Whilst the clamour of the crowd in the square of Buytenhof,which grew more and more menacing against the two brothers,determined John de Witt to hasten the departure of hisbrother Cornelius, a deputation of burghers had gone to theTown-hall to demand the withdrawal1 of Tilly's horse.
It was not far from the Buytenhof to Hoogstraet (HighStreet); and a stranger, who since the beginning of thisscene had watched all its incidents with intense interest,was seen to wend his way with, or rather in the wake of, theothers towards the Town-hall, to hear as soon as possiblethe current news of the hour.
This stranger was a very young man, of scarcely twenty-twoor three, with nothing about him that bespoke2 any greatenergy. He evidently had his good reasons for not makinghimself known, as he hid his face in a handkerchief of fineFrisian linen3, with which he incessantly4 wiped his brow orhis burning lips.
With an eye keen as that of a bird of prey5, -- with a longaquiline nose, a finely cut mouth, which he generally keptopen, or rather which was gaping6 like the edges of a wound,-- this man would have presented to Lavater, if Lavater hadlived at that time, a subject for physiognomicalobservations which at the first blush would not have beenvery favourable7 to the person in question.
"What difference is there between the figure of theconqueror and that of the pirate?" said the ancients. Thedifference only between the eagle and the vulture, --serenity or restlessness.
And indeed the sallow physiognomy, the thin and sickly body,and the prowling ways of the stranger, were the very type ofa suspecting master, or an unquiet thief; and a policeofficer would certainly have decided8 in favour of the lattersupposition, on account of the great care which themysterious person evidently took to hide himself.
He was plainly dressed, and apparently9 unarmed; his arm waslean but wiry, and his hands dry, but of an aristocraticwhiteness and delicacy10, and he leaned on the shoulder of anofficer, who, with his hand on his sword, had watched thescenes in the Buytenhof with eager curiosity, very naturalin a military man, until his companion drew him away withhim.
On arriving at the square of the Hoogstraet, the man withthe sallow face pushed the other behind an open shutter,from which corner he himself began to survey the balcony ofthe Town-hall.
At the savage11 yells of the mob, the window of the Town-hallopened, and a man came forth12 to address the people.
"Who is that on the balcony?" asked the young man, glancingat the orator13.
"It is the Deputy Bowelt," replied the officer.
"What sort of a man is he? Do you know anything of him?""An honest man; at least I believe so, Monseigneur."Hearing this character given of Bowelt, the young man showedsigns of such a strange disappointment and evidentdissatisfaction that the officer could not but remark it,and therefore added, --"At least people say so, Monseigneur. I cannot say anythingabout it myself, as I have no personal acquaintance withMynheer Bowelt.""An honest man," repeated he who was addressed asMonseigneur; "do you mean to say that he is an honest man(brave homme), or a brave one (homme brave)?""Ah, Monseigneur must excuse me; I would not presume to drawsuch a fine distinction in the case of a man whom, I assureyour Highness once more, I know only by sight.""If this Bowelt is an honest man," his Highness continued,"he will give to the demand of these furibund petitioners14 avery queer reception."The nervous quiver of his hand, which moved on the shoulderof his companion as the fingers of a player on the keys of aharpsichord, betrayed his burning impatience15, so illconcealed at certain times, and particularly at that moment,under the icy and sombre expression of his face.
The chief of the deputation of the burghers was then heardaddressing an interpellation to Mynheer Bowelt, whom herequested to let them know where the other deputies, hiscolleagues, were.
"Gentlemen," Bowelt repeated for the second time, "I assureyou that in this moment I am here alone with Mynheerd'Asperen, and I cannot take any resolution on my ownresponsibility.""The order! we want the order!" cried several thousandvoices.
Mynheer Bowelt wished to speak, but his words were notheard, and he was only seen moving his arms in all sorts ofgestures, which plainly showed that he felt his position tobe desperate. When, at last, he saw that he could not makehimself heard, he turned round towards the open window, andcalled Mynheer d'Asperen.
The latter gentleman now made his appearance on the balcony,where he was saluted16 with shouts even more energetic thanthose with which, ten minutes before, his colleague had beenreceived.
This did not prevent him from undertaking17 the difficult taskof haranguing18 the mob; but the mob preferred forcing theguard of the States -- which, however, offered no resistanceto the sovereign people -- to listening to the speech ofMynheer d'Asperen.
