"He profited by this hindrance2 to take a little rest; in truth, he was utterly3 worn out with fatigue4. He soon fell into so deep a sleep that he did not even hear the furious cries and vociferations of the crowd assembled in the square, on seeing that, instead of three criminals, whom they had so long awaited in order to enjoy their punishment, and satiate a vengeance5 so long desired, only three corpses6 were offered them. At the moment when the gaoler and officials entered the dungeon8 to lead the condemned9 men to the gallows10, they only found their corpses; the men were quite dead. When the count woke, all was over, the shops were opened again, and the town had reassumed its accustomed appearance. The count enquired12 after his carriage, the horses had been put in and it was waiting at the door. The final preparations were soon made; the count went down."
"'Where are we going, Excellency?' the postillion asked, hat in hand."
"'The Vienna road,' the count replied, making himself as comfortable as he could in the corner of the carriage."
"The postillion cracked his whip, and they set off at full speed. The count had reflected, and the following was the result of his reflections:—only one person was powerful enough to render him thorough and prompt justice, that person was the Emperor. He must, consequently, apply to the Emperor, and that was the reason why he was going to Vienna. It is a long distance from Bruneck to Vienna; at that period, more especially when railways were only just beginning, and only existed in few places, journeys were long, fatiguing13 and expensive. This lasted twenty-seven days. The count's first business on arriving, was to enquire11 after his Imperial Majesty14; the court was at Sch?nbrunn. Now Sch?nbrunn, the Saint Cloud of the Austrian Emperors, is only a league and a half from Vienna. Still, not to lose precious time in false steps, he must obtain an audience with the Emperor as speedily as possible. Count Oclau was of too great a family to be kept waiting long; two days after his arrival in Vienna an audience was granted him. The palace of Sch?nbrunn stands, as we said, about a league and a half from Vienna, beyond the suburb of Mariahilf and a little to the left. This imperial palace, commenced by Joseph I., and finished By María-Theresa, is a simple, elegant, and graceful15 building, though not without a certain majesty. It is composed of a large main building with two wings, with a double flight of steps leading to the first floor; low buildings running parallel to the main edifice16, serve as offices and stables, and are attached to the end of the east of the wings, leaving merely an aperture18 of about thirty feet, on either side of which stands an obelisk19, which thus completes the courtyard. A bridge thrown across the Vienne, a thin stream of water which falls into the Danube, gives access to the palace, behind which extends in an amphitheatrical form, an immense garden, surmounted20 by a belvedere, placed on the top of a large grass plot, which is flanked on the right and left by magnificent coppices full of shadow, freshness, and twittering birds. Sch?nbrunn, rendered celebrated21 by Napoleon I. residing there twice, and by the painful death of his son, bears a stamp of indescribable sadness and languor22, everything is gloomy, dull, and desolate23; the court with its formal etiquette24 and brilliant parades only imperfectly succeeds at lengthened26 intervals28, in galvanizing this corpse7. Sch?nbrunn, like the palace of Versailles, is only a body without a soul, and nothing could restore it to life."
"The count arrived at Sch?nbrunn ten minutes before his audience, which was fixed29 at noon. A chamberlain on duty awaited him, and at once introduced him to his majesty. The Emperor was in a private room, leaning upon a mantelpiece. The reception granted the count was most affable. The audience was a long one, it lasted nearly four hours, no one ever learned what passed between the sovereign and the subject. The last sentence of this confidential30 interview was alone heard. At the moment when the count took leave of the Emperor, his majesty said, while giving him his hand to kiss—"
"'I believe it will be better to act thus on behalf of the whole of the nobility, every effort must be made at any cost, to avoid the frightful31 scandal which the publicity32 of so horrible an affair would arouse; my support will never fail you. Go, my lord, and Heaven grant that you may succeed with the means I place at your service.'"
"The count bowed respectfully, and retired33. The same evening he left Vienna, and took the road which would lead him home. At the same time with him, a cabinet courier sent by the Emperor, started on the same road."
On reaching this point in his narrative34, the adventurer paused, and addressing Count de la Saulay, asked him:—"Do you suspect what passed between the Emperor and the count?"
