Agahr stood before his daughter for a time in silence, searching her fair and composed face with much earnestness. The soft, languorous8 eyes met his own frankly9 and lovingly, and she smiled until the dimples showed daintily in her pretty cheeks.
“You are welcome, oh my father,” she tenderly exclaimed.
He seated himself in a chair and waved the women away.
“You are about to retire, my Maie?” he asked, when they were alone.
“I am preparing for the night, dear one, but I shall not retire as yet. How could I sleep with our fortunes swinging with the pendulum10 of fate? This night we win or lose all.”
He did not reply, but sat moodily11 studying her expression, and she moved restlessly and turned her face slightly to the shade.
“Yet there is small risk of failure,” she continued, after a pause. “The Khan, secure in the strength of his loyal tribes, has neglected to prepare for immediate12 battle, and Kasam’s host, once inside the gate, will carry all before it.”
“And then?” he asked, gravely.
“Then Kasam will keep his promise, and make me his queen. It is the price we demanded for giving him his throne. And, through me, my father, you shall hereafter rule Mekran.”
The vizier sighed and stroked his beard.
“Are you willing to become Kasam’s queen when you know he loves the American girl whom he attempted to carry away by force? Will you be able, without his love, to bend him to your will?”
Maie laughed softly, clasping her jewelled fingers behind the folds of her hair.
“Let him love the American girl!” she answered, a touch of scorn in her voice. “While he dallies13 in her presence I will direct the affairs of state. Listen, my father, I have never loved Kasam from the first. Nor could that cold-eyed Ahmed Khan have ever won my heart. Yet to favor my ambition I would have mated with either one. The fates now favor Kasam, and if I cannot rule him through love I will rule him through cunning. The foreign girl will not stand in my way. In the harem of a khan are subtile poisons and daggers14 with needle points, and no dull-witted Western maiden15 can ever hope to oppose your Maie’s intrigues16.”
Agahr stared at her as if afraid. The perfect repose18 of her features as she hissed19 the fiendish words struck a chill to his very bones.
“You are false as Iblis itself, my Maie,” he said. “How do I know you will sacrifice me, also, to your great ambition?”
“Have no fear, my father,” she returned, her low laugh rippling20 through the perfumed atmosphere. “You live but to please your Maie; would she foolishly betray her most faithful servant? We are one in all things.”
Again he sat silent, the frown growing upon his face. Perhaps he had begun to realize, for the first time in his life, that all this loveliness before him breathed passion and sensuality, but no warrant of a soul beneath its exquisite21 outlines. His child was beautiful, indeed; so beautiful that he had worshipped her as an angel of paradise, sent to comfort and console his old age. He had longed to see her acknowledged above all women of Baluchistan as the brightest star in the harem of the Khan himself—the greatest pride and glory a father and a true believer could conceive. He had plotted and planned to this end without regard or consideration for others: even with an humble22 subversion23 of self. But she had given him nothing in return. Her very love for him was more calculating than filial. And he knew her furtive24 mind so intimately that he might well doubt her truth.
“Since you were a child,” he said, musingly25, “I have made you my comrade; more, my confidant. You were not treated like other women of Islam, but given the full freedom of my household. I have loaded you with jewels, with fine cloths from the looms26 of Persia, of Turkey and of China; with precious perfumes and cosmetics27 from Arabia. Your slaves are the loveliest maidens28 of Circassia and Morocco, purchased with vast sums to minister to your lightest whims29. Even the harem of the Khan cannot boast a greater luxury than that which surrounds you. Yet you have dared to deceive me.”
The last words were spoken with impetuous force, as if evoked30 by a sudden thought. The lashes31 that veiled her eyes flickered32 slightly the accusation33, but she made no other movement.
His voice grew stern.
“Tell me, why have you favored a dog of an infidel?”
“I, my father? I favor a dog of an infidel? Are you mad?”
“It has come to my ears,” he said, stiffly. “The young American who came here with Kasam.”
Maie stared at him as if amazed, as in truth she was. Then her head fell back and from her slender throat burst a peal34 of merriment that was well-nigh irresistible35. She sprang up lightly, dropping her outer robe, and cast herself with abandon into the old man’s arms, clinging to his neck and nestling within his lap while her laughter filled his ears like the sweet chime of silver bells.
“Oh, my foolish, ridiculous old father!” she cried, while kissing his forehead and smoothing his beard over her bosom36, like a mantle37. “Has the serpent of folly38 bitten you? What monster of Agoum put such dreadful thoughts of your little Maie into your suspicious head? An infidel! Has the Prophet forsaken39 me? Were I lacking in any modesty—which Allah forbid!—would a daughter of Raab choose an infidel?”
“The tale was brought to me, and I could not but doubt,” he said, doggedly42. “But I am very glad to find you innocent, my precious one. Forget the words, Maie, for they were inspired by a lying tongue—one that I will tear out by the roots at tomorrow’s sunrise!”
He arose from his seat, clasping her in his arms like a little child, and carried her to a divan43, where he gently laid her down. Then he bent44 over and kissed both her cheeks.
“I must go now,” said he. “Midnight approaches, and I must be at the gate to admit Kasam.”
“You will disguise yourself?” she asked, holding one of his hands as she gazed up at him.
“I shall cover my head with a cloak. Beni-Bouraz is Captain of the Guard, and he must know it is the Vizier who commands him to open. Afterward45 it will not matter who recognizes me.”
“Be careful,” she cautioned. “We must guard against treachery. Are you sure no one knows our plot?”
“The messenger who returned from Kasam is dead. Yamou attended to him.”
She nodded.
“Then go, my father; and may Allah guide your hand!”
Slowly he turned and without further word left the room. The passage was dark, and he stumbled along, feeling his way, until he came to the draperies that hid his own chamber46. Having thrust these aside he entered to find the room well lighted but deserted47 by even his slaves.
Thoughtfully the old vizier sat at his table and pondered well the scene just enacted48 within his daughter’s boudoir. While in her presence he had seemed convinced of her innocence49; but now the old doubts assailed50 him anew.
Presently his brow cleared. He reached out his hand and touched a soft-toned gong, and immediately the tall, dark figure of a Moor51 entered and made obeisance52.
“Yamou,” said the vizier, “David the Jew was here this morning. He had a secret to sell. He swears that my daughter meets the young American infidel in my own garden, entering by the Gate of the Griffins.”
The black stood as if made of stone, not a muscle of his face moving.
“Have you known of this, Yamou?”
“No, my master.”
“It may not be true. David declared they will meet tonight—just before the midnight hour. You will take three of the most trusted slaves and at once hide yourselves in the shrubbery at the end of the garden. Remain there until daybreak, unless the infidel should indeed come.”
“And if he comes?”
“Kill him, Yamou!” said the old man, with sudden passion. “And if Maie goes to meet him kill her also. I’ll harbor no toy of an infidel dog in my household, even though it be my own daughter!”
Yamou bowed and touched the cimeter at his belt.
“You shall be obeyed, my master.”
Agahr glanced at the brutal53 visage of the Moor and hesitated, repenting54 already his command. But Maie had protested her innocence in no uncertain words. He would believe her. Should she prove false, the fate that would overtake her would be her own fault, and not to be laid at his door. But there! she was innocent, without a doubt. Her ambitions were too great to permit her to descend55 to so unnatural56 and foolish an intrigue17. It would do no harm to wash the blemish57 of David’s lying tales from his daughter’s fair name by hiding the slaves in the shrubbery. If proof were needed, there would be the proof.
“You may go, Yamou.”
The slave salamed again, and noiselessly withdrew.
Left alone, Agahr drew a black cloak over his dress, arranging the folds to conceal58 his face and beard. Then he crept through an ante-room and along a short passage to a secret door that led into a small garden. Crossing this open space he unlocked a gate in the wall and so let himself into a lane that ran past the grounds of his mansion59.
The streets seemed deserted and the night was very dark, for a storm was threatening. But Agahr knew every inch of his way and without hesitation60 threaded the narrow streets until he finally reached the west wall of the city.
Above the gate a dim light shone through the windows of the watch tower, and the vizier mounted the steep stone steps and pushed open the door.
Upon a bench sat two burly Baluchi, earnestly intent upon a game of dice61. At the far end of the room, half hidden by the dim shadows, lay a dark group of slumbering62 guardsmen.
“Ah-yah!” called one of the dicers, as he noted63 the presence of a visitor; “what is wanted at this hour? None can pass the gate till daybreak.” And he calmly continued to toss the cubes.
Agahr walked up to him and threw back the folds of his cloak.
“Yes. Open the gate for me, Beni-Bouraz. I am to meet a friend here tonight.”
“But, master—”
“Silence! Do as I bid you, Captain. Open the gate.”
The officer bowed low. Then he walked to the end of the room and kicked two of his men.
“Get up, you dogs. His Excellency the Vizier commands the gate to be opened.”
They got upon their feet, growling65 at the summons, and shuffled66 over to the windlass. Beni-Bouraz released the bar, and the men began winding67 up the huge chain that raised the gate.
As he noted this, the vizier turned to descend.
“Come with me, Captain,” he said to Beni; “it may be necessary to hold the gate open for a time. I will myself give you the command to close it.”
The officer followed him down the stairs, and when they had disappeared from the room a big guardsman arose from the group of sleepers68 and, still muffled69 in his robe, followed after the captain. Also the others arose, seemingly alert, and by the light of the torch exchanged grins with the men at the windlass.
When Agahr paused before the heavily-barred gate it had already ascended70 toward the arch far enough to admit a horseman. Presently, with a final creak that sounded very audible in the stillness of the night, the windlass stopped and the gate remained poised71 in the archway.
Agahr bent forward, and heard the soft pattering of horses’ feet. The sound was repeated to the right and left, echoing far out upon the plains as if an army was awakening72 to action. Then the patter broke into a gallop73, and a single horseman rode through the gate, a drawn74 sword clutched in his hand.
Almost instantly a light flamed up behind them, and its red glow spread outside the gate and showed the plain fairly alive with a host of warriors76.
“Advance!” shouted Kasam, and waved his sword around his head.
Then a strange denouement77 came. The immense gate, suddenly loosened from the tower, fell with a crash, crushing beneath its weight those of the front rank that already pressed forward to enter. A strong hand seized the prince and dragged him from his saddle, disarming78 him at the same instant.
And then a mighty79 shout burst from many throats, sounding from all the length of the great wall as well as from the horde80 that clamored helplessly without. Torches flashed, tom-toms were beat with lusty strokes and the alarm gong sent its warning tones reverberating81 throughout the city.
Agahr the Vizier was astounded82. Even his sacred person had been seized and his limbs bound fast with strong cords. It had all happened so suddenly that the old man did not recover his wits until he heard the cries of Kasam’s host as it retreated before the hail of missiles descending83 from the wall.
Then he turned to confront the stern features of Ahmed Khan, and dropped his eyes before the gaze he encountered.
Kasam, also securely bound, stood with a look of sullen84 rage upon his handsome face, but proudly erect85 as ever.
“I am betrayed!” he muttered.
“I, also, Prince, was nearly betrayed,” replied the Khan, in a harsh voice. “The fortunes of war, in this benighted86 country, are often nursed by the hand of treachery. Fortunately for the safety of Mekran, I was warned in time.”
Kasam turned angrily upon the vizier.
“I owe this to you, I suppose!” he said, bitterly.
“My bonds will prove my faith,” returned Agahr, with dignity.
The Khan raised his hand, as if to command peace. The red light of the torch upon his face seemed to soften40 its sternness.
“That your disloyal plans have come to naught,” he said, in more kindly87 tones, “is{261} due alone to the will of Allah. Come, Captain Beni-Bouraz; you may follow me with your prisoners to the palace.”
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收听单词发音
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1
propped
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| 支撑，支持，维持( prop的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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glossy
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| adj.平滑的；有光泽的 | |
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pungent
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| adj.（气味、味道）刺激性的，辛辣的；尖锐的 | |
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ointments
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| n.软膏( ointment的名词复数 )；扫兴的人；煞风景的事物；药膏 | |
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rosy
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| adj.美好的，乐观的，玫瑰色的 | |
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hue
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| n.色度；色调；样子 | |
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spicy
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| adj.加香料的；辛辣的，有风味的 | |
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8
languorous
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| adj.怠惰的，没精打采的 | |
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frankly
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| adv.坦白地，直率地；坦率地说 | |
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pendulum
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| n.摆，钟摆 | |
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moodily
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| adv.喜怒无常地；情绪多变地；心情不稳地；易生气地 | |
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12
immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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dallies
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| v.随随便便地对待( dally的第三人称单数 )；不很认真地考虑；浪费时间；调情 | |
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daggers
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| 匕首，短剑( dagger的名词复数 ) | |
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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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intrigues
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| n.密谋策划( intrigue的名词复数 )；神秘气氛；引人入胜的复杂情节v.搞阴谋诡计( intrigue的第三人称单数 )；激起…的好奇心 | |
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17
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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18
repose
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| v.(使)休息；n.安息 | |
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hissed
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| 发嘶嘶声( hiss的过去式和过去分词 )； 发嘘声表示反对 | |
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rippling
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| 起涟漪的，潺潺流水般声音的 | |
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exquisite
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| adj.精美的；敏锐的；剧烈的，感觉强烈的 | |
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humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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subversion
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| n.颠覆，破坏 | |
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furtive
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| adj.鬼鬼崇崇的，偷偷摸摸的 | |
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musingly
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| adv.沉思地，冥想地 | |
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26
looms
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| n.织布机( loom的名词复数 )v.隐约出现，阴森地逼近( loom的第三人称单数 )；隐约出现，阴森地逼近 | |
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27
cosmetics
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| n.化妆品 | |
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maidens
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| 处女( maiden的名词复数 )； 少女； 未婚女子； （板球运动）未得分的一轮投球 | |
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WHIMS
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| 虚妄，禅病 | |
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evoked
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| [医]诱发的 | |
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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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32
flickered
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| （通常指灯光）闪烁，摇曳( flicker的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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accusation
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| n.控告，指责，谴责 | |
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peal
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| n.钟声；v.鸣响 | |
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irresistible
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| adj.非常诱人的，无法拒绝的，无法抗拒的 | |
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bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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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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folly
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| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
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Forsaken
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| adj. 被遗忘的, 被抛弃的 动词forsake的过去分词 | |
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40
soften
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| v.(使)变柔软；(使)变柔和 | |
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41
softened
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| （使）变软( soften的过去式和过去分词 )； 缓解打击； 缓和； 安慰 | |
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42
doggedly
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| adv.顽强地，固执地 | |
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43
divan
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| n.长沙发；（波斯或其他东方诗人的）诗集 | |
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44
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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45
afterward
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| adv.后来；以后 | |
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46
chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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48
enacted
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| 制定（法律），通过（法案）( enact的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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49
innocence
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| n.无罪；天真；无害 | |
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50
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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51
moor
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| n.荒野，沼泽；vt.(使)停泊；vi.停泊 | |
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52
obeisance
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| n.鞠躬，敬礼 | |
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53
brutal
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| adj.残忍的，野蛮的，不讲理的 | |
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54
repenting
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| 对（自己的所为）感到懊悔或忏悔( repent的现在分词 ) | |
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55
descend
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| vt./vi.传下来，下来，下降 | |
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56
unnatural
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| adj.不自然的；反常的 | |
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57
blemish
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| v.损害；玷污；瑕疵，缺点 | |
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58
conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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59
mansion
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| n.大厦，大楼；宅第 | |
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60
hesitation
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| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
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61
dice
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| n.骰子；vt.把（食物）切成小方块，冒险 | |
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62
slumbering
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| 微睡，睡眠（slumber的现在分词形式） | |
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63
noted
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| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
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64
saluting
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| v.欢迎，致敬( salute的现在分词 )；赞扬，赞颂 | |
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65
growling
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| n.吠声, 咆哮声 v.怒吠, 咆哮, 吼 | |
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66
shuffled
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| v.洗（纸牌）( shuffle的过去式和过去分词 )；拖着脚步走；粗心地做；摆脱尘世的烦恼 | |
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67
winding
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| n.绕，缠，绕组，线圈 | |
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68
sleepers
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| n.卧铺（通常以复数形式出现）；卧车( sleeper的名词复数 )；轨枕；睡觉（呈某种状态）的人；小耳环 | |
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69
muffled
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| adj.（声音）被隔的；听不太清的；（衣服）裹严的；蒙住的v.压抑，捂住( muffle的过去式和过去分词 )；用厚厚的衣帽包着（自己） | |
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70
ascended
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| v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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71
poised
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| a.摆好姿势不动的 | |
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72
awakening
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| n.觉醒，醒悟 adj.觉醒中的；唤醒的 | |
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73
gallop
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| v./n.(马或骑马等)飞奔；飞速发展 | |
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74
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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75
gateway
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| n.大门口，出入口，途径，方法 | |
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76
warriors
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| 武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
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77
denouement
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| n.结尾，结局 | |
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78
disarming
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| adj.消除敌意的，使人消气的v.裁军( disarm的现在分词 )；使息怒 | |
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79
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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80
horde
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| n.群众，一大群 | |
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81
reverberating
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| 回响，回荡( reverberate的现在分词 )； 使反响，使回荡，使反射 | |
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82
astounded
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| v.使震惊(astound的过去式和过去分词)；愕然；愕；惊讶 | |
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83
descending
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| n. 下行 adj. 下降的 | |
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84
sullen
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| adj.愠怒的，闷闷不乐的，(天气等)阴沉的 | |
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85
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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86
benighted
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| adj.蒙昧的 | |
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87
kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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