"Now, then," the young man coolly remarked, whilst the crowdwas rushing into the principal gate of the Town-hall, "itseems the question will be discussed indoors, Captain. Comealong, and let us hear the debate.""Oh, Monseigneur! Monseigneur! take care!""Of what?""Among these deputies there are many who have had dealingswith you, and it would be sufficient, that one of themshould recognize your Highness.""Yes, that I might be charged with having been theinstigator of all this work, indeed, you are right," saidthe young man, blushing for a moment from regret of havingbetrayed so much eagerness. "From this place we shall seethem return with or without the order for the withdrawal ofthe dragoons, then we may judge which is greater, MynheerBowelt's honesty or his courage.""But," replied the officer, looking with astonishment19 at thepersonage whom he addressed as Monseigneur, "but yourHighness surely does not suppose for one instant that thedeputies will order Tilly's horse to quit their post?""Why not?" the young man quietly retorted.
"Because doing so would simply be signing the death warrantof Cornelius and John de Witt.""We shall see," his Highness replied, with the most perfectcoolness; "God alone knows what is going on within thehearts of men."The officer looked askance at the impassible figure of hiscompanion, and grew pale: he was an honest man as well as abrave one.
From the spot where they stood, his Highness and hisattendant heard the tumult20 and the heavy tramp of the crowdon the staircase of the Town-hall. The noise thereuponsounded through the windows of the hall, on the balcony ofwhich Mynheers Bowelt and D'Asperen had presentedthemselves. These two gentlemen had retired21 into thebuilding, very likely from fear of being forced over thebalustrade by the pressure of the crowd.
After this, fluctuating shadows in tumultuous confusion wereseen flitting to and fro across the windows: the councilhall was filling.
Suddenly the noise subsided23, and as suddenly again it rosewith redoubled intensity24, and at last reached such a pitchthat the old building shook to the very roof.
At length, the living stream poured back through thegalleries and stairs to the arched gateway25, from which itwas seen issuing like waters from a spout26.
At the head of the first group, man was flying rather thanrunning, his face hideously27 distorted with satanic glee:
this man was the surgeon Tyckelaer.
"We have it! we have it!" he cried, brandishing28 a paper inthe air.
"They have got the order!" muttered the officer inamazement.
"Well, then," his Highness quietly remarked, "now I knowwhat to believe with regard to Mynheer Bowelt's honesty andcourage: he has neither the one nor the other."Then, looking with a steady glance after the crowd which wasrushing along before him, he continued, --"Let us now go to the Buytenhof, Captain; I expect we shallsee a very strange sight there."The officer bowed, and, without making any reply, followedin the steps of his master.
There was an immense crowd in the square and about theneighbourhood of the prison. But the dragoons of Tilly stillkept it in check with the same success and with the samefirmness.
It was not long before the Count heard the increasing din22 ofthe approaching multitude, the first ranks of which rushedon with the rapidity of a cataract30.
At the same time he observed the paper, which was wavingabove the surface of clenched31 fists and glittering arms.
"Halloa!" he said, rising in his stirrups, and touching32 hislieutenant with the knob of his sword; "I really believethose rascals34 have got the order.""Dastardly ruffians they are," cried the lieutenant33.
It was indeed the order, which the burgher guard receivedwith a roar of triumph. They immediately sallied forth, withlowered arms and fierce shouts, to meet Count Tilly'sdragoons.
But the Count was not the man to allow them to approachwithin an inconvenient35 distance.
"Stop!" he cried, "stop, and keep off from my horse, or Ishall give the word of command to advance.""Here is the order!" a hundred insolent36 voices answered atonce.
He took it in amazement29, cast a rapid glance on it, and saidquite aloud, --"Those who have signed this order are the real murderers ofCornelius de Witt. I would rather have my two hands cut offthan have written one single letter of this infamous37 order."And, pushing back with the hilt of his sword the man whowanted to take it from him, he added, --"Wait a minute, papers like this are of importance, and areto be kept."Saying this, he folded up the document, and carefully put itin the pocket of his coat.
Then, turning round towards his troop, he gave the word ofcommand, --"Tilly's dragoons, wheel to the right!"After this, he added, in an undertone, yet loud enough forhis words to be not altogether lost to those about him, --"And now, ye butchers, do your work!"A savage yell, in which all the keen hatred38 and ferocioustriumph rife39 in the precincts of the prison simultaneouslyburst forth, and accompanied the departure of the dragoons,as they were quietly filing off.
The Count tarried behind, facing to the last the infuriatedpopulace, which advanced at the same rate as the Countretired.
John de Witt, therefore, had by no means exaggerated thedanger, when, assisting his brother in getting up, hehurried his departure. Cornelius, leaning on the arm of theEx-Grand Pensionary, descended40 the stairs which led to thecourtyard. At the bottom of the staircase he found littleRosa, trembling all over.
"Oh, Mynheer John," she said, "what a misfortune!""What is it, my child?" asked De Witt.
"They say that they are gone to the Town-hall to fetch theorder for Tilly's horse to withdraw.""You do not say so!" replied John. "Indeed, my dear child,if the dragoons are off, we shall be in a very sad plight41.""I have some advice to give you," Rosa said, trembling evenmore violently than before.
"Well, let us hear what you have to say, my child. Whyshould not God speak by your mouth?""Now, then, Mynheer John, if I were in your place, I shouldnot go out through the main street.""And why so, as the dragoons of Tilly are still at theirpost?""Yes, but their order, as long as it is not revoked42, enjoinsthem to stop before the prison.""Undoubtedly43.""Have you got an order for them to accompany you out of thetown?""We have not?""Well, then, in the very moment when you have passed theranks of the dragoons you will fall into the hands of thepeople.""But the burgher guard?""Alas44! the burgher guard are the most enraged45 of all.""What are we to do, then?""If I were in your place, Mynheer John," the young girltimidly continued, "I should leave by the postern, whichleads into a deserted46 by-lane, whilst all the people arewaiting in the High Street to see you come out by theprincipal entrance. From there I should try to reach thegate by which you intend to leave the town.""But my brother is not able to walk," said John.
"I shall try," Cornelius said, with an expression of mostsublime fortitude47.
"But have you not got your carriage?" asked the girl.
"The carriage is down near the great entrance.""Not so," she replied. "I considered your coachman to be afaithful man, and I told him to wait for you at thepostern."The two brothers looked first at each other, and then atRosa, with a glance full of the most tender gratitude48.
"The question is now," said the Grand Pensionary, "whetherGryphus will open this door for us.""Indeed, he will do no such thing," said Rosa.
"Well, and how then?""I have foreseen his refusal, and just now whilst he wastalking from the window of the porter's lodge49 with adragoon, I took away the key from his bunch.""And you have got it?""Here it is, Mynheer John.""My child," said Cornelius, "I have nothing to give you inexchange for the service you are rendering50 us but the Biblewhich you will find in my room; it is the last gift of anhonest man; I hope it will bring you good luck.""I thank you, Master Cornelius, it shall never leave me,"replied Rosa.
And then, with a sigh, she said to herself, "What a pitythat I do not know how to read!""The shouts and cries are growing louder and louder," saidJohn; "there is not a moment to be lost.""Come along, gentlemen," said the girl, who now led the twobrothers through an inner lobby to the back of the prison.
Guided by her, they descended a staircase of about a dozensteps; traversed a small courtyard, which was surrounded bycastellated walls; and, the arched door having been openedfor them by Rosa, they emerged into a lonely street wheretheir carriage was ready to receive them.
"Quick, quick, my masters! do you hear them?" cried thecoachman, in a deadly fright.
Yet, after having made Cornelius get into the carriagefirst, the Grand Pensionary turned round towards the girl,to whom he said, --"Good-bye, my child! words could never express ourgratitude. God will reward you for having saved the lives oftwo men."Rosa took the hand which John de Witt proffered51 to her, andkissed it with every show of respect.
"Go! for Heaven's sake, go!" she said; "it seems they aregoing to force the gate."John de Witt hastily got in, sat himself down by the side ofhis brother, and, fastening the apron52 of the carriage,called out to the coachman, --"To the Tol-Hek!"The Tol-Hek was the iron gate leading to the harbor ofSchevening, in which a small vessel53 was waiting for the twobrothers.
The carriage drove off with the fugitives54 at the full speedof a pair of spirited Flemish horses. Rosa followed themwith her eyes until they turned the corner of the street,upon which, closing the door after her, she went back andthrew the key into a cell.
The noise which had made Rosa suppose that the people wereforcing the prison door was indeed owing to the mobbattering against it after the square had been left by themilitary.
Solid as the gate was, and although Gryphus, to do himjustice, stoutly55 enough refused to open it, yet evidently itcould not resist much longer, and the jailer, growing verypale, put to himself the question whether it would not bebetter to open the door than to allow it to be forced, whenhe felt some one gently pulling his coat.
He turned round and saw Rosa.
"Do you hear these madmen?" he said.
