第69章

Early in the morning Ivan entered Gilbert's room.The face of the poor serf was distressing to see.His eyes were red and swollen, and his features bloated.The bloody marks of his nails were visible on his face; forehead and cheeks were furrowed with them.

He informed Gilbert that towards noon Count Kostia would go out with Vladimir Paulitch and would be absent the rest of the day.

"He left me here to watch you and to render an account to him upon his return of all I should see and hear.I am not ugly;--but after what has passed, you would be foolish to expect the least favor from me.My eyes, ears, and tongue will do their duty.You must know, too, that the barine is in a very gloomy mood to-day.His lips are white, and he frequently passes his left hand over his forehead, a sure sign that a storm is raging within.""My dear Ivan," answered Gilbert, "I also shall be absent all day;so you see your task of watching will be easy."Ivan breathed a sigh of relief.It seemed as if a mountain had been taken from his breast.

"I see with pleasure," said he, "that you repent of your sin, and that you promise to be wiser in the future; ah, if my young master would only listen to reason, like you.""Your young master, as you call him, will be as rational as myself.

But do me the favor to tell me--"

"Oh! don't be alarmed; his fainting fit was not long.I had hardly got to him, when he opened his eyes and asked me if you were still alive.On hearing my answer he exclaimed: 'Ah! my God! how happy Iam! He lives and loves me!' Then he tried to rise, but was so weak that he fell back.I carried him to his bed and he said to me: 'Ivan, for four nights I have not closed my eyes,' and at these words he smiled and fell asleep, smiling, and he is asleep yet.""In order to be wise, Stephane must be occupied.She must work with her mind and her hands.Here, take this little white flower,"added he, handing him the one he had plucked the day before; "ask her, for me, to paint it in her herbarium to-day."And as Ivan examined the plant with an air of distrust, he added:

"Go, and fear nothing.I've not hidden a note in it.I am a man of honor, my dear Ivan, and never break my word."Ivan hid the flower in one of his sleeves and went out muttering to himself:

"How is all this going to end? Ah! may the Holy Trinity look down in pity upon this house.We are all lost!"Gilbert went out.Leaving upon his right the plateau and its close thickets, he gained the main road and followed the bank of the Rhine for a long distance.A thousand thoughts crowded in confusion through his mind; but he always came to the same conclusion:

"I will save this child, or lose my life in the attempt."As the sun began to sink towards the horizon, he returned to the castle.He went in search of Father Alexis and found him in the chapel.The good father had learned from Ivan what had happened the night before.He reproached Gilbert severely, but nevertheless, after hearing his explanations, softened considerably, and in a tone of grumbling indulgence, repeated the old proverb, "Everyone to his trade." "Oxen," added he, "are born to draw the plow, birds to fly, bees to make honey, Gilberts to read and make great books, and Father Alexis to edify and console his fellow-creatures.You have encroached upon my prerogatives.

You wanted to walk in my shoes.And what has been the result of your efforts? The spoiling of my task! Have you not observed how much better this child has been for the last two months, how much more tranquil, gentle, and resigned? I had preached so well to her, that she at last listened to reason.And you must come to put in her head a silly love which will cost both of you many tears."Upon which, seizing him rudely by the arm, he continued:

"And what need had we of your assistance, the good God and I? Have you forgotten? Open your eyes and look! To-day, my child, even to-day I have put the finishing touch to my great work."Then he pointed his finger to two long rows of sallow faces, surmounted by golden halos, which two lamps suspended from the ceiling illuminated with a mysterious light.Like a general enumerating his troops, he said:

"Look at these graybeards.That is Isaac, this Jeremiah, and this Ezekiel.On the other side are the holy warrior martyrs.Then St.

Procopius, there St.Theodore, who burnt the temple of Cybele.His torch may yet be relighted.And these archangels, do you think their arms will be forever nerveless and their swords always asleep in their scabbards?"Then, falling upon his knees, he prayed aloud: