the professor(教授)-第24章
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mind the incident of the evening。 It seemed a queer affair
altogether； and queerly managed； the two old women had made
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quite a little intricate mess of it； still I found that the uppermost
feeling in my mind on the subject was one of satisfaction。 In the
first place it would be a change to give lessons in another
seminary； and then to teach young ladies would be an occupation
so interesting—to be admitted at all into a ladies’ boarding…school
would be an incident so new in my life。 Besides； thought I； as I
glanced at the boarded window； “I shall now at last see the
mysterious garden： I shall gaze both on the angels and their
Eden。”
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Chapter IX
。 Pelet could not of course object to the proposal made
by Mdlle Reuter； permission to accept such additional
M
employment； should it offer； having formed an article of
the terms on which he had engaged me。 It was； therefore；
arranged in the course of next day that I should be at liberty to
give lessons in Mdlle Reuter’s establishment four afternoons in
every week。
When evening came I prepared to step over in order to seek a
conference with Mademoiselle herself on the subject； I had not
had time to pay the visit before； having been all day closely
occupied in class。 I remember very well that before quitting my
chamber； I held a brief debate with myself as to whether I should
change my ordinary attire for something smarter。 At last I
concluded it would be a waste of labour。 “Doubtless；” thought I；
“she is some stiff old maid； for though the daughter of Madame
Reuter； she may well number upwards of forty winters； besides； if
it were otherwise； if she be both young and pretty； I am not
handsome； and no dressing can make me so； therefore I’ll go as I
am。” And off I started； cursorily glancing sideways as I passed the
toilet…table； surmounted by a looking…glass： a thin irregular face I
saw； with sunk； dark eyes under a large； square forehead；
complexion destitute of bloom or attraction； something young； but
not youthful； no object to win a lady’s love； no butt for the shafts of
Cupid。
I was soon at the entrance of the pensionnat； in a moment I had
pulled the bell； in another moment the door was opened； and
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within appeared a passage paved alternately with black and white
marble； the walls were painted in imitation of marble also； and at
the far end opened a glass door； through which I saw shrubs and a
grass…plat； looking pleasant in the sunshine of the mild spring
evening…for it was now the middle of April。
This； then； was my first glimpse of the garden； but I had not
time to look long； the portress； after having answered in the
affirmative my question as to whether her mistress was at home；
opened the folding…doors of a room to the left； and having ushered
me in； closed them behind me。 I found myself in a salon with a
very well…painted； highly varnished floor； chairs and sofas covered
with white draperies； a green porcelain stove； walls hung with
pictures in gilt frames； a gilt pendule and other ornaments on the
mantelpiece； a large lustre pendent from the centre of the ceiling；
mirrors； consoles； muslin curtains； and a handsome centre table
completed the inventory of furniture。 All looked extremely clean
and glittering； but the general effect would have been somewhat
chilling had not a second large pair of folding…doors； standing wide
open； and disclosing another and smaller salon； more snugly
furnished； offered some relief to the eye。 This room was carpeted；
and therein was a piano； a couch； a chiffonnière—above all； it
contained a lofty window with a crimson curtain； which； being
undrawn； afforded another glimpse of the garden； through the
large； clear panes； round which some leaves of ivy； some tendrils
of vine were trained
“Monsieur Creemsvort； n’est ce pas？” said a voice behind me；
and； starting involuntarily； I turned。 I had been so taken up with
the contemplation of the pretty little salon that I had not noticed
the entrance of a person into the larger room。 It was； however；
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Mdlle Reuter who now addressed me； and stood close beside me；
and when I had bowed with instantaneously recovered sang…
froid—for I am not easily embarrassed—I commenced the
conversation by remarking on the pleasant aspect of her little
cabinet； and the advantage she had over M。 Pelet in possessing a
garden。
“Yes；” she said； “she often thought so；” and added； “it is my
garden； monsieur； which makes me retain this house； otherwise I
should probably have removed to larger and more commodious
premises long since； but you see I could not take my garden with
me； and I should scarcely find one so large and pleasant anywhere
else in town。”
I approved her judgment。
“But you have not seen it yet；” said she； rising； “come to the
window and take a better view。” I followed her； she opened the
sash； and leaning out I saw in full the enclosed demesne which
had hitherto been to me an unknown region。 It was a long； not
very broad strip of cultured ground； with an alley bordered by
enormous old fruit trees down the middle； there was a sort of
lawn； a parterre of rose…trees； some flower…borders； and； on the far
side； a thickly planted copse of lilacs； laburnums； and acacias。 It
looked pleasant； to me—very pleasant； so long a time had elapsed
since I had seen a garden of any sort。 But it was not only on Mdlle
Reuter’s garden that my eyes dwelt； when I had taken a view of
her well…trimmed beds and budding shrubberies； I allowed my
glance to come back to herself； nor did I hastily withdraw it。
I had thought to see a tall； meagre； yellow； conventual image in
black； with a close white cap； bandaged under the chin like a nun’s
head…gear； whereas； there stood by me a little and roundly formed
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The Profe
