登陆注册
5154600000159

第159章

While she was conjecturing with Annette what could thus occasion his absence, they heard a key turn in the lock of the gate near them, and presently saw a man advancing.It was Barnardine, of whom Emily hastily enquired what he had to communicate, and desired, that he would tell her quickly, 'for I am chilled with this evening air,'

said she.

'You must dismiss your maid, lady,' said the man in a voice, the deep tone of which shocked her, 'what I have to tell is to you only.'

Emily, after some hesitation, desired Annette to withdraw to a little distance.'Now, my friend, what would you say?'

He was silent a moment, as if considering, and then said,--'That which would cost me my place, at least, if it came to the Signor's ears.You must promise, lady, that nothing shall ever make you tell a syllable of the matter; I have been trusted in this affair, and, if it was known, that I betrayed my trust, my life, perhaps, might answer it.But I was concerned for you, lady, and Iresolved to tell you.' He paused.--

Emily thanked him, assured him that he might repose on her discretion, and entreated him to dispatch.

'Annette told us in the hall how unhappy you was about Signora Montoni, and how much you wished to know what was become of her.'

'Most true,' said Emily eagerly, 'and you can inform me.I conjure you tell me the worst, without hesitation.' She rested her trembling arm upon the wall.

'I can tell you,' said Barnardine, and paused.--Emily had no power to enforce her entreaties.

'I CAN tell you,' resumed Barnardine,--'but'--'But what?' exclaimed Emily, recovering her resolution.

'Here I am, ma'amselle,' said Annette, who, having heard the eager tone, in which Emily pronounced these words, came running towards her.

'Retire!' said Barnardine, sternly; 'you are not wanted;' and, as Emily said nothing, Annette obeyed.

'I CAN tell you,' repeated the porter,--'but I know not how--you was afflicted before.'--'I am prepared for the worst, my friend,' said Emily, in a firm and solemn voice.'I can support any certainty better than this suspense.'

'Well, Signora, if that is the case, you shall hear.--You know, Isuppose, that the Signor and his lady used sometimes to disagree.It is none of my concerns to enquire what it was about, but I believe you know it was so.'

'Well,' said Emily, 'proceed.'

'The Signor, it seems, had lately been very wrath against her.I saw all, and heard all,--a great deal more than people thought for; but it was none of my business, so I said nothing.A few days ago, the Signor sent for me."Barnardine," says he, "you are--an honest man, I think I can trust you." I assured his excellenza that he could.

"Then," says he, as near as I can remember, "I have an affair in hand, which I want you to assist me in."--Then he told me what I was to do; but that I shall say nothing about--it concerned only the Signora.'

'O Heavens!' exclaimed Emily--'what have you done?'

Barnardine hesitated, and was silent.

'What fiend could tempt him, or you, to such an act!' cried Emily, chilled with horror, and scarcely able to support her fainting spirits.

'It was a fiend,' said Barnardine in a gloomy tone of voice.They were now both silent;--Emily had not courage to enquire further, and Barnardine seemed to shrink from telling more.At length he said, 'It is of no use to think of the past; the Signor was cruel enough, but he would be obeyed.What signified my refusing? He would have found others, who had no scruples.'

'You have murdered her, then!' said Emily, in a hollow and inward voice--'I am talking with a murderer!' Barnardine stood silent;while Emily turned from him, and attempted to leave the place.

'Stay, lady!' said he, 'You deserve to think so still--since you can believe me capable of such a deed.'

'If you are innocent, tell me quickly,' said Emily, in faint accents, 'for I feel I shall not be able to hear you long.'

'I will tell you no more,' said he, and walked away.Emily had just strength enough to bid him stay, and then to call Annette, on whose arm she leaned, and they walked slowly up the rampart, till they heard steps behind them.It was Barnardine again.

'Send away the girl,' said he, 'and I will tell you more.'

'She must not go,' said Emily; 'what you have to say, she may hear.'

'May she so, lady?' said he.'You shall know no more, then;' and he was going, though slowly, when Emily's anxiety, overcoming the resentment and fear, which the man's behaviour had roused, she desired him to stay, and bade Annette retire.

'The Signora is alive,' said he, 'for me.She is my prisoner, though; his excellenza has shut her up in the chamber over the great gates of the court, and I have the charge of her.I was going to have told you, you might see her--but now--'

Emily, relieved from an unutterable load of anguish by this speech, had now only to ask Barnardine's forgiveness, and to conjure, that he would let her visit her aunt.

He complied with less reluctance, than she expected, and told her, that, if she would repair, on the following night, when the Signor was retired to rest, to the postern-gate of the castle, she should, perhaps, see Madame Montoni.

同类推荐
  • Stories Of The Supernatural

    Stories Of The Supernatural

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 弘明集

    弘明集

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 十四经发挥

    十四经发挥

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 魁罡六锁秘法

    魁罡六锁秘法

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 登游齐山

    登游齐山

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 业绩才是硬道理

    业绩才是硬道理

    在市场的大草原上,胜者永远是竞争力强的狼。在“弱肉强食”的动物界,狼族的竞争尤其强烈。狼不但要面对与其他动物种类之间的竞争,而且还要面对狼群之间的激烈竞争。
  • 你要我说什么

    你要我说什么

    我的话到底能起作用。韦子林终于往嘴里夹了第一口菜,端起杯子跟我的杯子碰了碰,喝了第一口果茶。韦子林说:“她既然无情,我也无须有义。你说的不是没有道理。我同意分手,不过我有一个条件,她必须赔我花在她身上所有的钱,花多少钱,她心里应该有数。萧祖欣,你说我这要求过分不过分?”我说:“不过分,我回去跟华岚说。”出餐厅,韦子林朝我伸出一只手,我也伸手与他相握了一下。他的手冰凉。恋爱谈到对方要拿钞票论赔作为分手条件的份上,有意思吗?没有。
  • 武神遗迹

    武神遗迹

    九红门,一个兴盛千年的宗门。靠着本门绝学的九式剑技闻名天下,自初代宗主苏奎开创九式剑技以来,每一代宗主无不是出色的人物。直到一千年后的今天,宗主苏扬天,自创绝技七法:破气,混沌,锁链,百花破,千花绽,万花湮,人剑合一。苏扬天被誉为全天下最出色的剑尊,也是最年轻的。而新一代人,苏扬天的三个儿子苏晨,苏锐,苏黎其天赋不下历代宗门子弟。
  • 为了折翼的天使

    为了折翼的天使

    《为了折翼的天使:清平教育之全纳教育》一书,由清平小学校长武际金主编,是对清平小学实践全纳教育3年来的一个阶段总结。该书以一所普通学校接纳孤残儿童开展全纳教育的生动教育实例向我们揭示了:只要我们的学校愿意接受并运用全纳教育的理念作指导,只要我们的校长和教师真心实意地将全纳教育理念运用于教育实践,通过长期的坚持和努力,通过不断的教育创新,依托社会各界的关心和支持,那么普通的学校也能办成优质的、理想的全纳学校。清平小学的教育实践又一次证明了全纳教育在中国也是可行的。
  • La Grande Breteche

    La Grande Breteche

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 颜少,别来无恙

    颜少,别来无恙

    黎洛有过三次婚期,三次都错过了,跟同一个男人……她以为她此生都不会再爱,他却最终宠她入骨!还说什么对她不感兴趣,呸,撒谎!如此口是心非,一本书都写不完!不过,我喜欢.....
  • 异界漂流者

    异界漂流者

    雇佣兵带着装备穿越到了异世,刚来就捡了个穿越的西楚霸王!撩个兽人女王竟然也是穿来的!啥?还有更多五花八门的穿越者?想要做主角的?先问问其他的穿越者同意不同意吧!云诡波谲的异世,穿越者的来到,能否打破联盟与帝国相互对立的格局,统一各大族群?高科技与斗气和魔法的相互碰撞与融合,又是否能擦出绚丽的火花?战火起,谁是主角,谁主沉浮!
  • 成唯识论演秘

    成唯识论演秘

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 重生之名门闺秀

    重生之名门闺秀

    她乖巧听话,柔弱腼腆,以求博得到家人的认同和关爱,可惜换来的不过是她们的蔑视和谋算;她对他温柔体贴、关怀备至,以求和他白头偕老,举案齐眉,可惜换来的却是一场以死亡为代价的无情的阴谋…她是她最好的朋友,最后却亲手将她推入那死亡的深渊。她是她最忠实的婢女,最后却亲手将她送上了死亡之路。他是她的天,她的一切,最后却默许她的红颜知己将她送入黄泉……现在老天给了她一次机会,她必不会重蹈覆辙,为自己博得一个自由自在的幸福生活。时过境迁,她站在他难以仰望的高度,轻蔑的看着这他曾倾尽一生的男子,淡淡一笑拂袖而过。在众人艳羡的目光中,她携着满脸深情的倾城男子之手,飘然而去…
  • 月来

    月来

    雾海茫茫修仙路,众生芸芸苦江湖。仙神缥缈力不缓,不入仙道终不还。青冥浩荡迷人眼,危楼古镜影犹寒。云破月来光弄影,拨云见日朗乾坤。