第 4 节
作者:男孩不逛街      更新:2021-02-21 10:45      字数:9322
  evening profoundly calm。  Thick willows; bending over the river; covered
  it with their green transparent shadow; whilst; further on; the stream
  reflected so splendidly the blue heavens and the glowing tints of the
  west; that; but for the hills which rose between it and the sky; the gold
  and azure of the water would have mingled in one dazzling sheet with the
  gold and azure of the firmament。  The tall reeds on the bank bent their
  black velvet heads beneath the light breath of the breeze that rises at
  the close of dayfor the sun was gradually sinking behind a broad streak
  of purple clouds; fringed with fire。  The tinkling bells of a flock of
  sheep sounded from afar in the clear and sonorous air。
  Along a path trodden in the grass of the meadow; two girls; almost
  childrenfor they had but just completed their fifteenth yearwere
  riding on a white horse of medium size; seated upon a large saddle with a
  back to it; which easily took them both in; for their figures were slight
  and delicate。
  A man of tall stature; with a sun…burnt face; and long gray moustache;
  was leading the horse by the bridle; and ever and anon turned towards the
  girls; with an air of solicitude at once respectful and paternal。  He
  leaned upon a long staff; his still robust shoulders carried a soldier's
  knapsack; his dusty shoes; and step that began to drag a little; showed
  that he had walked a long way。
  One of those dogs which the tribes of Northern Siberia harness to their
  sledgesa sturdy animal; nearly of the size; form; and hairy coat of the
  wolffollowed closely in the steps of the leader of this little caravan;
  never quitting; as it is commonly said; the heels of his master。
  Nothing could be more charming than the group formed by the girls。  One
  held with her left hand the flowing reins; and with her right encircled
  the waist of her sleeping sister; whose head reposed on her shoulder。
  Each step of the horse gave a graceful swaying to these pliant forms; and
  swung their little feet; which rested on a wooden ledge in lieu of a
  stirrup。
  These twin sisters; by a sweet maternal caprice; had been called Rose and
  Blanche; they were now orphans; as might be seen by their sad mourning
  vestments; already much worn。  Extremely; like in feature; and of the
  same size; it was necessary to be in the constant habit of seeing them;
  to distinguish one from the other。  The portrait of her who slept not;
  might serve them for both of them; the only difference at the moment
  being; that Rose was awake and discharging for that day the duties of
  elder sisterduties thus divided between then; according to the fancy of
  their guide; who; being an old soldier of the empire; and a martinet; had
  judged fit thus to alternate obedience and command between the orphans。
  Greuze would have been inspired by the sight of those sweet faces; coifed
  in close caps of black velvet; from beneath which strayed a profusion of
  thick ringlets of a light chestnut color; floating down their necks and
  shoulders; and setting; as in a frame; their round; firm; rosy; satin…
  like cheeks。  A carnation; bathed in dew; is of no richer softness than
  their blooming lips; the wood violet's tender blue would appear dark
  beside the limpid azure of their large eyes; in which are depicted the
  sweetness of their characters; and the innocence of their age; a pure and
  white forehead; small nose; dimpled chin; complete these graceful
  countenances; which present a delightful blending of candor and
  gentleness。
  You should have seen them too; when; on the threatening of rain or storm;
  the old soldier carefully wrapped them both in a large pelisse of
  reindeer fur; and pulled over their heads the ample hood of this
  impervious garment; then nothing could be more lovely than those fresh
  and smiling little faces; sheltered beneath the dark…colored cowl。
  But now the evening was fine and calm; the heavy cloak hung in folds
  about the knees of the sisters; and the hood rested on the back of their
  saddle。
  Rose; still encircling with her right arm the waist of her sleeping
  sister; contemplated her with an expression of ineffable tenderness; akin
  to maternal; for Rose was the eldest for the day; and an elder sister is
  almost a mother。
  Not only; did the orphans idolize each other; but; by a psychological
  phenomenon; frequent with twins; they were almost always simultaneously
  affected; the emotion of one was reflected instantly in the countenance
  of the other; the same cause would make both of them start or blush; so
  closely did their young hearts beat in unison; all ingenuous joys; all
  bitter griefs were mutually felt; and shared in a moment between them。
  In their infancy; simultaneously attacked by a severe illness; like two
  flowers on the same steam; they had drooped; grown pale; and languished
  together; but together also had they again found the pure; fresh hues of
  health。
  Need it be said; that those mysterious; indissoluble links which united
  the twins; could not have been broken without striking a mortal blow at
  the existence of the poor children?
  Thus the sweet birds called love…birds; only living in pairs; as if
  endowed with a common life; pine; despond; and die; when parted by a
  barbarous hand。
  The guide of the orphans; a man of about fifty…five; distinguished by
  his military air and gait; preserved the immortal type of the warriors of
  the republic and the empiresome heroic of the people; who became; in
  one campaign; the first soldiers in the worldto prove what the people
  can do; have done; and will renew; when the rulers of their choice place
  in them confidence; strength; and their hope。
  This soldier; guide of the sisters; and formerly a horse…grenadier of the
  Imperial Guard; had been nicknamed Dagobert。  His grave; stern
  countenance was strongly marked; his long; gray; and thick moustache
  completely concealed his upper lip; and united with a large imperial;
  which almost covered his chin; his meagre cheeks; brick…colored; and
  tanned as parchment; were carefully shaven; thick eyebrows; still black;
  overhung and shaded his light blue eyes; gold ear…rings reached down to
  his white…edged military stock; his topcoat; of coarse gray cloth; was
  confined at the waist by a leathern belt; and a blue foraging cap; with a
  red tuft falling on his left shoulder; covered his bald head。
  Once endowed with the strength of Hercules; and having still the heart of
  a lionkind and patient; because he was courageous and strongDagobert;
  notwithstanding his rough exterior; evinced for his orphan charges an
  exquisite solicitude; a watchful kindness; and a tenderness almost
  maternal。  Yes; motherly; for the heroism of affection dwells alike in
  the mother's heart and the soldiers。
  Stoically calm; and repressing all emotion; the unchangeable coolness of
  Dagobert never failed him; and; though few were less given to drollery;
  he was now and then highly comic; by reason of the imperturbable gravity
  with which he did everything。
  From time to time; as they journeyed on; Dagobert would turn to bestow a
  caress or friendly word on the good white home upon which the orphans
  were mounted。  Its furrowed sides and long teeth betrayed a venerable
  age。  Two deep scars; one on the flank and the other on the chest; proved
  that his horse had been present in hot battles; nor was it without an act
  of pride that he sometimes shook his old military bridle; the brass stud
  of which was still adorned with an embossed eagle。  His pace was regular;
  careful; and steady; his coat sleek; and his bulk moderate; the abundant
  foam; which covered his bit; bore witness to that health which horses
  acquire by the constant; but not excessive; labor of a long journey;
  performed by short stages。  Although he had been more than six months on
  the road; this excellent animal carried the orphans; with a tolerably
  heavy portmanteau fastened to the saddle; as freely as on the day they
  started。
  If we have spoken of the excessive length of the horse's teeththe
  unquestionable evidence of great ageit is chiefly because he often
  displayed them; for the sole purpose of acting up to his name (he was
  called Jovial); by playing a mischievous trick; of which the dog was the
  victim。
  This latter; who; doubtless for the sake of contrast; was called
  Spoil…sport (Rabat…joie); being always at his master's heels; found
  himself within the reach of Jovial; who from time to time nipped him
  delicately by the nape of the neck; lifted him from the ground; and
  carried him thus for a moment。  The dog; protected by his thick coat; and
  no doubt long accustomed to the practical jokes of his companion;
  submitted to all this with stoical complacency; save that; when he
  thought the jest had lasted long enough; he would turn his head and
  growl。 Jovial understood him at the first hint; and hastened to set him
  down again。  At other times; just to avoid monotony; Jovial would gently
  bite the knapsack of the soldier; who seemed; as well as the dog; to be
  perfectly accustomed to his pleasantries。
  These details will give a notion of the excellent understanding that
  existed between the twin sisters; the old soldier; the horse; and the
  dog。
  The little caravan proceeded on its ways a