"I hear them so well, my father, that in your place ---- ""You would open the door?""No, I should allow it to be forced.""But they will kill me!""Yes, if they see you.""How shall they not see me?""Hide yourself.""Where?""In the secret dungeon56.""But you, my child?""I shall get into it with you. We shall lock the door andwhen they have left the prison, we shall again come forthfrom our hiding place.""Zounds, you are right, there!" cried Gryphus; "it'ssurprising how much sense there is in such a little head!"Then, as the gate began to give way amidst the triumphantshouts of the mob, she opened a little trap-door, and said,--"Come along, come along, father.""But our prisoners?""God will watch over them, and I shall watch over you."Gryphus followed his daughter, and the trap-door closed overhis head, just as the broken gate gave admittance to thepopulace.
The dungeon where Rosa had induced her father to hidehimself, and where for the present we must leave the two,offered to them a perfectly57 safe retreat, being known onlyto those in power, who used to place there importantprisoners of state, to guard against a rescue or a revolt.
The people rushed into the prison, with the cry --"Death to the traitors58! To the gallows59 with Cornelius deWitt! Death! death!"
收听单词发音 |
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withdrawal
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| n.取回，提款；撤退，撤军；收回，撤销 | |
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bespoke
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| adj.（产品）订做的；专做订货的v.预定( bespeak的过去式 )；订（货）；证明；预先请求 | |
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linen
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| n.亚麻布，亚麻线，亚麻制品；adj.亚麻布制的，亚麻的 | |
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incessantly
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| ad.不停地 | |
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prey
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| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
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gaping
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| adj.口的；张口的；敞口的；多洞穴的v.目瞪口呆地凝视( gape的现在分词 )；张开，张大 | |
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favourable
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| adj.赞成的，称赞的，有利的，良好的，顺利的 | |
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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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apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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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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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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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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orator
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| n.演说者，演讲者，雄辩家 | |
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petitioners
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| n.请求人，请愿人( petitioner的名词复数 )；离婚案原告 | |
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15
impatience
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| n.不耐烦，急躁 | |
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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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undertaking
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| n.保证，许诺，事业 | |
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haranguing
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| v.高谈阔论( harangue的现在分词 ) | |
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astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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tumult
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| n.喧哗；激动，混乱；吵闹 | |
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retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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din
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| n.喧闹声，嘈杂声 | |
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subsided
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| v.（土地）下陷（因在地下采矿）( subside的过去式和过去分词 )；减弱；下降至较低或正常水平；一下子坐在椅子等上 | |
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intensity
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| n.强烈，剧烈；强度；烈度 | |
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gateway
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| n.大门口，出入口，途径，方法 | |
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spout
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| v.喷出，涌出；滔滔不绝地讲；n.喷管；水柱 | |
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hideously
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| adv.可怕地，非常讨厌地 | |
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brandishing
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| v.挥舞( brandish的现在分词 )；炫耀 | |
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amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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cataract
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| n.大瀑布，奔流，洪水，白内障 | |
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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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touching
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| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
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lieutenant
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| n.陆军中尉，海军上尉；代理官员，副职官员 | |
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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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inconvenient
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| adj.不方便的，令人感到麻烦的 | |
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insolent
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| adj.傲慢的，无理的 | |
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infamous
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| adj.声名狼藉的，臭名昭著的，邪恶的 | |
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hatred
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| n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨 | |
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rife
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| adj.(指坏事情)充斥的，流行的，普遍的 | |
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descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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plight
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| n.困境，境况，誓约，艰难；vt.宣誓，保证，约定 | |
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revoked
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| adj.[法]取消的v.撤销，取消，废除( revoke的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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undoubtedly
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| adv.确实地，无疑地 | |
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alas
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| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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enraged
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| 使暴怒( enrage的过去式和过去分词 )； 歜； 激愤 | |
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46
deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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47
fortitude
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| n.坚忍不拔；刚毅 | |
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48
gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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lodge
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| v.临时住宿，寄宿，寄存，容纳；n.传达室，小旅馆 | |
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50
rendering
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| n.表现，描写 | |
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51
proffered
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| v.提供，贡献，提出( proffer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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apron
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| n.围裙；工作裙 | |
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53
vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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54
fugitives
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| n.亡命者，逃命者( fugitive的名词复数 ) | |
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55
stoutly
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| adv.牢固地，粗壮的 | |
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56
dungeon
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| n.地牢，土牢 | |
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57
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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58
traitors
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| 卖国贼( traitor的名词复数 )； 叛徒； 背叛者； 背信弃义的人 | |
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gallows
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| n.绞刑架，绞台 | |
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