the wandering jew, volume 9-第21章

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of　Rodin；　seated　half…naked　at　the　desk；　with　his　feet　upon　the　cold
stones；　the　doctor　exclaimed；　in　a　tone　of　reproach　and　alarm：　〃But；　my
lordbut；　fatherit　is　murder　to　let　the　unhappy　man　do　this！If　he　is
delirious　from　fever；　he　must　have　the　strait…waistcoat；　and　be　tied　down
in　bed。〃

So　saying。　　Dr。　Baleinier　hastily　approached　Rodin；　and　took　him　by　the
arm。　　Instead　of　finding　the　skin　dry　and　chilly；　as　he　expected；　he
found　it　flexible；　almost　damp。　　Struck　with　surprise；　the　doctor　sought
to　feel　the　pulse　of　the　left　hand；　which　Rodin　resigned；　to　him；　whilst
he　continued　working　with　the　right。

〃What　a　prodigy！〃　cried　the　doctor；　as　he　counted　Rodin's　pulse；　〃for　a
week　past；　and　even　this　morning；　the　pulse　has　been　abrupt；
intermittent；　almost　insensible；　and　now　it　is　firm；　regularI　am　really
puzzledwhat　then　has　happened？　　I　can　hardly　believe　what　I　see；〃　added
the　doctor；　turning　towards　Father　d'Aigrigny　and　the　cardinal。

〃The　reverend　father；　who　had　first　lost　his　voice；　was　next　seized　with
such　furious　and　violent　despair　caused　by　the　receipt　of　bad　news；〃
answered　Father　d'Aigrigny；　〃that　we　feared　a　moment　for　his　life；　while
now；　on　the　contrary；　the　reverend　father　has　gained　sufficient　strength
to　go　to　his　desk；　and　write　for　some　minutes；　with　a　clearness　of
argument　and　expression；　which　has　confounded　both　the　cardinal　and
myself。〃

〃There　is　no　longer　any　doubt　of　it；〃　cried　the　doctor。　　〃The　violent
despair　has　caused　a　degree　of　emotion；　which　will　admirably　prepare　the
reactive　crisis；　that　I　am　now　almost　certain　of　producing　by　the
operation。〃

〃You　persist　in　the　operation？〃　whispered　Father　d'Aigrigny；　whilst　Rodin
continued　to　write。

〃I　might　have　hesitated　this　morning；　but；　disposed　as　he　now　is　for　it；
I　must　profit　by　the　moment　of　excitement；　which　will　be　followed　by
greater　depression。〃

〃Then；　without　the　operation〃　said　the　cardinal。

〃This　fortunate　and　unexpected　crisis　will　soon　be　over；　and　the　reaction
may　kill　him；　my　lord。〃

〃Have　you　informed　him　of　the　serious　nature　of　the　operation？〃

〃Pretty　nearly；　my　lord。〃

〃But　it　is　time　to　bring　him　to　the　point。〃

〃That　is　what　I　will　do；　my　lord；〃　said　Dr。　Baleinier；　and　approaching
Rodin；　who　continued　to　write；　he　thus　addressed　him；　in　a　firm　voice：
〃My　reverend　father；　do　you　wish　to　be　up　and　well　in　a　week？〃

Rodin　nodded；　full　of　confidence；　as　much　as　to　say：　〃I　am　up　already。〃

〃Do　not　deceive　yourself；〃　replied　the　doctor。　　〃This　crisis　is
excellent；　but　it　will　not　last；　and　if　we　would　profit　by　it；　we　must
proceed　with　the　operation　of　which　I　have　spoken　to　youor；　I　tell　you
plainly；　I　answer　for　nothing　after　such　a　shock。〃

Rodin　was　the　more　struck　with　these　words；　as；　half　an　hour　ago；　he　had
experienced　the　short　duration　of　the　improvement　occasioned　by　Father
d'Aigrigny's　good　news；　and　as　already　he　felt　increased　oppression　on
the　chest。

Dr。　Baleinier；　wishing　to　decide　him；　added：　〃In　a　word；　father；　will　you
live　or　die？〃

Rodin　wrote　rapidly　this　answer；　which　he　gave　to　the　doctor：　〃To　live；　I
would　let　you　cut　me　limb　from　limb。　　I　am　ready　for　anything。〃　　And　he
made　a　movement　to　rise。

〃I　must　tell　you；　reverend　father；　so　as　not　to　take　you　by　surprise；〃
added　Dr。　Baleinier；　〃that　this　operation　is　cruelly　painful。〃

Rodin　shrugged　his　shoulders　and　wrote　with　a　firm　hand：　〃Leave　me　my
head；　you　may　take　all　the　rest。〃

The　doctor　read　these　words　aloud；　and　the　cardinal　and　Father　d'Aigrigny
looked　at　each　other　in　admiration　of　this　dauntless　courage。

〃Reverend　father；〃　said　Dr。　Baleinier；　〃you　must　lie　down。〃

Rodin　wrote：　〃Get　everything　ready。　　I　have　still　some　orders　to　write。
Let　me　know　when　it　is　time。〃

