Chapter 2 Chapter two
It was my second day at Gaillard Castle and I couldn't sleep at night because the scene in the cemetery was too amazing to get it out of my mind.
As we walked slowly back to the castle, I told her she shouldn't have said that about her father.She listened quietly without saying a word, but I will never forget the affirmation in her tone: "He murdered her."
Of course, this is gossip.Where did she hear it?Someone in the mansion must have said it, is it the nanny?poor child!The situation is pitiful!My hatred for her was gone, and I felt like I wanted to know more about her life, what her mother was, and how those horrible speculations were planted in her?
But the situation made it difficult for me to start.
I ate dinner alone in my room, reorganized the notes I had made, and then tried to read the novel.The nights seemed long, and I wondered if life would be like this if I were allowed to stay?In other large mansions we dined with estate managers and sometimes with the family of the owners.I have never felt so lonely at work.However, I have to remember that I have not been adopted yet and this is a necessary wait.
I've been in the gallery all morning examining the paintings, carefully gauging the dullness of the paint, flaking, what we call "chalk flaking," and other cases of deterioration, such as cracks in the painting, that build up Dust and dirt.I want to clearly list the required materials besides the tools I brought.I would like to ask Philippe Terratel if I could see the other pictures in the castle, especially the frescoes that I noticed.
I went back to my room for lunch and then went out.I decided to go see the surrounding countryside or town today.
There were vineyards as far as I could see, so I chose a path to cross them.But this road runs counter to the town, and I will go to the town tomorrow.I'm imagining what's going on in town at harvest time and wish I'd been here sooner.Next year... I thought, and made fun of myself: Do I really think I'll be here next year?
I approached several buildings, and beside them I saw a red brick house with green shutters on every window.It added to the charm of the house, which I think is a hundred and fifty years old, built about fifty years before the revolution.I couldn't resist the temptation to get up close and look at it.
There was a meem tree in front of the house, and as I approached a high, shrill voice called, "Hello, miss." It was in English, not French as I expected.But the lady's pronunciation is not correct, which tells me that the person who called me knows who I am.
"Hello." I responded, but there was no one on the other side of the iron gate.
I heard a chuckle and looked up to see a boy swinging in a tree like a monkey, he jumped down and stood beside me, "Hello, miss, I'm Ivan Busted."
"How are you?"
"This is Margaux, come down Margaux, don't be silly."
"I'm not stupid."
The girl got out of the branch and slid down the trunk without any risk. She was thinner than the boy.
"We live here," he told me.
The girl nodded, her eyes sparkling and curious.
"It's a lovely house."
"We all live here...all of them."
"It's fine here for you."
"Ivan, Margaux," called a voice from the room.
"We met Miss, Grandma."
"Then ask her to come in, and remember your manners."
"Miss," Ivan said, bowing slightly, "please meet grandma?"
"It's my pleasure," I smiled at the girl, who returned a nice curtsy.I thought about how different she was from Genevieve.
The boy ran forward to open the beautifully decorated iron gate, and bowed deeply to me as I passed through the open gate.The girl followed me into the path lined with bushes and called, "Here we are, Grandma."
I stepped into the large hall, and through an open door came a voice: "Please lead the English lady here, my child."
In the rocking chair sat an old woman with a wrinkled brown face and a mass of white hair coiled high on her head, her eyes were dark and bright, and heavy lids covered them like lids.Her thin, lined hands are covered with brown markings, which we call "death flowers" at home.She clutched the arms of the rocking chair with both hands.
She smiled eagerly at me, as if she had expected and welcomed my visit.
"Excuse me for not being able to get up, miss," she said. "My limbs are so stiff that it takes me all morning to get out of the rocker and all afternoon to sit back in it."
"Please don't get up." I took her outstretched hand and shook it, "It's kind of you to invite me in."
The children stood on either side of her, looking at me intently and proudly, as if I were a rare treasure they had found.
I laughed, "You seem to know me, I think you took advantage of it."
"Ivan, give the lady a chair."
He jumped up, moved a chair, and placed it carefully in front of the old woman.
"You'll hear about us soon. Everyone knows the Bastedts."
I sat down on the chair, "How do you know me?" I asked.
"Miss, good news has spread far and wide. We have heard of your arrival and have been looking forward to your visit. You see we are part of the old castle. This house was built for one of Bastedt's ancestors, and Bastedt has been there ever since Live here, and before that Bastedt lived in the castle property, because we are winemakers. Some people say that if there is no Bastedt, there will be no Gaillard wine."
"I see, the vineyard is yours."
Eyelids dropped over her eyes, she laughed and said, "Like everything here, these grapes belong to the Earl. This is his land, his house, everything is his, and we are his workers." .Although I said there would be no Gaillard without Bastete, I mean this wine would be a misnomer."
“I often think it must be interesting to watch the whole winemaking process, to watch the grapes bear fruit, ripen and turn into wine.”
"Oh, miss, that's the funniest thing for Busted."
"I hope to have the pleasure of meeting you."
"I wish you could stay longer," she turned to the child. "Go to your brother, my child, and sister, and father, and tell them we have visitors."
"Please don't interfere with their work because of me."
"If they know you've been here but don't see you, they will be disappointed."
The children ran away, and I praised them for their cuteness and good manners.She nodded, happily.I know she understands why I sigh so much, I can only compare them to Genevieve.
"At this time of day," she explained, "there's not much outdoor activity. My grandson, who now manages everything, will be in the wine cellar; his father, who can no longer do outdoor work since the accident, will help out there. , my granddaughter Gabriela works in the office."
"You've got a big family, and you're going to get involved in making wine."
She nodded, "This is a family tradition, and Ivan and Margaux will join the ranks when they grow up."
"How wonderful! And the whole family lives together in such a lovely house. Please tell me about your family."
"My son Ammon is the father of the children, and Champier is the eldest of the grandchildren. He is twenty-eight and turning twenty-nine, and now he runs everything. Then there is Gabriel, who is nineteen. You know, in those ten years I thought Champier was going to be the only grandchild, and then Gabriel was born. And then a few years later, Ivan and Margaux were born, and they were only One year old. There is too little difference between them, and their mother is too old to have children."
"She is……"
She nodded, "It was a miserable time. The carriage driven by Amon and a worker, Jacques, suddenly ran out, and they were both injured. Amon's wife, the poor girl, thought he would not survive. I think It was such a blow that she caught a cold and died, leaving Margaux . . . only ten days old."
"How sad!"
"The bad days are over ma'am. That was eight years ago. My son has been able to work and my grandson is a good boy and is now the real head of the family. He becomes a man when he needs to shoulder the responsibilities But that's life, isn't it?" She smiled at me, "I'm talking about the Bastedts and it's killing you."
"Not at all, it's funny."
"But your work will be much more interesting than these. What do you think of the work in the castle?"
"I just arrived!"
"You'll find this job very interesting."
"I don't know if I can get the job, it all depends on..."
"Mr. Earl decides, of course." She looked at me and shook her head. "He's not a man to mess with."
"Is he unpredictable?"
She raised her shoulders. "He's expecting a man. We're all expecting a man. The servant says it's an English man. You can't keep secrets in Gaillard, miss. At least most people can't, I My son says I talk too much. He's a poor boy who doesn't talk much. His wife's death has changed him a lot, madam, and he's very sad."
She listened suddenly, and I heard the sound of a horse's hooves, and a proud smile appeared on her face, which changed her appearance miraculously. "That," she said, "is Champier."
A few minutes later he was standing in the doorway, of medium height, with light brown hair that I assumed was sun-done.His bright eyes narrowed when he smiled, his skin was tanned, and his whole body radiated with incredible vitality.
"Champier," said the old woman, "this is the lady from the Château."
He walked up to me, smiled like the rest of the family, was glad to see me, and gave me a polite bow.
"Welcome to Gaillard, miss, it is very kind of you to visit us."
"This is not a visit. Your younger siblings saw me passing by and invited me in."
"Well done! Hope this is the first place you visit." He pulled up a chair and sat down. "What do you think of the old castle?"
"This is a masterpiece of fifteenth-century architecture. I haven't had much opportunity to study it so far, but I think it is quite similar to the architectural features of Rangis and Lojo."
He laughed, "You know far more French national treasures than we do, madam, I swear."
"I don't agree. The so-called learning is not enough. There is no limit to learning. I know more about painting and houses, but you... are grapes."
Champier laughed.He has an innate smile and is very charming, "How different! One is spiritual and the other is material."
"As I told Mrs. Bastedt, it must be exciting, to plant the grape, to nurture it, to tend it, and to make wine."
"It's risky," Champier said.
"That's true of everything."
"You don't know what we suffer, miss. Does a frost kill all the buds? Do the grapes turn sour from the cold weather? Check the vines every day for black spots and rot, and everything Insect pests. Countless pests and diseases have the same will to destroy the harvest. We don't feel at ease until after the harvest, and then you should see how happy we are."
"I hope to have a chance to see you."
He looked at me in surprise, "Have you already started working in the castle? Miss."
"Barely doing anything, I haven't been hired yet. I'll have to wait..."
"Monsieur Count's decision," interposed Madame Bastedt.
"I guess it's natural," I said, with an inexplicable desire to defend him, "or maybe I'm misinterpreting it, they were expecting my father to come, I didn't tell them he was dead and I did it. Mission. Everything is up to Monsieur Earl."
"Everything will always be decided by Monsieur the Earl," said Mrs. Bastedt resolutely.
"That," added Champier with a bright smile, "because the castle belongs to him, so it's only natural for the lady to take it for granted. The painting he plans to restore belongs to him, the grapes belong to him... In a way, we belong to him too.”
"What you say brings us back to before the Revolution," murmured Mrs. Bastedt.
Champier looked at me, "Mademoiselle, this place has hardly changed over the years. The old castle towers over the town and its neighbourhood. It has retained its character as it has for centuries. Our ancestors relied on his benevolence in the past, We still do. Gaillard has hardly changed, that's how Monsieur The Count Terratel owned it and how it is what it is today."
"I don't think he's loved or loved by those who depend on him."
"Perhaps only a person who likes to depend will love what he depends on. An independent person is easy to betray."
I was a little fascinated by the words, and in this house I felt a clear and strong concern for Mr. Earl, but the more I knew about the man to whom my future fate depended, the more anxious I became, So I said, "Well, right now I'm agonizingly waiting for him to come back."
"Monsieur Philippe dared not make any decisions for fear of offending the Count," said Champier.
