Renaldo Meets with a Living Monument of Justice, and Encounters a Personage of Some Note in These Memoirs1.
As this domestic was very well qualified2 for making all the proper dispositions3, and adjusting every necessary article on the road, Renaldo totally abstracted himself from earthly considerations, and mused4 without ceasing on that theme which was the constant subject of his contemplation. He was blind to the objects that surrounded him; he scarce ever felt the importunities of nature; and had not they been reinforced by the pressing entreaties5 of his attendant, he would have proceeded without refreshment6 or repose7. In this absence of mind did he traverse a great part of Germany, in his way to the Austrian Netherlands, and arrived at the fortress8 of Luxemburg, where he was obliged to tarry a whole day on account of an accident which had happened to his chaise. Here he went to view the fortifications; and as he walked along the ramparts, his ears were saluted9 with these words: “Heaven bless the noble Count de Melvil! will not he turn the eyes of compassion10 on an old fellow-soldier reduced to misfortune and disgrace?”
Surprised at this address, which was attended with the clanking of chains, Renaldo lifted up his eyes, and perceived the person who spoke11 to be one of two malefactors shackled12 together, who had been sentenced for some crime to work as labourers on the fortifications. His face was so covered with hair, and his whole appearance so disguised by the squalid habit which he wore, that the Count could not recollect13 his features, until he gave him to understand that his name was Ratchcali. Melvil immediately recognised his fellow-student at Vienna, and his brother-volunteer upon the Rhine, and expressed equal surprise and concern at seeing him in such a deplorable situation.
Nothing renders the soul so callous14 and insensible as the searing brands of infamy15 and disgrace. Without betraying the least symptoms of shame or confusion, “Count,” says he, “this is the fate of war, at least of the war in which I have been engaged, ever since I took leave of the Imperial army, and retreated with your old companion Fathom16. Long life to that original genius! If he is not unhappily eclipsed by some unfortunate interposition, before his terrene parts are purified, I foresee that he will shine a star of the first magnitude in the world of adventure.”
At mention of this detested17 name, Renaldo’s heart began to throb18 with indignation; yet he suppressed the emotion, and desired to know the meaning of that splendid encomium19 which he had bestowed20 upon his confederate. “It would be quite unnecessary,” replied Ratchcali, “for a man in my present situation to equivocate21 or disguise the truth. The nature of my disgrace is perfectly22 well known. I am condemned23 to hard labour for life; and unless some lucky accident, which I cannot now foresee, shall intervene, all I can expect is some alleviation24 of my hard lot from the generosity25 of such gentlemen as you, who compassionate26 the sufferings of your fellow-creatures. In order to engage your benevolence27 the more in my behalf, I shall, if you will give me the hearing, faithfully inform you of some particulars, which it may import you to know, concerning my old acquaintance Ferdinand Count Fathom, whose real character hath perhaps hitherto escaped your notice.”
Then he proceeded to give a regular detail of all the strokes of finesse28 which he, in conjunction with our adventurer, had practised upon Melvil and others, during their residence at Vienna, and the campaigns they had made upon the Rhine. He explained the nature of the robbery which was supposed to have been done by the Count’s valet, together with the manner of their desertion. He described his separation from Fathom, their meeting at London, the traffic they carried on in copartnership; and the misfortune that reduced Ferdinand to the condition in which he was found by Melvil.
“After having gratified the honest lawyer,” said he, “with a share of the unfortunate Fathom’s spoils, and packed up all my own valuable effects, my new auxiliary29 Maurice and I posted to Harwich, embarked30 in the packet-boat, and next day arrived at Helvoetsluys; from thence we repaired to the Hague, in order to mingle31 in the gaieties of the place, and exercise our talents at play, which is there cultivated with universal eagerness. But, chancing to meet with an old acquaintance, whom I did not at all desire to see, I found it convenient to withdraw softly to Rotterdam; from whence we set out for Antwerp; and, having made a tour of the Austrian Netherlands, set up our rest at Brussels, and concerted a plan for laying the Flemings under contribution.
“From our appearance we procured32 admission into the most polite assemblies, and succeeded to a wonder in all our operations; until our career was unfortunately checked by the indiscretion of my ally, who, being detected in the very act of conveying a card, was immediately introduced to a magistrate33. And this minister of justice was so curious, inquisitive34, and clear-sighted, that Count Maurice, finding it impossible to elude35 his penetration36, was fain to stipulate37 for his own safety, by giving up his friend to the cognisance of the law. I was accordingly apprehended38, before I knew the cause of my arrest; and being unhappily known by some soldiers of the Prince’s guard, my character turned out so little to the approbation39 of the inquisitors, that all my effects were confiscated40 for the benefit of the state, and I was by a formal sentence condemned to labour on the fortifications all the days of my life; while Maurice escaped at the expense of five hundred stripes, which he received in public from the hands of the common executioner.
“Thus have I, without evasion41 or mental reservation, given a faithful account of the steps by which I have arrived at this barrier, which is likely to be the ne plus ultra of my peregrinations, unless the generous Count de Melvil will deign42 to interpose his interest in behalf of an old fellow-soldier, who may yet live to justify43 his mediation44.”
Renaldo had no reason to doubt the truth of this story, every circumstance of which tended to corroborate45 the intelligence he had already received touching46 the character of Fathom, whom he now considered with a double portion of abhorrence47, as the most abandoned miscreant48 that nature had ever produced. Though Ratchcali did not possess a much higher place in his opinion, he favoured him with marks of his bounty49, and exhorted50 him, if possible, to reform his heart; but he would by no means promise to interpose his credit in favour of a wretch51 self-convicted of such enormous villany and fraud. He could not help moralising upon this rencontre, which inspired him with great contempt for human nature. And next day he proceeded on his journey with a heavy heart, ruminating52 on the perfidy53 of mankind, and, between whiles, transported with the prospect54 of revenging all his calamities55 upon the accursed author.
While he was wrapped up in these reveries, his carriage rolled along, and had already entered a wood between Mons and Tournay, when his dream was suddenly interrupted by the explosion of several pistols that were fired among the thickets56 at a little distance from the road. Roused at this alarm, he snatched his sword that stood by him, and springing from the chaise, ran directly towards the spot, being close followed by his valet, who had alighted and armed himself with a pistol in each hand. About forty yards from the highway, they arrived in a little glade57 or opening, where they saw a single man standing58 at bay against five banditti, after having killed one of their companions, and lost his own horse, that lay dead upon the ground.
Melvil seeing this odds59, and immediately guessing their design, rushed among them without hesitation60, and in an instant ran his sword through the heart of one whose hand was raised to smite61 the gentleman behind, while he was engaged with the rest in front. At the same time the valet disabled another by a shot in the shoulder; so that the number being now equal on both sides, a furious combat ensued, every man being paired with an antagonist62, and each having recourse to swords, as all their pieces had been discharged. Renaldo’s adversary63, finding himself pressed with equal fury and skill, retreated gradually among the trees, until he vanished altogether into the thickest of the wood; and his two companions followed his example with great ease, the valet-de-chambre being hurt in the leg, and the stranger so much exhausted64 by the wounds he had received before Renaldo’s interposition, that, when the young gentleman approached to congratulate him on the defeat of the robbers, he, in advancing to embrace his deliverer, dropped down motionless on the grass.
The Count, with that warmth of sympathy and benevolence which was natural to his heart, lifted up the wounded cavalier in his arms, and carried him to the chaise, in which he was deposited, while the valet-de-chambre reloaded his pistols, and prepared for a second attack, as they did not doubt that the banditti would return with a reinforcement. However, before they reappeared, Renaldo’s driver disengaged him from the wood, and in less than a quarter of an hour they arrived at a village, where they halted for assistance to the stranger, who, though still alive, had not recovered the use of his senses.
After he was undressed, and laid in a warm bed, a surgeon examined his body, and found a wound in his neck by a sword, and another in his right side, occasioned by a pistol-shot; so that his prognostic was very dubious65. Meanwhile, he applied66 proper dressings68 to both; and, in half an hour after this administration, the gentleman gave some tokens of perception. He looked around him with a wildness of fury in his aspect, as if he had thought himself in the hands of the robbers by whom he had been attacked. But, when he saw the assiduity with which the bystanders exerted themselves in his behalf, one raising his head from the pillow, while another exhorted him to swallow a little wine which was warmed for the purpose; when he beheld69 the sympathising looks of all present, and heard himself accosted70 in the most cordial terms by the person whom he recollected71 as his deliverer, all the severity vanished from his countenance72; he took Renaldo’s hand, and pressed it to his lips; and, while the tears gushed73 from his eyes, “Praised be God,” said he, “that virtue74 and generosity are still to be found among the sons of men.”
Everybody in the apartment was affected75 by this exclamation76; and Melvil, above all the rest, felt such emotions as he could scarcely restrain. He entreated77 the gentleman to believe himself in the midst of such friends as would effectually secure him from all violence and mortification78; he conjured79 him to compose the perturbation of his spirits, and quiet the apprehensions80 of his mind with that reflection; and protested, that he himself would not quit the house while his attendance should be deemed necessary for the stranger’s cure, or his conversation conducive81 to his amusement.
These assurances, considered with the heroic part which the young Hungarian had already acted in his behalf, inspired the cavalier with such a sublime82 idea of Melvil, that he gazed upon him with silent astonishment83, as an angel sent from heaven for his succour; and, in the transport of his gratitude84, could not help exclaiming, “Sure Providence85 hath still something in reserve for this unfortunate wretch, in whose favour such a miracle of courage and generosity hath interposed!”
Being accommodated with proper care and attendance, his constitution in a little time overcame the fever; and, at the third dressing67, the surgeon declared him out of all danger from his wounds. Then was Renaldo indulged with opportunities of conversing86 with the patient, and of inquiring into the particulars of his fortune and designs in life, with a view to manifest the inclination87 he felt to serve him in his future occasions.
The more this stranger contemplated88 the character of the Count, the more his amazement89 increased, on account of his extraordinary benevolence in favour of a person whose merit he could not possibly know; he even expressed his surprise on this subject to Renaldo, who at length told him, that, although his best offices should always be ready for the occasions of any gentleman in distress90, his particular attachment91 and regard to him was improved by an additional consideration. “I am no stranger,” said he, “to the virtues92 and honour of the gallant93 Don Diego de Zelos.”
“Heaven and earth!” cried the stranger, starting from his seat with extreme emotion, “do I then live to hear myself addressed by that long-lost appellation94! my heart glows at the expression! my spirits are kindled95 with a flame that thrills through every nerve! Say, young gentleman, if you are really an inhabitant of earth, by what means are you acquainted with the unhappy name of Zelos?”
In answer to this eager interrogation, Renaldo gave him to understand, that in the course of his travels, he had resided a short time at Seville, where he had frequently seen Don Diego, and often heard his character mentioned with uncommon96 esteem97 and veneration98. “Alas!” replied the Castilian, “that justice is no longer done to the wretched Zelos; his honours are blasted, and his reputation canker-bitten by the venomous tooth of slander99.”
He then proceeded to unfold his misfortunes, as they have already been explained in the former part of these memoirs; at the recapitulation of which, the heart of Melvil, being intendered by his own calamities, was so deeply affected, that he re-echoed the groans100 of Don Diego, and wept over his sufferings with the most filial sympathy. When he repeated the story of that cruel fraud which was practised upon him by the faithless Fadini, Melvil, whose mind and imagination teemed101 with the villanies of Fathom, was immediately struck with the conjecture102 of his being the knave103; because, indeed, he could not believe that any other person was so abandoned by principle and humanity as to take such a barbarous advantage of a gentleman in distress.
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memoirs
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| n.回忆录；回忆录传( mem,自oir的名词复数) | |
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qualified
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| adj.合格的，有资格的，胜任的，有限制的 | |
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dispositions
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| 安排( disposition的名词复数 )； 倾向； （财产、金钱的）处置； 气质 | |
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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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entreaties
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| n.恳求，乞求( entreaty的名词复数 ) | |
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refreshment
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| n.恢复，精神爽快，提神之事物；（复数）refreshments:点心，茶点 | |
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repose
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| v.(使)休息；n.安息 | |
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fortress
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| n.堡垒，防御工事 | |
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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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compassion
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| n.同情，怜悯 | |
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spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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shackled
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| 给（某人）带上手铐或脚镣( shackle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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recollect
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| v.回忆，想起，记起，忆起，记得 | |
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callous
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| adj.无情的，冷淡的，硬结的，起老茧的 | |
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infamy
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| n.声名狼藉，出丑，恶行 | |
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fathom
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| v.领悟，彻底了解 | |
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detested
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| v.憎恶，嫌恶，痛恨( detest的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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throb
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| v.震颤，颤动；(急速强烈地)跳动，搏动 | |
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encomium
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| n.赞颂；颂词 | |
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bestowed
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| 赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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equivocate
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| v.模棱两可地，支吾其词 | |
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perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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condemned
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| adj. 被责难的, 被宣告有罪的 动词condemn的过去式和过去分词 | |
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alleviation
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| n. 减轻，缓和，解痛物 | |
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generosity
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| n.大度，慷慨，慷慨的行为 | |
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compassionate
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| adj.有同情心的，表示同情的 | |
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benevolence
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| n.慈悲，捐助 | |
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finesse
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| n.精密技巧，灵巧，手腕 | |
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auxiliary
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| adj.辅助的，备用的 | |
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embarked
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| 乘船( embark的过去式和过去分词 )； 装载； 从事 | |
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mingle
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| vt.使混合，使相混；vi.混合起来；相交往 | |
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procured
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| v.（努力）取得， （设法）获得( procure的过去式和过去分词 )；拉皮条 | |
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magistrate
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| n.地方行政官，地方法官，治安官 | |
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inquisitive
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| adj.求知欲强的，好奇的，好寻根究底的 | |
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elude
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| v.躲避，困惑 | |
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penetration
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| n.穿透，穿人，渗透 | |
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stipulate
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| vt.规定，（作为条件）讲定，保证 | |
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apprehended
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| 逮捕，拘押( apprehend的过去式和过去分词 )； 理解 | |
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approbation
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| n.称赞；认可 | |
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confiscated
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| 没收，充公( confiscate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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evasion
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| n.逃避，偷漏(税) | |
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deign
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| v. 屈尊, 惠允 ( 做某事) | |
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justify
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| vt.证明…正当(或有理)，为…辩护 | |
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mediation
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| n.调解 | |
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corroborate
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| v.支持，证实，确定 | |
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touching
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| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
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abhorrence
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| n.憎恶；可憎恶的事 | |
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miscreant
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| n.恶棍 | |
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bounty
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| n.慷慨的赠予物，奖金；慷慨，大方；施与 | |
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exhorted
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| v.劝告，劝说( exhort的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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wretch
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| n.可怜的人，不幸的人；卑鄙的人 | |
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ruminating
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| v.沉思( ruminate的现在分词 )；反复考虑；反刍；倒嚼 | |
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perfidy
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| n.背信弃义，不忠贞 | |
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prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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calamities
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| n.灾祸，灾难( calamity的名词复数 )；不幸之事 | |
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thickets
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| n.灌木丛( thicket的名词复数 )；丛状物 | |
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glade
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| n.林间空地，一片表面有草的沼泽低地 | |
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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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odds
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| n.让步，机率，可能性，比率；胜败优劣之别 | |
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hesitation
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| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
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smite
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| v.重击；彻底击败；n.打；尝试；一点儿 | |
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antagonist
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| n.敌人，对抗者，对手 | |
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adversary
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| adj.敌手，对手 | |
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exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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dubious
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| adj.怀疑的，无把握的；有问题的，靠不住的 | |
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applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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dressing
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| n.(食物)调料；包扎伤口的用品，敷料 | |
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dressings
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| n.敷料剂；穿衣( dressing的名词复数 )；穿戴；（拌制色拉的）调料；（保护伤口的）敷料 | |
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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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accosted
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| v.走过去跟…讲话( accost的过去式和过去分词 )；跟…搭讪；（乞丐等）上前向…乞讨；（妓女等）勾搭 | |
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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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countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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gushed
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| v.喷，涌( gush的过去式和过去分词 )；滔滔不绝地说话 | |
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virtue
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| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
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affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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exclamation
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| n.感叹号，惊呼，惊叹词 | |
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entreated
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| 恳求，乞求( entreat的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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mortification
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| n.耻辱，屈辱 | |
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conjured
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| 用魔术变出( conjure的过去式和过去分词 )； 祈求，恳求； 变戏法； （变魔术般地） 使…出现 | |
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80
apprehensions
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| 疑惧 | |
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81
conducive
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| adj.有益的，有助的 | |
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sublime
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| adj.崇高的，伟大的；极度的，不顾后果的 | |
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83
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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providence
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| n.深谋远虑，天道，天意；远见；节约；上帝 | |
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conversing
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| v.交谈，谈话( converse的现在分词 ) | |
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87
inclination
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| n.倾斜；点头；弯腰；斜坡；倾度；倾向；爱好 | |
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contemplated
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| adj. 预期的 动词contemplate的过去分词形式 | |
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89
amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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90
distress
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| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
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attachment
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| n.附属物，附件；依恋；依附 | |
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virtues
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| 美德( virtue的名词复数 )； 德行； 优点； 长处 | |
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gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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appellation
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| n.名称，称呼 | |
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kindled
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| （使某物）燃烧，着火( kindle的过去式和过去分词 )； 激起（感情等）； 发亮，放光 | |
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uncommon
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| adj.罕见的，非凡的，不平常的 | |
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esteem
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| n.尊敬，尊重；vt.尊重，敬重；把…看作 | |
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veneration
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| n.尊敬，崇拜 | |
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99
slander
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| n./v.诽谤，污蔑 | |
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100
groans
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| n.呻吟，叹息( groan的名词复数 )；呻吟般的声音v.呻吟( groan的第三人称单数 )；发牢骚；抱怨；受苦 | |
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101
teemed
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| v.充满( teem的过去式和过去分词 )；到处都是；（指水、雨等）暴降；倾注 | |
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conjecture
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| n./v.推测，猜测 | |
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knave
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| n.流氓；（纸牌中的）杰克 | |
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