“Pann,[4] the shafts are snapped, two of the springs are injured, and the linch-pin has flown.”
4. My Lord, in Polish.
“How long will it take to repair them?”
“Twenty-four hours.”
“It is now four o’clock. See that everything be in order again by to-morrow’s daybreak.”
“Pann, with these lazy Italians, I fear it will be impossible”—
“Ya paswalam,”[5] replied the traveller coldly, but decidedly. “Pay what you will, but let all be ready for the hour I have mentioned.”
5. I will it, in Polish.
Without another word, he walked towards the inn, followed by the crowd, teasing for alms. A few seconds ago they had all been active and healthy beings, so full of employment they could not afford to mend his calèche unless tempted24 by some extraordinary reward; now the men declared themselves cripples and invalids25, the children were orphans26, the women helpless widows, and they would all die of hunger if his Eccellenza did not bestow27 a few grani. “What a tedious race!” exclaimed the traveller, casting a handful of coins upon the ground, which caused a general scramble28, and enabled him to proceed unmolested. At the inn new torments29 awaited him; a fresh crowd, composed of the landlord, the landlady30, and their waiters and hostlers, gathered round, and assailed31 him with innumerable questions. The landlord hoped none of his limbs were broken, and begged him to consider himself master of the house; the waiters desired to know at what hour he would sup, what fare he chose, how long he intended to stay, where he came from, whither he was going; and the landlady led him, ostentatiously, through all the rooms of the inn, expatiating32 endlessly upon the peculiar and indescribable advantages of each. Ineffably33 weary of their officiousness, the traveller at last traversed a long and spacious34 hall, and took refuge in a balcony that looked upon the bay of Gaeta.
The inn is built upon the site of Cicero’s Villa35. Beneath the balcony, and on each side, along the whole curve of the bay, stretched a thick grove of orange-trees, which sloped down to the very verge36 of the Mediterranean37. Balls of golden fruit, and blossoms faint with odour, and fair as stars, studded this amphitheatre of dark foliage38; and at its extremity39 the liquid light of the waves pierced the glossy40 leaves, mingling41 their blue splendour with earth’s green paradise. Every rock and mountain glowed with a purple hue42, so intense and soft, they resembled violet vapours dissolving into the pale radiance of the evening sky. Far away in the deep broad flood of the ocean rose the two mountain islands of Ischia and Procida, between which Vesuvius thrust in his jagged form, and his floating banner of snow-white smoke. The solitary43 heaven was without sun or moon, without a star or cloud, but smiled in that tender vestal light which speaks of eternal, immutable44 peace.
It would be difficult to define the feelings of the traveller as he gazed on this scene: his countenance, uplifted to heaven, was animated45 with a profound and impassioned melancholy46, with an expression of an earnest and fervid47 pleading against some vast and inevitable48 wrong. He was thinking of his country; and whilst he contrasted its ruined villages and devastated49 fields with the splendour and glow of the fair land before him, was breathing inwardly a passionate50 appeal against that blind and cruel destiny which had consigned51 Poland to the desolating52 influence of Russian despotism. His reverie was interrupted by the sound of a female voice singing in Polish among the orange-trees at his feet. The singer was invisible; but the sweetness of her voice, and the singular reference of the words (the following prose translation conveys their meaning) to the thoughts of his own mind, filled the traveller with surprise:—
“When thou gazest upon the azure53 heaven, so mighty54 in its calm, do not say, O bright enchantment55, hast thou no pity, that thou dawnest thus in unattainable loveliness upon my world-wearied eyes.
“When the southern wind softly breathes, do not say reproachfully, Thy cradle is the ether of the morning sun, thou drinkest the odorous essence of myrtle and lemon blossoms; thou shouldst bear upon thy wings all sweet emotions, all soft desires; why bringest thou then no healing to the anguish57 I endure?
“Neither in the dark hour, when thou thinkest upon thy country and thy friends, say not with grief, They are lost! They are not! Say rather with joy, They were illustrious! and it is bliss58 to know that they have been!”
It were wise in me to obey thy lesson, sweet songstress, thought the traveller; and revolving59 in his mind the singularity of the serenade, he continued to gaze upon the trees below. There was no rustling60 amid their branches, no sound which told a human being was concealed61 beneath their foliage; nothing was heard beyond the almost imperceptible breathings of the evening air. Did such things exist anywhere but in the imagination of the poet? He could almost have believed that the spirit of that divine scene had assumed a human voice and human words to soothe63 his melancholy, so floating and airy had been the strain, so deep the silence that succeeded it. One moment more, and there arose from the same spot cries for help uttered in Italian, and shrieks65 of distress66 so piercing, they made the traveller fly with the speed of lightning through the great hall, down the staircase into the garden. The first object that met his eyes was the figure of a girl about sixteen, her one arm tightly embracing the stem of a tree, her other angrily repelling67 a young man who was endeavouring to drag her away.
“I will not go with you—I love you no longer, Giorgio—and go with you, I will not,” shrieked68 the girl, in tones of mingled70 violence and fear.
“You must—you shall,” retorted her aggressor in a voice of thunder.
“I have found you again, and I won’t be duped by your fooleries, Marietta.—And who are you, and who begged you to interfere71?” added he, turning fiercely upon the traveller, whose strong grasp had torn him from Marietta.
“An officer, as it should seem by your dress;—be pleased to know that I am also an officer, and risk my displeasure no further.”
“No officer would ill-treat a defenceless girl,” the Pole replied with quiet contempt.
At this taunt72 Giorgio quivered with rage. His features, handsome and regular as those of Italians generally are, became quite distorted. His hands with convulsive movements sought about his breast for the dagger73 that was concealed there, his dark flashing eyes fixed74 intently at the same time upon his adversary75, as if he hoped the fiendish spirit that burned within them might previously76 annihilate77 him.
“Be on your guard—he is a perfect wretch,” cried Marietta, rushing towards her protector.
The arrival of several servants from the inn dispelled78 all idea of present danger: they dragged off Giorgio, telling him that, although the girl was his sister, he had no right to separate her from the corps80 d’opera, with whom she was travelling through Gaeta.
“E vero è verissimo,” cried Marietta with joyful81 triumph.
“What is it to him if I like my liberty, and prefer wandering about, singing here and there.”
“Marietta! beware! dare not to speak ill of me!” screamed the retiring Giorgio, looking back over his shoulder, and accompanying his words with a look of such frightful82 menace as completely subdued83 his sister.
She watched in anxious silence till he had disappeared, and then, with affectionate humility84 and a graceful85 quickness that allowed not of its prevention, knelt lightly down, and pressed the stranger’s hand to her lips.
“You have more than repaid me for the song I sang to you,” she said, rising and leading the way to the inn; “and, if you like it, I will sing others to you whilst you sup.”
“Are you a Pole?” inquired the traveller.
“A fine demand! how can I be a Pole? Did you not say yourself there was no longer any such country as Poland?”
“I? not that I recollect86.”
“If you did not say it, confess at least that you thought it. The Poles are all become Russians, and for nothing in the world, Signor, would I be a Russian. Why in all their language they have no word that expresses honour.[6] No! rather than be a Russian, much as I hate it, I would go with Giorgio.”
6. This is true. The Russian language is without that word.
“Are you an Italian?”
“No—not exactly.”
“What are you, then?”
“Um! I am what I am; who can be more? But, Signor, one thing I must beg of you, do not ask me any questions about myself, nor any about Giorgio. I will sing to you, talk to you, wait upon you—anything of that kind you please, but I will not answer questions on those subjects.”
Seating herself upon a stool, in a dark corner of the traveller’s apartment, as far removed as possible from him, and all other interruptions, Marietta passed the evening in playing on her guitar and singing. She was a most accomplished87 singer, possessing and managing all the intricacies of the art with perfect ease, but this scarcely excited admiration88 in comparison with the natural beauty of her voice. There was a profound melancholy in its intense sweetness, that dissolved the soul of the traveller in grief. All that was dear to him in the memory of the past,—the joys of home and childhood, the tenderness and truth of his first friendships, the glow of patriotism89; every cherished hour, every endeared spot, all that he had loved, and all that he had lost upon earth, seemed again to live and again to fade, as he listened to her strains. Without paying any attention to him, and apparently90 without any effort to herself, she breathed forth91 melody after melody for her own pleasure, like some lone92 nightingale, that, in a home of green leaves, sings to cheer its solitude93 with sweet sounds. Her countenance and figure would have been beautiful had they been more fully56 developed. They resembled those sketches94 of a great artist in which there are only a few lightly-traced lines, but those so full of spirit and meaning, that you easily imagine what a masterpiece it would have been when finished.
The first visit of our traveller, on arriving, next day, at Naples was to the Princess Dashkhoff. She was a Russian lady, whose high birth, immense wealth, and talents for intrigue95, had procured97 for her the intimacy98 of half the crowned heads of Europe, and had made her all-powerful at the Court of St. Petersburg. Detesting99 the cold barbarism of her native country, she had established herself at Naples, in a splendid mansion100, near the Strada Nuova; and affecting an extravagant101 admiration for Italy, by her munificent102 patronage103 of the arts and artists, and by perpetual exhibitions of her own skill, in drawing and singing, dancing and acting104, had obtained the name of the Corinna of the North. Her salon105 was the evening resort of the wise, the idle, the witty106, and the dissipated. Not to know Corinna was to be yourself unknown; and not to frequent her conversazioni was, as far as society was concerned, to be banished107 from all that was fashionable or delightful108 in Naples.
It was the hour of evening reception. The Pole burned with impatience109 to speak to the Princess, for on her influence, at Petersburg, depended the fate of his only brother. A splendid suite110 of apartments, blazing with lights, crowded with company, lay open before him; without allowing himself to be announced, he entered them. When a highly imaginative mind is absorbed by some master feeling, all opposing contrasts, all glowing extremes, serve but to add depth and intensity111 to that feeling. The festal scene of marble columns garlanded by roses, the walls of Venetian mirror, reflecting the light of innumerable tapers113, and the forms of lovely women and gay youths floating in the mazy dance, seemed to him deceitful shows that veiled some frightful sorrow; and with eager, rapid steps, as if borne along by the impulse of his own thoughts, he hurried past them. Scarcely knowing how he had arrived there, he at length found himself standing114 beside the Princess, in a marble colonnade115, open above to the moonlight and the stars of heaven, and admitting at its sides the odours of the blossoming almond trees of the adjacent gardens.
“Ladislas!” exclaimed the lady, starting; “is it possible—to see you here almost exceeds belief.”
After remaining some moments in deep silence, collecting and arranging his thoughts, the Pole replied. A conversation ensued, in so low a voice as to be only audible to themselves; from their attitudes and gestures it might be inferred that Ladislas was relating some tale of deep anguish, mixed with solemn and impressive adjurations, to which the Princess listened with a consenting tranquillizing sympathy.
