The Tigers Bride-1
MyfatherlostmetoTheBeastatcards.
TheresaspecialmadrikestravellersfromtheNorthwhentheyreachthelovelylahelemrow.Weefromtriesofcoldweather;athome,weareatwarwithnaturebuthere,ah!youthinkyouveetotheblessedplotwherethelionliesdownwiththelamb.Everythingflowers;noharshwindstirsthevoluptuousair.Thesunspillsfruitforyou.Ahly,sensuallethargyofthesweetSouthihestarvedbrain;itgasps:"Luxury!moreluxury!"Butthenthesnowes,youotescapeit,itfollowedusfromRussiaasifitranbehindourcarriage,andinthisdark,bittercityhascaughtupwithusatlast,flogagainstthewindowpaomockmyfathersexpectationsofperpetualpleasureastheveinsinhisforeheadstandoutandthrob,hishandsshakeashedealstheDevilspicturebooks.Thedlesdroppedhot,acridgoutsofwaxonmybareshoulders.Iwatchedwiththefuriousicismpeculiartowomenwhomcircumstanutelytowitnessfolly,whilemyfather,firedinhisdesperationbymoreamhtsofthefirewatertheycall"grappa",ridshimselfofthelastscrapsofmyiance.WheRussia,weownedblackearth,blueforestwithbearandwildboar,serfs,fields,farmyards,mybelovedhorses,whitenightsofmer,thefireworksofthenorthernlights.Whataburdenallthosepossessionsmusthavebeentohim,becausehelaughsasifwithgleeashebeggarshimself;heisinsuchapassiontodooTheBeast.
Everyonewhoestothiscitymustplayahandwiththegrandeseigneur;fewe.TheydidnotwarnusatMilan,or,iftheydid,wedidnotuandthem--mylimpingItalian,thebewilderingdialectoftheregion.Indeed,Imyselfspokeupinfavourofthisremote,provincialplace,outoffashiontwohundredyears,because,ohirony,itboastednoo.IdidnotknowthatthepriceofastayinitsDecembralsolitudewasagamewithMilord.
Thehourwaslate.Thechilldampofthisplacecreepsintothestones,intoyourbones,intothespongypithofthelungs;itinsiselfwithashiverintoourparlour,whereMilordcametoplayintheprivacyessentialtohim.Whocouldrefusetheinvitationhisvaletbroughtting?Notmyprofligatefather,certainly;themirrorabovethetablegavemebackhisfrenzy,myimpassivity,thewitheringdles,theemptyingbottles,thecolouredtideofthecardsastheyroseahestillmaskthatcealedallthefeaturesofTheBeastbutfortheyelloweyesthatstrayed,nowandthen,fromhisunfurledhandtowardsmyself.
"LaBestia!"saidourlandlady,gingerlyfingeringanenvelopewithhishugecrestofatigerrampantonit,somethingoffear,somethingofwonderinherfadIcouldnotaskherwhytheycalledthemasteroftheplace,LaBestia--wasittodowiththeheraldiature--becausehertonguewassothiedbythephlegmy,bronchiticspeechoftheregionIscarcelymaomakeoutathingshesaidexcept,whenshesawme:"Chebella!"
SinceIcouldtoddle,alwaystheprettyohmyglossy,nut-browncurls,myrosycheeks.AndbornonChristmasDay--her"Christmasrose,"myEnglishnursecalledme.Thepeasantssaid:"Thelivingimageofhermother,"crossingthemselvesoutofrespectforthedead.Mymotherdidnotblossomlong;barteredforherdowrytosuchafecklesssprigoftheRussiannobilitythatshesoondiedofhisgaming,hiswh,hisagonisiances.AndTheBeastgavemetherosefromhisownimpeccableifoutmodedbuttonholewhenhearrived,thevaletbrushingthesnowoffhisblackcloak.Thiswhiterose,unnatural,outofseason,thatnowmynervousfingersripped,petalbypetal,apartasmyfathermagnifitlycludedthecareerhehadmadeofcatastrophe.
Thisisamelancholy,introspectiveregion;asunless,featurelesslandscape,thesullenriversweatingfog,theshorn,hunkeringwillows.Andacruelcity;thesombrepiazza,aplaiquelysuitedtopublicexecutions,uhebeetlingshadowofthatmalignbarnofachurch.Theyusedtohangnedmenincagesfromthecitywalls;unkindnessesnaturallytothem,theireyesaresetsoclosetogether,theyhavethinlips.Poorfood,pastasoakedinoil,boiledbeefwithsauceofbitterherbs.Afunerealhushabouttheplace,theinhabitantshuddledupagainstthecoldsoyouhardlyseetheirfaces.Andtheylietoyouayou,innkeepers,en,everybody.God,howtheyfleecedus.
ThetreacherousSouth,whereyouthinkthereisnowifetyoutakeitwithyou.
MysenseswereincreasinglytroubledbythefuddlingperfumeofMilord,fartoopotentareekofpurplishcivetatsuchclosequartersinsosmallaroom.Hemustbathehimselfi,soakhisshirtsandunderlineninit;whathesmellof,thatneedssomuchcamouflage?
