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The King in Yellow | Gradually Hardening Slovenian A2 Books

The King in Yellow | Gradually Hardening Slovenian A2 Books

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
Vlada
GovernmentoftheUnitedStateshadpracticallycompletedtheprogramme,adoptedduringthelastmonthsofPresidentWinthrop'sadministration.
Thecountrywasapparentlytranquil.
EverybodyknowshowtheTariffandLabourquestionsweresettled.
ThewarwithGermany,incidentonthatcountry'sseizureoftheSamoanIslands,hadleftnovisiblescarsupontherepublic,andthetemporaryoccupationofNorfolkbytheinvading
vojske
armyhadbeenforgotteninthejoyoverrepeatednavalvictories,andthesubsequentridiculousplightofGeneralVonGartenlaube'sforcesintheStateofNewJersey.
TheCubanandHawaiianinvestmentshadpaidone
sto
hundredpercentandtheterritoryofSamoawaswell
vredno
worthitscostasacoaling
postaja
station.
Thecountrywasinasuperbstateofdefence.
Everycoastcityhadbeenwellsuppliedwithlandfortifications;
thearmyundertheparental
očesom
eyeoftheGeneralStaff,organizedaccordingtothePrussiansystem,hadbeenincreasedto300,000men,withaterritorialreserveofamillion;
andsixmagnificentsquadronsofcruisersandbattle-shipspatrolledthesixstationsofthenavigableseas,leavingasteamreserveamplyfittedtocontrolhomewaters.
ThegentlemenfromtheWesthadatlastbeenconstrainedtoacknowledgethata
kolidž
collegeforthetrainingofdiplomatswasasnecessaryaslawschoolsareforthetrainingofbarristers;
consequentlywewerenolongerrepresentedabroadbyincompetentpatriots.
Thenationwasprosperous;
Chicago,foramomentparalyzedafterasecondgreatfire,hadrisenfromitsruins,whiteandimperial,andmorebeautifulthanthewhitecitywhichhadbeenbuiltforitsplaythingin1893.
Povsod
Everywheregoodarchitecturewasreplacingbad,andeveninNewYork,asuddencravingfordecencyhadsweptawayagreatportionoftheexistinghorrors.
Streetshadbeenwidened,properlypavedandlighted,treeshadbeenplanted,squareslaidout,elevatedstructuresdemolishedandundergroundroadsbuilttoreplacethem.
Thenewgovernmentbuildingsandbarrackswerefinebitsofarchitecture,andthelong
sistem
systemofstonequayswhich
popolnoma
completelysurroundedtheislandhadbeenturnedintoparkswhichprovedagod-sendtothepopulation.
Thesubsidizingofthestatetheatreandstateoperabroughtitsownreward.
TheUnitedStatesNationalAcademyofDesignwasmuchlikeEuropeaninstitutionsofthesamekind.
NobodyenviedtheSecretaryofFineArts,eitherhiscabinetpositionorhisportfolio.
TheSecretaryofForestryandGamePreservationhadamucheasiertime,thankstothenewsystemofNationalMountedPolice.
WehadprofitedwellbythelatesttreatieswithFranceandEngland;
theexclusionofforeign-bornJewsasameasureofself-preservation,thesettlementofthenewindependentnegrostateofSuanee,thecheckingofimmigration,thenewlawsconcerningnaturalization,andthegradualcentralizationofpowerintheexecutiveallcontributedtonationalcalmandprosperity.
Whenthe
Vlada
GovernmentsolvedtheIndianproblemandsquadronsofIndiancavalryscoutsinnativecostumeweresubstitutedforthepitiableorganizationstackedontothetailofskeletonizedregimentsbyaformerSecretaryofWar,thenationdrewalongsighofrelief.
When,afterthecolossalCongressofReligions,bigotryandintolerancewerelaidintheirgravesandkindnessandcharitybegantodrawwarringsectstogether,manythoughtthemillenniumhadarrived,atleastinthenewworldwhichafterallisaworldbyitself.
Butself-preservationisthefirstlaw,andtheUnitedStateshadtolookoninhelplesssorrowasGermany,Italy,SpainandBelgiumwrithedinthethroesofAnarchy,whileRussia,watchingfromtheCaucasus,stoopedandboundthemonebyone.
InthecityofNewYorkthe
poletje
summerof1899wassignalizedbythedismantlingoftheElevatedRailroads.
The
poletje
summerof1900willliveinthememoriesofNewYorkpeopleformanyacycle;
theDodgeStatuewasremovedinthatyear.
InthefollowingwinterbeganthatagitationfortherepealofthelawsprohibitingsuicidewhichboreitsfinalfruitinthemonthofApril,1920,whenthefirstGovernmentLethalChamberwasopenedonWashingtonSquare.
IhadwalkeddownthatdayfromDr.Archer'shouseonMadisonAvenue,whereIhadbeenasamereformality.
Eversincethatfallfrommy
konja
horse,fouryearsbefore,Ihadbeentroubledattimeswithpainsinthebackofmyheadand
vratu
neck,butnowformonthstheyhadbeenabsent,andthedoctorsentmeawaythatdaysayingtherewasnothingmoretobecuredinme.
Itwashardly
vredno
worthhisfeetobetoldthat;
Iknewitmyself.
StillIdidnotgrudgehimthemoney.
WhatImindedwasthe
napaka
mistakewhichhemadeatfirst.
WhentheypickedmeupfromthepavementwhereIlayunconscious,andsomebodyhadmercifullysentabulletthroughmyhorse'shead,IwascarriedtoDr.Archer,andhe,pronouncingmybrainaffected,placedmeinhisprivateasylumwhereIwasobligedtoenduretreatmentforinsanity.
AtlasthedecidedthatIwaswell,andI,knowingthatmymindhadalwaysbeenassoundashis,ifnotsounder,"paidmytuition"ashejokinglycalledit,andleft.
Itoldhim,smiling,thatIwouldgetevenwithhimforhismistake,andhelaughedheartily,andaskedmetocallonceinawhile.
Ididso,hopingforachancetoevenupaccounts,buthegavemenone,andItoldhimIwouldwait.
Thefallfrommy
konja
horsehadfortunatelyleftnoevilresults;
onthecontraryithadchangedmywholecharacterforthebetter.
Fromalazyyoungmanabouttown,Ihadbecomeactive,energetic,temperate,andaboveall—oh,aboveallelse—ambitious.
Therewasonlyonethingwhichtroubledme,Ilaughedatmyownuneasiness,andyetittroubledme.
Med
DuringmyconvalescenceIhadboughtandreadforthefirsttime,TheKinginYellow.
IrememberafterfinishingthefirstactthatitoccurredtomethatIhadbetterstop.
Istartedupandflungthebookintothefireplace;
thevolumestruckthebarredgrateandfellopenonthehearthinthefirelight.
IfIhadnotcaughtaglimpseoftheopeningwordsinthesecondactIshouldneverhavefinishedit,butasIstoopedtopickitup,myeyesbecamerivetedtotheopenpage,andwithacryofterror,orperhapsitwasofjoysopoignantthatIsufferedineverynerve,Isnatchedthethingoutofthecoalsandcreptshakingtomybedroom,whereIreaditandrereadit,andweptandlaughedandtrembledwithahorrorwhichattimesassailsmeyet.
Thisisthethingthattroublesme,forIcannotforgetCarcosawhereblackstarshangintheheavens;
wheretheshadowsofmen'sthoughtslengtheninthe
popoldne
afternoon,whenthetwinsunssinkintothelakeofHali;
andmymindwillbearforeverthe
spomin
memoryofthePallidMask.
IprayGodwillcursethewriter,asthewriterhascursedtheworldwiththisbeautiful,stupendouscreation,
grozno
terribleinitssimplicity,irresistibleinitstruth—aworldwhichnowtremblesbeforetheKinginYellow.
WhentheFrench
Vlada
GovernmentseizedthetranslatedcopieswhichhadjustarrivedinParis,London,ofcourse,becameeagertoreadit.