They issued from the recess117, walked up the colonnade, and entered a small temple that terminated it. From the centre of its airy dome118 hung a lighted alabaster119 lamp of a boat-like shape, beneath which a youthful female was seated alone sketching120 a range of moonlight hills that appeared between the columns. “Idalie,” said the Princess, “I have brought you a new subject for your pencil—and such a subject, my love—one whose fame has already made him dear to your imagination; no less a person than the hero of Ostrolenka[7] and the Vistula. So call up one of those brightest, happiest moods of your genius, in which all succeeds to you, and enrich my album with his likeness,” spreading it before her.
7. At Ostrolenka, the Russian and Polish armies were in sight of one another. The destruction of the Poles seemed inevitable; not expecting the attack, their lines were not formed, and the Russians were triple in number, and advancing in the most perfect order. In this emergency, three hundred students from the University of Warsaw drew hastily up in a body, and, devoting themselves willingly to death, marched forward to meet the onset121 of the enemy. They were headed by a young man, who distinguished122 himself by the most exalted123 courage, and was the only one of their numbers who escaped. He stationed his band in a small wood that lay directly in the path of the Russians, and checked their progress for the space of three hours. Every tree of that wood now waves above a patriot’s grave. In the meantime the Polish army formed, bore down, and gained a brilliant victory.
It is difficult to refuse any request to a person who has just granted us an important favour. Ladislas suffered himself to be seated, and as soon as the Princess had quitted them, the gloom which had shadowed his brow at the names of Ostrolenka and the Vistula vanished. The surpassing beauty of the young artist would have changed the heaviest penance124 into a pleasure. She was lovely as one of Raffaelle’s Madonnas; and, like them, there was a silent beauty in her presence that struck the most superficial beholder125 with astonishment126 and satisfaction. Her hair, of a golden and burnished127 brown (the colour of the autumnal foliage illuminated128 by the setting sun), fell in gauzy wavings round her face, throat, and shoulders. Her small, clear forehead, gleaming with gentle thought; her curved, soft, and rosy129 lips; the delicate moulding of the lower part of the face, expressing purity and integrity of nature, were all perfectly130 Grecian. Her hazel eyes, with their arched lids and dark arrowy lashes131, pierced the soul with their full and thrilling softness. She was clad in long and graceful drapery, white as snow; but, pure as this garment was, it seemed a rude disguise to the resplendent softness of the limbs it enfolded. The delicate light that gleamed from the alabaster lamp above them was a faint simile132 of the ineffable133 spirit of love that burned within Idalie’s fair, transparent20 frame; and the one trembling, shining star of evening that palpitates responsively to happy lovers, never seemed more divine or more beloved than she did to Ladislas, as she sat there, now fixing a timid but attentive134 gaze upon his countenance, and then dropping it upon the paper before her. And not alone for Ladislas was this hour the dawn of passionate love. The same spell was felt in the heart of Idalie. One moment their eyes met and glanced upon each other, the look of exalted, eternal love—mute, blessed, and inexpressible. Their lids fell and were raised no more. Rapture135 thrilled their breasts and swelled136 their full hearts; for, motionless, and in deep silence, as if every outward faculty137 were absorbed in reverence138, they continued, each inwardly knowing, hearing, seeing nothing but the divine influence and attraction of the other.
I know not if the portrait was finished. I believe it was not. Noiselessly Idalie arose and departed to seek the Princess, and Ladislas followed. “Who is that lovely being!” inquired an English traveller some time afterward140, pointing out Idalie from a group of ladies.
“A Polish girl—a protégée of mine,” was the reply of the Princess; “a daughter of one of Kosciusko’s unfortunate followers142, who died here, poor and unknown. She has a great genius for drawing and painting, but she is so different in her nature from the generality of people, that I am afraid she will never get on in the world. All the family are wild and strange. There is a brother who they say is a complete ruffian; brave as a Pole and as unprincipled as an Italian! a villain143 quite varnished144 in picturesque145, like one of your Lord Byron’s corsairs and giaours. Then there is a younger sister; the most uncontrollable little creature, who chose to pretend my house was insupportable, and ran away into Calabria or Campagna, and set up as a prima donna. But these, to be sure, are the children of a second wife, an Italian; and Idalie, I must confess, has none of their lawlessness, but is remarkably146 gentle and steady.”
Disgusted with this heartless conversation, which disturbed his ecstasy147, Ladislas hastily quitted the Dashkhoff palace, and entered the Villa Reale, whose embowering trees promised solitude. Not one straggler of the gay crowds that frequent this luxurious148 garden from morning till midnight was now to be seen. With its straight walks buried in gloom and shadow; its stone fonts of sleeping water; its marble statues, its heaven-pointing obelisks149, and its midnight air, it was silent as a deserted150 oratory151, when the last strain of the vesper hymn152 has died away, the last taper112 has ceased to burn, the last censer has been flung, and both priests and worshippers have departed. Ladislas cast himself upon a stone seat in the ilex grove that skirts the margin153 of the bay. “I dreamt not of love,” he exclaimed; “I sought her not! I had renounced154 life and all its train of raptures155, hopes, and joys. Cold, and void of every wish, the shadow of death lay upon my heart; suddenly she stood before me, lovely as an angel that heralds156 departed spirits to the kingdom of eternal bliss. Fearless, but mild, she poured the magic of her gaze upon my soul. I speak the word of the hour. She shall be mine—or I will die!”
Reclining in the ilex grove, Ladislas passed the remaining hours of that too short night, entranced in bliss, as if the bright form of his beloved were still shining beside him. Gradually every beauty of the wondrous157 and far-famed Bay of Naples impressed itself upon his attention. The broad and beamless moon sinking behind the tall elms of Posilippo; the broken starlight on the surface of the waves—their rippling158 sound as they broke at his feet; Sorrento’s purple promontory159, and the gentle wind that blew from it; the solitary grandeur160 of Capri’s mountain-island rising out of the middle of the bay, a colossal161 sphinx guarding two baths of azure light; Vesuvius breathing its smoke, and flame, and sparks, in the cloudless ether;—all became mingled in inexplicable162 harmony with his new-born passion, and were indelibly associated with his recollection of that night.
The next morning Idalie was sketching in the Villa Reale. She had seated herself on the outside of a shady alley163. Two persons passed behind her, and the childish petulant164 voice of one of them drew her attention. That voice, so sweet even in its impatience, certainly belonged to her fugitive165 sister. “It is she!” exclaimed Idalie, gliding166 swift as thought between the trees, and folding the speaker to her bosom167. “Marietta—my dear little Marietta! at last you are come back again. Cattivella! now promise to stay with me. You know not how miserable168 I have been about you.”
“No! I cannot promise anything of the kind,” replied Marietta, playing with the ribands of her guitar. “I choose to have my liberty.”
Idalie’s arms sunk, and her eyes were cast upon the ground when she heard the cold and decided23 tone in which this refusal was pronounced. On raising the latter, they glanced upon the companion of her sister, and were filled with unconquerable emotion at discovering Ladislas, the elected of her heart.
“I met your sister here a few minutes ago,” explained he, partaking her feelings; “and having been so fortunate the other day as to render her a slight service”—
“Oh yes,” interrupted Marietta; “I sung for him a whole evening at Gaeta. It was a curious adventure. His carriage was overturned close to the inn. I had arrived there half an hour before, and was walking in an orange grove near the spot, and saw the accident happen, and heard him speak in Polish to his servant. My heart beat with joy. He looked wondrous melancholy. I thought it must be about his country, so I crept as softly as a mouse among the trees under his balcony, and sung him a salve-song in Polish. I improvised169 it on the spur of the moment. I do not very well recollect it, but it was about azure heavens, southern winds, myrtle and lemon blossoms, and the illustrious unfortunate; and it ought to have pleased him. Just as I had finished, out starts our blessed brother, Giorgio, from the inn, and began one of his most terrific bothers. Imagine how frightened I was, for I thought he was gone to Sicily with his regiment170. However, they got him away, and I followed this stranger into his room, and sang to him the rest of the evening. All my best songs,—the ‘Mio ben quando verrà,’ ‘Nina pazza per Amore,’ the ‘All’ armi’ of Generali; the ‘Dolce cara patria,’ from Tancredi; the ‘Deh calma,’ from Otello,—all my whole stock I assure you.” Thus rattled171 on Marietta; and then, as if her quick eye had already discovered the secret of their attachment172, she added, with an arch smile, “but don’t be frightened, Idalie, though his eyes filled with tears whilst I sung, as yours often do, not a word of praise did the Sarmatian bestow on me.”
“Then return and live with me, dear Marietta, and I will praise you as much, and more than you desire.”
“Santa Maria del Piê di Grotta! What a tiresome173 person you are, Idalie. When you have got an idea into your head, an earthquake would not get it out again. Have I not told you that I will not. If you knew the motive174 you would approve my resolution. I said I liked my liberty, and so forth; but that was not the reason of my flight. I do not choose to have anything to do with Giorgio and the Princess; for, believe me, dearest Idalie, disgraceful as my present mode of life seems to you, it is innocence175 itself compared with the crimes they were leading me into.”
“Some suspicion of this did once cross my mind,” her sister replied with a sigh, “but I rejected it as too horrible. Dear child, think no more about them. Do you not know that I have left the Princess’ house, and am living by myself in a little pavilion far up on the Strada Nuova. There you need not fear their molestations.”
“Is not Giorgio then with you?”
“No; I have not seen him for some time. I doubt if he be in Naples.”
“So Messer Giorgio, you have deceived me again. But I might have known that, for he never speaks a word of truth. Be assured, however, he is in Naples, for I caught a glimpse of him this morning, mounting the hill that leads to the barracks at Pizzofalcone, and he is as intimate with the Princess as ever, though she pretends to disown him. As for me, I am engaged at San Carlos; the writing is signed and sealed, and cannot be broken without forfeiting177 a heavy sum of money; otherwise I should be happy to live peacefully with you; for you know not, Idalie, all I have had to suffer; how sad and ill-treated I have been! how often pinched with want and hunger; and worse than that, when Giorgio takes it into his head to pursue me, and plants himself in the pit, fixing his horrible looks upon me as I sing! how many times I have rushed out of the theatre, and spent the nights in the great wide Maremma, beset178 by robbers, buffaloes179, and wild boars, till I was almost mad with fear and bewilderment. There is a curse upon our family, I think. Did not our father once live in a splendid castle of his own, with a hundred retainers to wait upon him; and do you remember the miserable garret in which he died? But I cannot stay any longer. I am wanted at the rehearsal180: so, farewell, dearest Idalie. Be you at least happy, and leave me to fulfil the evil destiny that hangs over our race.”
“No! no!” exclaimed Ladislas, “that must not be—the writing must be cancelled,”—and then, with the affection and unreserve of a brother, he entered into their sentiments; with sweet and persuasive181 arguments overcame their scruples182 of receiving a pecuniary183 obligation from him; and finally, taking Marietta by the hand, led her away to San Carlos, in order to cancel her engagement.