Ineversawamansobiglooksotwo-dimensional,inspiteofthequaintelegaheBeast,intheold-fashioailcoatthatmight,fromitslooks,havebeenboughtinthosedistantyearsbeforeheimposedseclusiononhimself;hedoesnotfeelheneedkeepupwiththetimes.Thereisacrudeclumsinessabouthisoutlihatareontheungainly,giantside;andhehasanoddairofself-imposedrestraint,asiffightingabattlewithhimselftoremainuprightwhenhewouldfarratherdropdownonallfours.Hethrowsourhumanaspirationstothegodlikesadlyawry,poorfellow;onlyfromadistancewouldyouthinkTheBeastnotmuchdifferentfromanyotherman,althoughhewearsamaskwithamansfacepaintedmostbeautifullyonit.Oh,yes,abeautifulface;butohtoomualsymmetryoffeaturetobeentirelyhuman:oneprofileofhismaskisthemirreoftheother,tooperfey.Hewearsawig,too,falsehairtiedatthehabow,awigofthekindyouseeinold-fashionedportraits.Achastesilkstockstuckearlhideshisthroat.Andglovesofblondkidthatareyetsohugeandclumsytheydoocoverhands.
Heisaivalfiguremadeofpapier-madcrepehair;ahehastheDevilsknackatcards.
Hismaskedvoiceechoesasfromagreatdistanceashestoopsoverhishandandhehassuchagrowlingimpedimentinhisspeechthatonlyhisvalet,whouandshim,terpretforhim,asifhismasterweretheclumsydollaheventriloquist.
Thewickslumpedintheerodedwax,thedlesguttered.Bythetimemyrosehadlostallitspetals,myfather,too,wasleftwithnothing.
"Exceptthegirl."
Gamblingisasiess.Myfathersaidhelovedmeyethestakedhisdaughteronahandofcards.Hefahemout;inthemirror,Isawwildhopelightuphiseyes.Hiscollarwasunfastened,hisrumpledhairstooduponeheanguishofamanistagesofdebauchery.Thedraughtscameoutoftheoldwallsandbitme,IwascolderthanIdeverbeeninRussia,whennightsarecoldestthere.
Aqueen,aking,anace.Isawtheminthemirror.Oh,Ikhoughthecouldnotloseme;besides,backwithmewouldeallhehadlost,theunravelledfortunesofourfamilyatoneblowrestored.Andwouldhenotwin,aswell,TheBeastshereditarypalazzooutsidethecity;hisimmenserevenues;hislandsaroundtheriver;hisrents,histreasurechest,hisMantegnas,hisGiulioRomanos,hisCellinisaltcellars,histitles...theverycityitself.
Youmustnotthinkmyfathervaluedmeatlessthanakingsransom;butatnomorethanakingsransom.
Itwascoldashellintheparlour.Anditseemedtome,childofthesevereNorth,thatitwasnotmyfleshbut,truly,myfatherssoulthateril.
Myfather,ofcourse,believedinmiracles;whatgamblerdoesnot?Inpursuitofjustsuchamiracleasthis,hadwenottravelledfromthelandofbearsandshootingstars?
Soweteeteredonthebrink.
TheBeastbayed;laiddownallthreeremainingaces.
Theindifferentservantsnowglidedsmoothlyforwardasoodousethedlesonebyoolookatthemyouwouldthinkthatnothingofanymomenthadoccurred.Theyyawnedalittleresentfully;itwasalmostm.tthemoutofbed.TheBeastsmanbroughthisyfathersatamongstthesepreparationsfordeparture,staringonatthebetrayalofhiscardsupoable.
TheBeastsmaninformedmecrisplythathe,thevalet,wouldcallformeandmybagstomorrow,atten,andductmeforthwithtoTheBeastspalazzo.Capisco?SoshockedwasIthatIscarcelydidcapisco;herepeatedmyorderspatiently,hewasastrahin,quicklittlemanwhowalkedwithanirregularjoltingrhythmuponsplayedfeetincurious,wedge-shapedshoes.
Wheremyfatherhadbeenredasfire,nohiteasthesnowthatcakedthewindowpane.Hiseyesswam;soonhewouldcry.
"LikethebaseIndian,"hesaid;helovedrhetoric."Onewhosehand,/LikethebaseIndian,threearlaway/Richerthanallhistribe...Ihavelostmypearl,mypearlbeyondprice."
Atthat,TheBeastmadeasudden,dreadfulnoise,halfwaybetweenagrowlandaroar;thedlesflared.Thequickvalet,theprimhypocrite,interpretedunblinkingly:"Mymastersays:Ifyouaresocarelessofyourtreasures,youshouldexpectthemtobetakenfromyou."
Hegaveusthebowandsmilehismastercouldnotofferusandtheydeparted.
Iwatchedthesnowuntil,justbeforedawn,itstoppedfalling;ahardfrostsettled,mtherewasalightlikeiron.
TheBeastscarriage,ofaifantiquedesign,wasblackasahearseanditwasdrawnbyadashingblackgeldingwhoblewsmokefromhisnostrilsandstampeduponthepackedsnowwithenoughsprightlyappearanceoflifetogivemesomehopethatnotalltheworldwaslockedinice,asIwas.Ihadalwaysheldalittletulliversopinion,thathorsesarebetterthanweare,and,thatday,Iwouldhavebeengladtodepartwithhimtothekingdomofhorses,ifIdbeehece.
