“Trust me, they shall be seen to, my father,” she said, in answer to his entreaty8 that her woman’s tenderness and care would look to the comfort of his wounded prisoners, whom he had already luxuriously9 installed, with his own surgeon to attend them. “La Palice is in truth a champion to gain guerdon of woman’s care.”
“But not of woman’s heart, my gentle one; thine must not pass to the wardence of our foes10.”
“Nor shall it, father; it is thine, all thine!” and the rich burning flush resting on her cheek, as she spoke11, was deemed by her father but the glow of sunset which played around her. He kissed her fondly, vowing12 he would accept such devotedness13 only till another and a dearer sought it. “Find but one deserving of thy love, my child, and no selfish pangs14 shall bid me keep thee by my side; yet, methinks, thou as myself art difficult to please; the noblest and the best have bowed to thee in vain—thy heart was ice to all, and selfish as I am, I have rejoiced it was so.”
Her face was buried in his hand, and he saw not how painfully its colour varied15. He did not feel the full, quick throb16 of that maiden17 heart: if her fond father penetrated18 not its secret, how may we?
In obedience19 to Gonzalvo’s command (in those days no strange one), Elvira, attended by her women, herself visited the apartments of the wounded prisoners, administered to their wants, superintended the healing of their wounds, speaking words of comfort and of hope, till—veiled as she was, her rank, even her name often unknown—the sound of her voice, the touch of her gentle hand, were hailed by each sufferer with such feeling of devotion and gratitude20, as might have marked her indeed the angel visitant their fevered fancies deemed her.
“And I have seen all?—thou art sure none other needs my tending?” she asked of an attendant. “Methinks those rooms we have not visited.”
“There are no prisoners of moment there, lady; but one room tenanted;—a poor Italian—Neapolitan, I should say—who, as he may bring little honour and less ransom21 to our leader’s coffers, scarce needs your gracious care; he will do well enough.”
“Peace, slave! it is well Gonzalvo hears you not;” he crouched22 beneath her flashing scorn. “Poor—friendless; the more he needs his captor’s care: lead on!”
She was obeyed, and the apartment gained. A young man was reclining on a rude couch—his limbs stretched out, his head bent23 forward, resting on his arm in all the abandonment of complete repose24; his long jetty hair had fallen as partly to shade his face, but there was just enough visible of his cheek and brow to startle by their ghastly whiteness, gleaming out in fearful contrast with the crimson25 cloak he had drawn26 around him. The opening of the door had not aroused him, and a moment the intruders paused; there was a start, a quick and choking breath, as if respiration27 had been suddenly impeded28; and the Lady Elvira stood beside the slumberer29, and lifted the damp curls from his brow. Why did she so pause, so stand, pale, rigid30, breathless?—feared she to break those peaceful slumbers31?—if so, her caution was in vain: the young man started, looked wildly round, then heavily and painfully arose, as if conscious he was in the presence of rank and beauty, and struggled to give them homage32.
“Nay33, fair sir, we come to thee as leech34, not queen, and must refuse all homage but obedience,” the lady said, calmly. “We must condemn35 thee to thy couch, not to thy knee.”
“Who is it that speaks? Lady, that voice comes to my ear laden36 with happy memories, bringing a vision of one whose faintest smile was chivalry’s best fame—aye, e’en to Naples’ sons.”
“And is it marvel37, Signor Vincenzio, the daughter of Gonzalvo should be with her father still, though Naples no longer calls him friend? Nay, we have refused thine homage, as little suited to thy weakness, gentle sir. Resign thee for a brief while to the leech’s art, and take comfort; Gonzalvo wars with France, not Naples. We will visit thee again.”
Luigi Vincenzio rose from his knee, where he had sunk simply in greeting to one whose resplendent gifts in happier days had excited his young imagination in no ordinary degree; and the calm unimpassioned posture38 in which he stood till she departed, betrayed no warmer feelings than reverence39 and admiration40. Days passed, merging41 into weeks; but long before that period, Luigi Vincenzio was not only convalescent, but permitted and enabled to roam at large about Barletta and its environs; unguarded, even by his parole. Whence came this extraordinary indulgence none knew; but all supposed, that as the great captain had repeatedly declared he warred not with the Neapolitans—not at least with those who chose to accept his friendship—and own the supremacy42 of his sovereigns, Ferdinand and Isabella—the young nobleman had accepted these conditions, and had been thus received into favour. Again, as had been the case before the capture of Ruvo, chivalric43 games agreeably diversified44 the dull routine of military duty. Nemours, overcome with shame, at the consequences of his own folly45, had retired46 to Canosa; and as Gonzalvo had not received the expected reinforcements, enabling him to change his mode of attack to the offensive, his officers, and many of the Neapolitans friendly to his interests, entered with spirit into all their general’s plans for military recreation, while the Lady Elvira resumed her station, as queen of the revels47, crowning the victor with her own fair hand. Her influence had led Vincenzio there; she rallied him on his deep gloom, playfully demanding why he alone should scorn the prize she gave; he had professed48 such deep gratitude for the tender care she had so silently lavished49 on his sufferings, soothing50 him by the charm of her voice to health, more powerfully than the leech’s art, and yet he refused such trifling51 boon52. And he obeyed; he joined the combatants, received bright wreaths of glory from her hand, and lingered by her side, but the smile she sought was not upon his lips; her step, her voice, however unexpected, had no power to flush his cheek, or light his eye with joy; but his to her!—the echo of his footstep, the faintest whisper of his voice, as the smouldering fire in the bosom53 of the volcano, seeming so still, so silent, till, roused to whelming might, they lay upon her heart.
Fiercely and terribly the thunder-cloud of wrath54 had gathered on the brow of Gonzalvo de Cordova, as with heavy strides he paced his private cabinet about a month after Ruvo’s capture. He chafed55 not at fair and open fight, nay, gloried in the heat, the toil56, the press of war; but conspiracy57, treachery, or that which in the present excited state of his mind he deemed as such, he could not brook58. A plot had been discovered—ill formed, ill digested, but if correct in its details, in the names of its principals, involving many of those whom Gonzalvo had treated and trusted as friends—amid the Neapolitans to throw off the yoke59 of the Spaniards, to be free, and preserve their liberty at the sword’s point, till seconded by other cities, and encouraged by Nemours’ inactivity, Frederic himself might be recalled; this seemed their object, pledged to by the most solemn oaths. Gonzalvo’s name was found upon their lists of victims, but all was dark and little tangible60. Still warrants had been issued; those supposed the principal conspirators61 arrested and secured; and the great captain now chafed and fumed62, unwilling63 to believe the whole tale true, from the heavy judgment64 it demanded, yet feeling to the full the tremendous responsibility devolved upon himself.
“My father! God in heaven! the tale is not false, then—yet—yet, they have dared to connect the innocent! Luigi—Vincenzio—he is not, he cannot be, of these! speak—speak, in mercy!” and the proud, the majestic65 daughter of Spain, whom it hath seemed no human power, no human emotion could bow, sunk in powerless agony on the earth, grasping the robe of her father, and gazing on his face, as if her life depended on his answer. Startled, amazed, Gonzalvo, who had been unconscious that for several minutes she had been in his presence reading his brow, ere she found words, vainly sought to raise and soothe66 her; she reiterated67 but those words, her tone becoming wilder and shriller in its agony, as the reply was evidently evaded68.
“Aye, even he!” at length it came, and Gonzalvo sternly pointed69 to the young nobleman’s name upon the list. “Elvira, Gonzalvo’s daughter! away with this engrossing70 weakness; well is it for thee, none but thy father marks it. I have heard, and in return for that kind confidence would, had the fates decreed, have sought, fixed, gloried in thy happiness, though the choice had been other than mine own! but now—with this damning proof. My child! my child! away with the unworthy weakness; it shall not so debase thee!”
“Weak! debased! who dares to say these words to me—to me? Am I not still Elvira?” she sprang to her feet, standing71 erect72 in all her majesty73, but with cheeks of marble whiteness, gleaming out from that night-black hair, as if their rich current had rushed back to her heart. “What is it they said—that he was guilty?—false! ’tis false! yet if ’tis not—misled—misguided—father, is there no pardon?—there must—there SHALL be. What is his doom74? speak! there is no weakness now!”
“Death, or the galleys75!—what else befits the ingrate76 traitors77?” in a deep concentrated voice the answer came. “Ha! Holy Virgin78! my child! my child!” She had tottered—fallen—and lay without voice or motion at his feet.
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1
warrior
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| n.勇士，武士，斗士 | |
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2
merged
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| （使）混合( merge的过去式和过去分词 )； 相融； 融入； 渐渐消失在某物中 | |
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reigned
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| vi.当政，统治（reign的过去式形式） | |
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caressingly
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| 爱抚地，亲切地 | |
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orbs
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| abbr.off-reservation boarding school 在校寄宿学校n.球，天体，圆形物( orb的名词复数 ) | |
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fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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7
narrated
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| v.故事( narrate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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entreaty
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| n.恳求，哀求 | |
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luxuriously
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| adv.奢侈地，豪华地 | |
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foes
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| 敌人，仇敌( foe的名词复数 ) | |
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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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vowing
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| 起誓，发誓（vow的现在分词形式） | |
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devotedness
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pangs
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| 突然的剧痛( pang的名词复数 )； 悲痛 | |
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varied
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| adj.多样的，多变化的 | |
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throb
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| v.震颤，颤动；(急速强烈地)跳动，搏动 | |
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17
maiden
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| n.少女，处女；adj.未婚的，纯洁的，无经验的 | |
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18
penetrated
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| adj. 击穿的，鞭辟入里的 动词penetrate的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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19
obedience
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| n.服从，顺从 | |
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gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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ransom
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| n.赎金，赎身；v.赎回，解救 | |
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crouched
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| v.屈膝，蹲伏( crouch的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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repose
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| v.(使)休息；n.安息 | |
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crimson
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| n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色 | |
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26
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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respiration
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| n.呼吸作用；一次呼吸；植物光合作用 | |
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impeded
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| 阻碍，妨碍，阻止( impede的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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slumberer
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| 睡眠者，微睡者 | |
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rigid
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| adj.严格的，死板的；刚硬的，僵硬的 | |
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slumbers
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| 睡眠，安眠( slumber的名词复数 ) | |
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homage
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| n.尊敬，敬意，崇敬 | |
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nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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leech
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| n.水蛭，吸血鬼，榨取他人利益的人；vt.以水蛭吸血；vi.依附于别人 | |
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35
condemn
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| vt.谴责，指责；宣判(罪犯)，判刑 | |
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laden
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| adj.装满了的；充满了的；负了重担的；苦恼的 | |
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marvel
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| vi.(at)惊叹vt.感到惊异；n.令人惊异的事 | |
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posture
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| n.姿势，姿态，心态，态度；v.作出某种姿势 | |
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39
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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40
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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41
merging
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| 合并（分类） | |
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42
supremacy
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| n.至上；至高权力 | |
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43
chivalric
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| 有武士气概的，有武士风范的 | |
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44
diversified
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| adj.多样化的，多种经营的v.使多样化，多样化( diversify的过去式和过去分词 )；进入新的商业领域 | |
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45
folly
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| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
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retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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47
revels
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| n.作乐( revel的名词复数 )；狂欢；着迷；陶醉v.作乐( revel的第三人称单数 )；狂欢；着迷；陶醉 | |
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48
professed
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| 公开声称的，伪称的，已立誓信教的 | |
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49
lavished
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| v.过分给予，滥施( lavish的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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50
soothing
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| adj.慰藉的；使人宽心的；镇静的 | |
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51
trifling
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| adj.微不足道的；没什么价值的 | |
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52
boon
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| n.恩赐，恩物，恩惠 | |
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53
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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54
wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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55
chafed
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| v.擦热（尤指皮肤）( chafe的过去式 )；擦痛；发怒；惹怒 | |
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56
toil
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| vi.辛劳工作，艰难地行动；n.苦工，难事 | |
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57
conspiracy
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| n.阴谋，密谋，共谋 | |
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58
brook
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| n.小河，溪；v.忍受，容让 | |
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yoke
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| n.轭；支配；v.给...上轭，连接，使成配偶 | |
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tangible
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| adj.有形的，可触摸的，确凿的，实际的 | |
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conspirators
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| n.共谋者，阴谋家( conspirator的名词复数 ) | |
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62
fumed
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| 愤怒( fume的过去式和过去分词 )； 大怒； 发怒； 冒烟 | |
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63
unwilling
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| adj.不情愿的 | |
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64
judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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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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soothe
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| v.安慰；使平静；使减轻；缓和；奉承 | |
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67
reiterated
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| 反复地说，重申( reiterate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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evaded
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| 逃避( evade的过去式和过去分词 )； 避开； 回避； 想不出 | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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engrossing
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| adj.使人全神贯注的，引人入胜的v.使全神贯注( engross的现在分词 ) | |
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71
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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72
erect
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| n./v.树立，建立，使竖立；adj.直立的，垂直的 | |
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73
majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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74
doom
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| n.厄运，劫数；v.注定，命定 | |
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75
galleys
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| n.平底大船，战舰( galley的名词复数 )；（船上或航空器上的）厨房 | |
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76
ingrate
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| n.忘恩负义的人 | |
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77
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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virgin
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| n.处女，未婚女子；adj.未经使用的；未经开发的 | |
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