"What is the matter with you, my dear?" she exclaimed. "Have you taken leave of your senses, or what is it? Do you not hear me or understand what I say? Heaven be thanked, I am still in my right mind and speak plainly enough!"
Lizaveta Ivanovna did not hear her. On returning home she ran to her room, and drew the letter out of her glove: it was not sealed. Lizaveta read it. The letter contained a declaration of love; it was tender, respectful, and copied word for word from a German novel. But Lizaveta did not know anything of the German language, and she was quite delighted.
For all that, the letter caused her to feel exceedingly uneasy. For the first time in her life she was entering into secret and confidential3 relations with a young man. His boldness alarmed her. She reproached herself for her imprudent behavior, and knew not what to do. Should she cease to sit at the window, and, by assuming an appearance of indifference4 towards him, put a check upon the young officer's desire for further acquaintance with her? Should she send his letter back to him, or should she answer him in a cold and decided5 manner? There was nobody to whom she could turn in her perplexity, for she had neither female friend nor adviser6. At length she resolved to reply to him.
She sat down at her little writing table, took pen and paper, and began to think. Several times she began her letter and then tore it up; the way she had expressed herself seemed to her either too inviting7 or too cold and decisive. At last she succeeded in writing a few lines with which she felt satisfied.
"I am convinced," she wrote, "that your intentions are honorable, and that you do not wish to offend me by any imprudent behavior, but our acquaintance must not begin in such a manner. I return you your letter, and I hope that I shall never have any cause to complain of this undeserved slight."
The next day, as soon as Hermann made his appearance, Lizaveta rose from her embroidery8, went into the drawing-room, opened the ventilator, and threw the letter into the street, trusting that the young officer would have the perception to pick it up.
Hermann hastened forward, picked it up, and then repaired to a confectioner's shop. Breaking the seal of the envelope, he found inside it his own letter and Lizaveta's reply. He had expected this, and he returned home, his mind deeply occupied with his intrigue9.
Three days afterwards a bright-eyed young girl from a milliner's establishment brought Lizaveta a letter. Lizaveta opened it with great uneasiness, fearing that it was a demand for money, when, suddenly, she recognized Hermann's handwriting.
"You have made a mistake, my dear," said she. "This letter is not for me."
"Oh, yes, it is for you," replied the girl, smiling very knowingly.
"Have the goodness to read it."
Lizaveta glanced at the letter. Hermann requested an interview.
"It cannot be," she cried, alarmed at the audacious request and the manner in which it was made. "This letter is certainly not for me," and she tore it into fragments.
"If the letter was not for you, why have you torn it up?" said the girl. "I should have given it back to the person who sent it."
"Be good enough, my dear," said Lizaveta, disconcerted by this remark, "not to bring me any more letters for the future, and tell the person who sent you that he ought to be ashamed."
But Hermann was not the man to be thus put off. Every day Lizaveta received from him a letter, sent now in this way, now in that. They were no longer translated from the German. Hermann wrote them under the inspiration of passion, and spoke10 in his own language, and they bore full testimony11 to the inflexibility12 of his desire, and the disordered condition of his uncontrollable imagination. Lizaveta no longer thought of sending them back to him; she became intoxicated13 with them, and began to reply to them, and little by little her answers became longer and more affectionate. At last she threw out of the window to him the following letter:
"This evening there is going to be a ball at the Embassy. The Countess will be there. We shall remain until two o'clock. You have now an opportunity of seeing me alone. As soon as the Countess is gone, the servants will very probably go out, and there will be nobody left but the Swiss, but he usually goes to sleep in his lodge14. Come about half-past eleven. Walk straight upstairs. If you meet anybody in the anteroom, ask if the Countess is at home. You will be told 'No,' in which case there will be nothing left for you to do but to go away again. But it is most probable that you will meet nobody. The maidservants will all be together in one room. On leaving the anteroom, turn to the left, and walk straight on until you reach the Countess's bedroom. In the bedroom, behind a screen, you will find two doors: the one on the right leads to a cabinet, which the Countess never enters; the one on the left leads to a corridor, at the end of which is a little winding15 staircase; this leads to my room."
