a woman of thirty-第31章

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o　not　care　a　rap　for　it。You　and　I　will　have　our　little　bit　of　talk　together　directly。〃

A　smothered　sound；　with　no　accompanying　cry；　told　the　General　that　the　gallant　captain　had　died　〃like　a　sailor；〃　as　he　had　said。

〃My　money　or　death！〃　cried　the　Marquis；　in　a　fit　of　rage　terrible　to　see。

〃Ah！　now　you　talk　sensibly！〃　sneered　the　lieutenant。　〃That　is　the　way　to　get　something　out　of　us〃

Two　of　the　men　came　up　at　a　sign　and　hastened　to　bind　the　Frenchmen's　feet；　but　with　unlooked…for　boldness　he　snatched　the　lieutenant's　cutlass　and　laid　about　him　like　a　cavalry　officer　who　knows　his　business。

〃Brigands　that　you　are！　You　shall　not　chuck　one　of　Napoleon's　troopers　over　a　ship's　side　like　an　oyster！〃

At　the　sound　of　pistol　shots　fired　point　blank　at　the　Frenchman；　〃the　Parisian〃　looked　round　from　his　occupation　of　superintending　the　transfer　of　the　rigging　from　the　/Saint…Ferdinand/。　He　came　up　behind　the　brave　General；　seized　him；　dragged　him　to　the　side；　and　was　about　to　fling　him　over　with　no　more　concern　than　if　the　man　had　been　a　broken　spar。　They　were　at　the　very　edge　when　the　General　looked　into　the　tawny　eyes　of　the　man　who　had　stolen　his　daughter。　The　recognition　was　mutual。

The　captain　of　the　privateer；　his　arm　still　upraised；　suddenly　swung　it　in　the　contrary　direction　as　if　his　victim　was　but　a　feather　weight；　and　set　him　down　at　the　foot　of　the　main　mast。　A　murmur　rose　on　the　upper　deck；　but　the　captain　glanced　round；　and　there　was　a　sudden　silence。

〃This　is　Helene's　father；〃　said　the　captain　in　a　clear；　firm　voice。　〃Woe　to　any　one　who　meddles　with　him！〃

A　hurrah　of　joy　went　up　at　the　words；　a　shout　rising　to　the　sky　like　a　prayer　of　the　church；　a　cry　like　the　first　high　notes　of　the　/Te　Deum/。　The　lads　swung　aloft　in　the　rigging；　the　men　below　flung　up　their　caps；　the　gunners　pounded　away　on　the　deck；　there　was　a　general　thrill　of　excitement；　an　outburst　of　oaths；　yells；　and　shrill　cries　in　voluble　chorus。　The　men　cheered　like　fanatics；　the　General's　misgivings　deepened；　and　he　grew　uneasy；　it　seemed　to　him　that　there　was　some　horrible　mystery　in　such　wild　transports。

〃My　daughter！〃　he　cried；　as　soon　as　he　could　speak。　〃Where　is　my　daughter？〃

For　all　answer；　the　captain　of　the　privateer　gave　him　a　searching　glance；　one　of　those　glances　which　throw　the　bravest　man　into　a　confusion　which　no　theory　can　explain。　The　General　was　mute；　not　a　little　to　the　satisfaction　of　the　crew；　it　pleased　them　to　see　their　leader　exercise　the　strange　power　which　he　possessed　over　all　with　whom　he　came　in　contact。　Then　the　captain　led　the　way　down　a　staircase　and　flung　open　the　door　of　a　cabin。

〃There　she　is；〃　he　said；　and　disappeared；　leaving　the　General　in　a　stupor　of　bewilderment　at　the　scene　before　his　eyes。

Helene　cried　out　at　the　sight　of　him；　and　sprang　up　from　the　sofa　on　which　she　was　lying　when　the　door　flew　open。　So　changed　was　she　that　none　but　a　father's　eyes　could　have　recognized　her。　The　sun　of　the　tropics　had　brought　warmer　tones　into　the　once　pale　face；　and　something　of　Oriental　charm　with　that　wonderful　coloring；　there　was　a　certain　grandeur　about　her；　a　majestic　firmness；　a　profound　sentiment　which　impresses　itself　upon　the　coarsest　nature。　Her　long；　thick　hair；　falling　in　large　curls　about　her　queenly　throat；　gave　an　added　idea　of　power　to　the　proud　face。　The　consciousness　of　that　power　shone　out　from　every　movement；　every　line　of　Helene's　form。　The　rose…tinted　nostrils　were　dilated　slightly　with　the　joy　of　triumph；　the　serene　happiness　of　her　life　had　left　its　plain　tokens　in　the　full　development　of　her　beauty。　A　certain　indefinable　virginal　grace　met　in　her　with　the　pride　of　a　woman　who　is　loved。　This　was　a　slave　and　a　queen；　a　queen　who　would　fain　obey　that　she　might　reign。

Her　dress　was　magnificent　and　elegant　in　its　richness；　India　muslin　was　the　sole　material；　but　her　sofa　and　cushions　were　of　cashmere。　A　Persian　carpet　covered　the　floor　in　the　large　cabin；　and　her　four　children　playing　at　her　feet　were　building　castles　of　gems　and　pearl　necklaces　and　jewels　of　price。　The　air　was　full　of　the　scent　of　rare　flowers　in　Sevres　porcelain　vases　painted　by　Madame　Jacotot；　tiny　South　American　birds；　like　living　rubies；　sapphires；　and　gold；　hovered　among　the　Mexican　jessamines　and　camellias。　A　pianoforte　had　been　fitted　into　the　room；　and　here　and　there　on　the　paneled　walls；　covered　with　red　silk；　hung　small　pictures　by　great　paintersa　/Sunset/　by　Hippolyte　Schinner　beside　a　Terburg；　one　of　Raphael's　Madonnas　scarcely　yielded　in　charm　to　a　sketch　by　Gericault；　while　a　Gerard　Dow　eclipsed　the　painters　of　the　Empire。　On　a　lacquered　table　stood　a　golden　plate　full　of　delicious　fruit。　Indeed；　Helene　might　have　been　the　sovereign　lady　of　some　great　country；　and　this　cabin　of　hers　a　boudoir　in　which　her　crowned　lover　had　brought　together　all　earth's　treasure　to　please　his　consort。　The　children　gazed　with　bright；　keen　eyes　at　their　grandfather。　Accustomed　as　they　were　to　a　life　of　battle；　storm；　and　tumult；　they　recalled　the　Roman　children　in　David's　/Brutus/；　watching　the　fighting　and　bloodshed　with　curious　interest。

〃What！　is　it　possible？〃　cried　Helene；　catching　her　father's　arm　as　if　to　assure　herself　that　this　was　no　vision。

〃Helene！〃

〃Father！〃

They　fell　into　each　other's　arms；　and　the　old　man's　embrace　was　not　so　close　and　warm　as　Helene's。

〃Were　you　on　board　that　vessel？〃

〃Yes；〃　he　answered　sadly；　and　looking　at　the　little　ones；　who　gathered　about　him　and　gazed　with　wide　open　eyes。

〃I　was　about　to　perish；　but〃

〃But　for　my　husband；〃　she　broke　in。　〃I　see　how　it　was。〃

〃Ah！〃　cried　the　General；　〃why　must　I　find　you　again　like　this；　Helene？　After　all　the　many　tears　that　I　have　shed；　must　I　still　groan　for　your　fate？〃

〃And　why？〃　she　asked；　smiling。　〃Why　should　you　be　sorry　to　learn　that　I　am　the　happiest　woman　under　the　sun？〃

〃/Happy/？〃　he　cried　with　a　start　of　surprise。

〃Yes；　happy；　my　kind　father；〃　and　she　caught　his　hands　in　hers　and　covered　them　with　kisses；　and　pressed　them　to　her　throbbing　heart。　Her　caresses；　and　a　something　in　the　carriage　of　her　head；　were　interpreted　yet　more　plainly　by　the　joy　sparkling　in　her　eyes。

〃And　how　is　this？〃　he　asked；　wondering　at　his　daughter's　life；　forgetful　now　of　everything　but　the　bright　glowing　face　before　him。

〃Listen；　father；　I　have　for　lover；　husband；　servant；　and　master　one　whose　soul　is　as　great　as　the　boundless　sea；　as　infinite　in　his　kindness　as　heaven；　a　god　on　earth！　Never　during　these　seven　years　has　a　chance　look；　or　word；　or　gesture　jarred　in　the　divine　harmony　of　his　talk；　his　love；　his　caresses。　His　eyes　have　never　met　mine　without　a　gleam　of　happiness　in　them；　there　has　always　been　a　bright　smile　on　his　lips　for　me。　On　deck；　his　voice　rises　above　the　thunder　of　storms　and　the　tumult　of　battle；　but　here　below　it　is　soft　and　melodious　as　Rossini's　musicfor　he　has　Rossini's　music　sent　for　me。　I　have　everything　that　woman's　caprice　can　imagine。　My　wishes　are　more　than　fulfilled。　In　short；　I　am　a　queen　on　the　seas；　I　am　obeyed　here　as　perhaps　a　queen　may　be　obeyed。Ah！〃　she　cried；　interrupting　herself；　〃/happy/　did　I　say？　Happiness　is　no　word　to　express　such　bliss　as　mine。　All　the　happiness　that　should　have　fallen　to　all　the　women　in　the　world　has　been　my　share。　Knowing　one's　own　great　love　and　self…　devotion；　to　find　in　/his/　heart　an　infinite　love　in　which　a　woman's　soul　is　lost；　and　lost　for　evertell　me；　is　this　happiness？　I　have　lived　through　a　thousand　lives　even　now。　Here；　I　am　alone；　here；　I　command。　No　other　woman　has　set　foot　on　this　noble　vessel；　and　Victor　is　never　more　than　a　few　paces　distant　from　me；he　cannot　wander　further　from　me　than　from　stern　to　prow；〃　she　added；　with　a　shade　of　mischief　in　her　manner。　〃Seven　years！　A　love　that　outlasts　seven　years　of　continual　joy；　that　endures　all　the　tests　brought　by　all　the　moments　that　make　up　seven　yearsis　this　love？　Oh；　no；　no！　it　is　something　better　than　all　that　I　know　of　life　。　。　。　human　language　fails　to　express　the　bliss　of　heaven。〃

