“When we have finished our meal, my good friend,” at length said the Prince, “I very much wish to consult with you on a most important business.” Since the explanation of last night, the Prince, in private conversation, had dropped his regal plural3.
“I am ready at once,” said Vivian.
“You will think it strange, Mr. Grey, when you become acquainted with the nature of my communication; you will justly consider it most strange, most singular, that I should choose for a confidant and a counsellor in an important business a gentleman with whom I have been acquainted so short a time as yourself. But, sir, I have well weighed, at least I have endeavoured well to weigh, all the circumstances and contingencies4 which such a confidence would involve; and the result of my reflection is, that I will look to you as a friend and adviser5, feeling assured that, both from your situation and your disposition6, no temptation exists which can induce you to betray or to deceive me.” Though the Prince said this with an appearance of perfect sincerity7, he stopped and looked earnest in his guest’s face, as if he would read his secret thoughts, or were desirous of now giving him an opportunity of answering.
“So far as the certainty of your confidence being respected,” answered Vivian, “I trust your Highness may communicate to me with the most assured spirit. But while my ignorance of men and affairs in this country will ensure you from any treachery on my part, I very much fear that it will also preclude8 me from affording you any advantageous9 advice or assistance.”
“On that head,” replied the Prince, “I am, of course, the best judge. The friend whom I need is a man not ignorant of the world, with a cool head and an impartial10 mind. Though young, you have said and told me enough to prove that you are not unacquainted with mankind. Of your courage I have already had a convincing proof. In the business in which I require your assistance freedom from national prejudices will materially increase the value of your advice; and, therefore, I am far from being unwilling11 to consult a person ignorant, according to your own phrase, of men and affairs in this country. Moreover, your education as an Englishman has early led you to exercise your mind on political subjects; and it is in a political business that I require your aid.”
“Am I fated always to be the dry nurse of an embryo12 faction13!” thought Vivian; and he watched earnestly the countenance14 of the Prince. In a moment he expected to be invited to become a counsellor of the leagued Princes. Either the lamp was burning dim, or the blazing wood fire had suddenly died away, or a mist was over Vivian’s eyes; but for a moment he almost imagined that he was sitting opposite his old friend the Marquis of Carabas. The Prince’s phrase had given rise to a thousand agonising associations: in an instant Vivian had worked up his mind to a pitch of nervous excitement.
“Political business?” said Vivian, in an agitated voice. “You could not address a more unfortunate person. I have seen, Prince, too much of politics ever to wish to meddle15 with them again.”
“You are too quick, my good friend,” continued his Highness. “I may wish to consult you on political business, and yet have no intention of engaging you in politics, which, indeed, is quite a ridiculous idea. But I see that I was right in supposing that these subjects have engaged your attention.”
“I have seen, in a short time, something of the political world,” answered Vivian, who was almost ashamed of his previous emotion; “and I thank Heaven daily that I have no chance of again having any connection with it.”
“Well, well! that as it may be. Nevertheless, your experience is only another inducement to me to request your assistance. Do not fear that I wish to embroil16 you in politics; but I hope you will not refuse, although almost a stranger, to add to the great obligations which I am already under to you, and give me the benefit of your opinion.”
“Your Highness may speak with perfect unreserve, and reckon upon my delivering my genuine sentiments.”
“You have not forgotten, I venture to believe,” said the Prince, “our short conversation of last night!”
“It was of too interesting a nature easily to escape my memory.”
“Before I can consult you on the subject which at present interests me, it is necessary that I should make you a little acquainted with the present state of public affairs here, and the characters of the principal individuals who control them.”
“So far as an account of the present state of political parties, the history of the Grand Duke’s career, and that of his Minister, Mr. Beckendorff, and their reputed characters, will form part of your Highness’s narrative17, by so much may its length be curtailed18 and your trouble lessened19; for I have at different times picked up, in casual conversation, a great deal of information on these topics. Indeed, you may address me, in this respect, as you would any German gentleman who, not being himself personally interested in public life, is, of course, not acquainted with its most secret details.”
“I did not reckon on this,” said the Prince, in a cheerful voice. “This is a great advantage, and another reason that I should no longer hesitate to develop to you a certain affair which now occupies my mind. To be short,” continued the Prince, “it is of the letter which I so mysteriously received last night, and which, as you must have remarked, very much agitated me; it is on this letter that I wish to consult you. Bearing in mind the exact position, the avowed20 and public position, in which I stand, as connected with the Court, and having a due acquaintance, which you state you have, with the character of Mr. Beckendorff, what think you of this letter?”
So saying, the Prince leant over the table, and handed to Vivian the following epistle:
“TO HIS HIGHNESS THE PRINCE OF LITTLE LILLIPUT.
