Gottfried Wolfgang was a young man of good family. He had studied for some time at Göttingen, but being of a visionary and enthusiastic character, he had wandered into those wild and speculative5 doctrines6 which have so often bewildered German students. His secluded7 life, his intense application, and the singular nature of his studies, had an effect on both mind and body. His health was impaired8; his imagination diseased. He had been indulging in fanciful speculations9 on spiritual essences until, like Swedenborg, he had an ideal world of his own around him. He took up a notion, I do not know from what cause, that there was an evil influence hanging over him; an evil genius or spirit seeking to ensnare him and ensure his perdition. Such an idea working on his melancholy10 temperament11 produced the most gloomy effects. He became haggard and desponding. His friends discovered the mental malady12 preying13 upon him, and determined14 that the best cure was a change of scene; he was sent, therefore, to finish his studies amidst the splendours and gaieties of Paris.
Wolfgang arrived at Paris at the breaking out of the revolution. The popular delirium15 at first caught his enthusiastic mind, and he was captivated by the political and philosophical16 theories of the day: but the scenes of blood which followed shocked his sensitive nature; disgusted him with society and the world, and made him more than ever a recluse17. He shut himself up in a solitary18 apartment in the Pays Latin, the quarter of students. There in a gloomy street not far from the monastic walls of the Sorbonne, he pursued his favourite speculations. Sometimes he spent hours together in the great libraries of Paris, those catacombs of departed authors, rummaging19 among their hoards20 of dusty and obsolete21 works in quest of food for his unhealthy appetite. He was, in a manner, a literary goul, feeding in the charnel house of decayed literature.
Wolfgang, though solitary and recluse, was of an ardent22 temperament, but for a time it operated merely upon his imagination. He was too shy and ignorant of the world to make any advances to the fair, but he was a passionate23 admirer of female beauty, and in his lonely chamber24 would often lose himself in reveries on forms and faces which he had seen, and his fancy would deck out images of loveliness far surpassing the reality.
While his mind was in this excited and sublimated25 state, a dream produced an extraordinary effect upon him. It was of a female face of transcendent beauty. So strong was the impression made, that he dreamt of it again and again. It haunted his thoughts by day, his slumbers26 by night; in fine, he became passionately27 enamoured of this shadow of a dream. This lasted so long, that it became one of those fixed28 ideas which haunt the minds of melancholy men, and are at times mistaken for madness.
Such was Gottfried Wolfgang, and such his situation at the time I mentioned. He was returning home late one stormy night, through some of the old and gloomy streets of the Marais, the ancient part of Paris. The loud claps of thunder rattled among the high houses of the narrow streets. He came to the Place de Grève, the square where public executions are performed. The lightning quivered about the pinnacles29 of the ancient Hôtel de Ville, and shed flickering30 gleams over the open space in front. As Wolfgang was crossing the square, he shrank back with horror at finding himself close by the guillotine. It was the height of the reign31 of terror, when this dreadful instrument of death stood ever ready, and its scaffold was continually running with the blood of the virtuous32 and the brave. It had that very day been actively33 employed in the work of carnage, and there it stood in grim array amidst a silent and sleeping city, waiting for fresh victims.
Wolfgang’s heart sickened within him, and he was turning shuddering34 from the horrible engine, when he beheld35 a shadowy form cowering36 as it were at the foot of the steps which led up to the scaffold. A succession of vivid flashes of lightning revealed it more distinctly. It was a female figure, dressed inblack. She was seated on one of the lower steps of the scaffold, leaning forward, her face hid in her lap, and her long dishevelled tresses hanging to the ground, streaming with the rain which fell in torrents37. Wolfgang paused. There was something awful in this solitary monument of wo. The female had the appearance of being above the common order. He knew the times to be full of vicissitude38, and that many a fair head, which had once been pillowed on down, now wandered houseless. Perhaps this was some poor mourner whom the dreadful axe39 had rendered desolate40, and who sat here heartbroken on the strand41 of existence, from which all that was dear to her had been launched into eternity42.
He approached, and addressed her in the accents of sympathy. She raised her head and gazed wildly at him. What was his astonishment43 at beholding44, by the bright glare of the lightning, the very face which had haunted him in his dreams. It was pale and disconsolate45, but ravishingly beautiful.