A　sudden　torrent　of　tears　fell　from　her　burning　eyes。　The　four　little　ones　raised　a　piteous　cry　at　this；　and　flocked　like　chickens　about　their　mother。　The　oldest　boy　struck　the　General　with　a　threatening　look。

〃Abel；　darling；〃　said　Helene；　〃I　am　crying　for　joy。〃

Helene　took　him　on　her　knee；　and　the　child　fondled　her；　putting　his　arms　about　her　queenly　neck；　as　a　lion's　whelp　might　play　with　the　lioness。

〃Do　you　never　weary　of　your　life？〃　asked　the　General；　bewildered　by　his　daughter's　enthusiastic　language。

〃Yes；〃　she　said；　〃sometimes；　when　we　are　on　land；　yet　even　then　I　have　never　parted　from　my　husband。〃

〃But　you　need　to　be　fond　of　music　and　balls　and　fetes。〃

〃His　voice　is　music　for　me；　and　for　fetes；　I　devise　new　toilettes　for　him　to　see。　When　he　likes　my　dress；　it　is　as　if　all　the　world　admired　me。　Simply　for　that　reason　I　keep　the　diamonds　and　jewels；　the　precious　things；　the　flowers　and　masterpieces　of　art　that　he　heaps　upon　me；　saying；　'Helene；　as　you　live　out　of　the　world；　I　will　have　the　world　come　to　you。'　But　for　that　I　would　fling　them　all　overboard。〃

〃But　there　are　others　on　board；　wild；　reckless　men　whose　passions〃

〃I　understand；　father；〃　she　said　smiling。　〃Do　not　fear　for　me。　Never　was　empress　encompassed　with　more　observance　than　I。　The　men　are　very　superstitious；　they　look　upon　me　as　a　sort　of　tutelary　genius；　the　luck　of　the　vessel。　But　/he/　is　their　god；　they　worship　him。　Once；　and　once　only；　one　of　the　crew　showed　disrespect；　mere　words；〃　she　added；　laughing；　〃but　before　Victor　knew　of　it；　the　others　flung　the　offender　overboard；　although　I　forgave　him。　They　love　me　as　their　good　angel；　I　nurse　them　when　they　are　ill；　several　times　I　have　been　so　fortunate　as　to　save　a　life；　by　constant　care　such　as　a　woman　can　give。　Poor　fellows；　they　are　giants；　but　they　are　children　at　the　same　time。〃

〃And　when　there　is　fighting　overhead？〃

〃I　am　used　to　it　now；　I　quaked　for　fear　during　the　first　engagement；　but　never　since。I　am　used　to　such　peril；　andI　am　your　daughter；〃　she　said；　〃I　love　it。〃

〃But　how　if　he　should　fall？〃

〃I　should　die　with　him。〃

〃And　your　children？〃

〃They　are　children　of　the　sea　and　of　danger；　they　share　the　life　of　their　parents。　We　have　but　one　life；　and　we　do　not　flinch　from　it。　We　have　but　one　life；　our　names　are　written　on　the　same　page　of　the　book　of　Fate；　one　skiff　bears　us　and　our　fortunes；　and　we　know　it。〃

〃Do　you　so　love　him　that　he　is　more　to　you　than　all　beside？〃

〃All　beside？〃　echoed　she。　〃Let　us　leave　that　mystery　alone。　Yet　stay！　there　is　this　dear　little　onewell；　this　too　is　/he/；〃　and　straining　Abel　to　her　in　a　tight　clasp；　she　set　eager　kisses　on　his　cheeks　and　hair。

〃But　I　can　never　forget　that　he　has　just　drowned　nine　men！〃　exclaimed　the　General。

〃There　was　no　help　for　it；　doubtless；〃　she　said；　〃for　he　is　generous　and　humane。　He　sheds　as　little　blood　as　may　be；　and　only　in　the　interests　of　the　little　world　which　he　defends；　and　the　sacred　cause　for　which　he　is　fighting。　Talk　to　him　about　anything　that　seems　to　you　to　be　wrong；　and　he　will　convince　you；　you　will　see。〃

〃There　was　that　crime　of　his；〃　muttered　the　General　to　himself。

〃But　how　if　that　crime　was　a　virtue？〃　she　asked；　with　cold　dignity。　〃How　if　man's　justic