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Studies in Natural
Products Chemistry
Volume 52
Edited by
Atta-ur-Rahman, FRS
International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences
H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry
University of Karachi
Karachi, Pakistan
Elsevier
Radarweg 29, PO Box 211, 1000 AE Amsterdam, Netherlands
The Boulevard, Langford Lane, Kidlington, Oxford OX5 1GB, United Kingdom
50 Hampshire Street, 5th Floor, Cambridge, MA 02139, United States
This book and the individual contributions contained in it are protected under copyright by
the Publisher (other than as may be noted herein).
Notices
Knowledge and best practice in this field are constantly changing. As new research and
experience broaden our understanding, changes in research methods, professional practices,
or medical treatment may become necessary.
Practitioners and researchers must always rely on their own experience and knowledge in
evaluating and using any information, methods, compounds, or experiments described
herein. In using such information or methods they should be mindful of their own safety and
the safety of others, including parties for whom they have a professional responsibility.
To the fullest extent of the law, neither the Publisher nor the authors, contributors, or editors,
assume any liability for any injury and/or damage to persons or property as a matter of
products liability, negligence or otherwise, or from any use or operation of any methods,
products, instructions, or ideas contained in the material herein.
ISBN: 978-0-444-63931-8
ISSN: 1572-5995
Eugene V. Babaev (69), Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia; Moscow Institute
of Physics and Technology, Moscow, Russia
Luiz C.A. Barbosa (115), Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG,
Brazil; Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, MG, Brazil
Hailey M. Cambra (193), Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA,
United States
Monika Celuch (1), Institute of Nuclear Chemistry and Technology, Warsaw, Poland
Madhubrata Chaudhury (373), Presidency University, Kolkata, India
Li Chen (269), Université Paris Sud, Université Paris Saclay, Châtenay-Malabry,
France
Matthew R. Desrosiers (193), Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA,
United States
Abhijit Dey (373), Presidency University, Kolkata, India
Françoise Dumas (269), Université Paris Sud, Université Paris Saclay, Châtenay-
Malabry, France
Martha Estrella Garcı́a-Pérez (231), Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de
Hidalgo, Morelia, Mich, Mexico
Subhalakshmi Ghosh (303), Jadavpur University, Kolkata, India
Banasri Hazra (303), Jadavpur University, Kolkata, India
Sudipta Hazra (303), Jadavpur University, Kolkata, India
Kinga Hęclik (1), University of Rzeszów, Rzeszow, Poland
Pierre Betu Kasangana (231), Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
Joanna Kisa1a (1), University of Rzeszów, Rzeszow, Poland
Mohammad Kousara (269), Université Paris Sud, Université Paris Saclay, Châtenay-
Malabry, France
Franck Le Bideau (269), Université Paris Sud, Université Paris Saclay, Châtenay-
Malabry, France
Agnieszka Mas1owska (1), University of Rzeszów, Rzeszow, Poland
Anuradha Mukherjee (373), MMHS, Dakshin Brasat, West Bengal, India
Antonio Pérez-Gálvez (159), Instituto de la Grasa, CSIC, Seville, Spain
xiii
xiv Contributors
Diana C.G.A. Pinto (337), Department of Chemistry & Organic Chemistry, Natural
Products and Food Stuffs (QOPNA), University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago,
Aveiro, Portugal
Dariusz Pogocki (1), University of Rzeszów, Rzeszow, Poland; Institute of Nuclear
Chemistry and Technology, Warsaw, Poland
Dina Rassias (193), Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA, United States
Marı́a Roca (159), Instituto de la Grasa, CSIC, Seville, Spain
Ana M.L. Seca (337), cE3c-Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental
Changes/Azorean Biodiversity Group & Faculty of Sciences and Technology,
University of Azores, Rua Mãe de Deus, Ponta Delgada, Portugal; Department of
Chemistry & Organic Chemistry, Natural Products and Food Stuffs (QOPNA),
University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, Aveiro, Portugal
Artur M.S. Silva (337), Department of Chemistry & Organic Chemistry, Natural
Products and Food Stuffs (QOPNA), University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago,
Aveiro, Portugal
Tatjana Stevanovic (231), Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
Melissa J. Towler (193), Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA,
United States
Eduardo V.V. Varejão (115), Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, MG, Brazil
Jodieh O.S. Varejão (115), Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte,
MG, Brazil; Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, MG, Brazil
Pamela J. Weathers (193), Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA,
United States
Lai Wei (269), Université Paris Sud, Université Paris Saclay, Châtenay-Malabry,
France
Preface
xv
xvi Preface
naturally found in plants and can act as a valuable source for designing novel
therapeutic agents. Hazra et al. present an overview of the recent findings on
some important phytochemicals, their molecular targets, and mechanism of
action against leishmania parasites in Chapter 8. Further in Chapter 9, Seca
et al. describe the biological activities of parthenolide and parthenolide-like
sesquiterpene lactones isolated from several families of plants, fungi, and
invertebrates. These are biologically active compounds with potential thera-
peutic and medical applications against cancer, inflammation, septic shock,
and others syndromes.
