Two letters were on the tray that brought in my morning coffee. One from Jacqueline; the other from her brother. They called to me in quite different directions. Jacqueline to her side; the brother to his assistance in Rome. The young fool was in trouble–trouble serious enough to demand the assistance of one who had influence with the authorities. I happened to fill that position. I must go to his aid.
In Jacqueline’s letter I fancied I read a tenderness that was altogether new and delightful6. 50It was no longer the reserved Jacqueline that spoke7. There was a delightful shyness, but through the shyness spoke the woman who dared to be bold for the man she loved.
She wished me to call at once. We would discuss the book together. And she had invited St. Hilary and myself to dinner that evening. After I had left them yesterday he had hinted at a wonderful story about the old clock. She would make him talk. I should have copy for one of my legends at least.
But I could not hesitate as to my destination. For, in assisting her brother, I would be doing Jacqueline a favor. Unfortunately, I could not tell her why I had to leave Venice so peremptorily8. Neither she nor her aunt must know that the youngster had made an ass5 of himself. I wrote her merely that an affair of importance had called me to Rome. I caught the first train south.
Ten days passed before I sniffed9 once more the pungent10 odor of the lagoons11. There had been complications and delays; and in his remorse12 the boy had had a touch of Roman fever. I could not leave him like that.
A letter from Jacqueline awaited me. It had arrived only a day or two before. Her annoyance13 at my sudden flight from Venice was obvious.
51She regretted my absence at her dinner, but I had not missed much. St. Hilary had refused to talk. Perhaps there was really no legend, after all. And, indeed, when one came to think over the matter calmly, was it worth while attempting to discover one? And was I really interested in writing the book–that is, for its own sake? I ought to be well assured of that. She was afraid she would not see me again for the present. They were to leave almost immediately for Bellagio.
I walked over to my window. I was bitterly hurt and disappointed.
Venice was storm-swept. The Giudecca, deserted14, was lashed15 by wind and rain. The ships, moored16 near the Salute17, tossed and swayed at their anchors. The goddess over the customs-house spun18 about on her golden ball and vainly tried to shield herself behind her flimsy veil.
The brightness and glory of Venice had vanished as in a dream. The palaces, ivory and gold in the sunlight, looked sodden19 and decayed in the gloom, like an old woman deprived of her rouge-pot and powder. Venice, in short, was a painting, a masterpiece, if you wish, which the mischievous20 fist of some mawkish21 infant had smeared22 and smudged. The pigeons, the cafés, the gondolas23–they are the creatures of the sun. To-day the pigeons were huddled25 under the Dome26 of the 52Salute; the cafés deserted; the gondolas covered with tarpaulin27.
But as I looked, a gondola24, rowed by two oarsmen, emerged from the rain and fog. It was headed directly for the landing outside my windows. It touched the steps. The old gransieri, shivering in an archway, pattered across the quay28 with his hook. The passenger leaped ashore29. It was St. Hilary. And in this weather!
I drew the portière. I walked over to the mantel and felt for a match to light the gas, for it was growing late. As I struck it, half a dozen visiting-cards caught my eye–eight, to be quite precise. One of the eight was that of the Duke da Sestos. What humble30 attraction had I for the noble gentleman? The seven others bore the name of St. Hilary. Seven calls in ten days! I looked at them thoughtfully. And then–why, I have no idea–I thought of the mysterious clock that Mrs. Gordon had entrusted31 to my care, and that I had left with a jeweler on the Piazza32 to see if it was quite beyond repair. It would be just as well to say nothing of that to the dealer33. I was curious to know precisely34 the fascination35 that the old timepiece had for him.
“I was longing36 for some one to talk to. Just returned from a little trip to Rome. What’s the news?”
53“Oh, I have just dropped in for a smoke. Where’s your whisky? I am drenched37 through. The felsa of that confounded gondola leaked.”
I caught the swift glance that took in every detail of my room. I waved my hand to the side-board.
“Help yourself. I’ll join you presently, when I have slipped into a bath-robe. You’ll find the cigarettes by the whisky.”
I stepped into my room. I heard the fizz of the siphon. I caught the fumes38 of his cigarette. I heard the creak of a wicker-chair as he threw himself into it. Then there was silence. I was about to rejoin him, when I happened to look into my mirror. St. Hilary was reflected in it, and he was opening a coat-closet.
I whistled noisily, and put my eye to a crack in the door. He was looking into a cabinet. Then he pulled aside the portière that hid the deep recess39 of the window. Another puzzled glance about the room, and he sank noiselessly into the chair. It was not difficult to put two and two together. He was looking for Mrs. Gordon’s clock. Well, he should satisfy himself thoroughly40 that it was not on my premises41. Then I would wait for his next move. I entered my sitting-room42, still whistling.
“Just a word to my man, and I’m ready for 54our smoke,” I said, and went into the sala. I banged the door after me, but took pains to leave it carefully ajar.
It was as I thought. He promptly43 slipped into my bedroom. I waited considerately for him to resume his seat before joining him.
“Well, indefatigable44 peerer and pryer for the rare and odd, what is the news of the past ten days?” I asked, reaching for the Scotch45.
I knew he was watching me closely. The nouns were a trifle suggestive.
“No news so far as I know. I have been buried in the palazzo of the duke, making an inventory46 of things. Interesting old palace, eh?”
I nodded, and blew a cloud of cigarette-smoke into the air.
“Nice chap, the duke.”
I nodded again.
“Extremely gallant47 to the ladies.”
Again I nodded, but without much enthusiasm.
“Rather pretty compliment, his giving them those souvenirs.”
“No one but an Italian would have thought of it.”
“But I must say I was disgusted at the poor taste of the ladies.”
“Why so?”
“My dear fellow, did you observe that bowl of 55majolica? Or that superb cloisonné Kioto vase? With carved ivories galore and a plaque48 of della Robbia to choose from, and to pick out a silly timepiece.”
“Ah, yes,” I remarked dryly, “you had an eye on that clock yourself, hadn’t you?”
“Tut, tut, I have an eye on everything that is useless and odd. By the way, she asked you to keep it for her. I should like to have a look at it. Trot49 it out, my boy.”
I gazed into St. Hilary’s innocent blue eyes, and laughed quietly. “The other day, in Rome,” I said slowly, “I met on the street a certain Captain Villari. He’s as poor as the proverbial mouse, and an acquaintance. He asked me to go to the opera with him, I did not refuse, though the invitation, coming from him, surprised me. And the inevitable50 happened, of course. At the very box-office, he discovered with cries of consternation51 that he had left all his money in his other uniform. Might he dare, would I think it too presuming, if he asked me for the loan of ten lire until to-morrow?
“I assured him with all the warmth in the world that it would be a privilege, I put my hand in my pocket to oblige him. Accidenti! Was there ever such devilish luck! I had left my money in my morning clothes!
56“We looked at each other half a minute; then we embraced with laughter. It was such an odd coincidence. And so we went our separate ways, quite good-naturedly. He knew I was lying. I knew he had been lying. What do you think of my story?”
“What has that story to do with an old timepiece?” he blustered52.
I leaned forward and tapped him on the knee.
“Only this, my crafty53 dealer in antiquities54. You, as well as my captain, are too crafty by half. You know the timepiece is not in these rooms, just as well as I do myself.”
“I don’t understand you,” he fumed55.
“No? Then what were you looking for a minute or two ago? In that cabinet, behind the portière there? By Jove, you had the impertinence to lift the cover of my trunk in the bedroom.”
If I had expected him to show shame or confusion, I was much mistaken. He stared at me a moment. Then he threw back his head and laughed.
“It wasn’t nice of me, I confess,” he said coolly. “I should have acted with my customary frankness, and have asked to see it first.”
“I think it would have been the better way. As to this customary frankness of yours, you 57guard that virtue56 so closely that I am a stranger to it.”
“Very well, I’ll give you an instance of it. Now that my cards are on the table, what have you done with the clock?”
“Is that what you call being frank? I fail to see those cards of yours on the table even now. Play fair, St. Hilary.”
“I don’t understand you,” he said, and his neck took on a purple tinge57.
“You understand me perfectly58. Just as my captain did. And I have both eyes and ears. Let me remind you, in the first place, you were perfectly well aware that the clock was in the palace. You looked for it deliberately59, but slyly. When I was curious in my turn, you were hardly pleased. You pooh-poohed the chamber60. You made fun of the clock. You blew out the candle promptly that no one might examine it. When Mrs. Gordon insisted on doing so, you vainly attempted to divert her interest. As a last resort, you tried to make it impossible for her to accept it by asserting that it was an antique of great value. Don’t you think that was in extremely bad taste?”
“My dear fellow, desperate cases require desperate remedies.”
“Ah, then you confess that you were even desperately61 58anxious to have the clock? Why should you deny it? There is nothing to be ashamed of. Your eight calls have made me quite certain of that, and the fact that you played the spy, looking into my trunk just now.”
St. Hilary laughed, a little too boisterously62.
“Good, good!” he cried. “I confess I didn’t credit my dear dilettante63 with quite so observing an eye. And if I were to confess that this old clock interests me beyond belief, why should you not satisfy my curiosity? Have you any interest in it? An interest that conflicts with mine, for instance?” and he looked at me curiously64.
“It is quite possible,” I answered calmly.
“And this interest really conflicts with mine?”
“Why not?” I answered, smiling at him.
“Then I see no reason why I should not go my way and you yours.” He picked up his hat in high dudgeon and walked toward the door.
“Nor do I,” I answered, reaching for a cigar. “However, let me remind you that I still have the clock.”
It may seem strange and unreasonable65 that I should have assumed so cautious a tone with the dealer. My interest in the clock was simply that I wished to write up the legend connected with it, if legend there was. But I browbeat66 him 59to punish him. He had not come to me frankly and openly. He had spied on me and he had lied to me. The penalty for that must be a full confession67 as to why he attached such tremendous importance to this clock.
He stood at the door. His eyes devoured68 my face with that same searching glance that had so startled me on the Piazza a few days before.
“Trust me, St. Hilary,” I said very quietly. “I am not a man to betray a confidence–certainly not the confidence of a friend like you. And it is barely possible I may help you.”
“I have thought that, too,” he said, and hesitated.
“Then why not?”
“Because you are too much of the dilettante, the dreamer,” he said angrily. “Bah, I need a man like the Duke da Sestos–a man that has grit69 and resource–who can even be unscrupulous on occasion–yes, look into a friend’s trunk and not feel too squeamish. I do need help; but could you go to extreme ends with me patiently and relentlessly70? You hardly fill the bill, Hume.”
He had quoted almost Jacqueline’s words. He could have said nothing that would have touched me so deeply. I answered him impetuously:
60“St. Hilary, do you forget that it was you who made me a dreamer? It is you who first preached to me impossible ideals of beauty and art. And when I failed to reach those ideals, you laughed at me; you consoled me with sneers71. If I had not a soul to appreciate art and beauty, there was still the sensuous72 Venice for me to enjoy. And so, month by month, I have sunk into the slough73 of materialism74, until, at last, it is almost too late for me to shake myself free. First, the woman I love flaunts75 at the dilettante, and then it is my friend.”
He stared at me; then, rising, he walked over to where I sat and put his hand on my shoulder.
“What do you mean–that the woman you love has flaunted76 you?”
I told him quite simply. He passed his hand across his forehead.
“My dear, dear Hume,” he said affectionately, “forgive me. Love is a thing dead and past for me. I am in the sere77 leaf and brown. I had forgotten that love might come into your life. So your interest in the clock, after all, is simply that you wish to write a legend about it?”
“Yes.”
“Listen to me. Hume. I have a quest that demands patience, courage, faith, a will that is 61relentless. If I shared it with you, could you bring to it these qualities?”
“Try me,” I said firmly. “If it is a task that demands action, and if it concerns this clock, I am with you heart and soul.”
“It does concern the clock. But it is a hundred-to-one shot, with the odds78 all against us. If you fail, at least you will have your legend. If you succeed, you will share equally with myself. I have needed one for this quest in whose honesty I could have absolute faith. I have thought of you, but only to mistrust you. If I trust you now, will you follow where I shall lead?”
“Try me,” I said again.
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
depressed
|
|
| adj.沮丧的，抑郁的，不景气的，萧条的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
frankly
|
|
| adv.坦白地，直率地；坦率地说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
glamour
|
|
| n.魔力，魅力；vt.迷住 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
luxurious
|
|
| adj.精美而昂贵的；豪华的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
ass
|
|
| n.驴；傻瓜，蠢笨的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
delightful
|
|
| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
spoke
|
|
| 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 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
peremptorily
|
|
| adv.紧急地，不容分说地，专横地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
sniffed
|
|
| v.以鼻吸气，嗅，闻( sniff的过去式和过去分词 )；抽鼻子（尤指哭泣、患感冒等时出声地用鼻子吸气）；抱怨，不以为然地说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
pungent
|
|
| adj.（气味、味道）刺激性的，辛辣的；尖锐的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
lagoons
|
|
| n.污水池( lagoon的名词复数 )；潟湖；（大湖或江河附近的）小而浅的淡水湖；温泉形成的池塘 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
remorse
|
|
| n.痛恨，悔恨，自责 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
annoyance
|
|
| n.恼怒，生气，烦恼 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
deserted
|
|
| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
lashed
|
|
| adj.具睫毛的v.鞭打( lash的过去式和过去分词 )；煽动；紧系；怒斥 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
moored
|
|
| adj. 系泊的 动词moor的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
salute
|
|
| 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 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
spun
|
|
| v.纺，杜撰，急转身 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
sodden
|
|
| adj.浑身湿透的；v.使浸透；使呆头呆脑 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
mischievous
|
|
| adj.调皮的，恶作剧的，有害的，伤人的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
mawkish
|
|
| adj.多愁善感的的；无味的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
smeared
|
|
| 弄脏； 玷污； 涂抹； 擦上 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
gondolas
|
|
| n.狭长小船( gondola的名词复数 )；货架（一般指商店，例如化妆品店）；吊船工作台 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
gondola
|
|
| n.威尼斯的平底轻舟；飞船的吊船 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
huddled
|
|
| 挤在一起（huddle的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
dome
|
|
| n.圆屋顶，拱顶 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
tarpaulin
|
|
| n.涂油防水布，防水衣，防水帽 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
quay
|
|
| n.码头，靠岸处 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
ashore
|
|
| adv.在(向)岸上，上岸 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
humble
|
|
| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
entrusted
|
|
| v.委托，托付( entrust的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
piazza
|
|
| n.广场；走廊 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
dealer
|
|
| n.商人，贩子 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
precisely
|
|
| adv.恰好，正好，精确地，细致地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
fascination
|
|
| n.令人着迷的事物，魅力，迷恋 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
longing
|
|
| n.（for）渴望 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
drenched
|
|
| adj.湿透的；充满的v.使湿透( drench的过去式和过去分词 )；在某人（某物）上大量使用（某液体） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
fumes
|
|
| n.(强烈而刺激的)气味，气体 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
recess
|
|
| n.短期休息，壁凹（墙上装架子，柜子等凹处） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
thoroughly
|
|
| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
premises
|
|
| n.建筑物，房屋 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
sitting-room
|
|
| n.（BrE）客厅，起居室 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
promptly
|
|
| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
indefatigable
|
|
| adj.不知疲倦的，不屈不挠的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
scotch
|
|
| n.伤口，刻痕；苏格兰威士忌酒；v.粉碎，消灭，阻止；adj.苏格兰(人)的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
inventory
|
|
| n.详细目录，存货清单 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
gallant
|
|
| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
plaque
|
|
| n.饰板，匾，(医)血小板 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
trot
|
|
| n.疾走，慢跑；n.老太婆；现成译本；(复数）trots:腹泻（与the 连用）；v.小跑，快步走，赶紧 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
inevitable
|
|
| adj.不可避免的，必然发生的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
consternation
|
|
| n.大为吃惊，惊骇 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
blustered
|
|
| v.外强中干的威吓( bluster的过去式和过去分词 )；咆哮；（风）呼啸；狂吹 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
crafty
|
|
| adj.狡猾的，诡诈的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
antiquities
|
|
| n.古老( antiquity的名词复数 )；古迹；古人们；古代的风俗习惯 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
fumed
|
|
| 愤怒( fume的过去式和过去分词 )； 大怒； 发怒； 冒烟 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
virtue
|
|
| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
tinge
|
|
| vt.(较淡)着色于，染色；使带有…气息；n.淡淡色彩，些微的气息 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
perfectly
|
|
| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
deliberately
|
|
| adv.审慎地；蓄意地；故意地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
chamber
|
|
| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
desperately
|
|
| adv.极度渴望地，绝望地，孤注一掷地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
boisterously
|
|
| adv.喧闹地，吵闹地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
dilettante
|
|
| n.半瓶醋，业余爱好者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
curiously
|
|
| adv.有求知欲地；好问地；奇特地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
65
unreasonable
|
|
| adj.不讲道理的，不合情理的，过度的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
66
browbeat
|
|
| v.欺侮；吓唬 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
67
confession
|
|
| n.自白，供认，承认 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
68
devoured
|
|
| 吞没( devour的过去式和过去分词 )； 耗尽； 津津有味地看； 狼吞虎咽地吃光 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
69
grit
|
|
| n.沙粒，决心，勇气；v.下定决心，咬紧牙关 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
70
relentlessly
|
|
| adv.不屈不挠地；残酷地；不间断 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
71
sneers
|
|
| 讥笑的表情（言语）( sneer的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
72
sensuous
|
|
| adj.激发美感的；感官的，感觉上的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
73
slough
|
|
| v.蜕皮，脱落，抛弃 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
74
materialism
|
|
| n.［哲］唯物主义，唯物论；物质至上 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
75
flaunts
|
|
| v.炫耀，夸耀( flaunt的第三人称单数 )；有什么能耐就施展出来 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
76
flaunted
|
|
| v.炫耀，夸耀( flaunt的过去式和过去分词 )；有什么能耐就施展出来 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
77
sere
|
|
| adj.干枯的；n.演替系列 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
78
odds
|
|
| n.让步，机率，可能性，比率；胜败优劣之别 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |