The reader will return--not unwillingly1, it is hoped--to Lael.
The keeper, on watch for her, made haste to bar the door behind the carriers of the sedan, who, on their part, made greater haste to take boat and fly the city. From his sitting-room2 he brought a lamp, and opening the chair found the passenger in a corner to appearance dead. The head was hanging low; through the dishevelled hair the slightest margin3 of forehead shone marble white; a scarce perceptible rise and fall of the girlish bosom4 testified of the life still there. A woman at mercy, though dumb, is always eloquent5.
"Here she is at last!" the keeper thought, while making a profane6 survey of the victim.... "Well, if beauty was his object--beauty without love--he may be satisfied. That's as the man is. I would rather have the bezants she has cost him. The market's full of just such beauty in health and strength--beauty matured and alive, not wilted7 like this! ... But every fish to its net, every man to his fate, as the infidels on the other shore say. To the cistern8 she must go, and I must put her there. Oh, how lucky! Her wits are out--prayers, tears, resistance would be uncomfortable. May the Saints keep her!" Closing the door of the sedan, he hurried out into the court, and thence down the cistern stairs to the lower platform, where he drew the boat in, and fixed9 it stationary10 by laying the oars11 across the gunwale from a step. The going and return were quick.
"The blood of doves, or the tears of women--I am not yet decided12 which is hardest on a soul.... Come along!... There is a palace at the further end of the road."...
He lifted her from the chair. In the dead faint she was more an inconvenient13 burden than a heavy one.
At the curbing14 he sat her down while he returned for the lamp. The steps within were slippery, and he dared take no risks. To get her into the boat was trying: yet he was gentle as possible--that, however, was from regard for the patron he was serving. He laid her head against a seat, and arranged her garments respectfully.
"O sweet Mother of Blacherne!" he then said, looking at the face for the first time fully15 exposed. "That pin on the shoulder--Heavens, how the stone flashes! It invites me." Unfastening the trinket, he secured it under his jacket, then ran on: "She is so white! I must hurry--or drop her overboard. If she dies"--his countenance16 showed concern, but brightened immediately. "Oh, of course she jumped overboard to escape!"
There was no further delay. With the lamp at the bow, he pushed off, and rowed vigorously. Through the pillared space he went, with many quick turns. It were vain saying exactly which direction he took, or how long he was going; after a time, the more considerable on account of the obstructions18 to be avoided, he reached the raft heretofore described as in the form of a cross and anchored securely between four of the immense columns by which the roof of the cistern was upheld. Still Lael slept the merciful sleep.
Next the keeper carried the unresisting body to a door of what in the feeble light seemed a low, one-storied house--possibly hut were a better word--thence into an interior where the blackness may be likened to a blindfold19 many times multiplied. Yet he went to a couch, and laid her upon it.
"There--my part is done!" he muttered, with a long-drawn breath.... "Now to illuminate20 the Palace! If she were to awake in this pitch-black"-- something like a laugh interrupted the speech--"it would strangle her-- oil from the press is not thicker."
He brought in the light--in such essential midnight it was indispensable, and must needs be always thought of--and amongst the things which began to sparkle was a circlet of furbished metal suspended from the centre of the ceiling. It proved to be a chandelier, provided with a number of lamps ready for lighting21; and when they were all lit, the revelation which ensued while a lesson in extravagance was not less a tribute to the good taste of the reckless genius by which it was conceived.
It were long reading the inventory22 of articles he had brought together there for the edification and amusement of such as might become his idols23. They were everywhere apparently25--books, pictures, musical instruments--on the floor, a carpet to delight a Sultana mother--over the walls, arras of silk and gold in alternate threads--the ceiling an elaboration of wooden panels.
By referring to the diagram of the raft, it will be seen one quarter was reserved for a landing, while the others supported what may be termed pavilions, leaving an interior susceptible27 of division into three rooms. Standing28 under the circlet of light, an inmate29 could see into the three open quarters, each designed and furnished for a special use; this at the right hand, for eating and drinking; that at the left, for sleeping; the third, opposite the door, for lounging and reading. In the first one, a table already set glittered with ware30 in glass and precious metals; in the second, a mass of pink plush and fairy-like lace bespoke31 a bed; in the third were chairs, a lounge, and footrests which had the appearance of having been brought from a Ptolemaic palace only yesterday; and on these, strewn with an eye to artistic32 effect, lay fans and shawls for which the harem-queens of Persia and Hindostan might have contended. The "crown-jewel" of this latter apartment, however, was undoubtedly33 a sheet of copper34 burnished35 to answer the purpose of a looking-glass with a full-length view. On stands next the mirror, was a collection of toilet necessaries.
Elsewhere we have heard of a Palace of Love lying as yet in the high intent of Mahommed; here we have a Palace of Pleasure illustrative of Epicureanism according to Demedes. The expense and care required to make it an actuality beget36 the inference that the float, rough outside, splendid within, was not for Lael alone. A Princess of India might inaugurate it, but others as fair and highborn were to come after her, recipients37 of the same worship. Whosoever the favorite of the hour might be, the three pavilions were certainly the assigned limits of her being; while the getting rid of her would be never so easy--the water flowing, no one knew whence or whither, was horribly suggestive. Once installed there, it was supposed that longings38 for the upper world would go gradually out. The mistress, with nothing to wish for not at hand, was to be a Queen, with Demedes and his chosen of the philosophic39 circle for her ministers. In other words, the Academic Temple in the upper world was but a place of meeting; this was the Temple in fact. There the gentle priests talked business; here they worshipped; and of their psalter and litany, their faith and ceremonial practices, enough that the new substitute for religion was only a reembodiment of an old philosophy with the narrowest psychical40 idea for creed41; namely, that the principle of Present Life was all there was in man worth culture and gratification.
The keeper cared little for the furnishments and curios. He was much more concerned in the restoration of his charge, being curious to see how she would behave on waking. He sprinkled her face with water, and fanned her energetically, using an ostrich42 wing of the whiteness of snow, overlaid about the handle with scarab-gems. Nor did he forget to pray.
"O Holy Mother! O sweet Madonna of Blacherne! Do not let her die. Darkness is nothing to thee. Thou art clothed in brightness. Oh, as thou lovest all thy children, descend43 hither, and open her eyes, and give her speech!"
The man was in earnest.
Greatly to his delight, he beheld44 the blood at length redden the pretty mouth, and the eyelids45 begin to tremble. Then a long, deep inhalation, and an uncertain fearful looking about; first at the circlet of the lamps, and next at the keeper, who, as became a pious46 Byzantine, burst into exclamation47:
"Oh Holy Mother! I owe you a candle!"
Directly, having risen to a sitting posture48, Lael found her tongue:
"You are not my father Uel, or my father the Prince of India?"
"No," he returned, plying49 the fan.
"Where are they? Where is Sergius?"
"I do not know."
"Who are you?"
"I am appointed to see that no harm comes to you."
This was intended kindly50 enough; it had, however, the opposite effect. She arose, and with both hands holding the hair from her eyes, stared wildly at objects in the three rooms, and fell to the couch again insensible. And again the water, the ostrich-wing, and the prayer to the Lady of Blacherne--again an awakening51.
"Where am I?" she asked.
"In the Palace of"--
He had not time to finish; with tears, and moans, and wringing52 of hands she sat up: "Oh, my father! Oh, that I had heeded53 him! ... You will take me to him, will you not? He is rich, and loves me, and he will give you gold and jewels until you are rich. Only take me to him.... See--I am praying to you!"--and she cast herself at his feet.
Now the keeper was not used to so much loveliness in great distress54, and he moved away; but she tried to follow him on her knees, crying: "Oh, as you hope mercy for yourself, take me home!" And beginning to doubt his strength, he affected55 harshness.
"It is useless praying to me. I could not take you out if your father rained gold on me for a month--I could not if I wished to.... Be sensible, and listen to me."
"Then you did not bring me here."
"Listen to me, I say.... You will get hungry and thirsty--there are bread, fruit, and water and wine--and when you are sleepy, yonder is the bed. Use your eyes, and you are certain to find in one room or the other everything you can need; and whatever you put hand on is yours. Only be sensible, and quit taking on so. Quit praying to me. Prayer is for the Madonna and the Blessed Saints. Hush56 and hear. No? Well, I am going now."
"Going?--and without telling me where I am? Or why I was brought here? Or by whom? Oh, my God!"
She flung herself on the floor distracted; and he, apparently not minding, went on:
"I am going now, but will come back for your orders in the morning, and again in the evening. Do not be afraid; it is not intended to hurt you; and if you get tired of yourself, there are books; or if you do not read, maybe you sing--there are musical instruments, and you can choose amongst them. Now I grant you I am not a waiting-maid, having had no education in that line; still, if I may advise, wash your face, and dress your hair, and be beautiful as you can, for by and by he will come"--
"Who will come?" she asked, rising to her knees, and clasping her hands.
The sight was more than enough for him. He fled incontinently, saying: "I will be back in the morning." As he went he snatched up the indispensable lamp; outside, he locked the door; then rowed away, repeating, "Oh, the blood of doves and the tears of women!"
Left thus alone, the unfortunate girl lay on the floor a long time, sobbing57, and gradually finding the virtue58 there is in tears--especially tears of repentance59. Afterwhile, with the return of reason--meaning power to think--the silence of the place became noticeable. Listening closely, she could detect no sign of life--nothing indicative of a street, or a house adjoining, or a neighbor, or that there was any outdoors about her at all. The noise of an insect, the note of a bird, a sough of wind, the gurgle of water, would have relieved her from the sense of having in some way fallen off the earth, and been caught by a far away uninhabited planet. That would certainly have been hard; but worse--the idea of being doomed60 to stay there took possession of her, and becoming intolerable, she walked from room to room, and even tried to take interest in the things around. Will it ever be that a woman can pass a mirror without being arrested by it? Before the tall copper plate she finally stopped. At first, the figure she saw startled her. The air of general discomfiture--hair loose, features tear-stained, eyes red and swollen61, garments disarranged--made it look like a stranger. The notion exaggerated itself, and further on she found a positive comfort in the society of the image, which not only looked somebody else, but more and more somebody else who was lost like herself, and, being in the same miserable62 condition, would be happy to exchange sympathy for sympathy.
Now the spectacle of a person in distress is never pleasant; wherefore permission is begged to dismiss the passage of that night in the cistern briefly63 as possible. From the couch to the mirror; fearing now, then despairing; one moment calling for help, listening next, her distracted fancy caught by an imaginary sound; too much fevered to care for refreshments64; so overwhelmed by the awful sense of being hopelessly and forever lost, she could neither sleep nor control herself mentally. Thus tortured, there were no minutes or hours to her, only a time, that being a peculiarity65 of the strange planet her habitat. To be sure, she explored her prison intent upon escape, but was as often beaten back by walls without window, loophole or skylight--walls in which there was but one door, fastened outside.
The day following was to the captive in nothing different from the night--a time divisionless, and filled with fear, suspense66, and horrible imaginings--a monotony unbroken by a sound. If she could have heard a bell, though ever so faint, or a voice, to whomsoever addressed, it would yet prove her in an inhabited world--nay, could she but have heard a cricket singing!
In the morning the keeper kept his appointment. He came alone and without business except to renew the oil in the lamps. After a careful survey of the palace, as he called it, probably in sarcasm67, and as he was about to leave, he offered, if she wanted anything, to bring it upon his return. Was there ever prisoner not in want of liberty? The proposal did but reopen the scene of the evening previous; and he fled from it, repeating as before, "Oh, the blood of doves and the tears of women!"
In the evening he found her more tractable68; so at least he thought; and she was in fact quieter from exhaustion69. None the less he again fled to escape the entreaties70 with which she beset71 him.
She took to the couch the second night. The need of nature was too strong for both grief and fear, and she slept. Of course she knew not of the hunt going on, or of the difficulties in the way of finding her; and in this ignorance the sensation of being lost gradually yielded to the more poignant72 idea of desertion. Where was Sergius? Would there ever be a fitter opportunity for display of the superhuman intelligence with which, up to this time, she had invested her father, the Prince of India? The stars could tell him everything; so, if now they were silent respecting her, it could only be because he had not consulted them. Situations such as she was in are right quarters of the moon for unreasonable73 fantasies; and she fell asleep oppressed by a conviction that all the friendly planets, even Jupiter, for whose appearance she had so often watched with the delight of a lover, were hastening to their Houses to tell him where she was, but for some reason he ignored them.
Still later, she fell into a defiant74 sullenness75, one of the many aspects of despair.
In this mood, while lying on the couch, she heard the sound of oars, and almost immediately after felt the floor jar. She sat up, wondering what had brought the keeper back so soon. Steps then approached the door; but the lock there proving troublesome, suggested one unaccustomed to it; whereupon she remembered the rude advice to wash her face and dress her hair, for by and by somebody was coming.
"Now," she thought, "I shall learn who brought me here, and why."
A hope returned to her.
"Oh, it may be my father has at last found me!"
She arose--a volume of joy gathered in her heart ready to burst into expression--when the door was pushed open, and Demedes entered.
We know the figure he thus introduced to her. With averted76 face he reinserted the key in the lock. She saw the key, heavy enough in emergency for an aggressive weapon--she saw a gloved hand turn it, and heard the bolt plunge77 obediently into its socket--and the flicker78 of hope went out. She sunk upon the couch again, sullenly79 observant.
The visitor--at first unrecognized by her--behaved as if at home, and confident of an agreeable reception. Having made the door safe on the outside, he next secured it inside, by taking the key out. Still averting80 his face, he went to the mirror, shook the great cloak from his shoulders, and coolly surveyed himself, turning this way and that. He rearranged his cape17, took off the cap, and, putting the plumes81 in better relation, restored it to his head--thrust his gloves on one side under a swordless belt, and the ponderous82 key under the same belt but on the other side, where it had for company a straight dagger83 of threatening proportions.
Lael kept watch on these movements, doubtful if the stranger were aware of her presence. Uncertainty84 on that score was presently removed. Turning from the mirror, he advanced slowly toward her. When under the circlet, just at the point where the light was most favorable for an exhibition of himself, he stopped, doffed85 the cap, and said to her:
"The daughter of the Prince of India cannot have forgotten me."
Now if, from something said in this chronicle, the reader has been led to exalt86 the little Jewess into a Bradamante, it were just to undeceive him. She was a woman in promise, of fair intellect subordinate to a pure heart. Any great thing said or done by her would be certain to have its origin in her affections. The circumstances in which she would be other than simple and unaffected are inconceivable. In the beautiful armor, Demedes was handsome, particularly as there was no other man near to force a comparison of stature87; yet she did not see any of his braveries--she saw his face alone, and with what feeling may be inferred from the fact that she now knew who brought her where she was, and the purpose of the bringing.
Instead of replying, she shrank visibly further and further from him, until she was an apt reminder88 of a hare cornered by a hound, or a dove at last overtaken by a hawk89.
The suffering she had undergone was discernible in her appearance, for she had not taken the advice of the keeper; in a word, she was at the moment shockingly unlike the lissome90, happy, radiant creature whom we saw set out for a promenade91 two days before. Her posture was crouching92; the hair was falling all ways; both hands pressed hard upon her bosom; and the eyes were in fixed gaze, staring at him as at death. She was in the last extremity93 of fear, and he could not but see it.
"Do not be afraid," he said, hurriedly, and in a tone of pity. "You were never safer than you are here--I swear it, O Princess!"
Observing no change in her or indication of reply, he continued: "I see your fear, and it may be I am its object. Let me come and sit by you, and I will explain everything--where you are--why you were brought here--and by whom.... Or give me a place at your feet.... I will not speak for myself, except as I love you--nay, I will speak for love."
Still not a word from her--only a sullenness in which he fancied there was a threat.... A threat? What could she do? To him, nothing; he was in shirt of steel; but to herself much.... And he thought of suicide, and then of--madness.
"Tell me, O Princess, if you have received any disrespect since you entered this palace? There is but one person from whom it could have proceeded. I know him; and if, against his solemn oath, he has dared an unseemly look or word--if he has touched you profanely--you may choose the dog's death he shall die, and I will give it him. For that I wear this dagger. See!"
In this he was sincere; yet he shall be a student very recently come to lessons in human nature who fails to perceive the reason of his sincerity94; possibly she saw it; we speak with uncertainty, for she still kept silent. Again he cast about to make her speak. Reproach, abuse, rage, tears in torrents95, fury in any form were preferable to that look, so like an animal's conscious of its last moment.
"Must I talk to you from this distance? I can, as you see, but it is cruel; and if you fear me"--he smiled, as if the idea were amusing. "Oh! if you still fear me, what is there to prevent my compelling the favors I beg?"
The menace was of no more effect than entreaty96. Paralysis97 of spirit from fright was new to him; yet the resources of his wit were without end. Going to the table, he looked it over carefully.
"What!" he cried, turning to her with well-dissembled astonishment98. "Hast thou eaten nothing? Two days, and not a crumb99 of bread in thy pretty throat?--not a drop of wine? This shall not go on--no, by all the goodness there is in Heaven!"
On a plate he then placed a biscuit and a goblet100 filled with red wine of the clearest sparkle, and taking them to her, knelt at her feet.
"I will tell you truly, Princess--I built this palace for you, and brought you here under urgency of love. God deny me forever, if I once dreamed of starving you! Eat and drink, if only to give me ease of conscience."
He offered the plate to her.
She arose, her face, if possible, whiter than before.
"Do not come near me--keep off!" Her voice was sharp and high. "Keep off!... Or take me to my father's house. This palace is yours--you have the key. Oh, be merciful!"
Madness was very near her.
"I will obey you in all things but one," he said, and returned the plate to the table, content with having brought her to speech. "In all things but one," he repeated peremptorily101, standing under the circlet. "I will not take you to your father's house. I brought you here to teach you what I would never have a chance to teach you there--that you are the idol24 for whom I have dared every earthly risk, and imperilled my soul.... Sit down and rest yourself. I will not come near you to-night, nor ever without your consent.... Yes, that is well. And now you are seated, and have shown a little faith in my word--for which I thank you and kiss your hand--hear me further and be reasonable.... You shall love me."
Into this declaration he flung all the passion of his nature.
"No, no! Draw not away believing yourself in peril102. You shall love me, but not as a scourged103 victim. I am not a brute104. I may be won too lightly, by a voice, by bright eyes, by graces of person, by faithfulness where faithfulness is owing, by a soul created for love and aglow105 with it as a star with light; but I am not of those who kill the beloved, and justify106 the deed, pleading coldness, scorn, preference for another. Be reasonable, I say, O Princess, and hear how I will conquer you.... Are not the better years of life ours? Why should I struggle or make haste, or be impatient? Are you not where I have chosen to put you?--where I can visit you day and night to assure myself of your health and spirits?--all in the world, yet out of its sight?... You may not know what a physician Time is. I do. He has a medicine for almost every ailment107 of the mind, every distemper of the soul. He may not set my lady's broken finger, but he will knit it so, when sound again, the hurt shall be forgotten. He drops a month--in extreme cases, a year or years--on a grief, or a bereavement108, and it becomes as if it had never been. So he lets the sun in on prejudices and hates, and they wither109, and where they were, we go and gather the fruits and flowers of admiration110, respect--ay, Princess, of love. Now, in this cause, I have chosen Time for my best friend; he and I will come together, and stay"--
The conclusion of the speech must be left to the reader, for with the last word some weighty solid crashed against the raft until it trembled throughout. Demedes stopped. Involuntarily his hand sought the dagger; and the action was a confession111 of surprise. An interval112 of quiet ensued; then came a trial of the lock--at first, gentle--another, with energy--a third one rattled113 the strong leaf in its frame.
"The villain114! I will teach him--No, it cannot be--he would not dare--and besides I have the boat."
As Demedes thus acquitted115 the keeper, he cast a serious glance around him, evidently in thought of defence.
Again the raft was shaken, as if by feet moving rapidly under a heavy burden. Crash!--and the door was splintered. Once more--crash!--and door and framework shot in--a thunderbolt had not wrought116 the wreck117 more completely.
Justice now to the Greek. Though a genius all bad, he was manly118. Retiring to a position in front of Lael, he waited, dagger in hand. And he had not breathed twice, before Nilo thrust his magnificent person through the breach119, and advanced under the circlet.
Returning now. Had the King been in toils120, and hard pressed, he would not have committed himself to the flood and darkness of the cistern in the manner narrated121; at least the probabilities are he would have preferred battle in the court, and light, though of the city on fire, by which to conquer or die. But his blood was up, and he was in pursuit, not at bay; to the genuine fighting man, moreover, a taste of victory is as a taste of blood to tigers. He was not in humor to bother himself with practical considerations such as--If I come upon the hiding-place of the Greek, how, being deaf and dumb, am I to know it? Of what use are eyes in a hollow rayless as this? Whether he considered the obvious personal dangers of the adventure--drowning, for instance--is another matter.
The water was cold, and his teeth chattered122; for it will be recollected123 he was astride the poles of the sedan, lashed124 together. That his body was half submerged was a circumstance he little heeded, since it was rather helpful than otherwise to the hand strokes with which he propelled himself. Nor need it be supposed he moved slowly. The speed attainable125 by such primitive126 means in still water is wonderful.
Going straight from the lower platform of the stair, he was presently in total darkness. With a row of columns on either hand, he managed to keep direction; and how constantly and eagerly he employed the one available sense left him may be imagined. His project was to push on until stayed by a boundary wall--then he would take another course, and so on to the end. The enemy, by his theory, was in a boat or floating house. Hopeful, determined127, inspirited by the prospect128 of combat, he made haste as best he could. At last, looking over his left shoulder, he beheld a ruddy illumination, and changed direction thither129. Presently he swept into the radius130 of a stationary light, broken, of course, by intervening pillars and the shadows they cast; then, at his right, a hand lamp in front of what had the appearance of a house rising out of the water, startled him.
Was it a signal?
The King approached warily131, until satisfied no ambush132 was intended--until, in short, the palace of the Greek was before him.
It was his then to surprise; so he drove the ends of the poles against the landing with force sufficient, as we have seen, to interrupt Demedes explaining how he meant to compel the love of Lael.
With all his nicety of contrivance, the Greek had at the last moment forgotten to extinguish the lamp or take it into the house with him. The King recognized it and the boat, yet circumspectly133 drew his humble134 craft up out of the water. He next tried the lock, and then the door; finally he used the poles as a ram26.
Taking stand under the circlet, there was scant135 room between it and the blue handkerchief on his head; while the figure he presented, nude136 to the waist, his black skin glistening137 with water, his trousers clinging to his limbs, his nostrils138 dilating139, his eyes jets of flame, his cruel white teeth exposed--this figure the dullest fancy can evoke--and it must have appeared to the guilty Greek a very genius of vengeance140.
Withal, however, the armor and the dagger brought Demedes up to a certain equality; and, as he showed no flinching141, the promise of combat was excellent. It happened, however, that while the two silently regarded each other, Lael recognized the King, and unable to control herself, gave a cry of joy, and started to him. Instinctively142 Demedes extended a hand to hold her back; the giant saw the opening; two steps so nearly simultaneous the movement was like a leap--and he had the wrist of the other's armed hand in his grip. Words can convey no idea of the outburst attending the assault--it was the hoarse143 inarticulate falsetto of a dumb man signalizing a triumph. If the reader can think of a tiger standing over him, its breath on his cheek, its roar in his ears, something approximate to the effect is possible.
The Greek's cap fell off, and the dagger rattled to the floor. His countenance knit with sudden pain--the terrible grip was crushing the bones--yet he did not submit. With the free hand, he snatched the key from his belt, and swung it to strike--the blow was intercepted--the key wrenched144 away. Then Demedes' spirit forsook145 him--mortal terror showed in his face turned gray as ashes, and in his eyes, enlarged yet ready to burst from their sockets146. He had not the gladiator's resignation under judgment147 of death.
"Save me, O Princess, save me!... He is killing148 me.... My God--see--hear --he is crushing my bones!... Save me!"
Lael was then behind the King, on her knees, thanking Heaven for rescue. She heard the imploration, and, woman-like, sight of the awful agony extinguished the memory of her wrongs.
"Spare him, Nilo, for my sake, spare him!" she cried.
It was not alone her wrongs that were forgotten--she forgot that the avenger149 could not hear.
Had he heard, it is doubtful if he had obeyed; for we again remark he was fighting less for her than for his master--or rather for her in his master's interest. And besides, it was the moment of victory, when, of all moments, the difference between the man born and reared under Christian150 influences and the savage151 is most impressible.
While she was entreating152 him, he repeated the indescribable howl, and catching153 Demedes bore him to the door and out of it. At the edge of the landing, he twisted his fingers in the long locks of the screaming wretch154, whose boasted philosophy was of so little worth to him now that he never thought of it--then he plunged155 him in the water, and held him under until--enough, dear reader!
Lael did not go out. The inevitable156 was in the negro's face. Retreating to the couch, she there covered her ears with her hands, trying to escape the prayers the doomed man persisted to the last in addressing her.
By and by Nilo returned alone.
He took the cloak from the floor, wrapped her in it, and signed her to go with him; but the distresses157 she had endured, together with the horrors of the scene just finished, left her half fainting. In his arms she was a child. Almost before she knew it, he had placed her in the boat. With a cord found in the house, he tied the poles behind the vessel158, and set out to find the stairs, the tell-tale lamp twinkling at the bow.
Safely arrived there, the good fellow carried his fair charge up the steps to the court--descending again, he brought the poles--going back once more, he drew the boat on the lower platform. Then to hasten to the street door, unbar it, and admit Sergius were scarce a minute's work.
The monk159's amazement160 and delight at beholding161 Lael, and hers at sight of him, require no labored162 telling. At that meeting, conventionalities were not observed. He carried her into the passage, and gave her the keeper's chair; after which, reminded of the programme so carefully laid out by him, he returned with Nilo to the court, where the illumination in the sky still dropped its relucent flush. Turning the King face to him he asked:
"Where is the keeper?"
The King walked to the sedan, opened the door, and dragging the dead man forth163, flung him sprawling164 on the pavement.
Sergius stood speechless, seeing what the victor had not--arrests, official inquests, and the dread165 machinery166 of the law started, with results not in foresight167 except by Heaven. Before he had fairly recovered, Nilo had the sedan out and the poles fixed to it, and in the most cheerful, matter-of-fact manner signed him to take up the forward ends.
"Where is the Greek?" the monk asked.
That also the King managed to answer.
"In the cistern--drowned!" exclaimed Sergius, converting the reply into words.
The King drew himself up proudly.
"O Heavens! What will become of us?"
The exclamation signified a curtain rising upon a scene of prosecution168 against which the Christian covered his face with his hands.... Again Nilo brought him back to present duty.... In a short time Lael was in the chair, and they bearing her off.
Sergius set out first for Uel's house. The time was near morning; but for the conflagration169 the indications of dawn might have been seen in the east. He was not long in getting to understand the awfulness of the calamity170 the city had suffered, and that, with thousands of others, the dwellings171 of Uel and the Prince of India were heaps of ashes on which the gale172 was expending173 its undiminished strength.
What was to be done with Lael?
This Sergius answered by leading the way to the town residence of the Princess Irene. There the little Jewess was received, while he took boat and hurried to Therapia.
The Princess came down, and under her roof, Lael found sympathy, rest, and safety. In due time also Uel's last testament174 reached her, with the purse of jewels left by the Prince of India, and she then assumed guardianship175 of the bereaved176 girl.
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1
unwillingly
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| adv.不情愿地 | |
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2
sitting-room
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| n.（BrE）客厅，起居室 | |
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3
margin
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| n.页边空白；差额；余地，余裕；边，边缘 | |
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4
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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eloquent
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| adj.雄辩的，口才流利的；明白显示出的 | |
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6
profane
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| adj.亵神的，亵渎的；vt.亵渎，玷污 | |
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7
wilted
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| （使）凋谢，枯萎( wilt的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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cistern
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| n.贮水池 | |
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9
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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10
stationary
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| adj.固定的，静止不动的 | |
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11
oars
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| n.桨，橹( oar的名词复数 )；划手v.划（行）( oar的第三人称单数 ) | |
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12
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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13
inconvenient
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| adj.不方便的，令人感到麻烦的 | |
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14
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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15
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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16
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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17
cape
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| n.海角，岬；披肩，短披风 | |
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18
obstructions
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| n.障碍物( obstruction的名词复数 )；阻碍物；阻碍；阻挠 | |
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19
blindfold
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| vt.蒙住…的眼睛；adj.盲目的；adv.盲目地；n.蒙眼的绷带[布等]； 障眼物，蒙蔽人的事物 | |
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20
illuminate
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| vt.照亮，照明；用灯光装饰；说明，阐释 | |
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21
lighting
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| n.照明，光线的明暗，舞台灯光 | |
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22
inventory
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| n.详细目录，存货清单 | |
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23
idols
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| 偶像( idol的名词复数 )； 受崇拜的人或物； 受到热爱和崇拜的人或物； 神像 | |
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24
idol
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| n.偶像，红人，宠儿 | |
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25
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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26
ram
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| (random access memory)随机存取存储器 | |
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27
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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28
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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29
inmate
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| n.被收容者；(房屋等的)居住人；住院人 | |
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30
ware
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| n.(常用复数)商品，货物 | |
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31
bespoke
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| adj.（产品）订做的；专做订货的v.预定( bespeak的过去式 )；订（货）；证明；预先请求 | |
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32
artistic
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| adj.艺术(家)的，美术(家)的；善于艺术创作的 | |
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33
undoubtedly
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| adv.确实地，无疑地 | |
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34
copper
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| n.铜；铜币；铜器；adj.铜(制)的；(紫)铜色的 | |
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35
burnished
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| adj.抛光的，光亮的v.擦亮（金属等），磨光( burnish的过去式和过去分词 )；被擦亮，磨光 | |
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36
beget
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| v.引起；产生 | |
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37
recipients
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| adj.接受的；受领的；容纳的；愿意接受的n.收件人；接受者；受领者；接受器 | |
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38
longings
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| 渴望，盼望( longing的名词复数 ) | |
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39
philosophic
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| adj.哲学的，贤明的 | |
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40
psychical
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| adj.有关特异功能现象的；有关特异功能官能的；灵魂的；心灵的 | |
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41
creed
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| n.信条；信念，纲领 | |
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42
ostrich
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| n.鸵鸟 | |
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43
descend
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| vt./vi.传下来，下来，下降 | |
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44
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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45
eyelids
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| n.眼睑( eyelid的名词复数 )；眼睛也不眨一下；不露声色；面不改色 | |
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46
pious
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| adj.虔诚的；道貌岸然的 | |
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47
exclamation
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| n.感叹号，惊呼，惊叹词 | |
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48
posture
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| n.姿势，姿态，心态，态度；v.作出某种姿势 | |
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49
plying
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| v.使用（工具）( ply的现在分词 )；经常供应（食物、饮料）；固定往来；经营生意 | |
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50
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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51
awakening
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| n.觉醒，醒悟 adj.觉醒中的；唤醒的 | |
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52
wringing
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| 淋湿的，湿透的 | |
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53
heeded
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| v.听某人的劝告，听从( heed的过去式和过去分词 )；变平，使（某物）变平( flatten的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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54
distress
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| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
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55
affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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56
hush
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| int.嘘，别出声；n.沉默，静寂；v.使安静 | |
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57
sobbing
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| <主方>Ⅰ adj.湿透的 | |
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58
virtue
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| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
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59
repentance
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| n.懊悔 | |
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60
doomed
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| 命定的 | |
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61
swollen
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| adj.肿大的，水涨的；v.使变大，肿胀 | |
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62
miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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63
briefly
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| adv.简单地，简短地 | |
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64
refreshments
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| n.点心,便餐;(会议后的)简单茶点招 待 | |
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65
peculiarity
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| n.独特性，特色；特殊的东西；怪癖 | |
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66
suspense
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| n.（对可能发生的事）紧张感，担心，挂虑 | |
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67
sarcasm
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| n.讥讽，讽刺，嘲弄，反话 （adj.sarcastic） | |
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68
tractable
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| adj.易驾驭的；温顺的 | |
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69
exhaustion
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| n.耗尽枯竭，疲惫，筋疲力尽，竭尽，详尽无遗的论述 | |
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70
entreaties
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| n.恳求，乞求( entreaty的名词复数 ) | |
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71
beset
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| v.镶嵌；困扰，包围 | |
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72
poignant
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| adj.令人痛苦的，辛酸的，惨痛的 | |
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73
unreasonable
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| adj.不讲道理的，不合情理的，过度的 | |
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74
defiant
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| adj.无礼的，挑战的 | |
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75
sullenness
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| n. 愠怒, 沉闷, 情绪消沉 | |
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76
averted
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| 防止，避免( avert的过去式和过去分词 )； 转移 | |
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77
plunge
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| v.跳入，(使)投入，(使)陷入；猛冲 | |
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78
flicker
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| vi./n.闪烁，摇曳，闪现 | |
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79
sullenly
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| 不高兴地，绷着脸，忧郁地 | |
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80
averting
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| 防止，避免( avert的现在分词 )； 转移 | |
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81
plumes
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| 羽毛( plume的名词复数 )； 羽毛饰； 羽毛状物； 升上空中的羽状物 | |
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82
ponderous
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| adj.沉重的，笨重的，(文章)冗长的 | |
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83
dagger
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| n.匕首，短剑，剑号 | |
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84
uncertainty
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| n.易变，靠不住，不确知，不确定的事物 | |
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85
doffed
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| v.脱去，（尤指）脱帽( doff的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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86
exalt
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| v.赞扬，歌颂，晋升，提升 | |
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87
stature
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| n.（高度）水平，（高度）境界，身高，身材 | |
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88
reminder
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| n.提醒物，纪念品；暗示，提示 | |
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89
hawk
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| n.鹰，骗子；鹰派成员 | |
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90
lissome
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| adj.柔软的；敏捷的 | |
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91
promenade
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| n./v.散步 | |
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92
crouching
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| v.屈膝，蹲伏( crouch的现在分词 ) | |
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93
extremity
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| n.末端，尽头；尽力；终极；极度 | |
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94
sincerity
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| n.真诚，诚意；真实 | |
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95
torrents
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| n.倾注；奔流( torrent的名词复数 )；急流；爆发；连续不断 | |
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96
entreaty
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| n.恳求，哀求 | |
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97
paralysis
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| n.麻痹(症)；瘫痪(症) | |
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98
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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99
crumb
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| n.饼屑，面包屑，小量 | |
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100
goblet
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| n.高脚酒杯 | |
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101
peremptorily
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| adv.紧急地，不容分说地，专横地 | |
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102
peril
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| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
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103
scourged
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| 鞭打( scourge的过去式和过去分词 )； 惩罚，压迫 | |
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104
brute
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| n.野兽，兽性 | |
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105
aglow
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| adj.发亮的；发红的；adv.发亮地 | |
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106
justify
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| vt.证明…正当(或有理)，为…辩护 | |
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107
ailment
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| n.疾病，小病 | |
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108
bereavement
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| n.亲人丧亡，丧失亲人，丧亲之痛 | |
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109
wither
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| vt.使凋谢，使衰退，(用眼神气势等)使畏缩；vi.枯萎，衰退，消亡 | |
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110
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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111
confession
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| n.自白，供认，承认 | |
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112
interval
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| n.间隔，间距；幕间休息，中场休息 | |
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113
