The duke simply pointed4 to the prisoner. He himself drew near to him, and said, with his customary glacial courtesy:—
"Monsieur, you doubtless understand that the departure of your companion in misfortune renders you liable to the penalty which was to be inflicted5 upon him."
"Yes, monsieur," replied Canolles, "I suspected as much; but there is one thing of which I am perfectly6 certain, that Madame la Princesse granted a pardon to me by name. I saw, and you yourself might have seen just now, the order for my release in the hands of Madame la Vicomtesse de Cambes."
"It is true, monsieur," said the duke, "but Madame la Princesse could not have anticipated the present state of affairs."
"I am to understand, then, that Madame la Princesse recalls her signature?"
"Yes," replied the duke.
"A princess of the blood is false to her word?"
The duke maintained his impassive demeanor7.
Canolles looked about him.
"Has the time arrived?" he asked.
"Yes, monsieur."
"I thought that you would await the return of Madame la Vicomtesse de Cambes; you promised her that nothing should be done in her absence. It seems that nobody has any regard for his word to-day."
And the prisoner gazed reproachfully, not at the Duc de La Rochefoucauld, but at Lenet.
"Alas8! monsieur," cried the latter, with tears in his eyes, "forgive us. Madame la Princesse positively9 refused to show mercy to you. I begged very earnestly none the less; Monsieur le Duc will bear witness to that, and God as well. But she deems it imperative10 that Richon's death should be paid for in kind, and she was as immovable as stone. Now do you yourself pass judgment11 on my conduct, Monsieur le Baron12; instead of allowing the burden of your horrible situation to fall partly upon the viscountess, I ventured,—pray forgive me, for I feel that I stand in great need of your forgiveness,—I ventured to cause it to fall upon you alone, for you are a soldier and of gentle birth."
"In that case," faltered13 Canolles, whose voice was choked with emotion, "in that case I shall not see her again! When you bade me embrace her, it was for the last time!"
A sob14 stronger than stoicism or pride shook Lenet's frame. He stepped back and wept bitterly. Canolles thereupon fixed15 his piercing gaze upon the men who stood about him, but could see on every side none but faces rendered stern and pitiless by Richon's cruel death, and among them a very few timid creatures, who were stiffening16 their muscles to conceal17 their emotion and help them to swallow their tears and sighs.
"Oh! it is terrible to think upon," murmured the youth, in a moment of superhuman clearness of vision which opens before the soul a boundless18 field of view over what men call life,—that is to say, a few brief instants of happiness scattered19 here and there like islands in the midst of an ocean of tears and suffering,—"terrible to think upon! I had in my arms the woman I adore, who had just told me for the first time that she loved me; I had before me a long and blissful life, the realization20 of my fondest dream; and lo! in a moment, in a second, death takes the place of it all!"
He felt a tightness at his heart, and a pricking21 sensation in his eyes as if he were going to weep; but he remembered in time that he was, as Lenet said, a soldier and a gentleman.
"O pride," he said to himself, "the only form of courage that has any real existence, come to my aid! Should I bewail the loss of so vain and futile22 a thing as life? How they would laugh if they could say: 'On learning that he was to die, Canolles wept!' How did I bear myself on the day I was besieged23 at Saint-Georges, when the Bordelais showed the same eagerness for my death as to-day? I fought, I jested, I laughed. Very good! by the heaven above, which hears my words and is mayhap dealing24 wrongfully with me; by the devil who is struggling at this moment with my good angel, I will bear myself to-day as I bore myself on that day, and if I no longer fight, I will at least continue to jest, and will laugh on to the end."
At once his face became calm, as if all emotion had vanished from his heart; he passed his hand through his beautiful black hair, and walked up to Monsieur de La Rochefoucauld and Lenet with a smile upon his lips.
"Messieurs," said he, "as you know, one requires time to become accustomed to everything in this world, which is so filled with strange and unexpected events; I have taken, and I did wrong not to ask your leave to take, a moment to accustom25 myself to the thought of death; if it was too long a time, I ask your pardon for compelling you to wait."
Profound astonishment26 was depicted27 on the faces of all the bystanders, and the prisoner was aware that that feeling soon gave place to admiration28; his strength was increased tenfold by his consciousness of that sentiment, so honorable to him.
"Whenever you are ready, messieurs," said he; "I am waiting for you now."
The duke, dumbfounded for an instant, at once resumed his usual phlegmatic29 demeanor, and gave the signal. Thereupon the gates were opened and the procession made ready to set out.
