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Sylvie and Bruno-Part7_Lewis Carrol(1832-1898)_English Literature(文学名著)-第2页

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'all things both great and small.'

The old man snatched it from him, and devoured it greedily, as some



hungry wild beast might have done, but never a word of thanks did he

give his little benefactor--only growled "More, more!" and glared at



the half-frightened children.

"There is no more!", Sylvie said with tears in her eyes.



"I'd eaten mine. It was a shame to let you be turned away like that.

I'm very sorry--"



I lost the rest of the sentence, for my mind had recurred, with a great

shock of surprise, to Lady Muriel Orme, who had so lately uttered these



very words of Sylvie's--yes, and in Sylvie's own voice, and with

Sylvie's gentle pleading eyes!



"Follow me!" were the next words I heard, as the old man waved his

hand, with a dignified grace that ill suited his ragged dress, over a



bush, that stood by the road side, which began instantly to sink into

the earth. At another time I might have doubted the evidence of my



eyes, or at least have felt some astonishment: but, in this strange

scene, my whole being seemed absorbed in strong curiosity as to what



would happen next.

When the bush had sunk quite out of our sight, marble steps were seen,



leading downwards into darkness. The old man led the way, and we

eagerly followed.



The staircase was so dark, at first, that I could only just see the

forms of the children, as, hand-in-hand, they groped their way down



after their guide: but it got lighter every moment, with a strange

silverybrightness, that seemed to exist in the air, as there were no



lamps visible; and, when at last we reached a level floor, the room,

in which we found ourselves, was almost as light as day.



It was eight-sided, having in each angle a slenderpillar, round which

silken draperies were twined. The wall between the pillars was entirely



covered, to the height of six or seven feet, with creepers, from which

hung quantities of ripe fruit and of brilliant flowers, that almost hid



the leaves. In another place, perchance, I might have wondered to see

fruit and flowers growing together: here, my chief wonder was that



neither fruit nor flowers were such as I had ever seen before.

Higher up, each wall contained a circular window of coloured glass;



and over all was an arched roof, that seemed to be spangled all over

with jewels.



With hardly less wonder, I turned this way and that, trying to make out

how in the world we had come in: for there was no door: and all the



walls were thickly covered with the lovely creepers.

"We are safe here, my darlings!" said the old man, laying a hand on



Sylvie's shoulder, and bending down to kiss her. Sylvie drew back

hastily, with an offended air: but in another moment, with a glad cry



of "Why, it's Father!", she had run into his arms.

[Image...A beggar's palace]



"Father! Father!" Bruno repeated: and, while the happy children

were being hugged and kissed, I could but rub my eyes and say



"Where, then, are the rags gone to?"; for the old man was now dressed

in royal robes that glittered with jewels and gold embroidery,



and wore a circlet of gold around his head.

CHAPTER 6.



THE MAGIC LOCKET.

"Where are we, father?" Sylvie whispered, with her arms twined closely



around the old man's neck, and with her rosy cheek lovingly pressed to

his.



"In Elfland, darling. It's one of the provinces of Fairyland."

"But I thought Elfland was ever so far from Outland: and we've come



such a tiny little way!"

"You came by the Royal Road, sweet one. Only those of royal blood can



travel along it: but you've been royal ever since I was made King of

Elfland that's nearly a month ago. They sent two ambassadors, to make



sure that their invitation to me, to be their new King, should reach me.

One was a Prince; so he was able to come by the Royal Road,



and to come invisibly to all but me: the other was a Baron;

so he had to come by the common road, and I dare say he hasn't even



arrived yet."

"Then how far have we come?" Sylvie enquired.



"Just a thousand miles, sweet one, since the Gardener unlocked that

door for you."



"A thousand miles!" Bruno repeated. "And may I eat one?"

"Eat a mile, little rogue?"



"No," said Bruno. "I mean may I eat one of that fruits?"

"Yes, child," said his father: "and then you'll find out what






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