"For the love of God, if you do not wish me to die of rage, give me back,--give me back--"He could not finish; but Gilbert had already run to the ditch, and having picked up the riding-whip, as well as the glove, returned them to him.Stephane, without looking at him, answered by a slight inclination of the head, but kept his eyes fixed upon the pommel of his saddle,--evidently striving to recover his self-possession.Gilbert, pitying his state of mind, turned to leave;but at the moment he stooped to pick up his portmanteau and cane, the youth, with a well-directed blow of his whip, struck off his hat, which rolled into the ditch, and when Gilbert, surprised and indignant, was about to throw himself upon the young traitor, he had already pushed his horse to a full gallop, and in the twinkling of an eye he reached the main road, where he disappeared in a whirlwind of dust.Gilbert was much more affected by this adventure than his philosophy should have permitted.He took up his journey again with a feeling of depression, and haunted by the pale, distorted face of the youth."This excess of despair," said he to himself, "indicates a proud and passionate character; but the perfidy with which he repaid my generosity is the offspring of a soul ignoble and depraved." And striking his forehead, he continued: "It just occurs to me, judging from his name, that this young man may be Count Kostia's son.Ah! what an amiable companion I shall have to cheer my captivity! M.Leminof ought to have forewarned me.It was an article which should have been included in the contract."Gilbert felt his heart sink; he saw himself already condemned to defend his dignity incessantly against the caprices and insolence of a badly-trained child,--the prospect was not attractive!
Plunged in these melancholy reflections, he lost his way, having passed the place where he should have quitted the main road to ascend the steep hill of which the castle formed the crown.By good luck he met a peasant who put him again upon the right track.
The night had already fallen when he entered the court of the vast building.This great assemblage of incongruous structures appeared to him but a somber mass whose weight was crushing him.He could only distinguish one or two projecting towers whose pointed roofs stood out in profile against the starlit sky.While seeking to make out his position, several huge dogs rushed upon him, and would have torn him to pieces if, at the noise of their barking, a tall stiff valet had not made his appearance with a lantern in hand.
Gilbert having given him his name, was requested to follow him.
They crossed a terrace, forced to turn aside at every step by the dogs who growled fiercely,--apparently regretting "these amiable hosts" the supper of which they had been deprived.Following his guide Gilbert found himself upon a little winding staircase, which they ascended to the third story, where the valet, opening an arched door, introduced him into a large circular apartment where a bed with a canopy had been prepared."This is your room," said he curtly, and having lighted two candles and placed them upon the round table, he left the room, and did not return for half an hour, when he re-appeared bearing a tray laden with a samovar, a venison pie, and some cold fowl.Gilbert ate with a good appetite and felt great satisfaction in finding that he had any at all."My foolish reveries," thought he, "have not spoiled my stomach at least."Gilbert was still at the table when the valet re-entered and handed him a note from the Count, which ran thus:
"M.Leminoff bids M.Gilbert Saville welcome.He will give himself the pleasure of calling upon him to-morrow morning.""To-morrow we shall commence the serious business of life," said Gilbert to himself, as he enjoyed a cup of exquisite green tea, "and I'm very glad of it, for I don't approve of the use I make of my leisure.I have passed all this day reasoning upon myself, dissecting my mind and heart,--a most foolish pastime, beyond a doubt"--then drawing from his pocket a note-book, he wrote therein these words: "Forget thyself, forget thyself, forget thyself,"imitating the philosopher Kant, who being inconsolable at the loss of an old servant named Lamp, wrote in his journal: "Remember to forget Lamp."He remained some moments standing in the embrasure of the window gazing upon the celestial vault which shone with a thousand fires, and then threw himself upon his bed.His sleep was not tranquil;Stephane appeared to him in his dreams, and at one time he thought he saw him kneeling before him, his face bathed in tears; but when he approached to console him, the child drew a poignard from his bosom and stabbed him to the heart.
Gilbert awakened with a start, and had some difficulty in getting to sleep again.
