Dr. Roberts spoke1 so heartily2 and confidently that Aaron's anxiety was relieved, and the counsel that Rachel should be told nothing that was likely to disturb her was something like a reprieve4, as it prevented him from precipitating5 matters. A few days were still left for reflection, and he went forth6 to his public duties with a lighter7 heart.
Esther, meanwhile, was busy for some time attending to Rachel, who wished the young girl to remain with her till she was asleep. With Ruth's letter in her pocket, which had been delivered almost clandestinely8 at the house, and which she was enjoined9 to read when she was alone, she was compelled to bridle10 her impatience11. She did not dare to speak of it to Rachel, and the course the conversation took in the bedroom did not tend to compose her. Rachel spoke only of family matters, of her husband and children, and presently the conversation drifted entirely12 to the subject of Ruth.
"Young girls," said Rachel, "confide3 in each other. There is a true affection between you, is there not, my dear?"
"Yes," replied Esther, wondering what was coming, and dreading13 it.
"It happens sometimes," continued Rachel, with a sigh, "that parents do not entirely win their children's confidence. Joseph has not a secret from me. Do you think Ruth is quite happy, my dear?"
"I think so," said Esther.
"I am not asking you to break a confidence she may have reposed14 in you----"
Esther could not refrain from interrupting her.
"But, dear mother, I know nothing."
As she uttered the words a guilty feeling stole over her. What did the letter in her pocket contain?
Rachel drew the girl's face to hers, and caressed16 her.
"Now it is you," she said, "who are speaking as if you are in trouble. I am very inconsiderate; but love has its pains as well as its joys. You have no trouble, Esther?"
"None, dear mother. I am perfectly17 happy."
"See how mistaken I am; and I hope I am mistaken also about Ruth. I feared that she had some secret which she was concealing18 from me. Blind people are suspicious, and breed trouble for themselves and others."
"Not you, dear mother," said Esther, kissing her. "Now you must go to sleep. This is quite against the doctor's orders."
Rachel smiled and yielded. She took pleasure in being led by those she loved.
In the solitude19 of her chamber20 Esther read the letter.
"Darling Esther,--
"I am in great trouble, and you must help me. You are the only friend I have in the world----but no, I must not say that; it is not true. What I mean is, you are the only friend at home I can trust.
"Father and mother, and you, too, think I am in Portsmouth with your family. Dear Esther, I am in London; I have been in London all the week. The happiness of my life is in your hands; remember that.
"I went down to Portsmouth, but I only stayed two days. I told your father I had to pay a visit to other friends, and he believed me. And now I hear he is in London, and of course will come to the house. He is the only person you may tell; you must beg him not to say a word about my going from Portsmouth; you must make him promise; you don't know what depends upon it. Speak to him quietly, and say he must not betray me; he will do anything for you.
"Dear, darling Esther, I have a secret that I cannot disclose yet. I will soon--perhaps to-morrow, perhaps in a week; I cannot fix a time, because it does not depend upon me. But remember my happiness is in your hands.
"Your loving
"Ruth."
The young girl was bewildered and distressed21 by this communication. They had all believed that Ruth was on a visit to Esther's family, and Esther had received letters from her with the Portsmouth postmark on them. It was true that Ruth had asked her, as a particular favour, not to reply to the letters, and though Esther considered it a strange request, she had complied with it. Ruth's stronger will always prevailed with her. But what did it all mean? If Ruth had been in London a week, where was she stopping? Esther's character could hardly as yet be said to be formed: it was sweet, but it lacked decision, and now that she was called upon to act in a matter of importance she looked helplessly round, as if for guidance. She was glad when Prissy knocked at her door and said that her father was downstairs. Part of the responsibility seemed to be already lifted from her shoulders.
"Prissy," she said, before she went down, "you haven't spoken to anybody about the letter?"
"No, miss."
"Don't say anything about it, please. Mrs. Cohen is not well, and the doctor is very particular that she shall not be bothered or worried."
"I won't say anything, miss." She shook her head gravely as Esther tripped downstairs, and muttered, "Trouble's coming, or my name ain't what it is."
"I am so glad you are here, father," said Esther; "I have something to tell you."
"I have something to tell you," said Mr. Moss22. "Such an odd impression! Of course I must be mistaken. But first I want to know how Mrs. Cohen is. I thought she was not looking strong to-day."
Esther told him of the doctor's visit and the instructions he had given, and then handed him Ruth's letter, which he read in silence.
"I don't like the look of it," he said. "I hate mystery, and I cannot decide immediately whether it ought to be kept from Mr. Cohen."
"Oh, father," cried Esther, "Ruth will never forgive me if I betray her."
"I don't think it is a question of betrayal," said Mr. Moss. "She tells you to speak to me, and you have done so. I take the blame on myself, whatever happens. My dear, you are not old enough to understand such matters, and you must leave this to me. The letter will be better in my keeping than in yours. Just consider, Esther; would you have behaved so?"
"No, father, I could not."
"There is the answer. The odd impression I spoke of was that I saw Ruth to-night in a hansom cab. I thought I was mistaken, but now I am convinced it was she. If I had known what I know now I should have followed her. As to Ruth never forgiving you, what will Mr. Cohen's feelings be towards you when he discovers that you have acted in a treacherous23 manner towards him and his wife? Ruth is very little older than yourself, and I am afraid cannot discriminate24 between right and wrong; she must not be allowed to drag us into a conspiracy25 against the peace of the family."
Esther was dismayed; she had not looked upon it in this light.
"Was Ruth alone?" she asked, in a faltering26 voice.
"No, she had a gentleman with her. It is a bad business--a bad business. I intended to return to Portsmouth to-morrow, but now I shall remain till the matter is cleared up."
"Shall you speak to Mr. Cohen to-night, father?"
"No. I shall do nothing till the morning; I must have time to consider how to act. Mr. Cohen will not be home till past midnight, and he will be completely tired out with the fatigues27 of the day. To think that it should turn out so! Good-night, my dear child. Get to bed, and try to sleep. Things may turn out better than we expect, after all."
But despite that hope Mr. Moss, when he left Aaron's house, could find nothing more cheerful to occupy his mind than the Miserere from "Il Trovatore," which he hummed dolefully as he trudged28 through the streets. There was very little sleep for his daughter on this night, and very little also for Aaron Cohen. The cloud that was gathering29 was too ominous30 for repose15.
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1
spoke
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| 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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2
heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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3
confide
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| v.向某人吐露秘密 | |
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4
reprieve
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| n.暂缓执行（死刑）；v.缓期执行；给…带来缓解 | |
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5
precipitating
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| adj.急落的，猛冲的v.（突如其来地）使发生( precipitate的现在分词 )；促成；猛然摔下；使沉淀 | |
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6
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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lighter
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| n.打火机，点火器；驳船；v.用驳船运送；light的比较级 | |
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8
clandestinely
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| adv.秘密地，暗中地 | |
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9
enjoined
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| v.命令( enjoin的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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10
bridle
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| n.笼头，束缚；vt.抑制，约束；动怒 | |
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11
impatience
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| n.不耐烦，急躁 | |
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12
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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13
dreading
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| v.害怕，恐惧，担心( dread的现在分词 ) | |
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14
reposed
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| v.将（手臂等）靠在某人（某物）上( repose的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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15
repose
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| v.(使)休息；n.安息 | |
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16
caressed
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| 爱抚或抚摸…( caress的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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17
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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18
concealing
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，遮住( conceal的现在分词 ) | |
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solitude
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| n. 孤独; 独居,荒僻之地,幽静的地方 | |
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20
chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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21
distressed
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| 痛苦的 | |
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moss
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| n.苔，藓，地衣 | |
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23
treacherous
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| adj.不可靠的，有暗藏的危险的；adj.背叛的，背信弃义的 | |
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24
discriminate
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| v.区别，辨别，区分；有区别地对待 | |
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25
conspiracy
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| n.阴谋，密谋，共谋 | |
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26
faltering
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| 犹豫的，支吾的，蹒跚的 | |
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27
fatigues
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| n.疲劳( fatigue的名词复数 )；杂役；厌倦；（士兵穿的）工作服 | |
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28
trudged
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| vt.& vi.跋涉，吃力地走（trudge的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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29
gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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30
ominous
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| adj.不祥的，不吉的，预兆的，预示的 | |
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