Syama, always thoughtful, took care of the treasure brought from Plati, and standing1 by the door watched his master through the night, wondering what the outcome of his agitation2 would be.
It were useless attempting to describe how the gloomy soul of the Jew exercised itself. His now ungovernable passions ran riot within him. He who had seen so much of life, who had made history as the loomsmen of Bokhara make carpets, who dealt with kings and kingdoms, and the superlatives of every kind canonized in the human imagination--he to be so demeaned! Yet it was not the disrespect to himself personally that did the keenest stinging, nor even the enmity of Heaven denying him the love permitted every other creature, bird, beast, crawling reptile3, monster of the sea--these were as the ruffling4 of the weather feathers of a fighting eagle, compared with the torture he endured from consciousness of impotency to punish the wrongdoers as he would like to punish them.
That Lael was immured5 somewhere in the city, he doubted not; and he would find her, for what door could stand shut against knocking by a hand with money in it? But might it not be too late? The flower he could recover, but the fragrance6 and purity of bloom--what of them? How his breast enlarged and shrank under the electric touch of that idea! The devil who did the deed might escape him, for hell was vast and deep; yet the city remained, even the Byzantium ancient of days like himself, and he would hold it a hostage for the safe return of his Gul Bahar.
All the night long he walked without pause; it seemed unending to him; at length the faintest rosy7 tint8, a reflection from morning's palette of splendor9, lodged10 on the glass of his eastern window, and woke him from his misery11. At the door he found Syama.
"Syama," he said, kindly12, "bring me the little case which has in it my choicest drugs."
It was brought him, an oblong gold box encrusted with brilliants. Opening it, he found a spatula13 of fine silver on a crystal lid, and under the lid, in compartments14, pellets differently colored, one of which he selected, and dropped in his throat.
"There, put it back," he said, returning the box to Syama, who went out with it. Looking then at the brightness brighter growing through the window, "Welcome," he continued, speaking to the day as it were a person: "Thou wert slow coming, yet welcome. I am ready for this new labor15 imposed on me, and shall not rest, or sleep, or hunger, or thirst until it is done. Thou shalt see I have not lived fourteen centuries for nothing; that in a hunt for vengeance16 I have not lost my cunning. I will give them till thou hast twice run thy course; then, if they bring her not, they will find the God they worship once more the Lord God of Israel."
Syama returned.
"Thou art a faithful man, Syama, and I love thee. Get me a cup of the Cipango leaves--no bread, the cup alone."
While waiting, the Prince continued his silent walk; but when the tea was brought, he said: "Good! It shall go after the meat of the poppies"--adding to Syama--"While I drink, do thou seek Uel, and bring him to me."
When the son of Jahdai entered, the Prince looked at him a moment, and asked: "Hast thou word of her?"
"Not a word, not one word," and with the reply the merchant's face sunk until the chin rested on his breast. The hopelessness observable in the voice, joined to the signs of suffering apparent in the manner, was irresistibly17 touching18. Another instant, then the elder advanced to him, and took his hand.
"We are brothers," he said, with exceeding gentleness. "She was our child--ours--thine, yet mine. She loved us both. We loved her, thou not more, I not less. She went not willingly from us; we know that much, because we know she loved us, me not less, thee not more. A pitfall19 was digged for her. Let us find it. She is calling for us from the bottom--I hear her--now thy name, now mine--and there is no time to be lost. Wilt20 thou do as I say?"
"You are strong, and I weak; be it entirely21 as you say," Uel answered, without looking up, for there were tears in his eyes, and a great groan22 growing in his throat.
"Well, see thou now. We will find the child, be the pit ever so deep; but--it is well bethinking--we may not find her the undefiled she was, or we may find her dead. I believe she had a spirit to prefer death to dishonor--but dead or dishonored, wilt thou merge24 thy interest in her into mine?"
"Yes."
"I alone am to decide then what best becomes us to do. Is it agreed?"
"Yes--such faith have I in you."
"Oh, but understand thee, son of Jahdai! I speak not merely as a father, but as an Israelite."
Uel looked at the speaker's face, and was startled. The calm voice, low and evenly toned, to which he had been listening, had not prepared him for the livid pursing he saw under the eyes, and the pupils lurid26 and unnaturally27 dilated--effects we know, good reader, of the meat of the poppies assisted by the friendly Cipango leaves. Yet the merchant replied, strong in the other's strength: "Am not I, too, an Israelite?--Only do not take her from me."
"Fear not. Now, son of Jahdai, let us to work. Let us first find our pretty child."
Again Uel was astonished. The countenance28 was bright and beaming with confidence. A world of energy seemed to have taken possession of the man. He looked inspired--looked as if a tap of his finger could fetch the extremities29 of the continent rolling like a carpet to his feet.
"Go now, my brother Uel, and bring hither all the clerks in the market."
"All of them--all? Consider the expense."
"Nay30, son of Jahdai, be thou a true Israelite. In trade, this for that, consider the profits and stand on them closely, getting all thou canst. But here is no trade--here is honor--our honor--thine, mine. Shall a Christian31 beat us, and wear the virtue32 of our daughter as it were a leman's favor? No, by Abraham--by the mother of Israel"--a returning surge of passion blackened his face again, and quickened his speech--"by Rachael and Sarah, and all the God-loving asleep in Hebron, in this cause our money shall flow like water--even as the Euphrates in swollen33 tide goes bellowing34 to the sea, it shall flow. I will fill the mouths and eyes as well as the pockets of this Byzantium with it, until there shall not be a dune35 on the beach, a cranny in the wall, a rathole in its accursed seven hills unexamined. Yes, the say is mine--so thou didst agree--deny it not! Bid the clerks come, and quickly--only see to it that each brings his writing material, and a piece of paper large as his two hands. This house for their assemblage. Haste. Time flies--and from the pit, out of the shadows in the bottom of the pit, I hear the voice of Lael calling now to thee, now to me."
