How Bussy was Offered Three Hundred Pistoles for His Horse, and Parted with Him for Nothing.
The next day, Bussy left Angers before the most wakeful bourgeois1 had had their breakfast. He flew along the road, and Diana, mounted on a terrace in front of the castle, saw him coming, and went to meet him. The sun had scarcely risen over the great oaks, and the grass was still wet with dew, when she heard from afar, as she went along, the horn of St. Luc, which Jeanne incited2 him to sound. She arrived at the meeting-place just as Bussy appeared on the wall. The day passed like an hour. What had they to say? That they loved each other. What had they to wish for? They were together.
“Diana,” said Bussy at length, “it seems to me as though my life had begun only today. You have shown me what it is to live.”
“And I,” replied she, “who not long ago would have willingly thrown myself into the arms of death, would now tremble to die and lose your love. But why do you not come to the castle? My father would be glad to see you, and M. de St. Luc is your friend.”
“Alas, Diana, if I came once, I should be always there; all the province would know it, and if it came to the ears of that ogre, your husband, he would hasten here. You forbid me to deliver you from him ——”
“Oh, yes!”
“Well, then, for the safety of our happiness, we must guard our secret. Madame de St. Luc knows it, and her husband soon will. I have written him a line this morning, asking him for an interview at Angers, and when he comes I will make him promise never to breathe a word of this. It is the more important, dear Diana, as doubtless they are seeking me everywhere. Things looked grave when I left Paris.
“You are right; and then my father is so scrupulous3 that, in spite of his love for me, he is capable of denouncing me to M. de Monsoreau.”
“Let us hide ourselves well, then; I fear some evil spirit, jealous of our happiness.”
“Say adieu to me, then; and do not ride so fast — your horse frightens me.”
“Fear nothing; he knows the way, and is the gentlest and safest horse I ever rode. When I return to the city, buried in sweet thoughts, he takes the way without my touching4 the bridle5.”
At last the sound of the returning chase was heard, the horns playing an air agreed upon with Jeanne, and Bussy left. As he approached the city, he remarked that the time was approaching when the gates of the city would be closed. He was preparing to ride on quickly, when he heard behind him the gallop6 of horses. For a lover who wishes to remain concealed7, as for a robber, everything seems a menace. Bussy asked himself whether he should ride on or draw up and let them pass, but their course was so rapid that they were up to him in a moment. There were two.
“Here is the city,” said one, with a Gascon accent; “three hundred more blows with the whip, and one hundred with the spur; courage and vigor8!”
“The beast has no more breath — he shivers and totters9; he will not go on; and yet I would give a hundred horses to be in my city before nightfall.”
“It is some Angers man out late,” thought Bussy. “But look, the horse is falling; take care, monsieur,” cried he; “quit your horse — he is about to fall.”
Indeed, as he spoke10 the animal fell heavily on his side, shook his legs convulsively, then suddenly his breath stopped, his eyes grew dim, and he was dead.
“Monsieur!” cried the cavalier to Bussy, “three hundred pistoles for your horse!”
“Ah, mon Dieu!” cried Bussy, drawing near.
“Do you hear me, monsieur? I am in haste.”
“Ah! my prince, take it for nothing,” cried Bussy, who had recognized tae Duc d’Anjou.
At the same moment they heard the click of a pistol, which was cocked by the duke’s companion.
“Stop, M. d’Aubigné,” cried the duke, “it is Bussy, I believe.”
“Oh! yes, my prince, it is I. But what, in Heaven’s name are you doing, killing11 horses on the road at this hour?”
“Ah! is it M. de Bussy?” said D’Aubigné, “then you do not want me any more. Permit me to return to him who sent me?”
“Not without receiving my sincere thanks and the promise of a lasting12 friendship.”
“I accept it, monseigneur, and will recall your words to you some day.”
“M. D’Aubigné! I am in the clouds,” murmured Bussy.
“Did you not know? As you are here, did you not expect me?” said the prince, with an air of suspicion which did not escape Bussy, who began to reflect that his secret residence in Anjou might seem very strange to the prince.
“I did better than expect you,” said Bussy, “and as you wish to enter the town before the gates are closed, jump into the saddle, monseigneur.”
The prince accepted, and Bussy mounted behind him, asking himself if this prince, dressed in black, were not the evil spirit sent already to disturb his happiness.
“Where do we go now, monseigneur?” said he, as they entered the city.
“To the castle. Let them hoist13 my banner and convoke14 the nobility of the district.”
“Nothing more easy,” said Bussy, full of surprise, but willing to be docile15. The news was soon spread through the city that the duke had arrived, and a crowd soon collected.
“Gentlemen!” cried the duke, “I have come to throw myself into my good city of Angers. At Paris the most terrible dangers have menaced my life — I had lost even my liberty. I succeeded in escaping, thanks to some good friends, and now I am here I feel my tranquillity16 and my life assured.”
The people cried, “Long live our seigneur.”
“Now let me sup,” said the prince, “I have had nothing since the morning.”
The city was illuminated17, guns were fired, the bells of the cathedral were rung, and the wind carried to Méridor the noisy joy of the good Angevins.
收听单词发音 |
1
bourgeois
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| adj./n.追求物质享受的(人)；中产阶级分子 | |
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incited
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| 刺激，激励，煽动( incite的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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3
scrupulous
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| adj.审慎的，小心翼翼的，完全的，纯粹的 | |
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4
touching
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| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
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5
bridle
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| n.笼头，束缚；vt.抑制，约束；动怒 | |
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6
gallop
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| v./n.(马或骑马等)飞奔；飞速发展 | |
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7
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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8
vigor
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| n.活力，精力，元气 | |
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9
totters
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| v.走得或动得不稳( totter的第三人称单数 )；踉跄；蹒跚；摇摇欲坠 | |
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10
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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11
killing
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| n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财 | |
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12
lasting
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| adj.永久的，永恒的；vbl.持续，维持 | |
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13
hoist
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| n.升高，起重机，推动；v.升起，升高，举起 | |
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14
convoke
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| v.召集会议 | |
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15
docile
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| adj.驯服的，易控制的，容易教的 | |
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16
tranquillity
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| n. 平静, 安静 | |
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17
illuminated
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| adj.被照明的；受启迪的 | |
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