Trembling with violent and conflicting emotions, Wolfgang again accosted46 her. He spoke47 something of her being exposed at such an hour of the night, and to the fury of such a storm, and offered to conduct her to her friends. She pointed48 to the guillotine with a gesture of dreadful signification.
“I have no friend on earth!” said she.
“But you have a home,” said Wolfgang.
“Yes—in the grave!”
The heart of the student melted at the words.
“If a stranger dare make an offer,” said he, “without danger of being misunderstood, I would offer my humble49 dwelling50 as a shelter; myself as a devoted51 friend. I am friendless myself in Paris, and a stranger in the land; but if my life could be of service, it is at your disposal, and should be sacrificed before harm or indignity52 should come to you.”
There was an honest earnestness in the young man’s manner that had its effect. His foreign accent, too, was in his favour; it showed him not to be a hackneyed inhabitant of Paris. Indeed there is an eloquence53 in true enthusiasm that is not to be doubted. The homeless stranger confided54 herself implicitly55 to the protection of the student.
He supported her faltering56 steps across the Pont Neuf, and by the place where the statue of Henry the Fourth had been overthrown57 by the populace. The storm had abated58, and the thunder rumbled59 at a distance. All Paris was quiet; that great volcano of human passion slumbered60 for a while, to gather fresh strength for the next day’s eruption62. The student conducted his charge through the ancient streets of the Pays Latin, and by the dusky walls of the Sorbonne to the great, dingy63 hotel which he inhabited. The old portress who admitted them stared with surprise at the unusual sight of the melancholy Wolfgang with a female companion.
On entering his apartment, the student, for the first time, blushed at the scantiness64 and indifference65 of his dwelling. He had but one chamber—an old fashioned saloon—heavily carved and fantastically furnished with the remains66 of former magnificence, for it was one of those hotels in the quarter of the Luxembourg palace which had once belonged to nobility. It was lumbered61 with books and papers, and all the usual apparatus67 of a student, and his bed stood in a recess68 at one end.
When lights were brought, and Wolfgang had a better opportunity of contemplating69 the stranger, he was more than ever intoxicated70 by her beauty. Her face was pale, but of a dazzling fairness, set off by a profusion71 of raven72 hair that hung clustering about it. Her eyes were large and brilliant, with a singular expression approaching almostto wildness.Asfar as her black dress permitted her shape to be seen, it was of perfect symmetry. Her whole appearance was highly striking, though she was dressed in the simplest style. The only thing approaching to an ornament73 which she wore was a broad, black band round her neck, clasped by diamonds.
The perplexity now commenced with the student how to dispose of the helpless being thus thrown upon his protection. He thought of abandoning his chamber to her, and seeking shelter for himself elsewhere. Still he was so fascinated by her charms, there seemed to be such a spell upon his thoughts and senses, that he could not tear himself from her presence. Her manner, too, was singular and unaccountable. She spoke no more of the guillotine. Her grief had abated. The attentions of the student had first won her confidence, and then, apparently74, her heart. She was evidently an enthusiast4 like himself, and enthusiasts75 soon understand each other.
In the infatuation of the moment Wolfgang avowed76 his passion for her. He told her the story of his mysterious dream, and how she had possessed77 his heart before he had even seen her. She was strangely affected78 by his recital79, and acknowledged to have felt an impulse towards him equally unaccountable. It was the time for wild theory and wild actions. Old prejudices and superstitions80 were done away; every thing was under the sway of the “Goddess of Reason.” Among other rubbish of the old times, the forms and ceremonies of marriage began to be considered superfluous81 bonds for honourable82 minds. Social compacts were the vogue83. Wolfgang was too much of a theorist not to be tainted84 by the liberal doctrines of the day.
“Why should we separate?” said he: “our hearts are united; in the eye of reason and honour we are as one. What need is there of sordid85 forms to bind86 high souls together?”
The stranger listened with emotion: she had evidently received illumination at the same school.
“You have no home nor family,” continued he; “let me be every thing to you, or rather let us be every thing to one another. If form is necessary, form shall be observed—there is my hand. I pledge myself to you for ever.”
“For ever?” said the stranger, solemnly.
“For ever!” repeated Wolfgang.
The stranger clasped the hand extended to her: “Then I am yours,” murmured she, and sank upon his bosom87.