Then　folding　up　a　paper；　which　he　had　sealed　with　a　wafer；　Rodin　gave
these　words　to　Father　d'Aigrigny：　〃Send　this　note　instantly　to　the　agent
who　addressed　the　anonymous　letters　to　Marshal　Simon。〃

〃Instantly；　reverend　father；〃　replied　the　abbe；　〃I　will　employ　a　sure
messenger。〃

〃Reverend　father；〃　said　Baleinier　to　Rodin；　〃since　you　must　write；　lie
down　in　bed；　and　write　there；　during　our　little　preparations。〃

Rodin　made　an　affirmative　gesture；　and　rose。　　But　already　the　prognostics
of　the　doctor　were　realized。　　The　Jesuit　could　hardly　remain　standing　for
a　second；　he　fell　back　into　a　chair；　and　looked　at　Dr。　Baleinier　with
anguish；　whilst　his　breathing　became　more　and　more　difficult。

The　doctor　said　to　him：　〃Do　not　be　uneasy。　　But　we　must　make　haste。　　Lean
upon　me　and　Father　d'Aigrigny。〃

Aided　by　these　two　supporters；　Rodin　was　able　to　regain　the　bed。　　Once
there；　he　made　signs　that　they　should　bring　him　pen；　ink；　and　paper。
Then　he　continued　to　write　upon　his　knees；　pausing　from　time　to　time；　to
breathe　with　great　difficulty。

〃Reverend　father；〃　said　Baleinier　to　d'Aigrigny；　〃are　you　capable　of
acting　as　one　of　my　assistants　in　the　operation？　　Have　you　that　sort　of
courage？〃

〃No；〃　said　the　reverend　father；　〃in　the　army　I　could　never　assist　at　an
amputation。　　The　sight　of　blood　is　too　much　for　me。〃

〃There　will　be　no　blood；〃　said　the　doctor；　〃but　it　will　be　worse。　　Please
send　me　three　of　our　reverend　fathers　to　assist　me；　and　ask　M。　Rousselet
to　bring　in　the　apparatus。〃

Father　d'Aigrigny　went　out。　　The　prelate　approached　the　doctor；　and
whispered；　pointing　to　Rodin：　〃Is　he　out　of　danger？〃

〃If　he　stands　the　operationyes；　my　lord。〃

〃Are　you　sure　that　he　can　stand　it？〃

〃To　him　I　should　say　‘yes；'　to　you　‘I　hope　so。'〃

‘And　were　he　to　die；　would　there　be　time　to　administer　the　sacraments　in
public；　with　a　certain　pomp；　which　always　causes　some　little　delay？〃

〃His　dying　may　continue；　my　lorda　quarter　of　an　hour。〃

〃It　is　short；　but　we　must　be　satisfied　with　that；〃　said　the　prelate。

And；　going　to　one　of　the　windows；　he　began　to　tap　with　his　fingers　on　the
glass；　while　he　thought　of　the　illumination　effects；　in　the　event　of
Rodin's　lying　in　state。　　At　this　moment；　Rousselet　entered；　with　a　large
square　box　under　his　arm。　　He　placed　it　on　the　drawers；　and　began　to
arrange　his　apparatus。

〃How　many　have　you　prepared？〃　said　the　doctor。

〃Six；　sir。〃

〃Four　will　do；　but　it　is　well　to　be　fully　provided。　　The　cotton　is　not
too　thick？〃

〃Look；　sir。〃

〃Very　good。〃

〃And　how　is　the　reverend　father？〃　asked　the　pupil。

〃Humph！〃　answered　the　doctor；　in　a　whisper。　　〃The　chest　is　terribly
clogged；　the　respiration　hissing；　the　voice　gonestill　there　is　a
change。〃

〃All　my　fear　is；　sir；　that　the　reverend　father　will　not　be　able　to　stand
the　dreadful　pain。〃

〃It　is　another　chance；　but；　under　the　circumstances；　we　must　risk　all。
Come；　my　dear　boy；　light　thetaper；　I　hear　our　assistants。〃

Just　then　Father　d'Aigrigny　entered　the　room；　accompanied　by　the　three
Jesuits；　who；　in　the　morning；　had　walked　in　the　garden。　　The　two　old　men；
with　their　rosy　cheeks；　and　the　young　one；　with　the　ascetic　countenance；
all　three　dressed　in　black；　with　their　square　caps　and　white　bands；
appeared　perfectly　ready　to　assist　Dr。　Baleinier　in　his　formidable
operation。




CHAPTER　XXX。

THE　TORTURE。

〃Reverend　fathers；〃　said　Dr。　Baleinier；　graciously；　to　the　three；　〃I
thank　you　for　your　kind　aid。　　What　you　have　to　do　is　very　simple；　and；　by
the　blessing　of　heaven；　this　operation　will　save　the　life　of　our　dear
Father　Rodin。

