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第二章特雷维尔先生的前厅

Chapter 2 The Antechamber of M de Treville

特雷维尔家族在加斯科涅是被叫做特洛瓦维尔的,到巴黎之后他才把姓改为特雷维尔,他最初的生活像达塔尼昂一样——也就是说,身上一个子儿也没有。

M。 De Troisville,as his family was still called in Gascony,or M。 de Treville,as he had ended by styling himself in Paris,had really commenced life as D’ Artagnan now did—that is to say,without a sou in his pocket。

但是他却非常地勇敢、机敏和聪明,这些资本使这个贫穷的加斯科涅人从父辈那里遗传来的精神财富,比那些最富有的佩里戈尔或贝里的世家子弟所能得到的财产还要多。

But with a fund of courage,shrewdness,and intelligence which makes the poorest Gascon gentleman often derive more in his imagination from the paternal inheritance than the richest nobleman of the Perigord or Berry receives in reality。

他是国王的朋友,大家都知道,这位国王是非常尊重先王亨利四世的。于是,路易十三任命特雷维尔先生为他的火枪队队长,而这支火枪队对路易十三很忠诚,甚至是盲从,就像禁军对亨利三世、苏格兰卫队对路易十一那样。

He was the friend of the king,who honoured highly,as every one knows,the memory of his father,Henry IV。 Louis XIII made De Treville the captain of his musketeers,who were to Louis XIII,in devotedness,or rather in fanaticism,what his Ordinaries had been to Henry III,and his Scotch Guard to Louis XI。

在这一点上,红衣主教跟国王比起来也毫不逊色。

On his part,and in this respect,the cardinal was not behindhand with the king。

红衣主教作为法兰西的二号或者甚至可以说是一号君王,看见路易十三身边有这样一群令人畏惧、出类拔萃的卫兵,便也渴望拥有一支自己的卫队。

When he saw the formidable and chosen body by which Louis XIII surrounded himself,this second,or rather this first,king of France became desirous that he too should have his guard。

然后,他像路易十三一样也建立起了自己的卫队;于是,这两股势力便就争夺著名的剑客展开了竞争,范围不仅限于法国各省,甚至还包括外国。

He had his musketeers,then,as Louis XIII had his; and these two powerful rivals vied with each other in procuring the most celebrated swordsmen,not only from all the provinces of France,but also from all foreign states。

国王的这些火枪手,或者说特雷维尔先生的火枪手,经常醉醺醺地、衣冠不整、带着伤口出现在酒馆里、大街上,和游乐场里,他们大声叫嚷,吹胡子瞪眼睛,把佩剑弄得叮当作响,不论什么时候只要一遇到主教的卫队就上前找茬,并以此为乐;他们还经常当街边开玩笑边拔出剑来;有时也有丧命的,但肯定会有人为他落泪并替他报一剑之仇;更多的时候是对方被他们杀死,当然他们也不会为这个在监狱里呆太久,因为特雷维尔先生会要求释放他们。

Loose,tipsy,gashed,the kings musketeers,or rather M。 de Treville’ s,spread themselves about in the saloons,in the public walks,and the public sports,shouting,twirling their moustaches,clanking their swords,and taking great pleasure in bustling against the guards of the cardinal whenever they could fall in with them; then drawing their swords in the open streets,with a thousand jests; sometimes killed,but sure in that case to be both wept and avenged; often killing others,but then certain of not rotting in prison,M。 de Treville being there to claim them。

所以,这些人个个对特雷维尔先生称赞至极、无不崇拜,即使是那些无恶不作的暴徒,在他面前也会像学者站在自己的导师面前一样瑟瑟发抖,对他的话绝对服从,并且随时准备以牺牲性命来清洗对自己忠诚的污蔑。

And so M。 de Treville was praised in all keys by these men,who absolutely adored him,and who,ruffians as they were,trembled before him like scholars before their master,obedient to his least word,and ready to sacrifice themselves to wipe out the least insult。

他的官邸坐落在老鸽棚街,夏天从早上六点起,冬天从八点起,这座官邸就开始变得像个军营一样。

The court of his hotel,situated in the Rue du Vieux—Colombier,resembled a camp as early as six oclock in the morning in summer and eighto’ clock in winter。

那里有五六十个火枪手,他们似乎轮班当值,以便确保院子里一直有很可观的人数,他们全副武装,不停地巡逻,随时准备应对突发事件。

From fifty to sixty musketeers,who appeared to relieve each other there,in order always to present an imposing number,paraded constantly about,armed to the teeth and ready for anything。

官邸里有一个宽大的楼梯,在现代文明时期,这么大的面积足够建一栋房子了,巴黎的各界名流从这个楼梯上上下下,他们都有不同的请求——有来自外省盼望加入火枪队的绅士,还有穿着各色制服的仆人,这些人是替各自主人来给特雷维尔先生送信的。

On one of those immense staircases,upon whose space modern civilization would build a whole house,ascended and descended the solicitors of Paris,who were in search of favours of any kind—gentlemen from the provinces anxious to be enrolled,and servants in all sorts of liveries,bringing messages from their masters to M。 de Treville。

在前厅里有摆成一圈的长凳,上面坐着那些被选中的人——也就是等候被召见的人。In the antechamber,upon long circular benches,reposed the elect—that is to say,those who were called。

这个前厅从早到晚都是一片嘈杂,特雷维尔先生就在隔壁的办公室接见来客、听取申诉、发号命令,他只要站在窗口就能检阅他的火枪手及他们的武器,就像国王在卢浮宫的露台上检阅部队一样。

In this apartment a continued buzzing prevailed from morning till night,while M。 de Treville,in his office contiguous to this antechamber,received visits,listened to complaints,gave his orders,and,like the king in his balcony at the Louvre,had only to place himself at the window to review both men and arms。

达塔尼昂到的那天,前厅里挤满了人,这对一个刚到此地的外省人来说,印象尤为深刻。The day on which D’ Artagnan presented himself the assemblage was imposing,particularly for a provincial just arriving from his province。

这个外省人确实是一个加斯科涅人,尤其是在这个时期,达塔尼昂的同乡们都以无所畏惧而著称。

It is true that this provincial was a Gascon,and that,particularly at this period,the compatriots of D’ Artagnan had the reputation of not being easily intimidated。

他一跨进那个高大的钉满方头长钉的大门,就马上置身于一队火枪手中间,他们在院子里走来走去,互相叫着、吵着、开着玩笑。

When he had once passed the massive door,covered with long square—headed nails,he fell into the midst of a troop of military,who were passing each other in the court,calling out,quarrelling,and playing tricks with one another。

若想要从这样一片汹涌杂乱的人流中穿过去的话,非得是军官、贵族或是漂亮女人才行。To make way through these turbulent and conflicting waves it was necessary to be an officer,a great noble,or a pretty woman。

我们这位年轻人就是从这样一片混乱中穿过去的,他的心怦怦直跳。

It was,then,in the midst of this tumult and disorder that our young man advanced with a beating heart。

他一只手握住长剑使它贴在瘦长的腿上,另一只手抓住帽檐,脸上露出尴尬的微笑,作为一个外省人,他要故作镇定才行。

Holding his long rapier close to his lanky leg,and keeping one hand on the edge of his cap,he smiled with the embarrassment of a provincial who affects confidence。

可是,达塔尼昂在这群前来求见特雷维尔先生的人中完全是个陌生人,由于大家是第一次见到他,所以都在看着他,还有人过来问他有何贵干。

Being,however,a perfect stranger in the crowd of M。 de Treville’ scourtiers,and this his first appearance in that place,he was at length noticed,and a person came to him and asked him his business there。

在这样的询问下,达塔尼昂谦逊地报上了自己的名字,还特别强调了自己是特雷维尔先生的同乡,并请问话的这位仆人代为通报他想求见特雷维尔先生——那位仆人带着一副高人一等的神气,答应会及时帮他通报。

At this demand D’ Artagnan gave his name very modestly,laid a stress upon the title of compatriot,and begged the servant who had put the question to him to request a moment’ saudience of M。 de Treville—a request which the other,with a patronizing air,promised to convey in time and season。

达塔尼昂这时才从最初的惊愕中回过神来,有闲情逸致去研究那些火枪手的服饰和相貌了。

D’ Artagnan,a little recovered from his first surprise,had now leisure to study costumes and countenances。

在那群最活跃的人中间,有一位身材魁梧的火枪手,他神情傲慢,穿着独特,极其显眼。The centre of the most animated group was a musketeer of great height,of a haughty countenance,and dressed in a costume so peculiar as to attract general attention。

他没有穿制服披风——当然,在那个不太讲自由而强调自主的年代,这样穿也不是不可以——但他穿着一件有点褪色破损的天蓝色紧身上衣,并戴着一条绣有金线的华丽斜肩带,在太阳的照耀下,就像水波纹一样闪闪发光。

He did not wear the uniform cloak—which,indeed,at that time of less liberty and greater independence was not obligatory—but a cerulean blue doublet,a little faded and worn,and over this a magnificent baldric worked in gold,which shone like water—ripples in the sun。

他的肩上优雅地披着一件深红色天鹅绒的长披风,前面露出那条漂亮的肩带和上面挂的长剑。

A long cloak of crimson velvet fell in graceful folds from his shoulders,disclosing in front the splendid baldric,from which was suspended a gigantic rapier。

这位火枪手刚刚执勤回来,直抱怨得了感冒,还时不时地故意咳嗽两声。

This musketeer had just come off guard,complained of having a cold,coughed from time to time affectedly。

他对周围人说,他就是因为感冒才披上那件披风的;他傲慢地捻着胡须说着,而所有的人则对他那绣花肩带羡慕不已,这其中又数达塔尼昂最为羡慕。

It was for this reason,he said to those around him,he had put on his cloak; and while he spoke with a lofty air and twirled his moustache,all admired his embroidered baldric,and D’ Artagnan more than any one。

该怎么说呢?那位火枪手说,

What can you expect? said the musketeer。

这种潮流就要兴起了。

The fashion is coming in。

我承认这是有点蠢,可是现在确实流行这个。

It is a folly,I admit,but still it is the fashion。

再说,手里的遗产总得花掉点吧。

Besides,one must lay out one’ sinheritance somehow。

嘿,波尔托!他的一个伙伴叫道,不要想让我们相信那条肩带是你用你父亲的钱买的:上星期天我在圣奥诺雷门碰到你和一位蒙面纱的女士在一起,这肩带肯定是她送你的。Ah,Porthos! cried one of his companions,don’ tthink to palm upon us that you obtained that baldric by paternal generosity: it must have been given to you by that veiled lady with whom I met you the other Sunday,near the gate Saint—Honore。

不,我以一个绅士的荣誉发誓,这是我用自己的钱买的。那个叫做波尔托的火枪手答道。

No,pon honour; by the faith of a gentleman,I bought it with my own money, answered he whom they had just designated by the name of Porthos。

尽管人们依然有疑问,但惊叹之情却是越来越高了。

The wonder was increased,though the doubt continued to exist。

难道不是吗,阿拉米?波尔托转身向另外一个火枪手问道。

Didn’ tI,Aramis? said Porthos,turning towards another musketeer。

这个叫做阿拉米的火枪手,和问话者形成了鲜明的对比。

This other musketeer formed a perfect contrast to his interrogator,who had just designated him by the name of Aramis。

他是一个二十二三岁的青年,面容坦率而天真,眼睛乌黑、目光柔和,玫瑰色长着细细汗毛的脸颊好似秋天的桃子,他的上嘴唇上留着一条精心修剪成直线的小胡子。他好像不敢把手垂下,唯恐手上的静脉血管会扩张,还时不时地去捏捏耳垂,好让它们保持粉红的透明感。

He was a young man,of about two or three and twenty,with an open,ingenuous countenance,dark mild eyes,and cheeks rosy and downy as an autumn peach; his delicate moustache marked a perfectly straight line upon his upper lip; he appeared to dread to lower his hands lest their veins should swell,and he pinched the tips of his ears from time to time to preserve their delicate pink transparency。

他通常很少说话,而且说得很慢,经常鞠躬行礼,笑不出声,只露出一口漂亮的牙齿,而比起他身体的其他部分,他似乎最爱护他的牙齿。

Habitually he spoke little and slowly,bowed frequently,laughed without noise,showing his teeth,which were fine,and of which,as of the rest of his person,he appeared to take the greatest care。

对于朋友的问话,他点了点头表示肯定。

He answered the appeal of his friend by an affirmative nod of the head。

这似乎就打消了关于那条肩带的所有质疑。

This affirmation appeared to dispel all doubts with regard to the baldric。

大家依然很欣赏它,但是没有再更多地讨论它。突然有个人提到另一件事情,话题马上就转移到别处去了。

They continued to admire it,but said no more about it; and by one of those rapid changes of thought,the conversation passed suddenly to another subject。

特雷维尔先生恭候达塔尼昂先生。这时,办公室的门打开了,一位仆人打断了大家的谈话,喊道。

M。 de Treville awaits M。 D’ Artagnan, interrupted a servant,throwing open the door of the office。

此间,门一直开着,没有一个人说话,我们的年轻人就在寂静中穿过前厅,走进了火枪队队长的办公室。

At this announcement,during which the door remained open,every one became mute,and amidst the general silence the young man crossed the antechamber at one end,and entered the apartment of the captain of the musketeers。 VemMJnS70AbBZkiQeYCqg57ytwQlMmw4JDe+/77vM1F2AlCujBgjm5RQTMNx9jkE

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