After a simple toilet I sprang through a low window to the ground and wandered away among the flowers and shrubbery. It was in my thoughts to revisit the scene of my first meeting with Lesba, but I had no hope of finding her abroad at that hour until I caught a glimpse of her white gown through a small arbor2. The vision enchanted3 me, and after pausing a moment to feast my eyes upon her loveliness, I hastily approached to find her cutting roses for the breakfast-table. She greeted me in her shy manner, but in a way that made me feel I was not intruding4. After a few conventional remarks she asked, abruptly6:
“How do you like Dom Miguel?”
62“Very much,” said I, smiling at her eagerness. “He seems eminently7 worthy8 of the confidence reposed10 in him by his compatriots.”
“He is a born leader of men,” she rejoined, brightly, “and not a rebel of us all would hesitate to die for him. How do you like my brother?”
I was sorry she asked the question, for its abruptness12 nearly took my breath away, and I did not wish to grieve her. To gain time I laughed, and was answered with a frown that served to warn me.
“Really, donzella,” I made haste to say, “if I must be quite frank, your brother puzzles me. But I think I shall like him when I understand him better.”
She shook her head as if disappointed.
“No one ever understands Francisco but me,” she returned, regretfully.
“Does he understand himself?” I foolishly asked.
The girl looked at me with a gleam of contempt.
“Sir, my brother’s services are recognized throughout all Brazil. Even Fonseca respects 63his talents, and the suspicious Piexoto trusts him implicitly15. Francisco’s intimate friends positively16 adore him! Ah, senhor, it is not necessary for his sister to sing his praises.”
I bowed gravely.
“Let me hope, donzella, that your brother will soon count me among his intimates.” It was the least I could say in answer to the pleading look in her eyes, and to my surprise it seemed to satisfy her, for she blushed with pleasure.
“I am sure he likes you already,” she announced; “for he told me so as he bade me good by this morning.”
“Your brother has gone away?”
“He started upon his return to court an hour ago.”
“To court!” I exclaimed, amazed at his audacity17.
She seemed amused.
“Did you not know, senhor? Francisco Paola is Dom Pedro’s Minister of Police.”
I acknowledged that the news surprised me. That the Emperor’s Minister of Police should be a trusted leader of the Revolutionary 64party seemed incomprehensible; but I had already begun to realize that extraordinary conditions prevailed in Brazil. Perhaps the thing that caused me most astonishment18 was that this apparently19 conceited20 and empty-headed fellow had ever been selected for a post so important as Minister of Police. Yet the fact explained clearly how I had received secret protection from the moment of my landing at Rio until I had joined Dom Miguel.
The girl was laughing at me now, and her loveliness made me resolve not to waste more of these precious moments in political discussion. She was nothing loath21 to drop the subject, and soon we were chattering22 merrily of the flowers and birds, the dewdrops and the sunshine, and all those inconsequent things that are wont24 to occupy youthful lips while hearts beat fast and glances shyly mingle25. When, at length, we sauntered up the path to breakfast I had forgotten the great conspiracy26 altogether, and congratulated myself cordially upon the fact that Lesba and I were well on the way to becoming good friends.
65Madam Izabel did not appear at the morning meal, and immediately it was over Dom Miguel carried me to his study, where he began to acquaint me thoroughly27 with the standing28 and progress of the proposed revolution, informing me, meantime, of my duties as secretary.
While we were thus occupied the door softly opened and Izabel de Mar5 entered.
She cast an odd glance in my direction, bowed coldly to her father, and then seated herself at a small table littered with papers.
A cloud appeared upon Dom Miguel’s brow. He hesitated an instant, and then addressed her in a formal tone.
“I shall not need you to-day, Izabel.”
She turned upon him with a fierce gesture.
“The letters to Piexoto are not finished, sir,” she exclaimed.
“I know, Izabel; I know. But Mr. Harcliffe will act as my secretary, hereafter; therefore he will attend to these details.”
She rose to her feet, her eyes flashing, but her face as immobile as ever.
“I am discharged?” she demanded.
“Not that, Izabel,” he hastened to reply. 66“Your services have been of inestimable value to the Cause. But they are wearing out your strength, and some of our friends thought you were too closely confined and needed rest. Moreover, a man, they considered—”
“Enough!” said she, proudly. “To me it is a pleasure to toil1 in the cause of freedom. But my services, it seems, are not agreeable to your leaders—rather, let us say, to that sly and treacherous29 spy, Francisco Paola!”
His face grew red, and I imagined he was about to reply angrily; but the woman silenced him with a wave of her hand.
