el dorado-第47章

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fever　was　all　that　was　left　of　life。

Chauvelin　looked　on　in　silence；　vaguely　stirred　by　something　that
he　could　not　define；　something　that　right　through　his　triumphant
satisfaction；　his　hatred　and　final　certainty　of　revenge；　had
roused　in　him　a　sense　almost　of　admiration。

He　gazed　on　the　noiseless　figure　of　the　man　who　had　endured　so
much　for　an　ideal；　and　as　he　gazed　it　seemed　to　him　as　if　the
spirit　no　longer　dwelt　in　the　body；　but　hovered　round　in　the　dank；
stuffy　air　of　the　narrow　cell　above　the　head　of　the　lonely
prisoner；　crowning　it　with　glory　that　was　no　longer　of　this　earth。

Of　this　the　looker…on　was　conscious　despite　himself；　of　that　and
of　the　fact　that　stare　as　he　might；　and　with　perception　rendered
doubly　keen　by　hate；　he　could　not；　in　spite　of　all；　find　the　least
trace　of　mental　weakness　in　that　far…seeing　gaze　which　seemed　to
pierce　the　prison　walls；　nor　could　he　see　that　bodily　weakness　had
tended　to　subdue　the　ruling　passions。

Sir　Percy　Blakeneya　prisoner　since　seventeen　days　in　close；
solitary　confinement；　half…starved；　deprived　of　rest；　and　of　that
mental　and　physical　activity　which　had　been　the　very　essence　of
life　to　him　hithertomight　be　outwardly　but　a　shadow　of　his
former　brilliant　self；　but　nevertheless　he　was　still　that　same
elegant　English　gentleman；　that　prince　of　dandies　whom　Chauvelin
had　first　met　eighteen　months　ago　at　the　most　courtly　Court　in
Europe。　　His　clothes；　despite　constant　wear　and　the　want　of
attention　from　a　scrupulous　valet；　still　betrayed　the　perfection
of　London　tailoring；　he　had　put　them　on　with　meticulous　care；　they
were　free　from　the　slightest　particle　of　dust；　and　the　filmy　folds
of　priceless　Mechlin　still　half…veiled　the　delicate　whiteness　of
his　shapely　hands。

And　in　the　pale；　haggard　face；　in　the　whole　pose　of　body　and　of
arm；　there　was　still　the　expression　of　that　indomitable　strength
of　will；　that　reckless　daring；　that　almost　insolent　challenge　to
Fate；　it　was　there　untamed；　uncrushed。　Chauvelin　himself　could　not
deny　to　himself　its　presence　or　its　force。　　He　felt　that　behind
that　smooth　brow；　which　looked　waxlike　now；　the　mind　was　still
alert；　scheming；　plotting；　striving　for　freedom；　for　conquest　and
for　power；　and　rendered　even　doubly　keen　and　virile　by　the　ardour
of　supreme　self…sacrifice。

Chauvelin　now　made　a　slight　movement　and　suddenly　Blakeney　became
conscious　of　his　presence；　and　swift　as　a　flash　a　smile　lit　up　his
wan　face。

〃Why！　if　it　is　not　my　engaging　friend　Monsieur　Chambertin；〃　he
said　gaily。

He　rose　and　stepped　forward　in　the　most　approved　fashion
prescribed　by　the　elaborate　etiquette　of　the　time。　　But　Chauvelin
smiled　grimly　and　a　look　of　almost　animal　lust　gleamed　in　his　pale
eyes；　for　he　had　noted　that　as　he　rose　Sir　Percy　had　to　seek　the
support　of　the　table；　even　whilst　a　dull　film　appeared　to　gather
over　his　eyes。

The　gesture　had　been　quick　and　cleverly　disguised；　but　it　had　been
there　neverthelessthat　and　the　livid　hue　that　overspread　the
face　as　if　consciousness　was　threatening　to　go。　　All　of　which　was
sufficient　still　further　to　assure　the　looker…on　that　that　mighty
physical　strength　was　giving　way　at　last；　that　strength　which　he
had　hated　in　his　enemy　almost　as　much　as　he　had　hated　the　thinly
veiled　insolence　of　his　manner。

〃And　what　procures　me；　sir；　the　honour　of　your　visit？〃　continued
Blakeney；　who　hadat　any　rate；　outwardly　soon　recovered　himself；
and　whose　voice；　though　distinctly　hoarse　and　spent；　rang　quite
cheerfully　across　the　dank　narrow　cell。

〃My　desire　for　your　welfare；　Sir　Percy；〃　replied　Chauvelin　with
equal　pleasantry。

〃La；　sir；　but　have　you　not　gratified　that　desire　already；　to　an
extent　which　leaves　no　room　for　further　solicitude？　　But　I　pray
you；　will　you　not　sit　down？〃　he　continued；　turning　back　toward　the
table。　　〃I　was　about　to　partake　of　the　lavish　supper　which　your
friends　have　provided　for　me。　　Will　you　not　share　it；　sir？　You　are
most　royally　welcome；　and　it　will　mayhap　remind　you　of　that　supper
we　shared　together　in　Calais；　eh？　when　you；　Monsieur　Chambertin；
were　temporarily　in　holy　orders。〃

