登陆注册
5154600000258

第258章

Now, they resound only one feeble voice--and even that will, ere long, be heard no more! My son, remember, that I was once as young as yourself, and that you must pass away like those, who have preceded you--like those, who, as they sung and danced in this once gay apartment, forgot, that years are made up of moments, and that every step they took carried them nearer to their graves.But such reflections are useless, I had almost said criminal, unless they teach us to prepare for eternity, since, otherwise, they cloud our present happiness, without guiding us to a future one.But enough of this; let us go on.'

Ludovico now opened the door of the bed-room, and the Count, as he entered, was struck with the funereal appearance, which the dark arras gave to it.He approached the bed, with an emotion of solemnity, and, perceiving it to be covered with the pall of black velvet, paused; 'What can this mean?' said he, as he gazed upon it.

'I have heard, my Lord,' said Ludovico, as he stood at the feet, looking within the canopied curtains, 'that the Lady Marchioness de Villeroi died in this chamber, and remained here till she was removed to be buried; and this, perhaps, Signor, may account for the pall.'

The Count made no reply, but stood for a few moments engaged in thought, and evidently much affected.Then, turning to Ludovico, he asked him with a serious air, whether he thought his courage would support him through the night? 'If you doubt this,' added the Count, 'do not be ashamed to own it; I will release you from your engagement, without exposing you to the triumphs of your fellow-servants.'

Ludovico paused; pride, and something very like fear, seemed struggling in his breast; pride, however, was victorious;--he blushed, and his hesitation ceased.

'No, my Lord,' said he, 'I will go through with what I have begun;and I am grateful for your consideration.On that hearth I will make a fire, and, with the good cheer in this basket, I doubt not I shall do well.'

'Be it so,' said the Count; 'but how will you beguile the tediousness of the night, if you do not sleep?'

'When I am weary, my Lord,' replied Ludovico, 'I shall not fear to sleep; in the meanwhile, I have a book, that will entertain me.'

'Well,' said the Count, 'I hope nothing will disturb you; but if you should be seriously alarmed in the night, come to my apartment.Ihave too much confidence in your good sense and courage, to believe you will be alarmed on slight grounds; or suffer the gloom of this chamber, or its remote situation, to overcome you with ideal terrors.

To-morrow, I shall have to thank you for an important service; these rooms shall then be thrown open, and my people will be convinced of their error.Good night, Ludovico; let me see you early in the morning, and remember what I lately said to you.'

'I will, my Lord; good night to your excellenza; let me attend you with the light.'

He lighted the Count and Henri through the chambers to the outer door; on the landing-place stood a lamp, which one of the affrighted servants had left, and Henri, as he took it up, again bade Ludovico good night, who, having respectfully returned the wish, closed the door upon them, and fastened it.Then, as he retired to the bed-chamber, he examined the rooms, through which he passed, with more minuteness than he had done before, for he apprehended, that some person might have concealed himself in them, for the purpose of frightening him.No one, however, but himself, was in these chambers, and, leaving open the doors, through which he passed, he came again to the great drawing-room, whose spaciousness and silent gloom somewhat awed him.For a moment he stood, looking back through the long suite of rooms he had quitted, and, as he turned, perceiving a light and his own figure, reflected in one of the large mirrors, he started.Other objects too were seen obscurely on its dark surface, but he paused not to examine them, and returned hastily into the bed-room, as he surveyed which, he observed the door of the oriel, and opened it.All within was still.On looking round, his eye was arrested by the portrait of the deceased Marchioness, upon which he gazed, for a considerable time, with great attention and some surprise; and then, having examined the closet, he returned into the bed-room, where he kindled a wood fire, the bright blaze of which revived his spirits, which had begun to yield to the gloom and silence of the place, for gusts of wind alone broke at intervals this silence.He now drew a small table and a chair near the fire, took a bottle of wine, and some cold provision out of his basket, and regaled himself.When he had finished his repast, he laid his sword upon the table, and, not feeling disposed to sleep, drew from his pocket the book he had spoken of.--It was a volume of old Provencal tales.Having stirred the fire upon the hearth, he began to read, and his attention was soon wholly occupied by the scenes, which the page disclosed.

同类推荐
  • 朝野新谭

    朝野新谭

    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。
  • RAMONA

    RAMONA

    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。
  • 佛说阿弥陀经要解

    佛说阿弥陀经要解

    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。
  • 大乘止观法门

    大乘止观法门

    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。
  • 佛说一切法高王经

    佛说一切法高王经

    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
  • 穿越之成为黛玉

    穿越之成为黛玉

    她,林潇湘,灵力使用者,现代有名的灵异师,武艺超卓,聪明过人,却无奈逃不过爱情的魔力,明知是欺骗也自愿上钩,落得心痛自杀的下场。阎王殿里,一场交易,带着前世的记忆,她一朝穿越,来到清朝成为那个有名的林妹妹,看她如何改写林妹妹的历史,带着前世情伤的她是否还会爱人?他,胤禛,一代霸主,却为妹妹魂牵梦绕,强势的想把她禁锢在身边:他,胤祀,一代贤王,为了那个倩影,甘心放弃一切,一切的一切只为了得到她;他,胤祥,一代侠王,不愿意陷入争斗,可是为了她,去争去抢,只是为了有能力保护她;他,胤帧,一代将军王,为了她奋发图强,奋勇杀敌,奈何芳心永远不属于她;他,冷傲寒,一代江湖霸主,为了她倾尽所有…他…林潇湘到底情归何处?其实一切的一切在开始的时候就已注定!本文男配甚多,最后一对一推荐自己的新书:《红楼之蝶玉雍祥》《凤帝天下》推荐姐姐的文章:《大小姐驾到》万夜星城推荐妹妹的文章:《绝情杀手妃》断雨一入v,收藏掉的哗哗的,蝶儿的眼泪哗哗的,但是蝶儿会努力写出更好的文文来让大家都接受的!fighting!
  • 逊清遗老的民国岁月

    逊清遗老的民国岁月

    《逊清遗老的民国岁月》主要内容:历史上,每一新旧朝代的更替,都会引起社会的剧烈动荡和政治力量的重新组合,有以新朝为“天命人旧”而顶礼膜拜者;有为旧朝尽忠殉难死节者;也有藏身与残山剩水之间,拒不合作者。他们头上顶着“义愤”“责任”“建设”,同时也在心中存着故朝归来的期待,但等到的却永远是泪尽胡尘里。他们,就是一群最可怜的帝国遗孤。被故朝抛弃,又不融于新朝的遗民们。
  • 女配病毒

    女配病毒

    某年某月某日,兰蓝打开电脑准备开个新坑。但是!电脑小说都遭病毒了,这个病毒叫做“女配”!竟然会把女主吞噬,然后改变小说,最后自己辛辛苦苦码的小说全部崩盘!那可是好多万字的小说呀!下个专杀“女配”的“作者修复系统”,然后……果然是要作者亲自动手修复吗?兰蓝决定要灭灭女配的威风,力挺女主!灭杀女配!小人不被炮灰,好人统统死光?!女配,尼玛够了!
  • 大圈

    大圈

    中国没有真正意义上的黑社会,但是中国人在这个世界上的地下秩序中却并非毫无发言权,相反中国人一直在国际黑帮中扮演着重要的角色,他们丝毫不比这个世界上任何一个有实力的犯罪组织逊色,他们是北美唐人街的地下王者,他们称呼自己为——大圈。
  • 波隆那比熊

    波隆那比熊

    家具城马上要关门,二楼一户商家把马龙喊过去,让他往“德国小镇”送一只“五斗橱”。老板娘说,马龙,去了你一个人扛到楼上就可以了,我给你加十块钱搬运费。马龙赶紧道谢,您就是我的衣食父母,您的大恩大德我下辈子也不忘。老板娘说,马屁精,路上小心点,别把柜子给我蹭了。装好柜子,马龙又在外边罩了一层毡布,电动三轮车后马槽有点松动,哗哩哗啦地响,他找来一根八号铁丝在角上紧了紧。“德国小镇”离他的住处不远,送完货他一拧油门就回家了。“德国小镇”是三年前刚刚开发出的楼盘,凤城有名的富人区。天色暗下来,路灯亮了,马龙等了五个红灯,半个小时后看到了“德国小镇”的指路牌。
  • 锦绣华年在八零

    锦绣华年在八零

    ※任前世岁月无情,看今生锦绣芳华。※前世惨死的程湘死后来到三途川中,历经劫难之后,终于得以重生归来。程湘暗下决心,这一生,她定要有怨报怨,有仇报仇,好教那些为恶之人知晓,何谓“天理循环,报应不爽”!某人冷笑:“‘天理循环,报应不爽’?前一句是什么?”程湘疑惑:“‘以彼之道,还施彼身’?”话音刚落,某人连人带嘴一起伸了过来。“不、不是,你等等,朋友你要干什么?!”“把你曾经对我做过的事情,如数奉还!”【本文慢热,前期主打复仇,后期男主才会上线,敬请等待。】入坑提示:1.本文架空,架的很空,考据请放过,毒死不负责。2.佛系更新,写哪算哪,走情绪写文,望谨慎订阅。
  • 我要的是总冠军

    我要的是总冠军

    天才不是生来就有,铸就天才的不是命运,而是付出的努力和坚持。
  • 三国之占山为王

    三国之占山为王

    未来时刻,三国虚拟现实游戏开启!李风扯起大旗当山贼,看谁不爽就抢谁。前期抢玩家村庄,中期抢系统城市,后期抢天下。 李风说山贼有三抢,抢人,抢钱,抢天下。 且看身为黄巾渠帅的他,怎样面对虎狼一般的中央汉军。 这是一本超级爽书,看了绝对不会郁闷、绝不会寂寞、绝不会空虚的爽书,就是那种即使吃了亏也能拣到好人卡的爽书。不会有都市的狗血,有的只是游戏! 抛弃传统建设流,走一条掠夺之路!游戏的路上,充满着掠夺! 武将万人敌,谋将移山海,大汉天朝路,神州任我行! 本书剧情为虚构架空,仅为娱乐。 网游小说,其实就是玄幻小说所谓的穿越流,与网游小说有什么不同呢?唔,除了网游小说里谁都可以无限复活外。本书读者QQ三群:67724378(空)四群:71216870(空)欢迎喜欢三国游戏、武将、历史的各位读者进入讨论
  • 遇见她在枫林

    遇见她在枫林

    她喜欢从任意的一个地铁站走出来,后滩公园,一缕微黄的秀发挡住了洁白的脸蛋,末尾的发丝随风轻轻漂浮摆动,黄浦江的风吹打着岸边,路灯照亮充满艺术气息的汾阳路,我牵着她走进音乐学院的大门。
  • 社会热点面对面(三)

    社会热点面对面(三)

    由人民日报出版社推出的《社会热点面对面》系列图书已经出版了两本。广大读者一直给与了持续的关注与讨论。今年出版社延续其“直指百姓最关注的社会热点很接地气”的风格,推出《社会热点面对面(三)》,继续对最近以来发生的各种社会事件、关涉民生的社会问题、大家热议的现象作出反应,并从社会学的角度提供解释,探讨解决之道。