“O, I know your confidence in the Emperor’s Minister, my father; a confidence that will lead you all to the hangman, unless you beware! But why should I speak? I am not trusted, it seems; I, the daughter of de Pintra, who is chief of the Revolution. This foreigner, whose heart is cold in our Cause, is to take my place. Very well. I will return to the court—to my husband.”
“Izabel!”
“Do not fear. I will not betray you. 67If betrayal comes, look to your buffoon30, the Minister of Police; look to your cold American!”
She pointed13 at me with so scornful a gesture that involuntarily I recoiled31, for the attack was unexpected. Then my lady stalked from the room like a veritable queen of tragedy.
Dom Miguel drew a sigh of relief as the door closed, and rubbed his forehead vigorously with his handkerchief.
“That ordeal32 is at last over,” he muttered; “and I have dreaded33 it like a coward. Listen, senhor! My daughter, whose patriotism35 is not well understood, has been suspected by some of my associates. She has a history, has Izabel—a sad history, my friend.” For a moment Dom Miguel bowed his face in his hands, and when he raised his head again the look of pained emotion upon his features lent his swarthy skin a grayish tinge36.
“Years ago she loved a handsome young fellow, one Leon de Mar—of French descent, who is even now a favorite with the Emperor,” he resumed. “Against my 68wishes she married him, and her life at the court proved a most unhappy one. De Mar is a profligate37, a rake, a gamester, and a scoundrel. He made my daughter suffer all the agonies of hell. But she uttered no complaint and I knew nothing of her sorrow. At last, unable to bear longer the scorn and abuse of her husband, Izabel came to me and confessed the truth, asking me to give her the shelter of a home. That was years ago, senhor. I made her my secretary, and found her eager to engage in our patriotic38 conspiracy. It is my belief that she has neither seen nor heard from de Mar since; but others have suspected her. It is hard indeed, Robert, not to be suspicious in this whirlpool of intrigue39 wherein we are engulfed40. A few weeks ago Paola swore that he found Izabel in our garden at midnight engaged in secret conversation with that very husband from whom she had fled. I have no doubt he was deceived; but he reported it to the Secret Council, which instructed me to confide9 no further secrets to my daughter, and to secure a new secretary as soon as possible. Hence my application 69to your uncle, and your timely arrival to assist me.”
He paused, while I sat thoughtfully considering his words.
“I beg that you will not wrong my daughter with hasty suspicions,” he continued, pleadingly. “I do not wish you to confide our secrets to her, since I have myself refrained from doing so, out of respect for the wishes of my associates. But do not misjudge Izabel, my friend. When the time comes for action she will be found a true and valuable adherent41 to the Cause. And now, let us to work!”
I found it by no means difficult to become interested in the details of the plot to overthrow42 the Emperor Dom Pedro and establish a Brazilian Republic. It was amazing how many great names were enrolled43 in the Cause and how thoroughly the spirit of freedom had corrupted44 the royal army, the court, and even the Emperor’s trusted police. And I learned, with all this, to develop both admiration45 and respect for the man whose calm judgment46 had so far directed the mighty47 movement and systematized every 70branch of the gigantic conspiracy. Truly, as my fair Lesba had said, Dom Miguel de Pintra was “a born leader of men.”
Night after night there assembled at his house groups of conspirators48 who arrived secretly and departed without even the servants having knowledge of their visit. During the counsels every approach to the house was thoroughly guarded to ward34 against surprise.
Strong men were these republican leaders; alert, bold, vigilant49 in serving the Cause wherein they risked their lives and fortunes. One by one I came to know and admire them, and they spoke50 freely in my presence and trusted me. Through my intercourse51 with these champions of liberty, my horizon began to broaden, thus better fitting me for my duties.
Francisco Paola, the Emperor’s Minister, came frequently to the conferences of the Secret Council. Always he seemed as simpering, frivolous52, and absurd as on the day I first met him. To his silly jokes and inconsequent chatter23 none paid the slightest attention; but when a real problem arose 71and they turned questioningly to Paola, he would answer in a few lightly spoken words that proved at once shrewd and convincing. The others were wont to accept his decisions with gravity and act upon them.
I have said that Paola impressed me as being conceited. This might well be true in regard to his personal appearance, his social accomplishments—playing the piano and guitar, singing, riding, and the like—but I never heard him speak lightly of the Cause or boast of his connection with it. Indeed, he exhibited a queer mingling53 of folly54 and astuteness55. His friends appeared to consider his flippancy56 and self-adulation as a mask that effectually concealed57 his real talents. Doubtless the Emperor had the same idea when he made the fellow his Minister of Police. But I, studying the man with fervid58 interest, found it difficult to decide whether the folly was a mask, or whether Paola had two natures—the second a sub-conscious intelligence upon which he was able to draw in a crisis.
He certainly took no pains to impress any one favorably, and his closest friends 72were, I discovered, frequently disgusted by his actions.
From the first my judgment of the man had been influenced by his sister’s enthusiastic championship. Lesba seemed fully14 in her brother’s confidence, and although she was not a recognized member of the conspiracy, I found that she was thoroughly conversant59 with every detail of our progress. This information must certainly have come from Francisco, and as I relied absolutely upon Lesba’s truth and loyalty60, her belief in her brother impressed me to the extent of discrediting61 Madam Izabel’s charge that he was a traitor62.
Nevertheless, Paola had acted villainously in thrusting this same charge upon a woman. What object, I wondered, could he have in accusing Izabel to her own father, in falsely swearing that he had seen her in conversation with Leon de Mar—the man from whose ill treatment she had fled?
Madam Izabel had not returned to the court, as she had threatened in her indignant anger. Perhaps she realized what it would 73mean to place herself again within the power of the husband she had learned to hate and despise. She still remained an inmate63 of her father’s mansion64, cold and impassive as ever. Dom Miguel treated her with rare consideration on every occasion of their meeting, seeking to reassure65 her as to his perfect faith in her loyalty and his sorrow that his associates had cast a slur66 upon her character.
To me the chief was invariably kind, and his gentleness and stalwart manhood soon won my esteem67. I found myself working for the good of the cause with as much ardor68 as the most eager patriot11 of them all, but my reward was enjoyed as much in Lesba’s smiles as in the approbation69 of Dom Miguel.
That the government was well aware of our plot there was no question. Through secret channels we learned that even the midnight meetings of the Secret Council were known to the Emperor. The identity of the leaders had so far been preserved, since they came masked and cloaked to the rendezvous70, but so many of the details of the conspiracy had in some way leaked out that 74I marveled the Emperor’s heavy hand had not descended71 upon us long ago. Of course de Pintra was a marked man, but they dared not arrest him until they had procured73 all the information they desired, otherwise they would defeat their own purpose.
One stormy night, as I sat alone with Dom Miguel in his study, I mentioned my surprise that in view of the government’s information of our plot we were not summarily arrested. It was not a council night, and we had been engaged in writing letters.
“I suppose they fear to precipitate74 trouble between such powerful factions,” he answered, somewhat wearily. “The head of the conspiracy is indeed here, but its branches penetrate75 to every province of the country, and were an outbreak to occur here the republicans of Brazil would rise as one man. Dom Pedro, poor soul, does not know where to look for loyal support. His ministry76 is estranged77, and he is not even sure of his army.”
“But should they discover who our leaders are, and capture them, there would be no one to lead the uprising,” I suggested.
75“True,” assented78 the chief. “But it is to guard against such a coup79 that our Council is divided into three sections. Only one-third of the leaders could be captured at any one time. But I do not fear such an attempt, as every movement at the capital is reported to me at once.”
“Suppose they were to strike you down, sir. What then? Who would carry out your plans? Where would be the guiding hand?”
For a moment he sat thoughtfully regarding me.
“I hope I shall be spared until I have accomplished80 my task,” he said, at length. “I know my danger is great; yet it is not for myself I fear. Lest the Cause be lost through premature81 exposure, I have taken care to guard against that, should the emergency arise. Light me that candle yonder, Robert, and I will reveal to you one of our most important secrets.”
He motioned toward the mantel, smiling meantime at my expression of surprise.
I lighted the candle, as directed, and turned toward him expectantly. He drew a 76rug from before the fireplace, and stooping over, touched a button that released a spring in the flooring.
A square aperture82 appeared, through which a man might descend72, and peering over his shoulder I saw a flight of stairs reaching far downward.
De Pintra turned and took the candle from my hand.
“Follow me,” he said.
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收听单词发音
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1
toil
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| vi.辛劳工作，艰难地行动；n.苦工，难事 | |
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arbor
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| n.凉亭；树木 | |
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3
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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intruding
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| v.侵入，侵扰，打扰( intrude的现在分词)；把…强加于 | |
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mar
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| vt.破坏，毁坏，弄糟 | |
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abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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eminently
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| adv.突出地；显著地；不寻常地 | |
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worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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confide
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| v.向某人吐露秘密 | |
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reposed
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| v.将（手臂等）靠在某人（某物）上( repose的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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patriot
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| n.爱国者，爱国主义者 | |
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abruptness
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| n. 突然，唐突 | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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implicitly
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| adv. 含蓄地, 暗中地, 毫不保留地 | |
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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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17
audacity
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| n.大胆，卤莽，无礼 | |
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astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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conceited
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| adj.自负的，骄傲自满的 | |
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loath
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| adj.不愿意的；勉强的 | |
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chattering
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| n. （机器振动发出的）咔嗒声，(鸟等)鸣，啁啾 adj. 喋喋不休的，啾啾声的 动词chatter的现在分词形式 | |
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chatter
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| vi.／n.喋喋不休；短促尖叫；(牙齿)打战 | |
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wont
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| adj.习惯于；v.习惯；n.习惯 | |
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mingle
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| vt.使混合，使相混；vi.混合起来；相交往 | |
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conspiracy
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| n.阴谋，密谋，共谋 | |
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thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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treacherous
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| adj.不可靠的，有暗藏的危险的；adj.背叛的，背信弃义的 | |
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buffoon
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| n.演出时的丑角 | |
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31
recoiled
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| v.畏缩( recoil的过去式和过去分词 )；退缩；报应；返回 | |
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ordeal
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| n.苦难经历，（尤指对品格、耐力的）严峻考验 | |
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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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34
ward
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| n.守卫，监护，病房，行政区，由监护人或法院保护的人（尤指儿童）；vt.守护，躲开 | |
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patriotism
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| n.爱国精神，爱国心，爱国主义 | |
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tinge
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| vt.(较淡)着色于，染色；使带有…气息；n.淡淡色彩，些微的气息 | |
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profligate
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| adj.行为不检的；n.放荡的人，浪子，肆意挥霍者 | |
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patriotic
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| adj.爱国的，有爱国心的 | |
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intrigue
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| vt.激起兴趣，迷住；vi.耍阴谋；n.阴谋，密谋 | |
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40
engulfed
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| v.吞没，包住( engulf的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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adherent
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| n.信徒，追随者，拥护者 | |
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42
overthrow
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| v.推翻，打倒，颠覆；n.推翻，瓦解，颠覆 | |
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43
enrolled
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| adj.入学登记了的v.[亦作enrol]( enroll的过去式和过去分词 )；登记，招收，使入伍（或入会、入学等），参加，成为成员；记入名册；卷起，包起 | |
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44
corrupted
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| （使）败坏( corrupt的过去式和过去分词 )； （使）腐化； 引起（计算机文件等的）错误； 破坏 | |
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45
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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46
judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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47
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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48
conspirators
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| n.共谋者，阴谋家( conspirator的名词复数 ) | |
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49
vigilant
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| adj.警觉的，警戒的，警惕的 | |
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50
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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51
intercourse
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| n.性交；交流，交往，交际 | |
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52
frivolous
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| adj.轻薄的；轻率的 | |
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53
mingling
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| adj.混合的 | |
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54
folly
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| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
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55
astuteness
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| n.敏锐；精明；机敏 | |
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56
flippancy
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| n.轻率；浮躁；无礼的行动 | |
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57
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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58
fervid
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| adj.热情的；炽热的 | |
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59
conversant
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| adj.亲近的，有交情的，熟悉的 | |
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60
loyalty
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| n.忠诚，忠心 | |
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61
discrediting
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| 使不相信( discredit的现在分词 )； 使怀疑； 败坏…的名声； 拒绝相信 | |
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62
traitor
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| n.叛徒，卖国贼 | |
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63
inmate
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| n.被收容者；(房屋等的)居住人；住院人 | |
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64
mansion
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| n.大厦，大楼；宅第 | |
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65
reassure
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| v.使放心，使消除疑虑 | |
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66
slur
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| v.含糊地说；诋毁；连唱；n.诋毁；含糊的发音 | |
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67
esteem
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| n.尊敬，尊重；vt.尊重，敬重；把…看作 | |
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68
ardor
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| n.热情，狂热 | |
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69
approbation
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| n.称赞；认可 | |
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70
rendezvous
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| n.约会，约会地点，汇合点；vi.汇合，集合；vt.使汇合，使在汇合地点相遇 | |
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71
descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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72
descend
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| vt./vi.传下来，下来，下降 | |
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73
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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74
precipitate
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| adj.突如其来的；vt.使突然发生；n.沉淀物 | |
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75
penetrate
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| v.透(渗)入；刺入，刺穿；洞察，了解 | |
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76
ministry
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| n.(政府的)部；牧师 | |
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77
estranged
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| adj.疏远的，分离的 | |
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78
assented
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| 同意，赞成( assent的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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79
coup
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| n.政变；突然而成功的行动 | |
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80
accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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81
premature
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| adj.比预期时间早的；不成熟的，仓促的 | |
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82
aperture
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| n.孔，隙，窄的缺口 | |
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