The next morning the student left his bride sleeping, and sallied forth88 at an early hour to seek more spacious89 apartments, suitable to the change in his situation. When he returned, he found the stranger lying with her head hanging over the bed, and one arm thrown over it. He spoke to her, but received no reply. He advanced to awaken90 her from her uneasy posture91. On taking her hand, it was cold—there was no pulsation—her face was pallid92 and ghastly.—In a word—she was a corpse93.
Horrified94 and frantic95, he alarmed the house. A scene of confusion ensued. The police was summoned. As the officer of police entered the room, he started back on beholding the corpse.
“Great heaven!” cried he, “how did this woman come here?”
“Do you know any thing about her?” said Wolfgang, eagerly.
“Do I?” exclaimed the police officer: “she was guillotined yesterday!”
He stepped forward; undid96 the black collar round the neck of the corpse, and the head rolled on the floor!
The student burst into a frenzy97. “The fiend! the fiend has gained possession of me!” shrieked98 he: “I am lost for ever!”
They tried to soothe99 him, but in vain. He was possessed with the frightful100 belief that an evil spirit had reanimated the dead body to ensnare him. He went distracted, and died in a madhouse.
“And is this really a fact?” said the inquisitive102 gentleman.
“A fact not to be doubted,” replied the other. “I had it from the best authority. The student told it me himself. I saw him in a madhouse at Paris.”
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1
tempestuous
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| adj.狂暴的 | |
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lodgings
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| n. 出租的房舍, 寄宿舍 | |
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rattled
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| 慌乱的，恼火的 | |
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enthusiast
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| n.热心人，热衷者 | |
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speculative
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| adj.思索性的，暝想性的，推理的 | |
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doctrines
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| n.教条( doctrine的名词复数 )；教义；学说；（政府政策的）正式声明 | |
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secluded
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| adj.与世隔绝的；隐退的；偏僻的v.使隔开，使隐退( seclude的过去式和过去分词) | |
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impaired
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| adj.受损的；出毛病的；有（身体或智力）缺陷的v.损害，削弱( impair的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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speculations
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| n.投机买卖( speculation的名词复数 )；思考；投机活动；推断 | |
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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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temperament
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| n.气质，性格，性情 | |
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malady
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| n.病，疾病(通常做比喻) | |
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preying
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| v.掠食( prey的现在分词 )；掠食；折磨；（人）靠欺诈为生 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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delirium
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| n. 神智昏迷,说胡话;极度兴奋 | |
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philosophical
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| adj.哲学家的，哲学上的，达观的 | |
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recluse
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| n.隐居者 | |
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solitary
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| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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rummaging
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| 翻找，搜寻( rummage的现在分词 )； 海关检查 | |
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hoards
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| n.（钱财、食物或其他珍贵物品的）储藏，积存( hoard的名词复数 )v.积蓄并储藏（某物）( hoard的第三人称单数 ) | |
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obsolete
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| adj.已废弃的，过时的 | |
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ardent
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，强烈的，烈性的 | |
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passionate
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，激昂的，易动情的，易怒的，性情暴躁的 | |
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chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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sublimated
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| v.（使某物质）升华( sublimate的过去式和过去分词 )；使净化；纯化 | |
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slumbers
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| 睡眠，安眠( slumber的名词复数 ) | |
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passionately
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| ad.热烈地，激烈地 | |
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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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pinnacles
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| 顶峰( pinnacle的名词复数 )； 顶点； 尖顶； 小尖塔 | |
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flickering
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| adj.闪烁的，摇曳的，一闪一闪的 | |
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reign
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| n.统治时期，统治，支配，盛行；v.占优势 | |
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virtuous
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| adj.有品德的，善良的，贞洁的，有效力的 | |
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actively
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| adv.积极地，勤奋地 | |
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34
shuddering
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| v.战栗( shudder的现在分词 )；发抖；（机器、车辆等）突然震动；颤动 | |
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35
beheld
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| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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cowering
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| v.畏缩，抖缩( cower的现在分词 ) | |
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torrents
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| n.倾注；奔流( torrent的名词复数 )；急流；爆发；连续不断 | |
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38
vicissitude
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| n.变化，变迁，荣枯，盛衰 | |
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axe
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| n.斧子；v.用斧头砍，削减 | |
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desolate
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| adj.荒凉的，荒芜的；孤独的，凄凉的；v.使荒芜，使孤寂 | |
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strand
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| vt.使（船）搁浅，使（某人）困于（某地） | |
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eternity
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| n.不朽，来世；永恒，无穷 | |
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astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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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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45
disconsolate
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| adj.忧郁的，不快的 | |
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46
accosted
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| v.走过去跟…讲话( accost的过去式和过去分词 )；跟…搭讪；（乞丐等）上前向…乞讨；（妓女等）勾搭 | |
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47
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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48
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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49
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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dwelling
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| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
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devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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52
indignity
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| n.侮辱，伤害尊严，轻蔑 | |
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53
eloquence
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| n.雄辩；口才，修辞 | |
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54
confided
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| v.吐露（秘密，心事等）( confide的过去式和过去分词 )；（向某人）吐露（隐私、秘密等） | |
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implicitly
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| adv. 含蓄地, 暗中地, 毫不保留地 | |
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faltering
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| 犹豫的，支吾的，蹒跚的 | |
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overthrown
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| adj. 打翻的，推倒的，倾覆的 动词overthrow的过去分词 | |
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abated
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| 减少( abate的过去式和过去分词 )； 减去； 降价； 撤消（诉讼） | |
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rumbled
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| 发出隆隆声，发出辘辘声( rumble的过去式和过去分词 )； 轰鸣着缓慢行进； 发现…的真相； 看穿（阴谋） | |
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slumbered
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| 微睡，睡眠（slumber的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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lumbered
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| 砍伐（lumber的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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eruption
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| n.火山爆发；（战争等）爆发；（疾病等）发作 | |
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dingy
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| adj.昏暗的，肮脏的 | |
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scantiness
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| n.缺乏 | |
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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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remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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apparatus
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| n.装置，器械；器具，设备 | |
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recess
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| n.短期休息，壁凹（墙上装架子，柜子等凹处） | |
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contemplating
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| 深思，细想，仔细考虑( contemplate的现在分词 )； 注视，凝视； 考虑接受（发生某事的可能性）； 深思熟虑，沉思，苦思冥想 | |
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intoxicated
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| 喝醉的，极其兴奋的 | |
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profusion
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| n.挥霍；丰富 | |
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raven
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| n.渡鸟，乌鸦；adj.乌亮的 | |
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ornament
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| v.装饰，美化；n.装饰，装饰物 | |
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apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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enthusiasts
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| n.热心人，热衷者( enthusiast的名词复数 ) | |
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76
avowed
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| adj.公开声明的，承认的v.公开声明，承认( avow的过去式和过去分词) | |
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77
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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recital
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| n.朗诵，独奏会，独唱会 | |
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superstitions
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| 迷信，迷信行为( superstition的名词复数 ) | |
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superfluous
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| adj.过多的，过剩的，多余的 | |
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82
honourable
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| adj.可敬的；荣誉的，光荣的 | |
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Vogue
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| n.时髦，时尚；adj.流行的 | |
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84
tainted
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| adj.腐坏的；污染的；沾污的；感染的v.使变质( taint的过去式和过去分词 )；使污染；败坏；被污染，腐坏，败坏 | |
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85
sordid
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| adj.肮脏的，不干净的，卑鄙的，暗淡的 | |
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86
bind
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| vt.捆，包扎；装订；约束；使凝固；vi.变硬 | |
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87
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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spacious
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| adj.广阔的，宽敞的 | |
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90
awaken
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| vi.醒，觉醒；vt.唤醒，使觉醒，唤起，激起 | |
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posture
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| n.姿势，姿态，心态，态度；v.作出某种姿势 | |
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pallid
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| adj.苍白的，呆板的 | |
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corpse
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| n.尸体，死尸 | |
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horrified
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| a.(表现出)恐惧的 | |
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frantic
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| adj.狂乱的，错乱的，激昂的 | |
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Undid
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| v. 解开, 复原 | |
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frenzy
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| n.疯狂，狂热，极度的激动 | |
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98
shrieked
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| v.尖叫( shriek的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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99
soothe
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| v.安慰；使平静；使减轻；缓和；奉承 | |
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100
frightful
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| adj.可怕的；讨厌的 | |
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101
narrative
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| n.叙述，故事；adj.叙事的，故事体的 | |
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102
inquisitive
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| adj.求知欲强的，好奇的，好寻根究底的 | |
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