It was seldom that she found herself alone with him in the morning, and, on these occasions, if she was silent in the hope of his speaking first, not a syllable5 would he utter; if she spoke6 to him indirectly7, he assented8 monosyllabically; if she questioned him, his answers were brief, constrained9, and evasive. Still, though her spirits were depressed10, her playfulness had not so totally forsaken11 her, but that it illuminated12 at intervals13 the gloom of Nightmare Abbey; and if, on any occasion, she observed in Scythrop tokens of unextinguished or returning passion, her love of tormenting14 her lover immediately got the better both of her grief and her sympathy, though not of her curiosity, which Scythrop seemed determined15 not to satisfy. This playfulness, however, was in a great measure artificial, and usually vanished with the irritable16 Strephon, to whose annoyance17 it had been exerted. The Genius Loci, the tutela of Nightmare Abbey, the spirit of black melancholy18, began to set his seal on her pallescent countenance19. Scythrop perceived the change, found his tender sympathies awakened20, and did his utmost to comfort the afflicted21 damsel, assuring her that his seeming inattention had only proceeded from his being involved in a profound meditation22 on a very hopeful scheme for the regeneration of human society. Marionetta called him ungrateful, cruel, cold-hearted, and accompanied her reproaches with many sobs23 and tears; poor Scythrop growing every moment more soft and submissive — till, at length, he threw himself at her feet, and declared that no competition of beauty, however dazzling, genius, however transcendent, talents, however cultivated, or philosophy, however enlightened, should ever make him renounce24 his divine Marionetta.
‘Competition!’ thought Marionetta, and suddenly, with an air of the most freezing indifference25, she said, ‘You are perfectly26 at liberty, sir, to do as you please; I beg you will follow your own plans, without any reference to me.’
Scythrop was confounded. What was become of all her passion and her tears? Still kneeling, he kissed her hand with rueful timidity, and said, in most pathetic accents, ‘Do you not love me, Marionetta?’
‘No,’ said Marionetta, with a look of cold composure: ‘No.’ Scythrop still looked up incredulously. ‘No, I tell you.’
‘Oh! very well, madam,’ said Scythrop, rising, ‘if that is the case, there are those in the world —’
‘To be sure there are, sir; — and do you suppose I do not see through your designs, you ungenerous monster?’
‘My designs? Marionetta!’
‘Yes, your designs, Scythrop. You have come here to cast me off, and artfully contrive27 that it should appear to be my doing, and not yours, thinking to quiet your tender conscience with this pitiful stratagem28. But do not suppose that you are of so much consequence to me: do not suppose it: you are of no consequence to me at all — none at all: therefore, leave me: I renounce you: leave me; why do you not leave me?’
Scythrop endeavoured to remonstrate29, but without success. She reiterated30 her injunctions to him to leave her, till, in the simplicity31 of his spirit, he was preparing to comply. When he had nearly reached the door, Marionetta said, ‘Farewell.’ Scythrop looked back. ‘Farewell, Scythrop,’ she repeated, ‘you will never see me again.’
‘Never see you again, Marionetta?’
‘I shall go from hence tomorrow, perhaps today; and before we meet again, one of us will be married, and we might as well be dead, you know, Scythrop.’
The sudden change of her voice in the last few words, and the burst of tears that accompanied them, acted like electricity on the tender-hearted youth; and, in another instant, a complete reconciliation32 was accomplished33 without the intervention34 of words.
There are, indeed, some learned casuists, who maintain that love has no language, and that all the misunderstandings and dissensions of lovers arise from the fatal habit of employing words on a subject to which words are inapplicable; that love, beginning with looks, that is to say, with the physiognomical expression of congenial mental dispositions35, tends through a regular gradation of signs and symbols of affection, to that consummation which is most devoutly36 to be wished; and that it neither is necessary that there should be, nor probable that there would be, a single word spoken from first to last between two sympathetic spirits, were it not that the arbitrary institutions of society have raised, at every step of this very simple process, so many complicated impediments and barriers in the shape of settlements and ceremonies, parents and guardians38, lawyers, Jew-brokers, and parsons, that many an adventurous39 knight40 (who, in order to obtain the conquest of the Hesperian fruit, is obliged to fight his way through all these monsters), is either repulsed41 at the onset42, or vanquished43 before the achievement of his enterprise: and such a quantity of unnatural44 talking is rendered inevitably45 necessary through all the stages of the progression, that the tender and volatile46 spirit of love often takes flight on the pinions47 of some of the επεα πτεροεντα, or winged words which are pressed into his service in despite of himself.
At this conjuncture, Mr Glowry entered, and sitting down near them, said, ‘I see how it is; and, as we are all sure to be miserable48 do what we may, there is no need of taking pains to make one another more so; therefore, with God’s blessing49 and mine, there’— joining their hands as he spoke.
Scythrop was not exactly prepared for this decisive step; but he could only stammer50 out, ‘Really, sir, you are too good;’ and Mr Glowry departed to bring Mr Hilary to ratify51 the act.
Now, whatever truth there may be in the theory of love and language, of which we have so recently spoken, certain it is, that during Mr Glowry’s absence, which lasted half an hour, not a single word was said by either Scythrop or Marionetta.
Mr Glowry returned with Mr Hilary, who was delighted at the prospect52 of so advantageous53 an establishment for his orphan54 niece, of whom he considered himself in some manner the guardian37, and nothing remained, as Mr Glowry observed, but to fix the day.
Marionetta blushed, and was silent. Scythrop was also silent for a time, and at length hesitatingly said, ‘My deal sir, your goodness overpowers me; but really you are so precipitate55.’
Now, this remark, if the young lady had made it, would, whether she thought it or not — for sincerity56 is a thing of no account on these occasions, nor indeed on any other, according to Mr Flosky — this remark, if the young lady had made it, would have been perfectly comme il faut; but, being made by the young gentleman, it was toute autre chose, and was, indeed, in the eyes of his mistress, a most heinous57 and irremissible offence. Marionetta was angry, very angry, but she concealed58 her anger, and said, calmly and coldly, ‘Certainly, you are much too precipitate, Mr Glowry. I assure you, sir, I have by no means made up my mind; and, indeed, as far as I know it, it inclines the other way; but it will be quite time enough to think of these matters seven years hence. Before surprise permitted reply, the young lady had locked herself up in her own apartment.
‘Why, Scythrop,’ said Mr Glowry, elongating59 his face exceedingly, ‘the devil is come among us sure enough, as Mr Toobad observes: I thought you and Marionetta were both of a mind.’
‘So we are, I believe, sir,’ said Scythrop, gloomily, and stalked away to his tower.
‘Mr Glowry,’ said Mr Hilary, ‘I do not very well understand all this.’
‘Whims60, brother Hilary,’ said Mr Glowry; ‘some little foolish love quarrel, nothing more. Whims, freaks, April showers. They will be blown over by tomorrow.’
‘If not,’ said Mr Hilary, ‘these April showers have made us April fools.’
‘Ah!’ said Mr Glowry, ‘you are a happy man, and in all your afflictions you can console yourself with a joke, let it be ever so bad, provided you crack it yourself. I should be very happy to laugh with you, if it would give you any satisfaction; but, really, at present, my heart is so sad, that I find it impossible to levy61 a contribution on my muscles.’

