登陆注册
5257900000034

第34章 Chapter XIII : Reflections(1)

It seemed indeed as if the incident were finally closed, the chief actors in the drama having deliberately vacated the centre of the stage.

The little crowd which had stood in a compact mass round the table, began to break up into sundry small groups: laughter and desultory talk, checked for a moment by that oppressive sense of unknown danger, which had weighed on the spirits of those present, once more became general. Blakeney's light-heartedness had put everyone into good-humour; since he evidently did not look upon the challenge as a matter of serious moment, why then, no one else had any cause for anxiety, and the younger men were right glad to join in that bowl of punch which their genial host had offered with so merry a grace.

Lacqueys appeared, throwing open the doors. From a distance the sound of dance music once more broke upon the ear.

A few of the men only remained silent, deliberately holding aloof from the renewed mirthfulness. Foremost amongst these was His Royal Highness, who was looking distinctly troubled, and who had taken Sir Percy by the arm, and was talking to him with obvious earnestness. Lord Anthony Dewhurst and Lord Hastings were holding converse in a secluded corner of the room, whilst Sir Andrew Ffoulkes, as being the host's most intimate friend, felt it incumbent on him to say a few words to ex-Ambassador Chauvelin.

The latter was desirous of effecting a retreat. Blakeney's invitation to join in the friendly bowl of punch could not be taken seriously, and the Terrorist wanted to be alone, in order to think out the events of the past hour.

A lacquey waited on him, took the momentous sword from his hand, found his hat and cloak and called his coach for him: Chauvelin having taken formal leave of his host and acquaintances, quickly worked his way to the staircase and hall, through the less frequented apartments.

He sincerely wished to avoid meeting Lady Blakeney face to face. Not that the slightest twinge of remorse disturbed his mind, but he feared some impulsive action on her part, which indirectly might interfere with his future plans. Fortunately no one took much heed of the darkly-clad, insignificant little figure that glided so swiftly by, obviously determined to escape attention.

In the hall he found Demoiselle Candeille waiting for him. She, too, had evidently been desirous of leaving Blakeney Manor as soon as possible.

He saw her to her chaise; then escorted her as far as her lodgings, which were close by: there were still one or two things which he wished to discuss with her, one or two final instructions which he desired to give.

One the whole, he was satisfied with his evening's work: the young actress had well supported him, and had played her part so far with marvellous sang-froid and skill. Sir Percy, whether willingly or blindly, had seemed only too ready to walk into the trap which was being set for him.

This fact alone disturbed Chauvelin not a little, and as half an hour or so later, having taken final leave of his ally, he sat alone in the coach, which was conveying him back to town, the sword of Lorenzo Cenci close to his hand, he pondered very seriously over it.

同类推荐
热门推荐
  • 大爱天台

    大爱天台

    20世纪20年代末的一个后半夜,天还没亮,就有一高一矮两个后生摸黑走出洞溪岙中村,他俩身背包裹雨伞像要出远门,却没有踏上出岙口去县城的官道,而是折身爬上村后山的仙子坑。“天还黑……黑着呢!”矮胖的叫方虫,说话有些结巴,“等会……再再走……”“天再黑还是地黑,走出这片地,前面就是亮天!今天肯定是个清光亮日。”瘦高的名叫石梁,却能说会道,富有激情。最近,县中校长说他思想激进,组织“你我一心,彼此同志”的同人社,有共产嫌疑,予以开除学籍。石梁一气之下,干脆去上海找共产党。
  • 孙思邈与千金方

    孙思邈与千金方

    中国文化知识读本:孙思邈与》介绍了孙思邈与《千金方》的有关内容。《孙思邈与》中优美生动的文字、简明通俗的语言、图文并茂的形式,把中国文化中的物态文化、制度文化、行为文化、精神文化等知识要点全面展示给读者。点点滴滴的文化知识仿佛颗颗繁星,组成了灿烂辉煌的中国文化的天穹。能为弘扬中华五千年优秀传统文化、增强各民族团结、构建社会主义和谐社会尽一份绵薄之力。
  • 清穿之翻云覆雨

    清穿之翻云覆雨

    玉书原本的打算是:吸龙气,事了登仙去!哪知中途硬被逼成:吸龙气,登皇位,而后才能登仙去!结果中间跑出来个不和谐音符:某人:亲爱的,你要去哪里?我和你一起!玉书:……滚!【情节虚构,请勿模仿】
  • 敢问敢答

    敢问敢答

    本书从录像从录音从回忆中整理出数十万字的“问答”,挑挑捡捡地在报刊上发表了一些,大获读者的青睐。用本书敢字来修饰来修饰问答,有点可笑,有点张扬,更有点故意标榜,倘若你一口气或是两口气但绝不会三口气看完这本书时,就会觉得我的这个敢字用得挺恰如其分。
  • 明伦汇编官常典刑部部

    明伦汇编官常典刑部部

    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。
  • 经济学的思维方式全集

    经济学的思维方式全集

    一部通俗易懂的老百姓经济学手边书。以讲事实、过日子的方式说事儿,在嬉笑怒骂中让艰涩难懂的经济知识变得通俗易懂,妙趣横生。为大家开启一扇个人理财、经济形势分析、经济政策解读的窗口,帮助那些也许对经济学知识不那么了解的P民“活明白”,不再给资本家、投机客、“砖家”当炮灰。
  • 美人你好撩

    美人你好撩

    不明不白,倾城小霸王就和纪阎王结婚了。可是他们两个人是不是拿错剧本了。“美人,我肚子痛~”“乖,去喝杯热水。”“美人,你不爱我了,你的眼里只有游戏。”“没有,宝贝,乖,待会带你开黑。”纪阎王一把抢过倾城小霸王的手机。“哎,自己家的祖宗,跪着也要宠完。”从那以后,倾城小霸王的任务就是:宠夫,宠夫,宠夫。纪阎王的任务就是:被宠,被宠,被宠。(宠夫/甜宠/爆笑/女强/正能量)
  • 甜心小娇妻,总裁挡不住

    甜心小娇妻,总裁挡不住

    她本是天才设计师,一场阴谋之下无奈选择放弃梦想,为了给弟弟治病,她苦苦奔波,遭人冷眼。他是霸道总裁,行事果决,因她的才华步步逼近,哪知凉薄的心开始狂乱。“做我的女人!”“不,唔……”话未出口,就被一双大手按在墙上。--情节虚构,请勿模仿
  • 将军难为

    将军难为

    祖籍魔界,生于仙界,成长在人界当仙界单纯可爱的帝女封印了魔化的自己……一切,都回不去了吗?“公孙烻,你爱的到底是我还是她?”“傻瓜,她就是你啊……”……那天她撩开面纱,红衣似花嫁,从此他心深不见底,总有她一席之地。“我想知道,落,你和我……有没有可能……”是另一种关系?“嗯?师父你说什么?”“没、没什么。”就这样把她放在心里吧……
  • The Use and Need of the Life of Carrie A. Nation

    The Use and Need of the Life of Carrie A. Nation

    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。