the wandering jew, volume 9-第11章

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was　the　Bacchanal　Queen。

Pale　and　wan；　with；　hair　in　disorder；　hollow　cheeks；　sunken　eyes；　and
clothed　almost　in　rags；　this　brilliant　and　joyous　heroine　of　so　many　mad
orgies　was　now　only　the　shadow　of　her　former　self。　　Misery　and　grief　were
impressed　on　that　countenance；　once　so　charming。　　Hardly　had　she　entered
the　room；　when　Cephyse　paused；　her　mournful　and　unquiet　gaze　strove　to
penetrate　the　half…obscurity　of　the　apartment；　in　search　of　him　she
longed　to　see。　　Suddenly　the　girl　started；　and　uttered　a　loud　scream。
She　had　just　perceived；　at　the　other　side　of　a　long　table；　by　the　bluish
light　of　the　punch；　Jacques　struggling　with　Morok　and　one　of　the　guests；
who　were　hardly　able　to　restrain　his　convulsive　movements。

At　this　sight　Cephyse；　in　her　first　alarm；　carried　away　by　her　affection；
did　what　she　had　so　often　done　in　the　intoxication　of　joy　and　pleasure。
Light　and　agile；　instead　of　losing　precious　time　in　making　a　long
circuit；　she　sprang　at　once　upon　the　table；　passed　nimbly　through　the
array　of　plates　and　bottles；　and　with　one　spring　was　by　the　side　of　the
sufferer。

〃Jacques！〃　she　exclaimed；　without　yet　remarking　the　lion…tamer；　and
throwing　herself　on　the　neck　of　her　lover。　　〃Jacques！　it　is　ICephyse！〃

That　well…known　voice；　that　heart…piercing　cry；　which　came　from　the
bottom　of　the　soul；　seemed　not　unheard　by　Sleepinbuff。　　He　turned　his
head　mechanically　towards　the　Bacchanal　Queen；　without　opening　his　eyes；
and　heaved　a　deep　sigh；　his　stiffened　limbs　relaxed；　a　slight　trembling
succeeded　to　the　convulsions；　and　in　a　few　seconds　his　heavy　eyelids　were
raised　with　an　effort；　so　as　to　uncover　his　dull　and　wandering　gaze。
Mute　with　astonishment；　the　spectators　of　this　scene　felt　an　uneasy
curiosity。　　Cephyse；　kneeling　beside　her　lover；　bathed　his　hands　in　her
tears；　covered　them　with　kisses；　and　exclaimed；　in　a　voice　broken　by
sobs；　〃It　is　ICephyseI　have　found　you　againit　was　not　my　fault　that
I　abandoned　you！　Forgive　me；　forgive〃

〃Wretched　woman！〃　cried　Morok；　irritated　at　this　meeting；　which　might；
perhaps；　be　fatal　to　his　projects；　〃do　you　wish　to　kill　him？　　In　his
present　state；　this　agitation　is　death。　　Begone！〃　So　saying；　he　seized
Cephyse　suddenly　by　the　arm；　just　as　Jacques；　waking；　as　it　were；　from　a
painful　dream；　began　to　distinguish　what　was　passing　around　him。

〃You！　It　is　you！〃　cried　the　Bacchanal　Queen；　in　amazement；　as　she
recognized　Morok；　〃who　separated　me　from　Jacques！〃

She　paused；　for　the　dim　eye　of　the　victim；　as　it　rested　upon　her；　grew
suddenly　bright。

〃Cephyse！〃　murmured　Jacques；　〃is　it　you？〃

〃Yes；　it　is　I；〃　answered　she；　in　a　voice　of　deep　emotion；　〃who　have　come…
…I　will　tell　you〃

She　was　unable　to　continue；　and；　as　she　clasped　her　hands　together；　her
pale；　agitated；　tearful　countenance　expressed　her　astonishment　and
despair　at　the　mortal　change　which　had　taken　place　in　the　features　of
Jacques。　　He　understood　the　cause　of　her　surprise；　and　as　he
contemplated；　in　his　turn；　the　suffering　and　emaciated　countenance　of
Cephyse。　　he　said　to　her；　〃Poor　girl！　you　also　have　had　to　bear　much
grief；　much　miseryI　should　hardly　have　known　you。〃

〃Yes；〃　replied　Cephyse；　〃much　griefmuch　miseryand　worse　than　misery；〃
she　added；　trembling；　whilst　a　deep　blush　overspread　her　pale　features。

〃Worse　than　misery？〃　said　Jacques；　astonished。

〃But　it　is　you　who　have　suffered；〃　hastily　resumed　Cephyse；　without
answering　her　lover。

〃Just　now；　I　was　going　to　make　an　end　of　ityour　voice　has　recalled　me
for　an　instantbut　I　feel　something　here；〃　and　he　laid　his　hand　upon　his
breast；　〃which　never　gives　quarter。　　It　is　all　the　same　nowI　have　seen
youI　shall　die　happy。〃

