el dorado-第45章

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！


clammy；　and　instinctively　she　withdrew　away　from　the　near　vicinity
of　the　girl。　　She　felt　as　if　the　room；　the　furniture　in　it；　even　the
window　before　her　were　dancing　a　wild　and　curious　dance；　and　that
from　everywhere　around　strange　whistling　sounds　reached　her　ears；
which　caused　her　head　to　whirl　and　her　brain　to　reel。

Jeanne　had　buried　her　head　in　her　hands。　　She　was　cryingsoftly；
almost　humbly　at　first；　as　if　half　ashamed　of　her　grief；　then；
suddenly　it　seemed；　as　if　she　could　not　contain　herself　any
longer；　a　heavy　sob　escaped　her　throat　and　shook　her　whole
delicate　frame　with　its　violence。　　Sorrow　no　longer　would　be
gainsaid；　it　insisted　on　physical　expressionthat　awful　tearing
of　the　heart…strings　which　leaves　the　body　numb　and　panting　with
pain。

In　a　moment　Marguerite　had　forgotten；　the　dark　and　shapeless
phantom　that　had　knocked　at　the　gate　of　her　soul　was　relegated
back　into　chaos。　　It　ceased　to　be；　it　was　made　to　shrivel　and　to
burn　in　the　great　seething　cauldron　of　womanly　sympathy。　　What
part　this　child　had　played　in　the　vast　cataclysm　of　misery　which
had　dragged　a　noble…hearted　enthusiast　into　the　dark　torture…chamber；
whence　the　only　outlet　led　to　the　guillotine；　sheMarguerite　Blakeney
did　not　know；　what　part　Armand；　her　brother；　had　played　in　it；　that
she　would　not　dare　to　guess；　all　that　she　knew　was　that　here　was　a
loving　heart　that　was　filled　with　paina　young；　inexperienced　soul
that　was　having　its　first　tussle　with　the　grim　realities　of　life
and　every　motherly　instinct　in　Marguerite　was　aroused。

She　rose　and　gently　drew　the　young　girl　up　from　her　knees；　and　then
closer　to　her；　she　pillowed　the　grief…stricken　head　against　her
shoulder；　and　murmured　gentle；　comforting　words　into　the　tiny　ear。

〃I　have　news　for　Armand；〃　she　whispered；　〃that　will　comfort　him；　a
messagea　letter　from　his　friend。　　You　will　see；　dear；　that　when
Armand　reads　it　he　will　become　a　changed　man；　you　see；　Armand
acted　a　little　foolishly　a　few　days　ago。　　His　chief　had　given　him
orders　which　he　disregardedhe　was　so　anxious　about　youhe
should　have　obeyed；　and　now；　mayhap；　he　feels　that　his　disobedience
may　have　been　thethe　innocent　cause　of　much　misery　to　others；　that
is；　no　doubt；　the　reason　why　he　is　so　sad。　　The　letter　from　his　friend
will　cheer　him；　you　will　see。〃

〃Do　you　really　think　so；　madame？〃　murmured　Jeanne；　in　whose
tear…stained　eyes　the　indomitable　hopefulness　of　youth　was　already
striving　to　shine。

〃I　am　sure　of　it；〃　assented　Marguerite。

And　for　the　moment　she　was　absolutely　sincere。　　The　phantom　had
entirely　vanished。　　She　would　even；　had　he　dared　to　re…appear；
have　mocked　and　derided　him　for　his　futile　attempt　at　turning　the
sorrow　in　her　heart　to　a　veritable　hell　of　bitterness。



CHAPTER　XXXIII
LITTLE　MOTHER

The　two　women；　both　so　young　still；　but　each　of　them　with　a　mark
of　sorrow　already　indelibly　graven　in　her　heart；　were　clinging　to
one　another；　bound　together　by　the　strong　bond　of　sympathy。　　And
but　for　the　sadness　of　it　all　it　were　difficult　to　conjure　up　a
more　beautiful　picture　than　that　which　they　presented　as　they
stood　side　by　side；　Marguerite；　tall　and　stately　as　an　exquisite
lily；　with　the　crown　of　her　ardent　hair　and　the　glory　of　her　deep
blue　eyes；　and　Jeanne　Lange；　dainty　and　delicate；　with　the　brown
curls　and　the　child…like　droop　of　the　soft；　moist　lips。

Thus　Armand　saw　them　when；　a　moment　or　two　later；　entered
unannounced。　　He　had　pushed　open　the　door　and　looked　on　the　two
women　silently　for　a　second　or　two；　on　the　girl　whom　he　loved　so
dearly；　for　whose　sake　he　had　committed　the　great；　the　unpardonable
sin　which　would　send　him　forever　henceforth；　Cain…like；　a　wanderer
on　the　face　of　the　earth；　and　the　other；　his　sister；　her　whom　a
Judas　act　would　condemn　to　lonely　sorrow　and　widowhood。

