the castle of otranto-第5部分

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fred。　　He　　even　felt　a　disposition　towards　pardoning　one　who　had　been　guilty　of　　no　crime。　　Manfred　was　not　one　of　those　savage　tyrants　who　wanton　in　　cruelty　unprovoked。　　The　circumstances　of　his　fortune　had　given　an　　asperity　to　his　temper；　which　was　naturally　humane；　and　his　virtues　　were　always　ready　to　operate；　when　his　passions　did　not　obscure　his　　reason。

While　the　Prince　was　in　this　suspense；　a　confused　noise　of　voices　　echoed　through　the　distant　vaults。　　As　the　sound　approached；　he　　distinguished　the　clamours　of　some　of　his　domestics；　whom　he　had　　dispersed　through　the　castle　in　search　of　Isabella；　calling　out　…

〃Where　is　my　Lord？　where　is　the　Prince？〃

〃Here　I　am；〃　said　Manfred；　as　they　came　nearer；　〃have　you　found　the　　Princess？〃

The　first　that　arrived；　replied；　〃Oh；　my　Lord！　　I　am　glad　we　have　　found　you。〃

〃Found　me！〃　said　Manfred；　〃have　you　found　the　Princess？〃

〃We　thought　we　had；　my　Lord；〃　said　the　fellow；　looking　terrified；　〃but　　…　〃

〃But；　what？〃　cried　the　Prince；　〃has　she　escaped？〃

〃Jaquez　and　I；　my　Lord　…　〃

〃Yes；　I　and　Diego；〃　interrupted　the　second；　who　came　up　in　still　　greater　consternation。

〃Speak　one　of　you　at　a　time；〃　said　Manfred；　〃I　ask　you；　where　is　the　　Princess？〃

〃We　do　not　know；〃　said　they　both　together；　〃but　we　are　frightened　out　　of　our　wits。〃

〃So　I　think；　blockheads；〃　said　Manfred；　〃what　is　it　has　scared　you　　thus？〃

〃Oh！　my　Lord；〃　said　Jaquez；　〃Diego　has　seen　such　a　sight！　your　　Highness　would　not　believe　our　eyes。〃

〃What　new　absurdity　is　this？〃　cried　Manfred；　〃give　me　a　direct　answer；　　or；　by　Heaven　…　〃

〃Why；　my　Lord；　if　it　please　your　Highness　to　hear　me；〃　said　the　poor　　fellow；　〃Diego　and　I　…　〃

〃Yes；　I　and　Jaquez　…　〃　cried　his　comrade。

〃Did　not　I　forbid　you　to　speak　both　at　a　time？〃　said　the　Prince：　　　〃you；　Jaquez；　answer；　for　the　other　fool　seems　more　distracted　than　　thou　art；　what　is　the　matter？〃

〃My　gracious　Lord；〃　said　Jaquez；　〃if　it　please　your　Highness　to　hear　　me；　Diego　and　I；　according　to　your　Highness's　orders；　went　to　search　　for　the　young　Lady；　but　being　comprehensive　that　we　might　meet　the　　ghost　of　my　young　Lord；　your　Highness's　son；　God　rest　his　soul；　as　he　　has　not　received　Christian　burial　…　〃

〃Sot！〃　cried　Manfred　in　a　rage；　〃is　it　only　a　ghost；　then；　that　thou　　hast　seen？〃

〃Oh！　worse！　worse！　my　Lord；〃　cried　Diego：　　〃I　had　rather　have　seen　ten　　whole　ghosts。〃

〃Grant　me　patience！〃　said　Manfred；　〃these　blockheads　distract　me。　　Out　　of　my　sight；　Diego！　and　thou；　Jaquez；　tell　me　in　one　word；　art　thou　　sober？　art　thou　raving？　thou　wast　wont　to　have　some　sense：　　has　the　　other　sot　frightened　himself　and　thee　too？　　Speak；　what　is　it　he　　fancies　he　has　seen？〃

〃Why；　my　Lord；〃　replied　Jaquez；　trembling；　〃I　was　going　to　tell　your　　Highness；　that　since　the　calamitous　misfortune　of　my　young　Lord；　God　　rest　his　precious　soul！　not　one　of　us　your　Highness's　faithful　　servants　…　indeed　we　are；　my　Lord；　though　poor　men　…　I　say；　not　one　of　　us　has　dared　to　set　a　foot　about　the　castle；　but　two　together：　　so　　Diego　and　I；　thinking　that　my　young　Lady　might　be　in　the　great　　gallery；　went　up　there　to　look　for　her；　and　tell　her　your　Highness　　wanted　something　to　impart　to　her。〃

〃O　blundering　fools！〃　cried　Manfred；　〃and　in　the　meantime；　she　has　　made　her　escape；　because　you　were　afraid　of　goblins！　…　Why；　thou　　knave！　she　left　me　in　the　gallery；　I　came　from　thence　myself。〃

〃For　all　that；　she　may　be　there　still　for　aught　I　know；〃　said　Jaquez；　　〃but　the　devil　shall　have　me　before　I　seek　her　there　again　…　poor　　Diego！　　I　do　not　believe　he　will　ever　recover　it。〃

〃Recover　what？〃　said　Manfred；　〃am　I　never　to　learn　what　it　is　has　　terrified　these　rascals？　…　but　I　lose　my　time；　follow　me；　slave；　I　　will　see　if　she　is　in　the　gallery。〃

〃For　Heaven's　sake；　my　dear；　good　Lord；〃　cried　Jaquez；　〃do　not　go　to　　the　gallery。　　Satan　himself　I　believe　is　in　the　chamber　next　to　the　　gallery。〃

Manfred；　who　hitherto　had　treated　the　terror　of　his　servants　as　an　　idle　panic；　was　struck　at　this　new　circumstance。　　He　recollected　the　　apparition　of　the　portrait；　and　the　sudden　closing　of　the　door　at　the　　end　of　the　gallery。　　His　voice　faltered；　and　he　asked　with　disorder　…

〃What　is　in　the　great　chamber？〃

〃My　Lord；〃　said　Jaquez；　〃when　Diego　and　I　came　into　the　gallery；　he　　went　first；　for　he　said　he　had　more　courage　than　I。　　So　when　we　came　　into　the　gallery　we　found　nobody。　　We　looked　under　every　bench　and　　stool；　and　still　we　found　nobody。〃

〃Were　all　the　pictures　in　their　places？〃　said　Manfred。

〃Yes；　my　Lord；〃　answered　Jaquez；　〃but　we　did　not　think　of　looking　　behind　them。〃

〃Well；　well！〃　said　Manfred；　〃proceed。〃

〃When　we　came　to　the　door　of　the　great　chamber；〃　continued　Jaquez；　〃we　　found　it　shut。〃

〃And　could　not　you　open　it？〃　said　Manfred。

〃Oh！　yes；　my　Lord；　would　to　Heaven　we　had　not！〃　replied　he　…　〃nay；　it　　was　not　I　neither；　it　was　Diego：　　he　was　grown　foolhardy；　and　would　go　　on；　though　I　advised　him　not　…　if　ever　I　open　a　door　that　is　shut　　again　…　〃

〃Trifle　not；〃　said　Manfred；　shuddering；　〃but　tell　me　what　you　saw　in　　the　great　chamber　on　opening　the　door。〃

〃I！　my　Lord！〃　said　Jaquez；　〃I　was　behind　Diego；　but　I　heard　the　　noise。〃

〃Jaquez；〃　said　Manfred；　in　a　solemn　tone　of　voice；　〃tell　me；　I　adjure　　thee　by　the　souls　of　my　ancestors；　what　was　it　thou　sawest？　what　was　　it　thou　heardest？〃

〃It　was　Diego　saw　it；　my　Lord；　it　was　not　I；〃　replied　Jaquez；　〃I　only　　heard　the　noise。　　Diego　had　no　sooner　opened　the　door；　than　he　cried　　out；　and　ran　back。　　I　ran　back　too；　and　said；　'Is　it　the　ghost？'　　'The　　ghost！　no；　no；'　said　Diego；　and　his　hair　stood　on　end　…　'it　is　a　　giant；　I　believe；　he　is　all　clad　in　armour；　for　I　saw　his　foot　and　　part　of　his　leg；　and　they　are　as　large　as　the　helmet　below　in　the　　court。'　　As　he　said　these　words；　my　Lord；　we　heard　a　violent　motion　　and　the　rattling　of　armour；　as　if　the　giant　was　rising；　for　Diego　has　　told　me　since　that　he　believes　the　giant　was　lying　down；　for　the　foot　　and　leg　were　stretched　at　length　on　the　floor。　　Before　we　could　get　to　　the　end　of　the　gallery；　we　heard　the　door　of　the　great　chamber　clap　　behind　us；　but　we　did　not　dare　turn　back　to　see　if　the　giant　was　　following　us　…　yet；　now　I　think　on　it；　we　must　have　heard　him　if　he　　had　pursued　us　…　but　for　Heaven's　sake；　good　my　Lord；　send　for　the　　chaplain；　and　have　the　castle　exorcised；　for；　for　certain；　it　is　　enchanted。〃

〃Ay；　pray　do；　my　Lord；〃　cried　all　the　servants　at　once；　〃or　we　must　　leave　your　Highness's　service。〃

〃Peace；　dotards！〃　said　Manfred；　〃and　follow　me；　I　will　know　what　all　　this　means。〃

〃We！　my　Lord！〃　cried　they　with　one　voice；　〃we　would　not　go　up　to　the　　gallery　for　your　Highness's　revenue。〃　　The　young　peasant；　who　had　　stood　silent；　now　spoke。

〃Will　your　Highness；〃　said　he；　〃permit　me　to　try　this　adventure？　　My　　life　is　of　consequence　to　nobody；　I　fear　no　bad　angel；　and　have　　offended　no　good　one。〃

〃Your　behaviour　is　above　your　seeming；〃　said　Manfred；　viewing　him　with　　surprise　and　admiration　…　〃hereafter　I　will　reward　your　bravery　…　but　　now；〃　continued　he　with　a　sigh；　〃I　am　so　circumstanced；　that　I　dare　　trust　no　eyes　but　my　own。　　However；　I　give　you　leave　to　accompany　me。〃

Manfred；　when　he　first　followed　Isabella　from　the　gallery；　had　gone　　directly　to　the　apartment　of　his　wife；　concluding　the　Princess　had　　retired　thither。　　Hippolita；　who　knew　his　step；　rose　with　anxious　　fondness　to　meet　her　Lord；　whom　she　had　not　seen　since　the　death　of　　their　son。　　She　would　have　flown　in　a　transport　mixed　of　joy　and　grief　　to　his　bosom；　but　he　pushed　her　rudely　off；　and　said　…

〃Where　is　Isabella？〃

〃Isabella！　my　Lord！〃　said　the　astonished　Hippolita。

〃Yes；　Isabella；〃　cried　Manfred　imperiously；　〃I　want　Isabella。〃

〃My　Lord；〃　replied　Matilda；　who　perceived　how　much　his　behaviour　had　　shocked　her　mother；　〃she　has　not　been　with　us　since　your　Highness　　summoned　her　to　your　apartment。〃

〃Tell　me　where　she　is；〃　said　the　Prince；　〃I　do　not　want　to　know　where　　she　has　been。〃

〃My　good　Lord；〃　says　Hippolita；　〃your　daughter　tells　you　the　truth：　　　Isabella　left　us　by　your　command；　and　has　not　returned　since；　…　but；　　my　good　Lord；　compose　yourself：　　retire　to　your　rest：　　this　dismal　day　　has　disordered　you。　　Isabella　shall　wait　your　orders　in　the　morning。〃

〃What；　then；　you　know　where　she　is！〃　cried　Manfred。　　〃Tell　me　　directly；　for　I　will　not　lose　an　instant　…　and　you；　woman；〃　speaking　　to　his　wife；　〃order　your　chaplain　to　attend　me　forthwith。〃

〃Isabella；〃　said　Hippolita　calmly；　〃is　retired；　I　suppose；　to　her　　chamber：　　she　is　not　accustomed　to　watch　at　this　late　hour。　　Gracious　　my　Lord；〃　continued　she；　〃let　me　know　what　has　disturbed　you。　　Has　　Isabella　offended　you？〃

〃Trouble　me　not　with　questions；〃　said　Manfred；　〃but　tell　me　where　she　　is。〃

〃Matilda　shall　call　her；〃　said　the　Princess。　　〃Sit　down；　my　Lord；　and　　resume　your　wonted　fortitude。〃

〃What；　art　thou　jealous　of　Isabella？〃　replied　he；　〃that　you　wish　to　be　　present　at　our　interview！〃

〃Good　heavens！　my　Lord；〃　said　Hippolita；　〃what　is　it　your　Highness　　means？〃

〃Thou　wilt　know　ere　many　minutes　are　passed；〃　said　the　cruel　Prince。　　　〃Send　your　chaplain　to　me；　and　wait　my　pleasure　here。〃

At　these　words　he　flung　out　of　the　room　in　search　of　Isabella；　leaving　　the　amazed　ladies　thunderstruck　with　his　words　and　frantic　deportment；　　and　lost　in　vain　conjectures　on　what　he　was　meditating。

Manfred　was　now　returning　from　the　vault；　attended　by　the　peasant　and　　a　few　of　his　servants　whom　he　had　obliged　to　accompany　him。　　He　　ascended　the　staircase　without　stopping　till　he　arrived　at　the　　gallery；　at　the　door　of　which　he　met　Hippolita　and　her　chaplain。　　When　　Diego　had　been　dismissed　by　Manfred；　he　had　gone　directly　to　the　　Princess's　apartment　with　the　alarm　of　what　he　had　seen。　　That　　excellent　Lady；　who　no　more　than　Manfred　doubted　of　the　reality　of　the　　vision；　yet　affected　to　treat　it　as　a　delirium　of　the　servant。　　　Willing；　however；　to　save　her　Lord　from　any　additional　shock；　and　　prepared　by　a　series　of　griefs　not　to　tremble　at　any　accession　to　it；　　she　determined　to　make　herself　the　first　sacrifice；　if　fate　had　marked　　the　present　hour　for　their　destruction。　　Dismissing　the　reluctant　　Matilda　to　her　rest；　who　in　vain　sued　for　leav