droll stories-3-第14章
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/ite missa est/; and departed; leaving her so sanctified that the
wrath of heaven would have great difficulty in discovering any portion
of the girl that was not thoroughly monasticated。
By his orders; Perrotte conducted him to Mademoiselle de Cande; the
lord's sister; to whom he went in order to learn if it was her desire
to confess to him; because monks came so rarely to the castle。 The
lady was delighted; as would any good Christian have been; at such a
chance of clearing out her conscience。 Amador requested her to show
him her conscience; and she having allowed him to see that which he
considered the conscience of old maids; he found it in a bad state;
and told her that the sins of women were accomplished there; that to
be for the future without sin it was necessary to have the conscience
corked up by a monk's indulgence。 The poor ignorant lady having
replied that she did not know where these indulgences were to be had;
the monk informed her that he had a relic with him which enabled him
to grant one; that nothing was more indulgent than this relic; because
without saying a word it produced infinite pleasures; which is the
true; eternal and primary character of an indulgence。 The poor lady
was so pleased with this relic; the virtue of which she tried in
various ways; that her brain became muddled; and she had so much faith
in it that she indulged as devoutly in indulgences as the Lady of
Cande had indulged in vengeances。 This business of confession woke up
the younger Demoiselle de Cande; who came to watch the proceedings。
You may imagine that the monk had hoped for this occurrence; since his
mouth had watered at the sight of this fair blossom; whom he also
confessed; because the elder lady could not hinder him from bestowing
upon the younger one; who wished it; what remained of the indulgences。
But; remember; this pleasure was due to him for the trouble he had
taken。 The morning having dawned; the pigs having eaten their tripe;
and the cats having become disenchanted with love; and having watered
all the places rubbed with herbs; Amador went to rest himself in his
bed; which Perrotte had put straight again。 Every one slept; thanks to
the monk; so long; that no one in the castle was up before noon; which
was the dinner hour。 The servants all believed the monk to be a devil
who had carried off the cats; the pigs; and also their masters。 In
spite of these ideas however; every one was in the room at meal time。
〃Come; my father;〃 said the chatelaine; giving her arm to the monk;
whom she put at her side in the baron's chair; to the great
astonishment of the attendants; because the Sire of Cande said not a
word。 〃Page; give some of this to Father Amador;〃 said madame。
〃Father Amador has need of so and so;〃 said the Demoiselle de Cande。
〃Fill up Father Amador's goblet;〃 said the sire。
〃Father Amador has no bread;〃 said the little lady。
〃What do you require; Father Amador?〃 said Perrotte。
It was Father Amador here; and Father Amador there。 He was regaled
like a little maiden on her wedding night。
〃Eat; father;〃 said madame; 〃you made such a bad meal yesterday。〃
〃Drink; father;〃 said the sire。 〃you are; s'blood! the finest monk I
have ever set eyes on。〃
〃Father Amador is a handsome monk;〃 said Perrotte。
〃An indulgent monk;〃 said the demoiselle。
〃A beneficent monk;〃 said the little one。
〃A great monk;〃 said the lady。
〃A monk who well deserves his name;〃 said the clerk of the castle。
Amador munched and chewed; tried all the dishes; lapped up the
hypocras; licked his chops; sneezed; blew himself out; strutted and
stamped about like a bull in a field。 The others regarded him with
great fear; believing him to be a magician。 Dinner over; the Lady of
Cande; the demoiselle; and the little one; besought the Sire of Cande
with a thousand fine arguments; to terminate the litigation。 A great
deal was said to him by madame; who pointed out to him how useful a
monk was in a castle; by mademoiselle; who wished for the future to
polish up her conscience every day; by the little one; who pulled her
father's beard; and asked that this monk might always be at Cande。 If
ever the difference were arranged; it would be by the monk: the monk
was of a good understanding; gentle and virtuous as a saint; it was a
misfortune to be at enmity with a monastery containing such monks。 If
all the monks were like him; the abbey would always have everywhere
the advantage of the castle; and would ruin it; because this monk was
very strong。 Finally; they gave utterance to a thousand reasons; which
were like a deluge of words; and were so pluvially showered down that
the sire yielded; saying; that there would never be a moment's peace
in the house until matters were settled to the satisfaction of the
women。 Then he sent for the clerk; who wrote down for him; and also
for the monk。 Then Amador surprised them exceedingly by showing them
the charters and the letters of credit; which would prevent the sire
and his clerk delaying this agreement。 When the Lady of Cande saw them
about to put an end to this old case; she went to the linen chest to
get some fine cloth to make a new gown for her dear Amador。 Every one
in the house had noticed how this old gown was worn; and it would have
been a great shame to leave such a treasure in such a worn…out case。
Everyone was eager to work at the gown。 Madame cut it; the servant put
the hood on; the demoiselle sewed it; and the little demoiselle worked
at the sleeves。 And all set so heartily to work to adorn the monk;
that the robe was ready by supper time; as was also the charter of
agreement prepared and sealed by the Sire de Cande。
〃Ah; my father!〃 said the lady; 〃if you love us; you will refresh
yourself after your merry labour by washing yourself in a bath that I
have had heated by Perrotte。〃
Amador was then bathed in scented water。 When he came out he found a
new robe of fine linen and lovely sandals ready for him; which made
him appear the most glorious monk in the world。
Meanwhile the monks of Turpenay fearing for Amador; had ordered two of
their number to spy about the castle。 These spies came round by the
moat; just as Perrotte threw Amador's greasy old gown; with other
rubbish; into it。 Seeing which; they thought that it was all over with
the poor madman。 They therefore returned; and announced that it was
certain Amador had suffered martyrdom in the service of the abbey。
Hearing which the abbot ordered them to assemble in the chapel and
pray to God; in order to assist this devoted servant in his torments。
The monk having supped; put his charter into his girdle; and wished to
return to Turpenay。 Then he found at the foot of the steps madame's
mare; bridled and saddled; and held ready for him by a groom。 The lord
had ordered his men…at…arms to accompany the good monk; so that no
accident might befall him。 Seeing which; Amador pardoned the tricks of
the night before; and bestowed his benediction upon every one before
taking his departure from this converted place。 Madame followed him
with her eyes; and proclaimed him a splendid rider。 Perrotte declared
that for a monk he held himself more upright in the saddle than any of
the men…at…arms。 Mademoiselle de Cande sighed。 The little one wished
to have him for her confessor。
〃He has sanctified the castle;〃 said they; when they were in the room
again。
When Amador and his suite came to the gates of the abbey; a scene of
terror ensued; since the guardian thought that the Sire de Cande had
had his appetite for monks whetted by the blood of poor Amador; and
wished to sack the abbey。 But Amador shouted with his fine bass voice;
and was recognised and admitted into the courtyard; and when he
dismounted from madame's mare there was enough uproar to make the
monks as a wild as April moons。 They gave vent to shouts of joy in the
refectory; and all came to congratulate