the wandering jew, volume 9-第5章

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appear　to　be　conscious；　was　so　remarkable；　that　the　other　actors　in　this
scene　looked　at　him　with　a　sort　of　terror。

Deceived　as　to　the　cause　of　this　impression；　Rodin　exclaimed　with
indignation；　in　a　voice　interrupted　by　deep　gaspings　for　breath：　〃It　is
pity　for　this　impious　race；　that　I　read　upon　your　faces？　　Pity　for　the
young　girl；　who　never　enters　a　church；　and　erects　pagan　altars　in　her
habitation？　　Pity　for　Hardy；　the　sentimental　blasphemer；　the
philanthropic　atheist；　who　had　no　chapel　in　his　factory；　and　dared　to
blend　the　names　of　Socrates；　Marcus；　Aurelius；　and　Plato；　with　our
Savior's？　　Pity　for　the　Indian　worshipper　of　Brahma？　　Pity　for　the　two
sisters；　who　have　never　even　been　baptized？　　Pity　for　that　brute；　Jacques
Rennepont？　　Pity　for　the　stupid　imperial　soldier；　who　has　Napoleon　for
his　god；　and　the　bulletins　of　the　Grand　Army　for　his　gospel？　　Pity　for
this　family　of　renegades；　whose　ancestor；　a　relapsed　heretic；　not　content
with　robbing　us　of　our　property；　excites　from　his　tomb；　at　the　end　of　a
century　and　a　half；　his　cursed　race　to　lift　their　heads　against　us？
What！　to　defend　ourselves　from　these　vipers；　we　shall　not　have　the　right
to　crush　them　in　their　own　venom？I　tell　you；　that　it　is　to　serve
heaven；　and　to　give　a　salutary　example　to　the　world；　to　devote；　by
unchaining　their　own　passions；　this　impious　family　to　grief　and　despair
and　death！〃

As　he　spoke　thus；　Rodin　was　dreadful　in　his　ferocity；　the　fire　of　his
eyes　became　still　more　brilliant；　his　lips　were　dry　and　burning；　a　cold
sweat　bathed　his　temples；　which　could　be　seen　throbbing；　an　icy　shudder
ran　through　his　frame。　　Attributing　these　symptoms　to　fatigue　from
writing　through　a　portion　of　the　night；　and　wishing　to　avoid　fainting；　he
went　to　the　sideboard；　filled　another　glass　with　wine；　which　he　drank　off
at　a　draught；　and　returned　as　the　cardinal　said　to　him：　〃If　your　course
with　regard　to　this　family　needed　justification；　my　good　father；　your
last　word　would　have　victoriously　justified　it。　　Not　only　are　you　right；
according　to　your　own　casuists；　but　there　is　nothing　in　your　proceedings
contrary　to　human　laws。　　As　for　the　divine　law；　it　is　pleasing　to　the
Lord　to　destroy　impiety　with　its　own　weapons。

Conquered；　as　well　as　the　others；　by　Rodin's　diabolical　assurance；　and
brought　back　to　a　kind　of　fearful　admiration；　Father　d'Aigrigny　said　to
him：　〃I　confess　I　was　wrong　in　doubting　the　judgment　of　your　reverence。
Deceived　by　the　appearance　of　the　means　employed；　I　could　not　judge　of
their　connection；　and　above　all；　of　their　results。　　I　now　see；　that；
thanks　to　you；　success　is　no　longer　doubtful。〃

〃This　is　an　exaggeration；〃　replied　Rodin；　with　feverish　impatience；　〃all
these　passions　are　at　work；　but　the　moment　is　critical。　　As　the　alchemist
bends　over　the　crucible；　which　may　give　him　either　treasures　or　sudden
deathI　alone　at　this　moment〃

Rodin　did　not　finish　the　sentence。　　He　pressed　both　his　hands　to　his
forehead；　with　a　stifled　cry　of　pain。

〃What　is　the　matter？〃　said　Father　d'Aigrigny。　　〃For　some　moments　you　have
been　growing　fearfully　pale。〃

〃I　do　not　know　'what　is　the　matter；〃　said　Rodin；　in　an　altered　voice；　〃my
headache　increasesI　am　seized　with　a　sort　of　giddiness。〃

〃Sit　down；〃　said　the　princess；　with　interest。

〃Take　something；〃　said　the　bishop。

〃It　will　be　nothing；〃　said　Rodin；　with　an　effort；　〃I　am　no　milksop；　thank
heaven！I　had　little　sleep　last　night；　it　is　fatiguenothing　more。　　I
was　saying；　that　I　alone　could　now　direct　this　affair：　but　I　cannot
execute　the　plan　myself。　　I　must　keep　out　of　the　way；　and　watch　in　the
shade：　I　must　hold　the　threads；　which　I　alone　can　manage；〃　added　Rodin；
in　a　faint　voice。

〃My　good　father；〃　said　the　cardinal　uneasily；　〃I　assure　you　that　you　are
very　unwell。　　Your　paleness　is　becoming　livid。〃