The family Apocynaceae contains approximately 250 genera and 2000
species. Many alkaloids that are isolated from this family are clinically
important. The origin, pharmacology, medicinal significance, structural, and
biological properties of these compounds have been discussed by Dey et al. in
Chapter 10.
I hope that this volume will be of great interest for the readers. I would like
to appreciate the efforts Ms. Taqdees Malik and Ms. Humaira Hashmi for their
help and assistance in the preparation of this volume. I am also grateful to
Mr. Mahmood Alam for the editorial support.
Chapter Outline
Introduction 2 Metal Oxide Nanoparticles 20
Key Concepts of Biological Zinc Oxide (ZnO) 20
Nanosynthesis, State of the Art 4 Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) 21
Biosynthesis of NPs by Bacteria 6 Zirconium Dioxide (ZrO2) 22
Metal Nanoparticles 6 Biosynthesis of NPs in Plant
Silver 6 Extracts 23
Gold 9 Metal Nanoparticles 23
Copper 11 Silver 23
Metal Oxide Nanoparticles 12 Gold 30
Zinc Oxide (ZnO) 12 Copper 34
Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) 13 Metal Oxide NPs 35
Biosynthesis of NPs by Fungi 15 Copper Oxide (CuO) 35
Metal Nanoparticles 15 Zinc Oxide (ZnO) 36
Silver 15 Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) 38
Gold 18 Zirconium Dioxide (ZrO2) 40
INTRODUCTION
Since the advent of nanotechnology (the last quarter century), a plethora of NPs
synthesis methods has been developed. The synthetic pathways are established
based on the two main philosophies or ideas: (1) top-downdmethods of
controlled “crumbling” of macroscopic materials by the mechanical or chemical
techniques until the size of the particles reaches the nanoscale [1], and (2)
bottom-updmethods of molecular nanotechnology assembling organic or
inorganic nanostructures (e.g., NPs) from very small blocks; atom by atom,
molecule by molecule, or nanoparticle by nanoparticledaccording on expected
properties of the nanostructure. This quite complicated and sophisticated
approach (CVD methods, solegel process, chemical reduction of metal salts)
allows gradual increase of precursory particles, i.e., nucleation, where every step
of such synthesis can utilize different blocks (atoms, molecules, etc.) [2]. Well-
known techniques, such as ball milling process, photolithography, and electron
beam lithography, anodization, and ion etching and plasma etching (PE), belong
to top-down type of approach. Both general pathways can be accomplished in
various environments, i.e., solutions, gas phase, supercritical fluids, or vacuum
[3]. So far, chemical and physicalechemical methods dominate in current
technological practice. The main disadvantages of physical methods are the
quality of the product. Moreover, these methods require costly vacuum systems
or equipments to prepare nanoparticles.
