SIR LUCIUS GRAFTON was five or six years older than the Duke of St. James, although he had been his contemporary at Eton. He, too, had been a minor2, and had inherited an estate capable of supporting the becoming dignity of an ancient family. In appearance he was an Antinous. There was, however, an expression of firmness, almost of ferocity, about his mouth, which quite prevented his countenance3 from being effeminate, and broke the dreamy voluptuousness4 of the rest of his features. In mind he was a roué. Devoted5 to pleasure, he had racked the goblet6 at an early age; and before he was five-and-twenty procured7 for himself a reputation which made all women dread8 and some men shun9 him. In the very wildest moment of his career, when he was almost marked like Cain, he had met Lady Aphrodite Maltravers. She was the daughter of a nobleman who justly prided himself, in a degenerate10 age, on the virtue11 of his house. Nature, as if in recompense for his goodness, had showered all her blessings13 on his only daughter. Never was daughter more devoted to a widowed sire; never was woman influenced by principles of purer morality.
This was the woman who inspired Sir Lucius Grafton with an ungovernable passion. Despairing of success by any other method, conscious that, sooner or later, he must, for family considerations, propagate future baronets of the name of Grafton, he determined14 to solicit15 her hand. But for him to obtain it, he was well aware, was difficult. Confident in his person, his consummate16 knowledge of the female character, and his unrivalled powers of dissimulation17, Sir Lucius arranged his dispositions18. The daughter feared, the father hated him. There was indeed much to be done; but the remembrance of a thousand triumphs supported the adventurer. Lady Aphrodite was at length persuaded that she alone could confirm the reformation which she alone had originated. She yielded to a passion which her love of virtue had alone kept in subjection. Sir Lucius and Lady Aphrodite knelt at the feet of the old Earl. The tears of his daughter, ay! and of his future son-in-law — for Sir Lucius knew when to weep — were too much for his kind and generous heart. He gave them his blessing12, which faltered20 on his tongue.
A year had not elapsed ere Lady Aphrodite woke to all the wildness of a deluded21 woman. The idol22 on whom she had lavished23 all the incense24 of her innocent affections became every day less like a true divinity. At length even the ingenuity25 of a passion could no longer disguise the hideous26 and bitter truth. She was no longer loved. She thought of her father. Ah, what was the madness of her memory!
The agony of her mind disappointed her husband’s hope of an heir, and the promise was never renewed.
In vain she remonstrated27 with the being to whom she was devoted: in vain she sought by meek28 endurance again to melt his heart. It was cold; it was callous29. Most women would have endeavoured to recover their lost influence by different tactics; some, perhaps, would have forgotten their mortification30 in their revenge. But Lady Aphrodite had been the victim of passion, and now was its slave. She could not dissemble.
Not so her spouse31. Sir Lucius knew too well the value of a good character to part very easily with that which he had so unexpectedly regained32. Whatever were his excesses, they were prudent33 ones. He felt that boyhood could alone excuse the folly34 of glorying in vice35; and he knew that, to respect virtue, it was not absolutely necessary to be virtuous36. No one was, apparently37, more choice in his companions than Sir Lucius Grafton; no husband was seen oftener with his wife; no one paid more respect to age, or knew better when to wear a grave countenance. The world praised the magical influence of Lady Aphrodite; and Lady Aphrodite, in private, wept over her misery38. In public she made an effort to conceal39 all she felt; and, as it is a great inducement to every woman to conceal that she is neglected by the man whom she adores, her effort was not unsuccessful. Yet her countenance might indicate that she was little interested in the scene in which she mixed. She was too proud to weep, but too sad to smile. Elegant and lone19, she stood among her crushed and lovely hopes like a column amid the ruins of a beautiful temple.
The world declared that Lady Aphrodite was desperately40 virtuous, and the world was right. A thousand fireflies had sparkled round this myrtle, and its fresh and verdant41 hue42 was still unsullied and unscorched. Not a very accurate image, but pretty; and those who have watched a glancing shower of these glittering insects will confess that, poetically43, the bush might burn. The truth is, that Lady Aphrodite still trembled when she recalled the early anguish44 of her broken sleep of love, and had not courage enough to hope that she might dream again. Like the old Hebrews, she had been so chastened for her wild idolatry that she dared not again raise an image to animate45 the wilderness46 of her existence. Man she at the same time feared and despised. Compared with her husband, all who surrounded her were, she felt, in appearance inferior, and were, she believed, in mind the same.
We know not how it is, but love at first sight is a subject of constant ridicule47; but, somehow, we suspect that it has more to do with the affairs of this world than the world is willing to own. Eyes meet which have never met before, and glances thrill with expression which is strange. We contrast these pleasant sights and new emotions with hackneyed objects and worn sensations. Another glance and another thrill, and we spring into each other’s arms. What can be more natural?
Ah, that we should awake so often to truth so bitter! Ah, that charm by charm should evaporate from the talisman48 which had enchanted49 our existence!
And so it was with this sweet woman, whose feelings grow under the pen. She had repaired to a splendid assembly to play her splendid part with the consciousness of misery, without the expectation of hope. She awaited without interest the routine which had been so often uninteresting; she viewed without emotion the characters which had never moved. A stranger suddenly appeared upon the stage, fresh as the morning dew, and glittering like the morning star. All eyes await, all tongues applaud him. His step is grace, his countenance hope, his voice music! And was such a being born only to deceive and be deceived? Was he to run the same false, palling50, ruinous career which had filled so many hearts with bitterness and dimmed the radiancy of so many eyes? Never! The nobility of his soul spoke51 from his glancing eye, and treated the foul52 suspicion with scorn. Ah, would that she had such a brother to warn, to guide, to love!
So felt the Lady Aphrodite! So felt; we will not say so reasoned. When once a woman allows an idea to touch her heart, it is miraculous53 with what rapidity the idea is fathered by her brain. All her experience, all her anguish, all her despair, vanished like a long frost, in an instant, and in a night. She felt a delicious conviction that a knight54 had at length come to her rescue, a hero worthy55 of an adventure so admirable. The image of the young Duke filled her whole mind; she had no ear for others’ voices; she mused56 on his idea with the rapture57 of a votary58 on the mysteries of a new faith.
Yet strange, when he at length approached her, when he addressed her, when she replied to that mouth which had fascinated even before it had spoken, she was cold, reserved, constrained59. Some talk of the burning cheek and the flashing eye of passion; but a wise man would not, perhaps, despair of the heroine who, when he approaches her, treats him almost with scorn, and trembles while she affects to disregard him.
Lady Aphrodite has returned home: she hurries to her apartment, she falls in a sweet reverie, her head leans upon her hand. Her soubrette, a pretty and chattering60 Swiss, whose republican virtue had been corrupted61 by Paris, as Rome by Corinth, endeavours to divert Mer lady’s ennui62: she excruciates her beautiful mistress with tattle about the admiration63 of Lord B——— and the sighs of Sir Harry64. Her Ladyship reprimands her for her levity65, and the soubrette, grown sullen66, revenges herself for her mistress’s reproof67 by converting the sleepy process of brushing into lively torture.
The Duke of St. James called upon Lady Aphrodite Grafton the next day, and at an hour when he trusted to find her alone. He was not disappointed. More than once the silver-tongued pendule sounded during that somewhat protracted68 but most agreeable visit. He was, indeed, greatly interested by her, but he was an habitual69 gallant70, and always began by feigning71 more than he felt. She, on the contrary, who was really in love, feigned72 much less. Yet she was no longer constrained, though calm. Fluent, and even gay, she talked as well as listened, and her repartees more than once called forth73 the resources of her guest. She displayed a delicate and even luxurious74 taste, not only in her conversation, but (the Duke observed it with delight) in her costume. She had a passion for music and for flowers; she sang a romance, and she gave him a rose. He retired75 perfectly76 fascinated.
点击收听单词发音
1 reprobate | |
n.无赖汉;堕落的人 | |
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2 minor | |
adj.较小(少)的,较次要的;n.辅修学科;vi.辅修 | |
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3 countenance | |
n.脸色,面容;面部表情;vt.支持,赞同 | |
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4 voluptuousness | |
n.风骚,体态丰满 | |
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5 devoted | |
adj.忠诚的,忠实的,热心的,献身于...的 | |
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6 goblet | |
n.高脚酒杯 | |
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7 procured | |
v.(努力)取得, (设法)获得( procure的过去式和过去分词 );拉皮条 | |
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8 dread | |
vt.担忧,忧虑;惧怕,不敢;n.担忧,畏惧 | |
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9 shun | |
vt.避开,回避,避免 | |
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10 degenerate | |
v.退步,堕落;adj.退步的,堕落的;n.堕落者 | |
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11 virtue | |
n.德行,美德;贞操;优点;功效,效力 | |
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12 blessing | |
n.祈神赐福;祷告;祝福,祝愿 | |
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13 blessings | |
n.(上帝的)祝福( blessing的名词复数 );好事;福分;因祸得福 | |
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14 determined | |
adj.坚定的;有决心的 | |
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15 solicit | |
vi.勾引;乞求;vt.请求,乞求;招揽(生意) | |
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16 consummate | |
adj.完美的;v.成婚;使完美 [反]baffle | |
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17 dissimulation | |
n.掩饰,虚伪,装糊涂 | |
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18 dispositions | |
安排( disposition的名词复数 ); 倾向; (财产、金钱的)处置; 气质 | |
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19 lone | |
adj.孤寂的,单独的;唯一的 | |
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20 faltered | |
