第 2 节
作者:谁与争疯      更新:2021-02-27 03:07      字数:4476
  assumed daughter of the brigand but the real daughter of an
  intimate friend。
  Looking from the window again; in the vain hope of distinguishing
  the driver; I found my eyes were growing accustomed to the
  darkness。  I could see the distant horizon; defined by India…inky
  woods; relieving a lighter sky。  A few stars widely spaced in this
  picture glimmered sadly。  I noticed again the infinite depth of
  patient sorrow in their serene faces; and I hope that the vandal
  who first applied the flippant 〃twinkle〃 to them may not be driven
  melancholy…mad by their reproachful eyes。  I noticed again the
  mystic charm of space that imparts a sense of individual solitude
  to each integer of the densest constellation; involving the
  smallest star with immeasurable loneliness。  Something of this calm
  and solitude crept over me; and I dozed in my gloomy cavern。  When
  I awoke the full moon was rising。  Seen from my window; it had an
  indescribably unreal and theatrical effect。  It was the full moon
  of NORMAthat remarkable celestial phenomenon which rises so
  palpably to a hushed audience and a sublime andante chorus; until
  the CASTA DIVA is sungthe 〃inconstant moon〃 that then and
  thereafter remains fixed in the heavens as though it were a part of
  the solar system inaugurated by Joshua。  Again the white…robed
  Druids filed past me; again I saw that improbable mistletoe cut
  from that impossible oak; and again cold chills ran down my back
  with the first strain of the recitative。  The thumping springs
  essayed to beat time; and the private…box…like obscurity of the
  vehicle lent a cheap enchantment to the view。  But it was a vast
  improvement upon my past experience; and I hugged the fond
  delusion。
  My fears for the driver were dissipated with the rising moon。  A
  familiar sound had assured me of his presence in the full
  possession of at least one of his most important functions。
  Frequent and full expectoration convinced me that his lips were as
  yet not sealed by the gag of highwaymen; and soothed my anxious
  ear。  With this load lifted from my mind; and assisted by the mild
  presence of Diana; who left; as when she visited Endymion; much of
  her splendor outside my cavernI looked around the empty vehicle。
  On the forward seat lay a woman's hairpin。  I picked it up with an
  interest that; however; soon abated。  There was no scent of the
  roses to cling to it still; not even of hair oil。  No bend or twist
  in its rigid angles betrayed any trait of its wearer's character。
  I tried to think that it might have been 〃Mariar's。〃  I tried to
  imagine that; confining the symmetrical curls of that girl; it
  might have heard the soft compliments whispered in her ears which
  provoked the wrath of the aged female。  But in vain。  It was
  reticent and unswerving in its upright fidelity; and at last
  slipped listlessly through my fingers。
  I had dozed repeatedlywaked on the threshold of oblivion by
  contact with some of the angles of the coach; and feeling that I
  was unconsciously assuming; in imitation of a humble insect of my
  childish recollection; that spherical shape which could best resist
  those impressions; when I perceived that the moon; riding high in
  the heavens; had begun to separate the formless masses of the
  shadowy landscape。  Trees isolated; in clumps and assemblages;
  changed places before my window。  The sharp outlines of the distant
  hills came back; as in daylight; but little softened in the dry;
  cold; dewless air of a California summer night。  I was wondering
  how late it was; and thinking that if the horses of the night
  traveled as slowly as the team before us; Faustus might have been
  spared his agonizing prayer; when a sudden spasm of activity
  attacked my driver。  A succession of whip…snappings; like a pack of
  Chinese crackers; broke from the box before me。  The stage leaped
  forward; and when I could pick myself from under the seat; a long
  white building had in some mysterious way rolled before my window。
  It must be Slumgullion!  As I descended from the stage I addressed
  the driver:
  〃I thought you changed horses on the road?〃
  〃So we did。  Two hours ago。〃
  〃That's odd。  I didn't notice it。〃
  〃Must have been asleep; sir。  Hope you had a pleasant nap。  Bully
  place for a nice quiet snoozeempty stage; sir!〃