When the Princess Irene returned to Therapia next day, she found awaiting her the Dean of the Court, an official of great importance to whom the settlement of questions pertinent1 to rank was confided2. The state barge3 of fifteen oars4 in which he arrived was moored5 to the marbles of the quay6 in front of her palace, a handsomely ornamented7 vessel8 scarcely needing its richly liveried rowers to draw about it the curious and idle of the town in staring groups. At sight of it, the Princess knew there was a message for her from the Emperor. She lost no time in notifying the Dean of her readiness to receive him. The interview took place in the reception room.
The Dean was a venerable man who, having served acceptably through the preceding reign9, was immensely discreet10, and thoroughly11 indurate with formalism and ceremony; wherefore, passing his speech and manner, it is better worth the while to give, briefly12 as may be, the substance of the communication he brought to the Princess.
He was sure she remembered all the circumstances of the coronation of His Majesty13, the Emperor, and of His Majesty's entry into Constantinople; he was not so certain, however, of her information touching14 some matters distinguishable as domestic rather than administrative15. Or she might know of them, but not reliably. Thus she might not have heard authentically16 that, immediately upon his becoming settled in the imperial seat, His Majesty decided17 it of first importance to proceed to the selection of a spouse18.
The Dean then expatiated19 on the difficulty of finding in all the world a woman suitable for the incomparable honor. So many points entered into the consideration--age, appearance, rank, education, religion, dowry, politics--upon each of which he dwelt with the gravity of a philosopher, the assurance of a favorite, and the garrulity20 of age. Having at length presented the problem, and, he thought, sufficiently21 impressed the Princess with its unexampled intricacies and perils22, he next unfolded the several things resolved upon and attempted in the way of solution.
Every royal house in the West had been searched for its marriageable females. At one time a daughter of the Doge of Venice was nearly chosen. Unfortunately there were influential23 Greeks of greater pride than judgment24 to object to the Doge. He was merely an elective chief. He might die the very day after celebrating the espousals, and then--not even the ducal robes were inheritable. No, the flower to deck the Byzantine throne was not in the West.
Thereupon the East was explored. For a time the election trembled between a Princess of Trebizond and a Princess of Georgia. As usual the court divided on the question, when, to quiet the factions25, His Majesty ordered Phranza, the Grand Chamberlain, a courtier of learning and diplomatic experience, who held the Emperor's confidence in greater degree than any other court official, unless it might be the Dean himself, to go see the rivals personally, and report with recommendation. The ambassador had been gone two years. From Georgia he had travelled to Trebizond; still nothing definite. The embassy, having been outfitted26 in a style to adequately impress the semi-barbarians, was proving vastly expensive. His Majesty, with characteristic wisdom, had determined27 to take the business in his own keeping. There were many noble families in Constantinople. Why not seek a consort28 among them?
The scheme had advantages; not least, if a Byzantine could be found, the Emperor would have the happiness of making the discovery and conducting the negotiations29 himself--in common parlance30, of doing his own courting. There might be persons, the Dean facetiously31 remarked, who preferred trusting the great affair of wife-choosing to ambassadors, but he had never seen one of them.
The ground covered by the ancient in his statement is poorly represented by these paragraphs, ample as they may seem to the reader. Indeed, the sun was falling swiftly into the lap of night when he thought of concluding. Meantime the Princess listened silently, her patience sustained by wonder at what it all meant. The enlightenment at last came.
"Now, my dear Princess," he said, lowering his voice, "you must know "--he arose, and, as became one so endued32 with palace habits, peered cautiously around.
"Be seated, my Lord," she said; "there are no eyes in my doors nor ears in my walls."
"Oh, the matter is of importance--a state secret!" He drew the stool nearer her.
"You must know, dear Princess, that the Grand Chamberlain, Phranza, has been negligent33 and remiss34 in the time he has consumed, saying nothing of his lavishment of treasure so badly needed at home. Notaras, the Admiral, and the Grand Domestic, are both pursuing His Majesty vigorously for funds and supplies; worse still, the Patriarch lets slip no opportunity to bid him look at the furniture of the churches going to ruin. The imperial conscience being tender in whatever pertains35 to God and religion, he has little peace left for prayers. Wherefore, there are of us who think it would be loyalty36 to help secure a bride for His Majesty at home, and thus make an end to the wasteful37 and inconclusive touring of Phranza."
The Dean drew yet nearer the Princess, and reduced his voice to a tone slightly above a whisper.
"Now you must know further--I am the author and suggestor of the idea of His Majesty's choosing an Empress from the many noble and beautiful dames38 and maidens39 of this our ancient city of Byzantium, in every respect the equals, and in many points mentionable the superiors of the best foreigner possible of finding."
The Dean pursed his white-bearded mouth, and posed himself proudly; but his auditor40 still holding her peace, he leaned forward further, and whispered, "My dear Princess, I did more. I mentioned you to His Majesty"--
The Princess started to her feet, whiter than whitest marble in the Pentelic panelling of the room; yet in total misapprehension of her feeling, the venerable intriguant went on without pause: "Yes, I mentioned you to His Majesty, and to-morrow, Princess--to-morrow--he will come here in person to see you, and urge his suit."
He dropped on his knees, and catching41 her hand, kissed it.
"O Princess, fairest and most worthy42, suffer me first of all the court to congratulate you on the superlative honor to which you will he invited. And when you are in the exalted43 position, may I hope to he remembered"--
He was not permitted to finish the petition. Withdrawing her hand with decisive action, she bade him be silent or speak to her questions. And he was silent through surprise.
In such manner she gained an interval44 for thought. The predicament, as she saw it, was troublesome and unfortunate. Honor was intended her, the highest in the imperial gift, and the offer was coming with never a doubt of its instantaneous and grateful acceptance. Remembering her obligations to the Emperor, her eyes filled with tears. She respected and venerated45 him, yet could not be his Empress. The great title was not a sufficient inducement. But how manage the rejection46? She called on the Virgin47 for help. Directly there was a way exposed. First, she must save her benefactor48 from rejection; second, the Dean and the court must never know of the course of the affair or its conclusion.
"Rise, my Lord," she said, kindly49 though with firmness. "The receiver of great news, I thank you, and promise, if ever I attain50 the throne to hold you in recollection. But now, so am I overwhelmed by the prospect51, I am not myself. Indeed, my Lord, would you increase my indebtedness to its utmost limit, take every acknowledgment as said, and leave me--leave me for preparation for the morrow's event. God, his Son and angels only know the awfulness of my need of right direction and good judgment."
He had the wit to see her agitation52, and that it was wisest for him to depart.
"I will go, Princess," he said, "and may the Holy Mother give you of her wisdom also." She detained him at the door to ask: "Only tell me, my Lord, did His Majesty send you with this notice?"
"His Majesty honored me with the message."
"At what hour will he come?"
"In the forenoon."
"Report, I pray you then, that my house will be at his service."
收听单词发音 |
1
pertinent
|
|
| adj.恰当的；贴切的；中肯的；有关的；相干的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
confided
|
|
| 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） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
barge
|
|
| n.平底载货船，驳船 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
oars
|
|
| n.桨，橹( oar的名词复数 )；划手v.划（行）( oar的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
moored
|
|
| adj. 系泊的 动词moor的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
quay
|
|
| n.码头，靠岸处 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
ornamented
|
|
| adj.花式字体的v.装饰，点缀，美化( ornament的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
vessel
|
|
| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
reign
|
|
| n.统治时期，统治，支配，盛行；v.占优势 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
discreet
|
|
| adj.(言行)谨慎的；慎重的；有判断力的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
thoroughly
|
|
| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
briefly
|
|
| adv.简单地，简短地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
majesty
|
|
| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
touching
|
|
| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
administrative
|
|
| adj.行政的，管理的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
authentically
|
|
| ad.sincerely真诚地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
decided
|
|
| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
spouse
|
|
| n.配偶(指夫或妻) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
expatiated
|
|
| v.详述，细说( expatiate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
garrulity
|
|
| n.饶舌，多嘴 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
sufficiently
|
|
| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
perils
|
|
| 极大危险( peril的名词复数 )； 危险的事（或环境） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
influential
|
|
| adj.有影响的，有权势的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
judgment
|
|
| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
factions
|
|
| 组织中的小派别，派系( faction的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
outfitted
|
|
| v.装备，配置设备，供给服装( outfit的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
determined
|
|
| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
consort
|
|
| v.相伴；结交 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
negotiations
|
|
| 协商( negotiation的名词复数 )； 谈判； 完成（难事）； 通过 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
parlance
|
|
| n.说法；语调 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
facetiously
|
|
| adv.爱开玩笑地；滑稽地，爱开玩笑地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
endued
|
|
| v.授予，赋予（特性、才能等）( endue的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
negligent
|
|
| adj.疏忽的；玩忽的；粗心大意的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
remiss
|
|
| adj.不小心的，马虎 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
pertains
|
|
| 关于( pertain的第三人称单数 )； 有关； 存在； 适用 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
loyalty
|
|
| n.忠诚，忠心 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
wasteful
|
|
| adj.（造成）浪费的，挥霍的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
dames
|
|
| n.（在英国）夫人（一种封号），夫人（爵士妻子的称号）( dame的名词复数 )；女人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
maidens
|
|
| 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 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
auditor
|
|
| n.审计员，旁听着 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
catching
|
|
| adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
worthy
|
|
| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
exalted
|
|
| adj.(地位等)高的，崇高的；尊贵的，高尚的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
interval
|
|
| n.间隔，间距；幕间休息，中场休息 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
venerated
|
|
| 敬重（某人或某事物），崇敬( venerate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
rejection
|
|
| n.拒绝，被拒，抛弃，被弃 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
virgin
|
|
| n.处女，未婚女子；adj.未经使用的；未经开发的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
benefactor
|
|
| n. 恩人，行善的人，捐助人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
kindly
|
|
| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
attain
|
|
| vt.达到，获得，完成 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
prospect
|
|
| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
agitation
|
|
| n.搅动；搅拌；鼓动，煽动 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |