"So," he said softly, "you speed the parting guest. And did I not hear the sound of a chaste3 salute4?"
Miska watched him, wild-eyed.
"And he knows," continued the metallic5 voice, "'how to deal with Chunda Lal'? But it may be that Chunda Lal will know how to deal with him! I had suspected that Dr. Keppel Stuart entertained an unprofessional interest in his charming patient. Your failure to force the bureau drawer in his study excited my suspicion—unjustly, I admit; for did not I fail also when I paid the doctor a personal visit? True, I was disturbed. But this suspicion later returned. It was in order that some lingering doubt might be removed that I afforded you the opportunity of interviewing my guest. But whatever surprise his ingenuity6, aided by your woman's wit, has planned for Chunda Lal, I dare to believe that Chunda Lal, being forewarned, will meet successfully. He is expecting an attempt, by Dr. Stuart, to leave this house. He has my orders to detain him."
At that, anger conquered terror in the heart of Miska, and:
"You mean he has your orders to kill him!" she cried desperately7.
Fo-Hi closed the door.
"On the contrary, he has my orders to take every possible care of him. Those blind, tempestuous8 passions which merely make a woman more desirable find no place in the trained mind of the scientist. That Dr. Stuart covets9 my choicest possession in no way detracts from his value to my Council."
Miska had never moved from the doorway10 by which Stuart had gone out; and now, having listened covertly11 and heard no outcry, her faith in Chunda Lal was restored. Her wonderful eyes narrowed momentarily, and she spoke12 with the guile13, which seems so naive14, of the Oriental woman.
"I care nothing for him—this Dr. Stuart. But he had done you no wrong——"
"Beyond seeking my death—none. I have already said"—the eyes of
"But you plan to carry him to China—like those others."
"I assign him a part in the New Renaissance—yes. In the Deluge16 that shall engulf17 the world, his place is in the Ark. I honor him."
"Perhaps he rather remain a—nobody—than be so honored."
"In his present state of imperfect understanding it is quite possible," said Fo-Hi smoothly18. "But if he refuses to achieve greatness he must have greatness thrust upon him. Van Rembold, I seem to recall, hesitated for some time to direct his genius to the problem of producing radium in workable quantities from the pitchblend deposits of Ho-Nan. But the split rod had not been applied19 to the soles of his feet more than five times ere he reviewed his prejudices and found them to be surmountable20."
Miska, knowing well the moods of the monstrous21 being whose unveiled face she had never seen, was not deceived by the suavity22 of his manner. Nevertheless, she fought down her terror, knowing how much might depend upon her retaining her presence of mind. How much of her interview with Stuart he had overheard she did not know, nor how much he had witnessed.
"But," she said, moving away from him, "he does not matter—this one.
Forgive me if I think to let him go; but I am afraid——"
Fo-Hi crossed slowly, intercepting23 her.
"Ah!" said Miska, her eyes opening widely—"you are going to punish me again! For why? Because I am a woman and cannot always be cruel?"
From its place on the wall Fo-Hi took a whip. At that:
"Ah! no, no!" she cried. "You drive me mad! I am only in part of the East and I cannot bear it—I cannot bear it! You teach me to be like the women of England, who are free, and you treat me like the women of China, who are slaves. Once, it did not matter. I thought it was a part of a woman's life to be treated so. But now I cannot bear it!" She stamped her foot fiercely upon the floor. "I tell you I cannot bear it!"
Whip in hand, Fo-Hi stood watching her.
"You release that man—for whom you 'care nothing'—in order that he may bring my enemies about me, in order that he may hand me over to the barbarous law of England. Now, you 'cannot bear' so light a rebuke24 as the whip. Here, I perceive, is some deep psychological change. Such protests do not belong to the women of my country; they are never heard in the zenana, and would provoke derision in the harems of Stambul.
"You have trained me to know that life in a harem is not life, but only the existence of an animal."
"I have trained you—yes. What fate was before you when I intervened in that Mecca slave-market? You who are 'only in part of the East.' Do you forget so soon how you cowered25 there amongst the others, Arabs, Circassians, Georgians, Nubians, striving to veil your beauty from those ravenous26 eyes? From what did I rescue you?"
"And for what?" cried Miska bitterly. "To use me as a lure—and beat me if I failed."
Fo-Hi stood watching her, and slowly, as he watched, terror grew upon her and she retreated before him, step by step. He made no attempt to follow her, but continued to watch. Then, raising the whip he broke it across his knee and dropped the pieces on the floor.