The efficiency of the chemical synthesis methods to the utmost degree
depends on the availability of particular reagents, metals, metal oxides, inor-
ganic metal salts, or its metalorganic precursors [4]. The other main disad-
vantages are demanding reaction conditions such as certain range of
temperature and pressure, application of inflammable solvents, etc. The use-
fulness of the method can be additionally limited by the lack of its scalability
and/or control of the crystalline suspension [5]. Several types of NPs chemical
synthesis methods can be distinguished: the gas phase, the solegel [3,4], the
sonochemical processes [6], the hydrodynamic cavitation technology [7], the
microemulsion method [8], and the high energy milling (machining) [9,10].
Chemical and physical nanoparticles preparation methods are not eco-
friendly, due to the requirement of hazardous chemicals, production of
Natural Environments Chapter j 1 3
aqueos solution
NADH
NAD+
+
Ag
Enzyme narGHIJ
e nitrate (NADH-dependent
reductase nitrate reductase)
Ag0
FIGURE 1.1 Scheme of Ag-NPs formation from AgNO3 within the cells of Bacillus lichen-
oformis [47].
Control over the size and shape of NPs is the main challenge of the
synthesis. It has been shown that such control can be achieved in the bio-
logical environment simply by varying physicochemical parameters. For
example, Gurunathan et al. were able to control the size of Ag-NPs, formed
in Escherichia coli strain, by managing temperature, pH, and concentration
of AgNO3 [49,50]. Based on the experience with various microorganisms, it
has been hypothesized that the size of Ag-NPs is related to surface density of
the nuclei: increase of pH and/or decrease of temperature induces high
density of small size nuclei causing production of numerous smaller NPs
(Fig. 1.2) [51].
In the last decade a lot of articles have been published in the field of
biologically assisted synthesis of noble metals (i.e., Ag, Au) NPs [14,29].
Therefore, in following chapters we will try to focus on some recently issued
papers. We decide to almost literally quote these of quite well-documented,
reproducible synthetic procedures that are followed by reasonable explana-
tion of their achievements. However, at the end of the paper we made an
attempt to rationalize mechanistic considerations.
Metal Nanoparticles
Silver
For the production of Ag-NPs, Hosseini-Abari and coworkers utilized vege-
tative cells and spores of Bacillus stratosphericus isolated from soil [52].
Vegetative cells and spore solution were separately added into aqueous solu-
tion of AgNO3 and the control (aqueous solution without AgNO3) [53]. In
order to complete Ag-NPs production, the suspensions were incubated at room
temperature, from 5 up to 20 h, whereas Ag-NPs formation was examined by
UVeVis absorption spectra measurement at different time intervals. The pH
value equal to 7 has been found to be the best for Ag-NPs synthesis (see
Fig. 1.3). One can hypothesize that neutral pH is the optimal for performance
of the enzymes involved in the process (see below).
The XRD, TEM, and EDS techniques have shown that NPs aggregates on
the spore surface are of the size in the 2e20 nm range [53].
The exact mechanism for Ag-NPs production by bacteria has not yet been
understood [53,54]. However, NADH-dependent enzymes, nitrate reductase,
and catalase had to be considered as participants of the possible mechanisms
Nanoparticles
No Type Bacteria Species Reducing/Capping Agent Description References
1. Ag Bacillus stratosphericus Dipicolinic acid Structure: crystalline fcc [53]
NSNP KC480583 Shape: spherical, triangular
Bacillus stratosphericus Size range: 2e20 nm
spores
2. Ag Bacillus subtilis ATCC Nitrate reductase, other Structure: no data [54]
6633 peptides/proteins Shape: spherical
Size range: 5e50 nm
3. Au Stenotrophomonas NADPH-dependent Structure: no data [57]
maltophilia reductase enzyme Shape: oval Retracted
Diameter: 40 nm
7
Continued
TABLE 1.1 Bacterial Nanoparticles Synthesisdcont’d
Gold
Nangia et al. demonstrated [57] the synthesis of Au-NPs by a novel bacterial
strain isolated from a site near the gold mines located in Eastern India. A
promising mechanism for the biosynthesis of Au-NPs by this strain, and their
stabilization via charge capping was investigated. The Au-NPs biosynthesis
from chloroauric acid (HAuCl4) involves specific NADPH-dependent reduc-
tase enzyme that converts AuIII to Au0 through electron shuttle enzymatic
reduction. A solution of HAuCl4 in a suspension of Stenotrophomonas mal-
tophilia living cells (at 25 C) changed progressively from light yellow to
cherry red showing formation of Au-NPs. The spectra revealed a strong ab-
sorption at nearly 530 nm after 8 h of incubation, gradually showing a red shift
with time. The intense plasmon resonance band and TEM images indicated the
formation of spherical Au-NPs of c. 40 nm diameter. The EDS spectroscopy
confirmed the presence of Au-NPs in the suspension, whereas cryo-TEM
imaging showed the presence of Au-NPs on the inner cytoplasmic mem-
brane. It is likely that some Au3þ cations can cross the cell barrier through ion-
transport channel and can be reduced within the cytoplasm by the enzymes
10 Studies in Natural Products Chemistry
NADPH NADP+
reductase NH2
O N
-O P O CH2
O NH2
O H H
3+ 0
Au Au H H
N
N
OH OH
N N
-O PH O CH2
O
O- H H
H H
OH
NADPH O
-O P O
O
Au0
present on the cytoplasmic membrane. The study suggested that the biosyn-
thesis of Au-NPs and their stabilization via charge capping in S. maltophilia
involved NADPH-dependent reductase enzyme that converts Au3þ to Au0
through electron shuttle enzymatic metal-reduction process. For more evi-
dence, biomass was incubated with various concentrations of NADPH
(0.05e0.8 mM NADPH). Control experiments, without the addition of cell-
free extract either in the presence or the absence of NADPH, showed no
change in the color of suspension. However, addition of NADPH in the cell-
free extract showed the Au-NPs formation. This confirms the formation of
Au-NPs only in the presence of both biomass and NADPH. Zeta potential
measurements of Au-NPs showed a peak at 16.7 mV, explained by capping
of Au-NPs by negatively charged phosphate ions from NADP. Based on these
findings, a schematic representation of the potential mechanism of Au-NPs
synthesis by S. maltophilia through enzymatic reduction is proposed
(Fig. 1.4). The enzyme involved in the synthesis of Au-NPs that reduces metal
ions to metallic NPs may be a particular reductase of gene expression induced
by the specific ions.
Radhika and Suman in their investigation [58] used the gram-negative soil
proteobacteria Pseudomonas fluorescens to produce Ag-NPs of uniform size and
distribution that are stable in the solution. The bacteria were incubated for 48 h
with broth containing auric chloride (AuCl3) solution at 37 C and pH in the range
6e7. The color of the reaction solution turned from pale yellow to deep red
indicating the formation of Au-NPs, i.e., the auric chloride ions ðAuCl4 Þ were
reduced during the exposure to bacterial biomass. The synthesized Au-NPs of the
size 20e80 nm were characterized by UVeVis, TEM, SEM, and FTIR.
Natural Environments Chapter j 1 11
Copper
Copper NPs have also gained significant attention from the scientific com-
munity as a more economically viable alternative to noble metals NPs [61,62].
The synthesis of Cu-NPs in metallic form is challenging due to its propensity
for surface oxidation; therefore general fabrication protocols typically involve
a laborious process under controlled environment. Conversely, bacteria like
Serratia sp. isolated from insect gut and E. coli, when challenged with aqueous
copper precursors, were able to synthesize a mixture of copper and copper
12 Studies in Natural Products Chemistry
Ag+ or Au3+
AEMB Culture
NADH
e
NAD+
Ag or Au NPs
Singh et al. [66] have shown the procedure for ZnO-NPs synthesis from
Zn(NO3)2 in the cell extract of the cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. L31, at
neutral pH. After 3 days incubation at 25 C in a shaker (150 rpm/min), a
spherical with hexagonal crystalline structure ZnO-NPs of 80 nm diameter
were obtained.
OH
O OH
H O H
H OH OH
OH H H3C H3C
HO OH
O O
H OH pyruvate lactate
+ −
NAHCO3 ⇔ Na + HCO 3
− −
HCO 3 ⇔ CO 2 + OH
TiO − ( OH ) 2 → TiO 2 + H 2 O
δ δ
H O
O O O H
Ti O Ti O
:
HO OH
N HO H
Titanyl hydroxide
-H2O
H2N
Glycyl-L-proline
NH2 O
N Ti3+
O
:
O H
O
TiO2 NPs
Nanoparticles
No Type Fungi Species Reducing/Capping Agent Description References
1. Ag Penicillium purpurogenum Enzymes, proteins, and other Structure: crystalline fcc [73]
NPMF (MTCC 7356) organic molecules Shape: irregular, nonuniform
Size range: 10e40 nm depending
on pH
11. ZrO2 Fusarium oxysporum cationic proteins of molecular Structure: Crystalline, monoclinic [76]
17
18 Studies in Natural Products Chemistry
Gold
The biosynthesis of Au-NPs from HAuCl4, by extracellular components of the
phytopathogenic fungus Botrytis cinerea was performed by Castro et al. [75].
The authors performed a series of clever experiments somewhat clarifying the
mechanism of the synthesis. The biosynthesis of Au-NPs through the use of
mycelium-free fungal culture filtrates in the presence of HAuCl4 was verified
through a gradual color change from a pale yellow to a dark purple. The color
change of the culture filtrate started immediately after mixing the components
Natural Environments Chapter j 1 19
SOLUTION
-ν e
secretion
HAuCl4 H+ + AuCl4 NADH dependent Fungal biomass
reductase enzyme
+νe
NAD+
NADH
NADH dependent cysteine caped
reductase enzyme AuNPs
-e
Au3+
Au0 AuNPs
cysteine
electron to reductase and oxidizes into NADþ in the reaction mixture. Further,
this enzyme is oxidized by the instantaneous reduction of gold ions (Au3þ to
Au0). Then Au0 undergoes a nucleation process to get its optimum size, the
size of NPs depends on various parameters (like nature of reducing and
capping agent, temperature, pH, etc.). Cysteine has the ability to encapsulate
the Au-NPs to reduce the stress condition. This phenomenon provides stability
to the Au-NPs. The possible mechanism of fungal-mediated synthesis of Au-
NPs has been illustrated in Fig. 1.7.
the bottom of the flask indicating the transformation. The reaction mixture was
cooled and incubated at room temperature for 15 h. The synthesized ZnO-NPs
were characterized by UVeVis, XRD, SEM, TEM, PL, TGA, and DTA. X-ray
diffraction measurements confirmed that the product has good crystalline
structure and the calculated crystallite size of the powder particles is about
25 nm. SEM micrograph showed the average size of NPs between 15 and
25 nm. The size and morphology of ZnO particles analyzed by TEM reveals
that most of the ZnO-NPs are quasispherical and their diameter is about
20 nm. This result is in accordance with the value calculated from the XRD
diffraction.
OH
H OH
H H3C O H3C O
OH H H3C OH
HO OH
H OH OH
H3C O
H3C O
+
+ H
OH -
O
NAHCO3 ⇔ Na + HCO3−
+
HCO3− ⇔ CO2 + OH −
until white deposition starts to appear at the bottom of the tube, indicating the
transformation. Then the culture solution was cooled and allowed to incubate
at room temperature. After 12e48 h, the culture solution was observed to have
distinctly visible coalescent white clusters deposited at the bottom of the tube.
The formation of TiO2-NPs was checked by the XRD technique. The mean
particle size is c. 12.6 nm. The chemical reactions, which proceed in the
culture medium, may be as follows (Scheme 1.3).
percentage of the tetragonal phase. It is clear from the XRD results that
calcination improves the crystallinity of obtained ZrO2-NPs.
It was found that the fungus F. oxysporum secretes at least two low mo-
lecular weight cationic proteins capable of hydrolyzing aqueous ZrF6 2 to
form oxide NPs extracellularly at room temperature.
The data on the nanoparticles synthesized by fungi described in this section
are presented in Table 1.2.
stabilization
Ag
Ag
protein layer Ag
Ag
Ag
Ag
Ag
AgNPs
FIGURE 1.8 The plausible mechanism of the formation of Ag-NPs using Lantana camara [87].
24 Studies in Natural Products Chemistry
pertinent to note that the leaf extracts specifically affected on the size of NPs
and had prevented their oxidation. In this tendency, proteins and all secondary
metabolites of extract play a critical role in both reducing and capping
mechanism of NPs formation.
This method allowed the synthesis of crystalline NPs, which was confirmed
by XRD and SAED patterns. The XPS analysis confirmed the formation of
metallic silver and elucidates the surface state composition of Ag-NPs.
UVeVis spectra of Ag-NPs and visual perception of brownish yellow color
from a colorless reaction mixture confirmed NPs formation. XRD analysis was
employed to determine the crystal phase and structure of as prepared Ag-NPs.
Rise of concentration of extract result in decreased crystallite size from 24 to
11 nm. The elemental compositional analysis of the green synthesized Ag-NPs
has been carried out using EDS and reveals the existence of silver as a major
component. FESEM images indicate the nearly spherical nanoparticles for-
mation. Similarly AFM, TEM, UVeVis, and PL measurements confirm these
observations.
Recently lingonberry and cranberry juices were used for AgNP synthesis
[91]. The berry juices were characterized by total phenolics, total anthocya-
nins, and benzoic acid content. Different amounts of berry juices
(50e300 mL, 10% concentration) and aqueous solution of AgNO3 were added
to the distilled water for synthesis of Ag-NPs. Solutions were illuminated by
black light UV rays (360 nm, 7 W) for 30 min. Lingonberry and cranberry
juices without AgNO3 solutions were used as control samples. UVeVis
spectroscopy and microscopy confirmed the formation of NPs. Broad LSPR
peaks (485 nm, cranberry juices; 520 nm, lingonberry juices) in the UVeVis
spectra indicated the formation of polydispersive Ag-NPs. Microscopic
examination confirmed the formation of Ag-NPs in investigated solutions.
The hyperspectral microscopic images provided information about the size
and shape of the NPs (observed sphere was pentagon, rounded-triangle, and
triangle-shaped particles). The detailed characterization of the synthesized
Ag-NPs by TEM confirmed the formation of NPs differing in shape and size.
Distribution of their diameters ranged from 6 to 60 nm at an average of
30e50 nm. The microscopic analysis revealed that there was no significant
difference between solutions of Ag-NPs synthesized using lingonberry and
cranberry juices.
Lu et al. [92] reported biosynthesis of Ag-NPs by reducion of AgNO3 with
the extract of Gardenia jasminoides Ellis, where amount of aqueous AgNO3
was added into a flask with previously prepared plant extract and incubated in
a water bath shaker (30 C, 150 rpm). The NPs were characterized by UVeVis
spectroscopy, FTIR spectra, and SEM. The results indicated that the
G. jasminoides Ellis extract can reduce silver ions to form Ag-NPs, stabilize
the NPs, and affect the growth of silver nanocrystals to form silver nanowires.
Authors identified reducing agents in G. jasminoides Ellis extract. For this
purpose the resulting Ag-NPs was obtained by the reactions of AgNO3 with
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Ainsi que je le prévoyais, lady Evans et sa nièce assistaient à la
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de Grouville, il s’y trouvait déjà nombreuse société. Dehors, sur une
terrasse sablée, se poursuivait l’inévitable partie de tennis.
J’ai rempli en conscience mon rôle d’être revêtu d’une notoriété
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compliments. Je me suis laissé présenter par Mme de Grouville à
plusieurs femmes de types et d’âges divers, qui ont cru devoir me
parler de mon dernier roman, ce dont je les eusse volontiers
dispensées… Seule, lady Evans n’a heureusement pas pensé
nécessaire de se répandre en félicitations plus ou moins
quelconques, et j’ai goûté près d’elle le très vif plaisir de causer avec
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même toit nous abrite, nous avons échangé autre chose que des
paroles de pure politesse, et j’ai vu lady Evans sortir de la réserve
mélancolique et légèrement hautaine, dont elle paraît s’envelopper
pour empêcher les paroles indifférentes ou curieuses d’arriver
jusqu’à elle, capables de raviver peut-être quelque ancienne
blessure.
Tout en causant avec elle, je cherchais du regard miss Lilian, que
je ne voyais pas dans le salon. Tout à coup, je l’ai aperçue. Elle était
sur le seuil de la porte-fenêtre, vêtue d’une robe claire, d’un bleu de
pâle turquoise ; une grande collerette de crêpe, de même teinte,
dégageait la nuque et le col très fin ; et la pleine lumière baignait,
sans scrupule, sa belle carnation de blonde. En ce moment, avec
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fille, qui relevait pleinement ses lèvres sur des dents incomparables.
Puis elle est entrée, en compagnie de son inséparable Enid, a pris
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debout, comme si son corps souple et jeune fût destiné à ne sentir
jamais la nécessité d’un repos. Ses yeux limpides, d’une étonnante
vivacité d’expression, faisant le tour du salon, m’ont effleuré. Ensuite
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beau garçon de vingt-quatre à vingt-cinq ans, Henry Digbay, blond,
robuste et musclé, qui est en état de constante admiration à son
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Alors, comme Mme de Grouville passait près de moi, je l’ai
arrêtée, lui demandant de me présenter à miss Evans. Elle a répété,
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— A miss Evans ? Parfaitement… Le charme opère donc sur
vous aussi ?… Vous avez raison, d’ailleurs, de désirer connaître ma
petite amie autrement que de vue… Elle est adorable, et vaut la
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Et, sans plus attendre, s’avançant vers miss Lilian, elle lui a dit,
de sa façon brusque, en souriant :
— Ma petite, je vous présente l’auteur d’un certain nombre de
livres affreusement beaux… Faites de lui tout ce que vous voudrez,
et bien vite, car, dans un moment, je vais venir vous enlever.
Et, sur cette déclaration, elle nous a laissés. Miss Lilian y avait
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— Savez-vous, monsieur, que Mme de Grouville a une façon de
parler de vos œuvres qui me donne bien envie de les connaître
autrement que de nom… Jusqu’ici, je ne les ai guère vues en ma
possession.
— Parce qu’elles ne méritaient pas d’y être mises, ai-je répondu
en toute sincérité. Et certes, en cet instant, j’eusse mieux aimé brûler
certaines d’entre elles que de voir ces yeux clairs de jeune fille les
parcourir même.
Une légère flamme rose a passé sur ses joues et drôlement elle
m’a dit, avec son très léger accent anglais :
— Alors il me faut les réserver pour plus tard, quand je serai
vieille ou mariée. En attendant, je suis aise de vous connaître parce
que j’avais entendu bien des fois prononcer votre nom, et parce que
j’aime beaucoup à connaître les hommes célèbres.
Cela dit très simplement, sans ombre de compliment dans la
voix, tandis qu’elle fendait un petit morceau de glace et le portait à
sa bouche d’enfant aux lèvres caressantes. Je n’ai point relevé ses
paroles, et, désireux d’échapper à une conversation dont j’étais
l’objet, j’ai demandé, au hasard, à miss Lilian :
— Vous plaisez-vous à Vevey ?
— Oui… oh ! mon Dieu, oui !… Mais je m’y plairais bien plus
encore, si je n’y trouvais tant de tramways, de lumière électrique, de
magasins et d’autres choses du même genre !
— Vraiment ?… Alors vous n’appréciez pas ce qu’il est d’usage
d’appeler les « bienfaits du progrès » ?
Elle s’est mise à rire.
— Pas toujours autant que je le devrais ! Mais je suis une vraie
sauvage, prétend Enid. Certainement je trouve admirables bien des
œuvres et des inventions de mes semblables ; mais, par-dessus
tout, j’aime ce qui est beau sans qu’ils y aient touché. Ici, par
bonheur, s’il y a des tramways, il y a aussi le lac, les couchers de
soleil, la neige, la Dent du Midi, des roses qui sentent bon, etc. Et
puis les montagnes ne sont point trop hautes, et ainsi me paraissent
moins irritantes !
— Irritantes ?
— Mais oui, irritantes ; elles se dressent pour empêcher la vue : il
est vrai qu’elles font ainsi leur rôle de montagnes !… Mais elles
écrasent de leur grandeur les pauvres mortels microscopiques
devant elles. Les montagnes très élevées me donnent une sensation
d’étouffement, un désir de bébé d’étendre les mains en avant pour
les repousser… J’aime tant l’espace ! Sans doute, parce que j’ai
grandi au bord de la mer et que je l’adore comme une vraie amie…
— Pas plus vraie ni meilleure que moi ! conclut miss Enid, qui
vient se mêler à la conversation et interrompre miss Lilian dans la
révélation de ses goûts.
Elle est suivie aussitôt de Mme de Grouville, dont la grande et
belle main se pose sur la tête blonde de miss Evans.
— Ma petite fille, vous avez fait connaissance avec notre ami
Noris, qui souhaitait vous être présenté. Vous le retrouverez ce soir
à l’hôtel. Maintenant, je vous réclame : venez nous faire un peu de
musique.
Quel talent possède donc cette enfant, pour que Mme de
Grouville, dont le goût est si difficile, la fasse entendre chez elle,
dans son salon, connu pour les remarquables séances musicales
qu’elle y donne.
Miss Lilian s’est assise au piano, elle enlève ses longs gants, les
jette de côté sur une petite table, et sourit à Henry Digbay, qui les
ramasse précieusement, car ils ont glissé à terre. Puis elle se met à
chanter…
J’ai entendu de très grandes cantatrices dans ma vie, j’ai admiré
des voix splendides, je n’en ai pas écouté qui, plus que celle de
cette jeune fille, fût capable de s’emparer des âmes, de les
étreindre, de les emporter en plein rêve… Le contralto, qu’elle a très
étendu, avec de superbes notes graves, sonores et chaudes,
gagnera en souplesse et en moelleux avec le travail et les années,
mais il ne pourra gagner en puissance d’expression… Elle possède
en elle-même ce don qui ne s’acquiert pas…
J’ai cru un instant que je la jugeais ainsi parce que la musique,
pour peu qu’elle soit bonne, opère sur moi à la manière d’un
charme ; mais, regardant froidement autour du salon, j’ai constaté
que, chez tous les auditeurs, à des degrés divers, selon les natures,
l’impression était identique à la mienne.
Miss Lilian ne semblait plus la même en chantant : elle n’était
plus une enfant, une jeune fille, mais une femme, surtout une artiste.
L’œil bleu brillait très grave et très profond sous la ligne fine et
sombre des cils ; le dessin juvénile du profil s’était accentué, et,
perdant quelque chose de sa grâce capricieuse, avait pris une
régularité de marbre antique.
Quand miss Lilian s’est tue, elle était blanche et ses lèvres
tremblaient ; mais quelqu’un l’a félicitée, et, au bout d’une seconde,
j’ai entendu de nouveau son rire de petite fille. A mon tour, je me
suis approché d’elle, et nous nous sommes mis à causer musique
jusqu’au moment où le bel Henry Digbay est venu implorer la grâce
de l’avoir pour partner dans une nouvelle partie qui s’organisait sur
le tennis court.
Lorsque je suis parti de chez Mme de Grouville, elle était toute au
jeu, animée, rieuse, la raquette à la main. Et je suis rentré charmé,
en ma qualité d’analyste, d’avoir, dès le premier moment, compris
que miss Lilian n’était point quelconque ; charmé aussi de penser
qu’en elle j’allais avoir un joli « papillon » à étudier…
25 mai.
27 mai.
5 juin.