登陆注册
5382900000242

第242章

That would compromise the honor of the French army, to say nothing of the fact that the continual presence of a captain of Spahis in a place where no warlike projects could be supposed to account for it might well create surprise; so Ihave become a gardener, and, consequently, adopted the costume of my calling.""What excessive nonsense you talk, Maximilian!""Nonsense? Pray do not call what I consider the wisest action of my life by such a name.Consider, by becoming a gardener I effectually screen our meetings from all suspicion or danger.""I beseech of you, Maximilian, to cease trifling, and tell me what you really mean.""Simply, that having ascertained that the piece of ground on which I stand was to let, I made application for it, was readily accepted by the proprietor, and am now master of this fine crop of lucerne.Think of that, Valentine! There is nothing now to prevent my building myself a little hut on my plantation, and residing not twenty yards from you.Only imagine what happiness that would afford me.I can scarcely contain myself at the bare idea.Such felicity seems above all price -- as a thing impossible and unattainable.But would you believe that I purchase all this delight, joy, and happiness, for which I would cheerfully have surrendered ten years of my life, at the small cost of 500 francs per annum, paid quarterly? Henceforth we have nothing to fear.I am on my own ground, and have an undoubted right to place a ladder against the wall, and to look over when I please, without having any apprehensions of being taken off by the police as a suspicious character.I may also enjoy the precious privilege of assuring you of my fond, faithful, and unalterable affection, whenever you visit your favorite bower, unless, indeed, it offends your pride to listen to professions of love from the lips of a poor workingman, clad in a blouse and cap." A faint cry of mingled pleasure and surprise escaped from the lips of Valentine, who almost instantly said, in a saddened tone, as though some envious cloud darkened the joy which illumined her heart, "Alas, no, Maximilian, this must not be, for many reasons.We should presume too much on our own strength, and, like others, perhaps, be led astray by our blind confidence in each other's prudence.""How can you for an instant entertain so unworthy a thought, dear Valentine? Have I not, from the first blessed hour of our acquaintance, schooled all my words and actions to your sentiments and ideas? And you have, I am sure, the fullest confidence in my honor.When you spoke to me of experiencing a vague and indefinite sense of coming danger, I placed myself blindly and devotedly at your service, asking no other reward than the pleasure of being useful to you; and have I ever since, by word or look, given you cause of regret for having selected me from the numbers that would willingly have sacrificed their lives for you? You told me, my dear Valentine, that you were engaged to M.d'Epinay, and that your father was resolved upon completing the match, and that from his will there was no appeal, as M.de Villefort was never known to change a determination once formed.Ikept in the background, as you wished, and waited, not for the decision of your heart or my own, but hoping that providence would graciously interpose in our behalf, and order events in our favor.But what cared I for delays or difficulties, Valentine, as long as you confessed that you loved me, and took pity on me? If you will only repeat that avowal now and then, I can endure anything.""Ah, Maximilian, that is the very thing that makes you so bold, and which renders me at once so happy and unhappy, that I frequently ask myself whether it is better for me to endure the harshness of my mother-in-law, and her blind preference for her own child, or to be, as I now am, insensible to any pleasure save such as I find in these meetings, so fraught with danger to both.""I will not admit that word," returned the young man; "it is at once cruel and unjust.Is it possible to find a more submissive slave than myself? You have permitted me to converse with you from time to time, Valentine, but forbidden my ever following you in your walks or elsewhere -- have I not obeyed? And since I found means to enter this enclosure to exchange a few words with you through this gate -- to be close to you without really seeing you -- have Iever asked so much as to touch the hem of your gown or tried to pass this barrier which is but a trifle to one of my youth and strength? Never has a complaint or a murmur escaped me.I have been bound by my promises as rigidly as any knight of olden times.Come, come, dearest Valentine, confess that what I say is true, lest I be tempted to call you unjust.""It is true," said Valentine, as she passed the end of her slender fingers through a small opening in the planks, and permitted Maximilian to press his lips to them, "and you are a true and faithful friend; but still you acted from motives of self-interest, my dear Maximilian, for you well knew that from the moment in which you had manifested an opposite spirit all would have been ended between us.You promised to bestow on me the friendly affection of a brother.For I have no friend but yourself upon earth, who am neglected and forgotten by my father, harassed and persecuted by my mother-in-law, and left to the sole companionship of a paralyzed and speechless old man, whose withered hand can no longer press mine, and who can speak to me with the eye alone, although there still lingers in his heart the warmest tenderness for his poor grandchild.Oh, how bitter a fate is mine, to serve either as a victim or an enemy to all who are stronger than myself, while my only friend and supporter is a living corpse! Indeed, indeed, Maximilian, I am very miserable, and if you love me it must be out of pity.""Valentine," replied the young man, deeply affected, "I will not say you are all I love in the world, for I dearly prize my sister and brother-in-law; but my affection for them is calm and tranquil, in no manner resembling what I feel for you.When I think of you my heart beats fast, the blood burns in my veins, and I can hardly breathe; but I solemnly promise you to restrain all this ardor, this fervor and intensity of feeling, until you yourself shall require me to render them available in serving or assisting you.M.Franz is not expected to return home for a year to come, I am told; in that time many favorable and unforeseen chances may befriend us.Let us, then, hope for the best; hope is so sweet a comforter.Meanwhile, Valentine, while reproaching me with selfishness, think a little what you have been to me -- the beautiful but cold resemblance of a marble Venus.

同类推荐
  • 丹台玉案

    丹台玉案

    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。
  • 小室六门

    小室六门

    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。
  • Poems

    Poems

    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。
  • 高僧法显传

    高僧法显传

    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。
  • 阿弥陀经疏

    阿弥陀经疏

    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
  • 仙魔同修

    仙魔同修

    仙界天仙李峰,争夺太极图,被轰杀至渣。残魂转世魔法世家受人欺凌的废材身上,一飞冲天。左手仙术,右手魔法,仙魔同修!踩天才,斗教会,猎龙族,横扫异界诸神。魔法世界,唯我独尊!
  • 路遥:平凡世界里的人生

    路遥:平凡世界里的人生

    上世纪八九十年代是中国文学兴盛的年代,路遥正是这个时期的重要作家。根据其小说改编的电影《人生》和广播剧《平凡的世界》曾风靡一时,他作品中的人物高加林、孙少安也几乎是家喻户晓,影响了几代人。在路遥去世二十余年后的今天,他的作品依然是书店中的长销书,他笔下的故事依然为文学青年们津津乐道,他的人生之路依然鼓舞着许多年轻人,他依然是这个文坛不能忽视的存在。
  • 晏少独宠神算妻

    晏少独宠神算妻

    【新文《重生七零后我成了科技大佬》求收藏~~~】上一辈子,她是父母眼中活该为妹妹“奉献”心脏的人。重生归来,她没了前世心脏,却多了一颗七窍玲珑心,一身玄骨。众人眼中的学渣,抱歉她是学神;欺她华国斗法无人,分分钟教你做人;虐渣打脸,绝不手软。河出图,洛出书,圣人则之,血脉之力觉醒……围观群众:“你大佬永远是你大佬。”晏古辰:“坚定宠妻路线万年不动摇。”顾玄骨:“请好歹维护一下你晏少的脸面。”“不要脸,……”
  • 五岁宝宝要认爹

    五岁宝宝要认爹

    “好可爱的宝宝。”某富贵大婶两眼放光,左顾右盼,逮准了机会,一口正要亲下去…“stop!”宝宝伸出稚嫩的手指,对大婶摇了摇:“要亲我可以,得先给钱!!”“哈?”大婶懵了。“人家可素这里滴头牌,摸一下三BIA,亲一下八BIA,要是陪睡…虽然…但是,某个女人已经包了人家幼小的身体了。”那个女人,就是他的白痴脑残滴老妈,丁双双。…某男脸上数条黑线,优雅的风度再也持续不下去了,直接从沙发上摔了下来。天啊…地啊…妈啊…前面那个五岁的妖孽,Lavende的头牌牛郎,就是他季诺昊的种?!★【正卷】★失忆前,她是丁家的千金,娇生惯养,毫无可爱之言。这样的婚姻,这样的结婚对象,他宁愿去死!失忆后,她是Lavende的小妈妈桑,把他的儿子卖到了这里当牛郎。自己却拿着儿子赚的钱,到处勾三搭四。很好!!!这个女人,严重地激怒了他,他一定把她抓回来,好好地惩罚惩罚她。让她知道,谁才是宝宝的爸爸!…然而,当抗拒变成依赖,当真相摆在眼前。她还能够再相信他吗?他们,还能举行那场早就应该举行的婚礼吗?**本文雷坑,入坑要谨慎。强烈推荐《小姐,又如何?》宋喜★强烈推荐好文★芝麻酥《惹火》孤月如我《狂夫》梦幻的色彩《偷拐小鬼当儿子》★五岁宝宝文系列★《五岁宝宝是主持》上官梦婷815《五岁宝宝是间谍》星期七《五岁小福晋》星期七《五岁太后夜销魂》龙雪雪《五岁娃娃魅天下》浅色《五岁小妖好青涩》淼渺《五岁宝宝是小偷》缳儿★★宝宝群★★宝宝群①67136634(已满)偶尔还会有位子宝宝群②37898110位子多多拍门砖“牛郎”
  • 东周列国志上

    东周列国志上

    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。
  • 我家宿主又抽风了

    我家宿主又抽风了

    一朝穿越异世,成了一名不见经传的炮灰配角儿,且这个配角儿还刚被女主的护花使者给拍死了!这真真是闻者伤心,听者落泪啊!苏岁岁表示,可以删档重来吗?我保证苟得远远的,不碍女主的眼(?_?)本文内容虚构,如有雷同,算你抄我的(??ω??)作者新手,请多包涵
  • 新编教藏总录流衍序

    新编教藏总录流衍序

    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。
  • 厉冰冰奋斗记

    厉冰冰奋斗记

    厉冰冰,一名18岁农家女孩,最开始是宾馆的临时工,通过努力,她转为正式编制;她读夜校,顺利考取了司法局的公务员资格;到司法局上班,她如鱼得水,很快就升任主一职,与上司及同事相处得无比融洽;当所有人觉得她会在仕途上大展拳脚时,她选择了去体制外,拥有自己股份的律师事务所
  • 写作

    写作

    这是玛格丽特·杜拉斯晚年的一部随笔集,一九九三年出版。虽题名为“写作”,但并不局限于写作本身。作家的点滴回忆与感受:孤独、酒精、情人、独居的乡村别墅、电影、乃至对小哥的爱都融入其中。全书收录了五个短篇,分别为《写作》、《年轻的英国飞行员之死》、《罗马》、《纯洁的数字》、《画展》。
  • 左牵黄右擎苍

    左牵黄右擎苍

    《左牵黄右擎苍》是实力派作家邓一光的精品中篇小说集。其中《孽犬阿格龙》是当代中国最优秀最经典的中篇小说。讲的是10世纪六七十年代的事,两个年轻的知青在上山下乡的艰苦环境中,相恋、相爱了,但是他们逃不出当权者为他们布下的天罗地网,最后是棒打鸳鸯,天各一方,在他们的身边的那两只狗,也是在共同生活中产生了恋情,居然也上演了一幕忠贞不渝的爱情悲剧。