Thevaletsatupontheboxinanattybladgoldlivery,clasping,ofallthings,abunchofhismastersdamnedwhiterosesasifagiftofflowerswouldrecileawomantoanyhumiliation.Hesprangdownwithpreternaturalagilitytoplacethemceremoniouslyianthand.
Mytear-beslobberedfatherwantsarosetoshowthatIfivehim.WhenIbreakoffastem,Iprickmyfingerandsohegetshisroseallsmearedwithblood.
Thevaletcrouchedatmyfeettotucktherugsaboutmewithastrangekindofunflatteringobsequiousnessyethefothisstationsuffitlytoscratchbusilybehhiswhiteperiwigwithanover-suppleindexfingerasheofferedmewhatmyoldnursewouldhavecalledan"old-fashionedlook",ironic,sly,asmidgenofdisdaininit.Andpity?Nopity.Hiseyesweremoistandbrown,hisfaceseamedwiththeiingofanababy.Hehadanirritatinghabitofchatteringtohimselfunderhisbreathallthetimeashepackeduphismasterswinnings.Idrewthecurtainstocealthesightofmyfathersfarewell;myspitewassharpasbrokenglass.
LosttoTheBeast!Andwhat,Iwondered,mightbetheexaatureofhis"beastliness"?MyEnglishnurseooldmeaboutatiger-manshesawinLondon,whenshewasalittlegirl,toscaremeintogoodbehaviour,forIeethingandshecouldnottamemeintosubmissionwithafrownorthebribeofaspoonfulofjam.Ifyoudontstopplaguingthenursemaids,mybeauty,thetiger-manwilleandtakeyouaway.TheydbroughthimfromSumatra,intheIndies,shesaid;hishinderpartswereallhairyandonlyfromtheheaddownwardsdidheresembleaman.
AheBeastgoesalwaysmasked;itotbehisfacethatlookslikemine.
Butthetiger-man,inspiteofhishairiness,couldtakeaglassofaleinhishandlikeagoodChristiananddrinkitdown.Hadshenotseenhimdoso,atthesignofTheGee,bythestepsofUpperMoorFieldswhenshewasjustashighasmeandlispedandtoddled,too.ThenshewouldsighforLondon,acrosstheNorthSeaofthelapseofyears.But,ifthisyoungladywasnotagoodlittlegirlanddidherboiledbeetroot,theiger-manwouldputonhisbigblacktravellingcloaklihfur,justlikeyourdaddys,andhiretheErl-Kingsgalloperofwindandridethroughthenightstraighttothenurseryand--
Yes,mybeauty!GOBBLEYOUUP!
HowIdsquealindelightedterror,halfbelievingher,halfknowingthatsheteasedme.AndtherewerethingsIkhatImustnottellher.Inourlostfarmyard,wherethegigglingnursemaidsinitiatedmeintothemysteriesofwhatthebulldidtothecows,Iheardaboutthewaggonersdaughter.Hush,hush,dooyournursiewesaidso;thewaggonerslass,hare-lipped,squint-eyed,uglyassin,whowouldhavetakenher?Yet,tohershame,herbellyswelledamidthecruelmockeryoftheostlersandhersonwasbornofabear,theywhispered.Bornwithafullpeltahatprovedit.But,whenhegrewup,hewasagoodshepherd,althoughhenevermarried,livedinahutoutsidethevillageandakethewindblowanywayhewaobesidesbeingabletotellwhicheggswouldbeecocks,whis.
Thewpeasantsoncebroughtmyfatheraskullwithhornsfourincheslohersideofitandwouldnotgobacktothefieldwheretheirpoorploughdisturbedituntilthepriestwentwiththem;forthisskullhadthejaw-boneofaman,haditnot?
Oldwivestales,nurseryfears!IknewwellenoughthereasonforthetrepidationIcosilytitillatedwithsuperstitiousmarvelsofmychildhoodonthedaymychildhoodended.FornowmyownskinwasmysolecapitalintheworldandtodayIdmakemyfirstiment.
Wehadleftthecityfarbehindusandwerenowtraversingawide,flatdishofsnowwherethemutilatedstumpsofthewillowsflourishedtheirciliateheadsathwartfrozenditches;mistdimihehorizhtdowntheskyuntilitseemednomorethanafewinchesaboveus.Asfaraseyecouldsee,notohingliving.Howstarveling,howbereftthedeadseasonofthisspuriousEdeninwhichallthefruitwasblightedbycold!Andmyfrailroses,alreadyfaded.Iopehecarriagedoorandtossedthedefunctbouquetintotherucked,frost-stiffmudoftheroad.Suddenlyasharp,freezingwindaroseaedmyfacewithadryriceofpowderedsnow.Themistliftedsuffitlytorevealbeforemeanacreageofhalf-derelictfacadesofsheerredbrick,thevastman-trap,themegalomaniaccitadelofhispalazzo.
Itwasaworldinitselfbutadeadone,aburned-outpla.IsawTheBeastboughtsolitude,notluxury,withhismoney.
Thelittleblackhorsetrottedsmartlythroughthefiguredbronzedoorsthatstoodopentotheweatherlikethoseofabarnandthevalethandedmeoutofthecarriageontothescarredtilesofthegreathallitself,intotheodorouswarmthofastable,sweetwithhay,acridwithhorsedung.Anequinechorusofneighingsandsoftdrummingsofhoovesbrokeoutbehetallroof,wherethebeamswerescabbedwithlastsummersswallowss;adozengracilemuzzlesliftedfromtheirmangersandturowardsus,earserect.TheBeasthadgivenhishorsestheuseofthediningroom.Thewallswerepainted,aptlyenough,withafrescoofhorses,dogsandmeninawoodwherefruitandblossomgrewontheboughtogether.
Thevalettolitelyatmysleeve.Milordiswaiting.
Gapingdoorsandbrokenwindowsletthewindineverywhere.Wemountedoaircaseafteranother,ourfeetcloppingonthemarble.Througharchendlimpsedsuitesofvaultedchambersopeniofanotherlikesystemsofeseboxesintotheinfiniteplexityoftheinnardsoftheplace.HeandIandthewiheonlythingsstirring;andallthefurniturewasunderdustsheets,thedeliersbundledupincloth,picturestakenfromtheirhooksandproppedwiththeirfacestothewallsasiftheirmastercouldolookatthem.Thepalacewasdismantled,asifitsownerwereabouttomovehouseorhadneverproperlymovedin;TheBeasthadchosentoliveinanuninhabitedplace.
Thevaletdartedmeareassuringglanhisbrown,eloquenteyes,yetaglahsomuchqueersuperciliousnessinitthatitdidnote,aboundingaheadofmeonhisbandylegs,softlychatteringtohimself.Iheldmyheadhighandfollowedhim;butforallmypride,myheartwasheavy.
Milordhashiseyriehighabovethehouse,asmall,stifling,darkenedroom;hekeepshisshutterslockedatnoon.Iwasoutofbreathbythetimewereacheditaurohimthesilehwhichhegreetedme.Iwillnotsmile.Heile.
Inhisrarelydisturbedprivacy,TheBeastwearsagarmentofOttomandesign,aloose,dullpurplegownwithgoldembroideryroundthehatfallsfromhisshoulderstocealhisfeet.Thefeetofthechairhesitsinarehandsomelyclawed.Hehideshishandsinhisamplesleeves.Theartificialmasterpieceofhisfaceappalsme.Asmallfireinasmallgrate.Arushingwindrattlestheshutters.
Thevaletcoughed.Tohimfellthedelicatetaskoftransmittingtomehismasterswishes."Mymaster--"
Astickfellie.Itmadeamightyclatterinthatdreadfulsilehevaletstarted,losthisplahisspeech,beganagain."Mymasterhasbutonedesire."
Thethick,rich,wildstwithwhichMilordhadsoakedhimselfthepreviouseveninghangsallaboutus,asdsincursivebluefromthesmokeholeofapreciousesepot."Hewishesonly--"
Now,inthefayimpassivity,thevalettwittered,hisironipone,forthedesireofamaster,howevertrivial,mayyetsoundunbearablyiihofaservantandhisroleofgo-betweenclearlycausedhimagooddealofembarrassment.Hegulped;heswallowed,atlasttrivedtounleashanunpunctuatedflood.
"Mymasterssoledesireistoseetheprettyyoungladyunclothedhoutherdressandthatonlyfortheoimeafterwhichshewillbereturoherfatherundamagedwithbankersordersforthesumwhichhelosttomymasteratcardsandalsoanumberoffissuchasfurs,jewelsandhorses--"
Iremaianding.Duringthisinterview,myeyeswerelevelwiththoseihemaskthatnowevadedmineasif,tohiscredit,hewasashamedofhisownrequestevenashismouthpiecemadeitforhim.Agitato,moltoagitato,thevaletwrunghiswhite-glovedhands.
"Desnuda--"
Icouldscarcelybelievemyears.Iletoutaraucousguffaw;noyoungladylaughslikethat!myoldnurseusedtoremonstrate.ButIdid.Anddo.Attheclamourofmyheartlessmirth,thevaletdancedbackwardswithpeturbation,palpitatinghisfingersasifattemptingtowrenchthemoff,expostulating,wordlesslypleading.IfeltthatIowedittohimtomakemyreplyinasexquisiteaTusasIaster.
"Youmayputmeinawindowlessroom,sir,andIpromiseyouIwillpullmyskirtuptomywaist,readyforyou.Buttheremustbeasheetovermyface,tohideit;thoughthesheetmustbelaidovermesolightlythatitwillnote.SoIshallbecoveredpletelyfromthewaistupwards,andnolights.Thereyouvisitmeonce,sir,andonlytheoerthatImustbedrivelytothecityanddepositedinthepublicsquare,infrontofthechurch.IfyouwishtogivememohenIshouldbepleasedtoreceiveit.ButImuststressthatyoushouldgivemeonlythesameamountofmohatyouwouldgivetoanyotherwomaninsuchcircumstances.However,ifyouchoosenottogivemeapresent,thenthatisyht."
HowpleasedIwastoseeIstruckTheBeasttotheheart!For,afterabakersdoze-beats,onesiearswelled,glittering,attheerofthemaskedeye.Atear!Atear,Ihoped,ofshame.Theteartrembledforamomentonanedgeofpaintedbohentumbleddownthepaintedcheektofall,withanabrupttihetiledfloor.
Thevalet,tigandclugtohimself,hastilyusheredmeoutoftheroom.Amauvecloudofhismastersperfumebillowedoutintothechillcorridorwithusanddissipateditselfonthespinningwinds.松语文学www.16sy.coM免费小说阅读
TheresaspecialmadrikestravellersfromtheNorthwhentheyreachthelovelylahelemrow.Weefromtriesofcoldweather;athome,weareatwarwithnaturebuthere,ah!youthinkyouveetotheblessedplotwherethelionliesdownwiththelamb.Everythingflowers;noharshwindstirsthevoluptuousair.Thesunspillsfruitforyou.Ahly,sensuallethargyofthesweetSouthihestarvedbrain;itgasps:"Luxury!moreluxury!"Butthenthesnowes,youotescapeit,itfollowedusfromRussiaasifitranbehindourcarriage,andinthisdark,bittercityhascaughtupwithusatlast,flogagainstthewindowpaomockmyfathersexpectationsofperpetualpleasureastheveinsinhisforeheadstandoutandthrob,hishandsshakeashedealstheDevilspicturebooks.Thedlesdroppedhot,acridgoutsofwaxonmybareshoulders.Iwatchedwiththefuriousicismpeculiartowomenwhomcircumstanutelytowitnessfolly,whilemyfather,firedinhisdesperationbymoreamhtsofthefirewatertheycall"grappa",ridshimselfofthelastscrapsofmyiance.WheRussia,weownedblackearth,blueforestwithbearandwildboar,serfs,fields,farmyards,mybelovedhorses,whitenightsofmer,thefireworksofthenorthernlights.Whataburdenallthosepossessionsmusthavebeentohim,becausehelaughsasifwithgleeashebeggarshimself;heisinsuchapassiontodooTheBeast.
Everyonewhoestothiscitymustplayahandwiththegrandeseigneur;fewe.TheydidnotwarnusatMilan,or,iftheydid,wedidnotuandthem--mylimpingItalian,thebewilderingdialectoftheregion.Indeed,Imyselfspokeupinfavourofthisremote,provincialplace,outoffashiontwohundredyears,because,ohirony,itboastednoo.IdidnotknowthatthepriceofastayinitsDecembralsolitudewasagamewithMilord.
Thehourwaslate.Thechilldampofthisplacecreepsintothestones,intoyourbones,intothespongypithofthelungs;itinsiselfwithashiverintoourparlour,whereMilordcametoplayintheprivacyessentialtohim.Whocouldrefusetheinvitationhisvaletbroughtting?Notmyprofligatefather,certainly;themirrorabovethetablegavemebackhisfrenzy,myimpassivity,thewitheringdles,theemptyingbottles,thecolouredtideofthecardsastheyroseahestillmaskthatcealedallthefeaturesofTheBeastbutfortheyelloweyesthatstrayed,nowandthen,fromhisunfurledhandtowardsmyself.
"LaBestia!"saidourlandlady,gingerlyfingeringanenvelopewithhishugecrestofatigerrampantonit,somethingoffear,somethingofwonderinherfadIcouldnotaskherwhytheycalledthemasteroftheplace,LaBestia--wasittodowiththeheraldiature--becausehertonguewassothiedbythephlegmy,bronchiticspeechoftheregionIscarcelymaomakeoutathingshesaidexcept,whenshesawme:"Chebella!"
SinceIcouldtoddle,alwaystheprettyohmyglossy,nut-browncurls,myrosycheeks.AndbornonChristmasDay--her"Christmasrose,"myEnglishnursecalledme.Thepeasantssaid:"Thelivingimageofhermother,"crossingthemselvesoutofrespectforthedead.Mymotherdidnotblossomlong;barteredforherdowrytosuchafecklesssprigoftheRussiannobilitythatshesoondiedofhisgaming,hiswh,hisagonisiances.AndTheBeastgavemetherosefromhisownimpeccableifoutmodedbuttonholewhenhearrived,thevaletbrushingthesnowoffhisblackcloak.Thiswhiterose,unnatural,outofseason,thatnowmynervousfingersripped,petalbypetal,apartasmyfathermagnifitlycludedthecareerhehadmadeofcatastrophe.
Thisisamelancholy,introspectiveregion;asunless,featurelesslandscape,thesullenriversweatingfog,theshorn,hunkeringwillows.Andacruelcity;thesombrepiazza,aplaiquelysuitedtopublicexecutions,uhebeetlingshadowofthatmalignbarnofachurch.Theyusedtohangnedmenincagesfromthecitywalls;unkindnessesnaturallytothem,theireyesaresetsoclosetogether,theyhavethinlips.Poorfood,pastasoakedinoil,boiledbeefwithsauceofbitterherbs.Afunerealhushabouttheplace,theinhabitantshuddledupagainstthecoldsoyouhardlyseetheirfaces.Andtheylietoyouayou,innkeepers,en,everybody.God,howtheyfleecedus.
ThetreacherousSouth,whereyouthinkthereisnowifetyoutakeitwithyou.
MysenseswereincreasinglytroubledbythefuddlingperfumeofMilord,fartoopotentareekofpurplishcivetatsuchclosequartersinsosmallaroom.Hemustbathehimselfi,soakhisshirtsandunderlineninit;whathesmellof,thatneedssomuchcamouflage?
Ineversawamansobiglooksotwo-dimensional,inspiteofthequaintelegaheBeast,intheold-fashioailcoatthatmight,fromitslooks,havebeenboughtinthosedistantyearsbeforeheimposedseclusiononhimself;hedoesnotfeelheneedkeepupwiththetimes.Thereisacrudeclumsinessabouthisoutlihatareontheungainly,giantside;andhehasanoddairofself-imposedrestraint,asiffightingabattlewithhimselftoremainuprightwhenhewouldfarratherdropdownonallfours.Hethrowsourhumanaspirationstothegodlikesadlyawry,poorfellow;onlyfromadistancewouldyouthinkTheBeastnotmuchdifferentfromanyotherman,althoughhewearsamaskwithamansfacepaintedmostbeautifullyonit.Oh,yes,abeautifulface;butohtoomualsymmetryoffeaturetobeentirelyhuman:oneprofileofhismaskisthemirreoftheother,tooperfey.Hewearsawig,too,falsehairtiedatthehabow,awigofthekindyouseeinold-fashionedportraits.Achastesilkstockstuckearlhideshisthroat.Andglovesofblondkidthatareyetsohugeandclumsytheydoocoverhands.
Heisaivalfiguremadeofpapier-madcrepehair;ahehastheDevilsknackatcards.
Hismaskedvoiceechoesasfromagreatdistanceashestoopsoverhishandandhehassuchagrowlingimpedimentinhisspeechthatonlyhisvalet,whouandshim,terpretforhim,asifhismasterweretheclumsydollaheventriloquist.
Thewickslumpedintheerodedwax,thedlesguttered.Bythetimemyrosehadlostallitspetals,myfather,too,wasleftwithnothing.
"Exceptthegirl."
Gamblingisasiess.Myfathersaidhelovedmeyethestakedhisdaughteronahandofcards.Hefahemout;inthemirror,Isawwildhopelightuphiseyes.Hiscollarwasunfastened,hisrumpledhairstooduponeheanguishofamanistagesofdebauchery.Thedraughtscameoutoftheoldwallsandbitme,IwascolderthanIdeverbeeninRussia,whennightsarecoldestthere.
Aqueen,aking,anace.Isawtheminthemirror.Oh,Ikhoughthecouldnotloseme;besides,backwithmewouldeallhehadlost,theunravelledfortunesofourfamilyatoneblowrestored.Andwouldhenotwin,aswell,TheBeastshereditarypalazzooutsidethecity;hisimmenserevenues;hislandsaroundtheriver;hisrents,histreasurechest,hisMantegnas,hisGiulioRomanos,hisCellinisaltcellars,histitles...theverycityitself.
Youmustnotthinkmyfathervaluedmeatlessthanakingsransom;butatnomorethanakingsransom.
Itwascoldashellintheparlour.Anditseemedtome,childofthesevereNorth,thatitwasnotmyfleshbut,truly,myfatherssoulthateril.
Myfather,ofcourse,believedinmiracles;whatgamblerdoesnot?Inpursuitofjustsuchamiracleasthis,hadwenottravelledfromthelandofbearsandshootingstars?
Soweteeteredonthebrink.
TheBeastbayed;laiddownallthreeremainingaces.
Theindifferentservantsnowglidedsmoothlyforwardasoodousethedlesonebyoolookatthemyouwouldthinkthatnothingofanymomenthadoccurred.Theyyawnedalittleresentfully;itwasalmostm.tthemoutofbed.TheBeastsmanbroughthisyfathersatamongstthesepreparationsfordeparture,staringonatthebetrayalofhiscardsupoable.
TheBeastsmaninformedmecrisplythathe,thevalet,wouldcallformeandmybagstomorrow,atten,andductmeforthwithtoTheBeastspalazzo.Capisco?SoshockedwasIthatIscarcelydidcapisco;herepeatedmyorderspatiently,hewasastrahin,quicklittlemanwhowalkedwithanirregularjoltingrhythmuponsplayedfeetincurious,wedge-shapedshoes.
Wheremyfatherhadbeenredasfire,nohiteasthesnowthatcakedthewindowpane.Hiseyesswam;soonhewouldcry.
"LikethebaseIndian,"hesaid;helovedrhetoric."Onewhosehand,/LikethebaseIndian,threearlaway/Richerthanallhistribe...Ihavelostmypearl,mypearlbeyondprice."
Atthat,TheBeastmadeasudden,dreadfulnoise,halfwaybetweenagrowlandaroar;thedlesflared.Thequickvalet,theprimhypocrite,interpretedunblinkingly:"Mymastersays:Ifyouaresocarelessofyourtreasures,youshouldexpectthemtobetakenfromyou."
Hegaveusthebowandsmilehismastercouldnotofferusandtheydeparted.
Iwatchedthesnowuntil,justbeforedawn,itstoppedfalling;ahardfrostsettled,mtherewasalightlikeiron.
TheBeastscarriage,ofaifantiquedesign,wasblackasahearseanditwasdrawnbyadashingblackgeldingwhoblewsmokefromhisnostrilsandstampeduponthepackedsnowwithenoughsprightlyappearanceoflifetogivemesomehopethatnotalltheworldwaslockedinice,asIwas.Ihadalwaysheldalittletulliversopinion,thathorsesarebetterthanweare,and,thatday,Iwouldhavebeengladtodepartwithhimtothekingdomofhorses,ifIdbeehece.
Thevaletsatupontheboxinanattybladgoldlivery,clasping,ofallthings,abunchofhismastersdamnedwhiterosesasifagiftofflowerswouldrecileawomantoanyhumiliation.Hesprangdownwithpreternaturalagilitytoplacethemceremoniouslyianthand.
Mytear-beslobberedfatherwantsarosetoshowthatIfivehim.WhenIbreakoffastem,Iprickmyfingerandsohegetshisroseallsmearedwithblood.
Thevaletcrouchedatmyfeettotucktherugsaboutmewithastrangekindofunflatteringobsequiousnessyethefothisstationsuffitlytoscratchbusilybehhiswhiteperiwigwithanover-suppleindexfingerasheofferedmewhatmyoldnursewouldhavecalledan"old-fashionedlook",ironic,sly,asmidgenofdisdaininit.Andpity?Nopity.Hiseyesweremoistandbrown,hisfaceseamedwiththeiingofanababy.Hehadanirritatinghabitofchatteringtohimselfunderhisbreathallthetimeashepackeduphismasterswinnings.Idrewthecurtainstocealthesightofmyfathersfarewell;myspitewassharpasbrokenglass.
LosttoTheBeast!Andwhat,Iwondered,mightbetheexaatureofhis"beastliness"?MyEnglishnurseooldmeaboutatiger-manshesawinLondon,whenshewasalittlegirl,toscaremeintogoodbehaviour,forIeethingandshecouldnottamemeintosubmissionwithafrownorthebribeofaspoonfulofjam.Ifyoudontstopplaguingthenursemaids,mybeauty,thetiger-manwilleandtakeyouaway.TheydbroughthimfromSumatra,intheIndies,shesaid;hishinderpartswereallhairyandonlyfromtheheaddownwardsdidheresembleaman.
AheBeastgoesalwaysmasked;itotbehisfacethatlookslikemine.
Butthetiger-man,inspiteofhishairiness,couldtakeaglassofaleinhishandlikeagoodChristiananddrinkitdown.Hadshenotseenhimdoso,atthesignofTheGee,bythestepsofUpperMoorFieldswhenshewasjustashighasmeandlispedandtoddled,too.ThenshewouldsighforLondon,acrosstheNorthSeaofthelapseofyears.But,ifthisyoungladywasnotagoodlittlegirlanddidherboiledbeetroot,theiger-manwouldputonhisbigblacktravellingcloaklihfur,justlikeyourdaddys,andhiretheErl-Kingsgalloperofwindandridethroughthenightstraighttothenurseryand--
Yes,mybeauty!GOBBLEYOUUP!
HowIdsquealindelightedterror,halfbelievingher,halfknowingthatsheteasedme.AndtherewerethingsIkhatImustnottellher.Inourlostfarmyard,wherethegigglingnursemaidsinitiatedmeintothemysteriesofwhatthebulldidtothecows,Iheardaboutthewaggonersdaughter.Hush,hush,dooyournursiewesaidso;thewaggonerslass,hare-lipped,squint-eyed,uglyassin,whowouldhavetakenher?Yet,tohershame,herbellyswelledamidthecruelmockeryoftheostlersandhersonwasbornofabear,theywhispered.Bornwithafullpeltahatprovedit.But,whenhegrewup,hewasagoodshepherd,althoughhenevermarried,livedinahutoutsidethevillageandakethewindblowanywayhewaobesidesbeingabletotellwhicheggswouldbeecocks,whis.
Thewpeasantsoncebroughtmyfatheraskullwithhornsfourincheslohersideofitandwouldnotgobacktothefieldwheretheirpoorploughdisturbedituntilthepriestwentwiththem;forthisskullhadthejaw-boneofaman,haditnot?
Oldwivestales,nurseryfears!IknewwellenoughthereasonforthetrepidationIcosilytitillatedwithsuperstitiousmarvelsofmychildhoodonthedaymychildhoodended.FornowmyownskinwasmysolecapitalintheworldandtodayIdmakemyfirstiment.
Wehadleftthecityfarbehindusandwerenowtraversingawide,flatdishofsnowwherethemutilatedstumpsofthewillowsflourishedtheirciliateheadsathwartfrozenditches;mistdimihehorizhtdowntheskyuntilitseemednomorethanafewinchesaboveus.Asfaraseyecouldsee,notohingliving.Howstarveling,howbereftthedeadseasonofthisspuriousEdeninwhichallthefruitwasblightedbycold!Andmyfrailroses,alreadyfaded.Iopehecarriagedoorandtossedthedefunctbouquetintotherucked,frost-stiffmudoftheroad.Suddenlyasharp,freezingwindaroseaedmyfacewithadryriceofpowderedsnow.Themistliftedsuffitlytorevealbeforemeanacreageofhalf-derelictfacadesofsheerredbrick,thevastman-trap,themegalomaniaccitadelofhispalazzo.
Itwasaworldinitselfbutadeadone,aburned-outpla.IsawTheBeastboughtsolitude,notluxury,withhismoney.
Thelittleblackhorsetrottedsmartlythroughthefiguredbronzedoorsthatstoodopentotheweatherlikethoseofabarnandthevalethandedmeoutofthecarriageontothescarredtilesofthegreathallitself,intotheodorouswarmthofastable,sweetwithhay,acridwithhorsedung.Anequinechorusofneighingsandsoftdrummingsofhoovesbrokeoutbehetallroof,wherethebeamswerescabbedwithlastsummersswallowss;adozengracilemuzzlesliftedfromtheirmangersandturowardsus,earserect.TheBeasthadgivenhishorsestheuseofthediningroom.Thewallswerepainted,aptlyenough,withafrescoofhorses,dogsandmeninawoodwherefruitandblossomgrewontheboughtogether.
Thevalettolitelyatmysleeve.Milordiswaiting.
Gapingdoorsandbrokenwindowsletthewindineverywhere.Wemountedoaircaseafteranother,ourfeetcloppingonthemarble.Througharchendlimpsedsuitesofvaultedchambersopeniofanotherlikesystemsofeseboxesintotheinfiniteplexityoftheinnardsoftheplace.HeandIandthewiheonlythingsstirring;andallthefurniturewasunderdustsheets,thedeliersbundledupincloth,picturestakenfromtheirhooksandproppedwiththeirfacestothewallsasiftheirmastercouldolookatthem.Thepalacewasdismantled,asifitsownerwereabouttomovehouseorhadneverproperlymovedin;TheBeasthadchosentoliveinanuninhabitedplace.
Thevaletdartedmeareassuringglanhisbrown,eloquenteyes,yetaglahsomuchqueersuperciliousnessinitthatitdidnote,aboundingaheadofmeonhisbandylegs,softlychatteringtohimself.Iheldmyheadhighandfollowedhim;butforallmypride,myheartwasheavy.
Milordhashiseyriehighabovethehouse,asmall,stifling,darkenedroom;hekeepshisshutterslockedatnoon.Iwasoutofbreathbythetimewereacheditaurohimthesilehwhichhegreetedme.Iwillnotsmile.Heile.
Inhisrarelydisturbedprivacy,TheBeastwearsagarmentofOttomandesign,aloose,dullpurplegownwithgoldembroideryroundthehatfallsfromhisshoulderstocealhisfeet.Thefeetofthechairhesitsinarehandsomelyclawed.Hehideshishandsinhisamplesleeves.Theartificialmasterpieceofhisfaceappalsme.Asmallfireinasmallgrate.Arushingwindrattlestheshutters.
Thevaletcoughed.Tohimfellthedelicatetaskoftransmittingtomehismasterswishes."Mymaster--"
Astickfellie.Itmadeamightyclatterinthatdreadfulsilehevaletstarted,losthisplahisspeech,beganagain."Mymasterhasbutonedesire."
Thethick,rich,wildstwithwhichMilordhadsoakedhimselfthepreviouseveninghangsallaboutus,asdsincursivebluefromthesmokeholeofapreciousesepot."Hewishesonly--"
Now,inthefayimpassivity,thevalettwittered,hisironipone,forthedesireofamaster,howevertrivial,mayyetsoundunbearablyiihofaservantandhisroleofgo-betweenclearlycausedhimagooddealofembarrassment.Hegulped;heswallowed,atlasttrivedtounleashanunpunctuatedflood.
"Mymasterssoledesireistoseetheprettyyoungladyunclothedhoutherdressandthatonlyfortheoimeafterwhichshewillbereturoherfatherundamagedwithbankersordersforthesumwhichhelosttomymasteratcardsandalsoanumberoffissuchasfurs,jewelsandhorses--"
Iremaianding.Duringthisinterview,myeyeswerelevelwiththoseihemaskthatnowevadedmineasif,tohiscredit,hewasashamedofhisownrequestevenashismouthpiecemadeitforhim.Agitato,moltoagitato,thevaletwrunghiswhite-glovedhands.
"Desnuda--"
Icouldscarcelybelievemyears.Iletoutaraucousguffaw;noyoungladylaughslikethat!myoldnurseusedtoremonstrate.ButIdid.Anddo.Attheclamourofmyheartlessmirth,thevaletdancedbackwardswithpeturbation,palpitatinghisfingersasifattemptingtowrenchthemoff,expostulating,wordlesslypleading.IfeltthatIowedittohimtomakemyreplyinasexquisiteaTusasIaster.
"Youmayputmeinawindowlessroom,sir,andIpromiseyouIwillpullmyskirtuptomywaist,readyforyou.Buttheremustbeasheetovermyface,tohideit;thoughthesheetmustbelaidovermesolightlythatitwillnote.SoIshallbecoveredpletelyfromthewaistupwards,andnolights.Thereyouvisitmeonce,sir,andonlytheoerthatImustbedrivelytothecityanddepositedinthepublicsquare,infrontofthechurch.IfyouwishtogivememohenIshouldbepleasedtoreceiveit.ButImuststressthatyoushouldgivemeonlythesameamountofmohatyouwouldgivetoanyotherwomaninsuchcircumstances.However,ifyouchoosenottogivemeapresent,thenthatisyht."
HowpleasedIwastoseeIstruckTheBeasttotheheart!For,afterabakersdoze-beats,onesiearswelled,glittering,attheerofthemaskedeye.Atear!Atear,Ihoped,ofshame.Theteartrembledforamomentonanedgeofpaintedbohentumbleddownthepaintedcheektofall,withanabrupttihetiledfloor.
Thevalet,tigandclugtohimself,hastilyusheredmeoutoftheroom.Amauvecloudofhismastersperfumebillowedoutintothechillcorridorwithusanddissipateditselfonthespinningwinds.松语文学www.16sy.coM免费小说阅读
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