〃You　shall　not　die；　Jacques；　I　am　here〃

〃Listen　to　one；　my　girl。　　If　I　had　a　bushel　of　live　coal　in　my　stomach；
it　could　hardly　burn　me　more。　　For　more　than　a　month；　I　have　been
consuming　my　body　by　a　slow　fire。　　This　gentleman；〃　he　added；　glancing　at
Morok；　〃this　dear　friend；　always　undertook　to　feed　the　flame。　　I　do　not
regret　life；　I　have　lost　the　habit　of　work；　and　taken　to　drink　and　riot；
I　should　have　finished　by　becoming　a　thorough　blackguard：　I　preferred
that　my　friend　here　should　amuse　himself　with　lighting　a　furnace　in　my
inside。　　Since　what　I　drank　just　now；　I　am　certain　that　it　fumes　like
yonder　punch。〃

〃You　are　both　foolish　and　ungrateful；〃　said　Morok；　shrugging　his
shoulders；　〃you　held　out　your　glass；　and　I　filled　itand；　faith；　we
shall　drink　long　and　often　together　yet。〃

For　some　moments；　Cephyse　had　not　withdrawn　her　eyes　from　Morok。　　〃I　tell
you；　that　you　have　long　blown　the　fire；　in　which　I　have　burnt　my　skin；〃
resumed　Jacques；　addressing　Morok　in　a　feeble　voice；　〃so　that　they　may
not　think　I　die　of　cholera。　　It　would　look　as　if　I　had　been　frightened　by
the　part　I　played。　　I　do　not　therefore　reproach　you；　my　affectionate
friend；〃　added　he；　with　a　sardonic　smile；　〃you　dug　my　grave　gaylyand
sometimes；　when；　seeing　the　great　dark　hole；　into　which　I　was　about　to
fall；　I　drew　back　a　stepbut　you；　my　excellent　friend；　still　pushed　me
forward；　saying；　‘Go　on；　my　boy；　go　on！'and　I　went　onand　here　I　am〃

So　saying；　Sleepinbuff　burst　into　a　bitter　laugh；　which　sent　an　icy
shudder　through　the　spectators　of　this　scene。

〃My　good　fellow；〃　said　Morok；　coolly；　〃listen　to　me；　and　follow　my
advice。〃

〃Thank　you！　I　know　your　adviceand；　instead　of　listening　to　you；　I
prefer　speaking　to　my　poor　Cephyse。　　Before　I　go　down　to　the　moles；　I
should　like　to　tell　her　what　weighs　on　my　heart。〃

〃Jacques；〃　replied　Cephyse；　〃do　not　talk　so。　　I　tell　you；　you　shall　not
die。〃

〃Why；　then；　my　brave　Cephyse；　I　shall　owe　my　life　to　you；〃　returned
Jacques；　in　a　tone　of　serious　feeling；　which　surprised　the　spectators。
〃Yes；〃　resumed　he；　〃when　I　came　to　myself；　and　saw　you　so　poorly　clad；　I
felt　something　good　about　my　heartdo　you　know　why？it　was　because　I
said　to　myself；　‘Poor　girl！　she　has　kept　her　word　bravely；　she　has　chosen
to　toil；　and　want；　and　sufferrather　than　take　another　lovewho　would
have　given　her　what　I　gave　her　as　long　as　I　could'and　that　thought；
Cephyse；　refreshed　my　soul。　　I　needed　it；　for　I　was　burningand　I　burn
still；〃　added　he；　clinching　his　fists　with　pain；　〃but　that　made　me　happy…
…it　did　me　goodthanks；　my　good；　brave　Cephyseyes；　you　are　good　and
braveand　you　were　right；　for　I　never　loved　any　but　you　in　the　wide
world；　and　if；　in　my　degradation；　I　had　one　thought　that　raised　me　a
little　above　the　filth；　and　made　me　regret　that　I　was　not　betterthe
thought　was　of　you！　Thanks　then；　my　poor；　dear　love；〃　said　Jacques；　whose
hot　and　shining　eyes　were　becoming　moist；　〃thanks　once　again；〃　and　he
reached　his　cold　hand　to　Cephyse；　〃if　I　die；　I　shall　die　happyif　I
live；　I　shall　live　happy　also。　　Give　me　your　hand；　my　brave　Cephyse！you
have　acted　like　a　good　and　honest　creature。〃

Instead　of　taking　the　hand　which　Jacques　offered　her；　Cephyse；　still
kneeling；　bowed　her　head；　and　dared　not　raise　her　eyes　to　her　lover。

〃You　don't　answer；〃　said　he；　leaning　over　towards　the　young　girl；　〃you
don't　take　my　handwhy　is　this？〃

The　unfortunate　creature　only　answered　by　stifled　sobs。　　Borne　down　with
shame；　she　held　herself　in　so　humble；　so　supplicating　an　attitude；　that
her　forehead　almost　touched　the　feet　of　her　lover。

Amazed　at　the　silence　and　conduct　of　the　Bacchanal　Queen；　Jacques　looked
at　her　with　increasing　agitation；　suddenly　he　stammered　out　with
trembling　lips；　〃Cephyse；　I　know　you。　　If　you　do　not　take　my　hand；　it　is
because〃

