The King in Yellow Progressive Translation Books for Vietnamese A2 Students

THEREPAIREROFREPUTATIONS

Neraillonspaslesfous;

leurfoliedurepluslongtempsquelanôtre....

Voilatouteladifférence."

Towardtheendoftheyear1920the

Chính phủ

GovernmentoftheUnitedStateshadpracticallycompletedtheprogramme,adopted

trong

duringthelastmonthsof

Tổng thống

PresidentWinthrop'sadministration.

Thecountrywasapparentlytranquil.

EverybodyknowshowtheTariffandLabourquestionsweresettled.

ThewarwithGermany,incidentonthatcountry'sseizureoftheSamoanIslands,hadleftnovisiblescarsupontherepublic,andthetemporaryoccupationofNorfolkbytheinvadingarmyhadbeenforgotteninthejoyoverrepeatednavalvictories,andthesubsequentridiculousplightof

Tướng

GeneralVonGartenlaube'sforcesinthe

Bang

StateofNewJersey.

TheCubanandHawaiianinvestmentshadpaidonehundredpercentandtheterritoryofSamoawaswell

đáng

worthitscostasacoaling

trạm

station.

Thecountrywasinasuperbstateofdefence.

Everycoastcityhadbeenwellsuppliedwithlandfortifications;

thearmyundertheparentaleyeofthe

Tổng

GeneralStaff,organizedaccordingtothePrussiansystem,hadbeenincreasedto300,000men,withaterritorialreserveofamillion;

andsixmagnificentsquadronsofcruisersandbattle-shipspatrolledthesixstationsofthenavigableseas,leavingasteamreserveamplyfittedtocontrolhomewaters.

Thegentlemenfromthe

Tây

Westhadatlastbeenconstrainedtoacknowledgethata

đại học

collegeforthetrainingofdiplomatswasas

cần thiết

necessaryaslawschoolsareforthetrainingofbarristers;

consequentlywewerenolongerrepresentedabroadbyincompetentpatriots.

Thenationwasprosperous;

Chicago,foramomentparalyzedafterasecondgreatfire,hadrisenfromitsruins,whiteandimperial,andmorebeautifulthanthewhitecitywhichhadbeenbuiltforitsplaythingin1893.

Ở khắp mọi nơi

Everywheregoodarchitecturewasreplacingbad,andeveninNewYork,asuddencravingfordecencyhadsweptawayagreatportionoftheexistinghorrors.

Streetshadbeenwidened,properlypavedandlighted,treeshadbeenplanted,squareslaidout,elevatedstructuresdemolishedandundergroundroadsbuilttoreplacethem.

Thenew

chính phủ

governmentbuildingsandbarrackswerefinebitsofarchitecture,andthelongsystemof

đá

stonequayswhichcompletelysurroundedtheislandhadbeenturnedintoparkswhichprovedagod-sendtothepopulation.

Thesubsidizingofthestatetheatreandstateoperabroughtitsownreward.

TheUnitedStatesNationalAcademyofDesignwasmuchlikeEuropeaninstitutionsofthesamekind.

NobodyenviedtheSecretaryofFineArts,eitherhiscabinet

vị trí

positionorhisportfolio.

TheSecretaryofForestryandGamePreservationhadamucheasiertime,thankstothenewsystemofNationalMountedPolice.

WehadprofitedwellbythelatesttreatieswithFranceandEngland;

theexclusionofforeign-bornJewsasameasureofself-preservation,thesettlementofthenewindependentnegrostateofSuanee,thecheckingofimmigration,thenewlawsconcerningnaturalization,andthegradualcentralizationofpowerintheexecutiveallcontributedtonationalcalmandprosperity.

Whenthe

Chính phủ

GovernmentsolvedtheIndianproblemandsquadronsofIndiancavalryscoutsinnativecostumeweresubstitutedforthepitiableorganizationstackedontothetailofskeletonizedregimentsbyaformerSecretaryofWar,thenationdrewalongsighofrelief.

When,afterthecolossalCongressofReligions,bigotryandintolerancewerelaidintheirgravesandkindnessandcharitybegantodrawwarringsectstogether,manythoughtthemillenniumhadarrived,atleastinthenewworldwhichafterallisaworldbyitself.

Butself-preservationisthefirstlaw,andtheUnitedStateshadtolookoninhelplesssorrowasGermany,Italy,SpainandBelgiumwrithedinthethroesofAnarchy,whileRussia,watchingfromtheCaucasus,stoopedandboundthemonebyone.

InthecityofNewYorkthesummerof1899wassignalizedbythedismantlingoftheElevatedRailroads.

Thesummerof1900willliveinthememoriesofNewYorkpeopleformanyacycle;

theDodgeStatuewasremovedinthatyear.

Inthefollowingwinterbeganthatagitationfortherepealofthelawsprohibitingsuicidewhichboreits

cuối cùng

finalfruitinthemonthofApril,1920,whenthefirst

Chính phủ

GovernmentLethalChamberwasopenedonWashingtonSquare.

IhadwalkeddownthatdayfromDr.Archer'shouseonMadisonAvenue,whereIhadbeenasamereformality.

Eversincethatfallfrommy

ngựa

horse,fouryearsbefore,Ihadbeentroubledattimeswithpainsinthebackofmyheadand

cổ

neck,butnowformonthstheyhadbeenabsent,andthedoctorsentmeawaythatdaysayingtherewasnothingmoretobecuredinme.

Itwashardly

đáng

worthhisfeetobetoldthat;

Iknewitmyself.

StillIdidnotgrudgehimthemoney.

WhatImindedwasthe

sai lầm

mistakewhichhemadeatfirst.

WhentheypickedmeupfromthepavementwhereIlayunconscious,andsomebodyhadmercifullysentabulletthroughmyhorse'shead,IwascarriedtoDr.Archer,andhe,pronouncingmybrainaffected,placedmeinhis

tư

privateasylumwhereIwasobligedtoenduretreatmentforinsanity.

AtlasthedecidedthatIwaswell,andI,knowingthatmymindhadalwaysbeenassoundashis,ifnotsounder,"paidmytuition"ashejokinglycalledit,andleft.

Itoldhim,smiling,thatIwouldgetevenwithhimforhis

sai lầm

mistake,andhelaughedheartily,andaskedmetocallonceinawhile.

Ididso,hopingforachancetoevenupaccounts,buthegaveme

không

none,andItoldhimIwouldwait.

Thefallfrommyhorsehadfortunatelyleftnoevilresults;

onthecontraryithadchangedmywholecharacterforthebetter.

Fromalazyyoungmanabouttown,Ihadbecomeactive,energetic,temperate,and

trên

aboveall—oh,aboveallelse—ambitious.

Therewasonlyonethingwhichtroubledme,Ilaughedatmyownuneasiness,andyetittroubledme.

DuringmyconvalescenceIhadboughtandreadforthefirsttime,TheKinginYellow.

Irememberafterfinishingthefirst

hành động

actthatitoccurredtomethatIhadbetterstop.

Istartedupandflungthebookintothefireplace;

thevolumestruckthebarredgrateandfellopenonthehearthinthefirelight.

IfIhadnotcaughtaglimpseoftheopeningwordsinthesecond

hành động

actIshouldneverhavefinishedit,butasIstoopedtopickitup,myeyesbecamerivetedtotheopenpage,andwitha

khóc

cryofterror,orperhapsitwasofjoysopoignantthatIsufferedineverynerve,Isnatchedthethingoutofthecoalsandcreptshakingtomybedroom,whereIreaditandrereadit,andweptandlaughedandtrembledwithahorrorwhichattimesassailsmeyet.

Thisisthethingthattroublesme,forIcannotforgetCarcosawhereblackstarshangintheheavens;

wheretheshadowsofmen'sthoughtslengthenintheafternoon,whenthetwinsunssinkintothelakeofHali;

andmymindwillbearforeverthememoryofthePallidMask.

IprayGodwillcursethewriter,asthewriterhascursedtheworldwiththisbeautiful,stupendouscreation,terribleinitssimplicity,irresistibleinitstruth—aworldwhichnowtremblesbeforetheKinginYellow.

WhentheFrench

Chính phủ

GovernmentseizedthetranslatedcopieswhichhadjustarrivedinParis,London,ofcourse,becameeagertoreadit.

Itiswellknownhowthebookspreadlikeaninfectiousdisease,fromcitytocity,fromcontinenttocontinent,barredouthere,confiscatedthere,denouncedby

Báo chí

Pressandpulpit,censuredevenbythemostadvancedofliteraryanarchists.

Nodefiniteprincipleshadbeenviolatedinthosewickedpages,nodoctrinepromulgated,noconvictionsoutraged.

Itcouldnotbejudgedbyanyknownstandard,yet,althoughitwasacknowledgedthatthesupremenoteofarthadbeenstruckinTheKinginYellow,allfeltthathumannaturecouldnot

chịu

bearthestrain,northriveonwordsinwhichtheessenceofpurestpoisonlurked.

Theverybanalityandinnocenceofthefirst

hành động

actonlyallowedtheblowtofallafterwardwithmoreawfuleffect.

Itwas,Iremember,the13thdayofApril,1920,thatthefirst

Chính phủ

GovernmentLethalChamberwasestablishedonthesouthsideofWashingtonSquare,betweenWoosterStreetandSouthFifthAvenue.

Theblockwhichhadformerlyconsistedofalotofshabbyoldbuildings,usedascafésandrestaurantsforforeigners,hadbeenacquiredbythe

Chính phủ

Governmentinthewinterof1898.

TheFrenchandItaliancafésandrestaurantsweretorndown;

thewholeblockwasenclosedbyagildedironrailing,andconvertedintoa

yêu

lovelygardenwithlawns,flowersandfountains.

Inthecentreofthegardenstoodasmall,white

tòa nhà

building,severelyclassicalinarchitecture,andsurroundedbythicketsofflowers.

SixIoniccolumnssupportedtheroof,andthe

duy nhất

singledoorwasofbronze.

Asplendidmarble

nhóm

groupofthe"Fates"stoodbeforethedoor,theworkofayoungAmericansculptor,BorisYvain,whohaddiedinPariswhenonlytwenty-threeyearsold.

TheinaugurationceremonieswereinprogressasIcrossedUniversityPlaceandenteredthesquare.

Ithreadedmywaythroughthesilentthrongofspectators,butwasstoppedatFourthStreetbyacordonofpolice.

AregimentofUnitedStateslancersweredrawnupinahollowsquare

quanh

roundtheLethalChamber.

OnaraisedtribunefacingWashingtonParkstoodtheGovernorofNewYork,andbehindhimweregroupedtheMayorofNewYorkandBrooklyn,theInspector-GeneralofPolice,theCommandantofthestatetroops,ColonelLivingston,militaryaidtothe

Tổng thống

PresidentoftheUnitedStates,GeneralBlount,commandingatGovernor's

Đảo

Island,Major-GeneralHamilton,commandingthegarrisonofNewYorkandBrooklyn,AdmiralBuffbyofthefleetinthe

Bắc

NorthRiver,Surgeon-GeneralLanceford,thestaffoftheNationalFreeHospital,SenatorsWyseandFranklinofNewYork,andtheCommissionerof

Công

PublicWorks.

ThetribunewassurroundedbyasquadronofhussarsoftheNationalGuard.

TheGovernorwasfinishinghisreplytothe

ngắn

shortspeechoftheSurgeon-General.

Iheardhimsay:

"Thelawsprohibitingsuicideandprovidingpunishmentforanyattemptatself-destructionhavebeenrepealed.

The

Chính phủ

Governmenthasseenfittoacknowledgetherightofmantoendanexistencewhichmayhavebecomeintolerabletohim,throughphysicalsufferingormentaldespair.

Itisbelievedthatthecommunitywillbebenefitedbytheremovalofsuchpeoplefromtheirmidst.

