He sent Tadros to summon the most famous merchants of Cairo to wait upon him, and arranged to have the women’s quarters redecorated in regal fashion. He selected many rich silks and embroideries10 for Aneth’s use when she should need them, and secured an increased corps11 of Arab servants, well trained in their duties, to attend the slightest wish of their new mistress. He realized that the establishment must hereafter be conducted more upon the plan of a modern European{178} household, and that the apartments of the harem must be transformed into parlors12, reception-halls and drawing-rooms.
In marrying Aneth he determined to abandon all Oriental customs and adopt the manners of the newer and broader civilization. He would exhibit his wife in society, and, through her, gain added distinction. His villa would become renowned13 for its fêtes and magnificent hospitality. Such a life appealed to his imagination, and a marriage with the English girl rendered it possible.
Hatatcha had educated and trained Kāra for a purpose; but now her mission and his oath to fulfil it were alike disregarded. He had given the matter considerable thought recently, and decided14 that his love for Aneth Consinor canceled all obligations to persecute15 her or her people further. Hatatcha was dead and forgotten by the world, and her wrongs could never be righted by any vengeance16 that he might inflict17 upon her enemies. She could not appreciate the justice of retribution, since her spirit was far away in the nether18 world with Anubis, and her body in the tombs of Fedah. He had, at first, been conscientious19 in his determination to accomplish his grandmother’s will, but a girl’s eyes had thwarted20 him, and Hatatcha had herself proved weak when love assailed22 her. Even as all his schemes were approaching fruition and his grandmother’s revenge was nearing accomplishment23, the compelling power of his love arrested his hand and induced him to cast{179} aside everything that might interfere24 with his prospective25 happiness.
On the afternoon of the second day he dressed himself carefully and ordered his chauffeur27 to be ready to drive him to the Savoy; but as he was about to leave his room, a note was brought to him from Aneth. He tore it open and eagerly read the message—
Dear Prince Kāra:—I am not going to risk another unpleasant interview, because I am anxious we should remain in the future, as in the past, good friends and comrades. But please do not again ask me to marry you, for such a thing is utterly28 impossible. While I am glad to enjoy your friendship, I can never return the love you profess29 to bear me, and without love a true woman will not marry. So I beg you will forget that such a thing has ever been discussed between us, and forbear to refer to it again.
Your friend,
Aneth Consinor.
As he read the note Kāra’s face grew set and stern and his dark eyes flashed ominously30. He read it a second time, with more care, trying to find some word of hope or compromise in the frankly31 written epistle. But there was none.
He experienced a sensation of disappointment and chagrin32, tinged33 with considerable astonishment34. Strange as it may seem, he had never for a moment anticipated such a positive refusal. But his nature was impetuous and capricious, and presently anger drove all other{180} feelings from his heart; and the anger grew and expanded until it was hot and furious and took full possession of him.
Perhaps it was the blow to his self-esteem that was most effective in destroying the passion he had mistaken for love. Anyway, the love dissolved with startling rapidity, and in a half hour there was little tenderness remaining for the English girl who had repulsed35 him. He accepted her answer as conclusive36, and began at once to revive his former plans of vengeance. One transport was liable to prove as sweet and exciting as another to him, and he began to revel37 in the consciousness that he was the supreme38 master of the fate of all the Consinors. Hatatcha was right after all. These English were cold and faithless, and unworthy the consideration of one of his noble race. He had been incautious and weak for a time, but now he resolved to fulfil his oath to the dead woman to the very letter.
He tore the offending paper into fragments, and left the room with a resumption of his old inscrutable demeanor39. It was the look that Tadros had learned to fear.
“Drive me to the Savoy,” he said to his chauffeur.
Lord Roane had reserved one small room on the first floor of the hotel as an office, and here he transacted40 such business matters as came under his jurisdiction41. Kāra found him unoccupied, and Roane, who knew his visitor but slightly, greeted the man with cordial politeness.{181}
“Pray be seated, Prince,” said he, offering a chair; “I am entirely42 at your service.”
The other bowed coldly.
“I fear my mission may prove somewhat disagreeable to you, my lord,” he began, in quiet, even tones.
Roane gave him a shrewd glance.
“Ah, I hear that my son is largely indebted to you for losses in gambling,” he returned, thinking that he understood Kāra’s errand. “So far, it is merely a rumor43 that has reached me; but if you come to me to plead that case, I beg to assure you that I am in no way responsible for Consinor’s debts of honor.”
The Egyptian shrugged44 his shoulders as a Frenchman might have done.
“That is another matter, sir, which I do not care to discuss at this time,” he answered. “My present business is to obtain your consent to marry your granddaughter.”
Roane was startled with amazement45.
“Aneth! You wish to marry Aneth?” he asked, as if he could not have heard aright.
“Yes, my lord.”
So confident was the prince’s tone that Lord Roane, although much unnerved by its suddenness, began involuntarily to consider the proposition. The fellow was handsome and dignified46 and reputed to be as rich as Cr?sus; but the Englishman had a natural antipathy47 to foreigners, especially the dark-skinned ones. The idea of giving Aneth to an Egyptian was revolting.{182}
“Ahem! This is indeed a surprise, Prince,” he said, haltingly. “The child is hardly old enough yet to think of marriage.”
