登陆注册
20374200000002

第2章

We rambled for a while through the covered way, over the glacis and along the counterscarp, and listened to the guide as he detailed to us, in already accustomed words, how the siege had gone.Then we got into the private apartments of the general, and, having dexterously shaken off our attendant, wandered at large among the deserted rooms.

"It is clear that no one ever comes here," said I.

"No," said the Rev.Augustus; "it seems not; and to tell the truth, I don't know why any one should come.The chambers in themselves are not attractive."What he said was true.They were plain, ugly, square, unfurnished rooms, here a big one, and there a little one, as is usual in most houses;--unfurnished, that is, for the most part.In one place we did find a table and a few chairs, in another a bedstead, and so on.

But to me it was pleasant to indulge in those ruminations which any traces of the great or unfortunate create in softly sympathising minds.For a time we communicated our thoughts to each other as we roamed free as air through the apartments; and then I lingered for a few moments behind, while Mr.Horne moved on with a quicker step.

At last I entered the bedchamber of the general, and there Iovertook my friend.He was inspecting, with much attention, an article of the great man's wardrobe which he held in his hand.It was precisely that virile habiliment to which a well-known gallant captain alludes in his conversation with the posthumous appearance of Miss Bailey, as containing a Bank of England 5 pound note.

"The general must have been a large man, George, or he would hardly have filled these," said Mr.Horne, holding up to the light the respectable leathern articles in question."He must have been a very large man,--the largest man in Antwerp, I should think; or else his tailor has done him more than justice."They were certainly large, and had about them a charming regimental military appearance.They were made of white leather, with bright metal buttons at the knees and bright metal buttons at the top.

They owned no pockets, and were, with the exception of the legitimate outlet, continuous in the circumference of the waistband.

No dangling strings gave them an appearance of senile imbecility.

Were it not for a certain rigidity, sternness, and mental inflexibility,--we will call it military ardour,--with which they were imbued, they would have created envy in the bosom of a fox-hunter.

Mr.Horne was no fox-hunter, but still he seemed to be irresistibly taken with the lady-like propensity of wishing to wear them.

"Surely, George," he said, "the general must have been a stouter man than I am"--and he contemplated his own proportions with complacency--"these what's-the-names are quite big enough for me."I differed in opinion, and was obliged to explain that I thought he did the good living of Ollerton insufficient justice.

"I am sure they are large enough for me," he repeated, with considerable obstinacy.I smiled incredulously; and then to settle the matter he resolved that he would try them on.Nobody had been in these rooms for the last hour, and it appeared as though they were never visited.Even the guide had not come on with us, but was employed in showing other parties about the fortifications.It was clear that this portion of the building was left desolate, and that the experiment might be safely made.So the sportive rector declared that he would for a short time wear the regimentals which had once contained the valorous heart of General Chasse.

With all decorum the Rev.Mr.Horne divested himself of the work of the London artist's needle, and, carefully placing his own garments beyond the reach of dust, essayed to fit himself in military garb.

At that important moment--at the critical instant of the attempt--the clatter of female voices was heard approaching the chamber.

They must have suddenly come round some passage corner, for it was evident by the sound that they were close upon us before we had any warning of their advent.At this very minute Mr.Horne was somewhat embarrassed in his attempts, and was not fully in possession of his usual active powers of movement, nor of his usual presence of mind.

He only looked for escape; and seeing a door partly open, he with difficulty retreated through it, and I followed him.We found that we were in a small dressing-room; and as by good luck the door was defended by an inner bolt, my friend was able to protect himself.

"There shall be another siege, at any rate as stout as the last, before I surrender," said he.

As the ladies seemed inclined to linger in the room it became a matter of importance that the above-named articles should fit, not only for ornament but for use.It was very cold, and Mr.Horne was altogether unused to move in a Highland sphere of life.But alas, alas! General Chasse had not been nurtured in the classical retirement of Ollerton.The ungiving leather would stretch no point to accommodate the divine, though it had been willing to minister to the convenience of the soldier.Mr.Horne was vexed and chilled;and throwing the now hateful garments into a corner, and protecting himself from the cold as best he might by standing with his knees together and his body somewhat bent so as to give the skirts of his coat an opportunity of doing extra duty, he begged me to see if those jabbering females were not going to leave him in peace to recover his own property.I accordingly went to the door, and opening it to a small extent I peeped through.

Who shall describe my horror at the sight which I then saw? The scene, which had hitherto been tinted with comic effect, was now becoming so decidedly tragic that I did not dare at once to acquaint my worthy pastor with that which was occurring,--and, alas! had already occurred.

同类推荐
热门推荐
  • 牵魂午夜电梯

    牵魂午夜电梯

    无数的国产片和欧美片告诉你,电梯是一个鱼龙混杂的地方,午夜不要随便乘电梯,可你偏偏不信,结果当然是不乖的孩子受到了惩罚……
  • 穿越之谁当天

    穿越之谁当天

    无意中穿越的唐风,来到一个奇妙的世界.在这本书里你会见到"飘渺"里的李强."星辰变"中的秦羽.还有很多未知的英雄人物在等你发现!看看唐风是如何和他们一起战斗而步上终峰!
  • 沐魂

    沐魂

    在最黑暗的岁月里做一个卑微的造梦人,在兽性张扬之地君子豹变,剜心,作伥,送瘟神,啖生魂,沉沦者不知伊於胡底,扫穴鬼蜮,犁庭神山,盘肠大战,强哉矫石破天惊。这是墓生儿袁不邪的沐魂传奇。坚持日两更6000字,保持20万字存稿。希望书友能在其中得到阅读的快乐。
  • 仙人村长闯都市

    仙人村长闯都市

    末法时代小仙人重生现代,成为官场小职员。被上司厌恶,发配乡下当村长。不是想象中的封疆大吏,面对的是一堆烂摊子。且看小仙如何带领村民们致富,如何混迹黑白两道。收小弟,猎群芳,登高位,翻手为云覆手雨。
  • 坐月子与新生儿护理百事通

    坐月子与新生儿护理百事通

    产褥期,民间俗称坐月子,是新妈妈最重要的时期。本书针对产前分娩准备、科学坐月子、轻松育儿做了详细讲解,细述了孕育新生命过程中所遇到的各种问题及巧妙应对的方法,并以通俗、简明、轻松的语言,实用的操作步骤图,传播人性化和科学化的孕育知识,更有“要知道哦”和“专家点拨”小知识版块帮你拓展知识和加深理解。希望本书能让新爸爸新妈妈少一分担心,多一分安心,少一分忧心,多一分开心,快乐扮演好父母的角色。
  • 契约太子妃

    契约太子妃

    【声明:本契约有效期为六个月,此后互不干涉。】为了能够得到皇太子玄骆手中珍藏的秘宝如意珠,被老爹无情踹回古代的商默语只能混进太子府。自以为小心谨慎,不料自己的举动早就落入他的眼中。面对那个若豹般优雅而残酷的男人,她没骨气地弃械投降。正包袱款款,打算跑路,谁知却峰回路转,太子夜入厢房,说要讨论件双赢的交易。—————————————玄骆:丫头,你想要如意珠?默语:那又如何?难道你送给我?玄骆:并不是不可能,不过我有个条件。默语:虾米?玄骆:从了我,做我的太子妃……—————————————相互利用的男女,与爱无关的婚姻,当半年期至,真的能够如此简单地放手吗?——————————————友情提示:有时新版显示较慢,亲们可以去旧版阅读。http://www.hongxiu.com/a/217542/
  • 天才纨绔

    天才纨绔

    纨绔子弟,泛指不学无术的废材?作为上京城里最大的纨绔子弟,白启觉得自己有必要改写一下字典的释义!看尽天地美景,阅遍天下美女,这才是属于天才纨绔的传奇!走别人的路,抢别人的美女,我是纨绔我怕谁?
  • 我的男神我的喵

    我的男神我的喵

    来自异世的王子,被至亲至爱之人陷害,落难人间化身一只猫。一场醉酒让她意外救起他,孰知是福是祸?他太冷,太绝情!她太傻、太执着!然而,命运将他们缠绕在一起,她身上的秘密是他夺回一切的关键。是利用还是爱情?经历磨难与生死,她将他改变,而他却不知已爱上她。当尘埃落定,秘密揭开,是爱是恨,他和她该如何去选择?是今生的缘分还是前世的冤孽?今生他许下承诺,来世定不负汝!
  • 神奕九天

    神奕九天

    天地万物皆为棋子,然弈者何人?又与何人弈?天地大道是何人之道?大道之上又是何道?再上可有穷尽?凌奕言:“道之极,吾虽不可及,却可教九天皆为吾之棋子也。”
  • 湖广填四川

    湖广填四川

    肖平的《湖广填四川》是一部重说历史的典范之作。作者通过大量相关史料的勾连,以文学化的想象叙述,从屠蜀传说中剥离历史的虚实,重说一段三百余年的移民史。“构架不繁而文字清爽,为同类著作所未见,堪称翘楚。”(流沙河评)全书共分五章,主要从移民们入川的经历、创业的历程以及“湖广填四川”移民运动对巴蜀的深远影响入手,全景式地展现了清初“湖广填四川”移民运动波澜壮阔的历史场景。