“I am commanded by his Royal Highness to inform your Highness that his Royal Highness has considered the request which was signed by your Highness and other noblemen, and presented by you to his Royal Highness in a private interview. His Royal Highness commands me to state that that request will receive his most attentive21 consideration. At the same time, his Royal Highness also commands me to observe that, in bringing about the completion of a result desired by all parties, it is difficult to carry on the necessary communications merely by written documents; and his Royal Highness has therefore commanded me to submit to your Highness the advisability of taking some steps in order to further the possibility of the occurrence of an oral interchange of the sentiments of the respective parties. Being aware, from the position which your Highness has thought proper at present to maintain, and from other causes which are of too delicate a nature to be noticed in any other way except by allusion22, that your Highness may feel difficulty in personally communicating with his Royal Highness without consulting the wishes and opinions of the other Princes; a process to which, it must be evident to your Highness, his Royal Highness feels it impossible to submit; and, at the same time, desirous of forwarding the progress of those views which his Royal Highness and your Highness may conjunctively consider calculated to advance the well-being23 of the State, I have to submit to your Highness the propriety24 of considering the propositions contained in the enclosed paper; which, if your Highness keep unconnected with this communication, the purport25 of this letter will be confined to your Highness.
PROPOSITIONS.
‘1st. That an interview shall take place between your Highness and myself, the object of which shall be the consideration of measures by which, when adopted, the various interests now in agitation26 shall respectively be regarded.
‘2nd. That this interview shall be secret; your Highness be incognito27.’
“If your Highness be disposed to accede28 to the first proposition, I beg to submit to you that, from the nature of my residence, its situation, and other causes, there will be no fear that any suspicion of the fact of Mr. von Philipson acceding29 to the two propositions will gain notoriety. This letter will be delivered into your own hands. If Mr. von Philipson determine on acceding to these propositions, he is most probably aware of the general locality in which my residence is situated30; and proper measures will be taken that, if Mr. von Philipson honour me with a visit, he shall not be under the necessity of attracting attention by inquiring the way to my house. It is wished that the fact of the second proposition being acceded31 to should only be known to Mr. von Philipson and myself, but if to be perfectly32 unattended be considered as an insuperable objection, I consent to his being accompanied by a single friend. I shall be alone.
“BECKENDORFF.”
“Well!” said the Prince, as Vivian finished the letter.
“The best person,” said Vivian, “to decide upon your Highness consenting to this interview is yourself.”
“That is not the point on which I wish to have the benefit of your opinion; for I have already consented. I rode over this morning to my cousin, the Duke of Micromegas, and despatched from his residence a trusty messenger to Beckendorff. I have agreed to meet him, and to-morrow; but on the express terms that I should not be unattended. Now then,” continued the Prince, with great energy; “now then, will you be my companion?”
“I!” said Vivian.
“Yes; you, my good friend! you. I should consider myself as safe if I were sleeping in a burning house as I should be were I with Beckendorff alone. Although this is not the first time that we have communicated, I have never yet seen him; and I am fully33 aware that, if the approaching interview were known to my friends, they would consider it high time that my son reigned34 in my stead. But I am resolved to be firm, to be inflexible35. My course is plain. I am not to be again duped by him, which,” continued the Prince, much confused, “I will not conceal36 that I have been once.”
“But I!” said Vivian; “I; what good can I possibly do? It appears to me that, if Beckendorff is to be dreaded37 as you describe, the presence or the attendance of no friend can possibly save you from his crafty38 plans. But surely, if any one attend you, why not be accompanied by a person whom you have known long, and who knows you well; on whom you can confidently rely, and who may be aware, from a thousand signs and circumstances which will never attract my attention, at what particular and pressing moments you may require prompt and energetic assistance. Such is the companion you want; and surely such an one you may find in Arnelm, Von Neuwied — ”
“Arnelm! Von Neuwied!” said the Prince; “the best, hands at sounding a bugle39 or spearing a boar in all Reisenburg! Excellent men, forsooth! to guard their master from the diplomatic deceits of the wily Beckendorff! Moreover, were they to have even the slightest suspicion of my intended movement, they would commit rank treason out of pure loyalty40, and lock me up in my own cabinet! No, no! they will never do: I want a companion of experience and knowledge of the world, with whom I may converse41 with some prospect42 of finding my wavering firmness strengthened, or my misled judgment43 rightly guided, or my puzzled brain cleared; modes of assistance to which the worthy44 Jagd Junker is but little accustomed, however quickly he might hasten to my side in a combat or the chase.”
“If these, then, will not do, surely there is one man in this castle who, although he may not be a match for Beckendorff, can be foiled by few others. Mr. Sievers?” said Vivian, with an inquiring eye.
“Sievers!” exclaimed the Prince, with great eagerness; “the very man! firm, experienced, and sharp-witted; well schooled in political learning, in case I required his assistance in arranging the terms of the intended Charter or the plan of the intended Chambers45; for these, of course, are the points on which Beckendorff wishes to consult. But one thing I am determined46 on: I positively47 pledge myself to nothing while under Beckendorff’s roof. He doubtless anticipates, by my visit, to grant the liberties of the people on his own terms: perhaps Mr. Beckendorff, for once in his life, may be mistaken. I am not to be deceived twice; and I am determined not to yield the point of the Treasury48 being under the control of the Senate. That is the part of the harness which galls49; and to preserve themselves from this rather inconvenient50 regulation, without question, my good friend Beckendorff has hit upon this plan.”
“Then Mr. Sievers will accompany you?” asked Vivian, calling the Prince’s attention to the point of consultation51.
“The very man for it, my dear friend! but although Beckendorff, most probably respecting my presence, and taking into consideration the circumstances under which we meet, would refrain from consigning52 Sievers to a dungeon53; still, although the Minister invites this interview, and although I have no single inducement to conciliate him, yet it would scarcely be correct, scarcely dignified54 on my part, to prove, by the presence of my companion, that I had for a length of time harboured an individual who, by Beckendorff’s own exertions55, was banished57 from the Grand Duchy. It would look too much like a bravado58.”
“Oh!” said Vivian; “is it so? And pray of what was Mr. Sievers guilty?”
“Of high treason against one who was not his sovereign.”
“How is that?”
“Sievers, who is a man of considerable talents, was for a long time a professor in one of our great Universities. The publication of many able works procured59 him a reputation which induced Madame Carolina to use every exertion56 to gain his attendance at Court; and a courtier in time the professor became. At Reisenburg Mr. Sievers was the great authority on all subjects: philosophical60, literary, and political. In fact, he was the fashion; and, at the head of the great literary journal which is there published, he terrified admiring Germany with his profound and piquant61 critiques. Unfortunately, like some men as good, he was unaware62 that Reisenburg was not an independent state; and so, on the occasion of Austria attacking Naples, Mr. Sievers took the opportunity of attacking Austria. His article, eloquent63, luminous64, profound, revealed the dark colours of the Austrian policy, as an artist’s lamp brings out the murky65 tints66 of a Spagnoletto. Every one admired Sievers’ bitter sarcasms67, enlightened views, and indignant eloquence68. Madame Carolina crowned him with laurel in the midst of her coterie69, and it is said that the Grand Duke sent him a snuff-box. In a short time the article reached Vienna, and in a still shorter time Mr. Beckendorff reached the Residence, and insisted on the author being immediately given up to the Austrian Government. Madame Carolina was in despair, the Grand Duke in doubt, and Beckendorff threatened to resign if the order were not signed. A kind friend, perhaps his Royal Highness himself, gave Sievers timely notice, and by rapid flight he reached my castle, and demanded my hospitality. He has lived here ever since, and has done me a thousand services, not the least of which is the education which he has given my son, my glorious Maximilian.”
“And Beckendorff,” asked Vivian; “has he always been aware that Sievers was concealed70 here?”
“That I cannot answer: had he been, it is not improbable that he would have winked71 at it; since it never has been his policy unnecessarily to annoy a mediatised Prince, or without great occasion to let us feel that our independence is gone; I will not, with such a son as I have, say, for ever.”
“Mr. Sievers of course, then, cannot visit Beckendorff,” said Vivian.
“That is clear,” said the Prince; “and I therefore trust that now you will no longer refuse my first request.”
It was impossible for Vivian to deny the Prince any longer; and indeed he had no objection (as his Highness could not be better attended) to seize the singular and unexpected opportunity which now offered itself of becoming acquainted with an individual respecting whom his curiosity was much excited. It was a late hour ere the Prince and his friend retired72, having arranged everything for the morrow’s journey, and conversed73 on the probable subjects of the approaching interview at great length.
