At the entrance was a high flight of white marble stairs, leading to a wide corridor, the walls of which were hidden by enormous mirrors, and at intervals10 stood white marble statues of the Greek divinities, holding aloft electric lights. On the one side was the smoking-room,--a luxurious lounge,--and on the other a refreshment11 bar, all glass and glitter, which was crowded between the acts by the thirsty patrons of the play.
Ezra and Keith arrived about nine o'clock, just as the first act of "Prince Carnival12" was over, and finding the salon13 tolerably full, Lazarus sat down near one of the small, marble-topped tables, and lighting14 his cigarette, proceeded to point out to Keith all the notabilities present.
The first to whom he called Stewart's attention was a group of three. One, a tall, portly-looking man, with a red, clean-shaven face and black hair, was irreproachably15 attired16 in evening dress, and chatted to a fair-haired youth with a supercilious17 smile, and a short, bald-headed old gentleman.
"You see those three?" said Ezra, indicating the group. "The dark man of the ponderous18 Samuel Johnson type is Ted3 Mortimer, the lessee19 of the theatre; the idiot with the eyeglass is Lord Santon, who has come out from London to see us barbarians20, and the apoplectic21 party with the bald head is no less a personage than Mr. Columbus Wilks, the great globe-trotter, who is going to write a book about Australia and New Zealand."
"That will take him some time," observed Keith, with a smile.
"Not at all," said Lazarus coolly. "He will run through the whole of Australasia in a few weeks, be the guest of the governors of the different colonies, and then give his impressions of our government, politics, trade, amusements, and scenery in a series of brilliant articles, whose truth and accuracy will be quite in accordance with the time which he has taken to collect his materials."
"But he cannot judge of things so rapidly."
"Of course not; but he will view everything through the rose-coloured spectacles of champagne22 and adulation, so his book will depict23 our land as a kind of nineteenth-century Utopia."
"And Lord Santon?"
"An hereditary24 legislator, who is being fêted for his title, and will go back to his ancestral halls with the firm conviction that we are a kind-hearted race of--savages."
"You are severe," said Keith, in an amused tone; "you ought to give a lecture, entitled 'Men I have noticed;' it would certainly draw."
"Yes, all the women, not the men; they don't care for hearing remarks about themselves; but there is the bell for the rising of the curtain, so we had better go to our seats."
They left the now empty salon, and went into the dress circle, which holds the same rank in the colonies as the stalls do in the London theatres. Though the house was crowded, they succeeded in getting excellent seats, being, in fact, those always reserved for the critics of The Penny Whistle. The orchestra played a lively waltz, to which the gods in the gallery kept time, and then the curtain drew up on a charming scene, representing a square in Rome.
"Prince Carnival" was one of those frivolous25 French operas with a slightly naughty plot, witty26 dialogue, brilliant music, and plenty of opportunity for gay dresses and picturesque27 scenery. The principals and chorus consisted mostly of girls, with just a sprinkling of men, so that their deeper voices might balance the shrillness28 of those of the women. Of the plot, the least said the better, as it was merely a string of intrigues29, connected by piquant31 couplets and sparkling choruses, with occasional ballets intervening.
As far as Keith could gather, it had something to do with the adventures of the quack32 Cagliostra in Rome, who was the comic man of the play, and figured in various disguises, the most successful being that of a prominent politician. Cagliostra tries to gain the affections of a young girl beloved by a mountebank33 called Prince Carnival, who thwarts34 him all through the play. The second act was the carnival at Rome, and a crowd of masquers were singing a riotous35 chorus and pelting36 one another with flowers. Suddenly, during a lull37 in this fantastic medley38, a high, clear voice was heard executing a brilliant shake, and immediately afterwards Caprice bounded gaily39 on to the stage, singing a melodious40 waltz song, to which the masquers moved in measured time.
She was dressed in a harlequin costume, a mask on her face, a fool's baton41 in her hand, and innumerable silver bells hanging from her cap and dress, which jingled42 incessantly43 as she danced. But what attracted Keith's attention were the diamonds she wore--several stars and a necklace. She seemed one splendid blaze of jewels, and his eyes ached watching their flash and glitter during the rapid gyrations of her restless figure.
"Are those paste jewels?" he asked Ezra, in a whisper.
"Paste!" echoed that young man, with a soft, satirical laugh. "Caprice wear paste jewels! Ask the men she's ruined where all their thousands went---where all their lands, horses, shares, salaries, disappeared to! Paste! Bah! my dear fellow, you don't know the number of ruined homes and broken hearts those diamonds represent."
The act proceeded; the dialogue scintillating44 with wit, and the choruses becoming more riotous. Intrigue30 followed after intrigue, and situation after situation, in all of which Caprice was the central figure, until the climax45 was reached, in a wild bizarre chorus, in which she danced a vigorous cancan with Cagliostra, and finished by bounding on his shoulders to form the tableau46 as the curtain fell, amid the enthusiastic applause of the audience.
Ezra and Stewart went out into the smoking-room to light their cigarettes, and heard on all sides eulogies47 of Caprice.
"She'd make her fortune on the London stage," said Santon to Mortimer. "Got such a lot of the devil in her--eh?--by Jove! Why the deuce don't she show in town?"
"Aha!" replied Mortimer shrewdly, "I'm not going to let her go if I can help it. Don't tempt48 away my only ewe lamb, when you've got so many flocks of your own."
"She doesn't look much like a lamb," said Columbus Wilks dryly.
"Then she doesn't belie49 her looks," retorted Mortimer coolly. "My dear sir, she's got the temper of a fiend, but she's such a favourite, that I put up with her tantrums for the sake of the cash."
While this conversation was going on, Ezra and his friend were smoking quietly in a corner of the room chatting about the opera, when the Jew suddenly drew Keith's attention to a tall man talking to a friend in a confidential50 manner. He had a thin, sharp-looking face, keen blue eyes, and fair hair and beard.
"That gentleman," said Lazarus, "could probably tell you something about those diamonds, he is an American called Hiram Jackson Fenton, manager of the 'Never-say-die Life Insurance Company.' Rumour--which is true in this case, contrary to its usual custom--says he is Caprice's latest fancy."
"He must have a lot of money to satisfy her whims," said Keith, looking at the American.
"Money!" Ezra shrugged51 his shoulders. "He hasn't much actual cash, for he lives far above his income. However, with a little judicious52 dabbling53 in the share market, and an occasional help from the children of Israel, he manages to get along all right. Our friend Caprice will ruin him shortly, and then he'll return to the Great Republic, I presume--good riddance of bad rubbish for Australia."
"And who is that colourless-looking little man who has just come up?"
"He is rather washed out, isn't he?" said Ezra critically. "That is his assistant manager, Evan Malton. For some inexplicable54 reason they are inseparable."
"Oh, and is Mr. Malton also smitten55 with Caprice."
"Very badly--more shame to him, as he's only been married for twelve months--he neglects his young wife, and dances attendance at the heels of his divinity."
"Doesn't Hiram J--what's his name, object?"
"Not at all. You see they're both mixed up in speculation56, and work together for their mutual57 benefit. Malton is the Lazarus--I don't mean myself--who picks up the crumbs58 of love that fall from Mr. Dives Fenton's table."
"It can't last long," said Keith in disgust.
"It will last till Malton gets rid of Fenton, or Fenton gets the better of Malton--then there'll be a row, and the weakest will go to the wall. Tell me, whom do you think will win?"
"I should say Fenton," replied Keith, glancing from the effeminate countenance59 of Malton to the shrewd, powerful face of the American.
"Exactly; he is, I fancy, the stronger villain60 of the two."
"Villain?"