And in another hour it was cancelled. Marietta was once more free and joyful; and, affectionate as old friends, the three met again in the little pavilion, which was Idalie’s home. It stood alone in a myrtle wood on the last of the green promontories184 which form the Strada Nuova, and separate the Bay of Naples from the Bay of Baia,—a lonely hermitage secluded185 from the noise and turmoil186 of the city, whose only visitors were the faint winds of morning and evening, the smiles of the fair Italian heaven, its wandering clouds, and, perchance, a solitary bird. From every part of the building you could see the Baian Ocean sparkling breathlessly beneath the sun; through the windows and the columns of the portico187 you beheld188 the mountains of the distant coast shining on, hour after hour, like amethysts189 in a thrilling vapour of purple transparent light, so ardent190 yet halcyon191, so bright and unreal, a poet would have chosen it to emblem192 the radiant atmosphere that glows around elysian isles193 of eternal peace and joy. Marietta soon left the building to join some fisher boys who were dancing the tarantella upon the beach below. Idalie took her drawing, which was her daily employment, and furnished her the means of subsistence, and Ladislas sat by her side. There was no sound of rolling carriages, no tramp of men and horse, no distant singing, no one speaking near; the wind awoke no rustling amid the leaves of the myrtle wood, and the wave died without a murmur194 on the shore. Ladislas’ deep but melodious195 voice alone broke the crystal silence of the noonday air. Italy was around him, robed in two splendours of blue and green; but he was an exile, and the recollections of his native land thronged197 into his memory. During the three months it had taken him to effect his escape from Warsaw to Naples, his lips had been closed in silence, whilst his mind had been wrapt in the gloom of the dreadful images that haunted it. In Idalie’s countenance there was that expression of innocence and sublimity198 of soul, of purity and strength, that excited the warmest admiration, and inspired sudden and deep confidence. She looked like some supernatural being that walks through the world, untouched by its corruptions199; like one that unconsciously, yet with delight, confers pleasure and peace; and Ladislas felt that, in speaking to her of the dark sorrows of his country, they would lose their mortal weight and be resolved into beauty, by her sympathy. In glowing terms he described the heroic struggle of Poland for liberty; the triumph and exultation200 that had filled every bosom during the few months they were free; the hardships and privations they had endured, the deeds of daring bravery of the men, the heroism201 it had awakened202 in the women; and then its fall—the return of the Russians; the horrible character of Russian despotism, its sternness and deceit, its pride and selfish ignorance; the loss of public and private integrity, the disbelief of good, the blighted203, hopeless, joyless life endured by those whom it crushes beneath its servitude.
Thus passed the hours of the forenoon. Then Ladislas fixing his eyes upon the coast of Baia, and expressing at the same time his impatience to visit that ancient resort of heroes and of emperors, Idalie led the way by a small path down the hill to the beach. There they found a skiff, and, unmooring it from its rocky haven204, embarked205 in it. It had been sweet to mark the passage of that light bark freighted with these happy lovers, when borne by its sails it swept through the little ocean-channel that lies between the beaked207 promontories of the mainland and the closing cliffs of the island of Nisida; and when with gentler motion it glided208 into the open expanse of the Bay of Baia, and cut its way through the translucent209 water, above the ruins of temples and palaces overgrown by seaweed, on which the rays of the sun were playing, creating a thousand rainbow hues211, that varied212 with every wave that flowed over them. In all that plane of blue light it was the only moving thing; and as if it had been the child of the ocean that bore it, and the sun that looked down on it, it sped gaily213 along in their smiles past the fortress214 where Brutus and Cassius sought shelter after the death of C?sar; past the temples of Jupiter and Neptune215; by the ruins of that castle in which three Romans once portioned out the world between them, to the Cumean hill that enshadows the beloved Linternum of Scipio Africanus, and in which he died. The whole of this coast is a paradise of natural beauty, investing with its own loveliness the time-eaten wrecks216 with which it is strewn; the mouldering217 past is mingled with the vivid present; ruin and grey annihilation are decked in eternal spring. The woody windings218 of the shore reveal, in their deep recesses220, the gleaming marble fragments of the abodes222 of ancient heroes; the verdurous hues of the promontories mingle69 with the upright columns of shattered temples, or clothe, with nature’s voluptuous223 bloom, the pale funereal224 urns225 of departed gods; whilst the foliage and the inland fountains, and the breaking waves upon the shore, were murmuring around their woven minstrelsy of love and joy. Earth, sea, and sky blazed like three gods, with tranquil116 but animated loveliness; with a splendour that did not dazzle—with a richness that could not satiate. The air on that beautiful warm coast was as a field of fragrance226; the refreshing227 sea-breeze seemed to blow from Paradise, quickening the senses, and bringing to them the odour of a thousand unknown blossoms. “What world is this?” exclaimed Ladislas in a tone of rapture that nearly answered its own question. “I could imagine I had entered an enchanted228 garden; four heavens surround me,—the one above; the pure element beneath me with its waves that shine and tremble as stars; the adorned229 earth that hangs over it; and the heaven of delight they create within my breast. ‘Morning is here a rose, day a tulip, night a lily; evening is, like morning, again a rose, and life seems a choral-hymn of beautiful and glowing sentiments, that I go singing to myself as I wander along this perpetual path of flowers.’”
It was night ere they again reached the pavilion. It stood dark and deserted in the clear moonshine; the door was locked. After calling and knocking repeatedly without obtaining any answer, it became evident that Marietta had quitted the dwelling230. In the first moment of surprise which this occurrence occasioned, they had not observed a written sheet of paper, of a large size, which lay unfolded and placed directly before the door, as if to attract attention. Idalie took it up and read the following lines, traced by Marietta:—
“Oh, Idalie! but a few hours ago, how calm and secure we were in happiness—now danger and perhaps destruction is our portion. One chance yet remains231; the moment you get this, persuade—not only persuade—but compel that adorable stranger to fly instantly from Naples. He is not safe here an instant longer. Do not doubt what I say, or his life may be the forfeit176. How can I impress this on your mind? I would not willingly betray any one, but how else can I save him? Giorgio has been here. Oh! the frightful violence of that man. He raved232 like an insane person, and let fall such dark and bloody233 hints as opened worlds of horror to me. I am gone to discover what I can. I know his haunts, and his associates, and shall soon find out if there be any truth in what he threatens. I could not await your return, neither dare I leave the pavilion open. Who knows if, in the interval234 between my departure and your return, an assassin might not conceal62 himself within; and your first welcome be, to see the stranger fall lifeless at your feet. His every step is watched by spies armed for his destruction. I know not what to do—and yet it seems to me that my going may possibly avert235 the catastrophe236.”
“Marietta”
Ladislas listened to these lines unmoved; but the effect they produced on Idalie was dreadful. She gave implicit237 credence238 to them, and every word sounded as a knell239. She lost all presence of mind; every reflection that might have taught her to avert the stroke she so much dreaded240, was swallowed up in anguish, as if the deed that was to be consummated241 were already done. What task can be more difficult than to describe the overwhelming agony which heavy and unexpected misery242 produces. To have lived the day that Idalie had just lived—a day in which all the beauty of existence had been unveiled to its very depths; to have dreamt, as she had done, a dream of love that steeped her soul in divine and almost uncommunicable joy; and now to sink from this pinnacle243 of happiness into a black and lampless cavern244, the habitation of death, whose spectral245 form and chilling spirit was felt through all the air! This is but a feeble metaphor246 of the sudden transition from rapture to misery which Idalie experienced. She looked upon Ladislas, and beheld him bright and full of life; the roseate hues of health upon his cheek, his eyes beaming with peaceful joy, his noble countenance varying not in the least from that imperturbable247 self-possession which was its habitual248 expression. And as her imagination made present to her the fatal moment, when beneath the dagger of the assassin this adored being should sink bleeding, wounded, and then be for ever lost in death, her blood rushed to her heart, a deadly pause ensued, from which she awoke in a bewildering mist of horror. Ladislas beheld her excess of emotion with pain, in which, however, all was not pain, for it was blended with that triumphant249 exultation that a lover ever feels when he for the first time becomes assured that he is beloved by the object of his love with an affection tender and intense as his own.
As soon as Idalie recovered some presence of mind, with passionate supplications she entreated251 Ladislas to leave her, to fly this solitary spot, and to seek safety amid the crowded streets of Naples. He would not hear of this; he gently remonstrated252 with her upon the unreasonableness253 of her terrors, urging how little probable it was that his passing rencontre with Giorgio at Gaeta could have awakened in him such a deadly spirit of revenge as Marietta represented. He viewed the whole thing lightly, attributing it either to the vivacity254 of Marietta’s imagination, which had made her attach a monstrous255 import to some angry expressions of her brother, or looking upon it as a merry device which she had contrived257 in order to frighten them; and tranquillized Idalie by assurances that they would shortly see her wild sister return laughing, and full of glee at the success of her plot. In this expectation two hours passed away, but still no Marietta appeared, and it had grown too late to seek another shelter without exposing Idalie to the slander258 of evil-minded people. They passed the rest of the night therefore in the portico, Idalie sometimes pale and breathless, with recurring259 fears, and sometimes calm and happy, as Ladislas poured forth his tale of passionate love. His feelings, on the contrary, were pure and unalloyed. Where Idalie was, there was the whole universe to him; where she was not, there was only a formless void. He had an insatiable thirst for her presence, which only grew intenser with the enjoyment260 of its own desire; and he blessed the fortunate occurrence that prolonged his bliss during hours which otherwise would have been spent pining in absence from her. No other considerations intruded261. Blessings262 kindled264 within his eyes as he gazed upon that lovely countenance and faultless form, and angels might have envied his happiness.
Morning came, bright and serene265; the sun arose, the ocean and the mountains again resumed their magic splendour; the myrtle woods and every minuter bloom of the garden shone out beneath the sun, and the whole earth was a happy form made perfect by the power of light. They recollected266 that they had promised to join the Princess Dashkhoff, and a large party of her friends, at eight o’clock, in an excursion to P?stum. The point of meeting was the shore of the Villa Reale, where the numerous guests were to embark206 in a steamer which had been engaged for the occasion. In Idalie’s present homeless and uncertain condition, this plan offered some advantages. It would enable them to pass the day in each other’s society under the auspices267 of the Princess, and it was to be hoped that on their return the mystery of Marietta’s disappearance268 would be unravelled269, and Idalie find her home once more open to her. They had scarcely settled to go, ere one of those horse calessini which ply141 in the streets of Naples was seen coming towards them. Its driver, a ragged79 boy, sat on the shaft12, singing as he drove; another urchin270, all in tatters, stood as lacquey behind, and between them sat Marietta; the paleness of fear was on her cheeks, and her eyes had the staggered, affrighted look of one who has gazed upon some appalling271 horror. She hastily descended, and bade the calessino retire to some distance, and await further orders.
“Why is he yet here?” said she to her sister. “You foolish, blind Idalie, why did you not mind my letter?—too proud, I suppose, to obey any but yourself; but mark, you would not hear my warnings—we shall lose him, and you will feel them in your heart’s core.” She then, with all the violent gesticulation of an Italian, threw herself at the feet of Ladislas, and with a countenance that expressed her own full conviction in what she said, besought272 him to fly instantly, not only from Naples, but from Italy, for his life would never be safe in that land of assassins and traitors273. With entreaties274 almost as violent as her own, Ladislas and Idalie urged her to explain, but this only threw her into a new frenzy275; she declared the peril276 was too urgent to admit of explanation—every moment was precious—another hour’s stay in Naples would be his death.
The situation of Ladislas was a curious one. He had served in the Russian campaigns against Persia and Turkey, and had been there daily exposed to the chances of destruction; in the late struggle between Poland and Russia, he had performed actions of such determined277 and daring bravery as had made his name a glory to his countrymen, and a terror to their enemies. In all these exploits he had devoted278 himself so unreservedly to death, that his escape was considered as a miraculous279 interposition of Heaven. It was not to be expected that this Mars in a human form, this Achilles who had braved death in a thousand shapes, should now consent to fly before the uplifted finger and visionary warnings of a dream-sick girl; for such Marietta appeared to him to be. He pitied her sufferings, endeavoured to soothe her, but asserted he had seen no reason that could induce him to quit Naples.
A full quarter of an hour elapsed before an explanation could be wrung280 from Marietta. The chaos281 that reigned282 in her mind may easily be imagined. She had become possessed283 of a secret which involved the life of two persons. Ladislas refused to save himself unless she revealed what might place her brother’s life in jeopardy284. Whichever way she looked, destruction closed the view. Nature had bestowed285 on her a heart exquisitely286 alive to the sufferings of others, a mind quick in perceiving the nicest lines of moral rectitude, and strenuous287 in endeavouring to act up to its perceptions. Any deviations288 in her conduct from these principles had been the work of a fate that, strong and fierce as a tempest, had bent289 down her weak youth like a reed beneath its force. She had once loved Giorgio; he had played with and caressed290 her in infancy—with the fond patronage of an elder brother had procured her the only indulgences her orphaned291 childhood had ever known. Fraternal love called loudly on her not to endanger his life; gratitude292 as loudly called on her not to allow her benefactor293 to become his victim. This last idea was too horrible to be endured. The present moment is ever all-powerful with the young, and Marietta related what she knew.
Well might the poor child be wild and disordered. She had passed the night in the catacombs of San Gennaro, under Capo di Monte. In these subterranean295 galleries were held the nightly meetings of the band of desperate bravi of whom Giorgio was in secret the chief. The entrance to the catacombs is in a deserted vineyard, and is overgrown by huge aloes; rooted in stones and sharp rocks, they lift their thorny296 leaves above the opening, and conceal it effectually. A solitary fig-tree that grows near renders the spot easily recognisable by those already acquainted with the secret. The catacombs themselves are wide winding219 caves, the burial-place of the dead of past ages. Piles of human bones, white and bleached297 by time, are heaped along the rocky sides of these caverns298. In one of these walks, whilst they were friends, Giorgio had shown the place to Marietta. In those days he feared not to entrust299 his mysterious way of life to her; for although in all common concerns she was wild and untractable, yet in all that touched the interests of those few whom she loved, Marietta was silent and reserved as Epicharis herself. The menaces Giorgio let fall in his visit on the preceding forenoon had excited her highest alarm, and she determined, at any risk, to learn the extent of the danger that hung over the stranger. After waiting in vain for Idalie’s return till the close of evening, she had hastened to Capo di Monte, entered the catacombs alone, and, concealed behind a pile of bones, had awaited the arrival of the confederates. They assembled at midnight. Their first subject of consultation300 was the stranger. Giorgio acquainted them with his history, which he told them had been communicated to him that very morning by a Russian lady of high rank, who had likewise charged him with the business he had to unfold to them. He described Ladislas as a fugitive, unprotected by any Government; he bore about his person certain papers which had been found in the palace of Warsaw, and were the confidential301 communications of the Russian Autocrat302 to his brother the Viceroy of Poland, and were of such a nature as to rouse all Europe against their writer. These papers had been entrusted303 to Ladislas, whose intention was to proceed to Paris and publish them there. Private business, however, of the greatest importance, had forced him to visit Naples first. The Russian Government had traced him to Naples, and had empowered a certain Russian lady to take any step, or go any lengths, in order to obtain these papers from Ladislas. This lady had made Giorgio her emissary; her name he carefully concealed, but Marietta averred304, from his description, that it could be no other than the Princess Dashkhoff. After much consulting among the band, the assassination305 of the Pole had been decided upon. This seemed to be the only sure method; for he carried the papers ever about his person, was distinguished for his bravery, and if openly attacked would resist to the last. Giorgio was no stickler306 in the means he employed, and told his companions he had the less reason to be so in this case, as he had received assurances from the highest quarter that his crime should go unpunished, and the reward be enormous. Ladislas was almost unknown in Naples; the Government would not interest itself for a fugitive, without passport, country or name; and what friends had he here to inquire into the circumstances of his destruction, or to interest themselves to avenge307 it?
Such was Marietta’s tale, and Ladislas instantly acknowledged the necessity of flight. He was too well acquainted with Russian perfidy308 to doubt that even a lady of a rank so distinguished as the Princess Dashkhoff might be induced to undertake as foul309 a task as that attributed to her by Marietta. The worldly and artificial manners of this lady, in an Italian or a French-woman, would only have resulted from habits of intrigue; but a Russian, unaccustomed to look on human life as sacred, taught by the Government of her own country that cruelty and treachery are venial310 offences, wholly destitute311 of a sense of honour, concealed, under such an exterior312, vices313 the most odious196, and a callousness314 to guilt315 unknown in more civilised lands. Ladislas knew this; and he knew that the badness of the Neapolitan Government afforded scope for crime, which could not exist elsewhere; and he felt that on every account it were better to withdraw himself immediately from the scene of danger.
While musing317 on these things, Idalie’s beseeching318 eyes were eloquent319 in imploring320 him to fly. He consented; but a condition was annexed321 to his consent, that Idalie should share his flight. He urged his suit with fervour. It were easy for them on a very brief notice to seek the young lady’s confessor, induce him to bestow on them the nuptial322 benediction323, and thus to sanctify their departure together. Marietta seconded the lover’s entreaties, and Idalie, blushing and confused, could only reply,—
“My accompanying you would but increase your danger, and facilitate the bravo’s means of tracing you. How could I get a passport? How leave this place?”
“I have a plan for all,” replied Ladislas; and he then related that the Sully steam-packet lay in the harbour of Naples, ready to sail on the shortest notice; he would engage that for their conveyance324, and so speedily bid adieu to the shores of Naples, and all its perils325.
“But that boat,” exclaimed Idalie, “is the very one engaged by the Princess for the excursion to P?stum.”
This, for a time, seemed to disarrange their schemes, but they considered that no danger could happen to Ladislas while one of a party of pleasure with the Princess, who from this act of his would be quite unsuspicious of his intended departure. At night, upon their return from P?stum, when the rest of the party should have disembarked at Naples, Ladislas and Idalie would remain on board, and the vessel326 immediately commence its voyage for France. This plan thus assumed a very feasible appearance, while Ladislas, in accents of fond reproach, asked Idalie wherefore she refused to share his fortunes, and accompany him in his journey; and Marietta, clapping her hands exclaimed, “She consents! she consents! Do not ask any more, she has already yielded. We will all return to Naples. Ladislas shall go immediately to seek out the captain of the Sully, and arrange all with him; while, without loss of time, we will proceed to the convent of Father Basil, and get everything ready by the time Ladislas shall join us, which must be with as much speed as he can contrive256.”
Idalie silently acquiesced327 in this arrangement, and Ladislas kissed her hand with warm and overflowing328 gratitude. They now contrived to stow themselves in the little calessino, and as they proceeded on their way, Ladislas said: “We seem to have forgotten the future destiny of our dear Marietta all this time. The friendless condition in which we shall leave her fills me with anxiety. She is the preserver of my life, and we are both under the deepest obligations to her. What shall you do, Marietta, when we are gone?”
“Fear not for me,” exclaimed the wild girl; “it is necessary I should remain behind to arrange those things which Idalie’s sudden departure will leave in sad disorder294; but you will see me soon in Paris, for how can I exist apart from my sister?”
When near to Naples, Ladislas alighted from the calessino, and directed his steps towards the port, while the fair girls proceeded on their way to the convent. What the bashful, conscious Idalie would have done without her sister’s help, it is difficult to guess. Marietta busied herself about all; won over the priest to the sudden marriage, contrived to put up articles of dress for the fair bride’s journey, and thinking of everything, seemed the guardian329 angel of the lovers. Ladislas arrived at the convent; he had been successful with the master of the steam-packet, and all was prepared. Marietta heard this from his own lips, and carried the happy news to Idalie. He did not see her till they met at the altar, where, kneeling before the venerable priest, they were united for ever. And now time, as it sped on, gave them no moment to indulge their various and overpowering feelings. Idalie embraced her sister again and again, and entreating330 her to join them speedily in Paris, made her promise to write, and then, escorted by her husband, proceeded to the Sully, on board of which most of the party were already assembled.
The steamer proceeded on its course. Farewell to Naples!—that elysian city, as the poet justly calls it; that favourite of sea and land and sky. The hills that surround it smooth their rugged331 summits, and descend14 into gentle slopes and opening defiles332, to receive its buildings and habitations. Temples, domes333, and marble palaces are ranged round the crescent form of the bay, and above them arise dark masses, and wooded clefts334, and fair gardens, whose trees are ever vernal. Before it the mighty sea binds335 its wild streams, and smoothes them into gentlest waves, as they kiss the silver, pebbly336 shore, and linger with dulcet337 murmur around the deep-based promontories. The sky—who has not heard of the Italian sky?—one intense diffusion338, one serene omnipresence, for ever smiling above the boundless339 sea, and for ever bending in azure mirth over the flowing outlines of the distant mountains.
They first passed Castel-a-Mare, and then the abrupt340 promontories on which Sorrento and ancient Amalfi are situated341. The sublimity and intense loveliness of the scene wrapt in delight each bosom. The hills, covered with ilex, dark laurel, and bright-leaved myrtle, were mirrored in the pellucid342 waves, which the lower branches caressed and kissed as the winds waved them. Behind arose other hills, also covered with wood; and, more distant, forming the grand background, was sketched343 the huge ridge344 of lofty Apennines. Still proceeding345 on their way to P?stum, they exchanged the rocky beach for a low and dreary346 shore. The dusky mountains retired347 inland, and leaving a waste—the abode221 of malaria348, and the haunt of robbers—the landscape assumed a gloomy magnificence, in place of the romantic and picturesque loveliness which had before charmed their eyes. Ladislas leaned from the side of the vessel, and gazed upon the beauty of nature with sentiments too disturbed for happiness. He was annoyed by the unpropitious presence of the idle and the gay. He saw Idalie in the midst of them, and did not even wish to join her while thus situated. He shrank into himself, and tried, forgetting the immediate316 discomforts349 of his position, to think only of that paradise into which love had led him, to compensate350 for his patriotic351 sorrows. He strove patiently to endure the tedious hours of this never-ending day, during which he must play a false part, and see his bride engaged by others. While his attention was thus occupied, the voice of the Princess Dashkhoff startled him, and, looking up, he wondered how a face that seemed so bland352, and a voice that spoke353 so fair, could hide so much wickedness and deceit. As the hours passed on, his situation became irksome in the extreme. Once or twice he drew near Idalie, and tried to disengage her from the crowd; but each time he saw the Princess watching him stealthily, while his young bride, with feminine prudence354, avoided every opportunity of conversing355 apart with him. Ladislas could ill endure this. He began to fancy that he had a thousand things to say, and that their mutual356 safety depended on his being able to communicate them to her. He wrote a few lines hastily on the back of a letter with a pencil, conjuring357 her to find some means of affording him a few minutes’ conversation, and telling her that if this could not be done before, he should take occasion, while the rest of the company were otherwise occupied, to steal from them that evening to the larger temple, and there await her joining him, for that everything depended on his being able to speak to her. He scarcely knew what he meant as he wrote this; but, driven by contradiction and impatience, and desirous of learning exactly how she meant to conduct herself on the Princess’s disembarking at Naples, it seemed to him of the last importance that his request should be complied with. He was folding the paper when the Princess was at his side, and addressed him.
“A sonnet359, Count Ladislas; surely a poetic360 imagination inspires you; may I not see it?”
And she held out her hand. Taken unaware361, Ladislas darted362 at her a look which made her step back trembling and in surprise. Was she discovered? The idea was fraught363 with terror. But Ladislas, perceiving the indiscretion of his conduct, masked his sensations with a smile, and replied: “They are words of a Polish song, which I wish Idalie to translate for the amusement of your friends;” and, stepping forward, he gave Idalie the paper, and made his request. All pressed to know what the song was. Idalie glanced at the writing, and, changing colour, was scarcely able to command her voice to make such an excuse as was rendered necessary. She said that it required time and thought, and that she could not at that moment comply; then crushing the paper between her trembling fingers, began confusedly to talk of something else. The company interchanged smiles, but even the Princess only suspected some lover-like compliment to her protégée.
“Nay,” she said, “we must at least know the subject of these verses. What is it? tell us, I entreat250 you.”
“Treachery,” said Ladislas, unable to control his feelings. The Princess became ashy pale; all her self-possession fled, and she turned from the searching glance of the Pole with sickness of heart.
They were now drawing near their destination. Idalie, grasping the paper, longed to read it before they should reach the shore. She tried to recede364 from the party, and Ladislas, watching her movements, in order to facilitate her designs, entered into conversation with the Princess. He had effectually roused her fears and her curiosity; and she eagerly seized the opportunity which he offered her of conversing with him, endeavouring to find out whether he indeed suspected anything, or whether her own guilty conscience suggested the alarm with which his strange expression had filled her. Ladislas thus contrived to engross365 her entire attention, and led her insensibly towards the stern of the vessel; and as they leant over its side, and gazed on the waters beneath, Idalie was effectually relieved from all observation. She now disengaged herself from the rest of the party, and, walking forward, read the lines pencilled by Ladislas. Then, terrified by the secret they contained, she tore the paper, as if fearful that its contents might be guessed, and was about to throw the fragments into the sea, when she perceived the position of the Princess and Ladislas, and was aware that the lady’s quick eye would soon discern the floating scraps366 as the boat passed on. Idalie feared the least shadow of danger, so she retreated from the vessel’s side, but still anxious to get rid of the perilous367 papers, she determined to throw them into the hold. She approached it, and looked down. Had the form of a serpent met her eye, she had not been more horror-struck. A shriek64 hovered368 on her lips, but with a strong effort she repressed it, and, staggering on, leant against the mast, trembling and aghast. She could not be deceived; it was Giorgio’s dark and scowling369 eye that she had encountered—his sinister370 countenance, upturned, could not be mistaken. Was danger, then, so near, so pressing, or so inevitable? How could she convey the fatal intelligence to her husband, and put him on his guard? She remembered his written request, with which she had previously determined in prudence not to comply. But it would now afford her an opportunity, should no other offer, of informing him whom she had seen.
Thus perfidy, hate, and fear possessed the hearts of these human beings, who, had a cursory371 observer seen them as they glided over that sea of beauty, beneath the azure heaven, along that enchanted shore, attended by every luxury, waited on by every obvious blessing263 of life—he would have imagined that they had been selected from the world for the enjoyment of perfect happiness. But sunny sky and laughing sea appeared to Idalie only as the haunt and resort of tigers and serpents; a dark mist seemed to blot372 the splendour of the sky, as the guilty souls of her fellow-creatures cast their deforming373 shadows over its brightness.
They had now arrived close on the low shore, and horses and two or three light open carriages were at the water’s edge to convey them to the temples. They landed. Ladislas presented himself to hand Idalie across the plank374 from the vessel to the beach. “Yes?”—he asked her in a voice of entreaty375, as he pressed her hand. She softly returned the pressure, and the word “Beware” trembled on her lips, when the young Englishman who had before admired her, and had endeavoured to engross her attention the whole day, was again at her side, to tell her that the Princess was waiting for her in her carriage, and entreated her not to delay.
The party proceeded to where those glorious relics376 stand, between the mountains and the sea, rising from the waste and barren soil, alone on the wide and dusky shore. A few sheep grazed at the base of the columns, and two or three wild-eyed men, clothed in garments of undressed sheepskin, loitered about. Exclamations378 of wonder and delight burst from all, while Ladislas, stealing away to the more distant ruin, gladly escaped from the crowd, to indulge in lonely reverie. “What is man in his highest glory?” he thought. “Had we burst the bonds of Poland; and had she, in her freedom, emulated379 the magical achievements of Greece; nevertheless when time, with insidious380 serpent windings, had dragged its length through a few more centuries, the monuments we had erected381 would have fallen like these, and our monuments—a new P?stum—have existed merely to excite idle wonder and frivolous382 curiosity!”
Ladislas was certainly in no good-humour while he thus vented383 his spleen; but was annoyed by two circumstances, sufficient to irritate a young philosopher: he beheld a scene, whose majestic384 beauty filled his soul with sensibility and awe210, in the midst of a crowd of pretenders, more intent on the prospect385 of their picnic dinner, than on regarding the glories of art; and he saw his bride, surrounded by strangers, engrossed386 by their conversation and flattery, and unable to interchange one word or look of confidence with him. He sighed for the hours passed under the portico of Idalie’s solitary pavilion, and the near prospect of their voyage did not reconcile him to the present; for his soul was disturbed by the necessity of interchanging courtesies with his enemy, and haunted by images of treacherous387 attempts, from which his valour could not protect him.
It had been arranged that the party should dine at the archbishop’s palace, and not embark again until ten o’clock, when the moon would rise. After a couple of hours spent among the ruins, the servants informed them that their repast was ready; it was now nearly six o’clock, and after they had dined, more than two hours must elapse before they could depart. Night had fallen on the landscape, and the darkness did not invite even the most romantic to wander again among the ruins; the Princess, eager to provide for the amusement of her guests, contrived to discover a violin, a flute388, and a pipe, and with the assistance of this music, which in the hands of Italian rustics389 was as true to time and expression as if Weippert himself had presided, they commenced dancing. Idalie’s hand was sought by the Englishman; she looked round the room, Ladislas was not there; he had doubtless repaired to the temple to wait for her, and ignorant of the presence of Giorgio, wholly unsuspicious, and off his guard, to what dangers might he not be exposed? Her blood ran cold at the thought; she decidedly refused to dance, and perceiving the Princess whirling round in a waltz, she hastily quitted the house, and hurried along over the grass towards the ruins. When she first emerged into the night, the scene seemed wrapped in impenetrable darkness, but the stars shed their faint rays, and in a few moments she began to distinguish objects, and as she drew near the temple, she saw a man’s form moving slowly among the columns; she did not doubt that it was her husband, wrapped in his cloak, awaiting her. She was hurrying towards him, when, leaning against one of the pillars, she saw Ladislas himself, and the other, at the same moment, exchanging his stealthy pace for a tiger-like spring. She saw a dagger flashing in his hand; she darted forward to arrest his arm, and the blow descended on her. With a faint shriek, she fell on the earth, when Ladislas turned and closed with the assassin; a mortal struggle ensued; already had Ladislas wrested390 the poignard from his grasp, when the villain drew another knife. Ladislas warded391 off the blow, and plunged392 his own stiletto in the bravo’s breast; he fell to earth with a heavy groan393, and then the silence of the tomb rested on the scene; the white robe of Idalie, who lay fainting on the ground, directed Ladislas to her side. He raised her up in speechless agony, as he beheld the blood which stained her dress; but by this time she had recovered from her swoon; she assured him her wound was slight, that it was nothing; but again sank into his arms insensible. In a moment his plan was formed; ever eager and impetuous, he executed it ere any second thought could change it. He had before resolved not to rejoin the party in the archbishop’s palace, but after his interview with Idalie, to hasten on board the steamboat; he had therefore ordered his horse to be saddled, had led it to the temple, and fastened it to one of the columns. He lifted the senseless Idalie carefully in his arms, mounted his horse, and turning his steps from the lighted and noisy palace, wound his way to the lonely shore, where he found the captain and his crew already preparing for their homeward voyage. With their help Idalie was taken on board, and Ladislas gave orders for the instant heaving of the anchor, and their immediate departure. The captain asked for the rest of the company. “They return by land,” said Ladislas. As he spoke the words, he felt a slight sensation of remorse394, remembering the difficulty they would have to get there; and how, during the darkness of night, they might fear to proceed on their journey on a tract139 of country infested395 by banditti; but the senseless and pale form of Idalie dissipated these thoughts: to arrive at Naples, to procure96 assistance for her, and then if, as he hoped, her wound was slight, to continue their voyage before the Princess Dashkhoff’s return, were motives396 too paramount397 to allow him to hesitate. The captain of the Sully asked no more questions; the anchor was weighed; and in the silver light of the moon, they stood off from the shore, and made their swift way back to Naples. They had not gone far before the care of Ladislas revived his fair bride. Her wound was in her arm, and had merely grazed the skin. Terror for her husband, horror for the mortal strife398 which had endangered his life, had caused her to faint more than pain or loss of blood. She bound up her own arm; and then, as there appeared no necessity for medical aid, Ladislas revoked399 his orders for returning to Naples, but stretching out at once to sea, they began their voyage to Marseilles.
Meanwhile, during a pause in the dance, the absence of Ladislas and Idalie was observed by the feasters in the archbishop’s palace. It excited some few sarcasms400, which as it continued grow more bitter. The Princess Dashkhoff joined in these, and yet she could not repress the disquietude of her heart. Had Ladislas alone been absent, her knowledge of the presence of Giorgio, and his designs, had sufficiently401 explained its cause and its duration to her; but that Idalie also should not be found might bring a witness to the crime committed, and discover her own guilty share in the deed of blood perpetrated at her instigation. At length the rising of the moon announced the hour when they were to repair to the shore. The horses and carriages were brought to the door, and then it was found that the steed of Ladislas was missing.
“But the Signora Idalie, had she not provided herself with a palfrey?” asked the Englishman, sneering402. They were now about to mount, when it was proposed to take a last look of the temples by moonlight. The Princess opposed this, but vainly; her conscience made her voice faint, and took from her the usual decision of her manner; so she walked on silently, half fearful that her foot might strike against some object of terror, and at every word spoken by the party, anticipating an exclamation377 of horror; the fitful moonbeams seemed to disclose here and there ghastly countenances403 and mangled404 limbs, and the dew of night appeared to her excited imagination as the slippery moisture of the life-blood of her victim.
They had scarcely entered the temple, when a peasant brought the news that the steamboat was gone;—he led Ladislas’ horse, who had put the bridle405 into the man’s hands on embarking358; and the fellow declared that the fainting Idalie was his companion. Terror at the prospect of their dark ride, indignation at the selfish proceeding of the lovers, raised every voice against them; and the Princess, whom conscience had before made the most silent, hearing that the Pole was alive and safe, was now loudest and most bitter in her remarks. As they were thus all gathered together in dismay, debating what was to be done, and the Princess Dashkhoff in no gentle terms railing at the impropriety and ingratitude406 of Idalie’s behaviour, and declaring that Poles alone could conduct themselves with such mingled deceit and baseness, a figure all bloody arose from the ground at her feet, and as the moon cast its pale rays on his yet paler countenance, she recognised Giorgio. The ladies shrieked, the men rushed towards him, while the Princess, desiring the earth to open and swallow her, stood transfixed, as by a spell, gazing on the dying man in terror and despair.
“He has escaped, lady,” said Giorgio; “Ladislas has escaped your plots, and I am become their victim.” He fell as he spoke these words, and when the Englishman drew near to raise, and if possible assist him, he found that life had entirely407 flown.
Thus ended the adventures of the Pole at Naples. The Princess returned in her calèche alone, for none would bear her company; the next day she left Naples, and was on her way to Russia, where her crime was unknown, except to those who had been accomplices408 in it. Marietta spread the intelligence of her sister’s marriage, and thus entirely cleared Idalie’s fair fame; and quitting Italy soon after, joined the happy Ladislas and his bride at Paris.
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1
gallop
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| v./n.(马或骑马等)飞奔；飞速发展 | |
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2
grove
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| n.林子，小树林，园林 | |
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3
shrubs
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| 灌木( shrub的名词复数 ) | |
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4
tangles
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| （使）缠结， （使）乱作一团( tangle的第三人称单数 ) | |
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parasite
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| n.寄生虫；寄生菌；食客 | |
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peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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defile
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| v.弄污，弄脏；n.(山间)小道 | |
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protruding
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| v.（使某物）伸出，（使某物）突出( protrude的现在分词 )；凸 | |
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ledge
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| n.壁架，架状突出物；岩架，岩礁 | |
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10
derive
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| v.取得；导出；引申；来自；源自；出自 | |
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11
shafts
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| n.轴( shaft的名词复数 )；（箭、高尔夫球棒等的）杆；通风井；一阵（疼痛、害怕等） | |
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shaft
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| n.(工具的)柄，杆状物 | |
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13
tugged
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| v.用力拉，使劲拉，猛扯( tug的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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14
descend
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| vt./vi.传下来，下来，下降 | |
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15
descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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16
stature
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| n.（高度）水平，（高度）境界，身高，身材 | |
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17
manly
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| adj.有男子气概的；adv.男子般地，果断地 | |
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18
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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19
intrepid
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| adj.无畏的，刚毅的 | |
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20
transparent
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| adj.明显的，无疑的；透明的 | |
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21
transparently
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| 明亮地，显然地，易觉察地 | |
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22
complexion
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| n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格 | |
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23
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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24
tempted
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| v.怂恿（某人）干不正当的事；冒…的险（tempt的过去分词） | |
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25
invalids
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| 病人，残疾者( invalid的名词复数 ) | |
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26
orphans
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| 孤儿( orphan的名词复数 ) | |
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27
bestow
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| v.把…赠与，把…授予；花费 | |
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28
scramble
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| v.爬行，攀爬，杂乱蔓延，碎片，片段，废料 | |
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29
torments
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| （肉体或精神上的）折磨，痛苦( torment的名词复数 )； 造成痛苦的事物[人] | |
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30
landlady
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| n.女房东，女地主 | |
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31
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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32
expatiating
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| v.详述，细说( expatiate的现在分词 ) | |
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33
ineffably
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| adv.难以言喻地，因神圣而不容称呼地 | |
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34
spacious
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| adj.广阔的，宽敞的 | |
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35
villa
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| n.别墅，城郊小屋 | |
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36
verge
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| n.边，边缘；v.接近，濒临 | |
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37
Mediterranean
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| adj.地中海的；地中海沿岸的 | |
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38
foliage
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| n.叶子，树叶，簇叶 | |
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39
extremity
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| n.末端，尽头；尽力；终极；极度 | |
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40
glossy
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| adj.平滑的；有光泽的 | |
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41
mingling
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| adj.混合的 | |
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42
hue
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| n.色度；色调；样子 | |
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43
solitary
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| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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44
immutable
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| adj.不可改变的，永恒的 | |
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45
animated
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| adj.生气勃勃的，活跃的，愉快的 | |
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46
melancholy
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| n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的 | |
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47
fervid
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| adj.热情的；炽热的 | |
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48
inevitable
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| adj.不可避免的，必然发生的 | |
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49
devastated
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| v.彻底破坏( devastate的过去式和过去分词)；摧毁；毁灭；在感情上（精神上、财务上等）压垮adj.毁坏的；极为震惊的 | |
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50
passionate
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，激昂的，易动情的，易怒的，性情暴躁的 | |
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51
consigned
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| v.把…置于（令人不快的境地）( consign的过去式和过去分词 )；把…托付给；把…托人代售；丟弃 | |
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52
desolating
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| 毁坏( desolate的现在分词 )； 极大地破坏； 使沮丧； 使痛苦 | |
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53
azure
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| adj.天蓝色的，蔚蓝色的 | |
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54
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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55
enchantment
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| n.迷惑，妖术，魅力 | |
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56
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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57
anguish
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| n.(尤指心灵上的)极度痛苦，烦恼 | |
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58
bliss
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| n.狂喜，福佑，天赐的福 | |
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59
revolving
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| adj.旋转的，轮转式的；循环的v.（使）旋转( revolve的现在分词 )；细想 | |
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60
rustling
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| n. 瑟瑟声，沙沙声 adj. 发沙沙声的 | |
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61
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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62
conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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63
soothe
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| v.安慰；使平静；使减轻；缓和；奉承 | |
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64
shriek
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| v./n.尖叫，叫喊 | |
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65
shrieks
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| n.尖叫声( shriek的名词复数 )v.尖叫( shriek的第三人称单数 ) | |
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66
distress
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| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
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67
repelling
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| v.击退( repel的现在分词 )；使厌恶；排斥；推开 | |
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68
shrieked
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| v.尖叫( shriek的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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69
mingle
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| vt.使混合，使相混；vi.混合起来；相交往 | |
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70
mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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71
interfere
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| v.(in)干涉，干预；(with)妨碍，打扰 | |
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72
taunt
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| n.辱骂，嘲弄；v.嘲弄 | |
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73
dagger
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| n.匕首，短剑，剑号 | |
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74
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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75
adversary
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| adj.敌手，对手 | |
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76
previously
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| adv.以前，先前（地） | |
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77
annihilate
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| v.使无效；毁灭；取消 | |
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78
dispelled
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| v.驱散，赶跑( dispel的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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79
ragged
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| adj.衣衫褴褛的，粗糙的，刺耳的 | |
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80
corps
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| n.(通信等兵种的)部队；(同类作的)一组 | |
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81
joyful
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| adj.欢乐的，令人欢欣的 | |
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82
frightful
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| adj.可怕的；讨厌的 | |
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83
subdued
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| adj. 屈服的，柔和的，减弱的 动词subdue的过去式和过去分词 | |
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84
humility
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| n.谦逊，谦恭 | |
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85
graceful
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| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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86
recollect
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| v.回忆，想起，记起，忆起，记得 | |
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87
accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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88
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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89
patriotism
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| n.爱国精神，爱国心，爱国主义 | |
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90
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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91
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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92
lone
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| adj.孤寂的，单独的；唯一的 | |
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93
solitude
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| n. 孤独; 独居,荒僻之地,幽静的地方 | |
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94
sketches
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| n.草图( sketch的名词复数 )；素描；速写；梗概 | |
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95
intrigue
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| vt.激起兴趣，迷住；vi.耍阴谋；n.阴谋，密谋 | |
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96
procure
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| vt.获得，取得，促成；vi.拉皮条 | |
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97
procured
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| v.（努力）取得， （设法）获得( procure的过去式和过去分词 )；拉皮条 | |
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98
intimacy
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| n.熟悉，亲密，密切关系，亲昵的言行 | |
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99
detesting
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| v.憎恶，嫌恶，痛恨( detest的现在分词 ) | |
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100
mansion
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| n.大厦，大楼；宅第 | |
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101
extravagant
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| adj.奢侈的；过分的；(言行等)放肆的 | |
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102
munificent
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| adj.慷慨的，大方的 | |
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103
patronage
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| n.赞助，支援，援助；光顾，捧场 | |
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104
acting
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| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
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105
salon
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| n.[法]沙龙；客厅；营业性的高级服务室 | |
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106
witty
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| adj.机智的，风趣的 | |
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107
banished
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| v.放逐，驱逐( banish的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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108
delightful
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| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
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109
impatience
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| n.不耐烦，急躁 | |
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110
suite
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| n.一套(家具)；套房；随从人员 | |
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111
intensity
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| n.强烈，剧烈；强度；烈度 | |
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112
taper
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| n.小蜡烛，尖细，渐弱；adj.尖细的；v.逐渐变小 | |
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113
tapers
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| （长形物体的）逐渐变窄( taper的名词复数 )； 微弱的光； 极细的蜡烛 | |
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114
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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115
colonnade
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| n.柱廊 | |
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116
tranquil
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| adj. 安静的, 宁静的, 稳定的, 不变的 | |
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117
recess
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| n.短期休息，壁凹（墙上装架子，柜子等凹处） | |
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118
dome
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| n.圆屋顶，拱顶 | |
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119
alabaster
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| adj.雪白的；n.雪花石膏；条纹大理石 | |
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120
sketching
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| n.草图 | |
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121
onset
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| n.进攻，袭击，开始，突然开始 | |
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122
distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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123
exalted
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| adj.(地位等)高的，崇高的；尊贵的，高尚的 | |
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124
penance
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| n.（赎罪的）惩罪 | |
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125
beholder
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| n.观看者，旁观者 | |
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126
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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127
burnished
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| adj.抛光的，光亮的v.擦亮（金属等），磨光( burnish的过去式和过去分词 )；被擦亮，磨光 | |
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128
illuminated
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| adj.被照明的；受启迪的 | |
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129
rosy
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| adj.美好的，乐观的，玫瑰色的 | |
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130
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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131
lashes
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| n.鞭挞( lash的名词复数 )；鞭子；突然猛烈的一击；急速挥动v.鞭打( lash的第三人称单数 )；煽动；紧系；怒斥 | |
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132
simile
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| n.直喻，明喻 | |
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133
ineffable
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| adj.无法表达的，不可言喻的 | |
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134
attentive
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| adj.注意的，专心的；关心(别人)的，殷勤的 | |
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135
rapture
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| n.狂喜；全神贯注；着迷；v.使狂喜 | |
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136
swelled
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| 增强( swell的过去式和过去分词 )； 肿胀； （使）凸出； 充满（激情） | |
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137
faculty
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| n.才能；学院，系；(学院或系的)全体教学人员 | |
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138
reverence
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| n.敬畏，尊敬，尊严；Reverence:对某些基督教神职人员的尊称；v.尊敬，敬畏，崇敬 | |
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139
tract
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| n.传单，小册子，大片(土地或森林) | |
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140
afterward
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| adv.后来；以后 | |
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141
ply
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| v.(搬运工等)等候顾客，弯曲 | |
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142
followers
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| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
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143
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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144
varnished
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| 浸渍过的，涂漆的 | |
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145
picturesque
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| adj.美丽如画的，（语言）生动的，绘声绘色的 | |
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146
remarkably
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| ad.不同寻常地，相当地 | |
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147
ecstasy
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| n.狂喜，心醉神怡，入迷 | |
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148
luxurious
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| adj.精美而昂贵的；豪华的 | |
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149
obelisks
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| n.方尖石塔，短剑号，疑问记号( obelisk的名词复数 ) | |
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150
deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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151
oratory
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| n.演讲术；词藻华丽的言辞 | |
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152
hymn
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| n.赞美诗，圣歌，颂歌 | |
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153
margin
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| n.页边空白；差额；余地，余裕；边，边缘 | |
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154
renounced
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| v.声明放弃( renounce的过去式和过去分词 )；宣布放弃；宣布与…决裂；宣布摒弃 | |
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155
raptures
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| 极度欢喜( rapture的名词复数 ) | |
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156
heralds
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| n.使者( herald的名词复数 )；预报者；预兆；传令官v.预示( herald的第三人称单数 )；宣布（好或重要） | |
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157
wondrous
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| adj.令人惊奇的，奇妙的；adv.惊人地；异乎寻常地；令人惊叹地 | |
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158
rippling
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| 起涟漪的，潺潺流水般声音的 | |
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159
promontory
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| n.海角；岬 | |
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160
grandeur
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| n.伟大，崇高，宏伟，庄严，豪华 | |
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161
colossal
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| adj.异常的，庞大的 | |
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162
inexplicable
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| adj.无法解释的，难理解的 | |
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163
alley
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| n.小巷，胡同；小径，小路 | |
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164
petulant
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| adj.性急的，暴躁的 | |
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165
fugitive
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| adj.逃亡的，易逝的；n.逃犯，逃亡者 | |
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166
gliding
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| v. 滑翔 adj. 滑动的 | |
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167
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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168
miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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169
improvised
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| a.即席而作的,即兴的 | |
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170
regiment
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| n.团，多数，管理；v.组织，编成团，统制 | |
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171
rattled
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| 慌乱的，恼火的 | |
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172
attachment
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| n.附属物，附件；依恋；依附 | |
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173
tiresome
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| adj.令人疲劳的，令人厌倦的 | |
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174
motive
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| n.动机，目的；adv.发动的，运动的 | |
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175
innocence
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| n.无罪；天真；无害 | |
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176
forfeit
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| vt.丧失；n.罚金，罚款，没收物 | |
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177
forfeiting
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| （因违反协议、犯规、受罚等）丧失，失去( forfeit的现在分词 ) | |
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178
beset
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| v.镶嵌；困扰，包围 | |
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179
buffaloes
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| n.水牛（分非洲水牛和亚洲水牛两种）( buffalo的名词复数 )；（南非或北美的）野牛；威胁；恐吓 | |
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180
rehearsal
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| n.排练，排演；练习 | |
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181
persuasive
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| adj.有说服力的，能说得使人相信的 | |
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182
scruples
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|
| n.良心上的不安( scruple的名词复数 )；顾虑，顾忌v.感到于心不安，有顾忌( scruple的第三人称单数 ) | |
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183
pecuniary
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|
| adj.金钱的；金钱上的 | |
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184
promontories
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| n.岬，隆起，海角( promontory的名词复数 ) | |
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185
secluded
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| adj.与世隔绝的；隐退的；偏僻的v.使隔开，使隐退( seclude的过去式和过去分词) | |
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186
turmoil
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| n.骚乱，混乱，动乱 | |
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187
portico
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| n.柱廊，门廊 | |
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188
beheld
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| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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189
amethysts
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| n.紫蓝色宝石( amethyst的名词复数 )；紫晶；紫水晶；紫色 | |
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190
ardent
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，强烈的，烈性的 | |
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191
halcyon
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| n.平静的，愉快的 | |
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192
emblem
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| n.象征，标志；徽章 | |
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193
isles
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| 岛( isle的名词复数 ) | |
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194
murmur
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| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
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195
melodious
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| adj.旋律美妙的，调子优美的，音乐性的 | |
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196
odious
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| adj.可憎的，讨厌的 | |
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197
thronged
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| v.成群，挤满( throng的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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198
sublimity
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| 崇高，庄严，气质高尚 | |
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199
corruptions
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| n.堕落( corruption的名词复数 )；腐化；腐败；贿赂 | |
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200
exultation
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| n.狂喜，得意 | |
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201
heroism
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| n.大无畏精神，英勇 | |
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202
awakened
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| v.（使）醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）觉醒；弄醒；（使）意识到 | |
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203
blighted
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| adj.枯萎的，摧毁的 | |
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204
haven
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| n.安全的地方，避难所，庇护所 | |
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205
embarked
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| 乘船( embark的过去式和过去分词 )； 装载； 从事 | |
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206
embark
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| vi.乘船，着手，从事，上飞机 | |
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207
beaked
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| adj.有喙的，鸟嘴状的 | |
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208
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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209
translucent
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| adj.半透明的；透明的 | |
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210
awe
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| n.敬畏，惊惧；vt.使敬畏，使惊惧 | |
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211
hues
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| 色彩( hue的名词复数 )； 色调； 信仰； 观点 | |
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212
varied
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| adj.多样的，多变化的 | |
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213
gaily
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| adv.欢乐地，高兴地 | |
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214
fortress
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| n.堡垒，防御工事 | |
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215
Neptune
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| n.海王星 | |
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216
wrecks
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| n.沉船( wreck的名词复数 )；（事故中）遭严重毁坏的汽车（或飞机等）；（身体或精神上）受到严重损伤的人；状况非常糟糕的车辆（或建筑物等）v.毁坏[毁灭]某物( wreck的第三人称单数 )；使（船舶）失事，使遇难，使下沉 | |
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217
mouldering
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| v.腐朽( moulder的现在分词 )；腐烂，崩塌 | |
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218
windings
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| （道路、河流等）蜿蜒的，弯曲的( winding的名词复数 )； 缠绕( wind的现在分词 )； 卷绕； 转动（把手） | |
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219
winding
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| n.绕，缠，绕组，线圈 | |
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220
recesses
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| n.壁凹( recess的名词复数 )；（工作或业务活动的）中止或暂停期间；学校的课间休息；某物内部的凹形空间v.把某物放在墙壁的凹处( recess的第三人称单数 )；将（墙）做成凹形，在（墙）上做壁龛；休息，休会，休庭 | |
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221
abode
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| n.住处，住所 | |
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222
abodes
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| 住所( abode的名词复数 )； 公寓； （在某地的）暂住； 逗留 | |
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223
voluptuous
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| adj.肉欲的，骄奢淫逸的 | |
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224
funereal
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| adj.悲哀的；送葬的 | |
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225
urns
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| n.壶( urn的名词复数 )；瓮；缸；骨灰瓮 | |
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226
fragrance
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| n.芬芳，香味，香气 | |
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227
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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228
enchanted
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| adj. 被施魔法的，陶醉的，入迷的 动词enchant的过去式和过去分词 | |
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229
adorned
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| [计]被修饰的 | |
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230
dwelling
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| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
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231
remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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232
raved
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| v.胡言乱语( rave的过去式和过去分词 )；愤怒地说；咆哮；痴心地说 | |
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233
bloody
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| adj.非常的的；流血的；残忍的；adv.很；vt.血染 | |
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234
interval
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| n.间隔，间距；幕间休息，中场休息 | |
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235
avert
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| v.防止，避免；转移(目光、注意力等) | |
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236
catastrophe
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| n.大灾难，大祸 | |
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237
implicit
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| a.暗示的，含蓄的，不明晰的，绝对的 | |
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238
credence
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| n.信用，祭器台，供桌，凭证 | |
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239
knell
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| n.丧钟声；v.敲丧钟 | |
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240
dreaded
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| adj.令人畏惧的；害怕的v.害怕，恐惧，担心( dread的过去式和过去分词) | |
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241
consummated
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| v.使结束( consummate的过去式和过去分词 )；使完美；完婚；（婚礼后的）圆房 | |
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242
misery
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| n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦 | |
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243
pinnacle
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| n.尖塔，尖顶，山峰；(喻)顶峰 | |
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244
cavern
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| n.洞穴，大山洞 | |
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245
spectral
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| adj.幽灵的，鬼魂的 | |
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246
metaphor
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| n.隐喻，暗喻 | |
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247
imperturbable
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| adj.镇静的 | |
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248
habitual
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| adj.习惯性的；通常的，惯常的 | |
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249
triumphant
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| adj.胜利的，成功的；狂欢的，喜悦的 | |
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250
entreat
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| v.恳求，恳请 | |
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251
entreated
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| 恳求，乞求( entreat的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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252
remonstrated
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| v.抗议( remonstrate的过去式和过去分词 )；告诫 | |
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253
unreasonableness
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| 无理性； 横逆 | |
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254
vivacity
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| n.快活，活泼，精神充沛 | |
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255
monstrous
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| adj.巨大的；恐怖的；可耻的，丢脸的 | |
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256
contrive
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| vt.谋划，策划；设法做到；设计，想出 | |
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257
contrived
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| adj.不自然的，做作的；虚构的 | |
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258
slander
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| n./v.诽谤，污蔑 | |
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259
recurring
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| adj.往复的，再次发生的 | |
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260
enjoyment
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| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
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261
intruded
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| n.侵入的，推进的v.侵入，侵扰，打扰( intrude的过去式和过去分词 )；把…强加于 | |
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262
blessings
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| n.（上帝的）祝福( blessing的名词复数 )；好事；福分；因祸得福 | |
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263
blessing
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| n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿 | |
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264
kindled
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| （使某物）燃烧，着火( kindle的过去式和过去分词 )； 激起（感情等）； 发亮，放光 | |
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265
serene
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| adj. 安详的，宁静的，平静的 | |
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266
recollected
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|
| adj.冷静的；镇定的；被回忆起的；沉思默想的v.记起，想起( recollect的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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267
auspices
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| n.资助，赞助 | |
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268
disappearance
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| n.消失，消散，失踪 | |
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269
unravelled
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|
| 解开，拆散，散开( unravel的过去式和过去分词 )； 阐明； 澄清； 弄清楚 | |
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270
urchin
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| n.顽童；海胆 | |
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271
appalling
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| adj.骇人听闻的，令人震惊的，可怕的 | |
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272
besought
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| v.恳求，乞求（某事物）( beseech的过去式和过去分词 )；(beseech的过去式与过去分词) | |
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273
traitors
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| 卖国贼( traitor的名词复数 )； 叛徒； 背叛者； 背信弃义的人 | |
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274
entreaties
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| n.恳求，乞求( entreaty的名词复数 ) | |
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275
frenzy
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| n.疯狂，狂热，极度的激动 | |
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276
peril
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| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
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277
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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278
devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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279
miraculous
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| adj.像奇迹一样的，不可思议的 | |
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280
wrung
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| 绞( wring的过去式和过去分词 )； 握紧（尤指别人的手）； 把（湿衣服）拧干； 绞掉（水） | |
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281
chaos
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| n.混乱，无秩序 | |
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282
reigned
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| vi.当政，统治（reign的过去式形式） | |
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283
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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284
jeopardy
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| n.危险；危难 | |
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285
bestowed
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| 赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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286
exquisitely
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| adv.精致地；强烈地；剧烈地；异常地 | |
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287
strenuous
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| adj.奋发的，使劲的；紧张的；热烈的，狂热的 | |
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288
deviations
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| 背离，偏离( deviation的名词复数 )； 离经叛道的行为 | |
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289
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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290
caressed
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| 爱抚或抚摸…( caress的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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291
orphaned
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| [计][修]孤立 | |
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292
gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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293
benefactor
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| n. 恩人，行善的人，捐助人 | |
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294
disorder
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| n.紊乱，混乱；骚动，骚乱；疾病，失调 | |
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295
subterranean
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| adj.地下的，地表下的 | |
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296
thorny
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| adj.多刺的，棘手的 | |
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297
bleached
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| 漂白的，晒白的，颜色变浅的 | |
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298
caverns
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| 大山洞，大洞穴( cavern的名词复数 ) | |
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299
entrust
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| v.信赖，信托，交托 | |
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300
consultation
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| n.咨询；商量；商议；会议 | |
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301
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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302
autocrat
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| n.独裁者；专横的人 | |
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303
entrusted
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| v.委托，托付( entrust的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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304
averred
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| v.断言( aver的过去式和过去分词 )；证实；证明…属实；作为事实提出 | |
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305
assassination
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| n.暗杀；暗杀事件 | |
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306
stickler
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| n.坚持细节之人 | |
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307
avenge
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| v.为...复仇，为...报仇 | |
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308
perfidy
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| n.背信弃义，不忠贞 | |
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309
foul
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| adj.污秽的；邪恶的；v.弄脏；妨害；犯规；n.犯规 | |
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310
venial
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| adj.可宽恕的；轻微的 | |
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311
destitute
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| adj.缺乏的；穷困的 | |
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312
exterior
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| adj.外部的，外在的；表面的 | |
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313
vices
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| 缺陷( vice的名词复数 )； 恶习； 不道德行为； 台钳 | |
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314
callousness
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315
guilt
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| n.犯罪；内疚；过失，罪责 | |
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316
immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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317
musing
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| n. 沉思，冥想 adj. 沉思的, 冥想的 动词muse的现在分词形式 | |
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318
beseeching
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| adj.恳求似的v.恳求，乞求（某事物）( beseech的现在分词 ) | |
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319
eloquent
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|
| adj.雄辩的，口才流利的；明白显示出的 | |
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320
imploring
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| 恳求的，哀求的 | |
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321
annexed
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| [法] 附加的，附属的 | |
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322
nuptial
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| adj.婚姻的，婚礼的 | |
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323
benediction
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| n.祝福；恩赐 | |
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324
conveyance
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| n.(不动产等的)转让，让与；转让证书；传送；运送；表达；（正）运输工具 | |
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325
perils
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| 极大危险( peril的名词复数 )； 危险的事（或环境） | |
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326
vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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327
acquiesced
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| v.默认，默许( acquiesce的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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328
overflowing
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| n. 溢出物,溢流 adj. 充沛的，充满的 动词overflow的现在分词形式 | |
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329
guardian
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| n.监护人；守卫者，保护者 | |
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330
entreating
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| 恳求，乞求( entreat的现在分词 ) | |
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331
rugged
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| adj.高低不平的，粗糙的，粗壮的，强健的 | |
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332
defiles
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| v.玷污( defile的第三人称单数 )；污染；弄脏；纵列行进 | |
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333
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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334
clefts
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|
| n.裂缝( cleft的名词复数 )；裂口；cleave的过去式和过去分词；进退维谷 | |
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335
binds
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| v.约束( bind的第三人称单数 )；装订；捆绑；（用长布条）缠绕 | |
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336
pebbly
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| 多卵石的，有卵石花纹的 | |
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337
dulcet
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| adj.悦耳的 | |
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338
diffusion
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| n.流布；普及；散漫 | |
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339
boundless
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| adj.无限的；无边无际的；巨大的 | |
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340
abrupt
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| adj.突然的，意外的；唐突的，鲁莽的 | |
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341
situated
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| adj.坐落在...的，处于某种境地的 | |
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342
pellucid
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| adj.透明的，简单的 | |
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343
sketched
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| v.草拟（sketch的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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344
ridge
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| n.山脊；鼻梁；分水岭 | |
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345
proceeding
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| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
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346
dreary
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| adj.令人沮丧的，沉闷的，单调乏味的 | |
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347
retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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348
malaria
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| n.疟疾 | |
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349
discomforts
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| n.不舒适( discomfort的名词复数 )；不愉快，苦恼 | |
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350
compensate
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|
| vt.补偿，赔偿；酬报 vi.弥补；补偿；抵消 | |
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351
patriotic
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| adj.爱国的，有爱国心的 | |
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352
bland
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| adj.淡而无味的，温和的，无刺激性的 | |
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353
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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354
prudence
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| n.谨慎，精明，节俭 | |
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355
conversing
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| v.交谈，谈话( converse的现在分词 ) | |
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356
mutual
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|
| adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的 | |
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357
conjuring
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| n.魔术 | |
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358
embarking
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| 乘船( embark的现在分词 )； 装载； 从事 | |
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359
sonnet
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| n.十四行诗 | |
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360
poetic
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|
| adj.富有诗意的，有诗人气质的，善于抒情的 | |
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361
unaware
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| a.不知道的，未意识到的 | |
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362
darted
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的过去式和过去分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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363
fraught
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|
| adj.充满…的，伴有(危险等)的；忧虑的 | |
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364
recede
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| vi.退(去)，渐渐远去；向后倾斜，缩进 | |
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365
engross
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| v.使全神贯注 | |
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366
scraps
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| 油渣 | |
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367
perilous
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| adj.危险的，冒险的 | |
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368
hovered
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|
| 鸟( hover的过去式和过去分词 )； 靠近（某事物）； （人）徘徊； 犹豫 | |
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369
scowling
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| 怒视，生气地皱眉( scowl的现在分词 ) | |
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370
sinister
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| adj.不吉利的，凶恶的，左边的 | |
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371
cursory
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| adj.粗略的；草率的；匆促的 | |
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372
blot
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| vt.弄脏（用吸墨纸）吸干；n.污点，污渍 | |
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373
deforming
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| 使变形，使残废，丑化( deform的现在分词 ) | |
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374
plank
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| n.板条，木板，政策要点，政纲条目 | |
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375
entreaty
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| n.恳求，哀求 | |
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376
relics
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| [pl.］n.遗物，遗迹，遗产；遗体，尸骸 | |
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377
exclamation
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| n.感叹号，惊呼，惊叹词 | |
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378
exclamations
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| n.呼喊( exclamation的名词复数 )；感叹；感叹语；感叹词 | |
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379
emulated
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| v.与…竞争( emulate的过去式和过去分词 )；努力赶上；计算机程序等仿真；模仿 | |
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380
insidious
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| adj.阴险的，隐匿的，暗中为害的，（疾病）不知不觉之间加剧 | |
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381
ERECTED
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| adj. 直立的，竖立的，笔直的 vt. 使 ... 直立，建立 | |
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382
frivolous
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| adj.轻薄的；轻率的 | |
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383
vented
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| 表达，发泄（感情，尤指愤怒）( vent的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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384
majestic
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| adj.雄伟的，壮丽的，庄严的，威严的，崇高的 | |
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385
prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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386
engrossed
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| adj.全神贯注的 | |
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387
treacherous
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| adj.不可靠的，有暗藏的危险的；adj.背叛的，背信弃义的 | |
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388
flute
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| n.长笛；v.吹笛 | |
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389
rustics
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| n.有农村或村民特色的( rustic的名词复数 )；粗野的；不雅的；用粗糙的木材或树枝制作的 | |
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390
wrested
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| （用力）拧( wrest的过去式和过去分词 )； 费力取得； （从…）攫取； （ 从… ） 强行取去… | |
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391
warded
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| 有锁孔的，有钥匙榫槽的 | |
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392
plunged
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| v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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393
groan
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| vi./n.呻吟，抱怨；(发出)呻吟般的声音 | |
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394
remorse
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| n.痛恨，悔恨，自责 | |
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395
infested
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| adj.为患的，大批滋生的（常与with搭配）v.害虫、野兽大批出没于( infest的过去式和过去分词 )；遍布于 | |
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396
motives
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| n.动机，目的( motive的名词复数 ) | |
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397
paramount
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| a.最重要的，最高权力的 | |
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398
strife
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| n.争吵，冲突，倾轧，竞争 | |
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399
revoked
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| adj.[法]取消的v.撤销，取消，废除( revoke的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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400
sarcasms
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| n.讥讽，讽刺，挖苦( sarcasm的名词复数 ) | |
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401
sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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402
sneering
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| 嘲笑的，轻蔑的 | |
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403
countenances
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| n.面容( countenance的名词复数 )；表情；镇静；道义支持 | |
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404
mangled
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| vt.乱砍（mangle的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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405
bridle
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| n.笼头，束缚；vt.抑制，约束；动怒 | |
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406
ingratitude
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| n.忘恩负义 | |
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407
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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408
accomplices
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| 从犯，帮凶，同谋( accomplice的名词复数 ) | |
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