I had just, on the 7th of August, left Auxerre; I shall never forget that date. I had walked about two leagues: the noonday heat beginning to incommode me, I climbed a little eminence1 crowned by a grove2 of trees; the place was not far removed from the road, I went there with the purpose of refreshing3 myself and obtaining a few hours of sleep without having to pay the expense of an inn, and up there I was in greater safety than upon the highway. I established myself at the foot of an oak and, after a frugal4 lunch, I drifted off into sweet sleep. Well did I rest, for a considerable time, and in a state of complete tranquillity5; and then, opening my eyes, it was with great pleasure I mused6 upon the landscape which was visible for a long distance. From out of the middle of a forest that extended upon the right, I thought I could detect, some three or four leagues from where I was, a little bell tower rising modestly into the air.... "Beloved solitude," I murmured, "what a desire I have to dwell a time in thee; and thou afar," said I, addressing the abbey, "thou must be the asylum7 of a few gentle, virtuous8 recluses9 who are occupied with none but God... with naught10 but their pious11 duties; or a retreat unto some holy hermits12 devoted13 to Religion alone... men who, far removed from that pernicious society where incessant14 crime, brooding heavily, threatfully over innocence16, degrades it, annihilates17 it... ah! there must all virtues18 dwell, of that I am certain, and when mankind's crimes exile them out of the world, 'tis thither20 they go in that isolated21 place to commune with the souls of those fortunate ones who cherish them and cultivate them every day."
I was absorbed in these thoughts when a girl of my age, keeper of a flock of sheep grazing upon the plateau, suddenly appeared before my eyes; I question her about that habitation, she tells me what I see is a Benedictine monastery22 occupied by four solitary23 monks25 of peerless devotion, whose continence and sobriety are without example. Once a year, says the girl, a pilgrimage is made to a miraculous26 Virgin27 who is there, and from Her pious folk obtain all their hearts' desire. Singularly eager immediately to go and implore28 aid at the feet of this holy Mother of God, I ask the girl whether she would like to come and pray with me; 'tis impossible, she replies, for her mother awaits her; but the road there is easy. She indicates it to me, she assures me the superior of the house, the most respectable, the most saintly of men, will receive me with perfect good grace and will offer me all the aid whereof I can possibly stand in need. "Dom Severino, so he is called," continues the girl, "is an Italian closely related to the Pope, who overwhelms him with kindnesses; he is gentle, honest, correct, obliging, fifty-five years old, and has spent above two-thirds of his life in France... you will be satisfied with him, Mademoiselle," the shepherdess concluded, "go and edify29 yourself in that sacred quiet, and you will only return from it improved."
This recital30 only inflamed31 my zeal32 the more, I became unable to resist the violent desire I felt to pay a visit to this hallowed church and there, by a few acts of piety33, to make restitution34 for the neglect whereof I was guilty. However great was my own need of charities, I gave the girl a crown, and set off down the road leading to Saint Mary-in-the-Wood, as was called the monastery toward which I directed my steps.
When I had descended35 upon the plain I could see the spire37 no more; for guide I had nothing but the forest ahead of me, and before long I began to fear that the distance, of which I had forgotten to inform myself, was far greater than I had estimated at first; but was in nowise discouraged. I arrived at the edge of the forest and, some amount of daylight still remaining, I decided38 to forge on, considering I should be able to reach the monastery before nightfall. However, not a hint of human life presented itself to my gaze, not a house, and all I had for road was a beaten path I followed virtually at random39; I had already walked at least five leagues without seeing a thing when, the Star having completely ceased to light the universe, it seemed I heard the tolling40 of a bell... I harken, I move toward the sound, I hasten, the path widens ever so little, at last I perceive several hedges and soon afterward41 the monastery; than this isolation42 nothing could be wilder, more rustic43, there is no neighboring habitation, the nearest is six leagues removed, and dense44 tracts45 of forest surround the house on all sides; it was situated46 in a depression, I had a goodly distance to descend36 in order to get to it, and this was the reason I had lost sight of the tower; a gardener's cabin nestled against the monastery's walls; it was there one applied47 before entering. I demanded of this gate-keeper whether it were permitted to speak to the superior; he asked to be informed of my errand; I advised him that a religious duty had drawn48 me to this holy refuge and that I would be well repaid for all the trouble I had experienced to get to it were I able to kneel an instant before the feet of the miraculous Virgin and the saintly ecclesiastics49 in whose house the divine image was preserved. The gardener rings and I penetrate50 into the monastery; but as the hour is advanced and the fathers are at supper, he is some time in returning. At last he reappears with one of the monks:
"Mademoiselle," says he, "here is Dom Clement51, steward52 to the house; he has come to see whether what you desire merits interrupting the superior."
Clement, whose name could not conceivably have been less descriptive of his physiognomy, was a man of forty-eight years, of an enormous bulk, of a giant's stature53; somber54 was his expression, fierce his eye; the only words he spoke55 were harsh, and they were expelled by a raucous56 voice: here was a satyric personage indeed, a tyrant's exterior57; he made me tremble.... And then despite all I could do to suppress it, the remembrance of my old miseries58 rose to smite59 my troubled memory in traits of blood....
"What do you want?" the monk24 asked me; his air was surly, his mien60 grim; "is this the hour to come to a church?... Indeed, you have the air of an adventuress."
"Saintly man," said I, prostrating61 myself, "I believed it was always the hour to present oneself at God's door; I have hastened from far off to arrive here; full of fervor62 and devotion, I ask to confess, if it is possible, and when what my conscience contains is known to you, you will see whether or not I am worthy63 to humble64 myself at the feet of the holy image."
"But this is not the time for confession65," said the monk, his manner softening66; "where are you going to spend the night? We have no hospice... it would have been better to have come in the morning." I gave him the reasons which had prevented me from doing so and, without replying, Clement went to report to the superior. Several minutes later the church was opened, Don Severino himself approached me, and invited me to enter the temple with him.
Dom Severino, of whom it would be best to give you an idea at once, was, as I had been told, a man of fifty-five, but endowed with handsome features, a still youthful quality, a vigorous physique, herculean limbs, and all that without harshness; a certain elegance67 and pliancy68 reigned69 over the whole and suggested that in his young years he must have possessed70 all the traits which constitute a splendid man. There were in all the world no finer eyes than his; nobility shone in his features, and the most genteel, the most courteous71 tone was there throughout. An agreeable accent which colored every one of his words enabled one to identify his Italian origin and, I admit it, this monk's outward graces did much to dispel72 the alarm the other had caused me.
"My dear girl," said he very graciously, "although the hour is unseasonable and though it is not our usage to receive so late, I will however hear your confession, and afterward we will confer upon the means whereby you may pass the night in decency73; tomorrow you will be able to bow down before the sacred image which brings you here."
We enter the church; the doors are closed; a lamp is lit near the confessional. Severino bids me assume my place, he sits down and requests me to tell him everything with complete confidence.
I was perfectly74 at ease with a man who seemed so mild-mannered, so full of gentle sympathy. I disguised nothing from him: I confessed all my sins; I related all my miseries; I even uncovered the shameful75 mark wherewith the barbaric Rodin had branded me. Severino listened to everything with keenest attention, he even had me repeat several details, wearing always a look of pity and of interest; but a few movements, a few words betrayed him nevertheless alas76! it was only afterward I pondered them thoroughly77. Later, when able to reflect calmly upon this interview, it was impossible not to remember that the monk had several times permitted himself certain gestures which dramatized the emotion that had heavy entrance into many of the questions he put to me, and those inquiries78 not only halted complacently79 and lingered lovingly over obscene details, but had borne with noticeable insistence80 upon the following five points: 1. Whether it were really so that I were an orphan81 and had been born in Paris. 2. Whether it were a certainty I were bereft82 of kin19 and had neither friends, nor protection, nor, in a word, anyone to whom I could write. 3. Whether I had confided83 to anyone, other than to the shepherdess who had pointed84 out the monastery to me, my purpose in going there, and whether I had not arranged some rendezvous85 upon my return. 4. Whether it were certain that I had known no one since my rape86, and whether I were fully15 sure the man who had abused me had done so on the side Nature condemns87 as well as on the side she permits. 5. Whether I thought I had not been followed and whether anyone, according to my belief, might have observed me enter the monastery.
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1
eminence
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| n.卓越，显赫；高地，高处；名家 | |
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grove
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| n.林子，小树林，园林 | |
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3
refreshing
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| adj.使精神振作的，使人清爽的，使人喜欢的 | |
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frugal
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| adj.节俭的，节约的，少量的，微量的 | |
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tranquillity
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| n. 平静, 安静 | |
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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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asylum
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| n.避难所，庇护所，避难 | |
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8
virtuous
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| adj.有品德的，善良的，贞洁的，有效力的 | |
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recluses
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| n.隐居者，遁世者，隐士( recluse的名词复数 ) | |
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10
naught
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| n.无，零 [=nought] | |
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11
pious
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| adj.虔诚的；道貌岸然的 | |
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12
hermits
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| （尤指早期基督教的）隐居修道士，隐士，遁世者( hermit的名词复数 ) | |
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13
devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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14
incessant
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| adj.不停的，连续的 | |
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fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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16
innocence
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| n.无罪；天真；无害 | |
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17
annihilates
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| n.（彻底）消灭( annihilate的名词复数 )；使无效；废止；彻底击溃v.（彻底）消灭( annihilate的第三人称单数 )；使无效；废止；彻底击溃 | |
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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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kin
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| n.家族，亲属，血缘关系；adj.亲属关系的，同类的 | |
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thither
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| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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21
isolated
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| adj.与世隔绝的 | |
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monastery
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| n.修道院，僧院，寺院 | |
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solitary
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| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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monk
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| n.和尚，僧侣，修道士 | |
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monks
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| n.修道士，僧侣( monk的名词复数 ) | |
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miraculous
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| adj.像奇迹一样的，不可思议的 | |
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virgin
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| n.处女，未婚女子；adj.未经使用的；未经开发的 | |
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implore
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| vt.乞求，恳求，哀求 | |
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29
edify
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| v.陶冶；教化；启发 | |
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30
recital
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| n.朗诵，独奏会，独唱会 | |
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31
inflamed
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| adj.发炎的，红肿的v.（使）变红，发怒，过热( inflame的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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zeal
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| n.热心，热情，热忱 | |
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33
piety
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| n.虔诚，虔敬 | |
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34
restitution
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| n.赔偿；恢复原状 | |
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35
descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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36
descend
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| vt./vi.传下来，下来，下降 | |
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37
spire
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| n.(教堂)尖顶，尖塔，高点 | |
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38
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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random
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| adj.随机的；任意的；n.偶然的(或随便的)行动 | |
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40
tolling
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| [财]来料加工 | |
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41
afterward
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| adv.后来；以后 | |
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42
isolation
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| n.隔离，孤立，分解，分离 | |
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43
rustic
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| adj.乡村的，有乡村特色的；n.乡下人，乡巴佬 | |
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dense
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| a.密集的，稠密的，浓密的；密度大的 | |
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45
tracts
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| 大片土地( tract的名词复数 )； 地带； （体内的）道； （尤指宣扬宗教、伦理或政治的）短文 | |
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situated
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| adj.坐落在...的，处于某种境地的 | |
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47
applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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48
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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49
ecclesiastics
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| n.神职者，教会，牧师( ecclesiastic的名词复数 ) | |
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50
penetrate
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| v.透(渗)入；刺入，刺穿；洞察，了解 | |
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51
clement
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| adj.仁慈的；温和的 | |
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52
steward
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| n.乘务员，服务员；看管人；膳食管理员 | |
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53
stature
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| n.（高度）水平，（高度）境界，身高，身材 | |
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54
somber
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| adj.昏暗的，阴天的，阴森的，忧郁的 | |
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55
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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56
raucous
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| adj.(声音)沙哑的，粗糙的 | |
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57
exterior
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| adj.外部的，外在的；表面的 | |
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58
miseries
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| n.痛苦( misery的名词复数 )；痛苦的事；穷困；常发牢骚的人 | |
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59
smite
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| v.重击；彻底击败；n.打；尝试；一点儿 | |
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60
mien
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| n.风采；态度 | |
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61
prostrating
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| v.使俯伏，使拜倒( prostrate的现在分词 )；（指疾病、天气等）使某人无能为力 | |
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fervor
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| n.热诚；热心；炽热 | |
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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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64
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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confession
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| n.自白，供认，承认 | |
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66
softening
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| 变软，软化 | |
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67
elegance
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| n.优雅；优美，雅致；精致，巧妙 | |
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pliancy
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| n.柔软，柔顺 | |
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reigned
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| vi.当政，统治（reign的过去式形式） | |
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70
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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courteous
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| adj.彬彬有礼的，客气的 | |
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72
dispel
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| vt.驱走，驱散，消除 | |
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decency
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| n.体面，得体，合宜，正派，庄重 | |
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74
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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75
shameful
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| adj.可耻的，不道德的 | |
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76
alas
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| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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77
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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78
inquiries
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| n.调查( inquiry的名词复数 )；疑问；探究；打听 | |
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complacently
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| adv. 满足地, 自满地, 沾沾自喜地 | |
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80
insistence
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| n.坚持；强调；坚决主张 | |
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81
orphan
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| n.孤儿；adj.无父母的 | |
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82
bereft
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| adj.被剥夺的 | |
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83
confided
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| v.吐露（秘密，心事等）( confide的过去式和过去分词 )；（向某人）吐露（隐私、秘密等） | |
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84
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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85
rendezvous
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| n.约会，约会地点，汇合点；vi.汇合，集合；vt.使汇合，使在汇合地点相遇 | |
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86
rape
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| n.抢夺，掠夺，强奸；vt.掠夺，抢夺，强奸 | |
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condemns
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| v.（通常因道义上的原因而）谴责( condemn的第三人称单数 )；宣判；宣布…不能使用；迫使…陷于不幸的境地 | |
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