Uel was not deficient36 in strength of purpose, nor for that matter in judgment37; he went and in haste; and the clerks flocked to the Prince, and wrote at his dictation. Before half the breakfasts in the city were eaten, vacant places at the church doors, the cheeks of all the gates, and the fronts of houses blazed with handbills, each with a reader before it proclaiming to listening groups:
"BYZANTINES!
"FATHERS AND MOTHERS OF BYZANTIUM!
"Last evening the daughter of Uel the merchant, a child of sixteen, small in stature38, with dark hair and eyes, and fair to see, was set upon in the garden of the Bucoleon, and stolen out of her sedan chair. Neither she, nor the Bulgarians carrying her have been heard of since.
"REWARDS.
"Out of love of the child, whose name was Lael, I will pay him who returns her to me living or dead
"6,000 BEZANTS IN GOLD.
"And to him who brings me the abductor, or the name of any one engaged in the crime, with proof to convict him,
"5,000 BEZANTS IN GOLD.
"Inquire of me at Uel's stall in the Market.
"PRINCE OF INDIA."
Thus the Jew began his campaign of discovery, meaning to follow it up with punishment first, and then vengeance, the latter in conditional39 mood.
Let us not stop to ask about motives40. This much is certain, the city arose with one mind. Such a running here and there had never been known, except possibly the times enemies in force sat down before the gates. The walls landwardly by the sea and harbor, and the towers of the walls above and below; old houses whose solitariness41 and decay were suspicious; new houses and their cellars; churches from crypt to pulpit and gallery; barracks and magazines, even the baker's ovens attached to them; the wharves42 and vessels43 tied up and the ships at anchor--all underwent a search. Hunting parties invaded the woods. Scorpions44 were unnested, and bats and owls45 made unhappy by daylight where daylight had never been before. Convents and monasteries46 were not exempt47. The sea was dragged, and the great moat from the Golden Gate to the Cynegion raked for traces of a new-made grave. Nor less were the cemeteries48 overhauled49, and tombs and sarcophagi opened, and Saints' Rests dug into and profaned50. In short, but one property in Byzantium was respected--that of the Emperor. By noon the excitement had crossed to Galata, and was at high tide in the Isles51 of the Princes. Such power was there in the offer of bezants in gold--six thousand for the girl, five thousand for one of her captors--singly, a fortune to stir the cupidity52 of a Duke--together, enough to enlist53 a King in the work. And everywhere the two questions--Has she been found? and who is the Prince of India? Poor Uel had not space to think of his loss or yield to sorrow; the questions kept him so busy.
It must not be supposed now in this all but universal search, nobody thought of the public cisterns55. They were visited. Frequently through the day parties followed each other to the Imperial reservoir; but the keeper was always in his place, cool, wary56, and prepared for them. He kept open door and offered no hindrance57 to inspection58 of his house. To interrogators he gave ready replies:
"I was at home last night from sunset to sunrise. At dark I closed up, and no one could have come in afterwards without my seeing him.... I know the chair of the merchant's daughter. It is the finest in the city. The Bulgarians have carried it past my house, but they never stopped.... Oh, yes, you are welcome to do with the cistern54 what you please. There is the doorway59 to the court, and in the court is the descent to the water." Sometimes he would treat the subject facetiously60: "If the girl were here, I should know it, and if I knew it--ha, ha, ha!--are bezants in gold by the thousand more precious to you than to me? Do you think I too would not like to be rich?--I who live doggedly61 on three noumias, helped now and then by scanty63 palm-salves from travellers?"
This treatment was successful. One party did insist on going beyond the court. They descended65 the steps about half way, looked at the great gray pillars in ghostly rows receding66 off into a blackness of silence thick with damps and cellar smells, each a reminder67 of contagion68; then at the motionless opaque69 water, into which the pillars sank to an unknown depth: and they shivered, and cried: "Ugh! how cold and ugly!" and hastened to get out.
Undoubtedly70 appearances helped save the ancient cistern from examination; yet there were other influences to the same end. Its vastness was a deterrent71. A thorough survey required organization and expensive means, such as torches, boats, fishing tongs72 and drag-nets; and why scour73 it at all, if not thoroughly74 and over every inch? Well, well--such was the decision--the trouble is great, and the uncertainty75 greater. Another class was restrained by a sentiment possibly the oldest and most general amongst men; that which casts a spell of sanctity around wells and springs, and stays the hand about to toss an impurity76 into a running stream; which impels77 the North American Indian to replace the gourd78, and the Bedouin to spare the bucket for the next comer, though an enemy. In other words, the cistern was in daily use.
One can imagine the scene at the Prince's through the day. To bring a familiar term into service, his house was headquarters.
About eight o'clock the sedan was brought home empty, and without a sign of defacement inside or out. It told no tale.
Noon, and still no clew.
In the afternoon there was an observable cessation of vigor79 in the quest. Thousands broke off, and went about their ordinary business, giving the reason.
"Which way now?" would be asked them.
"Home."
"What! Has she been found?"
"Not that we know."
"Ah, you have given up."
"Yes."
"Why?"
"We are satisfied the Bulgarians stole the girl. The Turks have her; and now for a third part of either of the rewards he offers, the Prince of India, whoever he is, can ransom80 her. He will have plenty of time. There is no such thing as haste in a harem."
By lamplighting in the evening, the capital resumed its customary quiet, and of the turmoil81 of the day, the rush and eager halloo, the promiscuous82 delving83 into secret places, and upturning of things strange and suspicious, there remained nothing but a vast regret--vast in the collective sense--for the rewards lost.
Quiet crept into headquarters. To the Prince's insistence84 that the hunt go on, he was advised to prosecute85 the inquest on the other side of the Bosphorus. The argument presented him was plausible86; either--thus it ran--the Bulgarians carried the child away with them or she was taken from them. They were stout87 men, yet there is no sign of a struggle. If they were killed, we should find their bodies; if they are alive and innocent, why are they not here? They would be entitled to the rewards along with the best of us.
Seeing the drift, the Prince refrained from debate. He only looked more grim and determined88. When the house was cleared, he took the floor again fiercely restless as before. Later on Uel came in, tired, spirit-worn, and apparently89 in the last stage of despondency.
"Well, son of Jahdai, my poor brother," said the Prince, much moved, and speaking tenderly. "It is night, and what bringest thou?"
"Alas90! Nothing, except the people say the Bulgarians did it."
"The Bulgarians! Would it were so; for look thee, in their hands she would be safe. Their worst of villany would be a ransom wrung91 from us. Ah, no! They might have been drawn92 into the conspiracy93; but take her, they did not. How could they have passed the gates unseen? The night was against them. And besides, they have not the soul to devise or dare the deed. This is no common criminal, my brother. When he is found--and he will be, or hell hath entered into partnership94 with him--thou wilt see a Greek of title, bold from breeding and association, behind him an influence to guarantee him against the law and the Emperor. Of the classes in Byzantium to-day, who are the kings? Who but the monks95? And here is a morsel97 of wisdom, true, else my experience is a delusion98: In decaying and half-organized states, the boldest in defying public opinion are they who have the most to do in making it."
"I do not understand you," Uel interposed.
"Thou art right, my brother. I know not why I am arguing; yet I ought not to leave thee in the dark now; therefore I will go a step further. Thou art a Jew--not a Hebrew, or an Israelite, mark thee--but in the contemptuous Gentile sense, a Jew. She, our gentle Gul-Bahar, hath her beating of heart from blood thou gavest her. I also am a Jew. Now, of the classes in Byzantium, which is it by whom hate of Jews is the article of religion most faithfully practised? Think if it be not the same from whose shops proceed the right and wrong of the time--the same I myself scarce three days gone saw insult and mortify99 the man they chose Emperor, and not privately100, in the depths of a monastery101 or chapel102, but publicly, his court present.... Ah, now thou seest my meaning! In plainest speech, my brother, when he who invented this crime is set down before us, look not for a soldier, or a sailor, or one of thy occupation--look not for a beggar, or a laborer103, or an Islamite--look rather for a Greek, with a right from relationship near or remote to summon the whole priestly craft to hold up his hands against us, Jews that we are. But I am not discouraged. I shall find her, and the titled outlaw104 who stole her. Or--but threats now are idle. They shall have tomorrow to bring her home. I pray pardon for keeping thee from rest and sleep. Go now. In the morning betimes see thou that the clerks come back to me here. I will have need of them again, for"--he mused105 a moment-- "yes, if that I purpose must be, then, the worst betiding us, they shall not say I was hard and merciless, and cut their chances scant62."
Uel was at the door going, when the Prince called him back.
"Wait--I do not need rest. Thou dost. Is Syama there?"
"Yes."
"Send him to me."
When the slave was come, "Go," the master said, "and bring me the golden case."
And when it was brought, he took out a pellet, and gave it to Uel.
"There--take it, and thou shalt sleep sound as the dead, and have never a dream--sound, yet healthfully. To-morrow we must work. To-morrow," he repeated when Uel was gone--"to-morrow! Till then, eternity106."
Let us now shift the scene to the Monastery of the St. James'.
It is eight o'clock in the morning--about the time the empty sedan was being brought to the Prince's house. Sergius had been hearkening for the Hegumen's bell, and at the moment we look in upon him, he is with the venerable superior, helping107 him to breakfast, if a meal so frugal108 deserves the name.
The young Russian, it is to be said, retired109 to his cell immediately upon the conclusion of the Festival of Flowers the evening before. Awaking early, he made personal preparation for the day, and with the Brotherhood110 in the chapel, performed the matinal breviary services, consisting of lauds112, psalms113, lections and prayers. Then he took seat by his superior's door. By and by the bell called him in, and thenceforward he was occupied in the kitchen or at the elder's elbow. In brief, he knew nothing of the occurrence which had so overwhelmed the merchant and the Prince of India.
The Hegumen sat on a broad armless chair, very pale and weak--so poorly, indeed, that the brethren had excused him from chapel duties. Having filled a flagon with water, Sergius was offering it to him, when the door opened without knock, or other warning, and Demedes entered. Moving silently to his father, he stooped, and kissed his hand with an unction which brought a smile to the sunken face.
"God's benison114 on you, my boy. I was thinking of the airs of Prinkipo or Halki, and that they might help me somewhat; but now you are here, I will put them off. Bring the bench to my right hand, and partake with me, if but to break a crust."
"The crust has the appearance of leaven115 in it, and you know the party to which I belong. I am not an azymite."
There was scarcely an attempt to conceal116 the sneer117 with which the young man glanced at the brown loaf gracing the platter on the Hegumen's knees. Seeing then a look of pain on the paternal118 countenance, he continued: "No, I have had breakfast, and came to see how you are, and to apprise119 you that the city is being stirred from the foam120 on top to the dregs at the bottom, all because of an occurrence last evening, so incredible, so strange, so audacious, and so wicked it weakens confidence in society, and almost forces one to look up and wonder if God does not sometimes sleep."
The Hegumen and his attendant were aroused. Both gazed at Demedes looking the same question.
"I hesitate to tell you, my dear father, of the affair, it is so shocking. The chill of the first hearing has not left me. I am excited body and mind, and you know how faithfully I have tried to school myself against excitement--it is unbecoming--only the weak suffer it. Rather than trust myself to the narrative--though as yet there are no details--I plucked a notice from a wall while coming, and as it was the first I had of the news, and contains all I know, I brought it along; and if you care to hear, perhaps our friend Sergius will kindly give you the contents. His voice is better than mine, and he is perfectly121 calm."
"Yes, Sergius will read. Give him the paper."
Thereupon Demedes passed to Sergius one of the handbills with which the Prince of India had sown the city. After the first line, the monk96 began stammering122 and stumbling; at the close of the first sentence, he stopped. Then he threw a glance at the Greek, and from the gaze with which he was met, he drew understanding and self-control. "I ask thy grace, Father," he said, raising the paper, and looking at the signature. "I am acquainted with Uel the merchant, and with the child said to be stolen. I also know the man whose title is here attached. He calls himself Prince of India, but by what right I cannot say. The circumstance is a great surprise to me; so, with thy pardon, I will try the reading again."
Sergius finished the paper, and returned it to Demedes.
The Hegumen folded his hands, and said: "Oh, the flow of mercy cannot endure forever!"
Then the young men looked at each other.
To be surprised when off guard, is to give our enemy his best opportunity. This was the advantage the Greek then had. He was satisfied with the working of his scheme; yet one dread123 had disturbed him through the night. What would the Russian do? And when he read the Prince's proclamation, and saw the rewards offered, in amounts undreamt of, he shivered; not, as he told the Hegumen, from horror at the crime; still less from fear that the multitude might blunder on discovery; and least of all from apprehension124 of betrayal from his assistants, for, with exception of the cistern-keeper, they were all in flight, and a night's journey gone. Be the mass of enemies ever so great, there is always one to inspire us with liveliest concern. Here it was Sergius. He had come so recently into the world--descent from a monastery in the far north was to the metropolitan125 much like being born again--there was no telling what he might do. Thus moved and uncertain, the conspirator126 resolved to seek his adversary127, if such he were, and boldly try him. In what spirit would he receive the news? That was the thought behind the gaze Demedes now bent128 on the unsophisticated pupil of the saintly Father Hilarion.
Sergius returned the look without an effort to hide the pain he really felt. His utmost endeavor was to control his feelings. With no idea of simulation, he wanted time to think. Altogether it would have been impossible for him to have chosen a course more perplexing to Demedes, who found himself driven to his next play.
"You know now," he said to his father, "why I decline to break a crust with you. I must go and help uncover this wicked deed. The rewards are great"--he smiled blandly--"and I should like to win one of them at least--the first one, for I have seen the girl called Lael. She interested me, and I was in danger from her. On one occasion"--he paused to throw a glance to Sergius--"I even made advances to become acquainted with her, but she repulsed129 me. As the Prince of India says, she was fair to see. I am sure I have your permission to engage in the hunt."
"Go, and God speed you," the Hegumen responded.
"Thank you; yet another request."
He turned to the Russian.
"Now is Sergius here tall, and, if his gown belie23 him not, stout, and there may be need of muscle as well as spirit; for who can tell where our feet will take us in a game like this, or what or whom we may confront? I ask you to permit him to go with me."
"Nay," said the Hegumen, "I will urge him to go."
Sergius answered simply:
"Not now. I am under penance130, and to-day bound to the third breviary prayers. When they are finished, I will gladly go."
"I am disappointed," Demedes rejoined. "But I must make haste."
He kissed the Hegumen's hand and retired; after which, the meal speedily concluded, Sergius gathered the few articles of service on the platter, and raised it, but stopped to say: "After prayers, with your consent, reverend Father, I will take part in this affair."
"Thou hast my consent."
"It may take several days."
"Give thyself all the time required. The errand is of mercy."
And the holy man extended his hand, and Sergius saluted132 it reverently133, and went out.
If the young monastic kept not fast hold of the holy forms prescribed immemorially for the third hour's service, there is little doubt he was forgiven in the higher court before which he was supposed present, for never had he been more nearly shaken out of his better self than by the Prince's proclamation. He had managed to appear composed while under Demedes' observation. In the language of the time, some protecting Saint prompted him to beware of the Greek, and keeping the admonition, he had come well out of the interview; but hardly did the Hegumen's door close behind him before Lael's untoward134 fate struck him with effect. He hurried to his cell, thinking to recover himself; but it was as if he were pursued by a voice calling him, and directly the voice seemed hers, sharp and piercing from terror. A little later he took to answering the appeal--I hear, but where art thou? His agitation grew until the bell summoned him to the chapel, and the sound was gladdening on account of the companionship it promised. Surely the voice would be lost in the full-toned responses of the brethren. Not so. He heard it even more clearly. Then, to place himself certainly beyond it, he begged an ancient worshipper at his side to loan him his triptych. For once, however, the sorrowful figure of the Christ on the central tablet was of no avail, hold it close as he might; strange to say, the face of the graven image assumed her likeness135; so he was worse off than before, for now her suffering look was added to her sorrowful cry.
At last the service was over. Rushing back to his cell he exchanged his black gown for the coarse gray garment with which he had sallied from Bielo-Osero. Folding the veil, and putting it carefully away in his hat, he went forth136, a hunter as the multitude were hunters; only, as we shall presently see, his zeal137 was more lasting138 than theirs, and he was owner of an invaluable139 secret.