点击
收听单词发音

1
distrait
![]() |
|
adj.心不在焉的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
2
lengthened
![]() |
|
(时间或空间)延长,伸长( lengthen的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
3
diurnal
![]() |
|
adj.白天的,每日的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
4
seclusions
![]() |
|
n.隔绝,隔离,隐居( seclusion的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
5
syllable
![]() |
|
n.音节;vt.分音节 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
6
spoke
![]() |
|
n.(车轮的)辐条;轮辐;破坏某人的计划;阻挠某人的行动 v.讲,谈(speak的过去式);说;演说;从某种观点来说 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
7
indirectly
![]() |
|
adv.间接地,不直接了当地 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
8
assented
![]() |
|
同意,赞成( assent的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
9
constrained
![]() |
|
adj.束缚的,节制的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
10
depressed
![]() |
|
adj.沮丧的,抑郁的,不景气的,萧条的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
11
Forsaken
![]() |
|
adj. 被遗忘的, 被抛弃的 动词forsake的过去分词 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
12
illuminated
![]() |
|
adj.被照明的;受启迪的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
13
intervals
![]() |
|
n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 );间隔时间;[数学]区间;(戏剧、电影或音乐会的)幕间休息 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
14
tormenting
![]() |
|
使痛苦的,使苦恼的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
15
determined
![]() |
|
adj.坚定的;有决心的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
16
irritable
![]() |
|
adj.急躁的;过敏的;易怒的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
17
annoyance
![]() |
|
n.恼怒,生气,烦恼 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
18
melancholy
![]() |
|
n.忧郁,愁思;adj.令人感伤(沮丧)的,忧郁的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
19
countenance
![]() |
|
n.脸色,面容;面部表情;vt.支持,赞同 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
20
awakened
![]() |
|
v.(使)醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 );(使)觉醒;弄醒;(使)意识到 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
21
afflicted
![]() |
|
使受痛苦,折磨( afflict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
22
meditation
![]() |
|
n.熟虑,(尤指宗教的)默想,沉思,(pl.)冥想录 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
23
sobs
![]() |
|
啜泣(声),呜咽(声)( sob的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
24
renounce
![]() |
|
v.放弃;拒绝承认,宣布与…断绝关系 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
25
indifference
![]() |
|
n.不感兴趣,不关心,冷淡,不在乎 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
26
perfectly
![]() |
|
adv.完美地,无可非议地,彻底地 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
27
contrive
![]() |
|
vt.谋划,策划;设法做到;设计,想出 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
28
stratagem
![]() |
|
n.诡计,计谋 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
29
remonstrate
![]() |
|
v.抗议,规劝 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
30
reiterated
![]() |
|
反复地说,重申( reiterate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
31
simplicity
![]() |
|
n.简单,简易;朴素;直率,单纯 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
32
reconciliation
![]() |
|
n.和解,和谐,一致 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
33
accomplished
![]() |
|
adj.有才艺的;有造诣的;达到了的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
34
intervention
![]() |
|
n.介入,干涉,干预 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
35
dispositions
![]() |
|
安排( disposition的名词复数 ); 倾向; (财产、金钱的)处置; 气质 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
36
devoutly
![]() |
|
adv.虔诚地,虔敬地,衷心地 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
37
guardian
![]() |
|
n.监护人;守卫者,保护者 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
38
guardians
![]() |
|
监护人( guardian的名词复数 ); 保护者,维护者 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
39
adventurous
![]() |
|
adj.爱冒险的;惊心动魄的,惊险的,刺激的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
40
knight
![]() |
|
n.骑士,武士;爵士 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
41
repulsed
![]() |
|
v.击退( repulse的过去式和过去分词 );驳斥;拒绝 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
42
onset
![]() |
|
n.进攻,袭击,开始,突然开始 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
43
vanquished
![]() |
|
v.征服( vanquish的过去式和过去分词 );战胜;克服;抑制 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
44
unnatural
![]() |
|
adj.不自然的;反常的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
45
inevitably
![]() |
|
adv.不可避免地;必然发生地 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
46
volatile
![]() |
|
adj.反复无常的,挥发性的,稍纵即逝的,脾气火爆的;n.挥发性物质 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
47
pinions
![]() |
|
v.抓住[捆住](双臂)( pinion的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
48
miserable
![]() |
|
adj.悲惨的,痛苦的;可怜的,糟糕的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
49
blessing
![]() |
|
n.祈神赐福;祷告;祝福,祝愿 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
50
stammer
![]() |
|
n.结巴,口吃;v.结结巴巴地说 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
51
ratify
![]() |
|
v.批准,认可,追认 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
52
prospect
![]() |
|
n.前景,前途;景色,视野 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
53
advantageous
![]() |
|
adj.有利的;有帮助的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
54
orphan
![]() |
|
n.孤儿;adj.无父母的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
55
precipitate
![]() |
|
adj.突如其来的;vt.使突然发生;n.沉淀物 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
56
sincerity
![]() |
|
n.真诚,诚意;真实 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
57
heinous
![]() |
|
adj.可憎的,十恶不赦的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
58
concealed
![]() |
|
a.隐藏的,隐蔽的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
59
elongating
![]() |
|
v.延长,加长( elongate的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
60
WHIMS
![]() |
|
虚妄,禅病 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
61
levy
![]() |
|
n.征收税或其他款项,征收额 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
欢迎访问英文小说网 |