"Yes; I call any man a villain who neglects his wife for the sake of a light-o'-love. As for Fenton, he is the most unscrupulous man I know."
"You seem to be pretty well acquainted with the scandal of Melbourne society," said Stewart as they went back to their seats.
"Of course, it is my duty; the press is ubiquitous. But tell me your opinion of Caprice?"
"Judging by her acting61 to-night, she's a devil."
"Wait till the end of this act, and you'll swear she's an angel."
"Which will be correct?"
"Both--she's a mixture!"
The curtain again drew up, amid the shuffling62 of the audience settling themselves in their places, and represented a fête in the gardens of Cagliostra's palace, brilliant with coloured lights and fantastically-dressed people. According to the story, Cagliostra has obtained possession of his prize, and woos her successfully, when Prince Carnival enters and sings a ballad63, "So Long Ago," in the hope of touching64 the heart of his false love.
Caprice, dressed in a tight-fitting costume of silk and velvet65, which showed off her beautiful figure to perfection, stood in the centre of the stage with a sad smile, and sang the waltz-refrain of the song with great feeling.
"For it was long ago, love,
That time of joy and woe66, love!
Yet still that heart of thine
Is mine, dear love, is mine!"
She gave to the jingling67 words a touch of pathos68 which was exquisitely beautiful.
"I believe she feels what she sings," whispered Keith.
"If you knew her story you would scarcely wonder at that," said Ezra bitterly.
The song was redemanded, but Caprice refused to respond, and, the clamour still continuing, she shrugged her shoulders and walked coolly up the stage.
"She's in a temper to-night," said Mortimer to Santon. "They can applaud till they're black in the face, but devil an answer they'll get from her, the jade69! She isn't called Caprice for nothing."
And so it happened, for the audience, finding she would not gratify them, subsided70 into a sulky silence, and Caprice went coolly on with the dialogue. Cagliostra, repentant71, surrenders the girl to Prince Carnival, and the opera ended with a repetition of the galop chorus, wherein Keith saw the sad-eyed woman of a few moments before once more a mocking jibing72 fiend, dancing and singing with a reckless abandon that half-fascinated and half-disgusted him.
"What a contradiction," said Keith, as they left the theatre; "one moment all tears, the next all laughter!"
"With a spice of the devil in both," replied Ezra cynically73. "She is the Sphinx woman of Heine--her lips caress74 while her claws wound."
They had a drink and a smoke together, after which they went round to the stage-door, as Ezra, in pursuance of improving Keith's fortunes, was anxious to introduce him to Caprice. Lazarus appeared to be well-known to the door-keeper, for, after a few words with him, they were admitted to the mysterious region behind the scenes. Caprice, wrapped up in a heavy fur cloak, was standing75 on the stage talking to Fenton. All around was comparatively quiet, as the scene-shifters having ended their duties for the night had left the theatre. Stewart could hardly believe that the little golden-haired woman he saw before him was the brilliant being of the previous hour, she looked so pale and weary. But soon another side of her versatile76 nature showed itself, for Fenton, saying something to displease77 her, she rebuked78 him sharply, and turned her back on the discomfited79 American. In doing so she caught sight of Lazarus, and ran quickly towards him with outstretched hand.
"My dear Mr. Lazarus," she said rapidly, "I'm so glad to see you! Meg told me all about her accident to-day, and how narrowly she escaped death. Good God, if I had lost her! But the gentleman who saved her--where is he?"
"He is here," said Lazarus, indicating Keith, who stood blushing and confused before this divinity of the stage.
In another moment, with a sudden impulse, she was by his side, holding his two hands in her own.
"You have done what I can never repay," she said rapidly, in a low voice. "Saved my child's life, and you will not find me ungrateful. Words are idle, but if actions can prove gratitude80, you may command me."
"I hope the young lady is all right," stammered81 Keith, as she dropped his hands.
"Oh, yes; rather shaken, but quite well," answered Caprice, in a relieved tone. "Dear me, how careless I am; let me introduce you to these gentlemen--Mr. Fenton, Mr. Malton, and last, but not least, Mr. Mortimer."
The three gentlemen bowed coldly, Fenton in particular, eyeing Keith in a supercilious manner, which made him blush with rage, as he thought it was owing to his shabby clothes.
"Is my carriage there?" said Caprice, in reply to a speech of Malton's. "Oh, then, I may as well go. Good-night, everybody. Mr. Stewart, will you give me your arm?" and she walked off with the delighted Keith, leaving Fenton and Malton transfixed with rage, while Mortimer and Ezra looked on chuckling82.
Caprice talked brightly to her new friend till he placed her in her brougham, then suddenly became grave.
"Come down and have supper with me on Sunday fortnight," she said, leaning out of the window. "Mr. Lazarus will be your guide. Good-bye at present," giving him her gloved hand. "God bless you for saving my child."
The carriage drove off, but not before Keith had seen that tears were falling down her face, whereat he marvelled83 at this strange nature, and stood looking after the carriage.
"She's not as bad as they say," he said aloud.
Ezra, who was just behind him, laughed aloud.
"I knew you'd say she was an angel."
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
luxurious
|
|
| adj.精美而昂贵的；豪华的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
devoted
|
|
| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
ted
|
|
| vt.翻晒，撒，撒开 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
burlesque
|
|
| v.嘲弄，戏仿；n.嘲弄，取笑，滑稽模仿 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
dome
|
|
| n.圆屋顶，拱顶 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
exquisitely
|
|
| adv.精致地；强烈地；剧烈地；异常地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
celebrated
|
|
| adj.有名的，声誉卓著的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
burlesques
|
|
| n.滑稽模仿( burlesque的名词复数 )；（包括脱衣舞的）滑稽歌舞杂剧v.（嘲弄地）模仿，（通过模仿）取笑( burlesque的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
9
cosy
|
|
| adj.温暖而舒适的，安逸的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
intervals
|
|
| 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 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
refreshment
|
|
| n.恢复，精神爽快，提神之事物；（复数）refreshments:点心，茶点 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
carnival
|
|
| n.嘉年华会，狂欢，狂欢节，巡回表演 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
salon
|
|
| n.[法]沙龙；客厅；营业性的高级服务室 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
lighting
|
|
| n.照明，光线的明暗，舞台灯光 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
irreproachably
|
|
| adv.不可非难地，无过失地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
16
attired
|
|
| adj.穿着整齐的v.使穿上衣服，使穿上盛装( attire的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
supercilious
|
|
| adj.目中无人的，高傲的；adv.高傲地；n.高傲 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
ponderous
|
|
| adj.沉重的，笨重的，(文章)冗长的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
lessee
|
|
| n.（房地产的）租户 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
barbarians
|
|
| n.野蛮人( barbarian的名词复数 )；外国人；粗野的人；无教养的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
apoplectic
|
|
| adj.中风的；愤怒的；n.中风患者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
champagne
|
|
| n.香槟酒；微黄色 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
depict
|
|
| vt.描画，描绘；描写，描述 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
hereditary
|
|
| adj.遗传的，遗传性的，可继承的，世袭的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
frivolous
|
|
| adj.轻薄的；轻率的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
witty
|
|
| adj.机智的，风趣的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
picturesque
|
|
| adj.美丽如画的，（语言）生动的，绘声绘色的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
shrillness
|
|
| 尖锐刺耳 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
29
intrigues
|
|
| n.密谋策划( intrigue的名词复数 )；神秘气氛；引人入胜的复杂情节v.搞阴谋诡计( intrigue的第三人称单数 )；激起…的好奇心 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
intrigue
|
|
| vt.激起兴趣，迷住；vi.耍阴谋；n.阴谋，密谋 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
piquant
|
|
| adj.辛辣的，开胃的，令人兴奋的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
quack
|
|
| n.庸医；江湖医生；冒充内行的人；骗子 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
mountebank
|
|
| n.江湖郎中；骗子 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
thwarts
|
|
| 阻挠( thwart的第三人称单数 )； 使受挫折； 挫败； 横过 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
riotous
|
|
| adj.骚乱的；狂欢的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
pelting
|
|
| 微不足道的，无价值的，盛怒的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
lull
|
|
| v.使安静，使入睡，缓和，哄骗；n.暂停，间歇 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
medley
|
|
| n.混合 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
gaily
|
|
| adv.欢乐地，高兴地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
melodious
|
|
| adj.旋律美妙的，调子优美的，音乐性的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
baton
|
|
| n.乐队用指挥杖 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
jingled
|
|
| 喝醉的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
incessantly
|
|
| ad.不停地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
scintillating
|
|
| adj．才气横溢的,闪闪发光的; 闪烁的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
climax
|
|
| n.顶点；高潮；v.(使)达到顶点 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
tableau
|
|
| n.画面，活人画（舞台上活人扮的静态画面） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
eulogies
|
|
| n.颂词，颂文( eulogy的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
tempt
|
|
| vt.引诱，勾引，吸引，引起…的兴趣 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
belie
|
|
| v.掩饰，证明为假 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
confidential
|
|
| adj.秘（机）密的，表示信任的，担任机密工作的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
shrugged
|
|
| vt.耸肩（shrug的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
judicious
|
|
| adj.明智的，明断的，能作出明智决定的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
dabbling
|
|
| v.涉猎( dabble的现在分词 )；涉足；浅尝；少量投资 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
inexplicable
|
|
| adj.无法解释的，难理解的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
smitten
|
|
| 猛打，重击，打击( smite的过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
speculation
|
|
| n.思索，沉思；猜测；投机 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
mutual
|
|
| adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
crumbs
|
|
| int. (表示惊讶)哎呀 n. 碎屑 名词crumb的复数形式 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
countenance
|
|
| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
villain
|
|
| n.反派演员，反面人物；恶棍；问题的起因 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
acting
|
|
| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
shuffling
|
|
| adj. 慢慢移动的, 滑移的 动词shuffle的现在分词形式 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
ballad
|
|
| n.歌谣，民谣，流行爱情歌曲 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
touching
|
|
| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
65
velvet
|
|
| n.丝绒，天鹅绒；adj.丝绒制的，柔软的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
66
woe
|
|
| n.悲哀，苦痛，不幸，困难；int.用来表达悲伤或惊慌 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
67
jingling
|
|
| 叮当声 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
68
pathos
|
|
| n.哀婉，悲怆 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
69
jade
|
|
| n.玉石；碧玉；翡翠 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
70
subsided
|
|
| v.（土地）下陷（因在地下采矿）( subside的过去式和过去分词 )；减弱；下降至较低或正常水平；一下子坐在椅子等上 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
71
repentant
|
|
| adj.对…感到悔恨的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
72
jibing
|
|
| v.与…一致( jibe的现在分词 )；（与…）相符；相匹配 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
73
cynically
|
|
| adv.爱嘲笑地，冷笑地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
74
caress
|
|
| vt./n.爱抚，抚摸 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
75
standing
|
|
| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
76
versatile
|
|
| adj.通用的，万用的；多才多艺的，多方面的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
77
displease
|
|
| vt.使不高兴，惹怒；n.不悦，不满，生气 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
78
rebuked
|
|
| 责难或指责( rebuke的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
79
discomfited
|
|
| v.使为难( discomfit的过去式和过去分词)；使狼狈；使挫折；挫败 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
80
gratitude
|
|
| adj.感激，感谢 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
81
stammered
|
|
| v.结巴地说出( stammer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
82
chuckling
|
|
| 轻声地笑( chuckle的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
83
marvelled
|
|
| v.惊奇，对…感到惊奇( marvel的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |