When Abbe Midon and Martial1 de Sairmeuse held their conference, to discuss and to decide upon the arrangements for the Baron2 d’Escorval’s escape, a difficulty presented itself which threatened to break off the negotiation3.
“Return my letter,” said Martial, “and I will save the baron.”
“Save the baron,” replied the abbe, “and your letter shall be returned.”
But Martial’s was one of those natures which become exasperated4 by the least shadow of suspicion.
The idea that anyone should suppose him influenced by threats, when in reality, he had yielded only to Marie-Anne’s tears, angered him beyond endurance.
“These are my last words, Monsieur,” he said, emphatically. “Restore to me, now, this instant, the letter which was obtained from me by Chanlouineau’s ruse5, and I swear to you, by the honor of my name, that all which it is possible for any human being to do to save the baron, I will do. If you distrust my word, good-evening.”
The situation was desperate, the danger imminent6, the time limited; Martial’s tone betrayed an inflexible7 determination.
The abbe could not hesitate. He drew the letter from his pocket and handing it to Martial:
“Here it is, Monsieur,” he said, solemnly, “remember that you have pledged the honor of your name.”
“I will remember it, Monsieur le Cure. Go and obtain the ropes.”
The abbe’s sorrow and amazement8 were intense, when, after the baron’s terrible fall, Maurice announced that the cord had been cut. And yet he could not make up his mind that Martial was guilty of the execrable act. It betrayed a depth of duplicity and hypocrisy9 which is rarely found in men under twenty-five years of age. But no one suspected his secret thoughts. It was with the most unalterable sang-froid that he dressed the baron’s wounds and made arrangements for the flight. Not until he saw M. d’Escorval installed in Poignot’s house did he breathe freely.
The fact that the baron had been able to endure the journey, proved that in this poor maimed body remained a power of vitality10 for which the priest had not dared to hope.
Some way must now be discovered to procure11 the surgical12 instruments and the remedies which the condition of the wounded man demanded.
But where and how could he procure them?
The police kept a close watch over the physicians and druggists in Montaignac, in the hope of discovering the wounded conspirators13 through them.
But the cure, who had been for ten years physician and surgeon for the poor of his parish, had an almost complete set of surgical instruments and a well-filled medicine-chest.
“This evening,” said he, “I will obtain what is needful.”
When night came, he put on a long blue blouse, shaded his face by an immense slouch hat, and directed his steps toward Sairmeuse.
Not a light was visible through the windows of the presbytery; Bibiane, the old housekeeper14, must have gone out to gossip with some of the neighbors.
The priest effected an entrance into the house, which had once been his, by forcing the lock of the door opening on the garden; he found the requisite15 articles, and retired16 without having been discovered.
That night the abbe hazarded a cruel but indispensable operation. His heart trembled, but not the hand that held the knife, although he had never before attempted so difficult a task.
“It is not upon my weak powers that I rely: I have placed my trust in One who is on High.”
His faith was rewarded. Three days later the wounded man, after quite a comfortable night, seemed to regain17 consciousness.
His first glance was for his devoted18 wife, who was seated by his bedside; his first word was for his son.
“Maurice?” he asked.
“Is in safety,” replied the abbe. “He must be on the way to Turin.”
M. d’Escorval’s lips moved as if he were murmuring a prayer; then, in a feeble voice:
“We owe you a debt of gratitude19 which we can never pay,” he murmured, “for I think I shall pull through.”
He did “pull through,” but not without terrible suffering, not without difficulties that made those around him tremble with anxiety. Jean Lacheneur, more fortunate, was on his feet by the end of the week.
Forty days had passed, when one evening — it was the 17th of April — while the abbe was reading a newspaper to the baron, the door gently opened and one of the Poignot boys put in his head, then quickly withdrew it.
The priest finished the paragraph, laid down the paper, and quietly went out.
“What is it?” he inquired of the young man.
“Ah! Monsieur, Monsieur Maurice, Mademoiselle Lacheneur and the old corporal have just arrived; they wish to come up.”
In three bounds the abbe descended20 the narrow staircase.
“Unfortunate creatures!” he exclaimed, addressing the three imprudent travellers, “what has induced you to return here?”
Then turning to Maurice:
“Is it not enough that for you, and through you, your father has nearly died? Are you afraid he will not be recaptured, that you return here to set the enemies upon his track? Depart!”
The poor boy, quite overwhelmed, faltered21 his excuse. Uncertainty22 seemed to him worse than death; he had heard of M. Lacheneur’s execution; he had not reflected, he would go at once; he asked only to see his father and to embrace his mother.
The priest was inflexible.
“The slightest emotion might kill your father,” he declared; “and to tell your mother of your return, and of the dangers to which you have foolishly exposed yourself, would cause her untold23 tortures. Go at once. Cross the frontier again this very night.”
Jean Lacheneur, who had witnessed this scene, now approached.
“It is time for me to depart,” said he, “and I entreat24 you to care for my sister, the place for her is here, not upon the highways.”
The abbe deliberated for a moment, then he said, brusquely:
“So be it; but go at once; your name is not upon the proscribed25 list. You will not be pursued.”
Thus, suddenly separated from his wife, Maurice wished to confer with her, to give her some parting advice; but the abbe did not allow him an opportunity.
“Go, go at once,” he insisted. “Farewell!”
The good abbe was too hasty.
Just when Maurice stood sorely in need of wise counsel, he was thus delivered over to the influence of Jean Lacheneur’s furious hatred26. As soon as they were outside:
“This,” exclaimed Jean, “is the work of the Sairmeuse and the Marquis de Courtornieu! I do not even know where they have thrown the body of my murdered parent; you cannot even embrace the father who has been traitorously27 assassinated28 by them!”
He laughed a harsh, discordant29, terrible laugh, and continued:
“And yet, if we ascended30 that hill, we could see the Chateau31 de Sairmeuse in the distance, brightly illuminated32. They are celebrating the marriage of Martial de Sairmeuse and Blanche de Courtornieu. We are homeless wanderers without friends, and without a shelter for our heads: they are feasting and making merry.”
Less than this would have sufficed to rekindle33 the wrath34 of Maurice. He forgot everything in saying to himself that to disturb this fete by his appearance would be a vengeance35 worthy36 of him.
“I will go and challenge Martial now, on the instant, in the presence of the revellers,” he exclaimed.
But Jean interrupted him.
“No, not that! They are cowards; they would arrest you. Write; I will be the bearer of the letter.”
Corporal Bavois heard them; but he did not oppose their folly37. He thought it all perfectly38 natural, under the circumstances, and esteemed39 them the more for their rashness.
Forgetful of prudence40 they entered the first shop, and the challenge was written and confided41 to Jean Lacheneur.
收听单词发音 |
1
martial
|
|
| adj.战争的，军事的，尚武的，威武的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
baron
|
|
| n.男爵；(商业界等)巨头，大王 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
negotiation
|
|
| n.谈判，协商 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
exasperated
|
|
| adj.恼怒的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
ruse
|
|
| n.诡计，计策；诡计 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
imminent
|
|
| adj.即将发生的，临近的，逼近的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
inflexible
|
|
| adj.不可改变的，不受影响的，不屈服的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
amazement
|
|
| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
hypocrisy
|
|
| n.伪善，虚伪 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
vitality
|
|
| n.活力，生命力，效力 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
procure
|
|
| vt.获得，取得，促成；vi.拉皮条 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
surgical
|
|
| adj.外科的，外科医生的，手术上的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
conspirators
|
|
| n.共谋者，阴谋家( conspirator的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
housekeeper
|
|
| n.管理家务的主妇，女管家 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
requisite
|
|
| adj.需要的，必不可少的；n.必需品 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
retired
|
|
| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
regain
|
|
| vt.重新获得，收复，恢复 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
devoted
|
|
| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
gratitude
|
|
| adj.感激，感谢 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
descended
|
|
| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
faltered
|
|
| （嗓音）颤抖( falter的过去式和过去分词 )； 支吾其词； 蹒跚； 摇晃 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
uncertainty
|
|
| n.易变，靠不住，不确知，不确定的事物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
untold
|
|
| adj.数不清的，无数的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
entreat
|
|
| v.恳求，恳请 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
proscribed
|
|
| v.正式宣布（某事物）有危险或被禁止( proscribe的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
hatred
|
|
| n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
traitorously
|
|
| 叛逆地，不忠地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
28
assassinated
|
|
| v.暗杀( assassinate的过去式和过去分词 )；中伤；诋毁；破坏 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
discordant
|
|
| adj.不调和的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
ascended
|
|
| v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
chateau
|
|
| n.城堡，别墅 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
illuminated
|
|
| adj.被照明的；受启迪的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
rekindle
|
|
| v.使再振作；再点火 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
wrath
|
|
| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
vengeance
|
|
| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
worthy
|
|
| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
folly
|
|
| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
perfectly
|
|
| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
esteemed
|
|
| adj.受人尊敬的v.尊敬( esteem的过去式和过去分词 )；敬重；认为；以为 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
prudence
|
|
| n.谨慎，精明，节俭 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
confided
|
|
| 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） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |