurer still stared in wonder.
‘Four thousand crowns?’ asked Seraphina. ‘Pray, for what?’
‘Madam,’ returned Otto, smiling, ‘for my own purposes.’
Gondremark spurred up Grafinski underneath23 the table.
‘If your Highness will indicate the destination . . . ’ began the puppet.
‘You are not here, sir, to interrogate24 your Prince,’ said Otto.
Grafinski looked for help to his commander; and Gondremark came to his aid, in suave25 and measured tones.
‘Your Highness may reasonably be surprised,’ he said; ‘and Herr Grafinski, although I am convinced he is clear of the intention of offending, would have perhaps done better to begin with an explanation. The resources of the state are at the present moment entirely26 swallowed up, or, as we hope to prove, wisely invested. In a month from now, I do not question we shall be able to meet any command your Highness may lay upon us; but at this hour I fear that, even in so small a matter, he must prepare himself for disappointment. Our zeal27 is no less, although our power may be inadequate28.’
‘How much, Herr Grafinski, have we in the treasury29?’ asked Otto.
‘Your Highness,’ protested the treasurer, ‘we have immediate30 need of every crown.’
‘I think, sir, you evade31 me,’ flashed the Prince; and then turning to the side-table, ‘Mr. Secretary,’ he added, ‘bring me, if you please, the treasury docket.’
Herr Grafinski became deadly pale; the Chancellor, expecting his own turn, was probably engaged in prayer; Gondremark was watching like a ponderous32 cat. Gotthold, on his part, looked on with wonder at his cousin; he was certainly showing spirit, but what, in such a time of gravity, was all this talk of money? and why should he waste his strength upon a personal issue?
‘I find,’ said Otto, with his finger on the docket, ‘that we have 20,000 crowns in case.’
‘That is exact, your Highness,’ replied the Baron. ‘But our liabilities, all of which are happily not liquid, amount to a far larger sum; and at the present point of time it would be morally impossible to divert a single florin. Essentially33, the case is empty. We have, already presented, a large note for material of war.’
‘Material of war?’ exclaimed Otto, with an excellent assumption of surprise. ‘But if my memory serves me right, we settled these accounts in January.’
‘There have been further orders,’ the Baron explained. ‘A new park of artillery34 has been completed; five hundred stand of arms, seven hundred baggage mules35 — the details are in a special memorandum36. — Mr. Secretary Holtz, the memorandum, if you please.’
‘One would think, gentlemen, that we were going to war,’ said Otto.
‘We are,’ said Seraphina.
‘War!’ cried the Prince, ‘and, gentlemen, with whom? The peace of Grunewald has endured for centuries. What aggression37, what insult, have we suffered?’
‘Here, your Highness,’ said Gotthold, ‘is the ultimatum38. It was in the very article of signature, when your Highness so opportunely39 entered.’
Otto laid the paper before him; as he read, his fingers played tattoo40 upon the table. ‘Was it proposed,’ he inquired, ‘to send this paper forth41 without a knowledge of my pleasure?’
One of the non-combatants, eager to trim, volunteered an answer. ‘The Herr Doctor von Hohenstockwitz had just entered his dissent,’ he added.
‘Give me the rest of this correspondence,’ said the Prince. It was handed to him, and he read it patiently from end to end, while the councillors sat foolishly enough looking before them on the table.
The secretaries, in the background, were exchanging glances of delight; a row at the council was for them a rare and welcome feature.
‘Gentlemen,’ said Otto, when he had finished, ‘I have read with pain. This claim upon Obermunsterol is palpably unjust; it has not a tincture, not a show, of justice. There is not in all this ground enough for after-dinner talk, and you propose to force it as a CASUS BELLI.’
‘Certainly, your Highness,’ returned Gondremark, too wise to defend the indefensible, ‘the claim on Obermunsterol is simply a pretext42.’
‘It is well,’ said the Prince. ‘Herr Cancellarius, take your pen. “The council,” he began to dictate43 — ‘I withhold44 all notice of my intervention,’ he said, in parenthesis45, and addressing himself more directly to his wife; ‘and I say nothing of the strange suppression by which this business has been smuggled46 past my knowledge. I am content to be in time — “The council,”’ he resumed, ‘“on a further examination of the facts, and enlightened by the note in the last despatch12 from Gerolstein, have the pleasure to announce that they are entirely at one, both as to fact and sentiment, with the Grand-Ducal Court of Gerolstein.” You have it? Upon these lines, sir, you will draw up the despatch.’
‘If your Highness will allow me,’ said the Baron, ‘your Highness is so imperfectly acquainted with the internal history of this correspondence, that any interference will be merely hurtful. Such a paper as your Highness proposes would be to stultify47 the whole previous policy of Grunewald.’
‘The policy of Grunewald!’ cried the Prince. ‘One would suppose you had no sense of humour! Would you fish in a coffee cup?’
‘With deference48, your Highness,’ returned the Baron, ‘even in a coffee cup there may be poison. The purpose of this war is not simply territorial49 enlargement; still less is it a war of glory; for, as your Highness indicates, the state of Grunewald is too small to be ambitious. But the body politic50 is seriously diseased; republicanism, socialism, many disintegrating51 ideas are abroad; circle within circle, a really formidable organisation52 has grown up about your Highness’s throne.’
‘I have heard of it, Herr von Gondremark,’ put in the Prince; ‘but I have reason to be aware that yours is the more authoritative53 information.’
‘I am honoured by this expression of my Prince’s confidence’ returned Gondremark, unabashed. ‘It is, therefore, with a single eye to these disorders54 that our present external policy has been shaped. Something was required to divert public attention, to employ the idle, to popularise your Highness’s rule, and, if it were possible, to enable him to reduce the taxes at a blow and to a notable amount. The proposed expedition — for it cannot without hyperbole be called a war — seemed to the council to combine the various characters required; a marked improvement in the public sentiment has followed even upon our preparations; and I cannot doubt that when success shall follow, the effect will surpass even our boldest hopes.’
‘You are very adroit55, Herr von Gondremark,’ said Otto. ‘You fill me with admiration56. I had not heretofore done justice to your qualities.’
Seraphina looked up with joy, supposing Otto conquered; but Gondremark still waited, armed at every point; he knew how very stubborn is the revolt of a weak character.
‘And the territorial army scheme, to which I was persuaded to consent — was it secretly directed to the same end?’ the Prince asked.
‘I still believe the effect to have been good,’ replied the Baron; ‘discipline and mounting guard are excellent sedatives57. But I will avow58 to your Highness, I was unaware59, at the date of that decree, of the magnitude of the revolutionary movement; nor did any of us, I think, imagine that such a territorial army was a part of the republican proposals.’
‘It was?’ asked Otto. ‘Strange! Upon what fancied grounds?’
‘The grounds were indeed fanciful,’ returned the Baron. ‘It was conceived among the leaders that a territorial army, drawn60 from and returning to the people, would, in the event of any popular uprising, prove lukewarm or unfaithful to the throne.’
‘I see,’ said the Prince. ‘I begin to understand.’
‘His Highness begins to understand?’ repeated Gondremark, with the sweetest politeness. ‘May I beg of him to complete the phrase?’
‘The history of the revolution,’ replied Otto dryly. ‘And now,’ he added, ‘what do you conclude?’
‘I conclude, your Highness, with a simple reflection,’ said the Baron, accepting the stab without a quiver, ‘the war is popular; were the rumour61 contradicted to-morrow, a considerable disappointment would be felt in many classes; and in the present tension of spirits, the most lukewarm sentiment may be enough to precipitate62 events. There lies the danger. The revolution hangs imminent63; we sit, at this council board, below the sword of Damocles.’
‘We must then lay our heads together,’ said the Prince, ‘and devise some honourable64 means of safety.’
Up to this moment, since the first note of opposition65 fell from the librarian, Seraphina had uttered about twenty words. With a somewhat heightened colour, her eyes generally lowered, her foot sometimes nervously66 tapping on the floor, she had kept her own counsel and commanded her anger like a hero. But at this stage of the engagement she lost control of her impatience67.
‘Means!’ she cried. ‘They have been found and prepared before you knew the need for them. Sign the despatch, and let us be done with this delay.’
‘Madam, I said “honourable,”’ returned Otto, bowing. ‘This war is, in my eyes, and by Herr von Gondremark’s account, an inadmissible expedient68. If we have misgoverned here in Grunewald, are the people of Gerolstein to bleed and pay for our mis-doings? Never, madam; not while I live. But I attach so much importance to all that I have heard to-day for the first time — and why only to-day, I do not even stop to ask — that I am eager to find some plan that I can follow with credit to myself.’
‘And should you fail?’ she asked.
‘Should I fail, I will then meet the blow half-way,’ replied the Prince. ‘On the first open discontent, I shall convoke69 the States, and, when it pleases them to bid me, abdicate70.’
Seraphina laughed angrily. ‘This is the man for whom we have been labouring!’ she cried. ‘We tell him of change; he will devise the means, he says; and his device is abdication71? Sir, have you no shame to come here at the eleventh hour among those who have borne the heat and burthen of the day? Do you not wonder at yourself? I, sir, was here in my place, striving to uphold your dignity alone. I took counsel with the wisest I could find, while you were eating and hunting. I have laid my plans with foresight72; they were ripe for action; and then — ‘she choked — ‘then you return — for a forenoon — to ruin all! To-morrow, you will be once more about your pleasures; you will give us leave once more to think and work for you; and again you will come back, and again you will thwart73 what you had not the industry or knowledge to conceive. O! it is intolerable. Be modest, sir. Do not presume upon the rank you cannot worthily74 uphold. I would not issue my commands with so much gusto — it is from no merit in yourself they are obeyed. What are you? What have you to do in this grave council? Go,’ she cried, ‘go among your equals? The very people in the streets mock at you for a prince.’
At this surprising outburst the whole council sat aghast.
‘Madam,’ said the Baron, alarmed out of his caution, ‘command yourself.’
‘Address yourself to me, sir!’ cried the Prince. ‘I will not bear these whisperings!’
Seraphina burst into tears.
‘Sir,’ cried the Baron, rising, ‘this lady — ’
‘Herr von Gondremark,’ said the Prince, ‘one more observation, and I place you under arrest.’
‘Your Highness is the master,’ replied Gondremark, bowing.
‘Bear it in mind more constantly,’ said Otto. ‘Herr Cancellarius, bring all the papers to my cabinet. Gentlemen, the council is dissolved.’
And he bowed and left the apartment, followed by Greisengesang and the secretaries, just at the moment when the Princess’s ladies, summoned in all haste, entered by another door to help her forth.