Then；　his　voice　failing；　he　added；　in　a　dull　tone；　after　a　moment's
silence；　〃When；　six　weeks　ago；　I　was　taken　to　prison；　did　you　not　say　to
me；　'Jacques；　I　swear　that　I　will　workand　if　need　be；　live　in　horrible
miserybut　I　will　live　true！'　That　was　your　promise。　　Now；　I　know　you
never　speak　false；　tell　me　you　have　kept　your　word；　and　I　shall　believe
you。〃

Cephyse　only　answered　by　a　heart…rending　sob；　as　she　pressed　the　knees　of
Jacques　against　her　heaving　bosom。　　By　a　strange　contradiction；　more
common　than　is　generally　thoughtthis　man；　degraded　by　intoxication　and
debauchery；　who；　since　he　came　out　of　prison；　had　plunged　in　every
excess；　and　tamely　yielded　to　all　the　fatal　incitements　of　Morok；　yet
received　a　fearful　blow；　when　he　learned；　by　the　mute　avowal　of　Cephyse；
the　infidelity；　of　this　creature；　whom　he　had　loved　in　spite　of
degradation。　　The　first　impulse　of　Jacques　was　terrible。　　Notwithstanding
his　weakness　and　exhaustion；　he　succeeded　in　rising　from　his　seat；　and；
with　a　countenance　contracted　by　rage　and　despair；　he　seized　a　knife；
before　they　had　time　to　prevent　him；　and　turned　it　upon　Cephyse。　　But　at
the　moment　he　was　about　to　strike；　shrinking　from　an　act　of　murder；　he
hurled　the　knife　far　away　from　him；　and　falling　back　into　the　chair；
covered　his　face　with　his　hands。

At　the　cry　of　Ninny　Moulin；　who　had；　though　late；　thrown　himself　upon
Jacques　to　take　away　the　knife；　Cephyse　raised　her　head：　Jacques's　woeful
dejection　wrung　her　heart；　she　rose；　and　fell　upon　his　neck；
notwithstanding　his　resistance；　exclaiming　in　a　voice　broken　by　sobs；
〃Jacques；　if　you　knew！　if　you　only　knewlistendo　not　condemn　me
without　hearing　meI　will　tell　you　all；　I　swear　to　youwithout
falsehoodthis　man；〃　and　she　pointed　to　Morok；　〃will　not　dare　deny　what
I　say；　he　came；　and　told　me　to　have　the　courage　to〃

〃I　do　not　reproach　you。　　I　have　no　right　to　reproach　you。　　Let　me　die　in
peace。　　I　ask　nothing　but　that　now；〃　said　Jacques；　in　a　still　weaker
voice；　as　he　repulsed　Cephyse。　　Then　he　added；　with　a　grievous　and　bitter
smile；　〃Luckily；　I　have　my　dose。　　I　knewwhat　I　was　doingwhen　I
accepted　the　duel　with　brandy。〃

〃No；　you　shall　not　die；　and　you　shall　hear　me；〃　cried　Cephyse；　with　a
bewildered　air；　〃you　shall　hear　me；　and　everybody　else　shall　hear　me。
They　shall　see　that　it　is　not　my　fault。　　Is　it　not　so；　gentlemen？　　Do　I
not　deserve　pity？　　You　will　entreat　Jacques　to　forgive　me；　for　if　driven
by　miseryfinding　no　workI　was　forced　to　thisnot　for　the　sake　of　any
luxuryyou　see　the　rags　I　wearbut　to　get　bread　and　shelter　for　my
poor；　sick　sisterdying；　and　even　more　miserable　than　myselfwould　you
not　have　pity　upon　me？　　Do　you　think　one　finds　pleasure　in　one's　infamy？〃
cried　the　unfortunate；　with　a　burst　of　frightful　laughter；　then　she
added；　in　a　low　voice；　and　with　a　shudder；　〃Oh；　if　you　knew；　Jacques！　it
is　so　infamous；　so　horrible；　that　I　preferred　death　to　falling　so　low　a
second　time。　　I　should　have　killed　myself；　had　I　not　heard　you　were
here。〃　Then；　seeing　that　Jacques　did　not　answer　her；　but　shook　his　head
mournfully　as　he　sank　down　though　still　supported　by　Ninny　Moulin；
Cephyse　exclaimed；　as　she　lifted　her　clasped　hands　towards　him；　〃Jacques！
one　wordfor　pity's　sakeforgive　me！〃

〃Gentlemen；　pray　remove　this　woman；〃　cried　Morok；　〃the　sight　of　her
causes　my　friend　too　painful　emotions。〃

〃Come；　my　dear　child；　be　reasonable；〃　said　several　of　the　guests；　who；
deeply　moved　by　this　scene；　were　endeavoring　to　withdraw　Cephyse　from　it；
〃leave　him；　and　come　with　us；　he　is　not　in　any　danger。〃

〃Gentlemen！　oh；　gentlemen！〃　cried　the　unfortunate　creature；　bursting　into
tears；　and　raising　her　hands　in　supplication；　〃listen　to　meI　will　do
all　that　you　wish　meI