Itiswellknownhowthebookspreadlikeaninfectiousdisease,fromcitytocity,fromcontinenttocontinent,barredouthere,confiscatedthere,denouncedby
Tiska
Pressandpulpit,censuredevenbythemostadvancedofliteraryanarchists.
Nodefiniteprincipleshadbeenviolatedinthosewickedpages,nodoctrinepromulgated,noconvictionsoutraged.
Itcouldnotbejudgedbyanyknownstandard,yet,althoughitwasacknowledgedthatthesupremenoteof
umetnosti
arthadbeenstruckinTheKinginYellow,allfeltthathumannaturecouldnotbearthestrain,
niti
northriveonwordsinwhichtheessenceofpurestpoisonlurked.
Theverybanalityandinnocenceofthefirstactonlyallowedthe
udarec
blowtofallafterwardwithmoreawfuleffect.
Itwas,Iremember,the13thdayofApril,1920,thatthefirstGovernmentLethalChamberwasestablishedonthesouthsideofWashingtonSquare,betweenWoosterStreetandSouthFifthAvenue.
Theblockwhichhadformerlyconsistedofalotofshabbyoldbuildings,usedascafésandrestaurantsforforeigners,hadbeenacquiredbythe
Vlada
Governmentinthewinterof1898.
TheFrenchandItaliancafésandrestaurantsweretorndown;
thewholeblockwasenclosedbyagildedironrailing,andconvertedintoalovelygardenwithlawns,flowersandfountains.
Inthecentreofthegardenstoodasmall,whitebuilding,severelyclassicalinarchitecture,andsurroundedbythicketsofflowers.
SixIoniccolumnssupportedtheroof,andthesingledoorwasofbronze.
Asplendidmarblegroupofthe"Fates"stoodbeforethedoor,theworkofayoungAmericansculptor,BorisYvain,whohaddiedinPariswhenonlytwenty-threeyearsold.
TheinaugurationceremonieswereinprogressasIcrossedUniversityPlaceandenteredthesquare.
Ithreadedmywaythroughthesilentthrongofspectators,butwasstoppedatFourthStreetbyacordonofpolice.
AregimentofUnitedStateslancersweredrawnupinahollowsquareroundtheLethalChamber.
OnaraisedtribunefacingWashington
Parku
ParkstoodtheGovernorofNewYork,andbehindhimweregroupedtheMayorofNewYorkandBrooklyn,theInspector-GeneralofPolice,theCommandantofthestatetroops,ColonelLivingston,militaryaidtothePresidentoftheUnitedStates,
Generalni
GeneralBlount,commandingatGovernor's
Otoku
Island,Major-GeneralHamilton,commandingthegarrisonofNewYorkandBrooklyn,AdmiralBuffbyofthefleetintheNorthRiver,Surgeon-GeneralLanceford,thestaffoftheNationalFreeHospital,SenatorsWyseandFranklinofNewYork,andtheCommissionerof
Javna
PublicWorks.
ThetribunewassurroundedbyasquadronofhussarsoftheNational
Garde
Guard.
TheGovernorwasfinishinghisreplytothe
kratek
shortspeechoftheSurgeon-General.
Iheardhimsay:
"Thelawsprohibitingsuicideandprovidingpunishmentforanyattemptatself-destructionhavebeenrepealed.
The
Vlada
Governmenthasseenfittoacknowledgetherightofmantoendanexistencewhichmayhavebecomeintolerabletohim,throughphysicalsufferingormentaldespair.
Itisbelievedthatthecommunitywillbebenefitedbytheremovalofsuchpeoplefromtheirmidst.
Sincethepassageofthislaw,thenumberofsuicidesintheUnitedStateshasnotincreased.
Nowthe
Vlada
GovernmenthasdeterminedtoestablishaLethalChamberineverycity,townand
vasi
villageinthecountry,itremainstobeseenwhetherornotthatclassofhumancreaturesfrom
katerih
whosedespondingranksnewvictimsofself-destructionfalldailywillacceptthereliefthusprovided."
Hepaused,andturnedtothewhiteLethalChamber.
Thesilenceinthestreetwasabsolute.
"Thereapainlessdeathawaitshimwhocannolongerbearthesorrowsofthislife.
Ifdeathiswelcomelethimseekitthere."
ThenquicklyturningtothemilitaryaidofthePresident'shousehold,hesaid,"IdeclaretheLethalChamberopen,"andagainfacingthevastcrowdhecriedinaclearvoice:
"CitizensofNewYorkandoftheUnitedStatesofAmerica,throughmethe
Vlada
GovernmentdeclarestheLethalChambertobeopen."
Thesolemnhushwasbrokenbyasharp
krik
cryofcommand,thesquadronofhussarsfiledaftertheGovernor'scarriage,thelancerswheeledandformedalongFifthAvenuetowaitforthecommandantofthegarrison,andthemountedpolicefollowedthem.
IleftthecrowdtogapeandstareatthewhitemarbleDeathChamber,and,crossing
Južno
SouthFifthAvenue,walkedalongthewesternsideofthatthoroughfaretoBleeckerStreet.
ThenIturnedtotherightandstoppedbeforeadingyshopwhichborethesign:.
HAWBERK,ARMOURER.
IglancedinatthedoorwayandsawHawberk
zaposlen
busyinhislittleshopattheendofthehall.
Helookedup,andcatchingsightofmecriedinhisdeep,heartyvoice,"Comein,Mr.Castaigne!"
Constance,hisdaughter,rosetomeetmeasIcrossedthethreshold,andheldoutherprettyhand,butIsawtheblushofdisappointmentonhercheeks,andknewthatitwasanotherCastaigneshehadexpected,my
bratranec
cousinLouis.
Ismiledatherconfusionandcomplimentedheronthebannershewasembroideringfromacolouredplate.
OldHawberksatrivetingtheworngreavesofsomeancientsuitofarmour,andtheting!
ting!
ting!
ofhislittlehammersoundedpleasantlyinthequaintshop.
Presentlyhedroppedhishammer,andfussedaboutforamomentwithatinywrench.
Thesoftclashofthemailsentathrillofpleasurethroughme.
Ilovedtohearthemusicofsteelbrushingagainststeel,themellowshockofthemalletonthighpieces,andthejingleofchainarmour.
ThatwastheonlyreasonIwenttoseeHawberk.
Hehadneverinterestedmepersonally,
niti
nordidConstance,exceptforthefactofherbeinginlovewithLouis.
Thisdidoccupymy
pozornost
attention,andsometimesevenkeptmeawakeatnight.
ButIknewinmyheartthatallwouldcomeright,andthatIshouldarrangetheirfutureasIexpectedtoarrangethatofmykinddoctor,JohnArcher.
However,Ishouldneverhavetroubledmyselfaboutvisitingthemjustthen,haditnotbeen,asIsay,thatthemusicofthetinklinghammerhadformethis
močno
strongfascination.
Iwouldsitforhours,listeningandlistening,andwhenastraysunbeamstrucktheinlaidsteel,thesensationitgavemewasalmosttookeentoendure.
Myeyeswouldbecomefixed,dilatingwithapleasurethatstretchedeverynervealmosttobreaking,untilsomemovementoftheoldarmourercutofftherayofsunlight,then,stillthrillingsecretly,Ileanedbackandlistenedagaintothesoundofthepolishingrag,swish!
swish!
rubbingrustfromtherivets.
Constanceworkedwiththeembroideryoverherknees,nowandthenpausingtoexaminemorecloselythepatterninthecolouredplatefromtheMetropolitanMuseum.
Whoisthisfor?"
Iasked.
Hawberkexplained,thatinadditiontothetreasuresofarmourintheMetropolitanMuseumofwhichhehadbeenappointedarmourer,healsohadchargeof
več
severalcollectionsbelongingtorichamateurs.
ThiswasthemissinggreaveofafamoussuitwhichaclientofhishadtracedtoalittleshopinParisontheQuaid'Orsay.
