The inhabitants of Orbajosa heard in the twilight1 vagueness of their morning slumbers2 the same sonorous3 clarionet, and they opened their eyes, saying:
“The soldiers!”
Some murmured to themselves between sleeping and waking:
“Let us go take a look at those confounded soldiers.”
Some soliloquized in this way:
“It will be necessary to hurry up matters. They say drafts and contributions; we will say blows and more blows.”
“Perhaps my son is coming! Perhaps my brother is coming!”
Everywhere people were springing out of bed, dressing7 hastily, opening the windows to see the regiment8 that caused all this excitement entering the city in the early dawn. The city was gloom, silence, age; the army gayety, boisterousness9, youth. As the army entered the city it seemed as if the mummy received by some magic art the gift of life and sprang with noisy gayety from its damp sarcophagus to dance around it. What movement, what shouting, what laughter, what merriment! There is nothing so interesting as a regiment. It is our country in its youthful and vigorous aspect. All the ineptitude10, the turbulence11, the superstition12 at times, and at times the impiety13 of the country as represented in the individual, disappears under the iron rule of discipline, which of so many insignificant14 figures makes an imposing15 whole. The soldier, or so to say, the corpuscle, separating at the command “Break ranks!” from the mass in which he has led a regular and at times a sublime16 life, occasionally preserves some of the qualities peculiar17 to the army. But this is not the general rule. The separation is most often accompanied by a sudden deterioration18, with the result that if an army is the glory and honor of a nation, an assemblage of soldiers may be an insupportable calamity19; and the towns that shed tears of joy and enthusiasm when they see a victorious20 battalion21 enter their precincts, groan22 with terror and tremble with apprehension23 when they see the same soldiers separate and off duty.
This last was what happened in Orbajosa, for in those days there were no glorious deeds to celebrate, nor was there any motive24 for weaving wreaths or tracing triumphal inscriptions25, or even for making mention of the exploits of our brave soldiers, for which reason all was fear and suspicion in the episcopal city, which, although poor, did not lack treasures in chickens, fruits, money, and maidenhood26, all of which ran great risk from the moment when the before-mentioned sons of Mars entered it. In addition to this, the native town of Polentinos, as a city remote from the movement and stir brought with them by traffic, the newspapers, railroads, and other agents which it is unnecessary now to specify27, did not wish to be disturbed in its tranquil28 existence.
Besides which, it manifested on every favorable occasion a strong aversion to submitting to the central authority which, badly or well, governs us; and calling to mind its former privileges and ruminating29 upon them anew, as the camel chews the cud of the grass which it ate yesterday, it would occasionally display a certain rebellious30 independence, and vicious tendencies much to be deplored31, which at times gave no little anxiety to the governor of the province.
It must also be taken into account that Orbajosa had rebellious antecedents, or rather ancestry32. Doubtless it still retained some of those energetic fibres which, in remote ages, according to the enthusiastic opinion of Don Cayetano, impelled33 it to unexampled epic34 deeds; and, even in its decadence35, occasionally felt an eager desire to do great things, although they might be only barbarities and follies36. As it had given to the world so many illustrious sons, it desired, no doubt, that its actual scions37, the Caballucos, Merengues, and Pelosmalos, should renew the glorious Gesta of their predecessors38.
Whenever there was disaffection in Spain, Orbajosa gave proof that it was not in vain that it existed on the face of the earth, although it is true that it was never the theatre of a real war. The spirit of the town, its situation, its history, all reduced it to the secondary part of raising guerillas. It bestowed40 upon the country this national product in 1827, at the time of the Apostolics, during the Seven Years’ War, in 1848, and at other epochs of less resonance41 in the national history. The guerillas and their chiefs were always popular, a fatal circumstance due to the War of Independence, one of those good things which have been the origin of an infinite number of detestable things. Corruptio optimi pessima. And with the popularity of the guerillas and their chiefs coincided, in ever-increasing proportion, the unpopularity of every one who entered Orbajosa in the character of a delegate or instrument of the central power. The soldiers were held in such disrepute there that, whenever the old people told of any crime, any robbery, assassination42, or the like atrocity43, they added: “This happened when the soldiers were here.”
And now that these important observations have been made, it will be well to add that the battalions44 sent there during the days in which the events of our story took place did not go to parade through the streets, but for another purpose which will be clearly and minutely set forth45 later on. As a detail of no little interest, it may be noted46 that the events here related took place at a period neither very remote nor very recent. It may also be said that Orbajosa (called by the Romans Urbs Augusta, although some learned moderns, enquiring47 into the etymology48 of the termination ajosa[*] are of the opinion that it comes by it from being the richest garlic-growing country in the world) is neither very near Madrid nor very far from it; nor can we say whether its glorious foundations are laid toward the north or toward the south, toward the east or toward the west; but that it may be supposed to be in any part of Spain where the pungent49 odor of its garlic is to be perceived.
[*] Rich in garlic.
The billets of residence being distributed by the authorities, each soldier went to seek his borrowed home. They were received by their hosts with a very ill grace and assigned the most atrociously uninhabitable parts of the houses. The girls of the city were not indeed among those who were most dissatisfied, but a strict watch was kept over them, and it was considered not decent to show pleasure at the visit of such rabble. The few soldiers who were natives of the district only were treated like kings. The others were regarded as invaders50.
At eight in the morning a lieutenant-colonel of cavalry51 entered the house of Doña Perfecta Polentinos with his billet. He was received by the servants, by order of its mistress, who, being at the time in a deplorable state of mind, did not wish to go down stairs to meet the soldier, and by them he was shown to the only room in the house which, it seemed, was disposable, the room occupied by Pepe Rey.
“Let them settle themselves as best they can,” said Doña Perfecta, with an expression of gall52 and vinegar. “And if they have not room enough, let them go into the street.”
Was it her intention to annoy in this way her detested53 nephew, or was there really no other unoccupied room in the house? This we do not know, nor do the chronicles from which this true history is taken say a word on this important point. What we know positively54 is that, far from displeasing55 the two guests to be thus boxed up together, it gave them great pleasure, as they happened to be old friends. They were greatly surprised and delighted when they met, and they were never tired of asking each other questions and uttering exclamations56, dwelling57 on the strange chance that had brought them together in such a place and on such an occasion.
“Pinzon—you here! Why, what is this? I had no suspicion that you were in this neighborhood.”
“I heard that you were in this part of the country, Pepe; but I had no idea, either, that I should meet you in this horrible, this barbarous Orbajosa.”
“But what a fortunate chance! For this chance is most fortunate—providential. Pinzon, between us both we are going to do a great thing in this wretched town.”
“And we shall have time enough to consult about it,” answered the other, seating himself on the bed in which the engineer was lying, “for it appears that we are both to occupy this room. What the devil sort of a house is this?”
“Why, man, it is my aunt’s. Speak with more respect about it. Have you not met my aunt? But I am going to get up.”
“I am very glad of it, for then I can lie down and rest; and badly I need it. What a road, friend Pepe, what a road, and what a town!”
“Tell me, have you come to set fire to Orbajosa?”
“Fire!”
“I ask you because, in that case, I might help you.”
“What a town! But what a town!” exclaimed the soldier, removing his shako, and laying aside sword and shoulder-belt, travelling case and cloak. “This is the second time they have sent us here. I swear to you that the third time I will ask my discharge.”
“Don’t talk ill of these good people! But you have come in the nick of time. It seems as if Providence58 has sent you to my aid, Pinzon. I have a terrible project on hand, an adventure,—a plot, if you wish to call it so, my friend,—and it would have been difficult for me to carry it through without you. A moment ago I was in despair, wondering how I should manage, and saying to myself anxiously, ‘If I only had a friend here, a good friend!’”
“A project, a plot, an adventure! One of two things, Señor Mathematician59: it is either the discovery of aerial navigation, or else some love affair.”
“I will go to bed, but I will not sleep. You may say all you wish to me. All that I ask is that you will say as little as possible about Orbajosa.”