"Is he so afraid of his cousin?"
"I'm afraid it's worse than that. If the Count doesn't marry, Philip can inherit him. For the Terrars follow the French royal tradition and the Salic Law, which applies to the Vally and Bourbons, and Terra Tai. However, like everything is decided by the count, because there are other male heirs, he can decide whether to pass his cousin to other relatives. Sometimes I think Gaillard is like Louis XIV the Palace of Versailles."
"I guess the Earl is still young... at least not too old, why not marry?"
"Someone said he didn't like the idea."
"I think a man who is so proud of his family must want a son, no doubt he is proud of his family."
"He is the proudest man in all of France."
Then the children came back with Gabriela and their father Ammon, Gabriel Bastedt was very lovely, she was as dark as her family, but her eyes were not brown, but a deep blue, It almost makes her a beauty.Her expression is very sweet, much softer than her brother's.
I explained to them that I had a French mother, so I was familiar with their language.I was taken aback when the bell rang suddenly.
"It's the maid calling the children for dessert," said Mrs. Busted.
"I'm leaving now," I said. "That's great. I hope we'll see each other again."
But Mrs. Busted didn't seem to hear that I was going, and she said I must stay and taste their wine.
Bread with layers of chocolate was served for the children and petit fours and wine were delivered for us.We talked about the paintings, the vines, and the neighborhood, and they told me I must go to the church and the town hall, and most of all that I must come back and see the Bastedts, and I must come in whenever I pass.Champier and his silent father were more than happy to take me to whatever I wanted.
After the kids finished their chocolate bread and went outside to play, our conversation turned back to the castle again, probably because of the wine.I'm not used to drinking, especially at this time of day, which makes me more indulgent than usual.
I said, "Geneviere is a strange child, not at all like Ivan and Margaux, they are so naturally happy. Maybe the old castle is not a good place to raise children." I talked without scruples , I don't care, I want to know more about the castle and everything about the Earl.
"Poor boy . . . " said Mrs. Busted.
"Yeah!" I continued: "I know her mother has been dead for three years. For such a young child, it will take some time to recover."
After a moment of silence, Champier said: "If Miss Lawson had stayed longer at the Chateau, she would have understood quickly." He turned to me: "The Countess died of an opium overdose."
I thought of the girl in the cemetery and blurted out, "Not...murder?"
"They call it suicide," Champier said.
"Oh," interposed Madame Bastide, "the Countess is a beautiful woman." Then she turned the conversation to the vineyards, and we talked about a disaster that ravaged all of France a few years ago when parasites infested up vines.Because Champier loves these vineyards, everyone shares his enthusiasm when he talks about it.I can picture their horror when parasites are found infesting the roots of their vines; I can feel their grief when they are faced with whether to flood their vineyards.
"It was a catastrophe all over France," he said. "That was less than ten years ago, wasn't it? Father?" His father nodded.
"Recovery has been very slow, but it's coming. Gaillard has suffered far less than other areas."
When I got up to leave, Champier said he would walk me back.Although I was in no danger of getting lost, I was glad to have him in his company, and the Busteds were warm and friendly, qualities I have always cherished.When I get along with them, I accept to be another person who is completely different from the cold and authoritative woman in the old castle. I am like a chameleon, changing colors with the environment.It happens without thinking, it's absolutely innate, I never realized in the past that I was automatically armed.However, it is much more pleasant to be with people who don't need to pretend.
"Is the Count really a terrible man?" I asked, as we walked out the gates and walked back to the castle.
"He's a dictator ... an old-fashioned aristocrat whose word is law."
"Tragedy happened in his life."
"I'm sure you sympathized with him, and when you meet him, you'll find that pity is the last thing he needs."
"You said it was said that his wife committed suicide..." I began.
He cut me off quickly: "We're not even talking about it."
"But……"
"But," he emphasized, "we take it to heart."
The old castle looms before our eyes, it looks huge and full of dangers.Thinking of the secrets hidden in it sends a chill down my spine.
"Please don't send it any further," I said, "I'm sure I'm delaying your work."
He stopped a few steps away from me and bowed to me.I smiled and turned to walk towards the old castle.
I went to bed early to make up for the lack of sleep the night before, and during my doze, vague dreams appeared.It's weird, I rarely dream at home.The Bastide family appeared in the chaotic dream, and there was an invisible face in each of the wine in the wine cellar. I knew it was the dead countess.Sometimes I feel her presence but don't see her, and she seems to whisper a warning behind me: "Go, don't get involved in this strange mansion." Then she laughs at me again, but I'm not afraid of her.Another shadow frightened me, it was Monsieur Earl.I heard these words in the distance, and then it became louder and louder, as if someone was shouting in my ear.
I woke up, someone was yelling, there were voices and hurried footsteps in the corridor, although it was not early morning, the castle had already woken up.In fact, by the light of my hastily lit candle, my watch on the table read just after eleven.
I knew what was going on, and it made everyone wait and fear.
The count has gone home.
I lay awake unable to sleep, imagining what would happen in the morning.
When I wake up at my usual time, the Kasbah is quiet.I got up briskly and rang the bell for water.The water came quickly, I told myself, the maid looked very different, she was very disturbed.So even the lowest servants, the earl still has his influence. "Would you like breakfast to be the same as usual, miss?" I was a little surprised and said, "Of course, thank you." I guess they were all talking about me and asking themselves what my fate was going to be.I looked around the room, maybe I'll never sleep here again, I thought.The thought of leaving the castle in this way made me unhappy, and I hadn't really known the people whose images I had left.I want to get to know Guinevere better and try to understand her, I want to see the effect on Philippe Teratell when my cousin comes back; I want to know what responsibility Lano will take for her mismanagement Responsibility; I would also like to hear what happened to Mademoiselle Dubouil before she came to the castle.Of course, there is also the Basted family. I want to sit in their warm hut and talk about Portugal and the old castle.But what I wanted most of all for a while was the Count, not a brief meeting where I was ordered to leave just once, but getting to know him better.It seems generally believed that he was responsible for his wife's death, even though he did not poison it himself. My breakfast arrived, and I couldn't eat it with excitement.Still, I decided not to let anyone say that I was too scared to eat, so I drank my usual two cups of coffee, ate a warm roll, and headed to the gallery. It is not easy to work in these conditions, and I have prepared a list which Philip Terratel said would be given to the Count when he returned.When I presented it, and he looked it over, he smiled at me, obviously this is an expert job.I'm sure he hoped it would flatter the Earl in some way, in order to make up for his decision to keep me.There's still some kindness in him, I'm sure of that.He wants me to get the job because I've shown how much I need it, and unless I ask too much of him, I'd say he's a gracious man. I imagined the earl received my list, and heard that it was a woman and not a man.I can't picture him clearly though, all I can picture is a tall man with a white beard and crown.This is a painting of either Louis XIV or XV, the king... the king of the castle. I'm holding a notebook, trying to jot down the important points I missed in my original inspection, and if he lets me stay, I tell myself, I'll be immersed in my work, even if he kills twenty wives I won't Notice. There was one painting in the gallery that caught my attention in particular.It is a portrait of a woman in costume from the mid-eighteenth century or earlier.It attracted me not because it was the best painting in the gallery - there are better paintings in the gallery, but because it was very damaged, although later than the others.The paint has darkened, and the entire surface is blotchy, as if it had been exposed to wind and rain. I was examining the painting when I heard movement behind me.I turned to see a man had entered the gallery and was standing there looking at me.I felt flustered, my feet trembled, and I knew immediately that I had finally come face to face with Count Terratel. "Miss Lawson, for sure," he said, even though his voice was unusual—low and cold. "Are you Count Tyratel?" He bent down in salute, and did not walk towards me.His eyes surveyed me across the gallery, and his manner was as cold as his voice.I noticed he was tall and was startled by his lanky length.He is a little similar to Philip, but this person is not as weak as Philip.He was darker than his cousin, and his tall bones made his face angular and almost sinister.His eyeballs were very dark, sometimes almost black, which I found out later changed depending on his mood.His eye sockets were deep, with thick lids; his aquiline nose made his face proud; his mouth was changeable, depending on who he was playing.But at the moment, I only know that he is one kind of person-the arrogant king of the castle, and my fate is determined by him. He wore a black riding-jacket with a velvet collar, and in his white scarf was a pale, grim face. "My cousin told me how you came." He was walking towards me now, with the air of a king passing through the Palace of Mirrors. I soon returned to my normal self, and nothing roused me to more prickly arms than arrogance. "I'm glad you're back, Monsieur Earl," I said. "I've been waiting for days to know if you'll keep me on this job." "I'm sure you must be tired, and have been unsure if you were wasting your time." "I found this gallery a lot of fun, and I assure you, it's not an unpleasant waste of time." "It's a pity," he said, "that you didn't tell us your father is dead, which would have saved us a lot of trouble." Well I have to go, I feel so angry that I am so unlucky.Back in London I thought, I should find a boarding house, but how am I going to pay for that until I get a job?I thought almost that I was becoming more and more like Mademoiselle Dubouil.Random thoughts: It seems that this is the fate!I could go to Cousin Jane's, no, never! I hated him at that moment because I believed he guessed the thoughts that crossed my mind.He must have known that an independent woman like me must have wanted so badly to stay, and he enjoyed torturing me.How his wife would hate him!Maybe she killed herself to escape him, and I wouldn't be surprised if that's the answer. "I didn't know the French were so old-fashioned," I said maliciously. "At home I work with my father, and no one minds because I'm a woman. But you have different principles, and there's nothing to talk about." "I don't agree, there's a lot more to talk about." "Then," I said, looking up into his face, "maybe you can start talking." "Miss Lawson, you wish to restore the pictures, do you not?" "I restore pictures by profession, and the more they need repairing, the more interesting the task." "And you find something I need?" "You must know that some pictures are in a bad state. I was examining this one when I found you coming in. What kind of treatment has it been made like this?" "Please, Miss Lawson, don't look at me so harshly. I cannot be responsible for the state of the picture." "Oh? I'm assuming they've been your property for a while. You see, here's a piece of the painting peeling off. It's chalking off. It's clearly not looked after properly." A smile came to his lips, his face changed, there was a hint of pleasure there now. "How intense! Not only can you protect a painting on canvas, but you can also fight for human rights?" "When do you want me to go?" "At least until we talk." "Since you can't hire women, I don't think there's anything to talk about." "You're so excited, Miss Lawson, but now I think it's a quality that a restorer of old paintings must have to do the job well. I didn't say I didn't employ women, that's your assumption." "I can see that you don't approve of my coming here, and that's enough." "You expect me to approve of your...deception?" "Monsieur Count," I said, "I work with my father, and I take his place. You invited him here earlier, and I think the agreement is still valid, and I see no deceit." "Then you must be very surprised at the scenes of astonishment caused by you." My short answer: "It's hard to do that kind of delicate work in an atmosphere of disapproval." "I can understand." "so……" "So?" he repeated. "I can go today if you can get me to the mainline station. I know there's only one train a day that stops at Gaillard." "You've thought of all this, but I repeat, Miss Lawson, you're excited. You must know how hard it is for me to make up your mind. Please forgive me for saying this. You don't appear to be old enough to do this. A highly skilled job." "I've worked with my father for many years, and there are many people who, despite their age, don't learn any technique. You have to have an instinct for it, an understanding, a natural love of drawing." "You describe everything like an artist, I know, but, well, it's hard to have a long experience in your thirties." "I'm twenty-eight," I retorted angrily, and immediately I found myself falling into the trap when he decided to shake my firm stance and let me know that I was just like the average woman who couldn't bear to be seen as older than my age. He raised his eyebrows, finding the interview interesting.I saw that I was giving away my desperate situation, and his ruthless nature made him prolong his indecision in order to mess with me as much as possible. For the first time since I started this adventure, I lost control and I said, "There's no need to go on, I know you've decided that I can't do this job because I'm a woman. Well, sir, I'll be at Leave in your prejudice, then I will leave today or tomorrow." For a few seconds he looked at me with a mocking, bewildered expression, but as I made my way to the door, he walked briskly to my side. "Miss, you don't understand. I'm afraid you don't understand French as well as you know painting." Once again I took the bait, "My mother is French and I know every word you say very well." "Then I should blame myself for being unclear. I didn't say I wanted you to go, not yet." "Your attitude shows that you are not ready to trust me." "It's your own assumption, miss, I assure you." "Then you want me to keep Luo?" He hesitated and asked, "If it's not offensive to say so, I want you to take a quiz. Oh, please, miss, please don't accuse me of sexism. I'm ready to believe that there are many wonderful women in the world. Impressed with your knowledge and love of painting, I am also interested in your damage list and the cost of restoring the painting. It is all clear and reasonable." I was terrified that my eyes would start to sparkle with hope and give away my excitement.I told myself that if he knew how much I wanted the job, he would keep playing with me. He saw it. "That's the proposal...but you can decide whether you want to go today or tomorrow." "I have come a long way, Monsieur Earl, and of course I like to stay and finish the work...but in a harmonious atmosphere. What is your proposal?" "You restore one painting first, and if it is successfully completed, you can continue to restore the rest of the paintings." At that moment I was very happy, I should breathe a sigh of relief, of course, I am sure of my ability.The future is clear, no need to go back to London with shame!No Cousin Jane!Not only that, but there was a sense of joy, engagement, and excitement that I couldn't explain.I'm sure I'll pass the test, and that means a long stay in the old castle, and this wonderful old house will be my home for the next few months.I could explore it and its treasures, I could continue my friendship with the Bastedts, I could indulge my curiosity about the castle's inhabitants. I was hopelessly curious, my father had pointed it out and bemoaned it, but I couldn't stop my desire to see people for what they pretended to be.This kind of excavation is like removing the stain on an ancient painting, and knowing the true face of the Earl is like revealing a living image. "This proposal seems to be quite satisfactory to you." So, once again, I'm giving away how I feel, something I'm proud to do very rarely.Perhaps he was a man of particularly keen senses? "It sounds reasonable," I said. "It's settled, then." He held out his hand. "We shook hands. I believe this is the British custom. Miss, thank you for discussing with me in French. We will sign the contract in English." I felt very uncomfortable when he held my hand and looked into mine with dark eyes.I suddenly felt blank and had nothing to say.I'm sure he wants me to feel that way. I haughtily withdrew my hand to hide my embarrassment, "Which painting did you choose for the quiz?" I asked. "Which painting were you looking at when I came in?" "That's nice, it needs restoration more than any painting in the gallery." We walked up to it and stood side by side to examine it. "It's been treated very badly," I said harshly, now firmly on my feet. "The painting isn't too old, a hundred and fifty years at the most, but..." "One of my ancestors." "It's pathetic that she's being treated like this." "Very poor, but there was a time in France when people wished for her to be more insulted." "I dare say that this painting has probably been exposed to the elements. Although the madder pigment generally does not fade, the color of her gown has faded. I can't see the true color of the gemstone on her neck in this light. You See how dark they are, and so are the bracelets and earrings." "Green," he said, "I can tell you this, it's an emerald." "It's going to be a colorful picture when it's restored, the dress must have been gorgeous when it was painted, and so was the emerald." It will be interesting to see how it looks when you're done. " "I should get to work right away." "Are your props complete?" "First step, I'm going back to my room to get some essentials, then sit down and get to work right away." "I can see that you are in a hurry to work, and I have delayed your work." I didn't deny it, and he stepped aside as I triumphantly passed the gallery.I find the results of my first contact with the Earl to be satisfactory. What a joy it is to work in a gallery!Nobody bothered me, and when I went back with the tools, the two footmen had already taken the painting off the wall and asked me what I needed, and I said I would ring the bell if I needed it, and they looked at me with respect.When they return to the servants' quarters, they will surely spread the word that the earl has allowed me to stay. I wear a brown sackcloth over my clothes to give me a professional look.Oddly enough, I feel competent as soon as I put it on, wish I had worn it when I met the Earl. I settled everything and studied the condition of the painting, I had to calculate how solid the paint was on the canvas before removing the paint.Clearly, the sweat spots here accumulate more dust and grime than normal.我发现在油彩上涂树脂前，最好先小心的用肥皂及水清洗。这让我花了不少时间决定是否用在这个案子上，最后我决定用。 当女仆敲门告诉我午餐时间已到时，我吓了一跳。我在房里吃了午餐，一如惯例不在餐后工作，我溜出古堡往巴士泰德家走去。仅是基于礼貌我必须知会他们发生的一切，因为他们对我是否留下很感兴趣。 老妇人正坐在摇椅上，她很高兴见到我。她告诉我孩子们正跟着丘瑞先生上课；阿蒙、尚皮耶及盖柏拉正在工作；不过，看到我真是愉快。 我坐在她身旁并说：“我见过伯爵了。” “我听说他回古堡了。” “我正着手修复一幅画，若是成功了，我会完成其余的画。我已经动工，是一幅祖先的肖像，一位淑女穿着一件红衣戴着宝石，此刻看来是灰泥色，伯爵说是绿宝石。” “绿宝石，”她说，“它们可能是盖拉德绿宝石。” “传家宝？” “它们……一度是。” “不再是了？” “遗失了，我想在大革命时发生的。” “我猜古堡就此易主？” “不全然，我们远离巴黎，麻烦较少，不过古堡遭到侵入。” “它看来逃过一劫。” “是的，有一个流传至今的故事。暴徒强行进入也许你看过教堂了？那是古堡最老的部分，你会注意到在外墙的门上有一处损坏的石建筑，过去圣吉娜薇薇的雕像曾高踞其上。革命份子想要毁损教堂，但是盖拉德古堡很幸运。他们打算先毁掉圣吉娜薇薇，当他们痛饮美酒、把绳索缚住石像后，石像比他们估计的重，倒下后压死了三个人，他们认为是个恶兆。此后就有人说圣吉娜薇薇救了古堡。” “这就是为何吉娜薇薇如此命名？” “这个家族中总是有个吉娜薇薇。虽然当时伯爵上了断头台，他的儿子，还是个婴儿，被小心照顾及时送回古堡。这是我们巴士泰德喜欢说的一个故事，我们为了人类，为了自由、博爱、平等，反抗独裁者，但却将小伯爵收留在这幢房子里，直到事件平息。我的公公曾告诉我这件事，他比小伯爵大一岁左右。” “所以你们的家族史和他们的很接近。” “非常接近。” “那么现任伯爵……他是你的好朋友？” “泰拉泰尔家族不是巴士泰德家的朋友，”她骄傲的说，“只是保护者，他们没有变……我们也没有。” 她改话题，一会儿后我离开回到古堡，我渴望继续工作。 下午时一位仆人到画廊来告诉我若是当晚我加入家族晚餐，伯爵先生会非常高兴。他们在八点用餐，因为人少，所以地点将在一个小型餐室。女仆说若是我在七点五十五分准备就绪，她会领我到那儿。 我发现我太慌乱以致无法工作了，女仆带着敬意对我说话，这意味着一件事，我不仅在修复图画上被视为一个有价值的人，更有莫大的荣幸可以和他一起进餐。 我不知道该穿什么，我只有三套适合晚上穿的服装，没有一件是新的。一件是棕色丝质有着咖啡色蕾丝；第二件是深黑色天鹅绒配上颈部白蕾丝褶边；第三件是灰棉布加上浅紫色镶边。我立刻决定穿黑天鹅绒。 我不能在人工照明下工作，所以当日光变暗时，我回到房间。我拿出衣服细看它，幸好天鹅绒不老气，但是剪裁却一点也不时髦，我拿起它比一比看着自己的样子。我的双颊有些隐约的粉红色，我的双眼衬着黑天鹅绒而变黑，一束头发从发髻上滑落，显出令人讨厌的傻气，我把衣服放下，当我开始整理头发时，有人敲门。 杜布依小姐走进来，她不可思议地看着我，然后结结巴巴的说：“劳森小姐，这是真的吗？你被邀去和这家人一起用餐？” “是的，这让你吃惊吗？” “我从未被邀去和他们共餐。” 我看着她并不惊讶，“我敢说他们想和我讨论绘画，在餐桌上谈较容易。” “你是说伯爵和他堂弟？” “是的，我猜是如此。” “我想你该小心，伯爵在女人方面的名声并不太好。” 我瞪着她，“他并没有视我为女人，”我反驳道，“我是来修复他的图画的。” “他们说他无情，不过有人发现他很吸引人。” “亲爱的杜布依小姐，我还没有发现任何男人是难以抗拒的，请不要企图在我这个年纪做这种假设。” “嗯，你也没有那么老。” 没有那么老？难道她也以为我三十岁了？ 她看出我的恼怒，立刻语带歉意地说：“那个可怜的不幸女人……他的妻子，谣言听起来很惊人，太可怕了，是不是？想想看我们和这种人住在同一个屋顶下。” “我不认为你或我该害怕。”我说。 她走近我：“当他在家时，我在晚上都锁上门。你也该如此，今晚我一定得小心。也许他和某人同住一屋时，他想开心一下。你绝不能太有把握。” “我会小心的。”我如此说好安抚她，让她快走。 当我穿衣服时，我想到她，她是否在满室寂静中梦到一位爱慕她的伯爵正企图诱惑她？我确信她是比我略具面对这种命运的危险。 我梳洗并穿上天鹅绒长袍，把头发高高盘在头顶，用许多发夹固定以确定没有一丝乱发，别上一个母亲的别针，它简单但迷人，由一些小土耳其玉及小珍珠组成。我在女仆敲门领我到餐室前十分钟就准备好了。 我们走进古堡十七世纪增建的一侧屋宇，到达一个大的圆拱形房间，是餐室，我猜在此招待客人们。一个小聚会却坐在如此一张桌子上必定很荒谬，我一点也不惊讶，我被领到一个小房间——就盖拉德古堡的标准来说——在大厅的另一端。这是间可爱的房间，窗上挂着夜蓝色的天鹅绒窗帘，并有窗棂，我想着，这和厚墙上那些窄化窗口由外保护古堡的炮台不同，它是阻绝光线的。大理石壁炉的两端立着一个枝状烛台，烛火燃烧。在餐桌中央也有一个相似的烛台。 菲利浦和吉娜薇薇已经在那儿，两人都很沉静。吉娜薇薇穿着一件蕾丝领的灰色丝洋装，头发用粉色丝质蝴蝶结束在背后，她看来称得上害羞文静和先前那个女孩完全不同。菲利浦穿着夜礼服比我们第一次见面时更高雅，好像真正高兴看到我在这里。 他高兴地笑着“晚安，劳森小姐。”我向他回礼，我们之间似乎存在着某种友善的密谋。 吉娜薇薇局促不安的屈膝为礼。 “我敢说你在画廊里有个忙碌的一天。”菲利浦说。 我答说确是如此，我正在做准备工作。一个人想开始精细的修复工作前要做许多测试。 “一定很引人入胜，”他说：“我相信你一定会成功的。” 我知道他是说真的，不过我知道他边和我说话边留心伯爵的到来。 他在八点准时到达，然后我们入座：伯爵坐主位，他坐在右首，吉娜薇薇在左首，菲利浦在他对面。当伯爵问我画廊中的工作进度时，汤端上来毫无延迟。 我重述和菲利浦说过如何着手修复的内容，他表现得很有兴趣。我不确信他是关心他的图画或是想对我表示礼貌。 我告诉他决定先用肥皂及水清洗那幅画以便除去表面的污垢。 他看着我，眼中闪过一丝好玩的神情说：“我听说水要放在一个特别的锅子里。肥皂要在月色昏暗时制作。” “我们不再受制于这些迷信了。”我答道。 “你不迷信罗，小姐？” “不比现在多数人更迷信。” “这个想法不坏，不过我想你对这种幻想的看法太实际了，你待在这儿后会发现这一点的。我们这边有些人，”他的眼睛转向吉娜薇薇，她正蜷缩在椅子中，“让家庭教师不愿留下，有些人说见到鬼，另一些则没有理由默默离开，这里有些东西让人受不了……我的古堡或是我的女儿。” 当他的眼光落在吉娜薇薇身上时其中含着冷峻厌恶，而我的怒气升起。他就是那种随时要找个受害者的人，在画廊时他逗弄我；现在轮到吉娜薇薇。可是这完全不同，我是在欺骗下到来，我能照顾自己。但是对一个孩子……对吉娜薇薇太过份了……这么紧张而敏感。而他说了什么？很少，恶意表现在举止上。这也难怪吉娜薇薇这么怕他，菲利浦这么怕他，这地方的其它人全是这样。 “若是一个人迷信，”我说，觉得我必须助吉娜薇薇一臂之力，“这种地方很容易使他的幻想增强。我和父亲一同在许多老房子待过，不过从未撞到鬼。” “英国鬼大概比法国鬼自制吧？他们不会不请自来，而仅拜访那些畏惧的人。不过我可能说错了。” 我脸红着，“他们当然依照生前的礼节行事，法国的礼节比英国严格。” “你是对的，一定。劳森小姐，英国人比较喜欢不请自来，所以保证你在古堡中一定安全，不会有不速之客造访。” 菲利浦专心地听着，吉娜薇薇则带着敬畏，我想那是因为我胆敢和她父亲对话。 鱼在汤之后上来，伯爵举起玻璃杯：“我相信你会喜欢这种酒，劳森小姐，这是我们自酿的美酒，你像精于绘画般精于品酒吗？” “这是个我所知有限的题目。” “你在此停留时会听到许多这类话题，通常这是主要话题，我相信你不会发现人们厌倦谈它。” “我相信我将发现这很有趣，学习永远是件让人快乐的事。” 我看到他嘴角的微笑，家庭教师！我想到。毫无疑问的若是我担任那个职业，我会有良好的态度。 菲利浦语带犹豫地问：“你从哪一幅画开始，劳森小姐？” “一幅肖像绘于上世纪……中叶，我这么推想，大约在一七四零。” “你看，堂弟，”伯爵说，“劳森小姐是专家，她喜欢绘画，她责备我忽视它们，好像我是个疏于照顾孩子的家长。” 吉娜薇薇困窘地低头看着她的盘子，伯爵转向她，“你该多享有劳森小姐到此的好处，她可以热心地教你。” “是的，爸爸。”吉娜薇薇说。 “还有，”他继续，“若是你能说服她和你用英文交谈，你也许就可以把那个语言说得字正腔圆。你在劳森小姐没有处理那些图画时，该试着要求她。你可以学会他们那种较不严格的礼节，这会带给你自信，还有，嗯……沉着冷静。” “我们已经用英语交谈了。”我说，“吉娜薇薇有很好的词汇，发音永远是个大问题，直到一个人可以自由的和母语人士交谈。不过还来得及。” 再度言谈像个家庭教师，我想着。我知道他也这么想，但是，我必须尽我所能支持吉娜薇薇，向他挑战，我的厌恶无时无刻不在升高中。 “对你而言是个最佳机会，吉娜薇薇。你骑马吗？劳森小姐？” “是的，我喜欢骑马。” “马厩里有马，其中一位马夫会告诉你，你适合的坐骑。吉娜薇薇也骑马，会一点。你们可以一起骑，现任的家庭教师太胆小，你可以带劳森小姐看看郊外。” “是的，爸爸。” “我们的乡间不是很吸引人，恐怕如此。酒产地很少迷人的，若是你骑远一些，我保证你会看到悦目的景物。” “你太好了，我会喜欢骑马的。” 他摇摇手，而菲利浦无疑的自觉是该由他努力接继谈话了，把主题拉回绘画。 我谈到我正进行的画像，我解释其中一、两个细节，将它们说得有些专业，期望可以困扰伯爵。他神态庄重的听着嘴角泛起微笑。猜想到他知道我在打什么主意，让我心迷意乱。若是如此，他一定知道我讨厌他。怪的是，这似乎加深他对我的兴趣。 “我深信，”我说着，“这虽然不是经典之作，但画家精通色彩，这已很明显。我确信晚礼服的颜色会很耀眼，绿宝石修复到画家原来采用的色彩后会很闪亮。” “绿宝石……”菲利浦说。 伯爵看着他，“噢，是的，这幅画上它们光华重生，看到它们一定很有趣……即使只是在画布上。” “那，”菲利浦喃喃着，“是我们唯一见到它们的机会。” “谁知道？”伯爵说，他转向我，“菲利浦对我们的绿宝石很有兴趣。” “谁不是呢？”他反驳，有着前所未有的大胆。 “若是可以染指，我们都有兴趣。” 吉娜薇薇以高而兴奋的声音说：“它们一定在某处，拉诺说它们在古堡，若是我们可以找到它们……喔，不是很刺激吗？” “你的老奶妈一定是对的，”伯爵挖苦地说，“我同意去找寻它们一定很刺激……另一个事实是找到它们可以增加可观的家产。” “没错！”菲利浦说，他双眼发亮。 “你认为它们在古堡中吗？”我问。 菲利浦热切地说：“它们从未在别处发现过，那种石头很容易认出，它们不会轻易的消毁。” “我亲爱的菲利浦，”伯爵说，“你忘了它们遗失的年代，一百年前，劳森小姐，那种宝石可能已经破坏了，分别卖掉了，被遗忘了。市场上一定充斥着许多宝石，是由一些不懂它们价值的人从法国巨宅中盗出。可以肯定的，这就是盖拉德绿宝石的下场，那些洗劫我们房舍，窃取珠宝的暴民根本不懂得欣赏他们拿走的东西。”他眼中一时的怒气消退后，他转向我：“噢，劳森小姐，多幸运啊！你没有活在那个年代，你怎能忍受伟大绘画遭到亵渎，扔出窗外任其受天气摧残，堆积那个……'开花'？” “这是个悲剧这么多美丽的东西消失了。”我转向菲利浦，“你可以告诉我关于绿宝石的事？” “它们多年来一直在家族中，”他说，“它们的价值……因为物价改变许多所以很难说。它们是无价的，它们一直保存在古堡的保险室中。但在大革命中遗失了。没有人知道它们怎么了，但一直相信仍在古堡的某处。” “定期的有些寻宝者，”伯爵说，“有人一有某种理论就引起骚动，我们找，我们挖掘，想要发现古堡中多年来未被打开的藏宝地。这产生了一大堆的活动，却没有绿宝石。” “爸爸，”吉娜薇薇叫道：“我们现在可以寻宝吗？” 雉鸡端上来，它很棒我却没怎么尝。我觉得谈话很有意思，因为我将留下，所以整日我都处于亢奋状态。 “你大大影响我的女儿，劳森小姐。”伯爵说：“她认为你在别人失败的地方会成功。你想重新搜寻，吉娜薇薇，因为你认为劳森小姐在此，她不会失败？” “不，”吉娜薇薇说，“我没那么想，我只想找到绿宝石。” “多粗鲁无礼啊！原谅她，劳森小姐。吉娜薇薇，我建议你带劳森小姐看看古堡。”他转向我，“你尚未探索过它，我确定，依你活泼智慧的好奇心你一定想去。我相信你父亲如你了解绘画般的了解古建筑，而你又和他一起工作。谁知道，也许你可以找到困惑我们百年的藏宝地。” “我对参观古堡很有兴趣，”我承认，“若是吉娜薇薇愿意带领我，我会很高兴。” 吉娜薇薇没有看着我，伯爵对她皱眉，我赶快说：“若是你同意我们可以订个约会，吉娜薇薇？” 她看看她父亲，又看看我，“明早？”她说。 “我在早上工作，不过明天中午我很高兴去。” “很好。”她咕哝。 “我相信这是一次对你有益的活动，吉娜薇薇。”伯爵说。 由蛋白牛奶酥我们谈到了邻近地区——大多是葡萄园。我觉得我进步许多，我和家人一起晚餐，是可怜的杜布依小姐没经历过的；我被允许骑马——但愿我带了旧骑马装来；第二天我就可以看遍古堡；我和伯爵有了某种关系，虽然我不知道是何种。 当我可以回房时，我觉得很高兴。但是离开前伯爵告诉我图画室中有一本书，也许我喜欢看。 “我父亲找一个人到这儿写的，”他解释，“他对我们家族史极有兴趣，书写成印出，我在几年前读过它，但是我相信它会吸引你。” 我说我相信它一定可以，我会很高兴看它。 “我会叫人送去。”他告诉我。 当吉娜薇薇告退时，我也跟进，让男人留下来。她引导我回房，冷冷对我道晚安。 当敲门声传来时我才回房不久，仆人带着书进来。 “伯爵先生说你要这个。”她告诉我。 她离去留下我站在那儿手中拿着书，它很薄，上面用线条画出古堡。我确定我会发现它吸引我，但此刻我心中充满夜间发生的事。 我不想上床，因为我太兴奋而无法入睡，伯爵占领了我的思绪。我曾期盼他与众不同，结果他充满了神秘。他的女儿怕他，我不知道他的堂弟如何，但我怀疑他也一样。伯爵是个喜欢别人惧怕他的男人，但他轻视那些害怕他的人，那就是我的结论。我已经注意到那两个人激起他的怒意，不过藉他的态度他增加他们的恐惧。我怀疑他和那个不幸嫁给他的女人曾有过何种生活，她曾畏缩于他的轻视？他如何折磨她？很难想像他沉溺于暴力……但我又怎能肯定关于他的事？我几乎不认识他……尚未。 最后一个字使我兴奋，我必须承认。他是如何想我？几乎不想吧。他曾检视我，决定给我工作，他对我的兴趣到此为止。为何我会被邀去和他的家人共餐？这样他就可以更仔细的观看一个引起他模糊兴趣的人类？因为古堡中没有别的引他兴趣的事物？光和菲利浦及吉娜薇薇共餐会有点无聊。我曾反击他——没有全面成功，因为他太聪明不揭穿我的防卫，而且我的大胆取悦了他，使他允许我进一步的试探，以达到使我泄气的目的。 他是个撒旦，这是我的结论。他该为妻子的死负责，即使他没有经手剂量，他也迫使她服用。Poor woman!她过得是什么日子？是什么样的不幸让一个女人自我了断？可怜的吉娜薇薇，她是她的女儿。我要试着了解这个女孩，多少做她的朋友。我觉得她是个在迷宫中漫游的迷途孩子，恐惧正在升高，可能她永远找不到出路。 而我，一向自认为“实际的女人”，在这个地方产生了不少奇想。几世纪以来此地必定发生过不少怪事，最近又有一个女人不快乐的死去。 为了把这个男人赶出我的思绪，我试着想点别的事。尚皮耶开朗的脸是多不同啊！ 然后，我突然开始笑了。好奇怪，自从多年前我爱过查尔斯后，我一直对男人没兴趣，而现在两个人不时出现在我心中。 多笨！我警告自己，这两个人和你有什么关系？ 我拿起伯爵给的书，开始读。
古堡建于一四零五年，至今有关的原始结构仍屹立不摇。在老建筑两侧的厢房是后来增建的，都超过一百英尺高，圆柱型碉堡增加它们的坚固度。洛荷的皇家古堡可与之匹比，似乎盖拉德古堡中的生活与洛荷相同，因为在盖拉德·泰拉泰尔如国王般统治。此地有地牢拘禁他们的敌人，在古堡最古老的部份，有一个秘密地牢的最佳范例。 当本书作者检视地牢时，发现笼子和洛荷的相似，石头切出的小洞，没有空间让人站立，人被锁在里面，任其死去。在十五、十六、十七世纪泰拉泰尔与路易十一采用相同方法对付敌人。有一个人被留在秘密地牢中等死，曾想掘出一条自由路，成功的挖出一条离开地牢笼子的通道，最后他在挫折绝望中死去。 我继续读，不但被有关古堡的描述迷惑，更被家族史吸引。 几世纪中家族常与国王冲突，但更多时候他们站在国王身旁。这宅第中的一位妇人在嫁入家族前是路易十五的情妇，国王以一串价值不菲的绿宝石项链赠她。身为国王的情妇被视为无损荣誉，泰拉泰尔在她不为皇室效力后娶了她，为了与国王的慷慨对抗，他订制了一条以无价宝石做成的绿宝石手镯。可是一条手镯比不上项链值钱，所以又做了绿宝石冠冕及两个绿宝石耳环，一个别针、一个镶满绿宝石的腰带，好证明泰拉泰尔与王室地位相当。这就是有名的泰拉泰尔绿宝石的由来。 此书肯定我已经知道的，就是绿宝石在大革命中遗失在此之前它们和其它珠宝一起收藏在枪械收集室的保险室中，除了房子的主人外没人拥有钥匙，甚至知道钥匙藏在那儿。一直如此直到恐怖时代袭卷全法国。 很晚了，但是我无法停止阅读，我读到这一标题为“泰拉泰尔与大革命”。 洛塞尔·泰拉泰尔，当时的伯爵，是个三十岁的年轻人，他在那致命的年代前几年结了婚，被传唤到巴黎参加国务会议，再也没回到古堡，是最早一批血洒断头台的人。他的妻子马瑞·刘易斯，二十二岁，怀有身孕，与老伯爵夫人——洛塞尔的母亲留在古堡中。我清楚的描绘出，七月的炽热日子中，她丈夫的死讯传到这年轻女人的耳中，她为丈夫而悲悼，她为即将出世的孩子而恐惧。我想像她站在高塔的最高窗子前，极目远眺郊野；猜想革命份子是否会踏上这条路；自问此地的人们能让她平静的过多久。 在闷热的日子里，她必须等待，害怕走进小镇，小心那些在葡萄园辛勤工作的工人。随着日子消逝，无疑的仆人变得有一些不恭谨。我想像骄傲的老伯爵夫人绝望的想保有旧日生活的品质，这两个勇敢的女人在那段可怕的日子中必定受了不少苦。 几乎没有人躲过恐怖时代，最后它到达盖拉德古堡，一队革命份子耀武扬威的来到古堡，摇着旗帜，唱着南方传来的歌曲。工人们丢下葡萄园，女人小孩由镇上小茅屋跑出来，摆摊子和开店的涌向广场。独裁者的日子过去了，现在他们是主人。 当我读到小伯爵夫人如何离开古堡，在附近一所房子中受到庇护时，我不禁发抖。我知道是哪幢房子，我知道是那一家收容她，他们的家族史是纠缠的，他们从不是朋友，只是保护者。我可以明确的记得，当巴士泰德说这句话的骄傲表情。 所以巴士泰德太太，他一定是尚皮耶的曾祖母，曾保护过伯爵夫人。她管理事务即使是男人也不敢违背她，当她藏起伯爵夫人时，他们
When I wake up at my usual time, the Kasbah is quiet.I got up briskly and rang the bell for water.The water came quickly, I told myself, the maid looked very different, she was very disturbed.So even the lowest servants, the earl still has his influence. "Would you like breakfast to be the same as usual, miss?" I was a little surprised and said, "Of course, thank you." I guess they were all talking about me and asking themselves what my fate was going to be.I looked around the room, maybe I'll never sleep here again, I thought.The thought of leaving the castle in this way made me unhappy, and I hadn't really known the people whose images I had left.I want to get to know Guinevere better and try to understand her, I want to see the effect on Philippe Teratell when my cousin comes back; I want to know what responsibility Lano will take for her mismanagement Responsibility; I would also like to hear what happened to Mademoiselle Dubouil before she came to the castle.Of course, there is also the Basted family. I want to sit in their warm hut and talk about Portugal and the old castle.But what I wanted most of all for a while was the Count, not a brief meeting where I was ordered to leave just once, but getting to know him better.It seems generally believed that he was responsible for his wife's death, even though he did not poison it himself. My breakfast arrived, and I couldn't eat it with excitement.Still, I decided not to let anyone say that I was too scared to eat, so I drank my usual two cups of coffee, ate a warm roll, and headed to the gallery. It is not easy to work in these conditions, and I have prepared a list which Philip Terratel said would be given to the Count when he returned.When I presented it, and he looked it over, he smiled at me, obviously this is an expert job.I'm sure he hoped it would flatter the Earl in some way, in order to make up for his decision to keep me.There's still some kindness in him, I'm sure of that.He wants me to get the job because I've shown how much I need it, and unless I ask too much of him, I'd say he's a gracious man. I imagined the earl received my list, and heard that it was a woman and not a man.I can't picture him clearly though, all I can picture is a tall man with a white beard and crown.This is a painting of either Louis XIV or XV, the king... the king of the castle. I'm holding a notebook, trying to jot down the important points I missed in my original inspection, and if he lets me stay, I tell myself, I'll be immersed in my work, even if he kills twenty wives I won't Notice. There was one painting in the gallery that caught my attention in particular.It is a portrait of a woman in costume from the mid-eighteenth century or earlier.It attracted me not because it was the best painting in the gallery - there are better paintings in the gallery, but because it was very damaged, although later than the others.The paint has darkened, and the entire surface is blotchy, as if it had been exposed to wind and rain. I was examining the painting when I heard movement behind me.I turned to see a man had entered the gallery and was standing there looking at me.I felt flustered, my feet trembled, and I knew immediately that I had finally come face to face with Count Terratel. "Miss Lawson, for sure," he said, even though his voice was unusual—low and cold. "Are you Count Tyratel?" He bent down in salute, and did not walk towards me.His eyes surveyed me across the gallery, and his manner was as cold as his voice.I noticed he was tall and was startled by his lanky length.He is a little similar to Philip, but this person is not as weak as Philip.He was darker than his cousin, and his tall bones made his face angular and almost sinister.His eyeballs were very dark, sometimes almost black, which I found out later changed depending on his mood.His eye sockets were deep, with thick lids; his aquiline nose made his face proud; his mouth was changeable, depending on who he was playing.But at the moment, I only know that he is one kind of person-the arrogant king of the castle, and my fate is determined by him. He wore a black riding-jacket with a velvet collar, and in his white scarf was a pale, grim face. "My cousin told me how you came." He was walking towards me now, with the air of a king passing through the Palace of Mirrors. I soon returned to my normal self, and nothing roused me to more prickly arms than arrogance. "I'm glad you're back, Monsieur Earl," I said. "I've been waiting for days to know if you'll keep me on this job." "I'm sure you must be tired, and have been unsure if you were wasting your time." "I found this gallery a lot of fun, and I assure you, it's not an unpleasant waste of time." "It's a pity," he said, "that you didn't tell us your father is dead, which would have saved us a lot of trouble." Well I have to go, I feel so angry that I am so unlucky.Back in London I thought, I should find a boarding house, but how am I going to pay for that until I get a job?I thought almost that I was becoming more and more like Mademoiselle Dubouil.Random thoughts: It seems that this is the fate!I could go to Cousin Jane's, no, never! I hated him at that moment because I believed he guessed the thoughts that crossed my mind.He must have known that an independent woman like me must have wanted so badly to stay, and he enjoyed torturing me.How his wife would hate him!Maybe she killed herself to escape him, and I wouldn't be surprised if that's the answer. "I didn't know the French were so old-fashioned," I said maliciously. "At home I work with my father, and no one minds because I'm a woman. But you have different principles, and there's nothing to talk about." "I don't agree, there's a lot more to talk about." "Then," I said, looking up into his face, "maybe you can start talking." "Miss Lawson, you wish to restore the pictures, do you not?" "I restore pictures by profession, and the more they need repairing, the more interesting the task." "And you find something I need?" "You must know that some pictures are in a bad state. I was examining this one when I found you coming in. What kind of treatment has it been made like this?" "Please, Miss Lawson, don't look at me so harshly. I cannot be responsible for the state of the picture." "Oh? I'm assuming they've been your property for a while. You see, here's a piece of the painting peeling off. It's chalking off. It's clearly not looked after properly." A smile came to his lips, his face changed, there was a hint of pleasure there now. "How intense! Not only can you protect a painting on canvas, but you can also fight for human rights?" "When do you want me to go?" "At least until we talk." "Since you can't hire women, I don't think there's anything to talk about." "You're so excited, Miss Lawson, but now I think it's a quality that a restorer of old paintings must have to do the job well. I didn't say I didn't employ women, that's your assumption." "I can see that you don't approve of my coming here, and that's enough." "You expect me to approve of your...deception?" "Monsieur Count," I said, "I work with my father, and I take his place. You invited him here earlier, and I think the agreement is still valid, and I see no deceit." "Then you must be very surprised at the scenes of astonishment caused by you." My short answer: "It's hard to do that kind of delicate work in an atmosphere of disapproval." "I can understand." "so……" "So?" he repeated. "I can go today if you can get me to the mainline station. I know there's only one train a day that stops at Gaillard." "You've thought of all this, but I repeat, Miss Lawson, you're excited. You must know how hard it is for me to make up your mind. Please forgive me for saying this. You don't appear to be old enough to do this. A highly skilled job." "I've worked with my father for many years, and there are many people who, despite their age, don't learn any technique. You have to have an instinct for it, an understanding, a natural love of drawing." "You describe everything like an artist, I know, but, well, it's hard to have a long experience in your thirties." "I'm twenty-eight," I retorted angrily, and immediately I found myself falling into the trap when he decided to shake my firm stance and let me know that I was just like the average woman who couldn't bear to be seen as older than my age. He raised his eyebrows, finding the interview interesting.I saw that I was giving away my desperate situation, and his ruthless nature made him prolong his indecision in order to mess with me as much as possible. For the first time since I started this adventure, I lost control and I said, "There's no need to go on, I know you've decided that I can't do this job because I'm a woman. Well, sir, I'll be at Leave in your prejudice, then I will leave today or tomorrow." For a few seconds he looked at me with a mocking, bewildered expression, but as I made my way to the door, he walked briskly to my side. "Miss, you don't understand. I'm afraid you don't understand French as well as you know painting." Once again I took the bait, "My mother is French and I know every word you say very well." "Then I should blame myself for being unclear. I didn't say I wanted you to go, not yet." "Your attitude shows that you are not ready to trust me." "It's your own assumption, miss, I assure you." "Then you want me to keep Luo?" He hesitated and asked, "If it's not offensive to say so, I want you to take a quiz. Oh, please, miss, please don't accuse me of sexism. I'm ready to believe that there are many wonderful women in the world. Impressed with your knowledge and love of painting, I am also interested in your damage list and the cost of restoring the painting. It is all clear and reasonable." I was terrified that my eyes would start to sparkle with hope and give away my excitement.I told myself that if he knew how much I wanted the job, he would keep playing with me. He saw it. "That's the proposal...but you can decide whether you want to go today or tomorrow." "I have come a long way, Monsieur Earl, and of course I like to stay and finish the work...but in a harmonious atmosphere. What is your proposal?" "You restore one painting first, and if it is successfully completed, you can continue to restore the rest of the paintings." At that moment I was very happy, I should breathe a sigh of relief, of course, I am sure of my ability.The future is clear, no need to go back to London with shame!No Cousin Jane!Not only that, but there was a sense of joy, engagement, and excitement that I couldn't explain.I'm sure I'll pass the test, and that means a long stay in the old castle, and this wonderful old house will be my home for the next few months.I could explore it and its treasures, I could continue my friendship with the Bastedts, I could indulge my curiosity about the castle's inhabitants. I was hopelessly curious, my father had pointed it out and bemoaned it, but I couldn't stop my desire to see people for what they pretended to be.This kind of excavation is like removing the stain on an ancient painting, and knowing the true face of the Earl is like revealing a living image. "This proposal seems to be quite satisfactory to you." So, once again, I'm giving away how I feel, something I'm proud to do very rarely.Perhaps he was a man of particularly keen senses? "It sounds reasonable," I said. "It's settled, then." He held out his hand. "We shook hands. I believe this is the British custom. Miss, thank you for discussing with me in French. We will sign the contract in English." I felt very uncomfortable when he held my hand and looked into mine with dark eyes.I suddenly felt blank and had nothing to say.I'm sure he wants me to feel that way. I haughtily withdrew my hand to hide my embarrassment, "Which painting did you choose for the quiz?" I asked. "Which painting were you looking at when I came in?" "That's nice, it needs restoration more than any painting in the gallery." We walked up to it and stood side by side to examine it. "It's been treated very badly," I said harshly, now firmly on my feet. "The painting isn't too old, a hundred and fifty years at the most, but..." "One of my ancestors." "It's pathetic that she's being treated like this." "Very poor, but there was a time in France when people wished for her to be more insulted." "I dare say that this painting has probably been exposed to the elements. Although the madder pigment generally does not fade, the color of her gown has faded. I can't see the true color of the gemstone on her neck in this light. You See how dark they are, and so are the bracelets and earrings." "Green," he said, "I can tell you this, it's an emerald." "It's going to be a colorful picture when it's restored, the dress must have been gorgeous when it was painted, and so was the emerald." It will be interesting to see how it looks when you're done. " "I should get to work right away." "Are your props complete?" "First step, I'm going back to my room to get some essentials, then sit down and get to work right away." "I can see that you are in a hurry to work, and I have delayed your work." I didn't deny it, and he stepped aside as I triumphantly passed the gallery.I find the results of my first contact with the Earl to be satisfactory. What a joy it is to work in a gallery!Nobody bothered me, and when I went back with the tools, the two footmen had already taken the painting off the wall and asked me what I needed, and I said I would ring the bell if I needed it, and they looked at me with respect.When they return to the servants' quarters, they will surely spread the word that the earl has allowed me to stay. I wear a brown sackcloth over my clothes to give me a professional look.Oddly enough, I feel competent as soon as I put it on, wish I had worn it when I met the Earl. I settled everything and studied the condition of the painting, I had to calculate how solid the paint was on the canvas before removing the paint.Clearly, the sweat spots here accumulate more dust and grime than normal.我发现在油彩上涂树脂前，最好先小心的用肥皂及水清洗。这让我花了不少时间决定是否用在这个案子上，最后我决定用。 当女仆敲门告诉我午餐时间已到时，我吓了一跳。我在房里吃了午餐，一如惯例不在餐后工作，我溜出古堡往巴士泰德家走去。仅是基于礼貌我必须知会他们发生的一切，因为他们对我是否留下很感兴趣。 老妇人正坐在摇椅上，她很高兴见到我。她告诉我孩子们正跟着丘瑞先生上课；阿蒙、尚皮耶及盖柏拉正在工作；不过，看到我真是愉快。 我坐在她身旁并说：“我见过伯爵了。” “我听说他回古堡了。” “我正着手修复一幅画，若是成功了，我会完成其余的画。我已经动工，是一幅祖先的肖像，一位淑女穿着一件红衣戴着宝石，此刻看来是灰泥色，伯爵说是绿宝石。” “绿宝石，”她说，“它们可能是盖拉德绿宝石。” “传家宝？” “它们……一度是。” “不再是了？” “遗失了，我想在大革命时发生的。” “我猜古堡就此易主？” “不全然，我们远离巴黎，麻烦较少，不过古堡遭到侵入。” “它看来逃过一劫。” “是的，有一个流传至今的故事。暴徒强行进入也许你看过教堂了？那是古堡最老的部分，你会注意到在外墙的门上有一处损坏的石建筑，过去圣吉娜薇薇的雕像曾高踞其上。革命份子想要毁损教堂，但是盖拉德古堡很幸运。他们打算先毁掉圣吉娜薇薇，当他们痛饮美酒、把绳索缚住石像后，石像比他们估计的重，倒下后压死了三个人，他们认为是个恶兆。此后就有人说圣吉娜薇薇救了古堡。” “这就是为何吉娜薇薇如此命名？” “这个家族中总是有个吉娜薇薇。虽然当时伯爵上了断头台，他的儿子，还是个婴儿，被小心照顾及时送回古堡。这是我们巴士泰德喜欢说的一个故事，我们为了人类，为了自由、博爱、平等，反抗独裁者，但却将小伯爵收留在这幢房子里，直到事件平息。我的公公曾告诉我这件事，他比小伯爵大一岁左右。” “所以你们的家族史和他们的很接近。” “非常接近。” “那么现任伯爵……他是你的好朋友？” “泰拉泰尔家族不是巴士泰德家的朋友，”她骄傲的说，“只是保护者，他们没有变……我们也没有。” 她改话题，一会儿后我离开回到古堡，我渴望继续工作。 下午时一位仆人到画廊来告诉我若是当晚我加入家族晚餐，伯爵先生会非常高兴。他们在八点用餐，因为人少，所以地点将在一个小型餐室。女仆说若是我在七点五十五分准备就绪，她会领我到那儿。 我发现我太慌乱以致无法工作了，女仆带着敬意对我说话，这意味着一件事，我不仅在修复图画上被视为一个有价值的人，更有莫大的荣幸可以和他一起进餐。 我不知道该穿什么，我只有三套适合晚上穿的服装，没有一件是新的。一件是棕色丝质有着咖啡色蕾丝；第二件是深黑色天鹅绒配上颈部白蕾丝褶边；第三件是灰棉布加上浅紫色镶边。我立刻决定穿黑天鹅绒。 我不能在人工照明下工作，所以当日光变暗时，我回到房间。我拿出衣服细看它，幸好天鹅绒不老气，但是剪裁却一点也不时髦，我拿起它比一比看着自己的样子。我的双颊有些隐约的粉红色，我的双眼衬着黑天鹅绒而变黑，一束头发从发髻上滑落，显出令人讨厌的傻气，我把衣服放下，当我开始整理头发时，有人敲门。 杜布依小姐走进来，她不可思议地看着我，然后结结巴巴的说：“劳森小姐，这是真的吗？你被邀去和这家人一起用餐？” “是的，这让你吃惊吗？” “我从未被邀去和他们共餐。” 我看着她并不惊讶，“我敢说他们想和我讨论绘画，在餐桌上谈较容易。” “你是说伯爵和他堂弟？” “是的，我猜是如此。” “我想你该小心，伯爵在女人方面的名声并不太好。” 我瞪着她，“他并没有视我为女人，”我反驳道，“我是来修复他的图画的。” “他们说他无情，不过有人发现他很吸引人。” “亲爱的杜布依小姐，我还没有发现任何男人是难以抗拒的，请不要企图在我这个年纪做这种假设。” “嗯，你也没有那么老。” 没有那么老？难道她也以为我三十岁了？ 她看出我的恼怒，立刻语带歉意地说：“那个可怜的不幸女人……他的妻子，谣言听起来很惊人，太可怕了，是不是？想想看我们和这种人住在同一个屋顶下。” “我不认为你或我该害怕。”我说。 她走近我：“当他在家时，我在晚上都锁上门。你也该如此，今晚我一定得小心。也许他和某人同住一屋时，他想开心一下。你绝不能太有把握。” “我会小心的。”我如此说好安抚她，让她快走。 当我穿衣服时，我想到她，她是否在满室寂静中梦到一位爱慕她的伯爵正企图诱惑她？我确信她是比我略具面对这种命运的危险。 我梳洗并穿上天鹅绒长袍，把头发高高盘在头顶，用许多发夹固定以确定没有一丝乱发，别上一个母亲的别针，它简单但迷人，由一些小土耳其玉及小珍珠组成。我在女仆敲门领我到餐室前十分钟就准备好了。 我们走进古堡十七世纪增建的一侧屋宇，到达一个大的圆拱形房间，是餐室，我猜在此招待客人们。一个小聚会却坐在如此一张桌子上必定很荒谬，我一点也不惊讶，我被领到一个小房间——就盖拉德古堡的标准来说——在大厅的另一端。这是间可爱的房间，窗上挂着夜蓝色的天鹅绒窗帘，并有窗棂，我想着，这和厚墙上那些窄化窗口由外保护古堡的炮台不同，它是阻绝光线的。大理石壁炉的两端立着一个枝状烛台，烛火燃烧。在餐桌中央也有一个相似的烛台。 菲利浦和吉娜薇薇已经在那儿，两人都很沉静。吉娜薇薇穿着一件蕾丝领的灰色丝洋装，头发用粉色丝质蝴蝶结束在背后，她看来称得上害羞文静和先前那个女孩完全不同。菲利浦穿着夜礼服比我们第一次见面时更高雅，好像真正高兴看到我在这里。 他高兴地笑着“晚安，劳森小姐。”我向他回礼，我们之间似乎存在着某种友善的密谋。 吉娜薇薇局促不安的屈膝为礼。 “我敢说你在画廊里有个忙碌的一天。”菲利浦说。 我答说确是如此，我正在做准备工作。一个人想开始精细的修复工作前要做许多测试。 “一定很引人入胜，”他说：“我相信你一定会成功的。” 我知道他是说真的，不过我知道他边和我说话边留心伯爵的到来。 他在八点准时到达，然后我们入座：伯爵坐主位，他坐在右首，吉娜薇薇在左首，菲利浦在他对面。当伯爵问我画廊中的工作进度时，汤端上来毫无延迟。 我重述和菲利浦说过如何着手修复的内容，他表现得很有兴趣。我不确信他是关心他的图画或是想对我表示礼貌。 我告诉他决定先用肥皂及水清洗那幅画以便除去表面的污垢。 他看着我，眼中闪过一丝好玩的神情说：“我听说水要放在一个特别的锅子里。肥皂要在月色昏暗时制作。” “我们不再受制于这些迷信了。”我答道。 “你不迷信罗，小姐？” “不比现在多数人更迷信。” “这个想法不坏，不过我想你对这种幻想的看法太实际了，你待在这儿后会发现这一点的。我们这边有些人，”他的眼睛转向吉娜薇薇，她正蜷缩在椅子中，“让家庭教师不愿留下，有些人说见到鬼，另一些则没有理由默默离开，这里有些东西让人受不了……我的古堡或是我的女儿。” 当他的眼光落在吉娜薇薇身上时其中含着冷峻厌恶，而我的怒气升起。他就是那种随时要找个受害者的人，在画廊时他逗弄我；现在轮到吉娜薇薇。可是这完全不同，我是在欺骗下到来，我能照顾自己。但是对一个孩子……对吉娜薇薇太过份了……这么紧张而敏感。而他说了什么？很少，恶意表现在举止上。这也难怪吉娜薇薇这么怕他，菲利浦这么怕他，这地方的其它人全是这样。 “若是一个人迷信，”我说，觉得我必须助吉娜薇薇一臂之力，“这种地方很容易使他的幻想增强。我和父亲一同在许多老房子待过，不过从未撞到鬼。” “英国鬼大概比法国鬼自制吧？他们不会不请自来，而仅拜访那些畏惧的人。不过我可能说错了。” 我脸红着，“他们当然依照生前的礼节行事，法国的礼节比英国严格。” “你是对的，一定。劳森小姐，英国人比较喜欢不请自来，所以保证你在古堡中一定安全，不会有不速之客造访。” 菲利浦专心地听着，吉娜薇薇则带着敬畏，我想那是因为我胆敢和她父亲对话。 鱼在汤之后上来，伯爵举起玻璃杯：“我相信你会喜欢这种酒，劳森小姐，这是我们自酿的美酒，你像精于绘画般精于品酒吗？” “这是个我所知有限的题目。” “你在此停留时会听到许多这类话题，通常这是主要话题，我相信你不会发现人们厌倦谈它。” “我相信我将发现这很有趣，学习永远是件让人快乐的事。” 我看到他嘴角的微笑，家庭教师！我想到。毫无疑问的若是我担任那个职业，我会有良好的态度。 菲利浦语带犹豫地问：“你从哪一幅画开始，劳森小姐？” “一幅肖像绘于上世纪……中叶，我这么推想，大约在一七四零。” “你看，堂弟，”伯爵说，“劳森小姐是专家，她喜欢绘画，她责备我忽视它们，好像我是个疏于照顾孩子的家长。” 吉娜薇薇困窘地低头看着她的盘子，伯爵转向她，“你该多享有劳森小姐到此的好处，她可以热心地教你。” “是的，爸爸。”吉娜薇薇说。 “还有，”他继续，“若是你能说服她和你用英文交谈，你也许就可以把那个语言说得字正腔圆。你在劳森小姐没有处理那些图画时，该试着要求她。你可以学会他们那种较不严格的礼节，这会带给你自信，还有，嗯……沉着冷静。” “我们已经用英语交谈了。”我说，“吉娜薇薇有很好的词汇，发音永远是个大问题，直到一个人可以自由的和母语人士交谈。不过还来得及。” 再度言谈像个家庭教师，我想着。我知道他也这么想，但是，我必须尽我所能支持吉娜薇薇，向他挑战，我的厌恶无时无刻不在升高中。 “对你而言是个最佳机会，吉娜薇薇。你骑马吗？劳森小姐？” “是的，我喜欢骑马。” “马厩里有马，其中一位马夫会告诉你，你适合的坐骑。吉娜薇薇也骑马，会一点。你们可以一起骑，现任的家庭教师太胆小，你可以带劳森小姐看看郊外。” “是的，爸爸。” “我们的乡间不是很吸引人，恐怕如此。酒产地很少迷人的，若是你骑远一些，我保证你会看到悦目的景物。” “你太好了，我会喜欢骑马的。” 他摇摇手，而菲利浦无疑的自觉是该由他努力接继谈话了，把主题拉回绘画。 我谈到我正进行的画像，我解释其中一、两个细节，将它们说得有些专业，期望可以困扰伯爵。他神态庄重的听着嘴角泛起微笑。猜想到他知道我在打什么主意，让我心迷意乱。若是如此，他一定知道我讨厌他。怪的是，这似乎加深他对我的兴趣。 “我深信，”我说着，“这虽然不是经典之作，但画家精通色彩，这已很明显。我确信晚礼服的颜色会很耀眼，绿宝石修复到画家原来采用的色彩后会很闪亮。” “绿宝石……”菲利浦说。 伯爵看着他，“噢，是的，这幅画上它们光华重生，看到它们一定很有趣……即使只是在画布上。” “那，”菲利浦喃喃着，“是我们唯一见到它们的机会。” “谁知道？”伯爵说，他转向我，“菲利浦对我们的绿宝石很有兴趣。” “谁不是呢？”他反驳，有着前所未有的大胆。 “若是可以染指，我们都有兴趣。” 吉娜薇薇以高而兴奋的声音说：“它们一定在某处，拉诺说它们在古堡，若是我们可以找到它们……喔，不是很刺激吗？” “你的老奶妈一定是对的，”伯爵挖苦地说，“我同意去找寻它们一定很刺激……另一个事实是找到它们可以增加可观的家产。” “没错！”菲利浦说，他双眼发亮。 “你认为它们在古堡中吗？”我问。 菲利浦热切地说：“它们从未在别处发现过，那种石头很容易认出，它们不会轻易的消毁。” “我亲爱的菲利浦，”伯爵说，“你忘了它们遗失的年代，一百年前，劳森小姐，那种宝石可能已经破坏了，分别卖掉了，被遗忘了。市场上一定充斥着许多宝石，是由一些不懂它们价值的人从法国巨宅中盗出。可以肯定的，这就是盖拉德绿宝石的下场，那些洗劫我们房舍，窃取珠宝的暴民根本不懂得欣赏他们拿走的东西。”他眼中一时的怒气消退后，他转向我：“噢，劳森小姐，多幸运啊！你没有活在那个年代，你怎能忍受伟大绘画遭到亵渎，扔出窗外任其受天气摧残，堆积那个……'开花'？” “这是个悲剧这么多美丽的东西消失了。”我转向菲利浦，“你可以告诉我关于绿宝石的事？” “它们多年来一直在家族中，”他说，“它们的价值……因为物价改变许多所以很难说。它们是无价的，它们一直保存在古堡的保险室中。但在大革命中遗失了。没有人知道它们怎么了，但一直相信仍在古堡的某处。” “定期的有些寻宝者，”伯爵说，“有人一有某种理论就引起骚动，我们找，我们挖掘，想要发现古堡中多年来未被打开的藏宝地。这产生了一大堆的活动，却没有绿宝石。” “爸爸，”吉娜薇薇叫道：“我们现在可以寻宝吗？” 雉鸡端上来，它很棒我却没怎么尝。我觉得谈话很有意思，因为我将留下，所以整日我都处于亢奋状态。 “你大大影响我的女儿，劳森小姐。”伯爵说：“她认为你在别人失败的地方会成功。你想重新搜寻，吉娜薇薇，因为你认为劳森小姐在此，她不会失败？” “不，”吉娜薇薇说，“我没那么想，我只想找到绿宝石。” “多粗鲁无礼啊！原谅她，劳森小姐。吉娜薇薇，我建议你带劳森小姐看看古堡。”他转向我，“你尚未探索过它，我确定，依你活泼智慧的好奇心你一定想去。我相信你父亲如你了解绘画般的了解古建筑，而你又和他一起工作。谁知道，也许你可以找到困惑我们百年的藏宝地。” “我对参观古堡很有兴趣，”我承认，“若是吉娜薇薇愿意带领我，我会很高兴。” 吉娜薇薇没有看着我，伯爵对她皱眉，我赶快说：“若是你同意我们可以订个约会，吉娜薇薇？” 她看看她父亲，又看看我，“明早？”她说。 “我在早上工作，不过明天中午我很高兴去。” “很好。”她咕哝。 “我相信这是一次对你有益的活动，吉娜薇薇。”伯爵说。 由蛋白牛奶酥我们谈到了邻近地区——大多是葡萄园。我觉得我进步许多，我和家人一起晚餐，是可怜的杜布依小姐没经历过的；我被允许骑马——但愿我带了旧骑马装来；第二天我就可以看遍古堡；我和伯爵有了某种关系，虽然我不知道是何种。 当我可以回房时，我觉得很高兴。但是离开前伯爵告诉我图画室中有一本书，也许我喜欢看。 “我父亲找一个人到这儿写的，”他解释，“他对我们家族史极有兴趣，书写成印出，我在几年前读过它，但是我相信它会吸引你。” 我说我相信它一定可以，我会很高兴看它。 “我会叫人送去。”他告诉我。 当吉娜薇薇告退时，我也跟进，让男人留下来。她引导我回房，冷冷对我道晚安。 当敲门声传来时我才回房不久，仆人带着书进来。 “伯爵先生说你要这个。”她告诉我。 她离去留下我站在那儿手中拿着书，它很薄，上面用线条画出古堡。我确定我会发现它吸引我，但此刻我心中充满夜间发生的事。 我不想上床，因为我太兴奋而无法入睡，伯爵占领了我的思绪。我曾期盼他与众不同，结果他充满了神秘。他的女儿怕他，我不知道他的堂弟如何，但我怀疑他也一样。伯爵是个喜欢别人惧怕他的男人，但他轻视那些害怕他的人，那就是我的结论。我已经注意到那两个人激起他的怒意，不过藉他的态度他增加他们的恐惧。我怀疑他和那个不幸嫁给他的女人曾有过何种生活，她曾畏缩于他的轻视？他如何折磨她？很难想像他沉溺于暴力……但我又怎能肯定关于他的事？我几乎不认识他……尚未。 最后一个字使我兴奋，我必须承认。他是如何想我？几乎不想吧。他曾检视我，决定给我工作，他对我的兴趣到此为止。为何我会被邀去和他的家人共餐？这样他就可以更仔细的观看一个引起他模糊兴趣的人类？因为古堡中没有别的引他兴趣的事物？光和菲利浦及吉娜薇薇共餐会有点无聊。我曾反击他——没有全面成功，因为他太聪明不揭穿我的防卫，而且我的大胆取悦了他，使他允许我进一步的试探，以达到使我泄气的目的。 他是个撒旦，这是我的结论。他该为妻子的死负责，即使他没有经手剂量，他也迫使她服用。Poor woman!她过得是什么日子？是什么样的不幸让一个女人自我了断？可怜的吉娜薇薇，她是她的女儿。我要试着了解这个女孩，多少做她的朋友。我觉得她是个在迷宫中漫游的迷途孩子，恐惧正在升高，可能她永远找不到出路。 而我，一向自认为“实际的女人”，在这个地方产生了不少奇想。几世纪以来此地必定发生过不少怪事，最近又有一个女人不快乐的死去。 为了把这个男人赶出我的思绪，我试着想点别的事。尚皮耶开朗的脸是多不同啊！ 然后，我突然开始笑了。好奇怪，自从多年前我爱过查尔斯后，我一直对男人没兴趣，而现在两个人不时出现在我心中。 多笨！我警告自己，这两个人和你有什么关系？ 我拿起伯爵给的书，开始读。
古堡建于一四零五年，至今有关的原始结构仍屹立不摇。在老建筑两侧的厢房是后来增建的，都超过一百英尺高，圆柱型碉堡增加它们的坚固度。洛荷的皇家古堡可与之匹比，似乎盖拉德古堡中的生活与洛荷相同，因为在盖拉德·泰拉泰尔如国王般统治。此地有地牢拘禁他们的敌人，在古堡最古老的部份，有一个秘密地牢的最佳范例。 当本书作者检视地牢时，发现笼子和洛荷的相似，石头切出的小洞，没有空间让人站立，人被锁在里面，任其死去。在十五、十六、十七世纪泰拉泰尔与路易十一采用相同方法对付敌人。有一个人被留在秘密地牢中等死，曾想掘出一条自由路，成功的挖出一条离开地牢笼子的通道，最后他在挫折绝望中死去。 我继续读，不但被有关古堡的描述迷惑，更被家族史吸引。 几世纪中家族常与国王冲突，但更多时候他们站在国王身旁。这宅第中的一位妇人在嫁入家族前是路易十五的情妇，国王以一串价值不菲的绿宝石项链赠她。身为国王的情妇被视为无损荣誉，泰拉泰尔在她不为皇室效力后娶了她，为了与国王的慷慨对抗，他订制了一条以无价宝石做成的绿宝石手镯。可是一条手镯比不上项链值钱，所以又做了绿宝石冠冕及两个绿宝石耳环，一个别针、一个镶满绿宝石的腰带，好证明泰拉泰尔与王室地位相当。这就是有名的泰拉泰尔绿宝石的由来。 此书肯定我已经知道的，就是绿宝石在大革命中遗失在此之前它们和其它珠宝一起收藏在枪械收集室的保险室中，除了房子的主人外没人拥有钥匙，甚至知道钥匙藏在那儿。一直如此直到恐怖时代袭卷全法国。 很晚了，但是我无法停止阅读，我读到这一标题为“泰拉泰尔与大革命”。 洛塞尔·泰拉泰尔，当时的伯爵，是个三十岁的年轻人，他在那致命的年代前几年结了婚，被传唤到巴黎参加国务会议，再也没回到古堡，是最早一批血洒断头台的人。他的妻子马瑞·刘易斯，二十二岁，怀有身孕，与老伯爵夫人——洛塞尔的母亲留在古堡中。我清楚的描绘出，七月的炽热日子中，她丈夫的死讯传到这年轻女人的耳中，她为丈夫而悲悼，她为即将出世的孩子而恐惧。我想像她站在高塔的最高窗子前，极目远眺郊野；猜想革命份子是否会踏上这条路；自问此地的人们能让她平静的过多久。 在闷热的日子里，她必须等待，害怕走进小镇，小心那些在葡萄园辛勤工作的工人。随着日子消逝，无疑的仆人变得有一些不恭谨。我想像骄傲的老伯爵夫人绝望的想保有旧日生活的品质，这两个勇敢的女人在那段可怕的日子中必定受了不少苦。 几乎没有人躲过恐怖时代，最后它到达盖拉德古堡，一队革命份子耀武扬威的来到古堡，摇着旗帜，唱着南方传来的歌曲。工人们丢下葡萄园，女人小孩由镇上小茅屋跑出来，摆摊子和开店的涌向广场。独裁者的日子过去了，现在他们是主人。 当我读到小伯爵夫人如何离开古堡，在附近一所房子中受到庇护时，我不禁发抖。我知道是哪幢房子，我知道是那一家收容她，他们的家族史是纠缠的，他们从不是朋友，只是保护者。我可以明确的记得，当巴士泰德说这句话的骄傲表情。 所以巴士泰德太太，他一定是尚皮耶的曾祖母，曾保护过伯爵夫人。她管理事务即使是男人也不敢违背她，当她藏起伯爵夫人时，他们