There was a splendid royal yacht, though not one belonging to our gracious Sovereign, lying in one of Her Majesty1’s southern ports, and the yacht was convoyed by a smart frigate3. The crews were much ashore4, and were very popular, for they spent a great deal of money. Everybody knew what was the purpose of their bright craft, and every one was interested in it. A beautiful Englishwoman had been selected to fill a foreign and brilliant throne occupied by a prince, who had been educated in our own country, who ever avowed5 his sympathies with “the inviolate6 island of the sage7 and free.” So in fact there was some basis for the enthusiasm which was felt on this occasion by the inhabitants of Nethampton. What every one wanted to know was when she would sail. Ah! that was a secret that could hardly be kept for the eight-and-forty hours preceding her departure, and therefore, one day, with no formal notice, all the inhabitants of Nethampton were in gala; streets and ships dressed out with the flags of all nations; the church bells ringing; and busy little girls running about with huge bouquets9.
At the very instant expected, the special train was signalled, and drove into the crimson10 station amid the thunder of artillery11, the blare of trumpets12, the beating of drums, and cheers from thousands even louder and longer than the voices of the cannon13. Leaning on the arm of her brother, and attended by the Princess of Montserrat, and the Honourable14 Adriana Neuchatel, Baron15 Sergius, the Duke of St. Angelo, the Archbishop of Tyre, and Lord Waldershare, the daughter of William Ferrars, gracious, yet looking as if she were born to empire, received the congratulatory address of the mayor and corporation and citizens of Nethampton, and permitted her hand to be kissed, not only by his worship, but by at least two aldermen.
They were on the waters, and the shores of Albion, fast fading away, had diminished to a speck16. It is a melancholy17 and tender moment, and Myra was in her ample and splendid cabin and alone. “It is a trial,” she felt, “but all that I love and value in this world are in this vessel18,” and she thought of Endymion and Adriana. The gentlemen were on deck, chiefly smoking or reconnoitring their convoy2 through their telescopes.
“I must say,” said Waldershare, “it was a grand idea of our kings making themselves sovereigns of the sea. The greater portion of this planet is water; so we at once became a first-rate power. We owe our navy entirely19 to the Stuarts. King James the Second was the true founder20 and hero of the British navy. He was the worthy21 son of his admirable father, that blessed martyr22, the restorer at least, if not the inventor, of ship money; the most patriotic23 and popular tax that ever was devised by man. The Nonconformists thought themselves so wise in resisting it, and they have got the naval24 estimates instead!”
The voyage was propitious25, the weather delightful26, and when they had entered the southern waters Waldershare confessed that he felt the deliciousness of life. If the scene and the impending27 events, and their own fair thoughts, had not been adequate to interest them, there were ample resources at their command; all the ladies were skilled musicians, their concerts commenced at sunset, and the sweetness of their voices long lingered over the moonlit waters.
Adriana, one evening, bending over the bulwarks28 of the yacht, was watching the track of phosphoric light, struck into brilliancy from the dark blue waters by the prow29 of their rapid vessel. “It is a fascinating sight, Miss Neuchatel, and it seems one might gaze on it for ever.”
“Ah! Lord Waldershare, you caught me in a reverie.”
“What more sweet?”
“Well, that depends on its subject. To tell the truth, I was thinking that these lights resembled a little your conversation; all the wondrous30 things you are always saying or telling us.”
The archbishop was a man who never recurred31 to the past. One could never suppose that Endymion and himself had been companions in their early youth, or, so far as their intercourse32 was concerned, that there was such a place in the world as Hurstley. One night, however, as they were pacing the deck together, he took the arm of Endymion, and said, “I trace the hand of Providence33 in every incident of your sister’s life. What we deemed misfortunes, sorrows, even calamities34, were forming a character originally endowed with supreme35 will, and destined36 for the highest purposes. There was a moment at Hurstley when I myself was crushed to the earth, and cared not to live; vain, short-sighted mortal! Our great Master was at that moment shaping everything to His ends, and preparing for the entrance into His Church of a woman who may be, who will be, I believe, another St. Helena.”
“We have not spoken of this subject before,” said Endymion, “and I should not have cared had our silence continued, but I must now tell you frankly37, the secession of my sister from the Church of her fathers was to me by no means a matter of unmixed satisfaction.”
“The time will come when you will recognise it as the consummation of a Divine plan,” said the archbishop.
“I feel great confidence that my sister will never be the slave of superstition,” said Endymion. “Her mind is too masculine for that; she will remember that the throne she fills has been already once lost by the fatal influence of the Jesuits.”
“The influence of the Jesuits is the influence of Divine truth,” said his companion. “And how is it possible for such influence not to prevail? What you treat as defeats, discomfitures, are events which you do not comprehend. They are incidents all leading to one great end—the triumph of the Church—that is, the triumph of God.”
“I will not decide what are great ends; I am content to ascertain38 what is wise conduct. And it would not be wise conduct, in my opinion, for the King to rest upon the Jesuits.”
“The Jesuits never fell except from conspiracy39 against them. It is never the public voice that demands their expulsion or the public effort that accomplishes it. It is always the affair of sovereigns and statesmen, of politicians, of men, in short, who feel that there is a power at work, and that power one not favourable40 to their schemes or objects of government.”
“Well, we shall see,” said Endymion; “I candidly41 tell you, I hope the Jesuits will have as little influence in my brother-in-law’s kingdom as in my own country.”
“As little!” said Nigel, somewhat sarcastically42; “I should be almost content if the holy order in every country had as much influence as they now have in England.”
“I think your Grace exaggerates.”
“Before two years are past,” said the archbishop, speaking very slowly, “I foresee that the Jesuits will be privileged in England, and the hierarchy43 of our Church recognised.”
It was a delicious afternoon; it had been sultry, but the sun had now greatly declined, when the captain of the yacht came down to announce to the Queen that they were in sight of her new country, and she hastened on deck to behold44 the rapidly nearing shore. A squadron of ships of war had stood out to meet her, and in due time the towers and spires45 of a beautiful city appeared, which was the port of the capital, and itself almost worthy of being one. A royal barge46, propelled by four-and-twenty rowers, and bearing the lord chamberlain, awaited the queen, and the moment her Majesty and the Princess of Montserrat had taken their seats, salutes47 thundered from every ship of war, responded to by fort and battery ashore.
When they landed, they were conducted by chief officers of the court to a pavilion which faced the western sky, now glowing like an opal with every shade of the iris49, and then becoming of a light green colour varied50 only by some slight clouds burnished51 with gold. A troop of maidens52 brought flowers as bright as themselves, and then a company of pages advanced, and kneeling, offered to the Queen chocolate in a crystal cup.
According to the programme drawn53 up by the heralds54, and every tittle of it founded on precedents55, the King and the royal carriages were to have met the travellers on their arrival at the metropolis56; but there are feelings which heralds do not comprehend, and which defy precedents. Suddenly there was a shout, a loud cheer, and a louder salute48. Some one had arrived unexpectedly. A young man, stately but pale, moved through the swiftly receding8 crowd, alone and unattended, entered the pavilion, advanced to the Queen, kissed her hand, and then both her cheeks, just murmuring, “My best beloved, this, this indeed is joy.”
The capital was fortified57, and the station was without the walls; here the royal carriages awaited them. The crowd was immense; the ramparts on this occasion were covered with people. It was an almost sultry night, with every star visible, and clear and warm and sweet. As the royal carriage crossed the drawbridge and entered the chief gates, the whole city was in an instant suddenly illuminated—in a flash. The architectural lines of the city walls, and of every street, were indicated, and along the ramparts at not distant intervals58 were tripods, each crowned with a silver flame, which cast around the radiance of day.
He held and pressed her hand as in silence she beheld59 the wondrous scene. They had to make a progress of some miles; the way was kept throughout by soldiery and civic60 guards, while beyond them was an infinite population, all cheering and many of them waving torches. They passed through many streets, and squares with marvellous fountains, until they arrived at the chief and royal street, which has no equal in the world. It is more than a mile long, never swerving61 from a straight line, broad, yet the houses so elevated that they generally furnish the shade this ardent62 clime requires. The architecture of this street is so varied that it never becomes monotonous63, some beautiful church, or palace, or ministerial hotel perpetually varying the effect. All the windows were full on this occasion, and even the roofs were crowded. Every house was covered with tapestry64, and the line of every building was marked out by artificial light. The moon rose, but she was not wanted; it was as light as day.
They were considerate enough not to move too rapidly through this heart of the metropolis, and even halted at some stations, where bands of music and choirs65 of singers welcomed and celebrated66 them. They moved on more quickly afterwards, made their way through a pretty suburb, and then entered a park. At the termination of a long avenue was the illumined and beautiful palace of the Prince of Montserrat, where Myra was to reside and repose67 until the momentous68 morrow, when King Florestan was publicly to place on the brow of his affianced bride the crown which to his joy she had consented to share.
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1
majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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convoy
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| vt.护送，护卫，护航；n.护送；护送队 | |
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frigate
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| n.护航舰，大型驱逐舰 | |
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ashore
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| adv.在(向)岸上，上岸 | |
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avowed
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| adj.公开声明的，承认的v.公开声明，承认( avow的过去式和过去分词) | |
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inviolate
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| adj.未亵渎的，未受侵犯的 | |
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sage
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| n.圣人，哲人；adj.贤明的，明智的 | |
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receding
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| v.逐渐远离( recede的现在分词 )；向后倾斜；自原处后退或避开别人的注视；尤指问题 | |
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bouquets
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| n.花束( bouquet的名词复数 )；（酒的）芳香 | |
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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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artillery
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| n.(军)火炮，大炮；炮兵(部队) | |
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trumpets
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| 喇叭( trumpet的名词复数 )； 小号； 喇叭形物； （尤指）绽开的水仙花 | |
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cannon
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| n.大炮，火炮；飞机上的机关炮 | |
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honourable
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| adj.可敬的；荣誉的，光荣的 | |
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baron
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| n.男爵；(商业界等)巨头，大王 | |
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speck
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| n.微粒，小污点，小斑点 | |
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melancholy
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| n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的 | |
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vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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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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Founder
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| n.创始者，缔造者 | |
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worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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martyr
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| n.烈士，殉难者；vt.杀害，折磨，牺牲 | |
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patriotic
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| adj.爱国的，有爱国心的 | |
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naval
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| adj.海军的，军舰的，船的 | |
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propitious
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| adj.吉利的；顺利的 | |
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delightful
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| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
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impending
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| a.imminent, about to come or happen | |
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bulwarks
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| n.堡垒( bulwark的名词复数 )；保障；支柱；舷墙 | |
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prow
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| n.(飞机)机头，船头 | |
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wondrous
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| adj.令人惊奇的，奇妙的；adv.惊人地；异乎寻常地；令人惊叹地 | |
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recurred
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| 再发生，复发( recur的过去式和过去分词 )； 治愈 | |
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intercourse
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| n.性交；交流，交往，交际 | |
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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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calamities
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| n.灾祸，灾难( calamity的名词复数 )；不幸之事 | |
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supreme
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| adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的 | |
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destined
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| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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frankly
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| adv.坦白地，直率地；坦率地说 | |
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ascertain
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| vt.发现，确定，查明，弄清 | |
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conspiracy
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| n.阴谋，密谋，共谋 | |
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favourable
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| adj.赞成的，称赞的，有利的，良好的，顺利的 | |
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candidly
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| adv.坦率地，直率而诚恳地 | |
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sarcastically
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| adv.挖苦地，讽刺地 | |
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hierarchy
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| n.等级制度；统治集团，领导层 | |
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behold
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| v.看，注视，看到 | |
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spires
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| n.（教堂的） 塔尖，尖顶( spire的名词复数 ) | |
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barge
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| n.平底载货船，驳船 | |
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salutes
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| n.致敬，欢迎，敬礼( salute的名词复数 )v.欢迎，致敬( salute的第三人称单数 )；赞扬，赞颂 | |
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salute
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| vi.行礼，致意，问候，放礼炮；vt.向…致意，迎接，赞扬；n.招呼，敬礼，礼炮 | |
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49
iris
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| n.虹膜，彩虹 | |
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50
varied
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| adj.多样的，多变化的 | |
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51
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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52
maidens
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| 处女( maiden的名词复数 )； 少女； 未婚女子； （板球运动）未得分的一轮投球 | |
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53
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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heralds
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| n.使者( herald的名词复数 )；预报者；预兆；传令官v.预示( herald的第三人称单数 )；宣布（好或重要） | |
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55
precedents
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| 引用单元； 范例( precedent的名词复数 )； 先前出现的事例； 前例； 先例 | |
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metropolis
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| n.首府；大城市 | |
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57
fortified
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| adj. 加强的 | |
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intervals
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| n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 )；间隔时间；[数学]区间；（戏剧、电影或音乐会的）幕间休息 | |
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59
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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civic
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| adj.城市的，都市的，市民的，公民的 | |
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swerving
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| v.（使）改变方向，改变目的( swerve的现在分词 ) | |
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ardent
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，强烈的，烈性的 | |
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monotonous
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| adj.单调的，一成不变的，使人厌倦的 | |
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tapestry
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| n.挂毯，丰富多采的画面 | |
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choirs
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| n.教堂的唱诗班( choir的名词复数 )；唱诗队；公开表演的合唱团；（教堂）唱经楼 | |
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celebrated
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| adj.有名的，声誉卓著的 | |
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repose
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| v.(使)休息；n.安息 | |
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momentous
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| adj.重要的，重大的 | |
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