Hermann trembled like a tiger as he waited for the appointed time to arrive. At ten o'clock in the evening he was already in front of the Countess's house. The weather was terrible; the wind blew with great violence, the sleety16 snow fell in large flakes17, the lamps emitted a feeble light, the streets were deserted18; from time to time a sledge19 drawn20 by a sorry-looking hack21, passed by on the lookout22 for a belated passenger. Hermann was enveloped23 in a thick overcoat, and felt neither wind nor snow.
At last the Countess's carriage drew up. Hermann saw two footmen carry out in their arms the bent24 form of the old lady, wrapped in sable25 fur, and immediately behind her, clad in a warm mantle26, and with her head ornamented27 with a wreath of fresh flowers, followed Lizaveta. The door was closed. The carriage rolled heavily away through the yielding snow. The porter shut the street door, the windows became dark.
Hermann began walking up and down near the deserted house; at length he stopped under a lamp, and glanced at his watch: it was twenty minutes past eleven. He remained standing under the lamp, his eyes fixed28 upon the watch impatiently waiting for the remaining minutes to pass. At half-past eleven precisely29 Hermann ascended30 the steps of the house and made his way into the brightly- illuminated31 vestibule. The porter was not there. Hermann hastily ascended the staircase, opened the door of the anteroom, and saw a footman sitting asleep in an antique chair by the side of a lamp. With a light, firm step Hermann passed by him. The drawing-room and dining-room were in darkness, but a feeble reflection penetrated32 thither33 from the lamp in the anteroom.
Hermann reached the Countess's bedroom. Before a shrine34, which was full of old images, a golden lamp was burning. Faded stuffed chairs and divans35 with soft cushions stood in melancholy36 symmetry around the room, the walls of which were hung with china silk. On one side of the room hung two portraits painted in Paris by Madame Lebrun. One of these represented a stout37, red-faced man of about forty years of age, in a bright green uniform, and with a star upon his breast; the other—a beautiful young woman, with an aquiline38 nose, forehead curls, and a rose in her powdered hair. In the corner stood porcelain39 shepherds and shepherdesses, dining-room clocks from the workshop of the celebrated40 Lefroy, bandboxes, roulettes, fans, and the various playthings for the amusement of ladies that were in vogue41 at the end of the last century, when Montgolfier's balloons and Niesber's magnetism42 were the rage. Hermann stepped behind the screen. At the back of it stood a little iron bedstead; on the right was the door which led to the cabinet; on the left, the other which led to the corridor. He opened the latter, and saw the little winding staircase which led to the room of the poor companion. But he retraced43 his steps and entered the dark cabinet.
The time passed slowly. All was still. The clock in the drawing- room struck twelve, the strokes echoed through the room one after the other, and everything was quiet again. Hermann stood leaning against the cold stove. He was calm, his heart beat regularly, like that of a man resolved upon a dangerous but inevitable44 undertaking45. One o'clock in the morning struck; then two, and he heard the distant noise of carriage-wheels. An involuntary agitation46 took possession of him. The carriage drew near and stopped. He heard the sound of the carriage steps being let down. All was bustle47 within the house. The servants were running hither and thither, there was a confusion of voices, and the rooms were lit up. Three antiquated48 chambermaids entered the bedroom, and they were shortly afterwards followed by the Countess, who, more dead than alive, sank into a Voltaire armchair. Hermann peeped through a chink. Lizaveta Ivanovna passed close by him, and he heard her hurried steps as she hastened up the little spiral staircase. For a moment his heart was assailed49 by something like a pricking50 of conscience, but the emotion was only transitory, and his heart became petrified51 as before.
The Countess began to undress before her looking-glass. Her rose- bedecked cap was taken off, and then her powdered wig52 was removed from off her white and closely cut hair. Hairpins53 fell in showers around her. Her yellow satin dress, brocaded with silver, fell down at her swollen54 feet.
