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CHAPTER IV.
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 By a strong effort of will, the prince controlled his agitation1, and, eying the butler keenly, asked:
 
“Is the man who brought this note awaiting an answer?”
 
“No, monsieur. He went away at once.”
 
“Very good!” exclaimed the Rexanian. Then, as if coming suddenly to a determination, he continued, “Will you kindly2 dismiss my carriage? I will walk back to my hotel.”
 
After Mrs. Strong and Kate had left the men to their liqueurs and cigars, Count Szalaki, as we shall continue to call him, turned to his host and asked:
 
“Are there many of my countrymen in New York, Mr. Strong?”
 
“I was telling my son about them before you arrived,” answered Mr. Strong, whose curiosity was greatly excited by the episode that had just occurred. “There are a few hundred Rexanians on the East Side. By the way, I forgot to remind you, Ned, that our man Rudolph is from Rexopolis. It slipped my mind at the moment. You see, count, I have dabbled3 a little in politics. After an election a few years ago, a Rexanian who had made some political speeches for us on the East Side applied4 to me for work. It happened that I wanted a man to[21] live in the lodge5 of our old homestead up in Westchester, and I gave Rudolph the place.”
 
“He has served you well?” asked Count Szalaki, whose manner still gave slight evidences of suppressed excitement.
 
“He has been very faithful. He drinks a little too much brandy now and then, I believe, but he is well fitted for his not very onerous6 duties. You see, our old homestead—I was born there, as my grandfather and father were before me—has been allowed to fall into disuse. My family have always preferred Newport to Westchester in summer, and I have never had the heart to sell the place. Rudolph’s duty is to take care of the house and grounds, and mine to resist all temptation to sell them.”
 
“I am glad,” remarked Count Szalaki, courteously7, “that one of my people has been of service to you. But tell me about these few hundred Rexanians on the East Side. Are they quiet, reputable citizens? Do they give you any trouble?”
 
“They are considered, I believe,” answered Mr. Strong, carefully weighing his words, “very industrious8 and law-abiding men; rather clannish9, but great enthusiasts10 regarding our form of government.”
 
Count Szalaki sipped11 his Chartreuse meditatively12. He had a decision to make that seemed to him to be of great moment. He was placed in a very awkward position. The fact that there were men in the city who knew his name and his rank had come to him as a stunning13 blow. It had been a great relief to him to get away from Rexopolis, a hotbed of intrigue14 and peril15, and to find himself in a great city in which, as he had fondly[22] believed, he could come and go without a thought of danger or the necessity of using any especial precautions. And now in the twinkling of an eye he had been confronted by a mystery and a menace. He felt a curious sensation of utter helplessness, a desire for advice, and the certainty that there was no one who could give it to him. Young though he was, he was a man of great physical and moral courage, but he was also a youth of strong imaginative powers, and the position in which he was now placed appeared to his overwrought mind to be filled with lurking16 perils17 against which he could think of no way to protect himself. Then his mind dwelt upon the kind and loyal words of the note that he had just received, and he felt impelled18 to put his trust in those who had sent it to him. The people of Rexania had always been fond of the crown prince: when he had appeared to the crowds in Rexopolis the cheers had ever been heartfelt and inspiring, and the youth felt sure that the mass of his people loved him. But there were schemers and rebels among them, as he well knew, and the feeling had been upon him for years that at any moment he might meet with a violent death. It was to get a few months’ relief from this oppressive sensation that he had come to the New World. It was, therefore, a bitter disappointment to find that even in the land of universal freedom the heir to a throne may be shadowed by those who know his secret and who may or may not desire his destruction.
 
If Count Szalaki had been a man of wider experience, if he had realized that conditions prevailing19 in Rexopolis were impossible in[23] New York, he would have taken steps at this crisis that would have solved his difficulties at little or no risk to himself. A frank statement of the whole affair to Gerald Strong would have placed the Rexanian prince in perfect touch with his novel environment. It would have enabled him to remove the annoyances20 that threatened him as easily as the wind puts a fog to flight. But he kept his secret to himself, and thus made his first great blunder in a series of missteps that were followed by consequences affecting a vast multitude in Europe and a good many people on this side of the Atlantic.
 