(嗓音)颤抖( falter的过去式和过去分词 ); 支吾其词; 蹒跚; 摇晃 | |
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21 deluded | |
v.欺骗,哄骗( delude的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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22 idol | |
n.偶像,红人,宠儿 | |
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23 lavished | |
v.过分给予,滥施( lavish的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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24 incense | |
v.激怒;n.香,焚香时的烟,香气 | |
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25 ingenuity | |
n.别出心裁;善于发明创造 | |
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26 hideous | |
adj.丑陋的,可憎的,可怕的,恐怖的 | |
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27 remonstrated | |
v.抗议( remonstrate的过去式和过去分词 );告诫 | |
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28 meek | |
adj.温顺的,逆来顺受的 | |
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29 callous | |
adj.无情的,冷淡的,硬结的,起老茧的 | |
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30 mortification | |
n.耻辱,屈辱 | |
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31 spouse | |
n.配偶(指夫或妻) | |
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32 regained | |
复得( regain的过去式和过去分词 ); 赢回; 重回; 复至某地 | |
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33 prudent | |
adj.谨慎的,有远见的,精打细算的 | |
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34 folly | |
n.愚笨,愚蠢,蠢事,蠢行,傻话 | |
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35 vice | |
n.坏事;恶习;[pl.]台钳,老虎钳;adj.副的 | |
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36 virtuous | |
adj.有品德的,善良的,贞洁的,有效力的 | |
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37 apparently | |
adv.显然地;表面上,似乎 | |
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38 misery | |
n.痛苦,苦恼,苦难;悲惨的境遇,贫苦 | |
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39 conceal | |
v.隐藏,隐瞒,隐蔽 | |
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40 desperately | |
adv.极度渴望地,绝望地,孤注一掷地 | |
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41 verdant | |
adj.翠绿的,青翠的,生疏的,不老练的 | |
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42 hue | |
n.色度;色调;样子 | |
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43 poetically | |
adv.有诗意地,用韵文 | |
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44 anguish | |
n.(尤指心灵上的)极度痛苦,烦恼 | |
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45 animate | |
v.赋于生命,鼓励;adj.有生命的,有生气的 | |
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46 wilderness | |
n.杳无人烟的一片陆地、水等,荒漠 | |
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47 ridicule | |
v.讥讽,挖苦;n.嘲弄 | |
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48 talisman | |
n.避邪物,护身符 | |
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49 enchanted | |
adj. 被施魔法的,陶醉的,入迷的 动词enchant的过去式和过去分词 | |
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50 palling | |
v.(因过多或过久而)生厌,感到乏味,厌烦( pall的现在分词 ) | |
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51 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 | |
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52 foul | |
adj.污秽的;邪恶的;v.弄脏;妨害;犯规;n.犯规 | |
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53 miraculous | |
adj.像奇迹一样的,不可思议的 | |
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54 knight | |
n.骑士,武士;爵士 | |
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55 worthy | |
adj.(of)值得的,配得上的;有价值的 | |
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56 mused | |
v.沉思,冥想( muse的过去式和过去分词 );沉思自语说(某事) | |
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57 rapture | |
n.狂喜;全神贯注;着迷;v.使狂喜 | |
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58 votary | |
n.崇拜者;爱好者;adj.誓约的,立誓任圣职的 | |
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59 constrained | |
adj.束缚的,节制的 | |
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60 chattering | |
n. (机器振动发出的)咔嗒声,(鸟等)鸣,啁啾 adj. 喋喋不休的,啾啾声的 动词chatter的现在分词形式 | |
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61 corrupted | |
(使)败坏( corrupt的过去式和过去分词 ); (使)腐化; 引起(计算机文件等的)错误; 破坏 | |
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62 ennui | |
n.怠倦,无聊 | |
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63 admiration | |
n.钦佩,赞美,羡慕 | |
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64 harry | |
vt.掠夺,蹂躏,使苦恼 | |
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65 levity | |
n.轻率,轻浮,不稳定,多变 | |
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66 sullen | |
adj.愠怒的,闷闷不乐的,(天气等)阴沉的 | |
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67 reproof | |
n.斥责,责备 | |
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68 protracted | |
adj.拖延的;延长的v.拖延“protract”的过去式和过去分词 | |
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69 habitual | |
adj.习惯性的;通常的,惯常的 | |
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70 gallant | |
adj.英勇的,豪侠的;(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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71 feigning | |
假装,伪装( feign的现在分词 ); 捏造(借口、理由等) | |
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72 feigned | |
a.假装的,不真诚的 | |
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73 forth | |
adv.向前;向外,往外 | |
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74 luxurious | |
adj.精美而昂贵的;豪华的 | |
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75 retired | |
adj.隐退的,退休的,退役的 | |
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76 perfectly | |
adv.完美地,无可非议地,彻底地 | |
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