The　three　black…gowns　cast　up　their　eyes　piously；　and　then　bowed
altogether；　like　one　man。　　Rodin；　indifferent　to　what　was　passing　around
him；　never　ceased　an　instant　to　write　or　reflect。　　Nevertheless；　in　spite
of　his　apparent　calmness；　he　felt　such　difficulty　in　breathing；　that　more
than　once　Dr。　Baleinier　had　turned　round　uneasily；　as　he　heard　the
stifled　rattling　in　the　throat　of　the　sick　man。　　Making　a　sign　to　his
pupil；　the　doctor　approached　Rodin　and　said　to　him：　〃Come；　reverend
father；　this　is　the　important　moment。　　Courage！〃

No　sign　of　alarm　was　expressed　in　the　Jesuit's　countenance。　　His　features
remained　impassible　as　those　of　a　corpse。　　Only；　his　little　reptile　eyes
sparkled　still　more　brightly　in　their　dark　cavities。　　For　a　moment；　he
looked　round　at　the　spectators　of　this　scene；　then；　taking　his　pen
between　his　teeth；　he　folded　and　wafered　another　letter；　placed　it　on　the
table　beside　the　bed；　and　nodded　to　Dr。　Baleinier；　as　if　to　say：　〃I　am
ready。〃

〃You　must　take　off　your　flannel　waistcoat；　and　your　shirt；　father。〃　Rodin
hesitated　an　instant；　and　the　doctor　resumed：　〃It　is　absolutely
necessary；　father。〃

Aided　by　Baleinier；　Rodin　obeyed；　whilst　the　doctor　added；　no　doubt　to
spare　his　modesty：　〃We　shall　only　require　the　chest；　right　and　left；　my
dear　father。〃

And　now；　Rodin；　stretched　upon　his　back；　with　his　dirty　night…cap　still
on　his　head；　exposed　the　upper　part　of　a　livid　trunk；　or　rather；　the　bony
cage　of　a　skeleton；　for　the　shadows　of　the　ribs　and　cartilages　encircled
the　skin　with　deep；　black　lines。　　As　for　the　arms；　they　resembled　bones
twisted　with　cord　and　covered　with　tanned　parchment。

〃Come；　M。　Rousselet；　the　apparatus！〃　said　Baleinier。

Then　addressing　the　three　Jesuits；　he　added：　〃Please　draw　near；
gentlemen；　what　you　have　to　do　is　very　simple；　as　you　will　see。〃

It　was　indeed　very　simple。　　The　doctor　gave　to　each　of　his　four
assistants　a　sort　of　little　steel　tripod　about　two　inches　in　diameter　and
three　in　height；　the　circular　centre　of　this　tripod　was　filled　with
cotton；　the　instrument　was　held　in　the　left　hand　by　means　of　a　wooden
handle。　　In　the　right　hand　each　assistant　held　a　small　tin　tube　about
eighteen　inches　long；　at　one　end　was　a　mouthpiece　to　receive　the　lips　of
the　operator；　and　the　other　spread　out　so　as　to　form　a　cover　to　the
little　tripod。　　These　preparations　had　nothing　alarming　in　them。　　Father
d'Aigrigny　and　the　prelate；　who　looked　on　from　a　little　distance；　could
not　understand　how　this　operation　should　be　so　painful。　　They　soon
understood　it。

Dr。　Baleinier；　having　thus　provided　his　four　assistants；　made　them
approach　Rodin；　whose　bed　had　been　rolled　into　the　middle　of　the　room。
Two　of　them　were　placed　on　one　side；　two　on　the　other。

〃Now；　gentlemen；〃　said　Dr。　Baleinier；　〃set　light　to　the　cotton；　place　the
lighted　part　on　the　skin　of　his　reverence；　by　means　of　the　tripod　which
contains　the　wick；　cover　the　tripod　with　the　broad　part　of　the　tube；　and
then　blow　through　the　other　end　to　keep　up　the　fire。　　It　is　very　simple；
as　you　see。〃

It　was；　in　fact；　full　of　the　most　patriarchal　and　primitive　ingenuity。
Four　lighted　cotton　rocks；　so　disposed　as　to　burn　very　slowly；　were
applied　to　the　two　sides　of　Rodin's　chest。　　This　is　vulgarly　called　the
moxa。　　The　trick　is　done；　when　the　whole　thickness　of　the　skin　has　been
burnt　slowly　through。　　It　lasts　seven　or　eight　minutes。　　They　say　that　an
amputation　is　nothing　to　it。　　Rodin　had　watched　the　preparations　with
intrepid　curiosity。　　But；　at　the　first　touch　of　the　four　fires；　he
writhed　like　a　serpent；　without　being　able　to　utter　a　cry。　　Even　the
expression　of　pain　was　denied　him。　　The　four　assistants　being　disturbed
by；　the　sudden　start　of　Rodin；　it　was　necessary　to　begin　again。

〃Courage；　my　dear　father！　offer　these　sufferings　to　the　Lord！〃　said　Dr。
Baleinier；　in　a　san