登陆注册
5371300000044

第44章

Never before had Arbaces ventured so far, yet he felt his ground step by step: he knew that he uttered a language which, if at this day of affected platonisms it would speak unequivocally to the ears of beauty, was at that time strange and unfamiliar, to which no precise idea could be attached, from which he could imperceptibly advance or recede, as occasion suited, as hope encouraged or fear deterred. Ione trembled, though she knew not why;her veil hid her features, and masked an expression, which, if seen by the Egyptian, would have at once damped and enraged him; in fact, he never was more displeasing to her--the harmonious modulation of the most suasive voice that ever disguised unhallowed thought fell discordantly on her ear. Her whole soul was still filled with the image of Glaucus; and the accent of tenderness from another only revolted and dismayed; yet she did not conceive that any passion more ardent than that platonism which Arbaces expressed lurked beneath his words. She thought that he, in truth, spoke only of the affection and sympathy of the soul; but was it not precisely that affection and that sympathy which had made a part of those emotions she felt for Glaucus; and could any other footstep than his approach the haunted adytum of her heart?

Anxious at once to change the conversation, she replied, therefore, with a cold and indifferent voice, 'Whomsoever Arbaces honors with the sentiment of esteem, it is natural that his elevated wisdom should color that sentiment with its own hues; it is natural that his friendship should be purer than that of others, whose pursuits and errors he does not deign to share. But tell me, Arbaces, hast thou seen my brother of late? He has not visited me for several days; and when I last saw him his manner disturbed and alarmed me much. I fear lest he was too precipitate in the severe choice that he has adopted, and that he repents an irrevocable step.'

'Be cheered, Ione,' replied the Egyptian. 'It is true that, some little time since he was troubled and sad of spirit; those doubts beset him which were likely to haunt one of that fervent temperament, which ever ebbs and flows, and vibrates between excitement and exhaustion. But he, Ione, he came to me his anxieties and his distress; he sought one who pitied me and loved him; I have calmed his mind--I have removed his doubts--I have taken him from the threshold of Wisdom into its temple; and before the majesty of the goddess his soul is hushed and soothed. Fear not, he will repent no more; they who trust themselves to Arbaces never repent but for a moment.'

'You rejoice me,' answered Ione. 'My dear brother! in his contentment I am happy.'

The conversation then turned upon lighter subjects; the Egyptian exerted himself to please, he condescended even to entertain; the vast variety of his knowledge enabled him to adorn and light up every subject on which he touched; and Ione, forgetting the displeasing effect of his former words, was carried away, despite her sadness, by the magic of his intellect. Her manner became unrestrained and her language fluent; and Arbaces, who had waited his opportunity, now hastened to seize it.

'You have never seen,' said he, 'the interior of my home; it may amuse you to do so: it contains some rooms that may explain to you what you have often asked me to describe--the fashion of an Egyptian house; not indeed, that you will perceive in the poor and minute proportions of Roman architecture the massive strength, the vast space, the gigantic magnificence, or even the domestic construction of the palaces of Thebes and Memphis; but something there is, here and there, that may serve to express to you some notion of that antique civilization which has humanized the world. Devote, then, to the austere friend of your youth, one of these bright summer evenings, and let me boast that my gloomy mansion has been honored with the presence of the admired Ione.'

Unconscious of the pollutions of the mansion, of the danger that awaited her, Ione readily assented to the proposal. The next evening was fixed for the visit; and the Egyptian, with a serene countenance, and a heart beating with fierce and unholy joy, departed. Scarce had he gone, when another visitor claimed admission.... But now we return to Glaucus.

同类推荐
  • 嘉定县乙酉纪事

    嘉定县乙酉纪事

    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。
  • 太虚集录

    太虚集录

    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。
  • 归有园麈谈

    归有园麈谈

    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。
  • 黥

    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。
  • 历代兴衰演义

    历代兴衰演义

    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
  • 狂妃来袭:丑颜王爷我要了

    狂妃来袭:丑颜王爷我要了

    杀手之王穿越而来,怎可继续受尽屈辱!皇帝赐婚又怎样,生父算计姨娘庶妹心狠又怎样?沦为丑颜王爷未婚妻,她嗤笑:“夫君如此美如天仙,不知世人是被猪油蒙了眼吗?”“女人,嫁于我之后,你还以为有能力逃离我吗?”【情节虚构,请勿模仿】
  • 那些流过泪的岁月

    那些流过泪的岁月

    我本是一个说话口吃不清,外加脑袋迟钝、反应缓慢、有一点点的智障,从小被亲兄妹们虐待,遭受非人的折磨,我一天天地慢慢熬着,看不到希望的到来。幸好奶奶没有放弃我,她给我讲张海迪的故事,告诉我,身心有残缺的人,一样可以成就别人做不到的事情,让我不要放弃……在老奶奶的帮助下,我终于跨越了自身的障碍,踏入学校大门。
  • 佛说国王不黎先尼十梦经

    佛说国王不黎先尼十梦经

    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。
  • 弹剑九天

    弹剑九天

    弹剑轻歌云海间,笑语声声慢。长忆浮生梦断,狂风卷,烟波乱。□□天门忍顾旧衣冠,花眠人未散。浮沉江湖宿愿,凡尘远,蛾眉淡。
  • 面包会有的

    面包会有的

    《面包会有的》:面包会有的,一切都会有的。这是挨过艰难时世的咒语,也是杨大卫奋斗多年的生活成果。他安心地站在食物链的顶端,可以吃到地球上最稀有的**美味。一次美食巡礼,他与朱海伦完成了两个吃货的隐秘相识。不料杨大卫遭遇一场恶疾,几乎丧命。美人离去,重生的杨大卫也不得不告别美食,仅靠简单烹制的食物为伴。吃得简单之后,他的欲望也随之发生改变,怀念起面包还未泛滥的那个年代。《土豆烧熟了》:探险家哥伦布、麦哲伦为地图添上新的大陆和海洋,哲学家笛卡尔、牛顿变更心灵在宇宙运行的轨迹,但是谁发起了人类味蕾上的一次次革命?
  • 搭建心灵沟通平台

    搭建心灵沟通平台

    本书告诉读者在遇到事情和问题的时候要善于和人沟通,这样才能使问题得到最好的解决。
  • 我是谁的歌

    我是谁的歌

    孤女柳依依,为了挽救病危的外祖父,远走他乡打工挣钱,意外地遇到了十几年前离家出走的父亲与母亲。不幸,造化弄人,三人在一个不足两万人的小镇生活,甚至每天擦肩而过,却无法相认。终于有一天,一切要真相大白时,柳依依深爱的少年灰灰走进来,喜剧变成悲剧。
  • 祸国红颜,邪王太薄情

    祸国红颜,邪王太薄情

    八岁,他从乱尸岗中救赎了她,他面容清冽,轻声说:“以后你便跟着我罢。”她暗恋他整整十年,终是成了他最得意的棋子。然他登基之日,却是她最无用且被抛弃之时。她用自己唯一的价值与他交易,换取十日恩宠。十日后,她如同东西般被转送他人。“十日恩宠,你可曾有一刻是真心?”她贝齿咬着红唇,眼中含泪看他,颤抖着身子轻声的问着。“棋子只配是棋子,不配有感情,更不配说爱!”他冰冷的话语如同利箭穿透她的心,支离破碎的无法愈合。当身世之谜揭开,当她遍体鳞伤,当孩子胎死腹中,她才发现不是不配爱,而是不能爱!从此,她便全心全意恨他,拉着他一起下这无边地狱,永世不散!--情节虚构,请勿模仿
  • 一缕白月光

    一缕白月光

    《天劫乐园》新书连载中…“申先生,打个商量呗?我们离个婚如何?”某帅到没有朋友男人镇定地抬起头来:“今天是想买快艇还是酒店。”“飞机。”“好。”一小时后,崭新的专属飞机送到了某人面前…咦?好像她刚刚商量的不是这件事?算了,不管了,婚下次再离吧。某人愉快的钻上了飞机…五年前,她一腔深情,却换来他一句“不睡白不睡”;五年后,她化身总裁,回来打脸,却换来他一句“你跳我也跳”。怎么回事?说好的互相伤害呢?你那“我虐你千百遍,你当我是初恋”的剧本是不是拿错了?
  • 通天至尊

    通天至尊

    十天十域,三圣为尊,却有一帝比肩三圣,更被誉为万界第一人,他就是雷帝。然而五百年前,雷帝突然陨落,万界震动,成为万界第一未解之迷。五百年后,天武大陆,一个星魂是雷龙的少年开始了一条披荆斩棘的至尊之路。