"Pardon, se?ores," he said, "before going further, it is necessary to have a thorough understanding, I think, so permit me to make a slight observation."
"Do so, se?or," the count answered.
"I am perfectly4 willing to treat: I am a very easy man to deal with as you see, but do not ask of me extravagant5 things which I should be forced to refuse you, for I need not tell you that, if you are determined6, I am no less so, and while desiring a bargain equally advantageous7 for both sides, still if you are too exorbitant8, I should prefer to blow up with you, the more so because I have a presentiment9 that I shall in that way some day or other, and should not be sorry to go to the deuce in such excellent company."
Although these words were uttered with a smiling air, the count was not deceived as to the resolute10 purpose of the man with whom he was dealing11.
"Oh se?or," he said, "you know us very badly, if you suppose us capable of asking impossibilities of you, still as our position is good, we wish to take advantage of it."
"And I think you perfectly right, caballero; but as you are a Frenchman and your countrymen never doubt anything, I thought it my duty to make this observation to you."
"Be convinced se?or," the count answered, while affecting the same tranquillity12 as the other, "that we shall only demand reasonable conditions."
"You demand," Cuéllar repeated, laying a stress on these two words.
"Yes: hence we will not oblige you to leave the hacienda, because we know that if you went out today, you would recommence the attack tomorrow."
"You are full of penetration13, se?or: so pray come to the facts."
"In the first place you will give up the poor peons who have escaped the massacre14."
"I see no difficulty in that."
"With their arms, horses and the little they possess."
"Agreed, go on."
"Don Andrés de la Cruz, his daughter, my friend, myself and Leo Carral, the majordomo, and all the women and children sheltered in this room, will be at liberty to retire whenever we please without fear of being disturbed."
Cuéllar made a grimace15. "What next?" he said.
"Pardon me, is that settled?"
"Yes, it is settled; what next?"
"My friend and I are strangers, Frenchmen, and Mexico is not at war, as far as I am aware, with our country."
"It might happen," Cuéllar said maliciously16.
"Perhaps so, but in the meanwhile we are at peace, and have a claim to your protection."
"Have you not fought against us?"
"That is true, but we had a right to defend ourselves: we were attacked and were compelled to fight."
"Good, good, enough of that."
"We therefore request the right to take away with us on mules17, everything that belongs to us."
"Is that all?"
"Nearly so; do you accept these conditions?"
"I do."
"Good, now there only remains18 a slight formality to fulfil."
"A formality, what is it?"
"That of the hostages."
"Hostages! Have you not my word?"
"Of course."
"Well, what more do you want?"
"As I told you, hostages: you can perfectly understand, se?or, that I would not confide19 my life and that of my companions, I will not say to you, for I hold your word and believe it good, but to your soldiers, who, like the worthy20 guerilleros they are, would have not the slightest scruple21, if we had the madness to place ourselves in their power, about plundering22 us and perhaps worse: you do not command regular troops, se?or, and however strict may be the discipline you maintain in your cuadrilla, I doubt whether it goes so far as to make your prisoners respected, when you are not there to protect them by your presence."
Cuéllar, flattered in his heart by the count's remarks, gave him a gracious smile.
"Hum," he said, "what you say may be true up to a certain point. Well, who are the hostages you desire, and how many are they?"
"Only one, se?or, you see that it is very trifling23."
"Very trifling, indeed; but who is this hostage?"
"Yourself," the count answered distinctly.
"Canarios!" Cuéllar said with a grin, "You are a cool hand: that one would in truth be sufficient."
"For that reason we will have no other."
"That is very unfortunate."
"Why so?"
"Because I refuse, caray! And who would be security for me, if you please?"
"The word of a French gentleman, caballero," the count hastily replied, "a word which has never been pledged in vain."
"On my word," Cuéllar continued with that bonhomie of which he possesses so large a share and which, where it suits him, causes him to be taken for the best fellow in the world: "I accept, caballero, let what may happen, for I am curious to try that word of honour of which Europeans are so proud: it is settled then that I act as your hostage: now, how long am I to remain with you? It is very important for me to settle that point."
"We will ask no more of you than to accompany us within sight of Puebla: once there you shall be at liberty, and you can even, if you think proper, take with you an escort of ten men to secure your return."
"Come, that is speaking; I am yours, caballero. Don Melchior, you will remain here during my absence and watch that everything goes on right."
"Yes," don Melchior replied hoarsely24.
The count, after whispering a few words to the majordomo, again addressed Cuéllar.
"Se?or," he said to him, "be kind enough to give orders for the peons to be brought here: then, while you remain with us, ?o Leo Carral will go and make all the preparations for our departure."
"Good," said Cuéllar, "the majordomo can go about his business: you hear, my men," he added, turning to the guerilleros who still stood motionless, "this man is free, bring the peons here."
Some fifteen poor wretches26, with their clothes in rags, covered with blood, but armed as had been agreed, then entered the drawing room: these fifteen men were all that remained of the defenders27 of the hacienda. Cuéllar then entered the room in the doorway28 of which he had been hitherto standing3, and without being invited to do it, posted himself behind the barricade29. Don Melchior, feeling the false position in which he was placed, now that he remained alone, facing the besieged30, turned away to retire; but at this moment don Andrés rose, and addressed him in a loud and imperious voice.
"Stay, Melchior," he said to him, "we cannot separate thus: now, that we shall never meet again in this world, a final explanation between us is necessary—even indispensable."
Don Melchior started at the sound of this voice: he turned pale, and made a movement as if he wished to fly, but then suddenly halted and haughtily31 raising his head, said—
"What do you want with me? Speak, I am listening to you."
For a very considerable period, the old man stood with his eyes fixed32 on his son with a strangely blended expression of love, anger, grief and contempt, and at length making a violent effort on himself, he spoke33 as follows:
"Why wish to withdraw, is it because the crime you have committed horrifies34 you, or are you really flying with fury in your heart at seeing your parricide35 foiled and your father saved in spite of all your efforts to rob him of life? God has not permitted the complete success of your sinister36 projects: He chastens me for my weakness for you and the place you have usurped37 in my heart: I pay very dearly for a moment of error, but at length the veil that covered my eyes has fallen. Go, wretch25, marked on the brow by an indelible stigma38, be accursed! And may this curse which I pronounce on you, weigh eternally on your heart! Go, parricide, I no longer know you."
Don Melchior, in spite of all his audacity39, could not sustain the flashing glance which his father implacably fixed on him: a livid pallor spread over his face, a convulsive trembling agitated40 his limbs, his head was bowed beneath the weight of the anathema41, and he recoiled42 slowly without turning round, as if dragged away by a force superior to his will, and at length disappeared in the midst of the guerilleros, who left a passage for him with a movement of horror.
A funereal43 silence pervaded44 the room; all these men, though so little impressionable, felt the influence of the terrible malediction45 pronounced by a father on a guilty son. Cuéllar was the first to recover his coolness.
"You were wrong," he said to don Andrés, with a shake of his head, "to offer your son this crushing insult in the presence of all."
"Yes, yes," the old gentleman answered sadly, "he will avenge46 himself; but what do I care? Is not my life henceforth crushed?"
And bowing his head on his chest, the old man sank into a deep and gloomy meditation47.
"Watch over him," Cuéllar said to the count, "I know don Melchior, he is a thorough Indian."
In the meanwhile, do?a Dolores, who up to this moment had remained, timidly concealed48 among her women behind the barricade, rose, removed some articles of furniture, glided49 softly through the opening she had effected, and sat down by the side of don Andrés. The latter did not stir; he had neither seen her come nor heard her place herself by his side. She bent50 down to him, seized his hand, which she pressed in her own; kissed him softly on the forehead, and said to him in her melodious51 voice, with an accent of tenderness, impossible to describe—
"My father, dear father, have you not a child left who loves and respects you? Do not let yourself be thus prostrated52 by grief; look at me, papa, in Heaven's name! I am your daughter, do you not love me, who feel so great a love for you?"
Don Andrés raised his face, which was bathed in tears, and opened his arms to the girl, who rushed into them with a cry of joy. "Oh! I was ungrateful," he exclaimed, with ineffable53 tenderness; "I doubted the infinite goodness of God; my daughter is left to me! I am no longer alone in the world, I can be happy still!"
"Yes, papa, God has wished to try us, but He will not abandon us in our misfortune; be brave, forget your ungrateful son; when he repents54, remove the terrible malediction you uttered against him; let him return penitent55 to your knees; he has only been led astray, I feel sure; how could he help loving you, my noble father, you are ever so great and good?"
"Never speak to me about your brother, child," the old man replied with savage56 energy, "that man no longer exists for me; you have no brother, you never had one! Pardon me for deceiving you, by letting you believe that this villain57 formed part of our family; no, this monster is not my son, I was abused myself in supposing that the same blood flowed in his veins58 and mine."
"Calm yourself, in Heaven's name, papa, I implore59 you."
"Come, my poor child," he continued as he pressed her in his arms, "do not leave me, I want to feel you are here near me, that I may not believe myself alone in the world, and that I may have the strength to overcome my despair. Oh, say to me once more, that you love me, you cannot understand what balm the words are to my heart, and what relief they offer to my sorrow!"
The guerilleros had dispersed60 over all parts of the hacienda, plundering and devastating61, breaking the furniture, and forcing locks with a dexterity62 that evidenced lengthened63 practice. Still, according to the agreement made, the count's apartments were respected. Raimbaut and Ibarru, relieved from their long watch by Leo Carral, were busily engaged in loading on mules, the portemanteaux of the count and Dominique; the guerilleros watched them for a while with knowing looks, laughing to each other at the clumsy way in which the two servants loaded their mules, and then offered their services to Raimbaut, which he bravely accepted; then, the same men, who without the slightest scruple, would have plundered64 all these articles, which possessed65 great value for them, were actively66 engaged in removing and loading them with the greatest care, without thinking for a moment of stealing the smallest article.
Thanks to their intelligent aid, the luggage of the two young men was in a very short time loaded on three mules, and Leo Carral had only to see that the horses required for the journey were saddled, which were effected in a moment, such eagerness and good will did the guerilleros display in fetching the horses from the corral, and bringing them into the yard. Leo Carral then returned to the drawing room, and announced that everything was in readiness for departure.
"Gentlemen, we will go when you please," the count said.
"At once then."
They left the drawing room, surrounded by the guerilleros, who walked by their side, uttering loud cries, but still without daring to draw too near, restrained, according to all appearance, by the respect they bore their chief.
When all those who were to leave the hacienda were mounted, as well as ten guerilleros, commanded by a non-commissioned officer, whose duty it was to serve as escort on their colonel's release, the guerillero addressed his soldiers, recommending them to obey in all points don Melchior de la Cruz, during his absence, and then gave the signal for departure. Beckoning67 the women and children, the little caravan68 was composed of about sixty persons, all that were left of the two hundred servants of the hacienda.
Cuéllar rode at the head, by the side of the count; behind him was do?a Dolores, between her father and Dominique; next came the peons, leading the bat mules, under the direction of Leo Carral and the count's two servants; the guerilleros formed the rearguard.
They descended69 the hill at a slow pace, and ere long found themselves in the plain; the night was dark, it was about two hours after midnight; the cold was severe, and the sorrowful travellers shivered under their sarapes. They took the high road to Puebla, which they reached at the expiration70 of about twenty minutes, and then broke into a more rapid pace; the town was only five or six leagues distant, and they hoped to arrive there at sunrise, or, at any rate, at a very early hour.
Suddenly a great light tinged71 the sky with reddish hues72, and lit up the country for a long distance. The hacienda was on fire. At this sight, don Andrés cast a sad glance behind him, and gave vent73 to a deep sigh, but he did not utter a word. Cuéllar was the only person that spoke; he tried to prove to the count, that war had painful necessities, that for a long time past, don Andrés had been denounced as an avowed74 partisan75 of Miramón, and that the capture and destruction of the hacienda were only the results of his dislike of President Juárez. All matters to which the count, understanding the inutility of a discussion on such a subject with such a man, did not even take the trouble to reply. They rode on then for about three hours, without any incident occurring to disturb the monotony of their journey.
The sun rose, and by the first beams of dawn the domes76 and lofty steeples, of Puebla appeared in the distance, with their black and still indistinct outlines standing out against the dark blue sky.
The count ordered the party to halt.
"Se?or," he said to Cuéllar, "you have loyally fulfilled the conditions stipulated77 between us; receive my thanks, and those of my unfortunate companions here; we are not more than two leagues from Puebla, it is daylight, and it is, therefore, unnecessary for you to accompany us further."
"In truth, se?or, I believe that you can now do without me, and as you permit it, I will leave you, repeating my regret for what has occurred, but unfortunately I am not the master, and—"
"No more of this, pray," the count interrupted, "what is done is irreparable, for the present at least: so it is useless to dwell on the subject any longer."
Cuéllar bowed. "One word, se?or Conde," he said, in a low voice.
The young man went up to him.
"Let me," the guerillero continued, "give you a piece of advice ere we part."
"Pray go on, se?or."
"You are still far from Puebla, where you will not arrive for two hours: be on your guard, and carefully watch the country around you."
"What do you mean, se?or?"
"It is impossible to know what may happen: I repeat to you, watch."
"Farewell, se?or," the young man replied mechanically as he returned his salute78.
After thus courteously79 taking leave of the party, the guerillero placed himself at the head of his men and galloped80 off, though not without once more recommending the young man to be prudent81 by a significant gesture. The count watched him depart with a pensive82 air.
"What is the matter, friend?" Dominique asked him.
Ludovic told him what Cuéllar had said to him on taking leave.
The vaquero frowned. "There is something in the background," he said; "in any case the advice is good and we should do wrong to neglect it."
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1
feline
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| adj.猫科的 | |
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nostrils
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| 鼻孔( nostril的名词复数 ) | |
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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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4
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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extravagant
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| adj.奢侈的；过分的；(言行等)放肆的 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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advantageous
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| adj.有利的；有帮助的 | |
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8
exorbitant
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| adj.过分的；过度的 | |
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presentiment
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| n.预感，预觉 | |
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resolute
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| adj.坚决的，果敢的 | |
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dealing
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| n.经商方法，待人态度 | |
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tranquillity
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| n. 平静, 安静 | |
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penetration
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| n.穿透，穿人，渗透 | |
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massacre
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| n.残杀，大屠杀；v.残杀，集体屠杀 | |
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15
grimace
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| v.做鬼脸，面部歪扭 | |
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16
maliciously
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| adv.有敌意地 | |
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mules
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| 骡( mule的名词复数 )； 拖鞋； 顽固的人； 越境运毒者 | |
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remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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confide
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| v.向某人吐露秘密 | |
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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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scruple
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| n./v.顾忌，迟疑 | |
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plundering
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| 掠夺，抢劫( plunder的现在分词 ) | |
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trifling
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| adj.微不足道的；没什么价值的 | |
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hoarsely
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| adv.嘶哑地 | |
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wretch
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| n.可怜的人，不幸的人；卑鄙的人 | |
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wretches
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| n.不幸的人( wretch的名词复数 )；可怜的人；恶棍；坏蛋 | |
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defenders
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| n.防御者( defender的名词复数 )；守卫者；保护者；辩护者 | |
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doorway
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| n.门口，(喻)入门；门路，途径 | |
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barricade
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| n.路障，栅栏，障碍；vt.设路障挡住 | |
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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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haughtily
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| adv. 傲慢地, 高傲地 | |
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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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33
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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horrifies
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| v.使震惊，使感到恐怖( horrify的第三人称单数 ) | |
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parricide
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| n.杀父母；杀亲罪 | |
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sinister
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| adj.不吉利的，凶恶的，左边的 | |
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usurped
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| 篡夺，霸占( usurp的过去式和过去分词 )； 盗用； 篡夺，篡权 | |
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stigma
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| n.耻辱，污名；(花的)柱头 | |
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audacity
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| n.大胆，卤莽，无礼 | |
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agitated
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| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
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anathema
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| n.诅咒；被诅咒的人(物)，十分讨厌的人(物) | |
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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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43
funereal
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| adj.悲哀的；送葬的 | |
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pervaded
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| v.遍及，弥漫( pervade的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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malediction
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| n.诅咒 | |
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46
avenge
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| v.为...复仇，为...报仇 | |
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meditation
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| n.熟虑，（尤指宗教的）默想，沉思，（pl.）冥想录 | |
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concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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49
glided
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| v.滑动( glide的过去式和过去分词 )；掠过；（鸟或飞机 ） 滑翔 | |
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50
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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51
melodious
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| adj.旋律美妙的，调子优美的，音乐性的 | |
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52
prostrated
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| v.使俯伏，使拜倒( prostrate的过去式和过去分词 )；（指疾病、天气等）使某人无能为力 | |
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53
ineffable
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| adj.无法表达的，不可言喻的 | |
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54
repents
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| 对（自己的所为）感到懊悔或忏悔( repent的第三人称单数 ) | |
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55
penitent
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| adj.后悔的；n.后悔者；忏悔者 | |
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56
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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57
villain
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| n.反派演员，反面人物；恶棍；问题的起因 | |
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58
veins
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| n.纹理；矿脉( vein的名词复数 )；静脉；叶脉；纹理 | |
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59
implore
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| vt.乞求，恳求，哀求 | |
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60
dispersed
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| adj. 被驱散的, 被分散的, 散布的 | |
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61
devastating
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| adj.毁灭性的，令人震惊的，强有力的 | |
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62
dexterity
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| n.(手的)灵巧，灵活 | |
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63
lengthened
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| （时间或空间）延长，伸长( lengthen的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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plundered
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| 掠夺，抢劫( plunder的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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actively
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| adv.积极地，勤奋地 | |
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beckoning
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| adj.引诱人的，令人心动的v.（用头或手的动作）示意，召唤( beckon的现在分词 ) | |
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caravan
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| n.大蓬车；活动房屋 | |
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descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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expiration
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| n.终结，期满，呼气，呼出物 | |
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tinged
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| v.（使）发丁丁声( ting的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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hues
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| 色彩( hue的名词复数 )； 色调； 信仰； 观点 | |
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vent
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| n.通风口，排放口；开衩；vt.表达，发泄 | |
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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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partisan
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| adj.党派性的；游击队的；n.游击队员；党徒 | |
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domes
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| n.圆屋顶( dome的名词复数 )；像圆屋顶一样的东西；圆顶体育场 | |
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stipulated
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| vt.& vi.规定；约定adj.[法]合同规定的 | |
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salute
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| vi.行礼，致意，问候，放礼炮；vt.向…致意，迎接，赞扬；n.招呼，敬礼，礼炮 | |
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courteously
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| adv.有礼貌地，亲切地 | |
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80
galloped
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| （使马）飞奔，奔驰( gallop的过去式和过去分词 )； 快速做[说]某事 | |
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prudent
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| adj.谨慎的，有远见的，精打细算的 | |
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pensive
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| a.沉思的,哀思的,忧沉的 | |
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