"Nearly," the latter answered.
"Oh!" he said, in amazement35; "I should be curious to know the result of your observations."
"You authorize36 me then to tell you?"
"Certainly."
"My dear don Adolfo," the count continued, "as you are aware, I am a nobleman; in France the king is only the first gentleman of his kingdom, the primus inter27 pares, and I suppose that it is much the same everywhere now; any attack upon one of the members of the nobility affects the sovereign as seriously as all the other nobles of the empire. When the Regent of France condemned Count de Horn to be broken alive on the wheel upon the Place de Grève, for robbing and murdering a Jew in the Rue37 Quincampoix, he replied to a nobleman of the court, who interceded38 with him on behalf of the culprit, and represented to him that the Count de Horn, allied39 to reigning40 families, was his relative: 'When I have any bad blood, I have it taken from me;' and turned his back on the petitioner41. But this did not prevent the nobility from sending their carriages to the execution of Count de Horn. Now, the fact you are talking about is nearly similar, with this exception, that the Emperor of Austria, less brave than the Regent of France, while allowing that justice ought to be dealt upon the culprit, recoiled42 from a publicity, which, according to his views, would brand a stigma44 of infamy45 upon the entire nobility of his country; hence, like all weak men, he satisfied himself with half measures, that is to say, he probably gave the count a blank signature, by means of which the latter, on the first plausible46 pretext47, might put down his noble relative, kill him, or even have him assassinated48, without other form of trial, and in this way, obtain by the destruction of his enemy the justice he claimed; since, the Prince once dead, it would be easy to restore to his sister-in-law or her son, in the event of his being recovered, the titles and fortune which his uncle had so criminally appropriated. This, in my opinion, is what was arranged between the Emperor and the count at the long audience granted at Sch?nbrunn."
"Matters turned out so in reality, Count, with the exception that the Emperor insisted that hostilities49 should not commence between the count and the Prince until the latter was beyond the frontiers of the empire, and the count requested the Emperor to place at his disposal all the means of action he possessed50, in order to try and find his nephew again, if he still lived, and to this the Emperor consented."
"The count returned then to his castle, provided with a blank signature of his Majesty, which gave him the most extensive powers to carry out his vengeance, and in addition, with an order entirely51 in his Majesty's handwriting, empowering him to obtain the aid of all the imperial agents, both at home and abroad, at the first requisition. The count, as you of course understand, was but moderately satisfied with the conditions which the Emperor had imposed on him; but recognizing the impossibility of obtaining more, he was obliged to give way. For himself, he would have certainly preferred, whatever might have been the consequence, a public trial, to the paltry52 and disgraceful vengeance that was permitted him; but it was better, in the interests of his sister and nephew, to have obtained these semi-concessions, than to meet with a formal refusal. He immediately set to work in search of his nephew, for this search the papers which Red Arm had handed him, contained precious information. Without saying anything to his sister, through fear of giving her false hopes, he immediately went about his task. What more shall I tell you, my friends? His search was long, and is still going on; still the situation is beginning to grow clearer, and has been so fortunate as to find his nephew again: since this discovery, he has never let the young man out of sight, although the latter is ignorant to this day of the sacred bonds which attach him to the man who has brought him up, and whom he loves like a father, the count has kept this secret even from his sister, not wishing to reveal it to her till he can announce at the same time that justice has at length been done, and that the husband she has deplored53 for so many years is avenged54. Very frequently, since that period, the two enemies have met, many opportunities have been offered the count to kill his foe55, but he has never let himself be led astray by his hatred56, or, to speak more truly, his hatred has given him the strength to wait; the count wishes to kill his enemy, but he desires first that the latter should dishonour57 himself and fall, not conquered in an honourable58 contest, but justly struck, like a criminal, who at last receives the chastisement59 of his misdeeds."
After uttering the last words the adventurer stopped. There was a lengthened silence; night was coming to an end, white gleams were beginning to filter through the half-open window; the light of the candles was growing pale; indistinct noises announced that the city was awaking, and the distant bells of monasteries60 and churches were summoning the faithful to early mass. The adventurer left his chair and began walking up and down the room, every now and then casting searching glances at his two companions. Dominique, thrown back in his butaca, with his eyes half closed, was mechanically smoking his Indian pipe. Count de la Saulay was playing the devil's tattoo61 on the table, while watching the adventurer's movements.
"Don Adolfo," he suddenly said to him, as he raised his head and looked him full in the face, "your story has ended then?"
"Yes," the adventurer answered, laconically62.
"You have nothing more to add?"
"No."
"Well, excuse me, my friend, but I fancy you are mistaken."
"I do not understand you, my dear count."
"I will explain myself; but on one condition."
"What is it?"
"That you will not interrupt me."
"Very good, if you insist. Now I will listen to you."
"My friend," the count said, "the first friendly face I met on landing in America was yours; though we were placed in very different situations, accident was pleased to bring us together with such persistency63, that what was at first but a passing acquaintance has become, without either of us knowing how, a sincere and profound affection. It is not possible to become so connected with a man without studying his character a little, which I have done with you, and you doubtless have done with me. Now, I believe that I know you intimately enough, my friend, to feel convinced that you did not come suddenly to our house tonight with the mere17 object of supping, or, forgive the phrase, indulging in a débauche, which does not agree with your character or morals, as you are the most sincerely sober man I ever met. Moreover, I ask myself, why you, so chary64 of your words, and especially of your secrets, have told us this story, very interesting, I allow, but which, apparently65, does not concern us in any way, and can have but a very secondary interest for us. To this I answer that if you thus came to ask of us a supper, which you could very well have done without, you came expressly to tell us this narrative: that it interests you more than us, and I conclude that you have still something to tell us, or, to speak more clearly, to ask of us."
"That is evident," said Dominique.
"Well yes: all you have supposed is true—the supper was only a pretext, and I really only came here tonight with the intention of telling you the story you have just heard."
"Very good," said Dominique, joyously66, "that, at any rate, is being frank."
"Still I confess," the adventurer continued sadly, "that I now hesitate because I am afraid."
"You afraid? And of what?" the two young men exclaimed in surprise.
"I am afraid, because this long story must shortly have its conclusion; because this conclusion must be terrible and though when I came here I intended to ask your assistance, I have since reflected, and recoil43 from the idea of mixing you up, you who are so young, happy, and careless, even indirectly67, in this horrible story to which you ought to remain strangers. Pray, my friends, forget all you have heard—it is only a story told after drinking."
"No, on my honour, don Adolfo," the count exclaimed, energetically, "it shall not be so, I swear, and I speak for myself and Dominique: you want us and here we are. I know not what mysterious interest you have in this affair. I do not even wish to discover the motives68 that lead you to act, but I repeat to you, if you were to send us away when you are going to incur69 a great danger, which we might, perhaps, protect you from by sharing it with you, it would be a proof to us that you entertain neither esteem70 nor friendship, and that you regard us rather as thoughtless young people than men of courage."
"You go too far, my dear count!" the adventurer warmly exclaimed. "I never had such ideas, far from it. Still, I repeat, I tremble at the thought of mixing you up in this affair, which does not concern you."
"Pardon me, my friend; from the moment it interests you, it concerns us, and we have the right to mix ourselves up in it."
The adventurer hung his head and began walking up and down the room again in great agitation71.
"Well, be it so, my friends," he said at the end of a moment, "since you insist, we will act in concert. You will aid me in what I have undertaken, and I hope that we shall succeed."
"I feel convinced of it," said the count.
"Let us go then," Dominique said, rising from the table.
"Not yet: but the moment is at hand. I swear to you that you will not have long to wait. Now, one last toast, and good-bye. Ah! I forgot: in the event of my not being able to come to you myself, this is the signal—one and two make three. It is very simple and you will remember it, I think?"
"Perfectly25."
"In that case, good-bye."
Five minutes later he had left the house.
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1
procure
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| vt.获得，取得，促成；vi.拉皮条 | |
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hindrance
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| n.妨碍，障碍 | |
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utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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fatigue
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| n.疲劳，劳累 | |
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vengeance
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| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
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corpses
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| n.死尸，尸体( corpse的名词复数 ) | |
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corpse
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| n.尸体，死尸 | |
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dungeon
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| n.地牢，土牢 | |
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condemned
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| adj. 被责难的, 被宣告有罪的 动词condemn的过去式和过去分词 | |
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gallows
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| n.绞刑架，绞台 | |
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enquire
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| v.打听，询问；调查，查问 | |
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enquired
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| 打听( enquire的过去式和过去分词 )； 询问； 问问题； 查问 | |
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fatiguing
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| a.使人劳累的 | |
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majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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graceful
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| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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edifice
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| n.宏伟的建筑物(如宫殿，教室) | |
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mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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aperture
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| n.孔，隙，窄的缺口 | |
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obelisk
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| n.方尖塔 | |
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surmounted
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| 战胜( surmount的过去式和过去分词 )； 克服（困难）； 居于…之上； 在…顶上 | |
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celebrated
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| adj.有名的，声誉卓著的 | |
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languor
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| n.无精力，倦怠 | |
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desolate
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| adj.荒凉的，荒芜的；孤独的，凄凉的；v.使荒芜，使孤寂 | |
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etiquette
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| n.礼仪，礼节；规矩 | |
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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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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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inter
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| v.埋葬 | |
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intervals
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| n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 )；间隔时间；[数学]区间；（戏剧、电影或音乐会的）幕间休息 | |
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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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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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frightful
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| adj.可怕的；讨厌的 | |
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publicity
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| n.众所周知，闻名；宣传，广告 | |
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retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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narrative
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| n.叙述，故事；adj.叙事的，故事体的 | |
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amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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authorize
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| v.授权，委任；批准，认可 | |
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rue
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| n.懊悔，芸香，后悔；v.后悔，悲伤，懊悔 | |
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interceded
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| v.斡旋，调解( intercede的过去式和过去分词 )；说情 | |
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allied
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| adj.协约国的；同盟国的 | |
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reigning
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| adj.统治的，起支配作用的 | |
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petitioner
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| n.请愿人 | |
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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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recoil
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| vi.退却，退缩，畏缩 | |
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stigma
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| n.耻辱，污名；(花的)柱头 | |
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infamy
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| n.声名狼藉，出丑，恶行 | |
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plausible
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| adj.似真实的，似乎有理的，似乎可信的 | |
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pretext
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| n.借口，托词 | |
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assassinated
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| v.暗杀( assassinate的过去式和过去分词 )；中伤；诋毁；破坏 | |
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hostilities
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| n.战争；敌意(hostility的复数)；敌对状态；战事 | |
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50
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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paltry
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| adj.无价值的，微不足道的 | |
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deplored
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| v.悲叹，痛惜，强烈反对( deplore的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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54
avenged
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| v.为…复仇，报…之仇( avenge的过去式和过去分词 )；为…报复 | |
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55
foe
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| n.敌人，仇敌 | |
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hatred
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| n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨 | |
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dishonour
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| n./vt.拒付（支票、汇票、票据等）；vt.凌辱，使丢脸；n.不名誉，耻辱，不光彩 | |
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58
honourable
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| adj.可敬的；荣誉的，光荣的 | |
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59
chastisement
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| n.惩罚 | |
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60
monasteries
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| 修道院( monastery的名词复数 ) | |
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61
tattoo
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| n.纹身，(皮肤上的)刺花纹；vt.刺花纹于 | |
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laconically
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| adv.简短地，简洁地 | |
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persistency
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| n. 坚持(余辉, 时间常数) | |
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chary
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| adj.谨慎的，细心的 | |
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apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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joyously
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| ad.快乐地, 高兴地 | |
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indirectly
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| adv.间接地，不直接了当地 | |
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68
motives
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| n.动机，目的( motive的名词复数 ) | |
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69
incur
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| vt.招致，蒙受，遭遇 | |
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70
esteem
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| n.尊敬，尊重；vt.尊重，敬重；把…看作 | |
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agitation
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| n.搅动；搅拌；鼓动，煽动 | |
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