The repast was sumptuous6; Lothair thought the dinner would never end, there were so many dishes, and apparently7 all of the highest pretension8. But if his simple tastes had permitted him to take an interest in these details, which, they did not, he would have been assisted by a gorgeous menu of gold and white typography, that was by the side of each guest. The table seemed literally9 to groan10 under vases and gigantic flagons, and, in its midst, rose a mountain of silver, on which apparently all the cardinal virtues11, several of the pagan deities12, and Britannia herself, illustrated13 with many lights a glowing inscription14, which described the fervent15 feelings of a grateful client.
There were many guests—the Dowager of Farringford, a lady of quality, Apollonia’s great lady, who exercised under this roof much social tyranny; in short, was rather fine; but who, on this occasion, was somewhat cowed by the undreamt-of presence of Lothair. She had not yet met him, and probably never would have met him, had she not had the good fortune of dining at his lawyer’s. However, Lady Farringford was placed a long way from Lothair, having been taken down to dinner by Mr. Giles; and so, by the end of the first course, Lady Farringford had nearly resumed her customary despotic vein16, and was beginning to indulge in several kind observations, cheapening to her host and hostess, and indirectly17 exalting18 herself; upon which Mr. Giles took an early easy opportunity of apprising19 Lady Farringford, that she had nearly met Cardinal Grandison at dinner, and that his eminence20 would certainly pay his respects to Mrs. Putney Giles in the evening. As Lady Farringford was at present a high ritualist and had even been talked of as “going to Rome,” this intelligence was stunning21, and it was observed that her ladyship was unusually subdued22 during the whole of the second course.
On the right of Lothair sat the wife of a vice-chancellor, a quiet and pleasing lady, to whom Lothair, with natural good breeding, paid snatches of happy attention, when he could for a moment with propriety23 withdraw himself from the blaze of Apollonia’s coruscating24 conversation. Then there was a rather fierce-looking Red Ribbon, medalled, as well as bestarred, and the Red Ribbon’s wife, with a blushing daughter, in spite of, her parentage not yet accustomed to stand fire. A partner and his unusually numerous family had the pleasure also of seeing Lothair for the first time, and there were no less than four M.P.s, one of whom was even in office.
Apollonia was stating to Lothair, with perspicuity25, the reasons which quite induced her to believe that the Gulf–Stream had changed its course, and the political and social consequences that might accrue26.
“The religious sentiment of the Southern races must be wonderfully affected27 by a more rigorous climate,” said Apollonia. “I cannot doubt,” she continued, “that a series of severe winters at Rome might put an end to Romanism.”
“But is there any fear that a reciprocal influence might be exercised on the Northern nations?” inquired Lothair. “Would there be any apprehension28 of our Protestantism becoming proportionately relaxed?”
“Of course not,” said Apollonia. “Truth cannot be affected by climate. Truth is truth, alike in Palestine and Scandinavia.”
“I wonder what the cardinal would think of this,” said Lothair, “who, you tell me, is coming to you this evening?”
“Yes, I am most interested to see him, though he is the most puissant29 of our foes30. Of course he would take refuge in sophistry31; and science, you know, they deny.”
“Cardinal Grandison is giving some lectures on science,” said the vice-chancellor’s lady, quietly.
“It is remorse,” said Apollonia. “Their clever men can never forget that unfortunate affair of Galileo, and think they can divert the indignation of the ninteenth century by mock zeal32 about red sandstone or the origin of species.”
“And are you afraid of the Gulf–Stream?” inquired Lothair of his calmer neighbor.
“I think we want more evidence of a change. The vice-chancellor and myself went down to a place we have near town, on Saturday, where there is a very nice piece of water; indeed, some people call it a lake; but it was quite frozen, and my boys wanted to skate, but that I would not permit.”
“You believe in the Gulf–Stream to that extent,” said Lothair—“no skating.”
The cardinal came, early; the ladies had not long left the dining-room. They were agitated33 when his name was announced; even Apollonia’s heart beat; but then that might be accounted for by the inopportune recollection of an occasional correspondence with Caprera.
Nothing could exceed the simple suavity34 with which the cardinal appeared, approached, and greeted them. He thanked Apollonia for her permission to pay his respects to her, which he had long wished to do; and then they were all presented, and he said exactly the right thing to every one. He must have heard of them all before, or read their characters in their countenances36. In a few minutes they were all listening to his eminence with enchanted37 ease, as, sitting on the sofa by his hostess, he described to them the ambassadors who had just arrived from Japan, and with whom he had relations of interesting affairs. The Japanese government had exhibited enlightened kindness to some of his poor people who had barely escaped martyrdom. Much might be expected from the Mikado, evidently a man of singular penetration39 and elevated views; and his eminence looked as if the mission of Yokohama would speedily end in an episcopal see; but he knew where he was and studiously avoided all controversial matter.
After all, the Mikado himself was not more remarkable40 than this prince of the Church in a Tyburnian drawing-room habited in his pink cassock and cape38, and waving, as he spoke41, with careless grace, his pink barrette.
The ladies thought the gentlemen rejoined them too soon, but Mr. Giles, when he was apprised42 of the arrival of the cardinal, thought it right to precipitate43 the symposium44. With great tact45, when the cardinal rose to greet him, Mr. Giles withdrew his eminence from those surrounding, and, after a brief interchange of whispered words, quitted him and then brought forward and presented Lothair to the cardinal, and left them.
“This is not the first time that we should have met,” said the cardinal, “but my happiness is so great at this moment that, though I deplore47, I will not dwell on, the past.”
“I am, nevertheless, grateful to you, sir, for many services, and have more than once contemplated48 taking the liberty of personally assuring your a eminence of my gratitude49.”
“I think we might sit down,” said the cardinal, looking around; and then he led Lothair into an open but interior saloon, where none were yet present, and where they seated themselves on a sofa and were soon engaged in apparently interesting converse50.
In the mean time the world gradually filled the principal saloon of Apollonia, and, when it approached overflowing51, occasionally some persons passed the line, and entered the room in which the cardinal and his ward46 were seated, and then, as if conscious of violating some sacred place, drew back. Others, on the contrary, with coarser curiosity, were induced to invade the chamber52 from the mere53 fact that the cardinal was to be seen there.
“My geographical54 instinct,” said the cardinal to Lothair, “assures me that I can regain55 the staircase through these rooms, without rejoining the busy world; so I shall bid you good-night and even presume to give you my blessing;” and his eminence glided56 away.
When Lothair returned to the saloon it was so crowded that he was not observed; exactly what he liked; and he stood against the wall watching all that passed, not without amusement. A lively, social parasite57, who had dined there, and had thanked his stars at dinner that Fortune had, decreed he should meet Lothair, had been cruising for his prize all the time that Lothair had been conversing58 with the cardinal and was soon at his side.
“A strange scene this!” said the parasite.
“Is it unusual?” inquired Lothair.
“Such a medley59! How can they can be got together, I marvel—priests and philosophers, legitimists, and carbonari! Wonderful woman, Mrs. Putney Giles!”
“She is very entertaining,” said Lothair, “and seems to me clever.”
“Remarkably so,” said the parasite, who had been on the point of satirizing60 his hostess, but, observing the quarter of the wind, with rapidity went in for praise. “An extraordinary woman. Your lordship had a long talk with the cardinal.”
“I had the honor of some conversation with Cardinal Grandison,” said Lothair, drawing up.
“I wonder what the cardinal would have said if he had met Mazzini here?”
“Mazzini! Is he here?”
“Not now; but I have seen him here,” said the parasite, “and our host such a Tory! That makes the thing so amusing;” and then the parasite went on making small personal observations on the surrounding scene, and every now and then telling little tales of great people with whom, it appeared, he was intimate—all concerted fire to gain the very great social fortress61 he was now besieging62. The parasite was so full of himself, and so anxious to display himself to advantage, that with all his practice it was some time before he perceived he did not make all the way he could wish with Lothair; who was courteous63, but somewhat monosyllabic and absent.
“Your lordship is struck by that face?” said the parasite.
Was Lothair struck by that face? And what was it?
He had exchanged glances with that face during the last ten minutes, and the mutual64 expression was not one of sympathy but curiosity blended, on the part of the face, with an expression, if not of disdain65, of extreme reserve.
It was the face of a matron, apparently of not many summers, for her shapely figure was still slender, though her mien66 was stately. But it was the countenance35 that had commanded the attention of Lothair: pale, but perfectly67 Attic68 in outline, with the short upper lip and the round chin, and a profusion69 of dark-chestnut hair bound by a Grecian fillet, and on her brow a star.
“Yes I am struck by that face. Who is it?”
“If your lordship could only get a five-franc piece of the last French Republic, 1850, you would know. I dare say the money-changers could get you one. All the artists of Paris, painters, and sculptors70, and medallists, were competing to produce a face worthy71 of representing ‘La R publique fran aise;’ nobody was satisfied, when Oudine caught a girl of not seventeen, and, with a literal reproduction of Nature, gained the prize with unanimity72.”
“Ah!”
“And, though years have passed, the countenance has not changed; perhaps improved.”
“It is a countenance that will bear, perhaps even would require, maturity,” said Lothair; “but she is no longer ‘La R publique fran aise;’ what is she now?”
“She is called Theodora, though married, I believe, to an Englishman, a friend of Garibaldi. Her birth unknown; some say an Italian, some a Pole; all sorts of stories. But she speaks every language, is ultra-cosmopolitan, and has invented a new religion.”
“A new religion!”
“Would your lordship care to be introduced to her? I know her enough for that. Shall we go up to her?”
“I have made so many now acquaintances today,” said, Lothair, as it were starting from a reverie, “and indeed heard so many new things, that I think I had better say good-night;” and he graciously retired73.
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1
prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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cardinal
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| n.(天主教的)红衣主教；adj.首要的，基本的 | |
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engrossed
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| adj.全神贯注的 | |
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immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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5
sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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6
sumptuous
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| adj.豪华的，奢侈的，华丽的 | |
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7
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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8
pretension
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| n.要求；自命，自称；自负 | |
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9
literally
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| adv.照字面意义，逐字地；确实 | |
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10
groan
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| vi./n.呻吟，抱怨；(发出)呻吟般的声音 | |
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11
virtues
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| 美德( virtue的名词复数 )； 德行； 优点； 长处 | |
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12
deities
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| n.神，女神( deity的名词复数 )；神祗；神灵；神明 | |
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13
illustrated
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| adj. 有插图的，列举的 动词illustrate的过去式和过去分词 | |
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14
inscription
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| n.（尤指石块上的）刻印文字，铭文，碑文 | |
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15
fervent
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| adj.热的，热烈的，热情的 | |
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16
vein
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| n.血管，静脉；叶脉，纹理；情绪；vt.使成脉络 | |
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17
indirectly
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| adv.间接地，不直接了当地 | |
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18
exalting
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| a.令人激动的，令人喜悦的 | |
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19
apprising
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| v.告知，通知( apprise的现在分词 )；评价 | |
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20
eminence
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| n.卓越，显赫；高地，高处；名家 | |
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stunning
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| adj.极好的；使人晕倒的 | |
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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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23
propriety
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| n.正当行为；正当；适当 | |
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24
coruscating
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| v.闪光，闪烁( coruscate的现在分词 ) | |
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25
perspicuity
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| n.（文体的）明晰 | |
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26
accrue
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| v.(利息等)增大，增多 | |
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27
affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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apprehension
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| n.理解，领悟；逮捕，拘捕；忧虑 | |
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29
puissant
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| adj.强有力的 | |
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30
foes
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| 敌人，仇敌( foe的名词复数 ) | |
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31
sophistry
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| n.诡辩 | |
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32
zeal
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| n.热心，热情，热忱 | |
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33
agitated
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| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
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34
suavity
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| n.温和；殷勤 | |
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35
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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countenances
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| n.面容( countenance的名词复数 )；表情；镇静；道义支持 | |
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37
enchanted
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| adj. 被施魔法的，陶醉的，入迷的 动词enchant的过去式和过去分词 | |
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38
cape
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| n.海角，岬；披肩，短披风 | |
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39
penetration
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| n.穿透，穿人，渗透 | |
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40
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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41
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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42
apprised
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| v.告知，通知( apprise的过去式和过去分词 )；评价 | |
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43
precipitate
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| adj.突如其来的；vt.使突然发生；n.沉淀物 | |
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44
symposium
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| n.讨论会，专题报告会；专题论文集 | |
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45
tact
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| n.机敏，圆滑，得体 | |
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46
ward
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| n.守卫，监护，病房，行政区，由监护人或法院保护的人（尤指儿童）；vt.守护，躲开 | |
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47
deplore
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| vt.哀叹，对...深感遗憾 | |
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48
contemplated
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| adj. 预期的 动词contemplate的过去分词形式 | |
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49
gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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50
converse
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| vi.谈话，谈天，闲聊；adv.相反的，相反 | |
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51
overflowing
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| n. 溢出物,溢流 adj. 充沛的，充满的 动词overflow的现在分词形式 | |
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52
chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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53
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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54
geographical
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| adj.地理的；地区(性)的 | |
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55
regain
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| vt.重新获得，收复，恢复 | |
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56
glided
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| v.滑动( glide的过去式和过去分词 )；掠过；（鸟或飞机 ） 滑翔 | |
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57
parasite
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| n.寄生虫；寄生菌；食客 | |
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58
conversing
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| v.交谈，谈话( converse的现在分词 ) | |
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59
medley
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| n.混合 | |
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60
satirizing
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| v.讽刺，讥讽( satirize的现在分词 ) | |
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61
fortress
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| n.堡垒，防御工事 | |
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62
besieging
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| 包围，围困，围攻( besiege的现在分词 ) | |
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63
courteous
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| adj.彬彬有礼的，客气的 | |
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64
mutual
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| adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的 | |
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65
disdain
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| n.鄙视，轻视；v.轻视，鄙视，不屑 | |
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66
mien
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| n.风采；态度 | |
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67
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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68
attic
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| n.顶楼，屋顶室 | |
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profusion
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| n.挥霍；丰富 | |
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70
sculptors
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| 雕刻家，雕塑家( sculptor的名词复数 )； [天]玉夫座 | |
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71
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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72
unanimity
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| n.全体一致，一致同意 | |
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retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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