“It is precisely61 about Orbajosa that I wish to speak to you. But have you also an antipathy62 to this cradle of illustrious men?”
“These garlic-venders—we call them the garlic-venders—may be as illustrious as you choose, but to me they are as irritating as the product of the country. This is a town ruled by people who teach distrust, superstition, and hatred63 of the whole human race. When we have leisure I will relate to you an occurrence—an adventure, half-comic, half-tragic—that happened to me here last year. When I tell it to you, you will laugh and I shall be fuming64. But, in fine, what is past is past.”
“In what is happening to me there is nothing comic.”
“But I have various reasons for hating this wretched place. You must know that my father was assassinated65 here in ‘48 by a party of barbarous guerillas. He was a brigadier, and he had left the service. The Government sent for him, and he was passing through Villahorrenda on his way to Madrid, when he was captured by half a dozen ruffians. Here there are several dynasties of guerilla chiefs—the Aceros, the Caballucos, the Pelosmalos—a periodical eruption66, as some one has said who knew very well what he was talking about.”
“I suppose that two infantry67 regiments68 and some cavalry have not come here solely69 for the pleasure of visiting these delightful70 regions.”
“Certainly not! We have come to survey the country. There are many deposits of arms here. The Government does not venture, as it desires, to remove from office the greater number of the municipal councils without first distributing a few companies of soldiers through these towns. As there is so much disturbance71 in this part of the country, as two of the neighboring provinces are already infested72, and as this municipal district of Orbajosa has, besides, so brilliant a record in all the civil wars, there are fears that the bravos of the place may take to the roads and rob all they can lay hands on.”
“A good precaution! But I am firmly convinced that not until these people die and are born over again, not until the very stones have changed their form, will there be peace in Orbajosa.”
“That is my opinion too,” said the officer, lighting73 a cigarette. “Don’t you see that the guerilla chiefs are the pets of this place? Those who desolated74 the district in 1848 and at other epochs, or, if not they, their sons, are employed in the market inspector’s office, at the town gates, in the town-hall, in the post-office; among them are constables75, sacristans, bailiffs. Some have become powerful party leaders and they are the ones who manage the elections, have influence in Madrid, bestow39 places—in short, this is terrible.”
“And tell me, is there no hope of the guerilla chiefs performing some exploit in these days? If that should happen, you could destroy the town, and I would help you.”
“If it depended upon me——They will play their usual pranks76 no doubt,” said Pinzon, “for the insurrection in the two neighboring provinces is spreading like wildfire. And between ourselves, friend Rey, I think this is going to last for a long time. Some people smile and say that it would be impossible that there should be another insurrection like the last one. They don’t know the country; they don’t know Orbajosa and its inhabitants. I believe that the war that is now beginning will have serious consequences, and that we shall have another cruel and bloody77 struggle, that will last Heaven knows how long. What is your opinion?”
“Well, in Madrid I laughed at any one who spoke78 of the possibility of a civil war as long and as terrible as the Seven Years’ War; but since I have been here——”
“One must come to the heart of this enchanting79 country, see the people at home, and hear them talk, to know what the real state of affairs is.”
“Just so. Without knowing precisely on what I base my opinion, the fact is that here I see things in a different light, and I now believe that it is possible that there may be a long and bloody war.”
“Exactly so.”
“But at present my thoughts are occupied less by the public war than by a private war in which I am engaged and which I declared a short time ago.”
“You said this was your aunt’s house. What is her name?”
“Doña Perfecta Rey de Polentinos.”
“Ah! I know her by reputation. She is an excellent person, and the only one of whom I have not heard the garlic-venders speak ill. When I was here before I heard her goodness, her charity, her innumerable virtues80, everywhere extolled81.”
“Yes, my aunt is very kind, very amiable,” said Rey.
Then he fell into a thoughtful silence.
“But now I remember!” exclaimed Pinzon suddenly. “How one thing fits in with another! Yes, I heard in Madrid that you were going to be married to a cousin of yours. All is clear now. Is it that beautiful and heavenly Rosario?”
“Pinzon, we must have a long talk together.”
“I imagine that there are difficulties.”
“There is something more; there is violent opposition82. I have need of a determined83 friend—a friend who is prompt to act, fruitful in resource, of great experience in emergencies, astute84 and courageous85.”
“Why, this is even more serious than a challenge.”
“A great deal more serious. It would be easy to fight with another man. With women, with unseen enemies who work in the dark, it is impossible.”
“Come, I am all ears.”
Lieutenant-colonel Pinzon lay stretched at full length upon the bed. Pepe Rey drew a chair up to the bedside and, leaning his elbow on the bed and his head on his hand, began his conference, consultation86, exposition of plan, or whatever else it might be called, and continued talking for a long time. Pinzon listened to him with profound attention and without interrupting him, except to ask an occasional question for the purpose of obtaining further details or additional light upon some obscure point. When Pepe Rey ended, Pinzon looked grave. He stretched himself, yawning with the satisfaction of one who has not slept for three nights, and then said:
“You plan is dangerous and difficult.”
“But not impossible.”
“Oh, no! for nothing is impossible. Reflect well about it.”
“I have reflected.”
“And you are resolved to carry it through? Consider that these things are not now in fashion. They generally turn out badly and throw discredit87 on those who undertake them.”
“I am resolved.”
“For my part, then, although the business is dangerous and serious—very serious—I am ready to aid you in all things and for all things.”
“Can I rely upon you?”
“To the death.”
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
twilight
|
|
| n.暮光，黄昏；暮年，晚期，衰落时期 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
slumbers
|
|
| 睡眠，安眠( slumber的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
sonorous
|
|
| adj.响亮的，回响的；adv.圆润低沉地；感人地；n.感人，堂皇 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
rabble
|
|
| n.乌合之众，暴民；下等人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
growling
|
|
| n.吠声, 咆哮声 v.怒吠, 咆哮, 吼 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
joyfully
|
|
| adv. 喜悦地, 高兴地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
dressing
|
|
| n.(食物)调料；包扎伤口的用品，敷料 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
regiment
|
|
| n.团，多数，管理；v.组织，编成团，统制 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
boisterousness
|
|
| n.喧闹；欢跃；（风暴）狂烈 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
10
ineptitude
|
|
| n.不适当；愚笨，愚昧的言行 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
turbulence
|
|
| n.喧嚣，狂暴，骚乱，湍流 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
superstition
|
|
| n.迷信，迷信行为 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
impiety
|
|
| n.不敬；不孝 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
insignificant
|
|
| adj.无关紧要的，可忽略的，无意义的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
imposing
|
|
| adj.使人难忘的，壮丽的，堂皇的，雄伟的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
sublime
|
|
| adj.崇高的，伟大的；极度的，不顾后果的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
peculiar
|
|
| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
deterioration
|
|
| n.退化；恶化；变坏 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
calamity
|
|
| n.灾害，祸患，不幸事件 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
victorious
|
|
| adj.胜利的，得胜的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
battalion
|
|
| n.营；部队；大队(的人) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
groan
|
|
| vi./n.呻吟，抱怨；(发出)呻吟般的声音 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
apprehension
|
|
| n.理解，领悟；逮捕，拘捕；忧虑 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
motive
|
|
| n.动机，目的；adv.发动的，运动的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
inscriptions
|
|
| （作者）题词( inscription的名词复数 )； 献词； 碑文； 证劵持有人的登记 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
maidenhood
|
|
| n. 处女性, 处女时代 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
27
specify
|
|
| vt.指定，详细说明 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
tranquil
|
|
| adj. 安静的, 宁静的, 稳定的, 不变的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
ruminating
|
|
| v.沉思( ruminate的现在分词 )；反复考虑；反刍；倒嚼 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
rebellious
|
|
| adj.造反的，反抗的，难控制的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
deplored
|
|
| v.悲叹，痛惜，强烈反对( deplore的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
ancestry
|
|
| n.祖先，家世 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
impelled
|
|
| 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： |
|
|
|
|
34
epic
|
|
| n.史诗，叙事诗；adj.史诗般的，壮丽的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
decadence
|
|
| n.衰落，颓废 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
follies
|
|
| 罪恶，时事讽刺剧； 愚蠢，蠢笨，愚蠢的行为、思想或做法( folly的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
scions
|
|
| n.接穗，幼枝( scion的名词复数 )；（尤指富家）子孙 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
predecessors
|
|
| n.前任( predecessor的名词复数 )；前辈；（被取代的）原有事物；前身 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
bestow
|
|
| v.把…赠与，把…授予；花费 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
bestowed
|
|
| 赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
resonance
|
|
| n.洪亮；共鸣；共振 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
assassination
|
|
| n.暗杀；暗杀事件 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
atrocity
|
|
| n.残暴，暴行 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
battalions
|
|
| n.（陆军的）一营（大约有一千兵士）( battalion的名词复数 )；协同作战的部队；军队；（组织在一起工作的）队伍 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
forth
|
|
| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
noted
|
|
| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
enquiring
|
|
| a.爱打听的，显得好奇的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
etymology
|
|
| n.语源；字源学 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
pungent
|
|
| adj.（气味、味道）刺激性的，辛辣的；尖锐的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
invaders
|
|
| 入侵者，侵略者，侵入物( invader的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
cavalry
|
|
| n.骑兵；轻装甲部队 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
gall
|
|
| v.使烦恼，使焦躁，难堪；n.磨难 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
detested
|
|
| v.憎恶，嫌恶，痛恨( detest的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
positively
|
|
| adv.明确地，断然，坚决地；实在，确实 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
displeasing
|
|
| 不愉快的，令人发火的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
exclamations
|
|
| n.呼喊( exclamation的名词复数 )；感叹；感叹语；感叹词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
dwelling
|
|
| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
providence
|
|
| n.深谋远虑，天道，天意；远见；节约；上帝 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
mathematician
|
|
| n.数学家 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
afterward
|
|
| adv.后来；以后 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
precisely
|
|
| adv.恰好，正好，精确地，细致地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
antipathy
|
|
| n.憎恶；反感，引起反感的人或事物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
hatred
|
|
| n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
fuming
|
|
| 愤怒( fume的现在分词 )； 大怒； 发怒； 冒烟 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
65
assassinated
|
|
| v.暗杀( assassinate的过去式和过去分词 )；中伤；诋毁；破坏 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
66
eruption
|
|
| n.火山爆发；（战争等）爆发；（疾病等）发作 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
67
infantry
|
|
| n.[总称]步兵(部队) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
68
regiments
|
|
| （军队的）团( regiment的名词复数 )； 大量的人或物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
69
solely
|
|
| adv.仅仅，唯一地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
70
delightful
|
|
| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
71
disturbance
|
|
| n.动乱，骚动；打扰，干扰；(身心)失调 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
72
infested
|
|
| adj.为患的，大批滋生的（常与with搭配）v.害虫、野兽大批出没于( infest的过去式和过去分词 )；遍布于 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
73
lighting
|
|
| n.照明，光线的明暗，舞台灯光 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
74
desolated
|
|
| adj.荒凉的，荒废的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
75
constables
|
|
| n.警察( constable的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
76
pranks
|
|
| n.玩笑，恶作剧( prank的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
77
bloody
|
|
| adj.非常的的；流血的；残忍的；adv.很；vt.血染 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
78
spoke
|
|
| 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 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
79
enchanting
|
|
| a.讨人喜欢的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
80
virtues
|
|
| 美德( virtue的名词复数 )； 德行； 优点； 长处 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
81
extolled
|
|
| v.赞颂，赞扬，赞美( extol的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
82
opposition
|
|
| n.反对，敌对 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
83
determined
|
|
| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
84
astute
|
|
| adj.机敏的，精明的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
85
courageous
|
|
| adj.勇敢的，有胆量的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
86
consultation
|
|
| n.咨询；商量；商议；会议 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
87
discredit
|
|
| vt.使不可置信；n.丧失信义；不信，怀疑 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |