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The King in Yellow | Progressive Translation Books for French A2 Students

The King in Yellow | Progressive Translation Books for French A2 Students

Experience the benefits of this forward-thinking translation strategy that tailors language learning to your specific needs. You have control over the difficulty, which ensures that the content is neither too easy nor overly challenging. This method enhances your ability to understand new words through context, reducing reliance on direct translations. While the translations are subtly obscured to foster learning, you can still look up unclear terms. This balanced approach makes language acquisition smoother and more enjoyable. Delve into these translated literary works and discover the satisfaction of mastering a language through reading.

THEREPAIREROFREPUTATIONS
I
Neraillonspaslesfous;
leurfoliedurepluslongtempsquelanôtre....
Voilatouteladifférence."
Towardtheendoftheyear1920the
Gouvernement
GovernmentoftheUnitedStateshadpracticallycompletedtheprogramme,adoptedduringthelastmonthsof
Président
PresidentWinthrop'sadministration.
Thecountrywasapparentlytranquil.
EverybodyknowshowtheTariffandLabourquestionsweresettled.
ThewarwithGermany,incidentonthatcountry'sseizureoftheSamoanIslands,hadleftnovisiblescarsupontherepublic,andthetemporaryoccupationofNorfolkbytheinvadingarmyhadbeenforgotteninthejoyoverrepeatednavalvictories,andthesubsequent
ridicule
ridiculousplightofGeneralVonGartenlaube'sforcesintheStateofNewJersey.
TheCubanandHawaiianinvestmentshadpaidonehundredpercentandtheterritoryofSamoawaswellworthits
coût
costasacoalingstation.
Thecountrywasinasuperb
état
stateofdefence.
Everycoastcityhadbeenwellsuppliedwithlandfortifications;
thearmyundertheparentaleyeofthe
Général
GeneralStaff,organizedaccordingtothePrussian
système
system,hadbeenincreasedto300,000men,withaterritorialreserveofamillion;
andsixmagnificentsquadronsofcruisersandbattle-shipspatrolledthesixstationsofthenavigableseas,leavingasteamreserveamplyfittedtocontrolhomewaters.
ThegentlemenfromtheWesthadatlastbeenconstrainedtoacknowledgethata
collège
collegeforthetrainingofdiplomatswasas
nécessaire
necessaryaslawschoolsareforthetrainingofbarristers;
consequentlywewerenolongerrepresentedabroadbyincompetentpatriots.
Thenationwasprosperous;
Chicago,foramomentparalyzedafterasecondgreatfire,hadrisenfromitsruins,whiteandimperial,andmorebeautifulthanthewhitecitywhichhadbeenbuiltforitsplaythingin1893.
Partout
Everywheregoodarchitecturewasreplacingbad,andeveninNewYork,asuddencravingfordecencyhadsweptawayagreatportionoftheexistinghorrors.
Streetshadbeenwidened,properlypavedandlighted,treeshadbeenplanted,squareslaidout,elevatedstructuresdemolishedandundergroundroadsbuilttoreplacethem.
Thenewgovernmentbuildingsandbarrackswerefinebitsofarchitecture,andthelong
système
systemofstonequayswhich
complètement
completelysurroundedtheislandhadbeenturnedintoparkswhich
révélés
provedagod-sendtothepopulation.
Thesubsidizingofthestatetheatreandstateoperabroughtitsownreward.
TheUnitedStatesNationalAcademyofDesignwasmuchlikeEuropeaninstitutionsofthesamekind.
NobodyenviedtheSecretaryofFineArts,eitherhiscabinet
position
positionorhisportfolio.
TheSecretaryofForestryandGamePreservationhadamucheasiertime,thankstothenew
système
systemofNationalMountedPolice.
WehadprofitedwellbythelatesttreatieswithFranceandEngland;
theexclusionofforeign-bornJewsasameasureofself-preservation,thesettlementofthenewindependentnegro
état
stateofSuanee,thecheckingofimmigration,thenewlawsconcerningnaturalization,andthegradualcentralizationofpowerintheexecutiveallcontributedtonationalcalmandprosperity.
Whenthe
Gouvernement
GovernmentsolvedtheIndianproblemandsquadronsofIndiancavalryscoutsinnativecostumeweresubstitutedforthepitiableorganizationstackedontothetailofskeletonizedregimentsbyaformerSecretaryofWar,thenationdrewalongsighofrelief.
When,afterthecolossalCongressofReligions,bigotryandintolerancewerelaidintheirgravesandkindnessandcharity
commencèrent
begantodrawwarringsectstogether,manythoughtthemillenniumhadarrived,atleastinthenewworldwhichafterallisaworldbyitself.
Butself-preservationisthefirstlaw,andtheUnitedStateshadtolookoninhelplesssorrowasGermany,Italy,SpainandBelgiumwrithedinthethroesofAnarchy,whileRussia,watchingfromtheCaucasus,stoopedandboundthemonebyone.
InthecityofNewYorkthe
été
summerof1899wassignalizedbythedismantlingoftheElevatedRailroads.
Thesummerof1900willliveinthememoriesofNewYorkpeopleformanyacycle;
theDodgeStatuewasremovedinthatyear.
Inthefollowingwinter
commença
beganthatagitationfortherepealofthelawsprohibitingsuicidewhich
porta
boreitsfinalfruitinthe
mois
monthofApril,1920,whenthefirst
Gouvernement
GovernmentLethalChamberwasopenedonWashingtonSquare.
IhadwalkeddownthatdayfromDr.Archer'shouseonMadisonAvenue,whereIhadbeenasamereformality.
Eversincethatfallfrommy
cheval
horse,fouryearsbefore,Ihadbeentroubledattimeswithpainsinthebackofmyheadand
cou
neck,butnowformonthstheyhadbeenabsent,andthedoctorsentmeawaythatdaysayingtherewasnothingmoretobecuredinme.
Itwashardlyworthhisfeetobetoldthat;
Iknewitmyself.
StillIdidnotgrudgehimthemoney.
WhatImindedwasthemistakewhichhemadeatfirst.
WhentheypickedmeupfromthepavementwhereIlayunconscious,andsomebodyhadmercifullysentabulletthroughmyhorse'shead,IwascarriedtoDr.Archer,andhe,pronouncingmy
cerveau
brainaffected,placedmeinhis
privé
privateasylumwhereIwasobligedtoenduretreatmentforinsanity.
Atlasthe
décida
decidedthatIwaswell,andI,knowingthatmymindhadalwaysbeenassoundashis,ifnotsounder,"paidmytuition"ashejokinglycalledit,andleft.
Itoldhim,smiling,thatIwouldgetevenwithhimforhis
erreur
mistake,andhelaughedheartily,andaskedmetocallonceinawhile.
Ididso,hopingforachancetoevenupaccounts,buthegaveme
aucun
none,andItoldhimIwouldwait.
Thefallfrommy
cheval
horsehadfortunatelyleftnoevilresults;
onthecontraryithadchangedmywholecharacterforthebetter.
Fromalazyyoungmanabouttown,Ihadbecomeactive,energetic,temperate,andaboveall—oh,aboveallelse—ambitious.
Therewasonlyonethingwhichtroubledme,Ilaughedatmyownuneasiness,andyetittroubledme.
Pendant
DuringmyconvalescenceIhadboughtandreadforthefirsttime,TheKinginYellow.
Irememberafter
terminé
finishingthefirstactthatitoccurredtomethatIhadbetterstop.
Istartedupandflungthebookintothefireplace;
thevolumestruckthebarredgrateandfellopenonthehearthinthefirelight.
IfIhadnotcaughtaglimpseoftheopeningwordsinthesecond
acte
actIshouldneverhave
terminé
finishedit,butasIstoopedtopickitup,myeyesbecamerivetedtotheopenpage,andwitha
cri
cryofterror,orperhapsitwasofjoysopoignantthatIsufferedineverynerve,Isnatchedthethingoutofthecoalsandcreptshakingtomybedroom,whereIreaditandrereadit,andweptandlaughedandtrembledwithahorrorwhichattimesassailsmeyet.
Thisisthethingthattroublesme,forIcannotforgetCarcosawhereblackstarshangintheheavens;
wheretheshadowsofmen'sthoughtslengthenintheafternoon,whenthetwinsunssinkintothelakeofHali;
andmymindwill
portera
bearforeverthememoryofthePallidMask.
I
prie
prayGodwillcursethewriter,asthewriterhascursedtheworldwiththisbeautiful,stupendouscreation,
terrible
terribleinitssimplicity,irresistibleinitstruth—aworldwhichnowtremblesbeforetheKinginYellow.
WhentheFrench
Gouvernement
GovernmentseizedthetranslatedcopieswhichhadjustarrivedinParis,London,ofcourse,becameeagertoreadit.
Itiswellknownhowthebookspreadlikeaninfectiousdisease,fromcitytocity,fromcontinenttocontinent,barredouthere,confiscatedthere,denouncedby
Presse
Pressandpulpit,censuredevenbythemostadvancedofliteraryanarchists.
Nodefiniteprincipleshadbeenviolatedinthosewickedpages,nodoctrinepromulgated,noconvictionsoutraged.
Itcouldnotbe
jugé
judgedbyanyknownstandard,yet,althoughitwasacknowledgedthatthesupremenoteofarthadbeenstruckinTheKinginYellow,allfeltthathuman
nature
naturecouldnotbearthestrain,
ni
northriveonwordsinwhichtheessenceofpurestpoisonlurked.
Theverybanalityandinnocenceofthefirst
acte
actonlyallowedtheblowtofallafterwardwithmoreawfuleffect.
Itwas,Iremember,the13thdayofApril,1920,thatthefirst
Gouvernement
GovernmentLethalChamberwasestablishedonthe
sud
southsideofWashingtonSquare,betweenWoosterStreetand
Sud
SouthFifthAvenue.
Theblockwhichhadformerlyconsistedofalotofshabbyoldbuildings,usedascafésandrestaurantsforforeigners,hadbeenacquiredbythe
Gouvernement
Governmentinthewinterof1898.
TheFrenchandItaliancafésandrestaurantsweretorndown;
thewholeblockwasenclosedbyagildedironrailing,andconvertedintoalovelygardenwithlawns,flowersandfountains.
Inthecentreofthegardenstoodasmall,white
bâtiment
building,severelyclassicalinarchitecture,andsurroundedbythicketsofflowers.
SixIoniccolumns
soutenaient
supportedtheroof,andthesingledoorwasofbronze.
Asplendidmarble
groupe
groupofthe"Fates"stoodbeforethedoor,theworkofayoungAmericansculptor,BorisYvain,whohaddiedinPariswhenonlytwenty-threeyearsold.
TheinaugurationceremonieswereinprogressasI
traversé
crossedUniversityPlaceandenteredthesquare.
Ithreadedmywaythroughthesilentthrongofspectators,butwasstoppedatFourthStreetbyacordonofpolice.
AregimentofUnitedStateslancersweredrawnupinahollowsquareroundtheLethalChamber.
OnaraisedtribunefacingWashingtonParkstoodtheGovernorofNewYork,andbehindhimweregroupedtheMayorofNewYorkandBrooklyn,theInspector-GeneralofPolice,theCommandantofthestatetroops,ColonelLivingston,
militaire
militaryaidtothePresidentoftheUnitedStates,
Général
GeneralBlount,commandingatGovernor'sIsland,Major-GeneralHamilton,commandingthegarrisonofNewYorkandBrooklyn,AdmiralBuffbyofthefleetintheNorthRiver,Surgeon-GeneralLanceford,thestaffoftheNationalFreeHospital,SenatorsWyseandFranklinofNewYork,andtheCommissionerofPublicWorks.
ThetribunewassurroundedbyasquadronofhussarsoftheNational
Garde
Guard.
TheGovernorwasfinishinghisreplytothe
bref
shortspeechoftheSurgeon-General.
Iheardhimsay:
"Thelawsprohibitingsuicideandprovidingpunishmentforanyattemptatself-destructionhavebeenrepealed.
The
Gouvernement
Governmenthasseenfittoacknowledgetherightofmantoendanexistencewhichmayhavebecomeintolerabletohim,throughphysicalsufferingormentaldespair.
Itisbelievedthatthecommunitywillbebenefitedbytheremovalofsuchpeoplefromtheirmidst.
Sincethepassageofthislaw,thenumberofsuicidesintheUnitedStateshasnotincreased.
Nowthe
Gouvernement
GovernmenthasdeterminedtoestablishaLethalChamberineverycity,townandvillageinthecountry,itremainstobeseen
si
whetherornotthatclassofhumancreaturesfromwhosedespondingranksnewvictimsofself-destructionfalldailywill
acceptera
acceptthereliefthusprovided."
Hepaused,andturnedtothewhiteLethalChamber.
Thesilenceinthestreetwasabsolute.
"Thereapainlessdeathawaitshimwhocannolonger
supporter
bearthesorrowsofthislife.
Ifdeathiswelcomelethimseekitthere."
Then
rapidement
quicklyturningtothemilitaryaidofthePresident'shousehold,hesaid,"IdeclaretheLethalChamberopen,"andagainfacingthevastcrowdhecriedinaclear
voix
voice:
"CitizensofNewYorkandoftheUnitedStatesofAmerica,throughmethe
Gouvernement
GovernmentdeclarestheLethalChambertobeopen."
Thesolemnhushwasbrokenbyasharp
cri
cryofcommand,thesquadronofhussarsfiledaftertheGovernor'scarriage,thelancerswheeledand
formèrent
formedalongFifthAvenuetowaitforthecommandantofthegarrison,andthemountedpolicefollowedthem.
IleftthecrowdtogapeandstareatthewhitemarbleDeathChamber,and,
traversant
crossingSouthFifthAvenue,walkedalongthewesternsideofthatthoroughfaretoBleeckerStreet.
ThenIturnedtotherightandstoppedbeforeadingy
magasin
shopwhichborethesign:.
HAWBERK,ARMOURER.
IglancedinatthedoorwayandsawHawberk
occupé
busyinhislittleshopattheendofthehall.
Helookedup,andcatchingsightofmecriedinhis
profonde
deep,heartyvoice,"Comein,Mr.Castaigne!"
Constance,hisdaughter,rosetomeetmeasI
traversai
crossedthethreshold,andheldoutherprettyhand,butIsawtheblushofdisappointmentonhercheeks,andknewthatitwasanotherCastaigneshehad
attendu
expected,mycousinLouis.
Ismiledatherconfusionandcomplimentedheronthebannershewasembroideringfromacolouredplate.
OldHawberksatrivetingtheworngreavesofsomeancientsuitofarmour,andtheting!
ting!
ting!
ofhislittlehammersoundedpleasantlyinthequaint
magasin
shop.
Presentlyhedroppedhishammer,andfussedaboutforamomentwithatinywrench.
Thesoftclashofthemailsentathrillof
plaisir
pleasurethroughme.
Ilovedtohearthemusicofsteelbrushingagainststeel,themellowshockofthemalletonthighpieces,andthejingleofchainarmour.
ThatwastheonlyreasonIwenttoseeHawberk.
Hehadnever
intéressé
interestedmepersonally,nordidConstance,
sauf
exceptforthefactofherbeinginlovewithLouis.
Thisdidoccupymy
attention
attention,andsometimesevenkeptmeawakeatnight.
ButIknewinmyheartthatallwouldcomeright,andthatIshouldarrangetheir
avenir
futureasIexpectedtoarrangethatofmykinddoctor,JohnArcher.
Cependant
However,Ishouldneverhavetroubledmyselfabout
visiter
visitingthemjustthen,haditnotbeen,asIsay,thatthemusicofthetinklinghammerhadformethisstrongfascination.
Iwouldsitforhours,listeningandlistening,andwhenastraysunbeamstrucktheinlaidsteel,thesensationitgavemewasalmosttookeentoendure.
Myeyeswouldbecome
fixes
fixed,dilatingwithapleasurethatstretchedeverynervealmosttobreaking,untilsomemovementoftheoldarmourercutoffthe
rayon
rayofsunlight,then,stillthrillingsecretly,Ileanedbackandlistenedagaintothesoundofthepolishingrag,swish!
swish!
rubbingrustfromtherivets.
Constanceworkedwiththeembroideryoverherknees,nowandthenpausingtoexaminemorecloselythepatterninthecolouredplatefromtheMetropolitanMuseum.
Whoisthisfor?"
Iasked.
Hawberk
expliqué
explained,thatinadditiontothetreasuresofarmourintheMetropolitanMuseumofwhichhehadbeenappointedarmourer,healsohad
chargé
chargeofseveralcollectionsbelongingto
riches
richamateurs.
