I was following my friend Sperver, deep in thought, who had now resumed his walk down the corridor. The portrait of Hedwige, in all its artless simplicity2, mingled3 in my mind with the face of Odile.
Suddenly Gideon stopped, and, raising my eyes, I saw that we were standing4 before the count's door.
"Come in, Fritz," he said, "and I will give the dogs a feed. When the master's away the servants neglect their duty; I will come for you by-and-by."
I entered, more desirous of seeing the young lady than the count her father; I was blaming myself for my remissness5, but there is no controlling one's interest and affections. I was much surprised to see in the half-light of the alcove6 the reclining figure of the count leaning upon his elbow and observing me with profound attention. I was so little prepared for this examination that I stood rather dispossessed of self-command.
"Come nearer, monsieur le docteur," he said in a weak but firm voice, holding out his hand. "My faithful Sperver has often mentioned your name to me; and I was anxious to make your acquaintance."
"Let us hope, my lord, that it will be continued under more favourable7 circumstances. A little patience, and we shall avert8 this attack."
"I think not," he replied. "I feel my time drawing near."
"You are mistaken, my lord."
"No; Nature grants us, as a last favour, to have a presentiment9 of our approaching end."
"How often I have seen such presentiments10 falsified!" I said with a smile.
He fixed11 his eyes searchingly upon me, as is usual with patients expressing anxiety about their prospects12. It is a difficult moment for the doctor. The moral strength of his patient depends upon the expression of the firmness of his convictions; the eye of the sufferer penetrates14 into the innermost soul of his consciousness; if he believes that he can discover any hint or shade of doubt, his fate is sealed; depression sets in; the secret springs that maintain the elasticity15 of the spirit give way, and the disorder16 has it all its own way.
I stood my examination firmly and successfully, and the count seemed to regain17 confidence; he again pressed my hand, and resigned himself calmly and confidently to my treatment.
Not until then did I perceive Mademoiselle Odile and an old lady, no doubt her governess, seated by her bedside at the other end of the alcove.
"It is she," I said, "Hugh's first wife. There is the fair and noble brow, there are the long lashes19, and that sad, unfathomable smile. Oh, how much past telling lies in a woman's smile! Seek not, then, for unmixed joy and pleasure! Her smile serves but to veil untold20 sorrows, anxiety for the future, even heartrending cares. The maid, the wife, the mother, smile and smile, even when the heart is breaking and the abyss is opening. O woman! this is thy part in the mortal struggle of human life!"
I was pursuing these reflections when the lord of Nideck began to speak—
"If my dear child Odile would but consult my wishes I believe my health would return."
I looked towards the young countess; she fixed her eyes on the floor, and seemed to be praying silently.
"Yes," the sick man went on, "I should then return to life; the prospect13 of seeing myself surrounded by a young family, and of pressing grandchildren to my heart, and beholding21 the succession to my house, would revive me."
At the mild and gentle tone of entreaty22 in which this was said I felt deeply moved with compassion23; but the young lady made no reply.
"Odile, you refuse to make your father a happy man? I only ask for a faint hope. I fix no time. I won't limit your choice. We will go to court. There you will have a hundred opportunities of marrying with distinction and with honour. Who would not be proud to win my daughter's hand? You shall be perfectly25 free to decide for yourself."
He paused.
There is nothing more painful to a stranger than these family quarrels. There are such contending interests, so many private motives26, at work, that mere27 modesty28 should make it our duty to place ourselves out of hearing of such discussions. I felt pained, and would gladly have retired29. But the circumstances of the case forbade this.
"My dear father," said Odile, as if to evade30 any further discussion, "you will get better. Heaven will not take you from those who love you. If you but knew the fervour with which I pray for you!"
"That is not an answer," said the count drily. "What objection can you make to my proposal? Is it not fair and natural? Am I to be deprived of the consolations31 vouchsafed32 to the neediest and most wretched? You know I have acted towards you openly and frankly33."
"You have, my father."
"Then give me your reason for your refusal."
"My resolution is formed—I have consecrated34 myself to God."
So much firmness in so frail35 a being made me tremble. She stood like the sculptured Madonna in Hugh's tower, calm and immovable, however weak in appearance.
The eyes of the count kindled36 with an ominous37 fire. I tried to make the young countess understand by signs how gladly I would hear her give the least hope, and calm his rising passion; but she seemed not to see me.
"So," he cried in a smothered38 tone, as if he were strangling—"so you will look on and see your father perish? A word would restore him to life, and you refuse to speak that one word?"
"Life is not in the hand of man, for it is God's gift; my word can be of no avail."
"Those are nothing but pious39 maxims," answered the count scornfully, "to release you from your plain duty. But has not God said, 'Honour thy father and thy mother?'"
"I do honour you," she replied gently. "But it is my duty not to marry."
I could hear the grinding and gnashing of the man's teeth. He lay apparently40 calm, but presently turned abruptly41 and cried—
"Leave me; the sight of you is offensive to me!"
