“I guessed it,” said Theirry under his breath, “when I entered the house.”
“And you?” came Dirk’s voice.
“I— I also.”
There was silence; then Dirk groped his way to the door.
“Come after me,” he whispered. “There is a light downstairs.”
Theirry had no words to answer; his throat was hot, his lips dry with excitement, he felt his temples pulsating1 and his brow damp.
Cautiously they crept down the stairs and into the workroom, where the lantern cast long pale rays of light across the hot dark.
Dirk set the window as wide as it would go and crouched2 into the chair under it; his face was flushed, his hair tumbled, his brown clothes dishevelled.
“Tell me about yourself,” he said.
Theirry leant against the wall, for he felt his limbs trembling.
“What do you want to know?” he asked, half desperately3; “I can do very little.”
Dirk set his elbows on the table and his chin in his hand; his half-veiled gleaming eyes held Theirry’s fascinated, reluctant gaze.
“I have had no chance to learn,” he whispered. “Master Lukas had some books — not enough —— but what one might do —!”
“I came upon old writings,” said Theirry slowly. “I thought one might be great — that way, so I fled from Courtrai.”
“I will work a spell to-night. You shall see.”
He took up the lantern and Theirry followed him; they traversed the chamber5 and entered another; in the centre of that Dirk stopped, and gave the light into the cold hand of his companion.
“Here we shall be secret,” he murmured, and raised, with some difficulty, a trap-door in the floor. Theirry peered into the blackness revealed below.
“Have you done this before?” he asked fearfully.
“This spell? No.”
Dirk was descending6 the stairs into the dark.
“God will never forgive,” muttered Theirry, hanging back.
“Are you afraid?” asked Dirk wildly.
Theirry set his lips.
“No. No.”
He stepped on to the ladder, and holding the light above his head, followed.
They found themselves in a large vault7 entirely8 below the surface of the ground, so that air was attained9 only from the trap-door that they had left open behind them.
Floor and walls were paved with smooth stones, the air was thick and intolerably hot; the roof only a few inches above Theirry’s head.
In one corner stood a tall dark mirror, resting against the wall; beside it were a pile of books and an iron brazier full of ashes.
Dirk took the lantern from Theirry and hung it to a nail on the wall.
“I have been studying,” he whispered, “how to raise spirits and see into the future — I think I begin to feel my way;” his great eyes suddenly unclosed and flashed over his companion. “Have you the courage?”
“Yes,” said Theirry hoarsely10. “For what else have I left my home if not for this?” “It is strange we should have met,” shuddered11 Dirk.
Their guilty eyes glanced away from each other; Dirk took a piece of white chalk from his pocket and began drawing circles, one within the other on the centre of the floor.
He marked them with strange signs and figures that he drew carefully and exactly.
Theirry stayed by the lantern, his handsome face drawn12 and pale, his eyes intent on the other’s movements.
The upper part of the vault was in darkness; shadows like a bat’s wings swept either side of the lantern that cast a sickly yellow light on the floor, and the slender figure of Dirk on one knee amid his chalk circles.
When he had completed them he rose, took one of the books from the corner and opened it. “Do you know this?” With a delicate forefinger13 he beckoned Theirry, who came and read over his shoulder.
“I have tried it. It has never succeeded.”
“To-night it may,” whispered Dirk.
He shook the ashes out of the brazier and filled it with charcoal14 that he took from a pile near. This he lit and placed before the mirror.
“The future — we must know the future,” he said, as if to himself.
“They will not come,” said Theirry, wiping his damp forehead. “I— heard them once — but they never came.”
“Did you tempt15 them enough?” breathed Dirk. “If you have Mandrake they will do anything.” “I had none.”
“Nor I— still one can force them against their will — though it is — terrible.”
The thin blue smoke from the charcoal was filling the vault; they felt their heads throbbing16, their nostrils17 dry.
Dirk stepped into the chalk circles holding the book.
In a slow, unsteady voice he commenced to read.
As Theirry caught the words of the blasphemous18 and horrible invocation he shook and shuddered, biting his tongue to keep back the instinctive19 prayer that rose to his lips.
But Dirk gained courage as he read; he drew himself erect20; his eyes flashed, his cheeks burnt crimson21; the smoke had cleared from the brazier, the charcoal glowed red and clear; the air grew hotter; it seemed as if a cloak of lead had been flung over their heads.
At last Dirk stopped.
“Put out the lantern,” he muttered.
Theirry opened it and stifled22 the flame.
There was now only the light of the burning charcoal that threw a ghastly hue23 over the dark surface of the mirror.
Theirry drew a long sighing breath; Dirk, swaying on his feet, began speaking again in a strange and heavy tongue.
Then he was silent.
Faint muttering noises grew out of the darkness, indistinct sounds of howling, sobbing24. “They come,” breathed Theirry.
Dirk repeated the invocation.
The air shuddered with moanings.
“A— ah!” cried Dirk.
Into the dim glow of the brazier a creature was crawling, the size of a dog, the shape of a man, of a hideous26 colour of mottled black; it made a wretched crying noise, and moved slowly as if in pain.
Theirry gave a great sob25, and pressed his face against the wall.
But Dirk snarled27 at it across the dark.
“So you have come. Show us the future. I have the power over you. You know that.”
The thin flames leapt suddenly high, a sound of broken wailings came through the air; something ran round the brazier; the surface of the mirror was troubled as if dark water ran over it; then suddenly was flashed on it a faint yet bright image of a woman, crowned, and with yellow hair; as she faded, a semblance28 of one wearing a tiara appeared but blurred29 and faint. “More,” cried Dirk passionately30. “Show us more —”
The mirror brightened, revealing depths of cloudy sky; against them rose the dark line of a gallows31 tree.
Theirry stepped forward.
“Ah, God!” he shrieked32, and crossed himself. With a sharp sound the mirror cracked and fell asunder33; a howl of terror arose, and dark shapes leapt into the air to be absorbed in it and disappear.
Dirk staggered out of the circle and caught hold of Theirry.
“You have broken the spell!” he gibbered. “You have broken the spell!”
An icy stillness had suddenly fallen; the brazier flickered34 rapidly out, and even the coals were soon black and dead; the two stood in absolute darkness.
“They have gone!” whispered Theirry; he wrenched35 himself free from Dirk’s clutch and fumbled36 his way to the ladder.
Finding this by reason of the faint patch of light overhead, he climbed up through the trapdoor, his body heaving with long-drawn breaths.
Dirk, light-footed and lithe37, followed him, and dropped the flap.
“The charm was not strong enough,” he said through his teeth. “And you —”
Theirry broke in.
“I could not help myself — I— I— saw them.”
He sank on a chair by the open window and dropped his brow into his hand.
The room was full of a soft starlight, far away and infinitely38 sweet; the vines and grasses made a quivering sound in the night wind and tapped against the lattice.
Dirk moved into the workshop and came back with the candle and a great green glass of wine. He held up the light so that he could see the scholar’s beautiful agonised face, and with his other hand gave him the goblet39.
Theirry looked up and drank silently.
When he had finished, the colour was back in his cheeks.
Dirk took the glass from him and set it beside the candle on the window-sill.
“What did you see — in the mirror?” he asked.
“I do not know,” answered Theirry wildly. “A woman’s face —”
“Ay,” broke in Dirk. “Now, what was she to us? And a figure like — the Pope?”
He smiled derisively40.
“I saw that,” said Theirry. “But what should they do with holy things? — and then I saw —” Dirk swung round on him; each white despite the candle-light.
“Nay41 — there, was no more after that!”
“There was,” insisted Theirry. “A stormy sky and a gallows tree —” His voice fell hollowly. Dirk strode across the room into the trailing shadows.
“The foul42 little imps43!” he said passionately. “They deceived us!”
Theirry rose in his place.
“Will you continue these studies?” he questioned.
The other gave him a quick look over his shoulder.
“Do you think of turning aside?”
“Nay, nay,” answered Theirry. “But one may keep knowledge this side of things blasphemous and unholy.”
Dirk laughed hoarsely.
“I have no fear of God!” he said in a thick voice. “But you — you are afraid of Sathanas. Well, go your way. Each man to his master. Mine will give me many things — look to it yours does the like by you —”
He opened the door, and was leaving, when Theirry came after him and caught him by the robe.
“Listen to me. I am not afraid. Nay, why did I leave Courtrai?”
With resolute44 starry45 eyes Dirk gazed up at Theirry (who was near a head taller), and his proud mouth curled a little.
“I may not disregard the fate that sent me here,” continued Theirry. “Will you come with me? I can be loyal.”
His words were earnest, his face eager; still Dirk vas mute.
“I have hated men, not loved them, all my life — most wonderfully am I drawn to thee —” “Oh!” cried Dirk, and gave a little quivering laugh.
“Together might we do much, and it is ill work studying alone.”
The younger man put out his hand.
“If I come, will you swear a pact46 with me of friendship?”
“We will be as brothers,” said Theirry gravely. “Sharing good and ill.”
“Keeping our secret?” whispered Dirk —“allowing none to come between us?”
“Yea.”
“You are a-tune to me,” said Dirk. “So be it. I will come with you to Basle.”
He raised his strange face; in the hollowed eyes, in the full colourless lips, were a resolution and a strength that held and commanded the other.
“We may be great,” he said.
Theirry took his hand; the red candle-light was being subdued47 and vanquished48 by a glimmering49 grey that overspread the stars; the dawn was peering in at the window.
“Can you sleep?” asked Theirry.
Dirk withdrew his hand.
“At least I can feign50 it — Balthasar must not guess — get you to bed — never forget to-night and what you swore.”
With a soft gliding51 step he gained the door, opened it noiselessly, and departed.
Theirry stood for a while, listening to the slight sound of the retreating footfall, then he pressed his hands to his forehead and turned to the window.
A pale pure flush of saffron stained the sky above the roof-line; there were no clouds, and the breeze had dropped again.
In the vast and awful stillness, Theirry, feeling marked, set apart and defiled52 with blasphemy53, yet elated also, in a wild and wicked manner, tiptoed up to his chamber.
Each creaking board he stepped on, each shadow that seemed to change as he passed it, caused his blood to tingle54 guiltily; when he had gained his room he bolted the door and flung himself along his tumbled couch, holding his fingers to his lips, and with strained eyes gazing at the window. So he lay through long hours of sunshine in a half-swoon of sleep.
收听单词发音 |
1
pulsating
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| adj.搏动的，脉冲的v.有节奏地舒张及收缩( pulsate的现在分词 )；跳动；脉动；受（激情）震动 | |
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crouched
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| v.屈膝，蹲伏( crouch的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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desperately
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| adv.极度渴望地，绝望地，孤注一掷地 | |
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beckoned
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| v.（用头或手的动作）示意，召唤( beckon的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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descending
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| n. 下行 adj. 下降的 | |
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vault
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| n.拱形圆顶，地窖，地下室 | |
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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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attained
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| （通常经过努力）实现( attain的过去式和过去分词 )； 达到； 获得； 达到（某年龄、水平、状况） | |
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hoarsely
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| adv.嘶哑地 | |
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shuddered
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| v.战栗( shudder的过去式和过去分词 )；发抖；（机器、车辆等）突然震动；颤动 | |
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drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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forefinger
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| n.食指 | |
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charcoal
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| n.炭，木炭，生物炭 | |
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tempt
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| vt.引诱，勾引，吸引，引起…的兴趣 | |
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throbbing
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| a. 跳动的,悸动的 | |
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nostrils
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| 鼻孔( nostril的名词复数 ) | |
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18
blasphemous
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| adj.亵渎神明的，不敬神的 | |
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instinctive
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| adj.(出于)本能的；直觉的；(出于)天性的 | |
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erect
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| n./v.树立，建立，使竖立；adj.直立的，垂直的 | |
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crimson
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| n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色 | |
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22
stifled
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| （使）窒息， （使）窒闷( stifle的过去式和过去分词 )； 镇压，遏制； 堵 | |
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hue
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| n.色度；色调；样子 | |
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sobbing
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| <主方>Ⅰ adj.湿透的 | |
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sob
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| n.空间轨道的轰炸机；呜咽，哭泣 | |
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hideous
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| adj.丑陋的，可憎的，可怕的，恐怖的 | |
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snarled
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| v.（指狗）吠，嗥叫， （人）咆哮( snarl的过去式和过去分词 )；咆哮着说，厉声地说 | |
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28
semblance
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| n.外貌，外表 | |
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29
blurred
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| v.（使）变模糊( blur的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）难以区分；模模糊糊；迷离 | |
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passionately
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| ad.热烈地，激烈地 | |
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31
gallows
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| n.绞刑架，绞台 | |
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32
shrieked
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| v.尖叫( shriek的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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33
asunder
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| adj.分离的，化为碎片 | |
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34
flickered
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| （通常指灯光）闪烁，摇曳( flicker的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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35
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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36
fumbled
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| （笨拙地）摸索或处理（某事物）( fumble的过去式和过去分词 )； 乱摸，笨拙地弄； 使落下 | |
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37
lithe
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| adj.(指人、身体)柔软的，易弯的 | |
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infinitely
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| adv.无限地，无穷地 | |
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39
goblet
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| n.高脚酒杯 | |
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40
derisively
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| adv. 嘲笑地，嘲弄地 | |
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41
nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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42
foul
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| adj.污秽的；邪恶的；v.弄脏；妨害；犯规；n.犯规 | |
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43
imps
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| n.（故事中的）小恶魔( imp的名词复数 )；小魔鬼；小淘气；顽童 | |
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44
resolute
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| adj.坚决的，果敢的 | |
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45
starry
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| adj.星光照耀的, 闪亮的 | |
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46
pact
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| n.合同，条约，公约，协定 | |
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47
subdued
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| adj. 屈服的，柔和的，减弱的 动词subdue的过去式和过去分词 | |
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48
vanquished
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| v.征服( vanquish的过去式和过去分词 )；战胜；克服；抑制 | |
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49
glimmering
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| n.微光，隐约的一瞥adj.薄弱地发光的v.发闪光，发微光( glimmer的现在分词 ) | |
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50
feign
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| vt.假装，佯作 | |
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51
gliding
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| v. 滑翔 adj. 滑动的 | |
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52
defiled
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| v.玷污( defile的过去式和过去分词 )；污染；弄脏；纵列行进 | |
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53
blasphemy
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| n.亵渎，渎神 | |
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54
tingle
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| vi.感到刺痛，感到激动；n.刺痛，激动 | |
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