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第7章

nisida-第7章

小说: nisida 字数: 每页4000字

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no danger。'  You can understand now why; at night; when we are
crossing the gulf; my eyes are always fixed on that lamp。  I have a
belief that nothing could shake; which is that on the day that light
goes out my sister's soul will have taken flight to heaven。〃

〃Well;〃 cried Bastiano in an abrupt tone that betrayed the emotion of
his heart; 〃if you prefer to stay; I will go alone。〃

〃Farewell;〃 said Gabriel; without turning aside his eyes from the
window towards which he felt himself drawn by a fascination for which
he could not account。  Bastiano disappeared; and Nisida's brother;
assisted by the waves; was drawing nearer and nearer to the shore;
when; at all once; he uttered a terrible cry which sounded above the
noise of the tempest。

The star had just been extinguished; the lamp had been blown out。

〃My sister is dead!〃 cried Gabriel and; leaping into the sea; he
cleft the waves with the rapidity of lightning。

The storm had redoubled its intensity; long lines of lightning;
rending the sides of the clouds; bathed everything in their tawny and
intermittent light。  The fisherman perceived a ladder leaning against
the front of his home; seized it with a convulsive hand; and in three
bounds flung himself into the room。  The prince felt himself
strangely moved on making his way into this pure and silent retreat。
The calm and gentle gaze of the Virgin who seemed to be protecting
the rest of the sleeping girl; that perfume of innocence shed around
the maidenly couch; that lamp; open…eyed amid the shadows; like a
soul in prayer; had inspired the seducer with an unknown distress。
Irritated by what he called an absurd cowardice; he had extinguished
the obtrusive light; and was advancing towards the bed; and
addressing unspoken reproaches to himself; when Gabriel swooped upon
him with a wounded tiger's fierce gnashing of the teeth。

Brancaleone; by a bold and rapid movement that showed no common
degree of skill and bravery; while struggling in the grasp of his
powerful adversary; drew forth in his right hand a long dagger with a
fine barbed blade。  Gabriel smiled scornfully; snatched the weapon
from him; and even as he stooped to break it across his knee; gave
the prince a furious blow with his head that made him stagger and
sent him rolling on the floor; three paces away; then; leaning over
his poor sister and gazing on her with hungry eyes; by the passing
gleam of a flash; 〃Dead!〃 he repeated; wringing his arms in despair;
〃dead!〃

In the fearful paroxysm that compressed his throat he could find no
other words to assuage his rage or to pour forth his woe。  His hair;
which the storm had flattened; rose on his head; the marrow of his
bones was chilled; and he felt his tears rush back upon his heart。
It was a terrible moment; he forgot that the murderer still lived。

The prince; however; whose admirable composure did not for a moment
desert him; had risen; bruised and bleeding。  Pale and trembling with
rage; he sought everywhere for a weapon with which to avenge himself。
Gabriel returned towards him gloomier and more ominous than ever; and
grasping his neck with an iron hand; dragged him into the room where
the old man was sleeping。

〃Father!  father!  father!〃 he cried in a piercing voice; 〃here is
the Bastard who Has just murdered Nisida!〃

The old man; who had drunk but a few drops of the narcotic potion;
was awakened by this cry which echoed through his soul; he arose as
though moved by a spring; flung off his coverings; and with that
promptitude of action that God has bestowed upon mothers in moments
of danger; event up to his daughter's room; found a light; knelt on
the edge of the bed; and began to test his child's pulse and watch
her breathing with mortal anxiety。

All! this had passed in less time than we have taken in telling it。
Brancaleone by an unheard…of effort had freed himself from the hands
of the young fisherman; and suddenly resuming his princely pride;
said in a loud voice; 〃You shall not kill me without listening to
me。〃

Gabriel would have overwhelmed him with Bitter reproaches; but;
unable to utter a single word; he burst into tears。

〃Your sifter is not dead;〃 said the prince; with cold dignity; 〃she
is merely asleep。  You can assure yourself of it; and meanwhile I
undertake; upon my Honour; not to move a single step away。〃

These words were pronounced with such an accent of truth that the
fisherman was struck by them。  An unexpected gleam of hope suddenly
dawned in his thoughts; he cast upon the stranger a glance of hate
and distrust; and muttered in a muffled voice; 〃Do not flatter
yourself; in any case; that you will be able to escape me。〃

Then he went up to his sister's room; and approaching the old man;
asked tremblingly; 〃Well; father?〃

Solomon thrust him gently aside with the solicitude of a mother
removing some buzzing insect from her child's cradle; and; making a
sign to enjoin silence; added in a low voice; 〃She is neither dead
nor poisoned。  Some philtre has been given to her for a bad purpose。
Her breathing is even; and she cannot fail to recover from her
lethargy。〃

Gabriel; reassured about Nisida's life; returned silently to the
ground floor where he had left the seducer。  His manner was grave and
gloomy; he was coming now not to rend the murderer of his sister with
his hands; but to elucidate a treacherous and infamous mystery; and
to avenge his honour which had been basely attacked。  He opened wide
the double entrance door that admitted daylight to the apartment in
which; on the few nights that he spent at home; he was accustomed to
sleep with his father。  The rain had just stopped; a ray of moonlight
pierced the clouds; and all at once made its way into the room。  The
fisherman adjusted his dripping garments; walked towards the
stranger; who awaited him without stirring; and after having gazed
upon him haughtily; said; 〃Now you are going to explain your presence
in our house。〃

〃I confess;〃 said the prince; in an easy tone and with the most
insolent assurance; 〃that appearances are against me。  It is the fate
of lovers to be treated as thieves。  But although I have not the
advantage of being known to you; I am betrothed to the fair Nisida
with your father's approval; of course。  Now; as I have the
misfortune to possess very hardhearted parents; they have had the
cruelty to refuse me their consent。  Love led me astray; and I was
about to be guilty of a fault for which a young man like you ought to
have some indulgence。  Furthermore; it was nothing but a mere attempt
at an abduction; with the best intentions in the world; I swear; and
I am ready to atone for everything if you will agree to give me your
hand and call me your brother。〃

〃I will agree to call you a coward and a betrayer!〃 replied Gabriel;
whose face had begun to glow; as he heard his sister spoken of with
such impudent levity。  〃If it is thus that insults are avenged in
towns; we fishers have a different plan。  Ah! so you flattered
yourself with the thought of bringing desolation aid disgrace into
our home; and of paying infamous assassins to come and share an old
man's bread so as to poison his daughter; of stealing by night; like
a brigand; armed with a dagger; into my sister's room; and of being
let off by marrying the most beautiful woman in the kingdom!〃

The prince made a movement。

〃Listen;〃 continued Gabriel: 〃I could break you as I broke your
dagger just now; but I have pity on you。  I see that you can do
nothing with your hands; neither defend yourself nor work。  Go; I
begin to understand; you are a braggart; my fine sir; your poverty is
usurped; you have decked yourself in these poor clothes; but you are
unworthy of them。〃

He suffered a glance of crushing contempt to fall upon the prince;
then going to a cupboard hidden in the wall; he drew out a rifle and
an axe。

〃Here;〃 said he; 〃are all the weapons in the house; choose。〃

A flash of joy illuminated the countenance of the prince; who had
hitherto suppressed his rage。  He seized the rifle eagerly; drew
three steps backward; and drawing himself up to his full height;
said; 〃You would have done better to lend me this weapon a

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