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第4章

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Udolpho。 They had been heard; however; to observe; that the famous
incident of the Black Veil singularly resembled the ancient apologue of the
Mountain in Labour; so that they were unquestionably critics; as well as
admirers。 Besides all this; they had valorously mounted en croupe behind
the ghostly horseman of Prague; through all his seven translators; and
followed the footsteps of Moor through the forest of Bohemia。 Moreover;
it was even hinted (but this was a greater mystery than all the rest); that
a certain performance; called the _Monk;_ in three neat volumes; had been
seen; by a prying eye; in the right…hand drawer of the Indian cabinet of
Lady Ratcliff's dressing room。 Thus predisposed for wonders and signs;
Lady Ratcliff and her nymphs drew their chairs round a large blazing wood…fire;
and arranged themselves to listen to the tale。 To that fire I also
approached; moved thereunto partly by the inclemency of the season; and
partly that my deafness; which you know; cousin; I acquired during my
campaign under Prince Charles Edward; might be no obstacle to the
gratification of my curiosity; which was awakened by what had any
reference to the fate of such faithful followers of royalty; as you well know
the house of Ratcliff have ever been。 To this wood…fire the Vicar likewise
drew near; and reclined himself conveniently in his chair; seemingly disposed
to testify his disrespect for the narration and narrator by falling
asleep as soon as he conveniently could。 By the side of Maxwell (by the
way; I cannot learn that he is in the least related to the Nithsdale family)
was placed a small table and a couple of lights; by the assistance of which
he read as follows:…

‘‘=Journal of Jan Von Eulen。=

  ‘‘On the 6th November 1645; I; Jan Von Eulen; merchant in Rotterdam;
embarked with my only daughter on board of the good vessel Vryheid of
Amsterdam; in order to pass into the unhappy and disturbed kingdom of
England。 7th November…a brisk gale…daughter sea…sick…myself unable
to complete the calculation which I have begun; of the inheritance left by
Jane Lansache of Carlisle; my late dear wife's sister; the collection of which
is the object of my voyage。 8th November…wind still stormy and adverse
…a horrid disaster nearly happened…my dear child washed overboard as
the vessel lurched to leeward。…Memorandum; to reward the young sailor
who saved her; out of the first monies which I can recover from the inheritance
of her aunt Lansache。 9th November…calm…P。M。 light breezes
from N。N。W。 I talked with the captain about the inheritance of my sister…in…law;
Jane Lansache。…He says he knows the principal subject; which will
not exceed 1000 in value。 _N。B。_ He is a cousin to a family of Petersons;
which was the name of the husband of my sister…in…law; so there is room
to hope it may be worth more than he reports。 10th November; 10 A。M。
…May God pardon all our sins!…An English frigate; bearing the Parliament
flag; has appeared in the offing; and gives chase。…11 A。M。 She nears
us every moment; and the captain of our vessel prepares to clear for action。
…May God again have mercy upon us!''

* * * * * * *

  ‘‘Here;'' said Maxwell; ‘‘the journal with which I have opened the
narration ends somewhat abruptly。''

  ‘‘I am glad of it;'' said Lady Ratcliff。

  ‘‘But; Mr。 Maxwell;'' said young Frank; Sir Henry's grandchild; ‘‘shall
we not hear how the battle ended?''

  I do not know; cousin; whether I have not formerly made you acquainted
with the abilities of Frank Ratcliff。 There is not a battle fought between
the troops of the Prince and of the Government; during the years 17456;
of which he is not able to give an account。 It is true; I have taken particular
pains to fix the events of this important period upon his memory by
frequent repetition。

  ‘‘No; my dear;'' said Maxwell; in answer to young Frank Ratcliff…‘‘No;
my dear; I cannot tell you the exact particulars of the engagement; but its
consequences appear from the following letter; despatched by Garbonete
Von Eulen; daughter of our journalist; to a relation in England; from whom
she implored assistance。 After some general account of the purpose of
the voyage; and of the engagement; her narrative proceeds thus:…

  ‘‘The noise of the cannon had hardly ceased; before the sounds of a
language to me but half known; and the confusion on board our vessel; informed
me that the captors had boarded us; and taken possession of our
vessel。 I went on deck; where the first spectacle that met my eyes was a
young man; mate of our vessel; who; though disfigured and covered with
blood; was loaded with irons; and whom they were forcing over the side of
the vessel into a boat。 The two principal persons among our enemies
appeared to be a man of a tall thin figure; with a high…crowned hat and
long neckband; and short…cropped head of hair; accompanied by a bluff
open…looking elderly man in a naval uniform。 ‘Yarely! yarely! pull
away; my hearts!' said the latter; and the boat bearing the unlucky young
man soon carried him on board the frigate。 Perhaps you will blame me
for mentioning this circumstance; but consider; my dear cousin; this man
saved my life; and his fate; even when my own and my father's were in the
balance; could not but affect me nearly。

  ‘‘ ‘In the name of him who is jealous; even to slaying;' said the first''…


* * * *

CETERA DESUNT。




GENERAL PREFACE; p。 

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