Kāra did not reply to this observation.
“Have you—ah—approached her with this proposal as yet?” inquired Roane, after a few moments’ reflection.
“I have, sir.”
“And what did she say?”
“She refused to marry me, giving as her reason the fact that she does not love me,” was the calm reply.
Roane stared at him.
“Then why the devil do you come to me?” he demanded, angrily.
“Because the girl must not be allowed to choose for herself,” said Kāra.
“Must not, sir?”
“Decidedly not, Lord Roane. Too much depends upon her refusal. At present your granddaughter stands disgraced in the eyes of all the world, because of that dishonest father, who, as you remarked a moment ago, owes me ten thousand pounds.”
“Aneth disgraced!” cried Roane, indignantly; “by no means, sir! Even your vile48 insinuations cannot injure that pure and innocent girl. But Consinor has gone away, and his daughter is now under my personal protection. I will see that she is accorded the respect and consideration to which she is entitled, despite her father’s misdeeds.”{183}
“Such an assertion, my lord, is, under the circumstances, ridiculous,” replied Kāra, with a composure equal to the other’s irritation49. “In the near future, when you are yourself disgraced and imprisoned50, who will then be left to protect your granddaughter’s good name?”
Roane uttered a roar of exasperation51.
“You infernal scoundrel!” he exclaimed, “how dare you come here to browbeat52 and insult me! Leave my presence, sir!”
“I think you will be glad to hear more,” remarked Kāra, without changing his position. “Perhaps you are not aware that your robbery of the Government through the contractor53, McFarland, is fully26 known to me.”
Roane fell back in his chair, white and trembling.
“It’s a lie!” he muttered.
“It is not a lie,” said the imperturbable54 Egyptian. “The proofs are all in my hands. I hold your receipt to McFarland for the stolen money.”
Roane glared at him, but had not a word to reply. He felt like a rat in a trap. From the most unexpected source this blow had fallen upon him when least expected, and already he bitterly regretted his lapse55 from honesty.
“The Egyptian Government, when it learns the facts,” continued Kāra, “will show you no mercy. Even Lord Cromer will insist upon your punishment, for he will resent any embezzlement56 in office that would{184} bring the English colony here into disrepute. You must be aware of your danger without the necessity of my calling your attention to the fact; so that you have, absolutely, no hope of escape except through my clemency57.”
“What do you mean?” asked the old nobleman, hoarsely58.
“That at present the secret is in my sole possession. It need never be disclosed. Give me Aneth in marriage, and you will not only secure your safety, but I will see that you want for nothing in the future. I am wealthy enough to promise this.”
“The girl has refused you.”
“Never mind. You will force her to accept me.”
“No, by God, I will not!” cried Roane, springing to his feet. “Hell and all its imps59 shall not induce me to drag that innocent child to my own level. I am a felon60 because I am an ass21, and an ass because I have no moral stamina61; but even then, my heart is not as black as yours, Prince Kāra!”
The Egyptian listened unmoved.
“The matter deserves more careful consideration,” said he. “Sentiment is very pretty when it does not conflict with personal safety. An examination of your case reveals comfort and prosperity on the one hand, disgrace and prison on the other.”
“They weigh nothing against Aneth’s happiness,” returned the old man, promptly62. “Expose me as soon as you like, sir, for nothing will ever induce me to save{185} myself from the fruits of my folly63 at the expense of that poor girl. And now, go!”
Kāra smiled with quiet scorn.
“It is quite refreshing64 to witness your indignation,” said he. “If it were equaled by your honesty, you would have no reason to fear me.”
“Nor do I fear you now,” retorted Lord Roane, defiantly65. “Do your worst, you infamous66 nigger, for you cannot bribe67 me in any way to abet68 your shameful69 proposals.”
Kāra reddened at the epithet70, but did not reply until he had risen and started to move toward the door. Then he half turned and said:
“It will enable you to appreciate your danger better, Lord Roane, if I tell you that I am but the instrument of an Egyptian woman named Hatatcha, whose life and happiness you once carelessly ruined. She did not forget, and her vengeance against you and yours will be terrible, believe me, unless you engage me to defeat it instead of accomplishing it. My personal interest induces me to bargain with you. What do you say, my lord? Shall we discuss this subject more fully, or do you wish me to go?”
Roane was staring at him with affrighted eyes. A thousand recollections flashed through his mind at the mention of Hatatcha’s name, attended by a thousand terrors as he remembered his treatment of her. So lost was he in fear and wonder that Kāra had to speak again.{186}
“Shall I go, my lord?”
“Yes,” was the answer. It seemed to be wrenched71 from the old man’s throbbing72 breast by a generosity73 that conquered his cowardice74.
Kāra frowned. He was disappointed. But further argument was useless, and he went away, leaving Roane fairly stunned75 by the disclosures of the interview.
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1
dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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defer
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| vt.推迟，拖延；vi.(to)遵从，听从，服从 | |
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3
postpone
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| v.延期，推迟 | |
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inevitable
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| adj.不可避免的，必然发生的 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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7
undertakings
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| 企业( undertaking的名词复数 )； 保证； 殡仪业； 任务 | |
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8
unwilling
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| adj.不情愿的 | |
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9
villa
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| n.别墅，城郊小屋 | |
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10
embroideries
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| 刺绣( embroidery的名词复数 )； 刺绣品； 刺绣法 | |
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11
corps
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| n.(通信等兵种的)部队；(同类作的)一组 | |
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12
parlors
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| 客厅( parlor的名词复数 )； 起居室； （旅馆中的）休息室； （通常用来构成合成词）店 | |
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13
renowned
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| adj.著名的，有名望的，声誉鹊起的 | |
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14
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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15
persecute
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| vt.迫害，虐待；纠缠，骚扰 | |
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vengeance
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| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
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17
inflict
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| vt.(on)把…强加给，使遭受，使承担 | |
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nether
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| adj.下部的，下面的；n.阴间；下层社会 | |
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19
conscientious
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| adj.审慎正直的，认真的，本着良心的 | |
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20
thwarted
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| 阻挠( thwart的过去式和过去分词 )； 使受挫折； 挫败； 横过 | |
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21
ass
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| n.驴；傻瓜，蠢笨的人 | |
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22
assailed
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| v.攻击( assail的过去式和过去分词 )；困扰；质问；毅然应对 | |
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23
accomplishment
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| n.完成，成就，（pl.）造诣，技能 | |
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24
interfere
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| v.(in)干涉，干预；(with)妨碍，打扰 | |
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25
prospective
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| adj.预期的，未来的，前瞻性的 | |
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26
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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27
chauffeur
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| n.(受雇于私人或公司的)司机；v.为…开车 | |
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28
utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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29
profess
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| v.声称，冒称，以...为业，正式接受入教，表明信仰 | |
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30
ominously
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| adv.恶兆地，不吉利地；预示地 | |
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31
frankly
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| adv.坦白地，直率地；坦率地说 | |
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32
chagrin
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| n.懊恼；气愤；委屈 | |
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33
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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34
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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35
repulsed
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| v.击退( repulse的过去式和过去分词 )；驳斥；拒绝 | |
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36
conclusive
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| adj.最后的，结论的；确凿的，消除怀疑的 | |
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37
revel
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| vi.狂欢作乐，陶醉；n.作乐，狂欢 | |
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38
supreme
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| adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的 | |
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39
demeanor
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| n.行为；风度 | |
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40
transacted
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| v.办理（业务等）( transact的过去式和过去分词 )；交易，谈判 | |
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41
jurisdiction
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| n.司法权，审判权，管辖权，控制权 | |
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42
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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43
rumor
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| n.谣言，谣传，传说 | |
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44
shrugged
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| vt.耸肩（shrug的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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45
amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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46
dignified
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| a.可敬的，高贵的 | |
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47
antipathy
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| n.憎恶；反感，引起反感的人或事物 | |
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48
vile
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| adj.卑鄙的，可耻的，邪恶的；坏透的 | |
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49
irritation
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| n.激怒，恼怒，生气 | |
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50
imprisoned
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| 下狱，监禁( imprison的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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51
exasperation
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| n.愤慨 | |
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52
browbeat
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| v.欺侮；吓唬 | |
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53
contractor
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| n.订约人，承包人，收缩肌 | |
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54
imperturbable
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| adj.镇静的 | |
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55
lapse
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| n.过失，流逝，失效，抛弃信仰，间隔；vi.堕落，停止，失效，流逝；vt.使失效 | |
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56
embezzlement
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| n.盗用，贪污 | |
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57
clemency
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| n.温和，仁慈，宽厚 | |
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58
hoarsely
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| adv.嘶哑地 | |
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59
imps
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| n.（故事中的）小恶魔( imp的名词复数 )；小魔鬼；小淘气；顽童 | |
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60
felon
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| n.重罪犯；adj.残忍的 | |
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61
stamina
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| n.体力；精力；耐力 | |
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62
promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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63
folly
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| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
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64
refreshing
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| adj.使精神振作的，使人清爽的，使人喜欢的 | |
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65
defiantly
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| adv.挑战地，大胆对抗地 | |
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66
infamous
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| adj.声名狼藉的，臭名昭著的，邪恶的 | |
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67
bribe
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| n.贿赂；v.向…行贿，买通 | |
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68
abet
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| v.教唆，鼓励帮助 | |
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69
shameful
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| adj.可耻的，不道德的 | |
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70
epithet
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| n.（用于褒贬人物等的）表述形容词，修饰语 | |
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71
wrenched
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| v.（猛力地）扭( wrench的过去式和过去分词 )；扭伤；使感到痛苦；使悲痛 | |
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72
throbbing
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| a. 跳动的,悸动的 | |
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73
generosity
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| n.大度，慷慨，慷慨的行为 | |
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74
cowardice
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| n.胆小，怯懦 | |
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75
stunned
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| adj. 震惊的，惊讶的 动词stun的过去式和过去分词 | |
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