Thiswasthemissinggreaveofa
célèbre
famoussuitwhichaclientofhishadtracedtoalittle
boutique
shopinParisontheQuaid'Orsay.
He,Hawberk,hadnegotiatedforandsecuredthegreave,andnowthe
costume
suitwascomplete.
Helaiddownhishammerandreadmethehistoryofthe
costume
suit,tracedsince1450fromownertoowneruntilitwasacquiredbyThomasStainbridge.
Whenhissuperbcollectionwassold,thisclientofHawberk'sboughtthe
costume
suit,andsincethenthe
recherche
searchforthemissinggreavehadbeenpusheduntilitwas,almostby
accident
accident,locatedinParis.
Didyou
continué
continuethesearchsopersistentlywithoutanycertaintyofthegreavebeingstillinexistence?"
Idemanded.
Ofcourse,"herepliedcoolly.
ThenforthefirsttimeItookapersonal
intéressé
interestinHawberk.
Itwasworthsomethingtoyou,"Iventured.
No,"hereplied,laughing,"my
plaisir
pleasureinfindingitwasmyreward."
Haveyounoambitiontoberich?"
Iasked,smiling.
Myoneambitionistobethebestarmourerintheworld,"heansweredgravely.
ConstanceaskedmeifIhadseentheceremoniesattheLethalChamber.
Sheherselfhad
remarqué
noticedcavalrypassingupBroadwaythatmorning,andhadwishedtoseetheinauguration,butherfatherwantedthebannerfinished,andshehadstayedathisrequest.
Didyouseeyour
cousin
cousin,Mr.Castaigne,there?"
sheasked,withtheslightesttremorofhersofteyelashes.
No,"Irepliedcarelessly.
"Louis'regimentismanœuvringoutinWestchesterCounty."
Iroseandpickedupmyhatandcane.
Areyougoingupstairstoseethelunaticagain?"
laughedoldHawberk.
IfHawberkknewhowIloathethatword"lunatic,"hewouldneveruseitinmypresence.
Itrouses
certains
certainfeelingswithinmewhichIdonotcareto
expliquer
explain.
However,Iansweredhimquietly:
"IthinkIshalldropinandseeMr.Wildeforamomentortwo."
Poorfellow,"saidConstance,withashakeofthehead,"itmustbehardtolivealoneyearafteryearpoor,crippledandalmostdemented.
Itisverygoodofyou,Mr.Castaigne,to
visite
visithimasoftenasyoudo."
Ithinkheisvicious,"observedHawberk,beginningagainwithhishammer.
Ilistenedtothegoldentinkleonthegreaveplates;
whenhehad
fini
finishedIreplied:.
No,heisnotvicious,norisheintheleastdemented.
Hismindisawonderchamber,fromwhichhecanextracttreasuresthatyouandIwouldgiveyearsofourlifetoacquire."'.
Hawberklaughed.
I
continué
continuedalittleimpatiently:
"Heknowshistoryasnooneelsecouldknowit.
Nothing,howevertrivial,escapeshis
recherche
search,andhismemoryissoabsolute,sopreciseindetails,thatwereitknowninNewYorkthatsuchamanexisted,thepeoplecouldnothonourhimenough."
Nonsense,"mutteredHawberk,
recherche
searchingonthefloorforafallenrivet.
Isitnonsense,"Iasked,managingtosuppresswhatIfelt,"isitnonsensewhenhesaysthatthetassetsandcuissardsoftheenamelledsuitofarmourcommonlyknownasthe'Prince'sEmblazoned'canbefoundamongamassofrustytheatricalproperties,brokenstovesandragpicker'srefuseinagarretinPellStreet?"
Hawberk'shammerfelltothe
sol
ground,buthepickeditupandasked,withagreatdealofcalm,howIknewthatthetassetsandleftcuissardweremissingfromthe"Prince'sEmblazoned."
IdidnotknowuntilMr.Wilde
parle
mentionedittometheotherday.
Hesaidtheywereinthegarretof998PellStreet."
Nonsense,"he
pleuré
cried,butInoticedhishandtremblingunderhisleathernapron.
Isthisnonsensetoo?"
Iaskedpleasantly,"isitnonsensewhenMr.WildecontinuallyspeaksofyouastheMarquisofAvonshireandofMissConstance—".
Ididnot
terminé
finish,forConstancehadstartedtoher
pieds
feetwithterrorwrittenoneveryfeature.
Hawberklookedatmeandslowlysmoothedhisleathernapron.
Thatisimpossible,"heobserved,"Mr.
Wildemayknowagreatmanythings—".
Aboutarmour,forinstance,andthe'Prince'sEmblazoned,'"Iinterposed,smiling.
Yes,"he
continué
continued,slowly,"aboutarmouralso—maybe—butheiswronginregardtotheMarquisofAvonshire,who,asyouknow,killedhiswife'straduceryearsago,andwenttoAustraliawherehedidnotlongsurvivehiswife."
Mr.
Wildeiswrong,"murmuredConstance.
Herlipswereblanched,buther
voix
voicewassweetandcalm.
Letusagree,ifyouplease,thatinthisonecircumstanceMr.Wildeiswrong,"Isaid.
II
Iclimbedthethreedilapidatedflightsofstairs,whichIhadso
souvent
oftenclimbedbefore,andknockedatasmalldoorattheendofthecorridor.
Mr.WildeopenedthedoorandIwalkedin.
Whenhehaddouble-lockedthedoorand
poussé
pushedaheavychestagainstit,hecameandsatdownbesideme,peeringupintomyfacewithhislittlelight-colouredeyes.
Halfadozennewscratches
couvraient
coveredhisnoseandcheeks,andthesilverwireswhich
soutenaient
supportedhisartificialearshadbecomedisplaced.
IthoughtIhadneverseenhimsohideouslyfascinating.
Hehadnoears.
Theartificialones,whichnowstoodoutatananglefromthefinewire,werehisoneweakness.
Theyweremadeofwaxandpaintedashellpink,buttherestofhisfacewasyellow.
Hemightbetterhaverevelledintheluxuryofsomeartificialfingersforhislefthand,whichwas
absolument
absolutelyfingerless,butitseemedtocausehimnoinconvenience,andhewassatisfiedwithhiswaxears.
Hewasverysmall,scarcelyhigherthanachildoften,buthisarmsweremagnificentlydeveloped,andhisthighsasthickasanyathlete's.
Still,themostremarkablethingaboutMr.Wildewasthatamanofhismarvellousintelligenceandknowledgeshouldhavesuchahead.
Itwasflatandpointed,liketheheadsofmanyofthoseunfortunateswhompeopleimprisoninasylumsfortheweak-minded.
Manycalledhiminsane,butIknewhimtobeassaneasIwas.
Idonotdenythathewaseccentric;
themaniahehadforkeepingthat
chat
catandteasingheruntilshe
vole
flewathisfacelikeademon,was
certainement
certainlyeccentric.
Inevercouldunderstandwhyhekeptthecreature,
ni
norwhatpleasurehefoundinshuttinghimselfupinhisroomwiththissurly,viciousbeast.
Irememberonce,glancingupfromthemanuscriptIwasstudyingbythelightofsometallowdips,andseeingMr.Wildesquattingmotionlessonhishighchair,hiseyesfairlyblazingwithexcitement,whilethe
chat
cat,whichhadrisenfromherplacebeforethestove,camecreepingacrossthe
sol
floorrightathim.
BeforeIcouldmovesheflattenedherbellytothe
sol
ground,crouched,trembled,andsprangintohisface.
Howlingandfoamingthey
roulaient
rolledoverandoveronthe
sol
floor,scratchingandclawing,untilthe
chat
catscreamedandfledunderthecabinet,andMr.Wildeturnedoveronhisback,hislimbscontractingandcurlinguplikethelegsofadyingspider.
Hewaseccentric.
Mr.
Wildehadclimbedintohishighchair,and,after
étudié
studyingmyface,pickedupadog's-earedledgerandopenedit.
HenryB.
Matthews,"heread,"book-keeperwithWhysotWhysotandCompany,dealersinchurchornaments.
CalledApril3rd.
Reputationdamagedontherace-track.
Knownasawelcher.
ReputationtoberepairedbyAugust1st.
RetainerFiveDollars."