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1
enquired
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| 打听( enquire的过去式和过去分词 )； 询问； 问问题； 查问 | |
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agitated
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| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
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plural
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| n.复数；复数形式；adj.复数的 | |
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4
contingencies
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| n.偶然发生的事故，意外事故( contingency的名词复数 )；以备万一 | |
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adviser
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| n.劝告者，顾问 | |
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disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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7
sincerity
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| n.真诚，诚意；真实 | |
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8
preclude
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| vt.阻止，排除，防止；妨碍 | |
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9
advantageous
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| adj.有利的；有帮助的 | |
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10
impartial
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| adj.(in,to)公正的，无偏见的 | |
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11
unwilling
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| adj.不情愿的 | |
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12
embryo
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| n.胚胎，萌芽的事物 | |
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13
faction
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| n.宗派，小集团；派别；派系斗争 | |
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14
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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15
meddle
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| v.干预，干涉，插手 | |
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16
embroil
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| vt.拖累；牵连；使复杂 | |
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17
narrative
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| n.叙述，故事；adj.叙事的，故事体的 | |
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18
curtailed
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| v.截断，缩短( curtail的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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19
lessened
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| 减少的，减弱的 | |
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20
avowed
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| adj.公开声明的，承认的v.公开声明，承认( avow的过去式和过去分词) | |
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21
attentive
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| adj.注意的，专心的；关心(别人)的，殷勤的 | |
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22
allusion
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| n.暗示，间接提示 | |
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23
well-being
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| n.安康，安乐，幸福 | |
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24
propriety
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| n.正当行为；正当；适当 | |
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25
purport
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| n.意义，要旨，大要；v.意味著，做为...要旨，要领是... | |
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26
agitation
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| n.搅动；搅拌；鼓动，煽动 | |
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27
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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28
accede
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| v.应允，同意 | |
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29
acceding
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| v.（正式）加入( accede的现在分词 )；答应；（通过财产的添附而）增加；开始任职 | |
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30
situated
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| adj.坐落在...的，处于某种境地的 | |
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31
acceded
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| v.（正式）加入( accede的过去式和过去分词 )；答应；（通过财产的添附而）增加；开始任职 | |
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32
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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33
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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34
reigned
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| vi.当政，统治（reign的过去式形式） | |
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35
inflexible
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| adj.不可改变的，不受影响的，不屈服的 | |
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36
conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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37
dreaded
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| adj.令人畏惧的；害怕的v.害怕，恐惧，担心( dread的过去式和过去分词) | |
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38
crafty
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| adj.狡猾的，诡诈的 | |
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39
bugle
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| n.军号，号角，喇叭；v.吹号，吹号召集 | |
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40
loyalty
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| n.忠诚，忠心 | |
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41
converse
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| vi.谈话，谈天，闲聊；adv.相反的，相反 | |
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42
prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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43
judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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44
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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45
chambers
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| n.房间( chamber的名词复数 )；（议会的）议院；卧室；会议厅 | |
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46
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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47
positively
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| adv.明确地，断然，坚决地；实在，确实 | |
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48
treasury
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| n.宝库；国库，金库；文库 | |
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49
galls
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| v.使…擦痛( gall的第三人称单数 )；擦伤；烦扰；侮辱 | |
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50
inconvenient
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| adj.不方便的，令人感到麻烦的 | |
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51
consultation
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| n.咨询；商量；商议；会议 | |
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52
consigning
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| v.把…置于（令人不快的境地）( consign的现在分词 )；把…托付给；把…托人代售；丟弃 | |
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53
dungeon
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| n.地牢，土牢 | |
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54
dignified
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| a.可敬的，高贵的 | |
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55
exertions
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| n.努力( exertion的名词复数 )；费力；（能力、权力等的）运用；行使 | |
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56
exertion
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| n.尽力，努力 | |
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57
banished
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| v.放逐，驱逐( banish的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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58
bravado
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| n.虚张声势，故作勇敢，逞能 | |
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59
procured
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| v.（努力）取得， （设法）获得( procure的过去式和过去分词 )；拉皮条 | |
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60
philosophical
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| adj.哲学家的，哲学上的，达观的 | |
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61
piquant
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| adj.辛辣的，开胃的，令人兴奋的 | |
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62
unaware
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| a.不知道的，未意识到的 | |
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63
eloquent
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| adj.雄辩的，口才流利的；明白显示出的 | |
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64
luminous
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| adj.发光的，发亮的；光明的；明白易懂的；有启发的 | |
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65
murky
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| adj.黑暗的，朦胧的；adv.阴暗地，混浊地；n.阴暗；昏暗 | |
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66
tints
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| 色彩( tint的名词复数 )； 带白的颜色； （淡色）染发剂； 痕迹 | |
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67
sarcasms
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| n.讥讽，讽刺，挖苦( sarcasm的名词复数 ) | |
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68
eloquence
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| n.雄辩；口才，修辞 | |
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69
coterie
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| n.(有共同兴趣的)小团体，小圈子 | |
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70
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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winked
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| v.使眼色( wink的过去式和过去分词 )；递眼色（表示友好或高兴等）；（指光）闪烁；闪亮 | |
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retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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conversed
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| v.交谈，谈话( converse的过去式 ) | |
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