He,Hawberk,hadnegotiatedforandsecuredthegreave,andnowthesuitwascomplete.
Helaiddownhishammerandreadmethehistoryofthesuit,tracedsince1450fromownertoowneruntilitwasacquiredbyThomasStainbridge.
Whenhissuperbcollectionwassold,thisclientofHawberk'sboughtthe
obleko
suit,andsincethenthe
iskanje
searchforthemissinggreavehadbeenpusheduntilitwas,almostby
naključju
accident,locatedinParis.
Didyoucontinuethesearchsopersistentlywithoutanycertaintyofthegreavebeingstillinexistence?"
Idemanded.
Ofcourse,"herepliedcoolly.
ThenforthefirsttimeItookapersonalinterestinHawberk.
Itwas
vredno
worthsomethingtoyou,"Iventured.
No,"hereplied,laughing,"my
zadovoljstvo
pleasureinfindingitwasmyreward."
Haveyounoambitiontoberich?"
Iasked,smiling.
Myoneambitionistobethebestarmourerintheworld,"heansweredgravely.
ConstanceaskedmeifIhadseentheceremoniesattheLethalChamber.
SheherselfhadnoticedcavalrypassingupBroadwaythatmorning,andhadwishedtoseetheinauguration,butherfatherwantedthebannerfinished,andshehadstayedathisrequest.
Didyouseeyourcousin,Mr.Castaigne,there?"
sheasked,withtheslightesttremorofhersofteyelashes.
No,"Irepliedcarelessly.
"Louis'regimentismanœuvringoutinWestchesterCounty."
Iroseandpickedupmyhatandcane.
Areyougoing
gor
upstairstoseethelunaticagain?"
laughedoldHawberk.
IfHawberkknewhowIloathethatword"lunatic,"hewouldneveruseitinmypresence.
Itrouses
določene
certainfeelingswithinmewhichIdonotcareto
razložiti
explain.
However,Iansweredhimquietly:
"IthinkIshalldropinandseeMr.Wildeforamomentortwo."
Poorfellow,"saidConstance,withashakeofthehead,"itmustbehardtolivealoneyearafteryearpoor,crippledandalmostdemented.
Itisverygoodofyou,Mr.Castaigne,tovisithimas
pogosto
oftenasyoudo."
Ithinkheisvicious,"observedHawberk,
začne
beginningagainwithhishammer.
Ilistenedtothegoldentinkleonthegreaveplates;
whenhehadfinishedIreplied:.
No,heisnotvicious,
niti
norisheintheleastdemented.
Hismindisawonderchamber,fromwhichhecanextracttreasuresthatyouandIwouldgiveyearsofourlifetoacquire."'.
Hawberklaughed.
Icontinuedalittleimpatiently:
"Heknowshistoryasnooneelsecouldknowit.
Nothing,howevertrivial,escapeshissearch,andhis
spomin
memoryissoabsolute,sopreciseindetails,thatwereitknowninNewYorkthatsuchamanexisted,thepeoplecouldnothonourhimenough."
Nonsense,"mutteredHawberk,searchingonthe
tleh
floorforafallenrivet.
Isitnonsense,"Iasked,managingtosuppresswhatIfelt,"isitnonsensewhenhesaysthatthetassetsandcuissardsoftheenamelledsuitofarmourcommonlyknownasthe'Prince'sEmblazoned'canbefoundamongamassofrustytheatricalproperties,brokenstovesandragpicker'srefuseinagarretinPellStreet?"
Hawberk'shammerfelltothe
tla
ground,buthepickeditupandasked,withagreatdealofcalm,howIknewthatthetassetsandleftcuissardweremissingfromthe"Prince'sEmblazoned."
IdidnotknowuntilMr.Wildementionedittometheotherday.
Hesaidtheywereinthegarretof998PellStreet."
Nonsense,"hecried,butInoticedhishandtremblingunderhisleathernapron.
Isthisnonsensetoo?"
Iaskedpleasantly,"isitnonsensewhenMr.WildecontinuallyspeaksofyouastheMarquisofAvonshireandofMissConstance—".
Ididnotfinish,forConstancehadstartedtoherfeetwithterrorwrittenoneveryfeature.
Hawberklookedatmeandslowlysmoothedhisleathernapron.
Thatisimpossible,"heobserved,"Mr.
Wildemayknowagreatmanythings—".
Aboutarmour,forinstance,andthe'Prince'sEmblazoned,'"Iinterposed,smiling.
Yes,"hecontinued,slowly,"aboutarmouralso—maybe—butheiswronginregardtotheMarquisofAvonshire,who,asyouknow,killedhiswife'straduceryearsago,andwenttoAustraliawherehedidnotlongsurvivehiswife."
Mr.
Wildeiswrong,"murmuredConstance.
Herlipswereblanched,buther
glas
voicewassweetandcalm.
Letusagree,ifyouplease,thatinthisonecircumstanceMr.Wildeiswrong,"Isaid.
II
Iclimbedthethreedilapidatedflightsofstairs,whichIhadso
pogosto
oftenclimbedbefore,andknockedatasmalldoorattheendofthecorridor.
Mr.WildeopenedthedoorandIwalkedin.
Whenhehaddouble-lockedthedoorandpushedaheavychestagainstit,hecameandsatdownbesideme,peeringupintomyfacewithhislittlelight-colouredeyes.
Halfadozennewscratchescoveredhis
nos
noseandcheeks,andthesilverwireswhichsupportedhisartificialearshadbecomedisplaced.
IthoughtIhadneverseenhimsohideouslyfascinating.
Hehadnoears.
Theartificialones,whichnowstoodoutatananglefromthefinewire,werehisoneweakness.
Theyweremadeofwaxandpaintedashellpink,buttherestofhisfacewasyellow.
Hemightbetterhaverevelledintheluxuryofsomeartificialfingersforhislefthand,whichwas
popolnoma
absolutelyfingerless,butitseemedtocausehimnoinconvenience,andhewassatisfiedwithhiswaxears.
Hewasverysmall,scarcelyhigherthanachildoften,buthisarmsweremagnificentlydeveloped,andhisthighsasthickasanyathlete's.
Still,themostremarkablethingaboutMr.Wildewasthatamanofhismarvellousintelligenceandknowledgeshouldhavesuchahead.
Itwasflatandpointed,liketheheadsofmanyofthoseunfortunateswhompeopleimprisoninasylumsfortheweak-minded.
Manycalledhiminsane,butIknewhimtobeassaneasIwas.
Idonotdenythathewaseccentric;
themaniahehadforkeepingthat
mačko
catandteasingheruntilsheflewathisfacelikeademon,was
zagotovo
certainlyeccentric.
Inevercouldunderstandwhyhekeptthecreature,
niti
norwhatpleasurehefoundinshuttinghimselfupinhisroomwiththissurly,viciousbeast.
Irememberonce,glancingupfromthemanuscriptIwasstudyingbythelightofsometallowdips,andseeingMr.Wildesquattingmotionlessonhishighchair,hiseyesfairlyblazingwithexcitement,whilethe
mačka
cat,whichhadrisenfromherplacebeforethestove,camecreepingacrossthe
tla
floorrightathim.
BeforeIcouldmovesheflattenedherbellytothe
tla
ground,crouched,trembled,andsprangintohisface.
Howlingandfoamingtheyrolledoverandoveronthe
tleh
floor,scratchingandclawing,untilthe
mačka
catscreamedandfledunderthecabinet,andMr.Wildeturnedoveronhisback,hislimbscontractingandcurlinguplikethelegsofadyingspider.
Hewaseccentric.
Mr.
Wildehadclimbedintohishighchair,and,afterstudyingmyface,pickedupadog's-earedledgerandopenedit.
HenryB.
Matthews,"heread,"book-keeperwithWhysotWhysotandCompany,dealersinchurchornaments.
CalledApril3rd.
Reputationdamagedontherace-track.
Knownasawelcher.
ReputationtoberepairedbyAugust1st.
RetainerFiveDollars."