He　laughed；　offering　his　enemy　a　chair；　and　pointed　with　inviting
gesture　to　the　hunk　of　brown　bread　and　the　mug　of　water　which
stood　on　the　table。

〃Such　as　it　is；　sir；〃　he　said　with　a　pleasant　smile；　〃it　is　yours
to　command。〃

Chauvelin　sat　down。　　He　held　his　lower　lip　tightly　between　his
teeth；　so　tightly　that　a　few　drops　of　blood　appeared　upon　its
narrow　surface。　　He　was　making　vigorous　efforts　to　keep　his　temper
under　control；　for　he　would　not　give　his　enemy　the　satisfaction　of
seeing　him　resent　his　insolence。　　He　could　afford　to　keep　calm　now
that　victory　was　at　last　in　sight；　now　that　he　knew　that　he　had
but　to　raise　a　finger；　and　those　smiling；　impudent　lips　would　be
closed　forever　at　last。

〃Sir　Percy；〃　he　resumed　quietly；　〃no　doubt　it　affords　you　a
certain　amount　of　pleasure　to　aim　your　sarcastic　shafts　at　me。　　I
will　not　begrudge　you　that　pleasure；　in　your　present　position；
sir；　your　shafts　have　little　or　no　sting。〃

〃And　I　shall　have　but　few　chances　left　to　aim　them　at　your
charming　self；〃　interposed　Blakeney；　who　had　drawn　another　chair
close　to　the　table　and　was　now　sitting　opposite　his　enemy；　with
the　light　of　the　lamp　falling　full　on　his　own　face；　as　if　he
wished　his　enemy　to　know　that　he　had　nothing　to　hide；　no　thought；
no　hope；　no　fear。

〃Exactly；〃　said　Chauvelin　dryly。　　〃That　being　the　case；　Sir　Percy；
what　say　you　to　no　longer　wasting　the　few　chances　which　are　left
to　you　for　safety？　　The　time　is　getting　on。　　You　are　not；　I
imagine；　quite　as　hopeful　as　you　were　even　a　week　ago；　。。。　you
have　never　been　over…comfortable　in　this　cell；　why　not　end　this
unpleasant　state　of　affairs　nowonce　and　for　all？　You'll　not　have
cause　to　regret　it。　　My　word　on　it。〃

Sir　Percy　leaned　back　in　his　chair。　　He　yawned　loudly　and
ostentatiously。

〃I　pray　you；　sir；　forgive　me；〃　he　said。　　〃Never　have　I　been　so
dd　fatigued。　　I　have　not　slept　for　more　than　a　fortnight。〃

〃Exactly；　Sir　Percy。　　A　night's　rest　would　do　you　a　world　of
good。〃

〃A　night；　sir？〃　exclaimed　Blakeney　with　what　seemed　like　an　echo
of　his　former　inimitable　laugh。　　〃La！　　I　should　want　a　week。〃

〃I　am　afraid　we　could　not　arrange　for　that；　but　one　night　would
greatly　refresh　you。〃

〃You　are　right；　sir；　you　are　right；　but　those　dd　fellows　in　the
next　room　make　so　much　noise。〃

〃I　would　give　strict　orders　that　perfect　quietude　reigned　in　the
guard…room　this　night；〃　said　Chauvelin；　murmuring　softly；　and
there　was　a　gentle　purr　in　his　voice；　〃and　that　you　were　left
undisturbed　for　several　hours。　　I　would　give　orders　that　a
comforting　supper　be　served　to　you　at　once；　and　that　everything　be
done　to　minister　to　your　wants。〃

〃That　sounds　dd　alluring；　sir。　　Why　did　you　not　suggest　this
before？〃

〃You　were　sowhat　shall　I　sayso　obstinate；　Sir　Percy？〃

〃Call　it　pig…headed；　my　dear　Monsieur　Chambertin；〃　retorted
Blakeney　gaily；　〃truly　you　would　oblige　me。〃

〃In　any　case　you；　sir；　were　acting　in　direct　opposition　to　your
own　interests。〃

〃Therefore　you　came；〃　concluded　Blakeney　airily；　〃like　the　good
Samaritan　to　take　compassion　on　me　and　my　troubles；　and　to　lead　me
straight　away　to　comfort；　a　good　supper　and　a　downy　bed。〃

〃Admirably　put；　Sir　Percy；〃　said　Chauvelin　blandly；　〃that　is
exactly　my　mission。〃

〃How　will　you　set　to　work；　Monsieur　Chambertin？〃

〃Quite　easily；　if　you；　Sir　Percy；　will　yield　to　the　persuasion　of
my　friend　citizen　Heron。〃