On the street he heard everywhere of the rewards, and everywhere the question, Has she been found? The population, women and children included, appeared to have been turned out of their houses. The corners were possessed140 by them, and it will be easy for readers who have once listened to Greeks in hot debate to fancy how on this occasion they were heard afar. Yet Sergius went his way unobservant of the remarks drawn by the elephantine ears of his outlandish hood111, his tall form, and impeded141 step.
Had one stopped him to ask, Where are you going? it is doubtful if he could have told. He had no plan; he was being pulled along by a pain of heart rather than a purpose--moving somnolently142 through a light which was also a revelation, for now he knew he loved the lost girl--knew it, not by something past, such as recollections of her sweetness and beauty, but by a sense of present bereavement143, an agonizing144 impulsion, a fierce desire to find the robber, a murderous longing145 the like of which had never assailed146 him. The going was nearest an answer he could make to the voice calling him, equivalent to, I am coming.
He sped through the Hippodrome outwalking everybody; then through the enclosure of Sancta Sophia; then down the garden terraces--Oh, that the copse could have told him the chapter it had witnessed!--then up the broad stairway to the promenade147, and along it toward Port St. Julian, never pausing until he was at the bench in the angle of the wall from which he had overheard Demedes' story of the Plague of Crime.
Now the bench was not in his mind when he started from the monastery; neither had he thought of it on the way, or of the dark history it had helped him to; in a freak, he took the seat he had formerly148 occupied, placed his arm along the coping of the parapet, and closed his eyes. And strange to say, the conversation of that day repeated itself almost word for word. Stranger still, it had now a significancy not then observed; and as he listened, he interpreted, and the fever of spirit left him.
About an hour before noon, he arose from the bench like one refreshed by sleep, cool, thoughtful, capable. In the interval149 he had put off boyishness, and taken on manhood replete150 with a faculty151 for worldly thinking that would have alarmed Father Hilarion. In other words, he was seeing things as they were; that bad and good, for instance, were coexistent, one as much a part of the plan of creation as the other; that religion could only regulate and reform; that the end of days would find good men striving with bad men--in brief, that Demedes was performing the role to which his nature and aptitude152 assigned him, just as the venerable Hegumen, his father, was feebly essaying a counterpart. Nor was that all. The new ideas to which he had been converted facilitated reflection along the lines of wickedness. In the Plague of Crime, told the second time, he believed he had found what had befallen Lael. Demedes, he remembered, gave the historic episode to convince his protesting friend how easy it would be to steal and dispose of her. The argument pointed131 to the Imperial cistern as the hiding-place.
Sergius' first prompting was to enlist the aid of the Prince of India, and go straight to the deliverance; but he had arisen from the bench a person very different from a blind lover. Not that his love had cooled--ah, no! But there were things to be done before exposing his secret. Thus, his curiosity had never been strong enough to induce him to look into the cistern. Was it not worth while to assure himself of the possibility of its conversion153 to the use suspected? He turned, and walked back rapidly--down the stairway, up the terraces, and through the Hippodrome. Suddenly he was struck with the impolicy of presenting himself to the cistern-keeper in his present costume--it would be such a help to identification by Demedes. So he continued on to the monastery, and resumed the black gown and tall hat.
The Hegumen's door, which he had to pass in going out again, served him with another admonition. If Demedes were exposed through his endeavor, what of the father? If, in the conflict certain of precipitation, the latter sided with his son--and what could be more natural?--would not the Brotherhood follow him? How then could he, Sergius, a foreigner, young, and without influence, combat a fraternity powerful in the city and most powerful up at Blacherne?
At this, it must be confessed, the young man's step lost its elasticity155; his head sunk visibly, and the love just found was driven to divide its dominion156 with a well-grounded practical apprehension. Yet he walked on, out of the gate, and thence in the direction of the cistern.
Arrived there, he surveyed the wooden structure doubtfully. The door was open, and just inside of it the keeper sat stick in hand drumming upon the brick pavement, a man of medium height and rather pleasant demeanor157.
"I am a stranger here," Sergius said to him. "The cistern is public, I believe; may I see it?"
"It is public, and you may look at it all you want. The door there at the end of the passage will let you into the court. If you have trouble in finding the stairway down, call me."
Sergius dropped some small coin into the keeper's hand.
The court was paved with yellow Roman brick, and moderately spacious158. An oblong curbing159 in the centre without rails marked the place of descent to the water. Overhead there was nothing to interfere160 with the fall of light from the blue sky, except that in one corner a shed had been constructed barely sufficient to protect a sedan chair deposited there, its poles on end leant against the wall. Sergius noticed the chair and the poles, then looked down over the curbing into a doorway, and saw four stone steps leading to a platform three or four feet square. Observing a further descent, he went down to the landing, where he paused long enough to be satisfied that the whole stairway was built into the eastern wall of the cistern. The light was already dim. Proceeding161 carefully, for the stones were slippery, he counted fourteen steps to another landing, the width of the first but quite ten feet long, and slightly submerged with water. Here, as he could go no further, he stopped to look about him.
It is true there was not much to be seen, yet he was at once impressed with a sense of vastness and durability162. A dark and waveless sheet lay stretched before him, merging163 speedily into general blackness. About four yards away and as many apart, two gigantic pillars arose out of the motionless flood stark164 and ghostly gray. Behind them, suggestive of rows with an aisle165 between, other pillars were seen, mere25 upright streaks166 of uncertain hue167 fainter growing in the shadowy perspective. Below there was nothing to arrest a glance. Raising his eyes to the roof above him, out of the semi-obscurity, he presently defined a brick vault168 springing boldly from the Corinthian capitals of the nearest pillars, and he knew straightway the roof was supported by a system of vaults169 susceptible170 of indefinite extension. But how was he, standing on a platform at the eastern edge of the reservoir, mighty171 in so many senses, to determine its shape, width, length? Stooping he looked down the vista172 straining his vision, but there was no opposite wall--only darkness and impenetrability. He filled his lungs trying the air, and it was damp but sweet. He stamped with force--there was a rumble173 in the vault overhead--that was all. He called: "Lael, Lael"--there was no answer, though he listened, his soul in his ears. Therewith he gave over trying to sound the great handmade cavern174, and lingered awhile muttering:
"It is possible, it is possible! At the end of this row of pillars"--he made a last vain effort to discover the end--"there may be a house afloat, and she"--he clinched175 his hands, and shook with a return of murderous passion--"God help her! Nay, God help me! If she is here, as I believe, I will find her."
In the court he again noticed the sedan in the corner.
"I am obliged to you," he said to the keeper by the door. "How old is the cistern?"
"Constantine begun it, and Justinian finished it, they say."
"Is it in use now?"
"They let buckets down through traps in the roof."
"Do you know how large it is?" [Footnote: Yere Batan Serai, or the Underground Palace, the ancient Royal Cistern, or cistern of Constantine, is in rank, as well as in interest and beauty, the chief Byzantine cistern. It is on the right-hand side of the tramway street, west of St. Sophia. The entrance is in the yard of a large Ottoman house in last street on the right of tramway street before the tramway turns abruptly176 west (to right) after passing St. Sophia.
This cistern was built by Constantine the Great, and deepened and enlarged by Justinian the Great in 527, the first year of his reign154. It has been in constant use ever since. The water is supplied from unknown and subterranean177 sources, sometimes rising nearly to the capitals of the columns. It is still in admirable preservation178: all its columns are in position, and almost the entire roof is intact. The columns are arranged in twelve rows of twenty-eight, there being in all three hundred and thirty-six, which are twelve feet distant from each other or from the wall. Some of the capitals are Corinthian; others plain, hardly more than truncated179 pyramids. The roof consists of a succession of brick vaults.
On left side in yard of the large Ottoman house already mentioned is a trap-door. One is let down over a rickety ladder about four feet to the top of four high stone steps, which descend64 on the left to a platform about three and one-half feet square which projects without railing over the water. Thence fourteen steps, also without railing, conduct to another platform below, about three and one-half feet wide and ten feet long. Sometimes this lower platform and the nearer steps are covered with water, though seldom in summer and early fall. These steps are uneven--in places are broken and almost wanting; and they as well as both platforms are exceedingly slippery. The place is absolutely dark save for the feeble rays which glimmer180 from the lantern of the guide. One should remember there is no railing or barrier of any sort, and not advance an inch without seeing where he puts his foot. Then there is no danger. Moreover, the platform below is less slippery than the steps or the platform above. Visitors will do well to each bring his own candle or small lantern, not for illumination but for safety. When the visitors have arrived on the lower platform, which is near the middle of the eastern side against the wall, the guide, who has not descended the steps, lights a basket of shavings or other quick combustible181 on the platform above. The effect is instantaneous and magical. Suddenly from an obscurity so profound that only the outline of the nearest columns can be faintly discerned by the flicker182 of a candle, the entire maze183 of columns flashes into being resplendent and white. The roof and the water send the light back to each other. Not a sound is heard save distant splashes here and there as a bucket descends184 to supply the necessities of some house above. Nowhere can be beheld185 a scene more weird186 and enchanting187. It will remain printed on the memory when many another experience of Stamboul is dim or forgotten.
PROFESSOR GROSVENOR. CONSTANTINOPLE.]
The keeper laughed, and pommelled the pavement vigorously: "I was never through it--haven't the courage--nor do I know anybody who has been. They say it has a thousand pillars, and that it is supplied by a river. They tell too how people have gone into it with boats, and never come out, and that it is alive with ghosts; but of these stories I say nothing, because I know nothing."
Sergius thereupon departed.
收听单词发音 |
1
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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agitation
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| n.搅动；搅拌；鼓动，煽动 | |
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reptile
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| n.爬行动物；两栖动物 | |
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ruffling
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| 弄皱( ruffle的现在分词 )； 弄乱； 激怒； 扰乱 | |
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immured
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| v.禁闭，监禁( immure的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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fragrance
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| n.芬芳，香味，香气 | |
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rosy
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| adj.美好的，乐观的，玫瑰色的 | |
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tint
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| n.淡色，浅色；染发剂；vt.着以淡淡的颜色 | |
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splendor
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| n.光彩；壮丽，华丽；显赫，辉煌 | |
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lodged
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| v.存放( lodge的过去式和过去分词 )；暂住；埋入；（权利、权威等）归属 | |
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misery
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| n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦 | |
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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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spatula
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| n.抹刀 | |
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compartments
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| n.间隔( compartment的名词复数 )；（列车车厢的）隔间；（家具或设备等的）分隔间；隔层 | |
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labor
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| n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦 | |
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16
vengeance
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| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
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irresistibly
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| adv.无法抵抗地，不能自持地；极为诱惑人地 | |
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touching
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| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
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19
pitfall
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| n.隐患，易犯的错误；陷阱，圈套 | |
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wilt
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| v.(使)植物凋谢或枯萎；(指人)疲倦，衰弱 | |
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entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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22
groan
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| vi./n.呻吟，抱怨；(发出)呻吟般的声音 | |
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belie
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| v.掩饰，证明为假 | |
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24
merge
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| v.(使)结合，(使)合并，(使)合为一体 | |
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25
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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26
lurid
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| adj.可怕的；血红的；苍白的 | |
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unnaturally
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| adv.违反习俗地；不自然地；勉强地；不近人情地 | |
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countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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29
extremities
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| n.端点( extremity的名词复数 )；尽头；手和足；极窘迫的境地 | |
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30
nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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32
virtue
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| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
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33
swollen
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| adj.肿大的，水涨的；v.使变大，肿胀 | |
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34
bellowing
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| v.发出吼叫声，咆哮（尤指因痛苦）( bellow的现在分词 )；（愤怒地）说出（某事），大叫 | |
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35
dune
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| n.(由风吹积而成的)沙丘 | |
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36
deficient
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| adj.不足的，不充份的，有缺陷的 | |
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judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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38
stature
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| n.（高度）水平，（高度）境界，身高，身材 | |
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39
conditional
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| adj.条件的，带有条件的 | |
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40
motives
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| n.动机，目的( motive的名词复数 ) | |
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41
solitariness
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| n.隐居；单独 | |
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42
wharves
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| n.码头，停泊处( wharf的名词复数 ) | |
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43
vessels
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| n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人 | |
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44
scorpions
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| n.蝎子( scorpion的名词复数 ) | |
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45
owls
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| n.猫头鹰( owl的名词复数 ) | |
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46
monasteries
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| 修道院( monastery的名词复数 ) | |
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47
exempt
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| adj.免除的；v.使免除；n.免税者，被免除义务者 | |
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48
cemeteries
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| n.（非教堂的）墓地，公墓( cemetery的名词复数 ) | |
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49
overhauled
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| v.彻底检查( overhaul的过去式和过去分词 )；大修；赶上；超越 | |
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50
profaned
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| v.不敬( profane的过去式和过去分词 )；亵渎，玷污 | |
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51
isles
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| 岛( isle的名词复数 ) | |
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52
cupidity
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| n.贪心，贪财 | |
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53
enlist
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| vt.谋取(支持等)，赢得；征募；vi.入伍 | |
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54
cistern
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| n.贮水池 | |
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55
cisterns
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| n.蓄水池，储水箱( cistern的名词复数 )；地下储水池 | |
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56
wary
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| adj.谨慎的，机警的，小心的 | |
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57
hindrance
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| n.妨碍，障碍 | |
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58
inspection
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| n.检查，审查，检阅 | |
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59
doorway
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| n.门口，(喻)入门；门路，途径 | |
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60
facetiously
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| adv.爱开玩笑地；滑稽地，爱开玩笑地 | |
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61
doggedly
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| adv.顽强地，固执地 | |
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62
scant
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| adj.不充分的，不足的；v.减缩，限制，忽略 | |
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63
scanty
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| adj.缺乏的，仅有的，节省的，狭小的，不够的 | |
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64
descend
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| vt./vi.传下来，下来，下降 | |
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65
descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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66
receding
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| v.逐渐远离( recede的现在分词 )；向后倾斜；自原处后退或避开别人的注视；尤指问题 | |
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67
reminder
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| n.提醒物，纪念品；暗示，提示 | |
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68
contagion
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| n.(通过接触的疾病)传染；蔓延 | |
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69
opaque
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| adj.不透光的；不反光的，不传导的；晦涩的 | |
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70
undoubtedly
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| adv.确实地，无疑地 | |
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71
deterrent
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| n.阻碍物，制止物；adj.威慑的，遏制的 | |
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72
tongs
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| n.钳；夹子 | |
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73
scour
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| v.搜索；擦，洗，腹泻，冲刷 | |
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74
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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75
uncertainty
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| n.易变，靠不住，不确知，不确定的事物 | |
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76
impurity
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| n.不洁，不纯，杂质 | |
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impels
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| v.推动、推进或敦促某人做某事( impel的第三人称单数 ) | |
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gourd
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| n.葫芦 | |
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79
vigor
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| n.活力，精力，元气 | |
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80
ransom
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| n.赎金，赎身；v.赎回，解救 | |
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81
turmoil
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| n.骚乱，混乱，动乱 | |
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82
promiscuous
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| adj.杂乱的，随便的 | |
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83
delving
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| v.深入探究，钻研( delve的现在分词 ) | |
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84
insistence
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| n.坚持；强调；坚决主张 | |
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85
prosecute
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| vt.告发；进行；vi.告发，起诉，作检察官 | |
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86
plausible
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| adj.似真实的，似乎有理的，似乎可信的 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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90
alas
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| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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91
wrung
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| 绞( wring的过去式和过去分词 )； 握紧（尤指别人的手）； 把（湿衣服）拧干； 绞掉（水） | |
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92
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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93
conspiracy
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| n.阴谋，密谋，共谋 | |
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94
partnership
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| n.合作关系，伙伴关系 | |
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monks