He　could　have　cried　out　in　an　agony　of　remorse；　and　it　was　the
groan　of　acute　soul　anguish　which　escaped　his　lips　that　drew
Marguerite's　attention　to　his　presence。

Even　though　many　things　that　Jeanne　Lange　had　said　had　prepared
her　for　a　change　in　her　brother；　she　was　immeasurably　shocked　by
his　appearance。　　He　had　always　been　slim　and　rather　below　the
average　in　height；　but　now　his　usually　upright　and　trim　figure
seemed　to　have　shrunken　within　itself；　his　clothes　hung　baggy　on
his　shoulders；　his　hands　appeared　waxen　and　emaciated；　but　the
greatest　change　was　in　his　face；　in　the　wide　circles　round　the
eyes；　that　spoke　of　wakeful　nights；　in　the　hollow　cheeks；　and　the
mouth　that　had　wholly　forgotten　how　to　smile。

Percy　after　a　week's　misery　immured　in　a　dark　and　miserable
prison；　deprived　of　food　and　rest；　did　not　look　such　a　physical
wreck　as　did　Armand　St。　Just；　who　was　free。

Marguerite's　heart　reproached　her　for　what　she　felt　had　been
neglect；　callousness　on　her　part。　　Mutely；　within　herself；　she
craved　his　forgiveness　for　the　appearance　of　that　phantom　which
should　never　have　come　forth　from　out　that　chaotic　hell　which　had
engendered　it。

〃Armand！〃　she　cried。

And　the　loving　arms　that　had　guided　his　baby　footsteps　long　ago；
the　tender　hands　that　had　wiped　his　boyish　tears；　were　stretched
out　with　unalterable　love　toward　him。

〃I　have　a　message　for　you；　dear；〃　she　said　gently〃a　letter　from
him。　　Mademoiselle　Jeanne　allowed　me　to　wait　here　for　you　until
you　came。〃

Silently；　like　a　little　shy　mouse；　Jeanne　had　slipped　out　of　the
room。　　Her　pure　love　for　Armand　had　ennobled　every　one　of　her
thoughts；　and　her　innate　kindliness　and　refinement　had　already
suggested　that　brother　and　sister　would　wish　to　be　alone。　　At　the
door　she　had　turned　and　met　Armand's　look。　　That　look　had
satisfied　her；　she　felt　that　in　it　she　had　read　the　expression　of
his　love；　and　to　it　she　had　responded　with　a　glance　that　spoke　of
hope　for　a　future　meeting。

As　soon　as　the　door　had　closed　on　Jeanne　Lange；　Armand；　with　an
impulse　that　refused　to　be　checked；　threw　himself　into　his
sister's　arms。　　The　present；　with　all　its　sorrows；　its　remorse　and
its　shame；　had　sunk　away；　only　the　past　remainedthe　unforgettable
past；　when　Marguerite　was　〃little　mother〃the　soother；　the　comforter；
the　healer；　the　ever…willing　receptacle　wherein　he　had　been　wont　to
pour　the　burden　of　his　childish　griefs；　of　his　boyish　escapades。

Conscious　that　she　could　not　know　everythingnot　yet；　at　any
ratehe　gave　himself　over　to　the　rapture　of　this　pure　embrace；
the　last　time；　mayhap；　that　those　fond　arms　would　close　round　him
in　unmixed　tenderness；　the　last　time　that　those　fond　lips　would
murmur　words　of　affection　and　of　comfort。

To…morrow　those　same　lips　would；　perhaps；　curse　the　traitor；　and
the　small　hand　be　raised　in　wrath；　pointing　an　avenging　finger　on
the　Judas。

〃Little　mother；〃　he　whispered；　babbling　like　a　child；　〃it　is　good
to　see　you　again。〃

〃And　I　have　brought　you　a　message　from　Percy；〃　she　said；　〃a　letter
which　he　begged　me　to　give　you　as　soon　as　maybe。〃

〃You　have　seen　him？〃　he　asked。

She　nodded　silently；　unable　to　speak。　　Not　now；　not　when　her
nerves　were　strung　to　breaking　pitch；　would　she　trust　herself　to
speak　of　that　awful　yesterday。　　She　groped　in　the　folds　of　her
gown　and　took　the　packet　which　Percy　had　given　her　for　Armand。　　It
felt　quite　bulky　in　her　hand。

〃There　is　quite　a　good　deal　there　for　you　to　read；　dear；〃　she
said。　　〃Percy　begged　me　to　give　you　this；　and　then　to　let　you　read
it　when　you　were　alone。〃

She　pressed　the　packet　into　his　hand。　　Armand's　face　was　ashen
pale。　　He　clung　to　her　with　strange；　nervous　tenacity；　the　paper
which　he　held　in　one　hand　seemed　to　Sear　his　fingers　as　with　a
branding…iron。

〃I　will　slip　away　now；〃　she　said；　for　strangely　enough　since
Percy's　message　had　been　in　Armand's　hands　she　was　once　again
conscious　of　that　awful　feeling　of　iciness　round　her　heart；　a
sense　of　numbness　that　paralysed　her　very　thoughts。

〃You　will　make　my　excuses　to　Mademoiselle　Lange；〃　she　said；　trying
to　smile。　　〃When　you　have　read；　you　will　wish　to　see　her　alone。〃

Gently　she　disengaged　herself　from　Armand's　grasp　and　made　for　the
door。　　He　appeared　dazed；　staring　down　at　that　paper　which　was
scorching　his　fingers。　　Only　when　her　hand　was　on　the　latch　did　he
seem　to　realise　that　she　was　going。

〃Little　mother；〃　came　involuntarily　to　his　lips。

She　came　straight　back　to　him　and　took　both　his　wrists　in　her
small　hands。　　She　was　taller　than　he；　and　his　head　was　slightly
bent　forward。　　Thus　she　towered　over　him；　loving　but　strong；　her
great；　earnest　eyes　searching　his　soul。

〃When　shall　I　see　you　again；　little　mother？〃　he　asked。

〃Read　your　letter；　dear；〃　she　replied；　〃and　when　you　have　read　it；
if　you　care　to　impart　its　contents　to　me；　come　to…night　to　my
lodgings；　Quai　de　la　Ferraille；　above　the　saddler's　shop。　　But　if
there　is　aught　in　it　that　you　do　not　wish　me　to　know；　then　do　not
come；　I　shall　understand。　Good…bye；　dear。〃

She　took　his　head　between　her　two　cold　hands；　and　as　it　was　still
bowed　she　placed　a　tender　kiss；　as　of　a　long　farewell；　upon　his
hair。

Then　she　went　out　of　the　room。



CHAPTER　XXXIV
THE　LETTER

Armand　sat　in　the　armchair　in　front　of　the　fire。　　His　head　rested
against　one　hand；　in　the　other　he　held　the　letter　written　by　the
friend　whom　he　had　betrayed。

Twice　he　had　read　it　now；　and　already　was　every　word　of　that
minute；　clear　writing　graven　upon　the　innermost　fibres　of　his
body；　upon　the　most　secret　cells　of　his　brain。



Armand；　I　know。　　I　knew　even　before　Chauvelin　came　to　me；　and
stood　there　hoping　to　gloat　over　the　soul…agony　a　man　who　finds
that　he　has　been　betrayed　by　his　dearest　friend。　But　that　dd
reprobate　did　not　get　that　satisfaction；　for　I　was　prepared。　　Not
only　do　I　know；　Armand；　but　I　UNDERSTAND。　　I；　who　do　not　know　what
love　is；　have　realised　how　small　a　thing　is　honour；　loyalty；　or
friendship　when　weighed　in　the　balance　of　a　loved　one's　need。

To　save　Jeanne　you　sold　me　to　Heron　and　his　crowd。　We　are　men；
Armand；　and　the　word　forgiveness　has　only　been　spoken　once　these
past　two　thousand　years；　and　then　it　was　spoken　by　Divine　lips。
But　Marguerite　loves　you；　and　mayhap　soon　you　will　be　all　that　is
left　her　to　love　on　this　earth。　　Because　of　this　she　must　never
know　。。。。　　As　for　you；　Armandwell；　God　help　you！　　But　meseems
that　the　hell　which　you　are　enduring　now　is　ten　thousand　times
worse　than　mine。　　I　have　heard　your　furtive　footsteps　in　the
corridor　outside　the　grated　window　of　this　cell；　and　would　not
then　have　exchanged　my　hell　for　yours。　　Therefore；　Armand；　and
because　Marguerite　loves　you；　I　would　wish　to　turn　to　you　in　the
hour　that　I　need　help。　　I　am　in　a　tight　corner；　but　the　hour　may
come　when　a　comrade's　hand　might　mean　life　to　me。　　I　have　thought
of　you；　Armand　partly　because　having　taken　more　than　my　life；　your
own　belongs　to　me；　and　partly　because　the　plan　which　I　have　in　my
mind　will　carry　with　it　grave　risks　for　the　man　who　stands　by　me。

I　swore　once　that　never　would　I　risk　a　comrade's　life　to　save　mine
own；　but　matters　are　so　different　now　。。。　we　are　both　in　hell；
Armand；　and　I　in　striving　to　get　out　of　mine　will　be　showing　you　a
way　out　of　yours。

Will　you　retake　possession　of　your　lodgings　in　the　Rue　de　la　Croix
Blanche？　　I　should　always　know　then　where　to　find　yo