rattled
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| 慌乱的，恼火的 | |
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114
villain
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| n.反派演员，反面人物；恶棍；问题的起因 | |
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115
acquitted
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| 宣判…无罪( acquit的过去式和过去分词 )； 使（自己）作出某种表现 | |
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116
wrought
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| v.引起；以…原料制作；运转；adj.制造的 | |
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117
wreck
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| n.失事，遇难；沉船；vt.(船等)失事，遇难 | |
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118
manly
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| adj.有男子气概的；adv.男子般地，果断地 | |
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119
breach
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| n.违反，不履行；破裂；vt.冲破，攻破 | |
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120
toils
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| 网 | |
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121
narrated
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| v.故事( narrate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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122
chattered
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| （人）喋喋不休( chatter的过去式 )； 唠叨； （牙齿）打战； （机器）震颤 | |
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123
recollected
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| adj.冷静的；镇定的；被回忆起的；沉思默想的v.记起，想起( recollect的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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124
lashed
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| adj.具睫毛的v.鞭打( lash的过去式和过去分词 )；煽动；紧系；怒斥 | |
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125
attainable
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| a.可达到的，可获得的 | |
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126
primitive
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| adj.原始的；简单的；n.原(始)人，原始事物 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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128
prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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129
thither
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| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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radius
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| n.半径，半径范围；有效航程，范围，界限 | |
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131
warily
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| adv.留心地 | |
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132
ambush
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| n.埋伏(地点)；伏兵；v.埋伏；伏击 | |
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133
circumspectly
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| adv.慎重地，留心地 | |
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134
humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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135
scant
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| adj.不充分的，不足的；v.减缩，限制，忽略 | |
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136
nude
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| adj.裸体的；n.裸体者，裸体艺术品 | |
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137
glistening
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| adj.闪耀的，反光的v.湿物闪耀，闪亮( glisten的现在分词 ) | |
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138
nostrils
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| 鼻孔( nostril的名词复数 ) | |
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139
dilating
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| v.（使某物）扩大，膨胀，张大( dilate的现在分词 ) | |
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140
vengeance
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| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
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141
flinching
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| v.（因危险和痛苦）退缩，畏惧( flinch的现在分词 ) | |
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142
instinctively
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| adv.本能地 | |
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143
hoarse
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| adj.嘶哑的，沙哑的 | |
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144
wrenched
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| v.（猛力地）扭( wrench的过去式和过去分词 )；扭伤；使感到痛苦；使悲痛 | |
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145
forsook
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| forsake的过去式 | |
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146
sockets
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| n.套接字，使应用程序能够读写与收发通讯协定(protocol)与资料的程序( Socket的名词复数 )；孔( socket的名词复数 )；（电器上的）插口；托座；凹穴 | |
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147
judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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148
killing
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| n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财 | |
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149
avenger
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| n. 复仇者 | |
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150
Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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151
savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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152
entreating
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| 恳求，乞求( entreat的现在分词 ) | |
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153
catching
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| adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住 | |
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154
wretch
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| n.可怜的人，不幸的人；卑鄙的人 | |
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155
plunged
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| v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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156
inevitable
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| adj.不可避免的，必然发生的 | |
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157
distresses
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| n.悲痛( distress的名词复数 )；痛苦；贫困；危险 | |
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158
vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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159
monk
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| n.和尚，僧侣，修道士 | |
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160
amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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161
beholding
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| v.看，注视( behold的现在分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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162
labored
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| adj.吃力的，谨慎的v.努力争取(for)( labor的过去式和过去分词 )；苦干；详细分析；（指引擎）缓慢而困难地运转 | |
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163
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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164
sprawling
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| adj.蔓生的，不规则地伸展的v.伸开四肢坐[躺]( sprawl的现在分词 )；蔓延；杂乱无序地拓展；四肢伸展坐着（或躺着） | |
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165
dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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166
machinery
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| n.(总称)机械，机器；机构 | |
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167
foresight
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| n.先见之明，深谋远虑 | |
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168
prosecution
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| n.起诉，告发，检举，执行，经营 | |
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169
conflagration
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| n.建筑物或森林大火 | |
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170
calamity
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| n.灾害，祸患，不幸事件 | |
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171
dwellings
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| n.住处，处所( dwelling的名词复数 ) | |
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172
gale
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| n.大风，强风，一阵闹声（尤指笑声等） | |
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173
expending
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| v.花费( expend的现在分词 )；使用（钱等）做某事；用光；耗尽 | |
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174
testament
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| n.遗嘱；证明 | |
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175
guardianship
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| n. 监护, 保护, 守护 | |
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176
bereaved
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| adj.刚刚丧失亲人的v.使失去（希望、生命等）( bereave的过去式和过去分词)；（尤指死亡）使丧失（亲人、朋友等）；使孤寂；抢走（财物） | |
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