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| n.修道士，僧侣( monk的名词复数 ) | |
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monk
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| n.和尚，僧侣，修道士 | |
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97
morsel
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| n.一口，一点点 | |
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delusion
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| n.谬见，欺骗，幻觉，迷惑 | |
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99
mortify
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| v.克制，禁欲，使受辱 | |
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100
privately
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| adv.以私人的身份，悄悄地，私下地 | |
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101
monastery
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| n.修道院，僧院，寺院 | |
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102
chapel
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| n.小教堂，殡仪馆 | |
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103
laborer
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| n.劳动者，劳工 | |
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104
outlaw
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| n.歹徒，亡命之徒；vt.宣布…为不合法 | |
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105
mused
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| v.沉思，冥想( muse的过去式和过去分词 )；沉思自语说（某事） | |
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106
eternity
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| n.不朽，来世；永恒，无穷 | |
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107
helping
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| n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的 | |
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108
frugal
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| adj.节俭的，节约的，少量的，微量的 | |
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109
retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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110
brotherhood
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| n.兄弟般的关系，手中情谊 | |
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111
hood
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| n.头巾，兜帽，覆盖；v.罩上，以头巾覆盖 | |
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112
lauds
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| v.称赞，赞美( laud的第三人称单数 ) | |
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113
psalms
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| n.赞美诗( psalm的名词复数 )；圣诗；圣歌；(中的) | |
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114
benison
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| n.祝福 | |
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115
leaven
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| v.使发酵；n.酵母；影响 | |
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116
conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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117
sneer
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| v.轻蔑；嘲笑；n.嘲笑，讥讽的言语 | |
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118
paternal
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| adj.父亲的，像父亲的，父系的，父方的 | |
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119
apprise
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| vt.通知，告知 | |
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120
foam
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| v./n.泡沫，起泡沫 | |
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121
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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122
stammering
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| v.结巴地说出( stammer的现在分词 ) | |
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123
dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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124
apprehension
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| n.理解，领悟；逮捕，拘捕；忧虑 | |
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125
metropolitan
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| adj.大城市的，大都会的 | |
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126
conspirator
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| n.阴谋者，谋叛者 | |
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127
adversary
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| adj.敌手，对手 | |
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128
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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129
repulsed
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| v.击退( repulse的过去式和过去分词 )；驳斥；拒绝 | |
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130
penance
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| n.（赎罪的）惩罪 | |
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131
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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132
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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133
reverently
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| adv.虔诚地 | |
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134
untoward
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| adj.不利的，不幸的，困难重重的 | |
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135
likeness
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| n.相像，相似（之处） | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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137
zeal
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| n.热心，热情，热忱 | |
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138
lasting
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| adj.永久的，永恒的；vbl.持续，维持 | |
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139
invaluable
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| adj.无价的，非常宝贵的，极为贵重的 | |
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140
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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141
impeded
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| 阻碍，妨碍，阻止( impede的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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somnolently
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| adv.瞌睡地；昏昏欲睡地；使人瞌睡地；催眠地 | |
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143
bereavement
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| n.亲人丧亡，丧失亲人，丧亲之痛 | |
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agonizing
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| adj.痛苦难忍的；使人苦恼的v.使极度痛苦；折磨(agonize的ing形式) | |
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145
longing
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| n.（for）渴望 | |
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146
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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147
promenade
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| n./v.散步 | |
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148
formerly
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| adv.从前，以前 | |
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interval
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| n.间隔，间距；幕间休息，中场休息 | |
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150
replete
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| adj.饱满的，塞满的；n.贮蜜蚁 | |
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151
faculty
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| n.才能；学院，系；(学院或系的)全体教学人员 | |
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aptitude
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| n.(学习方面的)才能，资质，天资 | |
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153
conversion
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| n.转化，转换，转变 | |
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154
reign
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| n.统治时期，统治，支配，盛行；v.占优势 | |
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elasticity
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| n.弹性，伸缩力 | |
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156
dominion
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| n.统治，管辖，支配权；领土，版图 | |
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157
demeanor
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| n.行为；风度 | |
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158
spacious
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| adj.广阔的，宽敞的 | |
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159
curbing
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| n.边石，边石的材料v.限制，克制，抑制( curb的现在分词 ) | |
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interfere
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| v.(in)干涉，干预；(with)妨碍，打扰 | |
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161
proceeding
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| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
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162
durability
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| n.经久性，耐用性 | |
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163
merging
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| 合并（分类） | |
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164
stark
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| adj.荒凉的；严酷的；完全的；adv.完全地 | |
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165
aisle
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| n.（教堂、教室、戏院等里的）过道，通道 | |
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166
streaks
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| n.（与周围有所不同的）条纹( streak的名词复数 )；（通常指不好的）特征（倾向）；（不断经历成功或失败的）一段时期v.快速移动( streak的第三人称单数 )；使布满条纹 | |
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167
hue
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| n.色度；色调；样子 | |
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168
vault
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| n.拱形圆顶，地窖，地下室 | |
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vaults
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| n.拱顶( vault的名词复数 )；地下室；撑物跳高；墓穴 | |
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susceptible
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| adj.过敏的，敏感的；易动感情的，易受感动的 | |
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mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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172
vista
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| n.远景，深景，展望，回想 | |
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173
rumble
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| n.隆隆声；吵嚷；v.隆隆响；低沉地说 | |
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174
cavern
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| n.洞穴，大山洞 | |
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175
clinched
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| v.（尤指两人）互相紧紧抱[扭]住( clinch的过去式和过去分词 )；解决（争端、交易），达成（协议） | |
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176
abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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177
subterranean
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| adj.地下的，地表下的 | |
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178
preservation
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| n.保护，维护，保存，保留，保持 | |
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179
truncated
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| adj.切去顶端的，缩短了的，被删节的v.截面的( truncate的过去式和过去分词 )；截头的；缩短了的；截去顶端或末端 | |
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180
glimmer
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| v.发出闪烁的微光；n.微光，微弱的闪光 | |
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181
combustible
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| a. 易燃的,可燃的; n. 易燃物,可燃物 | |
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182
flicker
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| vi./n.闪烁，摇曳，闪现 | |
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183
maze
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| n.迷宫，八阵图，混乱，迷惑 | |
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184
descends
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| v.下来( descend的第三人称单数 )；下去；下降；下斜 | |
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185
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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186
weird
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| adj.古怪的，离奇的；怪诞的，神秘而可怕的 | |
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187
enchanting
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| a.讨人喜欢的 | |
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