达芬奇密码 作者: 美 丹·布朗(英文版)-第73章

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〃And　the　Priory？　What　happens　now？〃
〃The　wheels　are　already　in　motion；　Mr。　Langdon。　The　brotherhood　has　endured　for　centuries；　and　it　will　endure　this。　There　are　always　those　waiting　to　move　up　and　rebuild。〃
All　evening　Langdon　had　suspected　that　Sophie's　grandmother　was　closely　tied　to　the　operations　of　the　Priory。　After　all；　the　Priory　had　always　had　women　members。　Four　Grand　Masters　had　been　women。　The　sénéchaux　were　traditionally　men—the　guardians—and　yet　women　held　far　more　honored　status　within　the　Priory　and　could　ascend　to　the　highest　post　from　virtually　any　rank。
Langdon　thought　of　Leigh　Teabing　and　Westminster　Abbey。　It　seemed　a　lifetime　ago。　〃Was　the　Church　pressuring　your　husband　not　to　release　the　Sangreal　documents　at　the　End　of　Days？〃
〃Heavens　no。　The　End　of　Days　is　a　legend　of　paranoid　minds。　There　is　nothing　in　the　Priory　doctrine　that　identifies　a　date　at　which　the　Grail　should　be　unveiled。　In　fact　the　Priory　has　always　maintained　that　the　Grail　should　never　be　unveiled。〃
〃Never？〃　Langdon　was　stunned。
〃It　is　the　mystery　and　wonderment　that　serve　our　souls；　not　the　Grail　itself。　The　beauty　of　the　Grail　lies　in　her　ethereal　nature。〃　Marie　Chauvel　gazed　up　at　Rosslyn　now。　〃For　some；　the　Grail　is　a　chalice　that　will　bring　them　everlasting　life。　For　others；　it　is　the　quest　for　lost　documents　and　secret　history。　And　for　most；　I　suspect　the　Holy　Grail　is　simply　a　grand　idea。。。　a　glorious　unattainable　treasure　that　somehow；　even　in　today's　world　of　chaos；　inspires　us。〃
〃But　if　the　Sangreal　documents　remain　hidden；　the　story　of　Mary　Magdalene　will　be　lost　forever；〃　Langdon　said。
〃Will　it？　Look　around　you。　Her　story　is　being　told　in　art；　music；　and　books。　More　so　every　day。　The　pendulum　is　swinging。　We　are　starting　to　sense　the　dangers　of　our　history。。。　and　of　our　destructive　paths。　We　are　beginning　to　sense　the　need　to　restore　the　sacred　feminine。〃　She　paused。　〃You　mentioned　you　are　writing　a　manuscript　about　the　symbols　of　the　sacred　feminine；　are　you　not？〃
〃I　am。〃
She　smiled。　〃Finish　it；　Mr。　Langdon。　Sing　her　song。　The　world　needs　modern　troubadours。〃
Langdon　fell　silent；　feeling　the　weight　of　her　message　upon　him。　Across　the　open　spaces；　a　new　moon　was　rising　above　the　tree　line。
Turning　his　eyes　toward　Rosslyn；　Langdon　felt　a　boyish　craving　to　know　her　secrets。　Don't　ask；　he　told　himself。　This　is　not　the　moment。　He　glanced　at　the　papyrus　in　Marie's　hand；　and　then　back　at　Rosslyn。
〃Ask　the　question；　Mr。　Langdon；〃　Marie　said；　looking　amused。　〃You　have　earned　the　right。〃
Langdon　felt　himself　flush。
〃You　want　to　know　if　the　Grail　is　here　at　Rosslyn。〃
〃Can　you　tell　me？〃
She　sighed　in　mock　exasperation。　〃Why　is　it　that　men　simply　cannot　let　the　Grail　rest？〃　She　laughed；　obviously　enjoying　herself。　〃Why　do　you　think　it's　here？〃
Langdon　motioned　to　the　papyrus　in　her　hand。　〃Your　husband's　poem　speaks　specifically　of　Rosslyn；　except　it　also　mentions　a　blade　and　chalice　watching　over　the　Grail。　I　didn't　see　any　symbols　of　the　blade　and　chalice　up　there。〃
〃The　blade　and　chalice？〃　Marie　asked。　〃What　exactly　do　they　look　like？〃
Langdon　sensed　she　was　toying　with　him；　but　he　played　along；　quickly　describing　the　symbols。
A　look　of　vague　recollection　crossed　her　face。　〃Ah；　yes；　of　course。　The　blade　represents　all　that　is　masculine。　I　believe　it　is　drawn　like　this；　no？〃　Using　her　index　finger；　she　traced　a　shape　on　her　palm。
　
〃Yes；〃　Langdon　said。　Marie　had　drawn　the　less　mon　〃closed〃　form　of　the　blade；　although　Langdon　had　seen　the　symbol　portrayed　both　ways。
〃And　the　inverse；〃　she　said；　drawing　again　on　her　palm；　〃is　the　chalice；　which　represents　the　feminine。〃
　
〃Correct；〃　Langdon　said。