"Doctor," he cried with a savage43 grin, "have you any violent malignant44 poison about you to give me—something that will destroy me like a thunderbolt? It would be a mercy to poison me like a dog, rather than let me suffer as I am doing."
Odile rose and advanced to the door.
"Stay!" he howled furiously—"stay till I have cursed you!"
So far I had stood by without speaking, not venturing to interfere46 between Father and Daughter, but now I could refrain no longer.
"Monseigneur," I cried, "for the sake of your own health, for the sake of mere justice and fairness, do calm yourself; your life is at stake."
"What matters my life? what matters the future? Is there a knife here to put an end to me? Let me die!"
His excitement rose every minute. I seemed to dread47 lest in some frenzied48 moment he should spring from the bed and destroy his child's life. But she, calm though deadly pale, knelt at the door, which was standing open, and outside I could see Sperver, whose features betrayed the deepest anxiety. He drew near without noise, and bending towards Odile—
"Oh, mademoiselle!" he whispered—"mademoiselle, the count is such a worthy49, good man. If you would but just say only, 'Perhaps—by-and-by—we will see.'"
She made no reply, and did not change her attitude.
At this moment I persuaded the Lord of Nideck to take a few drops of Laudanum; he sank back with a sigh, and soon his panting and irregular breathing became more measured under the influence of a deep and heavy slumber50.
Odile arose, and her aged51 friend, who had not opened her lips, went out with her. Sperver and I watched their slowly retreating figures. There was a calm grandeur52 in the step of the young countess which seemed to express a consciousness of duty fulfilled.
When she had disappeared down the long corridor Gideon turned towards me.
"Well, Fritz," he said gravely, "what is your opinion?"
I bent53 my head down without answering. This girl's incredible firmness astonished and bewildered me.
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1
likeness
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| n.相像，相似（之处） | |
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simplicity
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| n.简单，简易；朴素；直率，单纯 | |
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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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4
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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remissness
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| n.玩忽职守；马虎；怠慢；不小心 | |
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alcove
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| n.凹室 | |
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7
favourable
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| adj.赞成的，称赞的，有利的，良好的，顺利的 | |
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8
avert
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| v.防止，避免；转移(目光、注意力等) | |
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9
presentiment
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| n.预感，预觉 | |
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presentiments
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| n.（对不祥事物的）预感( presentiment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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prospects
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| n.希望，前途(恒为复数) | |
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prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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penetrates
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| v.穿过( penetrate的第三人称单数 )；刺入；了解；渗透 | |
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15
elasticity
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| n.弹性，伸缩力 | |
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16
disorder
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| n.紊乱，混乱；骚动，骚乱；疾病，失调 | |
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17
regain
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| vt.重新获得，收复，恢复 | |
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18
saluted
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| v.欢迎，致敬( salute的过去式和过去分词 )；赞扬，赞颂 | |
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19
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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20
untold
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| adj.数不清的，无数的 | |
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21
beholding
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| v.看，注视( behold的现在分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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22
entreaty
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| n.恳求，哀求 | |
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compassion
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| n.同情，怜悯 | |
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watchful
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| adj.注意的，警惕的 | |
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perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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motives
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| n.动机，目的( motive的名词复数 ) | |
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27
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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modesty
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| n.谦逊，虚心，端庄，稳重，羞怯，朴素 | |
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retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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evade
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| vt.逃避，回避；避开，躲避 | |
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31
consolations
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| n.安慰，慰问( consolation的名词复数 )；起安慰作用的人（或事物） | |
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32
vouchsafed
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| v.给予，赐予( vouchsafe的过去式和过去分词 )；允诺 | |
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33
frankly
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| adv.坦白地，直率地；坦率地说 | |
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34
consecrated
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| adj.神圣的，被视为神圣的v.把…奉为神圣，给…祝圣( consecrate的过去式和过去分词 )；奉献 | |
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35
frail
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| adj.身体虚弱的；易损坏的 | |
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36
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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ominous
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| adj.不祥的，不吉的，预兆的，预示的 | |
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38
smothered
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| （使）窒息， （使）透不过气( smother的过去式和过去分词 )； 覆盖； 忍住； 抑制 | |
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39
pious
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| adj.虔诚的；道貌岸然的 | |
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40
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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41
abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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42
agitated
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| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
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43
savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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44
malignant
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| adj.恶性的，致命的；恶意的，恶毒的 | |
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45
writhed
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| （因极度痛苦而）扭动或翻滚( writhe的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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46
interfere
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| v.(in)干涉，干预；(with)妨碍，打扰 | |
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47
dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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48
frenzied
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| a.激怒的；疯狂的 | |
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49
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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50
slumber
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| n.睡眠，沉睡状态 | |
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51
aged
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| adj.年老的，陈年的 | |
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52
grandeur
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| n.伟大，崇高，宏伟，庄严，豪华 | |
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53
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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