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收听单词发音
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1
narrative
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| n.叙述，故事；adj.叙事的，故事体的 | |
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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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conspirators
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| n.共谋者，阴谋家( conspirator的名词复数 ) | |
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bustle
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| v.喧扰地忙乱，匆忙，奔忙；n.忙碌；喧闹 | |
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baron
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| n.男爵；(商业界等)巨头，大王 | |
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treasurer
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| n.司库，财务主管 | |
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privy
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| adj.私用的；隐密的 | |
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ominous
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| adj.不祥的，不吉的，预兆的，预示的 | |
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scowled
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| 怒视，生气地皱眉( scowl的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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intercepting
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| 截取（技术），截接 | |
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momentary
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| adj.片刻的，瞬息的；短暂的 | |
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despatch
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| n./v.(dispatch)派遣；发送；n.急件；新闻报道 | |
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leisurely
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| adj.悠闲的；从容的，慢慢的 | |
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brutally
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| adv.残忍地，野蛮地，冷酷无情地 | |
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perusal
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| n.细读，熟读；目测 | |
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chafing
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| n.皮肤发炎v.擦热（尤指皮肤）( chafe的现在分词 )；擦痛；发怒；惹怒 | |
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defiance
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| n.挑战，挑衅，蔑视，违抗 | |
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usher
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| n.带位员，招待员；vt.引导，护送；vi.做招待，担任引座员 | |
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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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reproof
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| n.斥责，责备 | |
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chancellor
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| n.(英)大臣；法官；(德、奥)总理；大学校长 | |
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arrears
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| n.到期未付之债，拖欠的款项；待做的工作 | |
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underneath
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| adj.在...下面，在...底下；adv.在下面 | |
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interrogate
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| vt.讯问，审问，盘问 | |
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suave
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| adj.温和的；柔和的；文雅的 | |
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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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zeal
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| n.热心，热情，热忱 | |
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inadequate
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| adj.(for,to)不充足的，不适当的 | |
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treasury
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| n.宝库；国库，金库；文库 | |
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immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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evade
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| vt.逃避，回避；避开，躲避 | |
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ponderous
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| adj.沉重的，笨重的，(文章)冗长的 | |
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essentially
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| adv.本质上，实质上，基本上 | |
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artillery
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| n.(军)火炮，大炮；炮兵(部队) | |
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mules
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| 骡( mule的名词复数 )； 拖鞋； 顽固的人； 越境运毒者 | |
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memorandum
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| n.备忘录，便笺 | |
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aggression
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| n.进攻，侵略，侵犯，侵害 | |
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ultimatum
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| n.最后通牒 | |
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opportunely
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| adv.恰好地，适时地 | |
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tattoo
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| n.纹身，(皮肤上的)刺花纹；vt.刺花纹于 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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pretext
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| n.借口，托词 | |
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dictate
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| v.口授；(使)听写；指令，指示，命令 | |
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withhold
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| v.拒绝，不给；使停止，阻挡 | |
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parenthesis
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| n.圆括号，插入语，插曲，间歇，停歇 | |
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smuggled
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| 水货 | |
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stultify
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| v.愚弄；使呆滞 | |
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48
deference
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| n.尊重，顺从；敬意 | |
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territorial
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| adj.领土的，领地的 | |
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50
politic
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| adj.有智虑的；精明的；v.从政 | |
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51
disintegrating
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| v.（使）破裂[分裂，粉碎]，（使）崩溃( disintegrate的现在分词 ) | |
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52
organisation
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| n.组织，安排，团体，有机休 | |
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53
authoritative
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| adj.有权威的，可相信的；命令式的；官方的 | |
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54
disorders
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| n.混乱( disorder的名词复数 )；凌乱；骚乱；（身心、机能）失调 | |
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55
adroit
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| adj.熟练的，灵巧的 | |
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56
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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57
sedatives
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| n.镇静药，镇静剂( sedative的名词复数 ) | |
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avow
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| v.承认，公开宣称 | |
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59
unaware
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| a.不知道的，未意识到的 | |
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60
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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61
rumour
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| n.谣言，谣传，传闻 | |
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62
precipitate
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| adj.突如其来的；vt.使突然发生；n.沉淀物 | |
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imminent
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| adj.即将发生的，临近的，逼近的 | |
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64
honourable
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| adj.可敬的；荣誉的，光荣的 | |
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65
opposition
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| n.反对，敌对 | |
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66
nervously
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| adv.神情激动地，不安地 | |
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67
impatience
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| n.不耐烦，急躁 | |
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68
expedient
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| adj.有用的，有利的；n.紧急的办法，权宜之计 | |
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69
convoke
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| v.召集会议 | |
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70
abdicate
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| v.让位，辞职，放弃 | |
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71
abdication
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| n.辞职；退位 | |
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72
foresight
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| n.先见之明，深谋远虑 | |
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73
thwart
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| v.阻挠，妨碍，反对；adj.横(断的) | |
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74
worthily
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| 重要地，可敬地，正当地 | |
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