登陆注册
5429400000019

第19章 AT LANDRECIES(2)

But in this state of mummy and melancholy survival of itself, when the hollow skin reverberates to the drummer's wrist, and each dub-a-dub goes direct to a man's heart, and puts madness there, and that disposition of the pulses which we, in our big way of talking, nickname Heroism:- is there not something in the nature of a revenge upon the donkey's persecutors? Of old, he might say, you drubbed me up hill and down dale, and I must endure; but now that Iam dead, those dull thwacks that were scarcely audible in country lanes, have become stirring music in front of the brigade; and for every blow that you lay on my old greatcoat, you will see a comrade stumble and fall.

Not long after the drums had passed the CAFE, the CIGARETTE and the ARETHUSA began to grow sleepy, and set out for the hotel, which was only a door or two away. But although we had been somewhat indifferent to Landrecies, Landrecies had not been indifferent to us. All day, we learned, people had been running out between the squalls to visit our two boats. Hundreds of persons, so said report, although it fitted ill with our idea of the town - hundreds of persons had inspected them where they lay in a coal-shed. We were becoming lions in Landrecies, who had been only pedlars the night before in Pont.

And now, when we left the CAFE, we were pursued and overtaken at the hotel door by no less a person than the JUGE DE PAIX: a functionary, as far as I can make out, of the character of a Scots Sheriff-Substitute. He gave us his card and invited us to sup with him on the spot, very neatly, very gracefully, as Frenchmen can do these things. It was for the credit of Landrecies, said he; and although we knew very well how little credit we could do the place, we must have been churlish fellows to refuse an invitation so politely introduced.

The house of the Judge was close by; it was a well-appointed bachelor's establishment, with a curious collection of old brass warming-pans upon the walls. Some of these were most elaborately carved. It seemed a picturesque idea for a collector. You could not help thinking how many night-caps had wagged over these warming-pans in past generations; what jests may have been made, and kisses taken, while they were in service; and how often they had been uselessly paraded in the bed of death. If they could only speak, at what absurd, indecorous, and tragical scenes had they not been present!

The wine was excellent. When we made the Judge our compliments upon a bottle, 'I do not give it you as my worst,' said he. Iwonder when Englishmen will learn these hospitable graces. They are worth learning; they set off life, and make ordinary moments ornamental.

There were two other Landrecienses present. One was the collector of something or other, I forget what; the other, we were told, was the principal notary of the place. So it happened that we all five more or less followed the law. At this rate, the talk was pretty certain to become technical. The CIGARETTE expounded the Poor Laws very magisterially. And a little later I found myself laying down the Scots Law of Illegitimacy, of which I am glad to say I know nothing. The collector and the notary, who were both married men, accused the Judge, who was a bachelor, of having started the subject. He deprecated the charge, with a conscious, pleased air, just like all the men I have ever seen, be they French or English.

How strange that we should all, in our unguarded moments, rather like to be thought a bit of a rogue with the women!

As the evening went on, the wine grew more to my taste; the spirits proved better than the wine; the company was genial. This was the highest water mark of popular favour on the whole cruise. After all, being in a Judge's house, was there not something semi-official in the tribute? And so, remembering what a great country France is, we did full justice to our entertainment. Landrecies had been a long while asleep before we returned to the hotel; and the sentries on the ramparts were already looking for daybreak.

同类推荐
  • 明伦汇编家范典甥舅部

    明伦汇编家范典甥舅部

    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。
  • 李氏小池亭十二韵

    李氏小池亭十二韵

    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。
  • 师子奋迅菩萨所问经

    师子奋迅菩萨所问经

    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。
  • 佛说莲华眼陀罗尼经

    佛说莲华眼陀罗尼经

    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。
  • His Own People

    His Own People

    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
  • Michael Strogoff

    Michael Strogoff

    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。
  • 剑三:乱世歌

    剑三:乱世歌

    十五之所以叫十五这种随意的名字,是因为她被师父捡回万花谷的时候是正月十五。云鬓花颜下,春从春游时,都说太平盛世河清海晏,暗流涌动谁人知。
  • 互联网时代

    互联网时代

    夏威夷、马尔代夫,风情万种的海湾里,风情依旧。这些众人向往的人类休闲胜地,休闲者依然在休闲,但在温柔绚烂的光影里,它们同时成为人们向往的购物店、阅览室、会议室、写字间。今天,那些可以在自己喜欢的任意地方和时间工作的人们,正描绘出新时代的工作样态。在美国,不在特定场所工作的人,已经占到整个美国工作人口的 1/3,并且以每年10%的速度增长着。
  • 重生女皇:美人太毒,求洗白