At that she extended her hands towards him pitifully.
"Oh! what are you going to do to me!" she said. "Let me go! let me go! I can no more be of use to you. Give me back my life and let me go— et me go and hide away from them all—from all … the world…."
Her words died away and ceased upon a suppressed hysterical27 sob28. For, in silence, Fo-Hi stood watching her, unmoved.
"Because," came the metallic voice, softly—"you are beautiful with a beauty given but rarely to the daughters of men. The Sublime30 Order has acquired many pretty women—for they are potent31 weapons—but none so fair as you. Miska, I would make life sweet for you."
"Ah! you do not mean that!" she whispered fearfully.
"Have I not clothed you in the raiment of a princess!" continued Fo-Hi. "To-night, at my urgent request, you wear the charming national costume in which I delight to see you. But is there a woman of Paris, of London, of New York, who has such robes, such jewels, such apartments as you possess? Perhaps the peculiar32 duties which I have required you to perform, the hideous disguises, which you have sometimes been called upon to adopt, have disgusted you."
Her heart beating wildly, for she did not know this mood but divined it to portend33 some unique horror, Miska crouched34, head averted35.
"To-night the hour has come to break the whip. To-night the master in me dies. My cloak of wise authority has fallen from me and I offer myself in bondage36 to you, my slave!"
"This is some trap you set for me!" she whispered.
"Truly have you observed that the Chinese wife is but a slave to her lord. I have said that the relation of master and slave is ended between us. I offer you a companionship that signifies absolute freedom and perfect understanding. Half of all I have—and the world lies in my grasp—is yours. I offer a throne set upon the Seven Mountains of the Universe. Look into my eyes and read the truth."
But lower and lower she cowered upon the diwan.
"No, no! I am afraid!"
Fo-Hi approached her closely and abject38 terror now had robbed her of strength. Her limbs seemed to have become numbed39, her tongue clave to the roof of her mouth.
"Fear me no more, Miska," said Fo-Hi. "I will you nothing but joy. The man who has learned the Fifth Secret of Rache Churan—who has learned how to control his will—holds a power absolute and beyond perfectability. You know, who have dwelt beneath my roof, that there is no escape from my will." His calm was terrible, and his glance, through the green veil, was like a ray of scorching40 heat. His voice sank lower and lower.
"There is one frailty41, Miska, that even the Adept43 cannot conquer. It is inherent in every man. Miska, I would not force you to grasp the joy I offer; I would have you accept it willingly. No! do not turn from me! No woman in all the world has ever heard me plead, as I plead to you. Never before have I sued for favours. Do not turn from me, Miska."
Slightly, the metallic voice vibrated, and the ruffling44 of that giant calm was a thing horrible to witness. Fo-Hi extended his long yellow hands, advancing step by step until he stood over the cowering girl. Irresistibly45 her glance was drawn46 to those blazing eyes which the veil could not hide, and as she met that unblinking gaze her own eyes dilated47 and grew fixed48 as those of a sleep-walker. A moment Fo-Hi stood so. Then passion swept him from his feet and he seized her fiercely.
"Your eyes drive me mad!" he hissed49. "Your lips taunt50 me, and I know all earthly greatness to be a mirage51, its conquests visions, and its fairness dust. I would rather be a captive in your white arms than the emperor of heaven! Your sweetness intoxicates52 me, Miska. A fever burns me up!"
Helpless, enmeshed in the toils53 of that mighty54 will, Miska raised her head; and gradually her expression changed. Fear was smoothed away from her lovely face as by some magic brush. She grew placid55; and finally she smiled—the luresome, caressing56 smile of the East. Nearer and nearer drew the green veil. Then, uttering a sudden fierce exclamation57, Fo-Hi thrust her from him.
"That smile is not for me, the man!" he cried gutterally. "Ah! I could curse the power that I coveted58 and set above all earthly joys! I who boasted that he could control his will—I read in your eyes that I am willing you to love me! I seek a gift and can obtain but a tribute!"
Miska, with a sobbing59 moan, sank upon the diwan. Fo-Hi stood motionless, looking straight before him. His terrible calm was restored.
"It is the bitter truth," he said—"that to win the world I have bartered60 the birthright of men; the art of winning a woman's heart. There is much in our Chinese wisdom. I erred61 in breaking the whip. I erred in doubting my own prescience, which told me that the smiles I could not woo were given freely to another … and perhaps the kisses. At least I can set these poor frail42 human doubts at rest."
He crossed and struck a gong which hung midway between the two doors.
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
Mandarin
|
|
| n.中国官话，国语，满清官吏；adj.华丽辞藻的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
grotesque
|
|
| adj.怪诞的，丑陋的；n.怪诞的图案，怪人（物） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
chaste
|
|
| adj.贞洁的；有道德的；善良的；简朴的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
salute
|
|
| 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 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
metallic
|
|
| adj.金属的；金属制的；含金属的；产金属的；像金属的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
ingenuity
|
|
| n.别出心裁；善于发明创造 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
desperately
|
|
| adv.极度渴望地，绝望地，孤注一掷地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
tempestuous
|
|
| adj.狂暴的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
covets
|
|
| v.贪求，觊觎( covet的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
doorway
|
|
| n.门口，(喻)入门；门路，途径 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
covertly
|
|
| adv.偷偷摸摸地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
spoke
|
|
| 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 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
guile
|
|
| n.诈术 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
naive
|
|
| adj.幼稚的，轻信的；天真的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
hideous
|
|
| adj.丑陋的，可憎的，可怕的，恐怖的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
deluge
|
|
| n./vt.洪水，暴雨，使泛滥 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
engulf
|
|
| vt.吞没，吞食 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
smoothly
|
|
| adv.平滑地，顺利地，流利地，流畅地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
applied
|
|
| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
surmountable
|
|
| 可战胜的，可克服的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
monstrous
|
|
| adj.巨大的；恐怖的；可耻的，丢脸的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
suavity
|
|
| n.温和；殷勤 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
intercepting
|
|
| 截取（技术），截接 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
rebuke
|
|
| v.指责，非难，斥责 [反]praise | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
cowered
|
|
| v.畏缩，抖缩( cower的过去式 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
ravenous
|
|
| adj.极饿的，贪婪的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
hysterical
|
|
| adj.情绪异常激动的，歇斯底里般的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
sob
|
|
| n.空间轨道的轰炸机；呜咽，哭泣 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
cowering
|
|
| v.畏缩，抖缩( cower的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
sublime
|
|
| adj.崇高的，伟大的；极度的，不顾后果的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
potent
|
|
| adj.强有力的，有权势的；有效力的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
peculiar
|
|
| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
portend
|
|
| v.预兆，预示；给…以警告 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
crouched
|
|
| v.屈膝，蹲伏( crouch的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
averted
|
|
| 防止，避免( avert的过去式和过去分词 )； 转移 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
bondage
|
|
| n.奴役，束缚 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
heed
|
|
| v.注意，留意；n.注意，留心 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
abject
|
|
| adj.极可怜的，卑屈的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
numbed
|
|
| v.使麻木，使麻痹( numb的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
scorching
|
|
| adj. 灼热的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
frailty
|
|
| n.脆弱；意志薄弱 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
frail
|
|
| adj.身体虚弱的；易损坏的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
adept
|
|
| adj.老练的，精通的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
ruffling
|
|
| 弄皱( ruffle的现在分词 )； 弄乱； 激怒； 扰乱 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
irresistibly
|
|
| adv.无法抵抗地，不能自持地；极为诱惑人地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
drawn
|
|
| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
dilated
|
|
| adj.加宽的，扩大的v.（使某物）扩大，膨胀，张大( dilate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
fixed
|
|
| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
hissed
|
|
| 发嘶嘶声( hiss的过去式和过去分词 )； 发嘘声表示反对 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
taunt
|
|
| n.辱骂，嘲弄；v.嘲弄 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
mirage
|
|
| n.海市蜃楼，幻景 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
intoxicates
|
|
| 使喝醉（intoxicate的第三人称单数形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
toils
|
|
| 网 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
mighty
|
|
| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
placid
|
|
| adj.安静的，平和的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
caressing
|
|
| 爱抚的，表现爱情的，亲切的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
exclamation
|
|
| n.感叹号，惊呼，惊叹词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
coveted
|
|
| adj.令人垂涎的；垂涎的，梦寐以求的v.贪求，觊觎(covet的过去分词)；垂涎；贪图 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
sobbing
|
|
| <主方>Ⅰ adj.湿透的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
bartered
|
|
| v.作物物交换，以货换货( barter的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
erred
|
|
| 犯错误，做错事( err的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |