Chapter 26 first scene

Ren looked carefully at DeWitt, whom he had never seen before. This securities dealer was among his friends, chatting almost non-stop, with a smile on his face, and he responded to some harmless sarcasm. , See tricks and break tricks, and respond quickly and skillfully. Ryan himself, like a scientist who has gone through arduous thinking and research and finally completed his discovery, is immersed in the warm light of ultimate satisfaction.Indeed, DeWitt is the most exciting and turbulent page in the human nature research project. In just six hours, he has peeled off everything in an instant from a person who hides under his hard shell. Desperately sad--fresh, high-spirited, a witty talker, an intelligent companion, and a gracious and thoughtful host.This miraculous transformation undoubtedly took place in that short moment: the chief juror of the jury, an old man, moved his shriveled jaw with difficulty, and said "Innocence", a spell that sesame seeds open the door, and the imprisoned The door swung open, and DeWitt's thin chest heaved, and the armor of silence that wrapped him was simply peeled off.

A timid and speechless man!No, definitely not tonight. Tonight, only celebrations, laughter, and the sound of intertwined clinking of cups and bushes are allowed here. The happy feast has just begun... This feast was held in the private suite of the Retiro Hotel, with long tables The tableware, wine glasses and flowers had already been set on the table, and Jane DeWitt was standing by the long table, her cheeks were as red as roses, full of excitement and joy; Rhodes and Aham were surrounded by the short DeWitt, on one side, and the always glamorous Swiss Impoli, the two lawyers Lehmann and Brooke, and Wren himself.

DeWitt apologized in a low voice, walked out of the group of people talking and laughing, and walked towards the corner where Ren was. The two faced each other again as if they had been separated from each other. DeWitt became humble and gentle, while Ren still smiled. Abundant, like nothing happened. "Mr. Ryan, I haven't been able to find the most appropriate time... I really don't know what to say—how to express my heartfelt thanks to you." Ren chuckled, "What's going on with everyone today? Even a veteran lawyer like Lehman, who is so cold and almost hard-hearted, is so emotional."

"Please sit down first!... Yes, Mr. Wren, Lehman told me everything. He said that he is not qualified to accept any gratitude and congratulations. All the glory belongs to you alone. This is—this It's an iron fact, Mr. Lane, it's an iron fact." When DeWitt said this, his shiny eyes suddenly blurred. "You are too polite, there is nothing worth it." "Mr. Wren, what do you think is worth doing this?" DeWitt sighed happily, "You don't know how honored I feel to be able to invite you today. I know very well how reluctant you are usually. How reluctant to appear in public when appearing on such occasions.”

"It's true," Ren said with a smile on his face, "but no matter how it is on weekdays, Mr. DeWitt, after all, tonight, you see, I'm already standing here... just, I'm very sorry, the reason why I came here today Come, it’s not all because of your unrestrained hospitality, or because you’re worried about missing out on this happy party,” Ryan said here, a shadow flashed across DeWitt’s face, but then the cloud cleared, “You I know, I thought you might have some," Ryan's voice dropped, "something special you wanted to tell me." DeWitt didn't answer right away, he looked at everything around him, seeing people drinking happily, seeing his daughter's delicate and beautiful face, seeing his best friend Ahan's hearty laughter resounding throughout the room, and seeing a waiter in a bright dress The student is opening the adjoining compartment that serves as a place for feasting and dancing.

After a long time, DeWitt turned around, rubbed his eyes with his hands, then closed his eyes, and fell into deep thought, in extremely serious thought: "I—— er, Mr. Wren, you are the most special DeWitt opened his eyes and looked at the solemn face of the old actor, "I have made up my mind, you are the one I can rely on, yes, Mr. Wren, this is in front of me The only way out," DeWitt resolutely said, "I do—really—have something to tell you." "real?" "But not now," DeWitt shook his head calmly, "not this moment, it's a long, dirty story, and I don't want to spoil your good night—or mine," said DeWitt His hands were wringing so hard that they were bloodless, "Tonight—the most special night for me, I finally broke free from a terrible world, Jane—my daughter..."

Ryan nodded slowly. DeWitt's profound eyes were like mirrors. Ryan clearly saw an image in the mirror. He was sure that it was not Jane DeWitt, but Foan DeWitt.Mrs. DeWitt didn't come tonight, and she knew that DeWitt already knew everything, but the absence of Mrs. DeWitt might be the reason why DeWitt was so hurt at this moment!And Ren felt more clearly that from DeWitt's unrepentant words, DeWitt was still deeply attached to the woman who had betrayed him. DeWitt got up slowly: "Mr. Lane, can you join everyone to celebrate as usual? After the banquet is over, I will invite everyone to go to the old house in Sigwood - where I prepared a simple celebration banquet - And, if you'd do the extra favor of wasting a weekend night with me, I'll take it a step further and make sure you feel right at home. One night might not be—oh, yes, Brooke has decided to spend the night with me, So everything is very convenient, you stay here, we just prepare an extra ready-made bedding..." At this point, DeWitt's tone suddenly changed, "Tomorrow morning, there will only be the two of us, and I will tell you then —those things which you perceive with your miraculous powers of insight and wish me to tell you."

Ryan also stood up, and he lightly tied his hands on the thin DeWitt's shoulders: "I completely understand, let's put everything aside for the time being - until tomorrow morning." "Tomorrow morning will come, won't it?" DeWitt murmured.The two stepped forward to join the crowd. At this moment, a slight feeling of nausea pierced Ren's stomach like an awl. It was a cliche... He suddenly became tired of everything in front of him.The service staff in formal attire led everyone to the banquet room. Ren maintained a charming smile, but a flash of inspiration flashed into his mind. Ren found that such a sentence appeared in his mind and lingered, "Tomorrow, Tomorrow, and another tomorrow...until the last syllable of tangible time strikes..." The sentence trembled in his heart more and more clearly and resonantly, "...until it turns into smoke, turns into dust, Turned into dust." Ren sighed, and found that Leman was holding his arm with a smile on his face, leading him to follow the crowd into the banquet hall.

The atmosphere of the banquet was full of joy. Ahan asked for a plate of boiled vegetables embarrassingly for his stomach, but he still drank some Hungarian Tokai wine, and recounted several wonderful chess games to Impoli with great interest. But Impoli was clearly absent-minded, only paying attention to Jane DeWitt who was across the table; Lyman Brooke shook his head to the beat of the music, the soft strings were hidden behind a palm tree in the corner of the room. Christopher Lord was discussing the future record of the Harvard University football team with everyone, but he did not forget to look affectionately at Jane beside him; DeWitt himself sat quietly, as if in front of his eyes At this moment, everyone's conversation, the flowing violin music, and even the whole room, the dining table, the food on the table and the warm atmosphere are all extremely beautiful and make him happy; Ryan himself has been watching DeWitt carefully.Lyman, whose face was flushed from drinking, leaned over and asked Ren to give a speech to everyone, but Ren interrupted the request with a few jokes.

After eating the after-dinner coffee and cigarettes, Lehman stood up suddenly, clapped his hands for everyone to be quiet, and then raised his glass. "Usually, I don't like drinking rituals like toasting with everyone. I always feel that this is a bad habit left over from the chaotic era when a group of playboys wore wire skirts and crowded at the back door of the stage, but tonight , we have an excellent reason to toast together—let's raise a glass to a person's new life," he said, looking down at DeWitt, "blessings like the East China Sea, Shoubinanshan, everyone, John DeWitt."

Everyone cheered and drank, DeWitt stood up: "I—" His voice was broken with excitement, Ren kept smiling, but the feeling of nausea was still deep in his stomach, "Like Fred, I'm an introvert people," everyone burst into laughter for no reason. "But here I would like to solemnly introduce a person for each of us present. In the past few decades, he has been a lofty idol to millions of educated and educated people. He has faced audiences as numerous as the sands of the Ganges River, but I think , but he is the most introverted and shy among us, Mr. Jerry Lane!" Everyone toasted again, and Ren smiled again, but in his heart he only hoped that he could escape far away.He didn't stand up, but said in his trembling baritone voice: "Personally, I have always envied those who are unconventional and can handle themselves in front of the crowd. On the stage, we must learn to be calm and self-controlled, but In life, I have never been able to learn the art of facing people and situations..." "Mr. Wren, say a few words for us!" It was Ahan who shouted. "It seems that I have nowhere to escape," Ren stood up, his eyes sparkling, and the original boredom disappeared instantly, "I think I should make a persuasive and moving speech, but as a As an actor, I have not been able to follow the footsteps of the saints, and all I have is the script performed on the stage, so what I can say is limited to what I have learned on the stage." Speaking of this, He turned to DeWitt, who was sitting quietly beside him. "Mr. DeWitt, for a man as sensitive and emotional as you are, you have just been through the most severe disaster of your life. Sitting in the dock , enduring the torment of seemingly endless years, waiting for the verdict. This sentence is based on people's ambiguous, uncertain, and repeatedly erroneous cognition, and the result is life and death. I think this is undoubtedly what human society can impose. It is admirable that you endure the most severe punishments for individuals and yet you bear them with dignity. It reminds me of a humorous and bleak remark by the French publisher Schiess, when he was asked, What did he do in the era? Schiess simply said: 'I'm just living.' Such a simple sentence, but I think only those who really love life and understand life can say such a sentence .” The old actor took a deep breath, looked at the breath-holding faces in front of him, “Patience is the supreme virtue. Although this is a clichéd saying, it is true and an undeniable truth.” Everyone They are all still, but at this moment DeWitt is more like a stone statue from ancient times to the present.He felt that Ren's words cut directly into his body and became a part of his body.He felt that Ren's words were only for him alone, had meaning for him alone, and brought comfort to him alone. Ren raised his head and continued to say: "Since you all insist on me speaking, I have to apologize to you first, so that my habit of quoting the wisdom of the philosophers of the previous generation may make such a joyful gathering bring much harm. Pleasant shadows." His voice rose, "Richard III, this is one of Shakespeare's less universally acclaimed plays, but it reveals a dark and sinful soul with a conscientious side, I think, it Sharp insights are still inspiring." He turned slowly to look at DeWitt's drooping head, "Mr. DeWitt," he said, "although, after these difficult weeks, you have The charges of murder have been cleared, and the truth of further issues has not yet come to light. For us who are still exploring in the fog. In a sense, the murderer has sent two poor people to hell, or should I say , may they rest in heaven. And yet, among you and me here, how many of us have seriously considered the true psychology of the murderer? The true nature? I would still say that he was still a man with a human soul. If we trust the Holy Spirit to lead us, we should say that he also has an immortal soul like you and me. Many of us are used to thinking that However, killing people is bound to be an inhuman monster, and without looking back to examine the most secret depths of our own hearts, there are also some most sensitive and untouchable places, even the slightest stimulation may make us shake immediately. Turned into a bloodthirsty demon..." As if the air was frozen, everyone held their breath.Wren went on frankly, "So let us go back to one of Shakespeare's observations of a very interesting dramatic figure—that deformed King Richard with bloody hands, which is of course a part of human history. However, what did he see in Shakespeare's penetrating eyes? The following is King Richard's confession without losing his conscience..." In an instant, Ryan changed completely, his behavior, his expression And his voice; because it came so suddenly, so caught off guard, every pair of eyes staring at Ren trembled involuntarily.The terrible distortion and shadow formed by cunning, sharpness, rage, greed and despair replaced his usual gentle appearance, as if the original Mr. Jerry Wren had been swallowed up by a terrifying demon in an instant up.His mouth was open, and a terrible voice flowed out: "Give me another horse, tie my wounds, God! Have mercy on me and help me!" He cried out in pain, but his voice was flat at once. When he got down, he was no longer excited, no longer desperate, almost silently, "Fortunately, this is just a dream..." Everyone in the field seemed to be enchanted, fascinated by the ups and downs of Ren's voice .Ren's voice continued, soft but very clear, "Oh, you cowardly conscience, you disturbed me so much! The faint blue light, isn't it just the dead midnight, and the cold sweat is frightening me The face trembled, why? There is no one around, is it possible that I am afraid of myself? I, Richard, have always loved myself so much, that is to say, am I not me? There is a murderer? Impossible... Oh no, I am the murderer. Then run for your life... What? Escape from myself? Makes sense, or I have to revenge myself. What? Revenge myself? Oh! What a lie , I love myself so much. But what is there to love about me? What good have I ever done? Oh, not at all, I actually hate myself because I committed a heinous crime, I am a criminal, no, No, talk nonsense, I am not a criminal, fool, I should talk about my own interests; fool, don't be so self-righteous..." Ren seemed to mutter incoherently, but in an instant, he blamed himself excitedly and sadly, "This conscience of mine sticks out thousands of tongues, and each tongue accuses me of different crimes, each of which accuses me of being a criminal, perjury, heinous, and murder, unavoidable. All kinds of crimes, Big and small, they pushed to the court together, they shouted in unison, Guilty! Guilty! I can only despair... No one in the world loves me anymore, even if I die, no one will sympathize with me; of course, they will not love No sympathy, I can't find anything to sympathize with myself." At the table, someone let out a sigh.