“If we wish to profit by the ice,” cried the queen, “I believe we must make haste; for look, Madame de Misery2, the spring seems to have begun. I much wish to make up a party on the Swiss lake, and will go to-day, for to-morrow it may be too late.”
“Immediately; I will breakfast and then go.”
“Are there any other orders, madame?”
“See if Madlle. de Taverney has risen, and tell her I wish to speak to her.”
“She is already waiting for you in the boudoir, madame.”
“Already?” said the queen, who knew at what time she had gone to bed.
“She has been there for twenty minutes, madame.”
“Ask her to come in.”
Andrée soon entered, dressed with her usual care, and smiling, though rather unquiet.
“Go, my good Misery, and send me Leonard.”
When she was gone, “The king has been charming,” said the queen to Andrée; “he has laughed, and is quite disarmed5.”
“But does he know, madame?”
“You understand, Andrée, that a woman does not tell falsehoods when she has done no wrong and is the Queen of France.”
“Certainly, madame.”
“Still, my dear Andrée, it seems we have been wrong——”
“Doubtless, madame, but how?”
“Why, in pitying Madame de la Motte; the king dislikes her, but I confess she pleased me.”
“Here is Leonard,” said Madame de Misery, returning.
The queen seated herself before her silver-gilt toilet-table, and the celebrated6 hair-dresser commenced his operations.
She had the most beautiful hair in the world, and was fond of looking at it; Leonard knew this, and therefore with her was always tardy7 in his movements, that she might have time to admire it.
Marie Antoinette was looking beautiful that morning: she was pleased and happy.
Her hair finished, she turned again to Andrée.
“You have not been scolded,” she said; “you are free: besides, they say every one is afraid of you, because, like Minerva, you are too wise.”
“I, madame?”
“Yes, you; but, oh, mon Dieu! how happy you are to be unmarried, and, above all, to be content to be so.”
Andrée blushed, and tried to smile.
“And which you will keep, beautiful vestal?”
“I hope so.”
“Apropos,” said the queen, “I remember, that although unmarried, you have a master since yesterday morning.”
“A master, madame?”
“Yes, your dear brother; what do you call him?—Philippe, is it not?”
“Yes, madame.”
“Has he arrived?”
“He came yesterday.”
“And you have not yet seen him? I took you away to Paris, selfish that I was; it was unpardonable.”
“Oh, madame! I pardon you willingly, and Philippe also.”
“Are you sure?”
“I answer for both of us.”
“How is he?”
“As usual, beautiful and good, madame.”
“How old is he now?”
“Thirty-two.”
“Poor Philippe! do you know that it is fourteen years since I first met him! But I have not seen him now for nine or ten.”
“Whenever your majesty pleases to receive him he will be but too happy to assure you that this long absence has not altered the sentiment of respectful devotion which he has ever felt for his queen.”
“I will see him at once.”
“In a quarter of an hour he will be at your majesty’s feet.”
Scarcely was Andrée gone, when the queen saw reflected in the glass an arch and laughing face. “My brother D’Artois,” cried the queen; “how you frightened me!”
“Good morning, your majesty,” said the young prince; “how did your majesty pass the night?”
“Very badly, brother.”
“And the morning?”
“Very well.”
“That is the most important; I guessed that all had gone right, for I have just met the king, and he was smiling most graciously.”
The queen laughed, and he echoed it.
The queen had just cast off her dressing-gown of India muslin, and put on her morning dress, when the door opened and Andrée entered, leading by the hand a handsome man with a brown complexion9, noble black eyes, profoundly imbued10 with melancholy11, and a soldier-like carriage. He looked like one of Coypel’s or Gainsborough’s beautiful portraits.
He was dressed in a dark gray coat, embroidered12 in silver, a white cravat13, and a dark waistcoat; and this rather somber14 style of dress seemed to suit the manly15 character of his beauty.
“Your majesty,” said Andrée, “here is my brother.”
Philippe bowed gravely.
The queen, who had until now been looking at his figure reflected in her mirror, turned round and saluted16 him. She was beautiful, with that royal beauty which made all around her not only partisans17 of the throne, but adorers of the woman. She possessed19 the power of beauty; and, if we may make use of the inversion20, the beauty of power. Philippe, seeing her smile, and feeling those limpid21 eyes, at once soft and proud, fixed22 upon him, turned pale, and could hardly restrain his emotion.
“It appears, M. de Taverney,” said she, “that you pay me your first visit; I thank you for it.”
“How many years have passed since we last met, monsieur? Alas24! the most beautiful part of our lives.”
“For me, madame, but not for your majesty, to whom all days are alike charming.”
“You were then pleased with America, M. de Taverney, as you remained there so long?”
“Madame,” answered Philippe, “M. de la Fayette, when he left the New World, had need of an officer in whom he could place confidence to take the command of the French auxiliaries25. He proposed me, therefore, to General Washington, who accepted me.”
“It seems,” said the queen, “that this new country sends us home many heroes.”
“Your majesty does not mean that for me?” asked Philippe, laughing.
“Why not?” Then turning to the Comte d’Artois, “See, brother,” she said; “has not M. de Taverney the look of a hero?”
Philippe, seeing himself thus introduced to the young prince, bowed low. He returned it, and said, “I am most happy to make the acquaintance of such a gentleman. What are your intentions in returning to France, sir?”
“Monseigneur,” answered Philippe, “my sister is my first consideration; whatever she wishes, I shall do.”
“But she has a father, I believe,” said the count.
“Never mind him,” said the queen, quickly, “I prefer Andrée under her brother’s protection, and he under yours, count. You will take charge of M. de Taverney, will you not?”
“What do you mean, sister?”
“That he was the first Frenchman who presented himself to my eyes when I arrived in this country; and I had taken a very sincere vow to promote the happiness of the first Frenchman I should meet.”
Philippe felt the blood rush to his face, and Andrée looked at him rather sadly.
The queen observed these looks of the brother and sister, and fancied she divined the cause. “Why,” she thought, “should not Monsieur de Taverney have partaken the epidemic28 passion which pervaded29 all France for the dauphiness in 1774?” Marie Antoinette therefore attributed these looks to some confidence of this kind which the brother had made to the sister; and in consequence, she smiled still more upon him, and redoubled her kindness towards Andrée.
The queen was a true woman, and gloried in being loved.
It was an innocent coquetry, and the most generous souls have the most strongly these aspirations30 for the love of all who surround them.
Alas! a time is coming for thee, poor queen, when those smiles towards those who love thee, with which thou hast been reproached, thou shalt vainly bestow31 on those that love thee not!
The Comte d’Artois approached Philippe while the queen was talking to Andrée, and said, “Do you think Washington so very great a general?”
“Certainly a great man, monseigneur.”
“And what effect did our French produce out there?”
“As much good as the English did harm.”
“Ah, you are a partisan18 of the new ideas, my dear M. Philippe de Taverney; but have you reflected on one thing?”
“What, monseigneur? I assure you that out there, encamped in the fields, and in the savannahs on the borders of the great lakes, I had plenty of time for reflection.”
“On this, that in making war out there, it was neither on the Indians nor on the English, but on us.”
“Ah, monseigneur, I do not deny that that is possible.”
“Therefore I do not admire so much these victories of M. de la Fayette and Washington. It is egotism, perhaps, but it is not egotism for myself alone.”
“Oh, monseigneur!”
“But do you know why I will still support you with all my power?”
“Whatever be the reason, I shall be truly grateful.”
“It is, because you are not one of those whose names have been blazoned32 forth33. You have done your duty bravely, but you have not thrust yourself forward; you are not known in Paris.”
The young prince then kissed the queen’s hand, and bowing to Andrée, left the room.
Then the queen turned again to Philippe, saying, “Have you seen your father, sir?”
“No, madame.”
“Why did you not go to see him first?”
“I had sent home my valet, and my luggage, but my father sent the servant back again, with orders to present myself first to you, or the king.”
“It is a lovely morning,” said the queen; “to-morrow the ice will begin to melt. Madame de Misery, order my sledge34 and send my chocolate in here.”
“Will not your majesty take something to eat? You had no supper last night.”
“You mistake, my good Misery, we had supper. Had we not, Andrée?”
“A very good one, madame.”
“So I will only have my chocolate. Quick, Madame de Misery; this fine weather tempts35 me, and the Swiss lake will be full of company.”
“Your majesty is going to skate?” asked Philippe.
“Ah, you will laugh at us, M. l’Américain; you, who have traversed lakes where there are more miles than we have feet here.”
“Madame,” replied Philippe, “here you amuse yourself with the cold, but there they die of it.”
“Ah, here is my chocolate; Andrée, take a cup with me.”
Andrée bowed, coloring with pleasure.
“You see, M. de Taverney, I am always the same, hating all etiquette36, as in old times. Do you remember those old days? Are you changed since then, M. Philippe?”
“No, madame,” replied the young man, “I am not changed—at least, not in heart.”
“Well, I am glad to hear that, for it was a good one. A cup for M. de Taverney, Madame de Misery.”
“Oh, madame!” cried Philippe, “you cannot mean it; such an honor for a poor obscure soldier like me.”
“An old friend,” said the queen; “this day seems to remind me of my youth; I seem again happy, free, proud and yet foolish. This day recalls to me that happy time at my dear Trianon, and all our frolics there, Andrée and I together. This day brings back to my memory my roses, my strawberries, and my birds, that I was so fond of, all, even to my good gardeners, whose happy faces often announced to me a new flower or a delicious fruit; and M. de Jussieu and that original old Rousseau, who is since dead. But come,” continued she, herself pouring the chocolate into his cup, “you are a soldier, and accustomed to fire, so burn yourself gloriously with this chocolate, for I am in a hurry.”
She laughed, but Philippe, taking it seriously, drank it off most heroically.
The queen saw him, and laughing still more, said, “You are indeed a perfect hero, M. de Taverney.” She then rose, and her woman brought her bonnet37, ermine mantle38, and gloves.
Philippe took his hat under his arm, and followed her and Andrée out.
“M. de Taverney, I do not mean you to leave me,” said the queen. “Come round to my right.”
They went down the great staircase; the drums were beating, the clarions
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收听单词发音
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1
genial
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| adj.亲切的，和蔼的，愉快的，脾气好的 | |
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2
misery
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| n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦 | |
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3
majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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4
reassured
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| adj.使消除疑虑的；使放心的v.再保证，恢复信心( reassure的过去式和过去分词) | |
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5
disarmed
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| v.裁军( disarm的过去式和过去分词 )；使息怒 | |
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6
celebrated
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| adj.有名的，声誉卓著的 | |
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7
tardy
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| adj.缓慢的，迟缓的 | |
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8
vow
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| n.誓(言)，誓约；v.起誓，立誓 | |
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complexion
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| n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格 | |
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imbued
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| v.使（某人/某事）充满或激起（感情等）( imbue的过去式和过去分词 )；使充满；灌输；激发（强烈感情或品质等） | |
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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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12
embroidered
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| adj．绣花的 | |
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cravat
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| n.领巾，领结；v.使穿有领结的服装，使结领结 | |
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14
somber
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| adj.昏暗的，阴天的，阴森的，忧郁的 | |
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15
manly
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| adj.有男子气概的；adv.男子般地，果断地 | |
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16
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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17
partisans
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| 游击队员( partisan的名词复数 )； 党人； 党羽； 帮伙 | |
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18
partisan
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| adj.党派性的；游击队的；n.游击队员；党徒 | |
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possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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inversion
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| n.反向，倒转，倒置 | |
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limpid
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| adj.清澈的，透明的 | |
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22
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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23
deigns
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| v.屈尊，俯就( deign的第三人称单数 ) | |
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24
alas
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| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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auxiliaries
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| n.助动词 ( auxiliary的名词复数 )；辅助工，辅助人员 | |
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26
assent
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| v.批准，认可；n.批准，认可 | |
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binds
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| v.约束( bind的第三人称单数 )；装订；捆绑；（用长布条）缠绕 | |
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epidemic
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| n.流行病；盛行；adj.流行性的，流传极广的 | |
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29
pervaded
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| v.遍及，弥漫( pervade的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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30
aspirations
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| 强烈的愿望( aspiration的名词复数 )； 志向； 发送气音； 发 h 音 | |
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31
bestow
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| v.把…赠与，把…授予；花费 | |
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32
blazoned
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| v.广布( blazon的过去式和过去分词 )；宣布；夸示；装饰 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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34
sledge
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| n.雪橇，大锤；v.用雪橇搬运，坐雪橇往 | |
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tempts
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| v.引诱或怂恿（某人）干不正当的事( tempt的第三人称单数 )；使想要 | |
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36
etiquette
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| n.礼仪，礼节；规矩 | |
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37
bonnet
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| n.无边女帽；童帽 | |
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38
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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