"One moment," cried Lenet, to gain time; "one moment, Monsieur le Duc! We are escorting Monsieur de Canolles to his death, are we not?"
The duke made a gesture of surprise, and Canolles looked wonderingly at Lenet.
"Why, yes," said the duke.
"Very good!" rejoined Lenet, "in that case the gallant30 gentleman cannot do without a confessor."
"Pardon me, pardon me, monsieur," interposed Canolles; "I can do without one perfectly well."
"How so?" Lenet asked, making signs to the prisoner which he would not understand.
"Because I am a Huguenot," replied Canolles, "and a zealous31 Huguenot, too, I promise you. If you wish to confer one last favor upon me, I pray you let me die as I am."
Even as he repelled32 the suggestion, the young man made a gesture of gratitude33, which proved that he perfectly understood Lenet's purpose.
"If there is no further cause for delay, let us be off," said the duke.
"Make him confess! make him confess!" cried a few of the more vindictive34 bystanders.
Canolles drew himself up to his full height, looked about him on all sides with a calm and confident glance, and said sternly to the duke:—
"Are we going to act like cowards, monsieur? Me-thinks that if any person has the right to follow out his desires, I, who am the hero of the fête, have that right, I refuse to see a confessor, but I demand the scaffold, and that at the earliest possible moment; 'tis my turn to be weary of waiting."
"Silence!" cried the duke, turning to the crowd. When silence was restored in obedience35 to his potent36 voice and glance, he said to Canolles:—
"Monsieur you may do as you choose."
"Thanks, monsieur. In that case, let us go, and quickly; may we not?"
Lenet took Canolles' arm.
"On the contrary, let us go slowly," said he. "Who knows? A reprieve37, an occurrence that we cannot fore-see, are among the possibilities. Go slowly, I implore38 you in the name of her who loves you, and who will weep so bitterly if we go too fast."
"Oh! do not speak to me of her, I entreat39; all my courage vanishes at the thought that I am to be parted forever from her. But what am I saying? On the other hand, Monsieur Lenet, do speak of her, tell me again and again that she loves me, and will always love me, and above all, that she will weep for me!"
"Come, come, my dear, unfortunate child," said Lenet, "do not give way to your feelings; remember that these men are looking at you, and that they know not of whom we are speaking."
Canolles proudly raised his head, and his hair fell in wavy40 black curls about his neck. By this time they were in the street; the light of many torches shone upon his calm and smiling face.
He could hear women weeping, and there were some who said:—
"Poor baron, so young and so fair!"
They marched along for some time in silence; suddenly he exclaimed:—
"Oh! Monsieur Lenet, I would that I might see her once more!"
"Do you wish me to go in search of her, and bring her to you?" asked Lenet, who had no longer any will of his own.
"Oh! yes," whispered Canolles.
"Very well! I will go; but you will kill her."
"So much the better!" whispered selfishness to the young man's heart; "if you kill her, she will never belong to another."
But he overcame this last weakness as suddenly as it assailed41 him.
"No, no," said he, seizing Lenet's hand; "you promised to remain with me, so remain."
"What does he say?" the duke inquired of the captain of the guards.
Canolles overheard the question.
"I was saying, Monsieur le Duc," said he, "that I thought it was not so far from the prison to the Esplanade."
"Alas!" interposed Lenet, "do not complain of the distance, my poor boy, for we have arrived."
As he spoke42 the torch-bearers and the head of the procession disappeared around a street-corner.
Lenet pressed the young man's hand, then went up to the duke, determined43 to make one last effort before they actually reached the place of execution.
"Monsieur," said he, "once more I implore you for mercy! you will ruin our cause by executing Monsieur de Canolles."
"On the contrary," retorted the duke, "we prove that we deem it a just cause, as we do not fear to make reprisals44."
"But reprisals can only be made between equals, Monsieur le Duc, and whatever you may say, the queen will still be queen, and we her subjects."
"Let us not discuss such matters before Monsieur de Canolles," rejoined the duke aloud; "surely you can see the impropriety."
"Do not speak of mercy before Monsieur le Duc;" retorted Canolles; "surely you can see that his coup45 d'état is in process of accomplishment46; do not annoy him for so small a matter."
The duke made no reply; but his compressed lips and his ironical47 glance showed that the blow had struck home. Meanwhile they had not ceased to go forward, and Canolles now found himself at the entrance to the Esplanade. In the distance, that is, at the other side of the square, could be seen the crowd, in a vast circle formed by the glittering musket48-barrels. In the centre arose a shapeless black something, which Canolles could not clearly distinguish in the shadow, and he thought that it was an ordinary scaffold. But when the torches reached the centre of the square, their light fell full upon that black object, at first unrecognizable, and revealed the hideous49 silhouette50 of a gibbet.
"A gibbet!" cried Canolles, halting, and pointing to the structure. "Is not that a gibbet that I see yonder, Monsieur le Duc?"
"It is; you are not mistaken," he replied, coldly.
A wrathful flush reddened the young man's brow; he threw aside the two soldiers who were marching on either hand, and at one bound found himself face to face with Monsieur de La Rochefoucauld.
"Monsieur," he cried, "do you forget that I am of gentle blood? All the world knows, even the executioner himself, that a nobleman is entitled to be beheaded."
"Monsieur, there are circumstances—"
"It is not in my own name that I speak," Canolles interrupted, "but in the name of all the nobility, in which you hold so high a place, who have been prince and are now duke; it will be a lasting52 shame, not for me, who am innocent, but for one and all of you, that one of your caste should die upon the gallows53."
"Monsieur, Richon was hanged by order of the king."
"Richon, monsieur, was a gallant soldier, and at heart as noble as any man in this wide world, but he was not of noble birth; I am."
"You forget," said the duke, "that this is a matter of reprisals; were you a prince of the blood, we would hang you."
Canolles instinctively54 put his hand to his side for his sword, but when he failed to find it there, the realization of his situation came over him once more in all its force; his wrath51 vanished, and he remembered that his real superiority lay in his very weakness.
"Monsieur philosopher," said he, "woe55 to those who resort to reprisals, and woe thrice over to those who, when they resort to them, lay aside all humanity! I did not plead for mercy, but justice. There are those who love me, monsieur; I emphasize the word, because I am aware that you yourself do not appreciate how one can love. Upon the hearts of those who love me you are about to impress forever, with the memory of my death, the dishonoring image of the gibbet. A sword-thrust, I beseech56 you, or a musket-ball! Give me your dagger57 that I may kill myself, and then you may hang my dead body if it will give you any pleasure."
"Richon was hanged alive, monsieur," was the cold reply.
"Be it so! Now, listen to what I say. Some day some frightful58 misfortune will overtake you; when that day comes, you will remember that it is punishment from on high: for my own part, I die with the firm conviction that my death is your work."
Thereupon Canolles, shuddering59 and pale, but filled with exalted60 courage, approached the gallows and stood, proud and disdainful, facing the populace, with his foot upon the first step of the ladder.
"Now, executioner," said he, "do your duty."
"There is only one!" cried the crowd in amazement61; "the other! where is the other? we were promised two!"
"Ah! that is one thing that consoles me in a measure," said Canolles, with a smile; "this amiable62 populace is not content with what you are doing for it; do you hear what it says, Monsieur le Duc?"
"Death! death! vengeance63 for Richon!" roared ten thousand voices.
"If I irritate them," thought Canolles, "they are quite capable of tearing me in pieces; in that case I shall not be hanged, and Monsieur le Duc will go insane with rage.
"You are cowards!" he cried; "I see some among you who took part in the attack on Saint-Georges, when I made you all run away! You are venting64 your spite on me to-day because I whipped you."
A roar of rage was the only reply.
"You are cowards!" he repeated; "rebels, villains65!"
A thousand knives gleamed in the air, and stones began to fall at the gallows foot.
"Good!" muttered Canolles. "The king hanged Richon," he added aloud, "and he did well; when he takes Bordeaux, he will hang many another—"
At these words the crowd rushed like a torrent66 toward the gallows, broke through the guards, overturned the palisades, and threw themselves, roaring like wild beasts, upon the prisoner.
At a gesture from the duke, one of the executioners raised Canolles by taking him under the arms, while the other adjusted a noose67 around his neck.
Canolles felt the cord and redoubled his taunts68 and insults; if he wished to be killed in time he had not a moment to lose.
At that supreme69 moment he looked around for the last time; he could see naught70 but naming eyes and threatening arms. One man, however, a mounted soldier, pointed to his musket.
"Cauvignac! 'tis Cauvignac!" cried Canolles, clinging to the ladder with both his hands, which were not bound.
Cauvignac made a motion indicating that he had been unable to save him, and levelled his weapon at him. Canolles understood him.
"Yes, yes!" he cried, emphasizing his words with his head.