    重生女皇:美人太毒,求洗白

    重生前,她贵为姜国最尊贵的公主,偏偏恶毒人设深入人心,百官惧怕她,百姓痛恨她。最终国破人亡,大军攻入城门的时候,她惨死在挚爱人的手里,坠楼而亡,尸骨无存。带着记忆转世,她做了一名边疆公务员,劳心劳力,做精准扶贫,试图赎前世的罪。重生回到灭国前,她发誓将恶毒人设洗白,重走正轨,戴上皇冠,做高贵女皇,团灭继母,踩扁塑料初恋,勾搭多金男配,嗨翻全场。
  • 带条锦鲤打篮球

    带条锦鲤打篮球

    当余欢带着锦鲤走进nba的时候,他开始专业承包各种老将躺冠,新秀带刷服务。“老家伙,在病床上躺好,冠军戒指快递到你家。”“小子,你差两分职业生涯第一次得分上双?去篮下站着,站好别动就行了。”杜兰特:“内个,能带我躺个冠军吗?我能输出,会喊666~”余欢:“滚!你不是新秀了,等过些年你老了再说。”
  • 聚魂天下之星宿奇缘

    聚魂天下之星宿奇缘

    一个落魄的男人,带着一个不落魄的女人,生活在这落魄的土地上,努力的挣扎,妄图掀翻这落魄的世界。。。。。。这是一个光怪陆离的世界;这是一个热血与残酷并存的时代;这是一场生存与灭亡之间的较量;这是灵魂之间最后的一次碰撞!你---准备好了么?谨以此书献给默默支持我的爱人~
  • 许你毁我

    许你毁我

    爱一个人,就是许他毁了你的全部!这是一个让人心疼的故事……我来写,你来读,答应我千万别哭好吗?
  • 索爱:轩少的小邪妻

    索爱:轩少的小邪妻

    当爱情来的时候,他却失之交臂。当爱情远走的时候,他却只能孤独的看着她幸福。她说:“曾经,我是多么的深爱你!”如今,她挽着他人的胳膊,笑意盎然的离去,如同那一阵夏风,带着了他的情,他的心。
  • 天作之合(上)

    天作之合(上)

    孔不二作为京城赫赫有名的大将军孔全的小儿子,不学无术,全然是个纨绔子弟,在丞相寿宴上因为一场意外被皇上赐婚,迎娶左丞相的小姨子陈薇。洞房花烛之夜,他却突发羊癫疯,借口身体不适一直未与陈薇洞房。新婚不久,皇帝派孔不二去绍兴当县令,剿灭在绍兴势力横行的红衣社,也就是当年差点攻入京城的农民起义军“红莲教”的残留势力。他到了绍兴后,开始暗中查探红衣社,收效甚微,与红衣社头领齐筝开始了正面交锋,却发现自己的娘子与这个男人有着不同寻常的关系。后遭山西大乱,灾民造反,孔不二平定山西危机,却发现自己渐渐爱上的女人陈薇竟是对方派来的卧底,还与齐筝之间藕断丝连……
  • 剑啸九天

    剑啸九天

    一场突如其来的大雨,改变了一个平凡少年的一生。老实的外表,倔强的性格,从一个人人唾弃的雷宗笨蛋,到同门会武时身怀奇术,惊艳绝伦。一根黑魂杖,一颗邪灵珠,一场刻骨铭心的爱恋,一份有缘无分的感叹。天都峰上,昌合城中,鹰嘴崖下,天鬼宗外,谁人心动?心为谁动?他向往平淡无奇的生活,一生却杀伐不断。他只想与心爱的人长相厮守,命运却拆散了他累世的情缘。