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AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS(环游世界80天)-第14部分

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Passepartout made it a point; as he made his purchases; to take a good look at the city。 It was formerly defended by a noble fort; which has since become a state prison; its commerce has dwindled away; and Passepartout in vain looked about him for such a bazaar as he used to frequent in Regent Street。 At last he came upon an elderly; crusty Jew; who sold second…hand articles; and from whom he purchased a dress of Scotch stuff; a large mantle; and a fine otter…skin pelisse; for which he did not hesitate to pay seventy…five pounds。 He then returned triumphantly to the station。 
The influence to which the priests of Pillaji had subjected Aouda began gradually to yield; and she became more herself; so that her fine eyes resumed all their soft Indian expression。 
When the poet…king; Ucaf Uddaul; celebrates the charms of the queen of Ahmehnagara; he speaks thus:…… 
‘Her shining tresses; divided in two parts; encircle the harmonious contour of her white and delicate cheeks; brilliant in their glow and freshness。 Her ebony brows have the form and charm of the bow of Kama; the god of love; and beneath her long silken lashes the purest reflections and a celestial light swim; as in the sacred lakes of Himalaya; in the black pupils of her great clear eyes。 Her teeth; fine; equal and white; glitter between her smiling lips like dew…drops in a passion…flower's half…enveloped breast。 Her delicately formed ears; her vermillion hands; her little feet; curved and tender as the lotus…bud; glitter with the brilliancy of the loveliest pearls of Ceylon; the most dazzling diamonds of Golconda。 Her narrow and supple waist; which a hand may clasp around; sets forth the outline of her rounded figure and the beauty of her bosom; where youth in its flower displays the wealth of its treasures; and beneath the silken folds of her tunic she seems to have been modelled in pure silver by the godlike hand of Vicvarcarma; the immortal sculptor。' 
It is enough to say; without applying this poetical rhapsody to Aouda; that she was a charming woman; in all the European acomeptation of the phrase。 She spoke English with great purity; and the guide had not exaggerated in saying that the young Parsee had been transformed by her bringing up。 
The train was about to start from Allahabad; and Mr Fogg proceeded to pay the guide the price agreed for his service; and not a farthing more; which astonished Passepartout; who remembered all that this master owed to the guide's devotion。 He had; indeed; risked his life in the adventure at Pillaji; and he should be caught afterwards by the Indians; he would with difficulty escape their vengeance。 Kiouni; also; must be disposed of。 What should be done with the elephant; which had been so dearly purchased? Phileas Fogg had already determined this question。 
‘Parsee;' said he to the guide; ‘you have been serviceable and devoted。 I have paid for your service; but not for your devotion。 Would you like to have this elephant? He is yours。' 
The guide's eyes glistened。 
‘Your honour is giving me a fortune!' cried he。 
‘Take him; guide;' returned Mr Fogg; ‘and I shall still be your debtor。' 
‘Good!' exclaimed Passepartout。 ‘Take him; friend。 Kiouni is a brave and faithful beast。' And; going up to the elephant; he gave him several lumps of sugar; saying; ‘Here; Kiouni; here; here。' 
The elephant grunted out his satisfaction; and; clasping Passepartout around the waist with his trunk; lifted him as high as his head。 Passepartout; not in the least alarmed; caressed the animal; which replaced him gently on the ground。 
Soon after; Phileas Fogg; Sir Francis Cromarty; and Passepartout; installed in a carriage with Aouda; who had the best seat; were whirling at full speed towards Benares。 It was a run of eighty miles; and was acomomplished in two hours。 During the journey; the young woman fully recovered her senses。 What was her astonishment to find herself in this carriage; on the railway; dressed in European habiliments; and with travellers who were quite strangers to her! Her companions first set about fully reviving her with a little liquor; and then Sir Francis narrated to her what had passed; dwelling upon the courage with which Phileas Fogg had not hesitated to risk his life to save her; and recounting the happy sequel of the venture; the result of Passepartout's rash idea。 Mr Fogg said nothing; while Passepartout; abashed; kept repeating that ‘it wasn't worth telling'。 
Aouda pathetically thanked her deliverers; rather with tears than words; her fine eyes interpreted her gratitude better than her lips。 Then; as her thoughts strayed back to the scene of the sacrifice; and recalled the dangers which still menaced her; she shuddered with terror。 
Phileas Fogg understood what was passing in Aouda's mind; and offered; in order to reassure her; to escort her to Hong Kong; where she might remain safely until the affair was hushed up … an offer which she eagerly and gratefully acomepted。 She had; it seems; a Parsee relation; who was one of the principal merchants of Hong Kong; which is wholly an English city; though on an island on the Chinese coast。 
At half…past twelve the train stopped at Benares。 The Brahmin legends assert that this city is built on the site of the ancient Casi; which; like Mahomet's tomb; was once suspended between heaven and earth; though the Benares of to…day; which the Orientalists call the Athens of India; stands quite unpoetically on the solid earth。 Passepartout caught glimpses of its brick houses and clay huts; giving an aspect of desolation to the place; as the train entered it。 
Benares was Sir Francis Cromarty's destination; the troops he was rejoining being encamped some miles northward of the city。 He bade adieu to Phileas Fogg; wishing him all sucomess; and expressing the hope that he would come that way again in a less original but more profitable fashion。 Mr Fogg lightly pressed him by the hand。 The parting of Aouda; who did not forget what she owed to Sir Francis; betrayed more warmth; and; as for Passepartout; he received a hearty shake of the hand from the gallant general。 
The railway; on leaving Benares; passed for a while along the valley of the Ganges。 Through the windows of their carriage the travellers had glimpses of the diversified landscape of Behar; with its mountains clothed in verdure; its fields of barley; wheat; and corn; its jungles peopled with green alligators; its neat villages; and its still thickly…leaved forests。 Elephants were bathing in the waters of the sacred river; and groups of Indians; despite the advanced season and chilly air; were performing solemnly their pious ablutions。 These were fervent Brahmins; the bitterest foes of Buddhism; their deities being Vishnu; the solar god; Shiva; the divine impersonation of natural forces; and Brahma; the supreme ruler of priests and legislators。 What would these divinities think of India; anglicized as it is to…day; with steamers whistling and scudding along the Ganges; frightening the gulls which float upon its surface; the turtles swarming along its banks; and the faithful dwelling upon its borders? 
The panorama passed before their eyes like a flash; save when the steam concealed it fitfully from the view; the travellers could scarcely discern the fort of Chupenie; twenty miles south…westward from Benares; the ancient stronghold of the rajahs of Behar; or Ghazipur and its famous rose…water factories; or the tomb of Lord Cornwallis; rising on the left bank of the Ganges; the fortified town of Buxar; or Patna; a large manufacturing and trading place; where is held the principal opium market of India; or Monghir; a more than European town; for it is as English as Manchester or Birmingham; with its iron foundries; edge…tool factories; and high chimneys puffing clouds of black smoke heavenward。 
Night came on; the train passed on at full speed; in the midst of the roaring of tigers; bears; and wolves which fled before the locomotive; and the marvels of Bengal; Golconda; ruined Gour; Murshedabad; the ancient capital; Burdwan; Hugly; and the French town of Chandernagor; where Passepartout would have been proud to see his country's flag flying; were hidden from their view in the darkness。 
Calcutta was reached at seven in the morning; and the packet left for Hong Kong at noon; so that Phileas Fogg had five hours before him。 
Acomording to his journal; he was due at Calcutta on the 25th of October; and that was the exact date of his actual arrival。 He was therefore neither behind…hand nor ahead of time。 The two days gained between London and Bombay had been lost; as has been seen; in the journey across India。 But it is not to be supposed that Phileas Fogg regretted them。 

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CHAPTER XV
IN WHICH THE BAG OF BANK…NOTES DISGORGES SOME THOUSANDS OF POUNDS MORE。
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The train entered the station; and Passepartout; jumping out first; was followed by Mr Fogg; who assisted his fair companion to descend。 Phileas Fogg intended to proceed at once to the Hong Kong steamer; in order to get Aouda comfortably settled for the voyage。 He was unwilling to leave her while they were still on dange
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