第 33 节
作者:男孩不逛街      更新:2021-02-21 10:46      字数:2896
  another; there exist persons who little think that here; in this obscure
  street; from the recesses of this chamber; wakeful eyes are upon them
  that all their movements are followed; all their actions knownand that
  hence will issue new instructions; which deeply concern them; and which
  will be inexorably executed; for an interest is at stake; which may have
  a powerful influence on Europeon the world。  Luckily; we have friends
  at Leipsic; Charlestown; and Batavia。〃
  This funny; old; sordid; ill…dressed man; with his livid and death…like
  countenance; thus crawling over the sphere before him; appeared still
  more awful than his master; when the latter; erect and haughty; had
  imperiously laid his hand upon that globe; which he seemed desirous of
  subjecting by the strength of his pride and courage。  The one resembled
  the eagle; that hovers above his preythe other the reptile; that
  envelops its victim in its inextricable folds。
  After some minutes; Rodin approached his desk; rubbing his hands briskly
  together; and wrote the following epistle in a cipher unknown even to his
  master:
  〃Paris; 3/4 past 9 A。M。
  〃He is gonebut he hesitated!
  '〃When he received the order; his dying mother had just summoned him to
  her。  He might; they told him; save her by his presence; and he
  exclaimed: ‘Not to go to my mother would be matricide!'
  〃Still; he is gonebut he hesitated。  I keep my eye upon him
  continually。  These lines will reach Rome at the same time as himself。
  〃P。S。Tell the Cardinal…Prince that he may rely on me; but I hope for
  his active aid in return。〃
  When he had folded and sealed this letter; Rodin put it into his pocket。
  The clock struck ten; M。 Rodin's hour for breakfast。  He arranged and
  locked up his papers in a drawer; of which he carried away the key;
  brushed his old greasy hat with his sleeve; took a patched umbrella in
  his hand; and went out。'1'
  Whilst these two men; in the depths of their obscure retreat; were thus
  framing a plot; which was to involve the seven descendants of a race
  formerly proscribeda strange mysterious defender was planning how to
  protect this family; which was also his own。
  '1' Having cited the excellent; courageous letters of M。 Libri; and the
  curious work edited by M。 Paulin; it is our duty likewise to mention many
  bold and conscientious writings on the subject of the 〃Society of Jesus;〃
  recently published by the elder Dupin; Michelet; Quinet; Genin; and the
  Count de Saint Priestworks of high and impartial intellects; in which
  the fatal theories of the order are admirably exposed and condemned。  We
  esteem ourselves happy; if we can bring one stone towards the erection of
  the strong; and; we hope; durable embankment which these generous hearts
  and noble minds are raising against the encroachments of an impure and
  always menacing flood。 …E。 S。
  End