As they rejoined Mrs. Strong and her daughter in the drawing-room, the Rexanian made a great effort to throw off the depression that had affected21 his spirits while he puffed22 his cigar.
 
“You look more cheerful, Count Szalaki,” remarked Kate, sympathetically. “I hope you have received no bad news?”
 
“Not at all,” he answered, with forced gayety. “A friend is awaiting me outside to walk to my hotel with me; and I fear that he is a bore.”
 
“How very sad!” commented Kate, while the feeling crept over her that here was a man who had about him a great mystery. It was the one thing lacking to make him irresistibly23 fascinating to a girl who was surfeited24 with men about whom there was nothing new to learn.
 
“Perhaps,” went on the Rexanian, brushing the dark locks back from his forehead with a white, tapering25 hand, “perhaps you will take pity on me, Miss Strong, and give me courage for my walk to-night by the prospect26 of a stroll with you to-morrow afternoon?”
 
[24]
 
He was not quite sure that, even in the land of liberty, this proposition would be considered good form, but his mood had grown somewhat reckless under the pressure of events.
 
“Thank you,” answered Kate, frankly27. “It will give me great pleasure to show you something of our city. I shall expect you about three o’clock.” She held out her hand to him as he arose to make his adieux.
 
Ned Strong had succumbed28, as had his parents and sister, to the magnetism29 of their guest.
 
“I should be pleased to look you up to-morrow morning, Count Szalaki,” he said cordially. “If you are fond of driving, I’ll stop at the hotel with my cart before noon.”
 
“That is very charming,” cried the Rexanian. “You have all been so kind to me. I cannot find terms in which to express my gratitude30.” The hand-clasp he gave his host and hostess proved the sincerity31 of his words.
 
He was gone, and Ned Strong stood looking at his sister.
 
“You promised me, Kate,” he said playfully, “that you would tell me what you thought of him. Now is the appointed time.”
 
“I think,” answered Kate, slowly, “I think, Ned, that Count Szalaki is a delightful32 man—who is in very great trouble.”
 
“Kate is right, Gerald,” commented Mrs. Strong, looking at her husband. “What do you suppose that note said?”
 
“I can’t imagine,” answered Gerald Strong, musingly33. “I shall cable our agent at Vienna in the morning to go to Rexopolis and find out who Count Szalaki is.”

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1 agitation TN0zi     
n.搅动;搅拌;鼓动,煽动
参考例句:
  • Small shopkeepers carried on a long agitation against the big department stores.小店主们长期以来一直在煽动人们反对大型百货商店。
  • These materials require constant agitation to keep them in suspension.这些药剂要经常搅动以保持悬浮状态。
2 kindly tpUzhQ     
adj.和蔼的,温和的,爽快的;adv.温和地,亲切地
参考例句:
  • Her neighbours spoke of her as kindly and hospitable.她的邻居都说她和蔼可亲、热情好客。
  • A shadow passed over the kindly face of the old woman.一道阴影掠过老太太慈祥的面孔。
3 dabbled 55999aeda1ff87034ef046ec73004cbf     
v.涉猎( dabble的过去式和过去分词 );涉足;浅尝;少量投资
参考例句:
  • He dabbled in business. 他搞过一点生意。 来自辞典例句
  • His vesture was dabbled in blood. 他穿的衣服上溅满了鲜血。 来自辞典例句
4 applied Tz2zXA     
adj.应用的;v.应用,适用
参考例句:
  • She plans to take a course in applied linguistics.她打算学习应用语言学课程。
  • This cream is best applied to the face at night.这种乳霜最好晚上擦脸用。
5 lodge q8nzj     
v.临时住宿,寄宿,寄存,容纳;n.传达室,小旅馆
参考例句:
  • Is there anywhere that I can lodge in the village tonight?村里有我今晚过夜的地方吗?
  • I shall lodge at the inn for two nights.我要在这家小店住两个晚上。
6 onerous 6vCy4     
adj.繁重的
参考例句:
  • My household duties were not particularly onerous.我的家务活并不繁重。
  • This obligation sometimes proves onerous.这一义务有时被证明是艰巨的。
7 courteously 4v2z8O     
adv.有礼貌地,亲切地
参考例句:
  • He courteously opened the door for me.他谦恭有礼地为我开门。
  • Presently he rose courteously and released her.过了一会,他就很客气地站起来,让她走开。
8 industrious a7Axr     
adj.勤劳的,刻苦的,奋发的
参考例句:
  • If the tiller is industrious,the farmland is productive.人勤地不懒。
  • She was an industrious and willing worker.她是个勤劳肯干的员工。
9 clannish 5VOyH     
adj.排他的,门户之见的
参考例句:
  • They were a clannish lot,not given to welcoming strangers.他们那帮人抱成一团,不怎么欢迎生人。
  • Firms are also doggedly clannish on the inside.公司内部同时也具有极其顽固的排他性。
10 enthusiasts 7d5827a9c13ecd79a8fd94ebb2537412     
n.热心人,热衷者( enthusiast的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • A group of enthusiasts have undertaken the reconstruction of a steam locomotive. 一群火车迷已担负起重造蒸汽机车的任务。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • Now a group of enthusiasts are going to have the plane restored. 一群热心人计划修复这架飞机。 来自新概念英语第二册
11 sipped 22d1585d494ccee63c7bff47191289f6     
v.小口喝,呷,抿( sip的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • He sipped his coffee pleasurably. 他怡然地品味着咖啡。
  • I sipped the hot chocolate she had made. 我小口喝着她调制的巧克力热饮。 来自辞典例句
12 meditatively 1840c96c2541871bf074763dc24f786a     
adv.冥想地
参考例句:
  • The old man looked meditatively at the darts board. 老头儿沉思不语,看着那投镖板。 来自英汉文学
  • "Well,'said the foreman, scratching his ear meditatively, "we do need a stitcher. “这--"工头沉思地搔了搔耳朵。 "我们确实需要一个缝纫工。 来自英汉文学 - 嘉莉妹妹
13 stunning NhGzDh     
adj.极好的;使人晕倒的
参考例句:
  • His plays are distinguished only by their stunning mediocrity.他的戏剧与众不同之处就是平凡得出奇。
  • The finished effect was absolutely stunning.完工后的效果非常美。
14 intrigue Gaqzy     
vt.激起兴趣,迷住;vi.耍阴谋;n.阴谋,密谋
参考例句:
  • Court officials will intrigue against the royal family.法院官员将密谋反对皇室。
  • The royal palace was filled with intrigue.皇宫中充满了勾心斗角。
15 peril l3Dz6     
n.(严重的)危险;危险的事物
参考例句:
  • The refugees were in peril of death from hunger.难民有饿死的危险。
  • The embankment is in great peril.河堤岌岌可危。
16 lurking 332fb85b4d0f64d0e0d1ef0d34ebcbe7     
潜在
参考例句:
  • Why are you lurking around outside my house? 你在我房子外面鬼鬼祟祟的,想干什么?
  • There is a suspicious man lurking in the shadows. 有一可疑的人躲在阴暗中。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
17 perils 3c233786f6fe7aad593bf1198cc33cbe     
极大危险( peril的名词复数 ); 危险的事(或环境)
参考例句:
  • The commander bade his men be undaunted in the face of perils. 指挥员命令他的战士要临危不惧。
  • With how many more perils and disasters would he load himself? 他还要再冒多少风险和遭受多少灾难?
18 impelled 8b9a928e37b947d87712c1a46c607ee7     
v.推动、推进或敦促某人做某事( impel的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • He felt impelled to investigate further. 他觉得有必要作进一步调查。
  • I feel impelled to express grave doubts about the project. 我觉得不得不对这项计划深表怀疑。 来自《简明英汉词典》
19 prevailing E1ozF     
adj.盛行的;占优势的;主要的
参考例句:
  • She wears a fashionable hair style prevailing in the city.她的发型是这个城市流行的款式。
  • This reflects attitudes and values prevailing in society.这反映了社会上盛行的态度和价值观。
20 annoyances 825318190e0ef2fdbbf087738a8eb7f6     
n.恼怒( annoyance的名词复数 );烦恼;打扰;使人烦恼的事
参考例句:
  • At dinner that evening two annoyances kept General Zaroff from perfect enjoyment one. 当天晚上吃饭时,有两件不称心的事令沙洛夫吃得不很香。 来自辞典例句
  • Actually, I have a lot of these little annoyances-don't we all? 事实上我有很多类似的小烦恼,我们不都有这种小烦恼吗? 来自互联网
21 affected TzUzg0     
adj.不自然的,假装的
参考例句:
  • She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
  • His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。
22 puffed 72b91de7f5a5b3f6bdcac0d30e24f8ca     
adj.疏松的v.使喷出( puff的过去式和过去分词 );喷着汽(或烟)移动;吹嘘;吹捧
参考例句:
  • He lit a cigarette and puffed at it furiously. 他点燃了一支香烟,狂吸了几口。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • He felt grown-up, puffed up with self-importance. 他觉得长大了,便自以为了不起。 来自《简明英汉词典》
23 irresistibly 5946377e9ac116229107e1f27d141137     
adv.无法抵抗地,不能自持地;极为诱惑人地
参考例句:
  • Her gaze was drawn irresistibly to the scene outside. 她的目光禁不住被外面的风景所吸引。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • He was irresistibly attracted by her charm. 他不能自已地被她的魅力所吸引。 来自《简明英汉词典》
24 surfeited e4ce9d72f201841c642c284cdf61b36c     
v.吃得过多( surfeit的过去式和过去分词 );由于过量而厌腻
参考例句:
  • They were surfeited with entertainment. 他们对玩乐生厌了;他们玩腻了。 来自辞典例句
  • They had cloyed him with obedience, and surfeited him with sweet respect and submission. 她们在他面前百依百顺,甜言蜜语,卑躬屈膝。 来自辞典例句
25 tapering pq5wC     
adj.尖端细的
参考例句:
  • Interest in the scandal seems to be tapering off. 人们对那件丑闻的兴趣似乎越来越小了。
  • Nonproductive expenditures keep tapering down. 非生产性开支一直在下降。
26 prospect P01zn     
n.前景,前途;景色,视野
参考例句:
  • This state of things holds out a cheerful prospect.事态呈现出可喜的前景。
  • The prospect became more evident.前景变得更加明朗了。
27 frankly fsXzcf     
adv.坦白地,直率地;坦率地说
参考例句:
  • To speak frankly, I don't like the idea at all.老实说,我一点也不赞成这个主意。
  • Frankly speaking, I'm not opposed to reform.坦率地说,我不反对改革。
28 succumbed 625a9b57aef7b895b965fdca2019ba63     
不再抵抗(诱惑、疾病、攻击等)( succumb的过去式和过去分词 ); 屈从; 被压垮; 死
参考例句:
  • The town succumbed after a short siege. 该城被围困不久即告失守。
  • After an artillery bombardment lasting several days the town finally succumbed. 在持续炮轰数日后,该城终于屈服了。
29 magnetism zkxyW     
n.磁性,吸引力,磁学
参考例句:
  • We know about magnetism by the way magnets act.我们通过磁铁的作用知道磁性是怎么一回事。
  • His success showed his magnetism of courage and devotion.他的成功表现了他的胆量和热诚的魅力。
30 gratitude p6wyS     
adj.感激,感谢
参考例句:
  • I have expressed the depth of my gratitude to him.我向他表示了深切的谢意。
  • She could not help her tears of gratitude rolling down her face.她感激的泪珠禁不住沿着面颊流了下来。
31 sincerity zyZwY     
n.真诚,诚意;真实
参考例句:
  • His sincerity added much more authority to the story.他的真诚更增加了故事的说服力。
  • He tried hard to satisfy me of his sincerity.他竭力让我了解他的诚意。
32 delightful 6xzxT     
adj.令人高兴的,使人快乐的
参考例句:
  • We had a delightful time by the seashore last Sunday.上星期天我们在海滨玩得真痛快。
  • Peter played a delightful melody on his flute.彼得用笛子吹奏了一支欢快的曲子。
33 musingly ddec53b7ea68b079ee6cb62ac6c95bf9     
adv.沉思地,冥想地
参考例句:


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