Hermann was a witness of the repugnant mysteries of her toilette; at last the Countess was in her night-cap and dressing-gown, and in this costume, more suitable to her age, she appeared less hideous55 and deformed56.
Like all old people, in general, the Countess suffered from sleeplessness57. Having undressed, she seated herself at the window in a Voltaire armchair, and dismissed her maids. The candles were taken away, and once more the room was left with only one lamp burning in it. The Countess sat there looking quite yellow, mumbling58 with her flaccid lips and swaying to and fro. Her dull eyes expressed complete vacancy59 of mind, and, looking at her, one would have thought that the rocking of her body was not a voluntary action of her own, but was produced by the action of some concealed galvanic mechanism60.
Suddenly the death-like face assumed an inexplicable61 expression.
Countess stood an unknown man.
"Do not be alarmed, for Heaven's sake, do not be alarmed!" said he in a low but distinct voice. "I have no intention of doing you any harm; I have only come to ask a favor of you."
The old woman looked at him in silence, as if she had not heard what he had said. Hermann thought that she was deaf, and, bending down towards her ear, he repeated what he had said. The aged63 Countess remained silent as before.
"You can insure the happiness of my life," continued Hermann, "and it will cost you nothing. I know that you can name three cards in order—"
Hermann stopped. The Countess appeared now to understand what he wanted; she seemed as if seeking for words to reply.
"It was a joke," she replied at last. "I assure you it was only a joke."
"There is no joking about the matter," replied Hermann, angrily.
"Remember Chaplitsky, whom you helped to win."
The Countess became visibly uneasy. Her features expressed strong emotion, but they quickly resumed their former immobility.
"Can you not name me these three winning cards?" continued Hermann.
The Countess remained silent; Hermann continued:
"For whom are you preserving your secret? For your grandsons? They are rich enough without it, they do not know the worth of money. Your cards would be of no use to a spendthrift. He who cannot preserve his paternal64 inheritance will die in want, even though he had a demon65 at his service. I am not a man of that sort. I know the value of money. Your three cards will not be thrown away upon me. Come!"
He paused and tremblingly awaited her reply. The Countess remained silent. Hermann fell upon his knees.
"If your heart has ever known the feeling of love," said be, "if you remember its rapture66, if you have ever smiled at the cry of your new-born child, if any human feeling has ever entered into your breast, I entreat67 you by the feelings of a wife, a lover, a mother, by all that is most sacred in life, not to reject my prayer. Reveal to me your secret. Of what use is it to you? May be it is connected with some terrible sin, with the loss of eternal salvation68, with some bargain with the devil. Reflect, you are old, you have not long to live—I am ready to take your sins upon my soul. Only reveal to me your secret. Remember that the happiness of a man is in your hands, that not only I, but my children and my grandchildren, will bless your memory and reverence69 you as a saint."
The old Countess answered not a word.
Hermann rose to his feet.
"You old hag!" he exclaimed, grinding his teeth, "then I will make you answer!" With these words he drew a pistol from his pocket. At the sight of the pistol, the Countess for the second time exhibited strong emotions. She shook her head, and raised her hands as if to protect herself from the shot. Then she fell backwards70, and remained motionless.
"Come, an end to this childish nonsense!" said Hermann, taking hold of her hand. "I ask you for the last time: will you tell me the names of your three cards, or will you not?"
The Countess made no reply. Hermann perceived that she was dead!
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1
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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2
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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3
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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indifference
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| n.不感兴趣，不关心，冷淡，不在乎 | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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adviser
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| n.劝告者，顾问 | |
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7
inviting
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| adj.诱人的，引人注目的 | |
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8
embroidery
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| n.绣花，刺绣；绣制品 | |
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9
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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10
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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11
testimony
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| n.证词；见证，证明 | |
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12
inflexibility
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| n.不屈性，顽固，不变性；不可弯曲；非挠性；刚性 | |
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13
intoxicated
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| 喝醉的，极其兴奋的 | |
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14
lodge
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| v.临时住宿，寄宿，寄存，容纳；n.传达室，小旅馆 | |
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15
winding
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| n.绕，缠，绕组，线圈 | |
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16
sleety
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| 雨夹雪的，下雨雪的 | |
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17
flakes
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| 小薄片( flake的名词复数 )； （尤指）碎片； 雪花； 古怪的人 | |
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18
deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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19
sledge
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| n.雪橇，大锤；v.用雪橇搬运，坐雪橇往 | |
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20
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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21
hack
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| n.劈，砍，出租马车；v.劈，砍，干咳 | |
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22
lookout
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| n.注意，前途，瞭望台 | |
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23
enveloped
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| v.包围，笼罩，包住( envelop的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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24
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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25
sable
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| n.黑貂；adj.黑色的 | |
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26
mantle
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| n.斗篷，覆罩之物，罩子；v.罩住，覆盖，脸红 | |
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27
ornamented
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| adj.花式字体的v.装饰，点缀，美化( ornament的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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28
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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29
precisely
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| adv.恰好，正好，精确地，细致地 | |
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30
ascended
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| v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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31
illuminated
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| adj.被照明的；受启迪的 | |
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32
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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33
thither
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| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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34
shrine
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| n.圣地，神龛，庙；v.将...置于神龛内，把...奉为神圣 | |
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35
divans
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| n.（可作床用的）矮沙发( divan的名词复数 )；（波斯或其他东方诗人的）诗集 | |
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36
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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38
aquiline
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| adj.钩状的，鹰的 | |
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39
porcelain
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| n.瓷；adj.瓷的，瓷制的 | |
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40
celebrated
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| adj.有名的，声誉卓著的 | |
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41
Vogue
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| n.时髦，时尚；adj.流行的 | |
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42
magnetism
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| n.磁性，吸引力，磁学 | |
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43
retraced
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| v.折回( retrace的过去式和过去分词 )；回忆；回顾；追溯 | |
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44
inevitable
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| adj.不可避免的，必然发生的 | |
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45
undertaking
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| n.保证，许诺，事业 | |
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46
agitation
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| n.搅动；搅拌；鼓动，煽动 | |
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47
bustle
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| v.喧扰地忙乱，匆忙，奔忙；n.忙碌；喧闹 | |
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48
antiquated
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| adj.陈旧的，过时的 | |
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49
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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50
pricking
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| 刺，刺痕，刺痛感 | |
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51
petrified
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| adj.惊呆的；目瞪口呆的v.使吓呆，使惊呆；变僵硬；使石化(petrify的过去式和过去分词) | |
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52
wig
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| n.假发 | |
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53
hairpins
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| n.发夹( hairpin的名词复数 ) | |
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54
swollen
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| adj.肿大的，水涨的；v.使变大，肿胀 | |
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55
hideous
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| adj.丑陋的，可憎的，可怕的，恐怖的 | |
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56
deformed
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| adj.畸形的；变形的；丑的，破相了的 | |
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57
sleeplessness
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| n.失眠，警觉 | |
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58
mumbling
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| 含糊地说某事，叽咕，咕哝( mumble的现在分词 ) | |
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59
vacancy
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| n.（旅馆的）空位，空房，（职务的）空缺 | |
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60
mechanism
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| n.机械装置；机构，结构 | |
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61
inexplicable
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| adj.无法解释的，难理解的 | |
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62
animated
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| adj.生气勃勃的，活跃的，愉快的 | |
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63
aged
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| adj.年老的，陈年的 | |
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64
paternal
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| adj.父亲的，像父亲的，父系的，父方的 | |
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65
demon
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| n.魔鬼，恶魔 | |
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66
rapture
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| n.狂喜；全神贯注；着迷；v.使狂喜 | |
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67
entreat
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| v.恳求，恳请 | |
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68
salvation
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| n.（尤指基督）救世，超度，拯救，解困 | |
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69
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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70
backwards
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| adv.往回地，向原处，倒，相反，前后倒置地 | |
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