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第45章

st. ives-第45章

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took a pinch of snuff; and looked at me while he was taking it with 

an air of much curiosity。



'Is it even so?' said he。  'Am I so far favoured by fortune as to 

have your pity?  Infinitely obliged; my cousin Anne!  But these 

sentiments are not always reciprocal; and I warn you that the day 

when I set my foot on your neck; the spine shall break。  Are you 

acquainted with the properties of the spine?' he asked with an 

insolence beyond qualification。



It was too much。  'I am acquainted also with the properties of a 

pair of pistols;' said I; toising him。



'No; no; no!' says he; holding up his finger。  'I will take my 

revenge how and when I please。  We are enough of the same family to 

understand each other; perhaps; and the reason why I have not had 

you arrested on your arrival; why I had not a picket of soldiers in 

the first clump of evergreens; to await and prevent your coming … 

I; who knew all; before whom that pettifogger; Romaine; has been 

conspiring in broad daylight to supplant me … is simply this: that 

I had not made up my mind how I was to take my revenge。'



At that moment he was interrupted by the tolling of a bell。  As we 

stood surprised and listening; it was succeeded by the sound of 

many feet trooping up the stairs and shuffling by the door of our 

room。  Both; I believe; had a great curiosity to set it open; which 

each; owing to the presence of the other; resisted; and we waited 

instead in silence; and without moving; until Romaine returned and 

bade us to my uncle's presence。



He led the way by a little crooked passage; which brought us out in 

the sick…room; and behind the bed。  I believe I have forgotten to 

remark that the Count's chamber was of considerable dimensions。  We 

beheld it now crowded with the servants and dependants of the 

house; from the doctor and the priest to Mr。 Dawson and the 

housekeeper; from Dawson down to Rowley and the last footman in 

white calves; the last plump chambermaid in her clean gown and cap; 

and the last ostler in a stable waiscoat。  This large congregation 

of persons (and I was surprised to see how large it was) had the 

appearance; for the most part; of being ill at ease and heartily 

bewildered; standing on one foot; gaping like zanies; and those who 

were in the corners nudging each other and grinning aside。  My 

uncle; on the other hand; who was raised higher than I had yet seen 

him on his pillows; wore an air of really imposing gravity。  No 

sooner had we appeared behind him; than he lifted his voice to a 

good loudness; and addressed the assemblage。



'I take you all to witness … can you hear me? … I take you all to 

witness that I recognise as my heir and representative this 

gentleman; whom most of you see for the first time; the Viscount 

Anne de St。…Yves; my nephew of the younger line。  And I take you to 

witness at the same time that; for very good reasons known to 

myself; I have discarded and disinherited this other gentleman whom 

you all know; the Viscount de St。…Yves。  I have also to explain the 

unusual trouble to which I have put you all … and; since your 

supper was not over; I fear I may even say annoyance。  It has 

pleased M。 Alain to make some threats of disputing my will; and to 

pretend that there are among your number certain estimable persons 

who may be trusted to swear as he shall direct them。  It pleases me 

thus to put it out of his power and to stop the mouths of his false 

witnesses。  I am infinitely obliged by your politeness; and I have 

the honour to wish you all a very good evening。'



As the servants; still greatly mystified; crowded out of the 

sickroom door; curtseying; pulling the forelock; scraping with the 

foot; and so on; according to their degree; I turned and stole a 

look at my cousin。  He had borne this crushing public rebuke 

without change of countenance。  He stood; now; very upright; with 

folded arms; and looking inscrutably at the roof of the apartment。  

I could not refuse him at that moment the tribute of my admiration。  

Still more so when; the last of the domestics having filed through 

the doorway and left us alone with my great…uncle and the lawyer; 

he took one step forward towards the bed; made a dignified 

reverence; and addressed the man who had just condemned him to 

ruin。



'My lord;' said he; 'you are pleased to treat me in a manner which 

my gratitude; and your state; equally forbid me to call in 

question。  It will be only necessary for me to call your attention 

to the length of time in which I have been taught to regard myself 

as your heir。  In that position; I judged it only loyal to permit 

myself a certain scale of expenditure。  If I am now to be cut off 

with a shilling as the reward of twenty years of service; I shall 

be left not only a beggar; but a bankrupt。'



Whether from the fatigue of his recent exertion; or by a well…

inspired ingenuity of hate; my uncle had once more closed his eyes; 

nor did he open them now。  'Not with a shilling;' he contented 

himself with replying; and there stole; as he said it; a sort of 

smile over his face; that flickered there conspicuously for the 

least moment of time; and then faded and left behind the old 

impenetrable mask of years; cunning; and fatigue。  There could be 

no mistake: my uncle enjoyed the situation as he had enjoyed few 

things in the last quarter of a century。  The fires of life scarce 

survived in that frail body; but hatred; like some immortal 

quality; was still erect and unabated。



Nevertheless my cousin persevered。



'I speak at a disadvantage;' he resumed。  'My supplanter; with 

perhaps more wisdom than delicacy; remains in the room;' and he 

cast a glance at me that might have withered an oak tree。



I was only too willing to withdraw; and Romaine showed as much 

alacrity to make way for my departure。  But my uncle was not to be 

moved。  In the same breath of a voice; and still without opening 

his eyes; he bade me remain。



'It is well;' said Alain。  'I cannot then go on to remind you of 

the twenty years that have passed over our heads in England; and 

the services I may have rendered you in that time。  It would be a 

position too odious。  Your lordship knows me too well to suppose I 

could stoop to such ignominy。  I must leave out all my defence … 

your lordship wills it so!  I do not know what are my faults; I 

know only my punishment; and it is greater than I have the courage 

to face。  My uncle; I implore your pity: pardon me so far; do not 

send me for life into a debtors' jail … a pauper debtor。'



'CHAT ET VIEUX; PARDONNEZ?' said my uncle; quoting from La 

Fontaine; and then; opening a pale…blue eye full on Alain; he 

delivered with some emphasis:





'La jeunesse se flatte et croit tout obtenir;

La vieillesse est impitoyable。'





The blood leaped darkly into Alain's face。  He turned to Romaine 

and me; and his eyes flashed。



'It is your turn now;' he said。  'At least it shall be prison for 

prison with the two viscounts。'



'Not so; Mr。 Alain; by your leave;' said Romaine。  'There are a few 

formalities to be considered first。'



But Alain was already striding towards the door。



'Stop a moment; stop a moment!' cried Romaine。  'Remember your own 

counsel not to despise an adversary。'



Alain turned。



'If I do not despise I hate you!' he cried; giving a loose to his 

passion。  'Be warned of that; both of you。'



'I understand you to threaten Monsieur le Vicomte Anne;' said the 

lawyer。  'Do you know; I would not do that。  I am afraid; I am very 

much afraid; if you were to do as you propose; you might drive me 

into extremes。'



'You have made me a beggar and a bankrupt;' said Alain。  What 

extreme is left?'



'I scarce like to put a name upon it in this company;' replied 

Romaine。  'But there are worse things than even bankruptcy; and 

worse places than a debtors' jail。'



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