Now let us see how Cauvignac happened to be at hand.
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收听单词发音
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1
sinister
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| adj.不吉利的，凶恶的，左边的 | |
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mien
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| n.风采；态度 | |
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humbly
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| adv. 恭顺地，谦卑地 | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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inflicted
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| 把…强加给，使承受，遭受( inflict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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demeanor
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| n.行为；风度 | |
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alas
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| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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positively
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| adv.明确地，断然，坚决地；实在，确实 | |
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imperative
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| n.命令，需要；规则；祈使语气；adj.强制的；紧急的 | |
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judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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baron
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| n.男爵；(商业界等)巨头，大王 | |
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faltered
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| （嗓音）颤抖( falter的过去式和过去分词 )； 支吾其词； 蹒跚； 摇晃 | |
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sob
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| n.空间轨道的轰炸机；呜咽，哭泣 | |
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fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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stiffening
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| n. (使衣服等)变硬的材料, 硬化 动词stiffen的现在分词形式 | |
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conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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boundless
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| adj.无限的；无边无际的；巨大的 | |
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scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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realization
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| n.实现；认识到，深刻了解 | |
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pricking
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| 刺，刺痕，刺痛感 | |
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futile
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| adj.无效的，无用的，无希望的 | |
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besieged
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| 包围，围困，围攻( besiege的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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dealing
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| n.经商方法，待人态度 | |
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accustom
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| vt.使适应，使习惯 | |
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astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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depicted
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| 描绘，描画( depict的过去式和过去分词 )； 描述 | |
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28
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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phlegmatic
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| adj.冷静的，冷淡的，冷漠的，无活力的 | |
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gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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zealous
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| adj.狂热的，热心的 | |
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repelled
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| v.击退( repel的过去式和过去分词 )；使厌恶；排斥；推开 | |
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gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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vindictive
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| adj.有报仇心的，怀恨的，惩罚的 | |
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obedience
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| n.服从，顺从 | |
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potent
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| adj.强有力的，有权势的；有效力的 | |
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reprieve
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| n.暂缓执行（死刑）；v.缓期执行；给…带来缓解 | |
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implore
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| vt.乞求，恳求，哀求 | |
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entreat
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| v.恳求，恳请 | |
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wavy
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| adj.有波浪的，多浪的，波浪状的，波动的，不稳定的 | |
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assailed
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| v.攻击( assail的过去式和过去分词 )；困扰；质问；毅然应对 | |
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42
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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reprisals
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| n.报复（行为）( reprisal的名词复数 ) | |
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coup
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| n.政变；突然而成功的行动 | |
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accomplishment
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| n.完成，成就，（pl.）造诣，技能 | |
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ironical
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| adj.讽刺的，冷嘲的 | |
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musket
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| n.滑膛枪 | |
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hideous
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| adj.丑陋的，可憎的，可怕的，恐怖的 | |
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silhouette
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| n.黑色半身侧面影，影子，轮廓；v.描绘成侧面影，照出影子来，仅仅显出轮廓 | |
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51
wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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52
lasting
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| adj.永久的，永恒的；vbl.持续，维持 | |
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gallows
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| n.绞刑架，绞台 | |
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instinctively
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| adv.本能地 | |
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woe
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| n.悲哀，苦痛，不幸，困难；int.用来表达悲伤或惊慌 | |
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beseech
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| v.祈求，恳求 | |
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dagger
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| n.匕首，短剑，剑号 | |
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58
frightful
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| adj.可怕的；讨厌的 | |
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59
shuddering
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| v.战栗( shudder的现在分词 )；发抖；（机器、车辆等）突然震动；颤动 | |
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60
exalted
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| adj.(地位等)高的，崇高的；尊贵的，高尚的 | |
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amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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amiable
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| adj.和蔼可亲的，友善的，亲切的 | |
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vengeance
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| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
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64
venting
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| 消除； 泄去； 排去； 通风 | |
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villains
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| n.恶棍( villain的名词复数 )；罪犯；（小说、戏剧等中的）反面人物；淘气鬼 | |
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66
torrent
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| n.激流，洪流；爆发，(话语等的)连发 | |
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67
noose
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| n.绳套，绞索（刑）；v.用套索捉；使落入圈套；处以绞刑 | |
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68
taunts
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| 嘲弄的言语，嘲笑，奚落( taunt的名词复数 ) | |
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69
supreme
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| adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的 | |
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70
naught
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| n.无，零 [=nought] | |
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