Sincethepassageofthislaw,thenumberofsuicidesintheUnitedStateshasnotincreased.

Nowthe

Chính phủ

GovernmenthasdeterminedtoestablishaLethalChamberineverycity,townand

làng

villageinthecountry,itremainstobeseen

liệu

whetherornotthatclassofhumancreaturesfromwhosedespondingranksnewvictimsofself-destructionfalldailywill

chấp nhận

acceptthereliefthusprovided."

Hepaused,andturnedtothewhiteLethalChamber.

Thesilenceinthestreetwasabsolute.

"Thereapainlessdeathawaitshimwhocannolonger

chịu

bearthesorrowsofthislife.

Ifdeathiswelcomelethimseekitthere."

Then

nhanh chóng

quicklyturningtothemilitaryaidofthePresident'shousehold,hesaid,"IdeclaretheLethalChamberopen,"andagainfacingthevastcrowdhecriedinaclear

giọng nói

voice:

"CitizensofNewYorkandoftheUnitedStatesofAmerica,throughmethe

Chính phủ

GovernmentdeclarestheLethalChambertobeopen."

Thesolemnhushwasbrokenbyasharpcryofcommand,thesquadronofhussarsfiledaftertheGovernor'scarriage,thelancerswheeledandformedalongFifthAvenuetowaitforthecommandantofthegarrison,andthemountedpolicefollowedthem.

IleftthecrowdtogapeandstareatthewhitemarbleDeathChamber,and,crossingSouthFifthAvenue,walkedalongthewesternsideofthatthoroughfaretoBleeckerStreet.

ThenIturnedtotherightandstoppedbeforeadingy

cửa hàng

shopwhichborethesign:.

HAWBERK,ARMOURER.

IglancedinatthedoorwayandsawHawberkbusyinhislittle

cửa hàng

shopattheendofthehall.

Helookedup,andcatchingsightofmecriedinhisdeep,hearty

giọng nói

voice,"Comein,Mr.Castaigne!"

Constance,hisdaughter,rosetomeetmeasIcrossedthethreshold,andheldoutherprettyhand,butIsawtheblushofdisappointmentonhercheeks,andknewthatitwasanotherCastaigneshehadexpected,mycousinLouis.

Ismiledatherconfusionandcomplimentedheronthebannershewasembroideringfromacolouredplate.

OldHawberksatrivetingtheworngreavesofsomeancientsuitofarmour,andtheting!

ting!

ofhislittlehammersoundedpleasantlyinthequaint

cửa hàng

shop.

Presentlyhedroppedhishammer,andfussedaboutforamomentwithatinywrench.

Thesoftclashofthemailsentathrillofpleasurethroughme.

Ilovedtohearthemusicofsteelbrushingagainststeel,themellowshockofthemalletonthighpieces,andthejingleofchainarmour.

ThatwastheonlyreasonIwenttoseeHawberk.

Hehadnever

quan tâm đến

interestedmepersonally,nordidConstance,exceptforthefactofherbeinginlovewithLouis.

Thisdidoccupymyattention,andsometimesevenkeptmeawakeatnight.

ButIknewinmyheartthatallwouldcomeright,andthatIshouldarrangetheir

tương lai

futureasIexpectedtoarrangethatofmykinddoctor,JohnArcher.

Tuy nhiên

However,Ishouldneverhavetroubledmyselfaboutvisitingthemjustthen,haditnotbeen,asIsay,thatthemusicofthetinklinghammerhadformethisstrongfascination.

Iwouldsitforhours,listeningandlistening,andwhenastraysunbeamstrucktheinlaidsteel,thesensationitgavemewasalmosttookeentoendure.

Myeyeswouldbecomefixed,dilatingwithapleasurethatstretchedeverynervealmosttobreaking,untilsomemovementoftheoldarmourercutoffthe

tia

rayofsunlight,then,stillthrillingsecretly,Ileanedbackandlistenedagaintothesoundofthepolishingrag,swish!

swish!

rubbingrustfromtherivets.

Constanceworkedwiththeembroideryoverherknees,nowandthenpausingtoexaminemorecloselythepatterninthecolouredplatefromtheMetropolitanMuseum.

Whoisthisfor?"

Iasked.

Hawberkexplained,thatinadditiontothetreasuresofarmourintheMetropolitanMuseumofwhichhehadbeenappointedarmourer,healsohadchargeofseveralcollectionsbelongingto

giàu

richamateurs.

Thiswasthemissinggreaveofafamoussuitwhichaclientofhishadtracedtoalittle

cửa hàng

shopinParisontheQuaid'Orsay.

He,Hawberk,hadnegotiatedforandsecuredthegreave,andnowthesuitwascomplete.

Helaiddownhishammerandreadmethe

lịch sử

historyofthesuit,tracedsince1450fromownertoowneruntilitwasacquiredbyThomasStainbridge.

Whenhissuperbcollectionwassold,thisclientofHawberk'sboughtthesuit,andsincethenthesearchforthemissinggreavehadbeenpusheduntilitwas,almostbyaccident,locatedinParis.

Didyou

tiếp tục

continuethesearchsopersistentlywithoutanycertaintyofthegreavebeingstillinexistence?"

Idemanded.

Ofcourse,"herepliedcoolly.

ThenforthefirsttimeItooka

cá nhân

personalinterestinHawberk.

Itwas

trị

worthsomethingtoyou,"Iventured.

No,"hereplied,laughing,"my

vui

pleasureinfindingitwasmyreward."

Haveyounoambitiontoberich?"

Iasked,smiling.

Myoneambitionistobethebestarmourerintheworld,"heansweredgravely.

ConstanceaskedmeifIhadseentheceremoniesattheLethalChamber.

SheherselfhadnoticedcavalrypassingupBroadwaythatmorning,andhadwishedtoseetheinauguration,butherfatherwantedthebannerfinished,andshehadstayedathisrequest.

Didyouseeyourcousin,Mr.Castaigne,there?"

sheasked,withtheslightesttremorofhersofteyelashes.

No,"Irepliedcarelessly.

"Louis'regimentismanœuvringoutinWestchesterCounty."

Iroseandpickedupmyhatandcane.

Areyougoingupstairstoseethelunaticagain?"

laughedoldHawberk.

IfHawberkknewhowIloathethatword"lunatic,"hewouldneveruseitinmypresence.

ItrousescertainfeelingswithinmewhichIdonotcareto

giải thích

explain.

However,Iansweredhimquietly:

"IthinkIshalldropinandseeMr.Wildeforamomentortwo."

Poorfellow,"saidConstance,withashakeofthehead,"itmustbehardtolivealoneyearafteryearpoor,crippledandalmostdemented.

Itisverygoodofyou,Mr.Castaigne,to

thăm

visithimasoftenasyoudo."

Ithinkheisvicious,"observedHawberk,beginningagainwithhishammer.

Ilistenedtothegoldentinkleonthegreaveplates;

whenhehadfinishedIreplied:.

No,heisnotvicious,

cũng

norisheintheleastdemented.

Hismindisawonderchamber,fromwhichhecanextracttreasuresthatyouandIwouldgiveyearsofourlifetoacquire."'.

Hawberklaughed.

Icontinuedalittleimpatiently:

"Heknows

lịch sử

historyasnooneelsecouldknowit.

Nothing,howevertrivial,escapeshissearch,andhismemoryissoabsolute,sopreciseindetails,thatwereitknowninNewYorkthatsuchamanexisted,thepeoplecouldnothonourhimenough."

Nonsense,"mutteredHawberk,searchingonthefloorforafallenrivet.

Isitnonsense,"Iasked,managingtosuppresswhatIfelt,"isitnonsensewhenhesaysthatthetassetsandcuissardsoftheenamelledsuitofarmourcommonlyknownasthe'Prince'sEmblazoned'canbefoundamongamassofrustytheatricalproperties,brokenstovesandragpicker'srefuseinagarretinPellStreet?"

Hawberk'shammerfelltothe

đất

ground,buthepickeditupandasked,withagreatdealofcalm,howIknewthatthetassetsandleftcuissardweremissingfromthe"Prince'sEmblazoned."

IdidnotknowuntilMr.Wildementionedittometheotherday.

Hesaidtheywereinthegarretof998PellStreet."

Nonsense,"hecried,butInoticedhishandtremblingunderhisleathernapron.

Isthisnonsensetoo?"

Iaskedpleasantly,"isitnonsensewhenMr.WildecontinuallyspeaksofyouastheMarquisofAvonshireandofMissConstance—".

Ididnot

hoàn thành

finish,forConstancehadstartedtoher

chân

feetwithterrorwrittenoneveryfeature.

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

giọng nói

voicewassweetandcalm.

Letus

đồng ý

agree,ifyouplease,thatinthisonecircumstanceMr.Wildeiswrong,"Isaid.

Iclimbedthethreedilapidatedflightsofstairs,whichIhadso

thường

oftenclimbedbefore,andknockedatasmalldoorattheendofthecorridor.

Mr.WildeopenedthedoorandIwalkedin.

Whenhehaddouble-lockedthedoorandpusheda

nặng

heavychestagainstit,hecameandsatdownbesideme,peeringupintomyfacewithhislittlelight-colouredeyes.

Halfadozennewscratchescoveredhis

mũi

noseandcheeks,andthesilverwireswhichsupportedhisartificialearshadbecomedisplaced.

IthoughtIhadneverseenhimsohideouslyfascinating.

Hehadnoears.

Theartificialones,whichnowstoodoutatananglefromthefinewire,werehisoneweakness.

Theyweremadeofwaxandpaintedashellpink,buttherestofhisfacewasyellow.

Hemightbetterhaverevelledintheluxuryofsomeartificialfingersforhislefthand,whichwas

hoàn toàn

absolutelyfingerless,butitseemedtocausehimnoinconvenience,andhewassatisfiedwithhiswaxears.

Hewasverysmall,scarcelyhigherthanachildoften,buthisarmsweremagnificentlydeveloped,andhisthighsasthickasanyathlete's.

Still,themostremarkablethingaboutMr.Wildewasthatamanofhismarvellousintelligenceandknowledgeshouldhavesuchahead.

Itwasflatandpointed,liketheheadsofmanyofthoseunfortunateswhompeopleimprisoninasylumsfortheweak-minded.

Manycalledhiminsane,butIknewhimtobeassaneasIwas.

Idonotdenythathewaseccentric;

themaniahehadforkeepingthatcatandteasingheruntilsheflewathisfacelikeademon,was

chắc chắn

certainlyeccentric.

Inevercouldunderstandwhyhekeptthecreature,

cũng

norwhatpleasurehefoundinshuttinghimselfupinhisroomwiththissurly,viciousbeast.

Irememberonce,glancingupfromthemanuscriptIwasstudyingbythelightofsometallowdips,andseeingMr.Wildesquattingmotionlessonhishighchair,hiseyesfairlyblazingwithexcitement,whilethecat,whichhadrisenfromherplacebeforethestove,camecreepingacrossthe

sàn

floorrightathim.

BeforeIcouldmovesheflattenedherbellytothe

đất

ground,crouched,trembled,andsprangintohisface.

Howlingandfoamingtheyrolledoverandoveronthefloor,scratchingandclawing,untilthecatscreamedandfledunderthecabinet,andMr.Wildeturnedoveronhisback,hislimbscontractingandcurlinguplikethelegsofadyingspider.

Hewaseccentric.

Mr.

Wildehadclimbedintohishighchair,and,afterstudyingmyface,pickedupadog's-earedledgerandopenedit.

HenryB.

Matthews,"heread,"book-keeperwithWhysotWhysotandCompany,dealersin

nhà thờ

churchornaments.

CalledApril3rd.

Reputationdamagedontherace-track.

Knownasawelcher.

ReputationtoberepairedbyAugust1st.

RetainerFiveDollars."

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