As Madame Carolina was, in fact, a charming woman, our hero had no objection to humour her harmless foibles; and not contented13 with making notes in an interleaved copy of her Charlemagne, he even promised to read Haroun Al Raschid in manuscript. The consequence of his courtesy and the reward of his taste was unbounded favour. Apartments in the palace were offered him, and declined; and when Madame Carolina had Income acquainted with sufficient of his real history to know that, on his part, neither wish nor necessity existed to return immediately to his own country, she tempted14 him to remain at Reisenburg by an offer of a place at Court; and doubtless, had he been willing, Vivian might in time have become a Lord Chamberlain, or perhaps even a Field Marshal.
On entering the room the morning in question he found Madame Carolina writing. At the end of the apartment a lady ceased, on his appearance, humming an air to which she was dancing, and at the same time imitating castanets. Madame received Vivian with expressions of delight, saying also, in a peculiar15 and confidential16 manner, that she was just sealing up a packet for him, the preface of Haroun; and then she presented him to “the Baroness17!” The lady who was lately dancing came forward. It was his unknown partner of the preceding night. “The Baroness” extended her hand to Vivian, and unaffectedly expressed her great pleasure at seeing him again. Vivian trusted that she was not fatigued19 by the fête, and asked after Mr. Beckendorff. Madame Carolina was busily engaged at the moment in duly securing the precious preface. The Baroness said that Mr. Beckendorff had returned home, but that Madame Carolina had kindly20 insisted upon her staying at the palace. She was not the least wearied. Last night had been one of the most agreeable she had ever spent; at least she supposed she ought to say so: for if she had experienced a tedious or mournful feeling for a moment, it was hardly for what was then passing so much as for — ”
“Pray, Mr. Grey,” said Madame Carolina, interrupting them, “have you heard about our new ballet?”
“No.”
“I do not think you have ever been to our Opera. To-morrow is Opera night, and you must not be again away. We pride ourselves here very much upon our Opera.”
“We estimate it even in England,” said Vivian, “as possessing perhaps the most perfect orchestra now organised.”
“The orchestra is perfect. His Royal Highness is such an excellent musician, and he has spared no trouble or expense in forming it: he has always superintended it himself. But I confess I admire our ballet department still more. I expect you to be delighted with it. You will perhaps be gratified to know that the subject of our new splendid ballet, which is to be produced to-morrow, is from a great work of your illustrious poet, my Lord Byron.”
“From which?”
“The Corsair. Ah! what a sublime21 work! what passion! what energy! what knowledge of feminine feeling! what contrast of character! what sentiments! what situations! I wish this were Opera night; Gulnare! my favourite character; beautiful! How do you think they will dress her?”
“Are you an admirer of our Byron?” asked Vivian, of the Baroness.
“I think he is a very handsome man. I once saw him at the carnival22 at Venice.”
“But his works; his grand works! ma chère petite,” said Madame Carolina, in her sweetest tone: “you have read his works?”
“Not a line,” answered the Baroness, with great na?veté; “I never saw them.”
“Pauvre enfant!” said Madame Carolina; “I will employ you, then, while you are here.”
“I never read,” said the Baroness; “I cannot bear it. I like poetry and romances, but I like somebody to read to me.”
“Very just,” said Madame Carolina; “we can judge with greater accuracy of the merit of a composition when it reaches our mind merely through the medium of the human voice. The soul is an essence, invisible and indivisible. In this respect the voice of man resembles the principle of his existence; since few will deny, though there are some materialists who will deny everything, that the human voice is both impalpable and audible only in one place at the same time. Hence, I ask, is it illogical to infer its indivisibility? The soul and the voice, then, are similar in two great attributes: there is a secret harmony in their spiritual construction. In the early ages of mankind a beautiful tradition was afloat that the soul and the voice were one and the same. We may perhaps recognise in this fanciful belief the effect of the fascinating and imaginative philosophy of the East; that mysterious portion of the globe,” continued Madame Carolina, “from which we should frankly23 confess that we derive24 everything; for the South is but the pupil of the East, through the mediation25 of Egypt. Of this opinion,” said Madame with fervour, “I have no doubt: of this opinion,” continued the lady with enthusiasm, “I have boldly avowed26 myself a votary27 in a dissertation28 appended to the second volume of Haroun: for this opinion I would die at the stake! Oh, lovely East! why was I not oriental! Land where the voice of the nightingale is never mute! Land of the cedar29 and the citron, the turtle and the myrtle, of ever-blooming flowers and ever-shining skies! Illustrious East! Cradle of Philosophy! My dearest Baroness, why do not you feel as I do? From the East we obtain everything!”
“Indeed!” said the Baroness, with simplicity30; “I thought we only got shawls.”
This puzzling answer was only noticed by Vivian; for the truth is, Madame Carolina was one of those individuals who never attend to any person’s answers. Always thinking of herself, she only asked questions that she herself might supply the responses. And now having made, as she flattered herself, a splendid display to her favourite critic, she began to consider what had given rise to her oration31. Lord Byron and the ballet again occurred to her; and as the Baroness, at least, was not unwilling32 to listen, and as she herself had no manuscript of her own which she particularly wished to be perused33, she proposed that Vivian should read to them part of the Corsair, and in the original tongue. Madame Carolina opened the volume at the first prison scene between Gulnare and Conrad. It was her favourite. Vivian read with care and feeling. Madame was in raptures34, and the Baroness, although she did not understand a single syllable35, seemed almost equally delighted. At length Vivian came to this passage:
My love stern Seyd’s! Oh, no, no, not my love!
Yet much this heart, that strives no more, once strove
To meet his passion; but it would not be.
I felt, I feel, love dwells with, with the free.
I am a slave, a favour’d slave at best,
To share his splendour, and seem very blest!
Oft must my soul the question undergo,
Of, “Dost thou love?” and burn to answer, “No!”
Oh! hard it is that fondness to sustain,
And struggle not to feel averse36 in vain;
But harder still the heart’s recoil37 to bear,
And hide from one, perhaps another there;
He takes the hand I give not nor withhold38,
Its pulse nor checked nor quickened, calmly cold:
And when resign’d, it drops a lifeless weight
From one I never loved enough to hate.
No warmth these lips return by his imprest,
And chill’d remembrance shudders39 o’er the rest.
Yes, had I ever prov’d that passion’s zeal40,
The change to hatred41 were at least to feel:
But still, he goes unmourn’d, returns unsought,
And oft when present, absent from my thought.
Or when reflection comes, and come it must,
I fear that henceforth ’twill but bring disgust:
I am his slave; but, in despite of pride,
’Twere worse than bondage42 to become his bride.
“Superb!” said Madame, in a voice of enthusiasm; “how true! what passion! what energy! what sentiments! what knowledge of feminine feeling! Read it again, I pray: it is my favourite passage.”
“What is this passage about?” asked the Baroness, with some anxiety; “tell me.”
“I have a French translation, ma mignonne,” said Madame; “you shall have it afterwards.”
“No! I detest43 reading,” said the young lady, with an imperious air; “translate it to me at once.”
“You are rather a self-willed beauty!” thought Vivian; “but your eyes are so brilliant that nothing must be refused you!” and so he translated it.
On its conclusion Madame was again in raptures. The Baroness was not less affected18, but she said nothing. She appeared agitated44; she changed colour, raised her beautiful eyes with an expression of sorrow, looked at Vivian earnestly, and then walked to the other end of the room. In a few moments she returned to her seat.
“I wish you would tell me the story,” she said, with earnestness.
“I have a French translation, ma belle45!” said Madame Carolina; “at present I wish to trouble Mr. Grey with a few questions.” Madame Carolina led Vivian into a recess46.
“I am sorry we are troubled with this sweet little savage; but I think she has talent, though evidently quite uneducated. We must do what we can for her. Her ignorance of all breeding is amusing, but then I think she has a natural elegance47. We shall soon polish her. His Royal Highness is so anxious that every attention should be paid to her. Beckendorff, you know, is a man of the greatest genius.” (Madame Carolina had lowered her tone about the Minister since the Prince of Little Lilliput’s apostasy48.) “The country is greatly indebted to him. This, between ourselves, is his daughter. At least I have no doubt of it. Beckendorff was once married, to a lady of great rank, died early, beautiful woman, very interesting! His Royal Highness had a great regard for her. The Premier49, in his bereavement50, turned humorist, and has brought up this lovely girl in the oddest possible manner; nobody knows where. Now that he finds it necessary to bring her forward, he, of course, is quite at a loss. His Royal Highness has applied51 to me. There was a little coldness before between the Minister and myself. It is now quite removed. I must do what I can for her I think she must marry von Sohnspeer, who is no more Beckendorff’s son than you are: or young Eberstein, or young Bernstorff, or young Gernsbach. We must do something for her. I offered her last night to Emilius von Aslingen; but he said that, unfortunately, he was just importing a savage or two of his own from the Brazils, and consequently was not in want of her.”
A chamberlain now entered, to announce the speedy arrival of his Royal Highness. The Baroness, without ceremony, expressed her great regret that he was coming, as now she should not hear the wished-for story. Madame Carolina reproved her, and the reproof52 was endured rather than submitted to.
His Royal Highness entered, and was accompanied by the Crown Prince. He greeted the young lady with great kindness; and even the Crown Prince, inspired by his father’s unusual warmth, made a shuffling53 kind of bow and a stuttering kind of speech. Vivian was about to retire on the entrance of the Grand Duke, but Madame Carolina prevented him from going, and his Royal Highness, turning round, very graciously seconded her desire, and added that Mr. Grey was the very gentleman with whom he was desirous of meeting.
“I am anxious,” said he to Vivian, in rather a low tone, “to make Reisenburg agreeable to Mr. Beckendorff’s fair friend. As you are one of the few who are honoured by his intimacy54, and are familiar with some of our state secrets,” added the Grand Duke with a smile, “I am sure it will give you pleasure to assist me in the execution of my wishes.”
His Royal Highness proposed that the ladies should ride; and he himself, with the Crown Prince and Mr. Grey, would attend them. Madame Carolina expressed her willingness; but the Baroness, like all forward girls unused to the world, suddenly grew at the same time both timid and disobliging. She looked sullen55 and discontented, and coolly said that she did not feel in the humour to ride for at least these two hours. To Vivian’s surprise, even the Grand Duke humoured her fancy, and declared that he should then be happy to attend them after the Court dinner. Until that time Vivian was amused by Madame, and the Grand Duke exclusively devoted56 himself to the Baroness. His Royal Highness was in his happiest mood, and his winning manners and elegant conversation soon chased away the cloud which, for a moment, had settled on the young lady’s fair brow.
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1
instructors
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| 指导者，教师( instructor的名词复数 ) | |
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patronage
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| n.赞助，支援，援助；光顾，捧场 | |
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3
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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4
novice
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| adj.新手的，生手的 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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compensated
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| 补偿，报酬( compensate的过去式和过去分词 )； 给（某人）赔偿（或赔款） | |
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7
enchanted
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| adj. 被施魔法的，陶醉的，入迷的 动词enchant的过去式和过去分词 | |
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8
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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9
dwarf
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| n.矮子，侏儒，矮小的动植物；vt.使…矮小 | |
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10
idiocy
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| n.愚蠢 | |
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11
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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12
superseded
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| [医]被代替的，废弃的 | |
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13
contented
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| adj.满意的，安心的，知足的 | |
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14
tempted
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| v.怂恿（某人）干不正当的事；冒…的险（tempt的过去分词） | |
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15
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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16
confidential
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| adj.秘（机）密的，表示信任的，担任机密工作的 | |
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17
baroness
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| n.男爵夫人，女男爵 | |
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18
affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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19
fatigued
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| adj. 疲乏的 | |
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20
kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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21
sublime
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| adj.崇高的，伟大的；极度的，不顾后果的 | |
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22
carnival
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| n.嘉年华会，狂欢，狂欢节，巡回表演 | |
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frankly
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| adv.坦白地，直率地；坦率地说 | |
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24
derive
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| v.取得；导出；引申；来自；源自；出自 | |
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mediation
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| n.调解 | |
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26
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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27
votary
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| n.崇拜者；爱好者；adj.誓约的，立誓任圣职的 | |
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28
dissertation
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| n.（博士学位）论文，学术演讲，专题论文 | |
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29
cedar
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| n.雪松，香柏(木) | |
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30
simplicity
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| n.简单，简易；朴素；直率，单纯 | |
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31
oration
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| n.演说，致辞，叙述法 | |
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32
unwilling
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| adj.不情愿的 | |
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33
perused
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| v.读（某篇文字）( peruse的过去式和过去分词 )；（尤指）细阅；审阅；匆匆读或心不在焉地浏览（某篇文字） | |
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34
raptures
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| 极度欢喜( rapture的名词复数 ) | |
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35
syllable
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| n.音节；vt.分音节 | |
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36
averse
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| adj.厌恶的；反对的，不乐意的 | |
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37
recoil
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| vi.退却，退缩，畏缩 | |
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38
withhold
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| v.拒绝，不给；使停止，阻挡 | |
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39
shudders
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| n.颤动，打颤，战栗( shudder的名词复数 )v.战栗( shudder的第三人称单数 )；发抖；（机器、车辆等）突然震动；颤动 | |
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40
zeal
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| n.热心，热情，热忱 | |
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41
hatred
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| n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨 | |
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42
bondage
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| n.奴役，束缚 | |
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43
detest
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| vt.痛恨，憎恶 | |
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44
agitated
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| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
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45
belle
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| n.靓女 | |
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46
recess
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| n.短期休息，壁凹（墙上装架子，柜子等凹处） | |
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47
elegance
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| n.优雅；优美，雅致；精致，巧妙 | |
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48
apostasy
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| n.背教，脱党 | |
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49
premier
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| adj.首要的；n.总理，首相 | |
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50
bereavement
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| n.亲人丧亡，丧失亲人，丧亲之痛 | |
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51
applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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52
reproof
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| n.斥责，责备 | |
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53
shuffling
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| adj. 慢慢移动的, 滑移的 动词shuffle的现在分词形式 | |
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54
intimacy
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| n.熟悉，亲密，密切关系，亲昵的言行 | |
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55
sullen
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| adj.愠怒的，闷闷不乐的，(天气等)阴沉的 | |
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56
devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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