〃It　is　possible；〃　answered　Rodin；　courageously；　〃but　I　am　not　to　be　so
soon　conquered。　　To　return　to　our　affairthis　is　the　time；　in　which　your
qualities；　Father　d'Aigrigny；　will　turn　to　good　account。　　I　have　never
denied　them；　and　they　may　now　be　of　the　greatest　use。　　You　have　the　power
of　charminggraceeloquenceyou　must〃

Rodin　paused　again。　　A　cold　sweat　poured　from　his　forehead。　　He　felt　his
legs　give　way　under　him；　notwithstanding　his　obstinate　energy。

〃I　confess；　I　am　not　well；〃　he　said；　〃yet；　this　morning；　I　was　as　well　as
ever。　　I　shiver。　　I　am　icy　cold。〃

〃Draw　near　the　fireit　is　a　sudden　indisposition；〃　said　the　bishop；
offering　his　arm　with　heroic　devotion；　〃it　will　not　be　anything　of
consequence。〃

〃If　you　were　to　take　something　warm；　a　cup　of　tea；〃　said　the　princess；
〃Dr。　Baleinier　will　be　here　directlyhe　will　reassure　us　as　to　this
indisposition。〃

〃It　is　really　inexplicable；〃　said　the　prelate。

At　these　words　of　the　cardinal；　Rodin；　who　had　advanced　with　difficulty
towards　the　fire；　turned　his　eyes　upon　the　prelate；　and　looked　at　him
fixedly　in　a　strange　manner；　for　about　a　second；　then；　strong　in　his
unconquerable　energy；　notwithstanding　the　change　in　his　features；　which
were　now　visibly　disfigured；　Rodin　said；　in　a　broken　voice；　which　he
tried　to　make　firm：　〃The　fire　has　warmed　me；　it　will　be　nothing。　　I　have
no　time　to　coddle　myself。　　It　would　be　a　pretty　thing　to　fall　ill　just　as
the　Rennepont　affair　can　only　succeed　by　my　exertions！　Let　us　return　to
business。　　I　told　you；　Father　d'Aigrigny；　that　you　might　serve　us　a　good
deal；　and　you　also；　princess；　who　have　espoused　this　cause　as　if　it　were
your　own〃

Rodin　again　paused。　　This　time　he　uttered　a　piercing　cry；　sank　upon　a
chair　placed　near　him；　and　throwing　himself　back　convulsively；　he　pressed
his　hands　to　his　chest；　and　exclaimed：　〃Oh！　what　pain！〃

Then　（dreadful　sight！）　a　cadaverous　decomposition；　rapid　as　thought；　took
place　in　Rodin's　features。　　His　hollow　eyes　were　filled　with　blood；　and
seemed　to　shrink　back　in　their　orbits；　which　formed；　as　it　were；　two　dark
holes；　in　the　centre　of　which　blazed　points　of　fire；　nervous　convulsions
drew　the　flabby；　damp；　and　icy　skin　tight　over　the　bony　prominences　of
the　face；　which　was　becoming　rapidly　green。　　From　the　lips；　writhing　with
pain；　issued　the　struggling　breath；　mingled　with　the　words：　〃Oh！　I
suffer！　I　burn！〃

Then；　yielding　to　a　transport　of　fury。　　Rodin　tore　with　his　nails　his
naked　chest；　for　he　had　twisted　off　the　buttons　of　his　waistcoat；　and
rent　his　black　and　filthy　shirt…front；　as　if　the　pressure　of　those
garments　augmented　the　violence　of　the　pain　under　which　he　was　writhing。
The　bishop；　the　cardinal；　and　Father　d'Aigrigny；　hastily　approached
Rodin；　to　try　and　hold　him；　he　was　seized　with　horrible　convulsions；　but；
suddenly；　collecting　all　his　strength；　he　rose　upon　his　feet　stiff　as　a
corpse。　　Then；　with　his　garments　in　disorder；　his　thin；　gray　hair
standing　up　all　around　his　greenish　face；　fixing　his　red　and　flaming　eyes
upon　the　cardinal；　he　seized　him　with　convulsive　grasp；　and　exclaimed　in
a　terrible　voice；　half　stifled　in　his　throat：　〃Cardinal　Malipierithis
illness　is　too　suddenthey　suspect　me　at　Romeyou　are　of　the　race　of
the　Borgiasand　your　secretary　was　with　me　this　morning！〃

〃Unhappy　man！　what　does　he　dare　insinuate？〃　cried　the　prelate；　as　amazed
as　he　was　indignant　at　the　accusation。　　So　saying；　the　cardinal　strove　to
free　himself　from　the　grasp　of　Rodin；　whose　fingers　were　now　as　stiff　as
iron。

〃I　am　poisoned！〃　muttered　Rodin；　and　sinking　back；　he　fell　into　the　arms
of　Father　d'Aigrigny。

Notwithstanding　his　alarm；　the　cardinal　had　time　to　whisper　to　the
latter：　〃He　thinks　himself　poisoned。　　He　must　therefore　be　plotting
something　very　dangerous。〃

The　door　of　the　room　opened。　　It　was　Dr。　Baleinier。

〃Oh；　doctor！〃　cried　the　princess；　as　she　ran　pale　and　frightened　towards
him；　〃Father　Rodin　has　been　suddenly　attacked　with　terrible　convulsions。
Quick！　quick！〃

〃Convulsions？　oh！　it　will　be　nothing；　madame；〃　said　the　doctor；　throwing
down　his　hat　upon　a　chair；　and　hastily　approaching　the　group　which
surrounded　the　sick　man。

〃Here　is　the　doctor！〃　cried　the　princess。　　All　stepped　aside；　except
Father　d'Aigrigny；　who　continued　to　support　Rodin；　leaning　against　a
chair。

〃Heavens！　what　symptoms！〃　cried　Dr。　Baleinier；　examining　with　growing
terror　the　countenance　of　Rodin；　which　from　green　was　turning　blue。

〃What　is　it？〃　asked　all　the　spectators；　with　one　voice。

〃What　is　it？〃　repeated　the　doctor；　drawing　back　as　if　he　had　trodden　upon
a　serpent。　　〃It　is　the　cholera！　and　contagious！〃

On　this　frightful；　magic　word；　Father　d'Aigrigny　abandoned　his　hold　of
Rodin；　who　rolled　upon　the　floor。

〃He　is　lost！〃　cried　Dr。　Baleinier。　　〃But　I　will　run　to　fetch　the　means
for　a　last　effort。〃　And　he　rushed　towards　the　door。

The　Princess　de　Saint…Dizier；　Father　d'Aigrigny；　the　bishop；　and　the
cardinal　followed　in　terror　the　flight　of　Dr。　Baleinier。　　They　all
pressed　to　the　door；　which；　in　their　consternation；　they　could　not　open。
It　opened　at　last　but　from　withoutand　Gabriel　appeared　upon　the
threshold。　　Gabriel；　the　type　of　the　true　priest；　the　holy；　the
evangelical　minister；　to　whom　we　can　never　pay　enough　of　respect　and
ardent　sympathy；　and　tender　admiration。　　His　angelic　countenance；　in　its
mild　serenity；　offered　a　striking　contrast　of　these　faces；　all　disturbed
and　contracted　with　terror。

The　young　priest　was　nearly　thrown　down　by　the　fugitives；　who　rushed
through　the　now　open　doorway；　exclaiming：　〃Do　not　go　in！　he　is　dying　of
the　cholera。　　Fly！〃

On　these　words；　pushing　back　the　bishop；　who；　being　the　last；　was　trying
to　force　a　passage；　Gabriel　ran　towards　Rodin；　while　the　prelate
succeeded　in　making　his　escape。　　Rodin；　stretched　upon　the　carpet；　his
limbs　twisted　with　fearful　cramps；　was　writhing　in　the　extremity　of　pain。
The　violence　of　his　fall　had；　no　doubt；　roused　him　to　consciousness；　for
he　moaned；　in　a　sepulchral　voice：　〃They　leave　me　to　dielike　a　dogthe
cowards！Help！no　one〃

And　the　dying　man；　rolling　on　his　back　with　a　convulsive　movement；　turned
towards　the　ceiling　a　face　on　which　was　branded　the　infernal　despair　of
the　damned；　as　he　once　more　repeated：　〃No　one！not　one！〃

His　eyes；　which　suddenly　flamed　with　fury；　just　then　met　the　large　blue
eyes　of　the　angelic　and　mild　countenance　of　Gabriel　who；　kneeling　beside
him；　said　to　him；　in　his　soft；　grave　tones：　〃I　am　here；　fatherto　help
you；　if　help　be　possible　to　pray　for　you；　if　God　calls　you　to　him。〃

〃Gabriel！〃　murmured　Rodin；　with　failing　voice；　〃forgive　me　for　the　evil　I
have　done　youdo　not　leave　medo　not〃

Rodin　could　not　finish；　he　had　succeeded　in　raising　himself　into　a
sitting　posture；　he　now　uttered　a　loud　cry；　and　fell　back　without　sense
or　motion。

The　same　day　it　was　announced　in　the　evening　papers：　〃The　cholera　has
broken　out　in　Paris。　　The　first　case　declared　itself　this　day；　at　half…
past　three；　P。M。　in　the　Rue　de　Babylone；　at　Saint…Dizier　House。〃




CHAPTER　XVIII。

THE　SQUARE　OF　NOTRE　DAME。

A　week　had　passed　since　Rodin　was　seized　with　the　cholera；　and　its
ravages　had　continually　increased。　　That　was　an　awful　time！　A　funeral
pall　was　spread　over　Paris；　once　so　gay。　　And　yet；　never　had　the　sky　been
of　a　more　settled；　purer　blue；　never　had　the　sun　shone　more　brilliantly。
The　inexorable　serenity　of　natu