〃And　you　are　saying　that　in　all　the　hundreds　of　symbols　we　have　here　in　Rosslyn　Chapel；　these　two　shapes　appear　nowhere？〃
〃I　didn't　see　them。〃
〃And　if　I　show　them　to　you；　will　you　get　some　sleep？〃
Before　Langdon　could　answer；　Marie　Chauvel　had　stepped　off　the　porch　and　was　heading　toward　the　chapel。　Langdon　hurried　after　her。　Entering　the　ancient　building；　Marie　turned　on　the　lights　and　pointed　to　the　center　of　the　sanctuary　floor。　〃There　you　are；　Mr。　Langdon。　The　blade　and　chalice。〃
Langdon　stared　at　the　scuffed　stone　floor。　It　was　blank。　〃There's　nothing　here。。。。〃
Marie　sighed　and　began　to　walk　along　the　famous　path　worn　into　the　chapel　floor；　the　same　path　Langdon　had　seen　the　visitors　walking　earlier　this　evening。　As　his　eyes　adjusted　to　see　the　giant　symbol；　he　still　felt　lost。　〃But　that's　the　Star　of　Dav—〃
Langdon　stopped　short；　mute　with　amazement　as　it　dawned　on　him。
　
The　blade　and　chalice。
Fused　as　one。
The　Star　of　David。。。　the　perfect　union　of　male　and　female。。。　Solomon's　Seal。。。　marking　the　Holy　of　Holies；　where　the　male　and　female　deities—Yahweh　and　Shekinah—were　thought　to　dwell。
Langdon　needed　a　minute　to　find　his　words。　〃The　verse　does　point　here　to　Rosslyn。　pletely。　Perfectly。〃
Marie　smiled。　〃Apparently。〃
The　implications　chilled　him。　〃So　the　Holy　Grail　is　in　the　vault　beneath　us？〃
She　laughed。　〃Only　in　spirit。　One　of　the　Priory's　most　ancient　charges　was　one　day　to　return　the　Grail　to　her　homeland　of　France　where　she　could　rest　for　eternity。　For　centuries；　she　was　dragged　across　the　countryside　to　keep　her　safe。　Most　undignified。　Jacques's　charge　when　he　became　Grand　Master　was　to　restore　her　honor　by　returning　her　to　France　and　building　her　a　resting　place　fit　for　a　queen。〃
〃And　he　succeeded？〃
Now　her　face　grew　serious。　〃Mr。　Langdon；　considering　what　you've　done　for　me　tonight；　and　as　curator　of　the　Rosslyn　Trust；　I　can　tell　you　for　certain　that　the　Grail　is　no　longer　here。〃
Langdon　decided　to　press。　〃But　the　keystone　is　supposed　to　point　to　the　place　where　the　Holy　Grail　is　hidden　now。　Why　does　it　point　to　Rosslyn？〃
〃Maybe　you're　misreading　its　meaning。　Remember；　the　Grail　can　be　deceptive。　As　could　my　late　husband。〃
〃But　how　much　clearer　could　he　be？〃　he　asked。　〃We　are　standing　over　an　underground　vault　marked　by　the　blade　and　chalice；　underneath　a　ceiling　of　stars；　surrounded　by　the　art　of　Master　Masons。　Everything　speaks　of　Rosslyn。〃
〃Very　well；　let　me　see　this　mysterious　verse。〃　She　unrolled　the　papyrus　and　read　the　poem　aloud　in　a　deliberate　tone。
The　Holy　Grail　'neath　ancient　Roslin　waits。
The　blade　and　chalice　guarding　o'er　Her　gates。
Adorned　in　masters'　loving　art；　She　lies。
She　rests　at　last　beneath　the　starry　skies。
　
When　she　finished；　she　was　still　for　several　seconds；　until　a　knowing　smile　crossed　her　lips。　〃Aah；　Jacques。〃
Langdon　watched　her　expectantly。　〃You　understand　this？〃
〃As　you　have　witnessed　on　the　chapel　floor；　Mr。　Langdon；　there　are　many　ways　to　see　simple　things。〃
Langdon　strained　to　understand。　Everything　about　Jacques　Saunière　seemed　to　have　double　meanings；　and　yet　Langdon　could　see　no　further。
Marie　gave　a　tired　yawn。　〃Mr。　Langdon；　I　will　make　a　confession　to　you。　I　have　never　officially　been　privy　to　the　present　location　of　the　Grail。　But；　of　course；　I　was　married　to　a　person　of　enormous　influence。。。　and　my　women's　intuition　is　strong。〃　Langdon　started　to　speak　but　Marie　continued。　〃I　am　sorry　that　after　all　your　hard　work；　you　will　be　leaving　Rosslyn　without　any　real　answers。　And　yet；　something　tells　me　you　will　eventually　find　what　you　seek。　One　day　it　will　dawn　on　you。〃　She　smiled。　〃And　when　it　does；　I　trust　that　you；　of　all　people；　can　keep　a　secret。〃
There　was　a　sound　of　someone　arriving　in　the　doorway。　〃Both　of　you　disappeared；〃　Sophie　said；　entering。