〃Ah！〃

〃Why；　yes！　　He　is　anxious　to　know　where　little　Capet　is。　　A
reasonable　whim；　you　will　own；　considering　that　the　disappearance
of　the　child　is　causing　him　grave　anxiety。〃

〃And　you；　Monsieur　Chambertin？〃　queried　Sir　Percy　with　that
suspicion　of　insolence　in　his　manner　which　had　the　power　to
irritate　his　enemy　even　now。　　〃And　yourself；　sir；　what　are　your
wishes　in　the　matter？〃

〃Mine；　Sir　Percy？〃　retorted　　Chauvelin。　　〃Mine？　　Why；　to　tell　you
the　truth；　the　fate　of　little　Capet　interests　me　but　little。　　Let
him　rot　in　Austria　or　in　our　prisons；　I　care　not　which。　　He'll
never　trouble　France　overmuch；　I　imagine。　　The　teachings　of　old
Simon　will　not　tend　to　make　a　leader　or　a　king　out　of　the　puny
brat　whom　you　chose　to　drag　out　of　our　keeping。　　My　wishes；　sir；
are　the　annihilation　of　your　accursed　League；　and　the　lasting
disgrace；　if　not　the　death；　of　its　chief。〃

He　had　spoken　more　hotly　than　he　had　intended；　but　all　the　pent…up
rage　of　the　past　eighteen　months；　the　recollections　of　Calais　and
of　Boulogne；　had　all　surged　up　again　in　his　mind；　because　despite
the　closeness　of　these　prison　walls；　despite　the　grim　shadow　of
starvation　and　of　death　that　beckoned　so　close　at　hand；　he　still
encountered　a　pair　of　mocking　eyes；　fixed　with　relentless
insolence　upon　him。

Whilst　he　spoke　Blakeney　had　once　more　leaned　forward；　resting　his
elbows　upon　the　table。　　Now　he　drew　nearer　to　him　the　wooden
platter　on　which　reposed　that　very　uninviting　piece　of　dry　bread。
With　solemn　intentness　he　proceeded　to　break　the　bread　into
pieces；　then　he　offered　the　platter　to　Chauvelin。

〃I　am　sorry；〃　he　said　pleasantly；　〃that　I　cannot　you　more　dainty
fare；　sir；　but　this　is　all　that　your　friends　have　supplied　me　with
to…day。〃

He　crumbled　some　of　the　dry　bread　in　his　slender　fingers；　then
started　munching　the　crumbs　with　apparent　relish。　　He　poured　out
some　water　into　the　mug　and　drank　it。　　Then　be　said　with　a　light
laugh：

〃Even　the　vinegar　which　that　ruffian　Brogard　served　us　at　Calais
was　preferable　to　this；　do　you　not　imagine　so；　my　good　Monsieur
Chambertin？〃

Chauvelin　made　no　reply。　　Like　a　feline　creature　on　the　prowl；　he
was　watching　the　prey　that　had　so　nearly　succumbed　to　his　talons。
Blakeney's　face　now　was　positively　ghastly。　　The　effort　to　speak；
to　laugh；　to　appear　unconcerned；　was　apparently　beyond　his
strength。　　His　cheeks　and　lips　were　livid　in　hue；　the　skin　clung
like　a　thin　layer　of　wax　to　the　bones　of　cheek　and　jaw；　and　the
heavy　lids　that　fell　over　the　eyes　had　purple　patches　on　them　like
lead。

To　a　system　in　such　an　advanced　state　of　exhaustion　the　stale
water　and　dusty　bread　must　have　been　terribly　nauseating；　and
Chauvelin　himself　callous　and　thirsting　for　vengeance　though　he
was；　could　hardly　bear　to　look　calmly　on　the　martyrdom　of　this　man
whom　he　and　his　colleagues　were　torturing　in　order　to　gain　their
own　ends。

An　ashen　hue；　which　seemed　like　the　shadow　of　the　hand　of　death；
passed　over　the　prisoner's　face。　Chauvelin　felt　compelled　to　avert
his　gaze。　　A　feeling　that　was　almost　akin　to　remorse　had　stirred　a
hidden　cord　in　his　heart。　The　feeling　did　not　lastthe　heart　had
been　too　long　atrophied　by　the　constantly　recurring　spectacles　of
cruelties；　massacres；　and　wholesale　hecatombs　perpetrated　in　the
past　eighteen　months　in　the　name　of　liberty　and　fraternity　to　be
capable　of　a　sustained　effort　in　the　direction　of　gentleness　or　of
pity。　　Any　noble　instinct　in　these　revolutionaries　had　long　ago
been　drowned　in　a　whirlpool　of　exploits　that　would　forever　sully
the　records　of　humanity；　and　this　keeping　of　a　fellow…creature　on
the　rack　in　order　to　wring　from　him　a　Judas…like　betrayal　was　but
a　complement　to　a　record　of　in