clotelle(有色女英雄)-第22节
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supporting an umbrella over his master's head to shield him from the
burning sun。 Baptists immersed； Presbyterians sprinkled； Methodists
shouted； and Episcopalians read their prayers； while ministers of the
various sects preached that Christ died for all。 The chiming of the bells
seemed to mock the sighs and deep groans of the forty human beings then
incarcerated in the slave…pen。 These imprisoned children of God were
many of them Methodists； some Baptists； and others claiming to believe in
the faith of the Presbyterians and Episcopalians。
Oh； with what anxiety did these creatures await the close of that
Sabbath； and the dawn of another day； that should deliver them from those
dismal and close cells。 Slowly the day passed away； and once more the
evening breeze found its way through the barred windows of the prison
that contained these injured sons and daughters of America。
The clock on the calaboose had just struck nine on Monday morning；
when hundreds of persons were seen threading the gates and doors of the
negro…pen。 It was the same gang that had the day previous been stepping
to the tune and keeping time with the musical church bells。 Their Bibles
were not with them； their prayer…books were left at home； and even their
long and solemn faces had been laid aside for the week。 They had come to
the man…market to make their purchases。 Methodists were in search of
their brethren。 Baptists were looking for those that had been immersed；
while Presbyterians were willing to buy fellow…Christians； whether
sprinkled or not。 The crowd was soon gazing at and feasting their eyes
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upon the lovely features of Clotelle。
〃She is handsomer；〃 muttered one to himself； 〃than the lady that sat in
the pew next to me yesterday。〃
〃I would that my daughter was half so pretty；〃 thinks a second。
Groups are seen talking in every part of the vast building； and the topic
on 'Change； is the 〃beautiful quadroon。〃 By and by； a tall young man with
a foreign face； the curling mustache protruding from under a finely…
chiseled nose； and having the air of a gentleman； passes by。 His dark hazel
eye is fastened on the maid； and he stops for a moment； the stranger walks
away； but soon returns he looks； he sees the young woman wipe away
the silent tear that steals down her alabaster cheek； he feels ashamed that
he should gaze so unmanly on the blushing face of the woman。 As he turns
upon his heel he takes out his white handkerchief and wipes his eyes。 It
may be that he has lost a sister； a mother； or some dear one to whom he
was betrothed。 Again he comes； and the quadroon hides her face。 She has
heard that foreigners make bad masters； and she shuns his piercing gaze。
Again he goes away and then returns。 He takes a last look and then walks
hurriedly off。
The day wears away； but long before the time of closing the sale the
tall young man once more enters the slave…pen。 He looks in every
direction for the beautiful slave； but she is not thereshe has been sold！ He
goes to the trader and inquires； but he is too late； and he therefore returns
to his hotel。
Having entered a military school in Paris when quite young； and soon
after been sent with the French army to India； Antoine Devenant had never
dabbled in matters of love。 He viewed all women from the same stand…
pointrespected them for their virtues； and often spoke of the goodness of
heart of the sex； but never dreamed of taking to himself a wife。 The
unequalled beauty of Clotelle had dazzled his eyes； and every look that
she gave was a dagger that went to his heart。 He felt a shortness of breath；
his heart palpitated； his head grew dizzy； and his limbs trembled； but he
knew not its cause。 This was the first stage of 〃love at first sight。〃
He who bows to the shrine of beauty when beckoned by this
mysterious agent seldom regrets it。 Devenant reproached himself for not
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having made inquiries concerning the girl before he left the market in the
morning。 His stay in the city was to be short； and the yellow fever was
raging； which caused him to feel like making a still earlier departure。 The
disease appeared in a form unusually severe and repulsive。 It seized its
victims from amongst the most healthy of the citizens。 The disorder began
in the brain by oppressive pain accompanied or followed by fever。 Fiery
veins streaked the eye； the face was inflamed and dyed of a dark dull red
color； the ears from time to time rang painfully。 Now mucous secretions
surcharged the tongue and took away the power of speech； now the sick
one spoke； but in speaking had foresight of death。 When the violence of
the disease approached the heart； the gums were blackened。 The sleep
broken； troubled by convulsions； or by frightful visions； was worse than
the waking hours； and when the reason sank under a delirium which had
its seat in the brain； repose utterly forsook the patient's couch。 The
progress of the fever within was marked by yellowish spots； which spread
over the surface of the body。 If then； a happy crisis came not； all hope
was gone。 Soon the breath infected the air with a fetid odor； the lips were
glazed； despair painted itself in the eyes； and sobs； with long intervals of
silence； formed the only language。 From each side of the mouth； spread
foam tinged with black and burnt blood。 Blue streaks mingled with the
yellow all over the frame。 All remedies were useless。 This was the
yellow fever。 The disorder spread alarm and confusion throughout the city。
On an average more than four hundred died daily。 In the midst of disorder
and confusion； death heaped victims on victims。 Friend followed friend
in quick succession。 The sick were avoided from the fear of contagion； and
for the same reason the dead were left unburied。 Nearly two thousand dead
bodies lay uncovered in the burial…ground； with only here and there a little
lime thrown over them； to prevent the air becoming infected。 The negro；
whose home is in a hot climate； was not proof against the disease。 Many
plantations had to suspend their work for want of slaves to take the places
of those who had been taken off by the fever。
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CHAPTER XXIII
MEETING OF THE COUSINS
THE clock in the hall had scarcely finished striking three when Mr。
Taylor entered his own dwelling； a fine residence in Camp Street； New
Orleans； followed by the slave…girl whom he had just purchased at the
negro…pen。 Clotelle looked around wildly as she passed through the hall
into the presence of her new mistress。 Mrs。 Taylor was much pleased with
her servant's appearance； and congratulated her husband on his judicious
choice。
〃But；〃 said Mrs。 Taylor； after Clotelle had gone into the kitchen； 〃how
much she looks like Miss Jane Morton。〃
〃Indeed；〃 replied the husband； 〃I thought； the moment I saw her that
she looked like the Mortons。〃
〃I am sure I never saw two faces more alike in my life； than that girl's
and Jane Morton's；〃 continued Mrs。 Taylor。
Dr。 Morton； the purchaser of Marion； the youngest daughter of Agnes；
and sister to Isabella； had resided in Camp Street； near the Taylors； for
more than eight years； and the families were on very intimate terms； and
visited each other frequently。 Every one spoke of Clotelle's close
resemblance to the Mortons； and especially to the eldest daughter。
Indeed； two sisters could hardly have been more alike。 The large； dark
eyes； black； silk…like hair； tall； graceful figure； and mould of the face； were
the same。
The morning following Clotelle's arrival in her new home； Mrs。 Taylor
was conversing in a low tone with her husband； and both with their eyes
following Clotelle as she passed through the room。
〃She is far above the