〃I　was　just　leaving；〃　her　grandmother　replied；　walking　over　to　Sophie　at　the　door。　〃Good　night；　princess。〃　She　kissed　Sophie's　forehead。　〃Don't　keep　Mr。　Langdon　out　too　late。〃
Langdon　and　Sophie　watched　her　grandmother　walk　back　toward　the　fieldstone　house。　When　Sophie　turned　to　him；　her　eyes　were　awash　in　deep　emotion。　〃Not　exactly　the　ending　I　expected。〃
That　makes　two　of　us；　he　thought。　Langdon　could　see　she　was　overwhelmed。　The　news　she　had　received　tonight　had　changed　everything　in　her　life。　〃Are　you　okay？　It's　a　lot　to　take　in。〃
She　smiled　quietly。　〃I　have　a　family。　That's　where　I'm　going　to　start。　Who　we　are　and　where　we　came　from　will　take　some　time。〃
Langdon　remained　silent。
〃Beyond　tonight；　will　you　stay　with　us？〃　Sophie　asked。　〃At　least　for　a　few　days？〃
Langdon　sighed；　wanting　nothing　more。　〃You　need　some　time　here　with　your　family；　Sophie。　I'm　going　back　to　Paris　in　the　morning。〃
She　looked　disappointed　but　seemed　to　know　it　was　the　right　thing　to　do。　Neither　of　them　spoke　for　a　long　time。　Finally　Sophie　reached　over　and；　taking　his　hand；　led　him　out　of　the　chapel。　They　walked　to　a　small　rise　on　the　bluff。　From　here；　the　Scottish　countryside　spread　out　before　them；　suffused　in　a　pale　moonlight　that　sifted　through　the　departing　clouds。　They　stood　in　silence；　holding　hands；　both　of　them　fighting　the　descending　shroud　of　exhaustion。
The　stars　were　just　now　appearing；　but　to　the　east；　a　single　point　of　light　glowed　brighter　than　any　other。　Langdon　smiled　when　he　saw　it。　It　was　Venus。　The　ancient　Goddess　shining　down　with　her　steady　and　patient　light。
The　night　was　growing　cooler；　a　crisp　breeze　rolling　up　from　the　lowlands。　After　a　while；　Langdon　looked　over　at　Sophie。　Her　eyes　were　closed；　her　lips　relaxed　in　a　contented　smile。　Langdon　could　feel　his　own　eyes　growing　heavy。　Reluctantly；　he　squeezed　her　hand。　〃Sophie？〃
Slowly；　she　opened　her　eyes　and　turned　to　him。　Her　face　was　beautiful　in　the　moonlight。　She　gave　him　a　sleepy　smile。　〃Hi。〃
Langdon　felt　an　unexpected　sadness　to　realize　he　would　be　returning　to　Paris　without　her。　〃I　may　be　gone　before　you　wake　up。〃　He　paused；　a　knot　growing　in　his　throat。　〃I'm　sorry；　I'm　not　very　good　at—〃
Sophie　reached　out　and　placed　her　soft　hand　on　the　side　of　his　face。　Then；　leaning　forward；　she　kissed　him　tenderly　on　the　cheek。　〃When　can　I　see　you　again？〃
Langdon　reeled　momentarily；　lost　in　her　eyes。　〃When？〃　He　paused；　curious　if　she　had　any　idea　how　much　he　had　been　wondering　the　same　thing。　〃Well；　actually；　next　month　I'm　lecturing　at　a　conference　in　Florence。　I'll　be　there　a　week　without　much　to　do。〃
〃Is　that　an　invitation？〃
〃We'd　be　living　in　luxury。　They're　giving　me　a　room　at　the　Brunelleschi。〃
Sophie　smiled　playfully。　〃You　presume　a　lot；　Mr。　Langdon。〃
He　cringed　at　how　it　had　sounded。　〃What　I　meant—〃
〃I　would　love　nothing　more　than　to　meet　you　in　Florence；　Robert。　But　on　one　condition。〃　Her　tone　turned　serious。　〃No　museums；　no　churches；　no　tombs；　no　art；　no　relics。〃
〃In　Florence？　For　a　week？　There's　nothing　else　to　do。〃
Sophie　leaned　forward　and　kissed　him　again；　now　on　the　lips。　Their　bodies　came　together；　softly　at　first；　and　then　pletely。　When　she　pulled　away；　her　eyes　were　full　of　promise。
〃Right；〃　Langdon　managed。　〃It's　a　date。〃
　
Epilogue

Robert　Langdon　awoke　with　a　start。　He　had　been　dreaming。　The　bathrobe　beside　his　bed　bore　the　monogram　HOTEL　RITZ　PARIS。　He　saw　a　dim　light　filtering　through　the　blinds。　Is　it　dusk　or　dawn？　he　wondered。
Langdon's　body　felt　warm　and　deeply　contented。　He　had　slept　the　better　part　of　the　last　two　days。　Sitting　up　slowly　in　bed；　he　now　realized　what　had　awoken　him。。。　the　strangest　thought。　For　days　he　had　been　trying　to　sort　through　a　barrage　of　information；　but　now　Langdon　found　himself　fixed　on　something　he'd　not　considered　before。
Could　it　be？
He　remained　motionless　a　long　mo