Had it not been that public attention was directed mainly to events of greater importance Aaron Cohen's affairs would have furnished a liberal theme for the busy hunters of sensational1 and personal journalism2, but to a certain extent he was protected by the fever of the financial panic in which numbers of unfortunate families were caught and ruined, and the fortunes of famous historic houses imperilled. He would have been grateful to slip into obscurity unnoticed, but this could scarcely be expected. He had occupied too high a station to be passed over in complete silence, and he had one bitter enemy, Mr. Poynter, who rejoiced in his downfall and neglected no opportunity to wing a poisoned arrow against his old rival. This man was furious with disappointment at having been unable to secure his rival's contracts, and when the excitement of the panic was over these arrows became more numerous, and Aaron's name was frequently mentioned in a slighting manner in those second- and third-class journals whose columns are too freely open to personal spite and malice3. He saw but few of the paragraphs in which he was attacked, and those he read did not wound him; they made his friends angry (for he was not deserted4 by all), and they urged him to reply to them; but he shook his head, and said, "I shall not assist my enemies to stir up muddy waters. To every word I wrote they would reply with twelve. Let them do their worst." He was, however, greatly concerned lest the slanders6 should reach Rachel's knowledge; and here her blindness aided him. Either he or the faithful Prissy was ever by her side, and if his traducers hoped to make him suffer through the being whose love was the most precious jewel in his life, they were doomed7 to disappointment. Perhaps Aaron had never been happier than he was during these dark days of adversity. Now that the weight of a secret sin was lifted from his heart he had no fears of poverty. He had full confidence in his being able to obtain some employment which would keep the wolf from the door; however lowly it might be he was ready to accept it thankfully. He was not immediately free to enter a situation, for the whole of his time was occupied in settling his affairs. He had left his home in Prince's Gate, and was living in lodgings8 in Brixton. Everything he had in the world was given up to the creditors9 of the bank, and when he quitted the house, neither he nor Rachel had taken from it a single article of the slightest value. Small personal gifts which had been given by one to the other, articles of dress which they might legitimately10 have retained, mementos11 of little value, endeared to them by some affectionate association, even the old silver-mounted pipe in its jeweled case--all were left behind. Simply dressed, without a piece of jewellery about them, they turned their faces towards the new home and the new life without a murmur12, and, hand in hand, walked to their humble13 rooms with contented14 hearts.
Prissy, who had gone before to get the place ready, received them with a smiling face. Grandeur15 was nothing to Prissy, so long as she could be with those whom she loved to serve. As happy in a cottage as in a palace, she proved herself to be a true philosopher, accepting fortune's rubs with equanimity16, and making the best of them with a cheerful willingness it were well for loftier folk to emulate17. Bird never trilled more happily than Prissy as she moved hither and thither18, upstairs and down, setting things to rights, shifting the furniture and studying each new arrangement with a critical eye, interrupting herself every minute by running to the window to see if her master and mistress were coming. The rooms were sweet and clean, there were flowers about, and blooming flowers in pots on the window-sill. The fragrance19 of the flowers greeted Rachel as she entered, and her bright face was Prissy's reward.
"Where did the flowers come from, Prissy?" asked Aaron, when Rachel was out of hearing.
"From the flower-man, sir," she answered.
"Surely not a gift?"
"Yes, sir," said the unblushing Prissy; "wasn't it good of him?"
"Prissy!" said Aaron, with warning finger uplifted.
"Well, sir, they cost next to nothing, and they're paid for."
"But, Prissy----"
"Please don't, sir," she interrupted, and there were tears in her eyes and a pleading rebellion in her voice. "I know what you're going to say, Mr. Cohen, but please don't. You'd like me to keep good, wouldn't you, sir?"
"Why, of course, Prissy," said Aaron, astonished at the question.
"Well, sir, I can't, if you blow me up now you're in misfortune; I can't keep good if you don't let me have my way in little things. I'll be very careful, I will, indeed, Mr. Cohen. It's almost the first time in my life I've bought any flowers at all for any one else, and it ain't in you, sir, to take away pleasure from anybody--and did you see, sir, how happy missis looked when she came in?"
Thus inconsequentially Prissy, mixing her arguments in the strangest manner.
"But, my good girl," said Aaron, kindly20, "you have no business to waste your money; you must think of your future."
"It's what I am thinking of, sir; I don't want to grow wicked, and flowers are the only things that will prevent me. It's the honest truth, sir; they make me feel good. Mr. Cohen, if it hadn't been for you, where should I have been? In the gutter21, I daresay. You took me out of it, sir. I don't forget the first night I come to you with Victoria Regina in Gosport; if I lived to be as old as Methusalem I couldn't never forget it. And then when missis got me the gillard water to bathe my eyes--I should be the ungratefullest woman that ever drew breath if I could forget those things. Do, please, sir, let me have my way. You've paid me a lot more wages than I was worth, and all my money is in the post office savings22 bank, and it ain't mine at all, it's yours----"
"My good Prissy," said Aaron, much affected23, for Prissy could not continue, her voice was so full of tears, "do as you wish, but be very careful, as you have promised. Perhaps fortune will turn again, and then----"
"And then, sir," said Prissy, taking up his words, "you shall give it all back to me--and I'll take it then, sir, you see if I don't. It will turn, if there's any fairness anywhere. And now, if you'll forgive me, sir, I must go and look after the dinner."
Aaron was very busy for several days after this making a careful inventory24 of his possessions in the house in Prince's Gate, which he sent to the appointed liquidators of the bankrupt bank. Of all the debtors26 he was the only one who did not wait for the law's decree to give up his fortune to the last farthing, and perhaps he was the only one whose conscience was free of the intention of wrong.
He had his gleams of sunshine. First, the sweet contentment and happiness of his beloved wife. The affection she lavished27 upon him was of so tender and exalted28 a nature that it made their humble home a paradise. She listened for his footstep, she stood at the door to meet him, she drew him to her side, as a young maiden29 in the springtime of life might have done to the lover she adored. Spiritual flowers grew about her feet, and everything and every one was made purer and better by contact with her. Then, as ill news travels fast, his son Joseph, when his ship stopped at a not-distant port to take in cargo30, was made acquainted through the public journals with the condition of affairs; and, divining that his father was in need of money, he cabled home advices which assisted Aaron in his extreme need. The young man had saved some money, and he placed it all at the disposal of his parents, who derived31 an exquisite32 pleasure from this proof of affection. As in Gosport twenty years before, Rachel did not know the stress to which her husband was put; he kept from her knowledge everything of a distressing34 nature, and in this loving task he was silently assisted by Prissy, whose thoughtfulness and devotion were not to be excelled. She watched her mistress's every movement, and anticipated her lightest wish. The dishes she liked best were always on the table, and everything she wanted was ready to her hand. Prissy was no less attentive35 to her master, brushing his clothes, and polishing his boots till she could see her face in them.
"What should we do without you, Prissy?" said Rachel.
"I hope you'll never want to do without me, ma'am," answered Prissy.
Another gleam of sunshine came to him in the offer of a situation from a merchant who had known him in his days of prosperity. He was not asked to occupy a position of responsibility, and the offer was conveyed to him in apologetic terms.
"I cannot displace men who have been long in my employ," the merchant said, "but a desk is vacant which you can have if you think it worthy36 of you."
Aaron accepted it gladly, and expressed his thanks.
"Fortune has not deserted us," he said to his wife. "I shall not only be able to pay our expenses, but I shall even be able to save a little. The hours are short, the labour is light; and in time I may rise to something better."
So, like a young man commencing life, he went every morning to his new duties, and returned in the evening to a peaceful and happy home.
During all this time he had heard no word of Ruth or Mrs. Gordon, and the sin of which he had been guilty had not reached the public ear. His house and furniture still remained unsold, law's process being proverbially slow and tedious. At length, passing his house one evening, he saw bills up, announcing that the mansion37 and its contents were to be sold by auction38 in the course of the following week. He was not a stoic39, and it gave him a pang40, but the pain soon passed away. "What have I to repine at," he thought, "with heavenly love awaiting me at home?" It was his intention to attend the auction for the purpose of purchasing two or three small mementos, towards which he had saved a few pounds. The sale was to take place on Thursday, and on Wednesday night he was looking through the catalogue, and talking with Rachel about his intended purchases.
"There are dumb memorials," he said, "which from long association become like living friends. Something of our spirit seems to pass into them, imbuing41 them with life. I shall not be quite happy till I get back my silver-mounted pipe; of all my possessions it was my dearest. Tobacco has lost its flavour since I left it behind me; but I had no right to bring away anything of value, and I have always looked forward to possessing it again. Great misfortunes are really easy to bear in comparison with such-like trifles."
Aaron seldom indulged now in those touches of humour to which Rachel in the old days loved to listen. The Aaron of to-day and the Aaron of yesterday were the same in everything but that; the tender gaiety was replaced by a tender sadness, and Rachel often thought with regret of the play of fancy which used to stir her to mirth.
On this night they expected a visit from Mr. Moss42, who was coming to London on business; and at about nine o'clock he made his appearance. An hour afterwards Rachel retired43 to bed, and left the friends together. Aaron had observed that Mr. Moss looked anxious and uneasy, but he was careful not to refer to it in the presence of his wife.
"You have something on your mind," he now said. "No new misfortune, I hope?"
"Not to me personally," replied Mr. Moss, with a reluctant air.
"To none of your family, I trust."
"No; they are all quite well. My dentist son is getting along famously; I saw him before I came here, and he told me that he had pulled out three Christian44 teeth to-day. Isaac of York is avenged45!"
Dolefully as he spoke46, Aaron could not help smiling. "But what is it?" he asked.
"I am the harbinger of trouble, it seems," groaned47 Mr. Moss, "and to my best friend. I was the first to bring you the news of the panic, and now----"
"Yes," said Aaron, gently, "and now? Speak low, or Rachel may overhear us."
"You do not see many papers, Cohen?"
"Not many."
"I hardly like to tell you," said Mr. Moss, "but you will be sure to hear of it to-morrow. They never spare a man who is down, For God's sake, Cohen, don't blame me! I've never opened my lips--I'd have cut my tongue out first."
"Let me know the worst," said Aaron. "It relates to me, I see. As for blaming you, set your mind at ease. You have been too good a friend to me to do anything to distress33 me. Come, shake hands. Whatever it is, I can bear it like a man, I hope. I have passed through the fire, and it has left me humble and patient."
In silence Mr. Moss took a newspaper from his pocket, and handed it to Aaron. It was folded in a particular place, and there Aaron read an article headed "A Strange Revelation," in which the whole story of his sin was circumstantially detailed48. He was not referred to by name, nor was Ruth's name or Mrs. Gordon's mentioned; but the name of the place in which the incident occurred and the year of the occurrence were accurately49 set down, and certain allusions50 to himself could not be mistaken. He was spoken of as a Jew who, until lately, had occupied an eminent51 position in society, who had posed as a friend of the working man, and had been instrumental in putting an end to the late great strike in the building trade.
"Ostensibly this may be said to have been of service to society, but in our judgment52 of a man's character the public issue must be set aside. The question of private motive53 has to be considered: if it be worthy it reflects credit upon him; if unworthy, it passes to his dishonour54."
From this argument was drawn55 the conclusion that there was not a public act performed by "the eminent Jew" that was not undertaken with a view to self-interest and self-aggrandisement. He was a dealer56 in fine phrases, which, with a stock of empty professions and mock moralities which he kept always on hand, had helped to set him on the pedestal from which he had toppled down. For years he had been successful in throwing dust into the eyes of the multitude whom he had cajoled into sounding his praises; but at length the sword had fallen, and the life of duplicity he had led both publicly and privately57 was laid bare to view. His charities were so many advertisements, and were undoubtedly58 turned to profit; his religious professions, unceasingly paraded, served as a cloak for his greed and self-seeking.
"This man's life of hypocrisy59 points a moral. He was in affluence60, he is in want; he was a leader, he has become a drudge61. He has been justly served, and we hold him up as a warning and an example to all pretenders of his class and creed62."
Then followed a promise of further revelations to be furnished by a competent authority, and probably by the publication of the delinquent's name, for the benefit of society at large.
As Aaron read this scandalous article the colour deserted his cheeks, his hands and mouth trembled, his heart sank within him. What could he say in his defence? Nothing. The deductions63 and conclusions were false, but the story was true. There was but one answer to the question whether he had perpetrated a domestic fraud, and had brought up as a Jewess a child whom he had allowed to grow to womanhood in ignorance of her parentage and rightful faith. This answer would be fatal, and would give the impress of truth to the entire article. How could he show himself in public after such an exposure? His intended appearance at the sale to-morrow must be relinquished64: he would be pointed25 at with scorn and contempt. Not for him the open paths where he would meet his fellowman face to face; he must creep through the byways, close to the wall. It seemed to him as if his life were over. His head drooped65, his arms sank listlessly down, his whole appearance was that of a man who had received a mortal stroke.
"It is abominable66, abominable!" cried Mr. Moss. "Is there no law to punish such a slander5? Is there no protection for such a man as you?"
"For such a man as I?" echoed Aaron, sadly. "Ah, my friend, you forget. There is no grave deep enough for sin and wrong-doing; you may bury it fathoms67 deep, but the hour will arrive when the ghost rises and points at you with accusing hand. The punishment meted68 out to me is just."
"It is not--it is not!"
"Hush69! You will disturb Rachel."
He stepped softly into the bedroom; Rachel was slumbering70, with a smile on her lips. As he stood by her side, contemplating71 her sweet and beautiful face, she awoke.
"Aaron!"
"Yes, my life!"
"Is it late? Has Mr. Moss gone?"
"He is still here, Rachel. It is quite early."
She encircled his neck with her arms, and drew him to her. "I have had such happy dreams, dear love! Some good fortune is going to happen to us."
"What would life be without its delusions72?" he said, in a sad tone.
"Do not speak sadly, dear. You have borne up so bravely; you must not break down now. Come, come--for my sake, love!"
"For your sake, beloved," he said; and as he spoke the tormenting73 demon74 which had been torturing him lost its power.
"What made you sad, love?" said Rachel. "Surely not because we are poor?"
"No, love; it was not that. But if your dreams should not come true"
"Why, then," she answered, and her voice was like music in his ears, "we have faced trouble before, and can face it again. It will make no difference so long as we are together. Aaron, with you by my side I would walk barefoot through the world, and bless the gracious Lord that made me. He is all-merciful and all-powerful, and in Him I put my trust. To the last, to the last, dear and honoured husband, we will not lose our trust in Him! Do not be sad again. All will come right--I feel it will. It is as if a Divine voice is whispering to me."
When Aaron rejoined his friend the colour had returned to his face, his step was firmer, his eye brighter.
"There is an angel in my home," he said. "Let my enemies do their worst. I am armed against them. Does this article make any change in our friendship?"
"It binds75 me closer to you, Cohen."
Aaron pressed Mr. Moss's hand.
"Love and friendship are mine," he said simply. "What more can I desire?"
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收听单词发音
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1
sensational
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| adj.使人感动的，非常好的，轰动的，耸人听闻的 | |
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journalism
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| n.新闻工作，报业 | |
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malice
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| n.恶意，怨恨，蓄意；[律]预谋 | |
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deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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slander
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| n./v.诽谤，污蔑 | |
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slanders
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| 诽谤，诋毁( slander的名词复数 ) | |
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doomed
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| 命定的 | |
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lodgings
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| n. 出租的房舍, 寄宿舍 | |
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creditors
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| n.债权人，债主( creditor的名词复数 ) | |
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legitimately
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| ad.合法地；正当地，合理地 | |
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mementos
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| 纪念品，令人回忆的东西( memento的名词复数 ) | |
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murmur
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| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
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humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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contented
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| adj.满意的，安心的，知足的 | |
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grandeur
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| n.伟大，崇高，宏伟，庄严，豪华 | |
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equanimity
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| n.沉着，镇定 | |
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emulate
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| v.努力赶上或超越，与…竞争；效仿 | |
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thither
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| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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fragrance
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| n.芬芳，香味，香气 | |
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kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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gutter
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| n.沟，街沟，水槽，檐槽，贫民窟 | |
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savings
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| n.存款，储蓄 | |
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affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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inventory
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| n.详细目录，存货清单 | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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debtors
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| n.债务人，借方( debtor的名词复数 ) | |
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lavished
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| v.过分给予，滥施( lavish的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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exalted
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| adj.(地位等)高的，崇高的；尊贵的，高尚的 | |
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maiden
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| n.少女，处女；adj.未婚的，纯洁的，无经验的 | |
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cargo
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| n.(一只船或一架飞机运载的)货物 | |
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derived
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| vi.起源；由来；衍生；导出v.得到( derive的过去式和过去分词 )；（从…中）得到获得；源于；（从…中）提取 | |
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exquisite
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| adj.精美的；敏锐的；剧烈的，感觉强烈的 | |
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distress
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| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
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distressing
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| a.使人痛苦的 | |
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attentive
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| adj.注意的，专心的；关心(别人)的，殷勤的 | |
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worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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mansion
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| n.大厦，大楼；宅第 | |
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auction
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| n.拍卖；拍卖会；vt.拍卖 | |
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stoic
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| n.坚忍克己之人，禁欲主义者 | |
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pang
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| n.剧痛，悲痛，苦闷 | |
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imbuing
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| v.使（某人/某事）充满或激起（感情等）( imbue的现在分词 )；使充满；灌输；激发（强烈感情或品质等） | |
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moss
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| n.苔，藓，地衣 | |
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retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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avenged
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| v.为…复仇，报…之仇( avenge的过去式和过去分词 )；为…报复 | |
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46
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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groaned
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| v.呻吟( groan的过去式和过去分词 )；发牢骚；抱怨；受苦 | |
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detailed
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| adj.详细的，详尽的，极注意细节的，完全的 | |
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accurately
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| adv.准确地，精确地 | |
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allusions
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| 暗指，间接提到( allusion的名词复数 ) | |
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51
eminent
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| adj.显赫的，杰出的，有名的，优良的 | |
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52
judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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53
motive
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| n.动机，目的；adv.发动的，运动的 | |
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54
dishonour
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| n./vt.拒付（支票、汇票、票据等）；vt.凌辱，使丢脸；n.不名誉，耻辱，不光彩 | |
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55
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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56
dealer
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| n.商人，贩子 | |
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57
privately
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| adv.以私人的身份，悄悄地，私下地 | |
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58
undoubtedly
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| adv.确实地，无疑地 | |
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59
hypocrisy
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| n.伪善，虚伪 | |
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60
affluence
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| n.充裕，富足 | |
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61
drudge
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| n.劳碌的人；v.做苦工，操劳 | |
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62
creed
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| n.信条；信念，纲领 | |
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63
deductions
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| 扣除( deduction的名词复数 )； 结论； 扣除的量； 推演 | |
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64
relinquished
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| 交出，让给( relinquish的过去式和过去分词 )； 放弃 | |
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65
drooped
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| 弯曲或下垂，发蔫( droop的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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66
abominable
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| adj.可厌的，令人憎恶的 | |
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67
fathoms
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| 英寻( fathom的名词复数 ) | |
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68
meted
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| v.（对某人）施以，给予（处罚等）( mete的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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69
hush
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| int.嘘，别出声；n.沉默，静寂；v.使安静 | |
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70
slumbering
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| 微睡，睡眠（slumber的现在分词形式） | |
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71
contemplating
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| 深思，细想，仔细考虑( contemplate的现在分词 )； 注视，凝视； 考虑接受（发生某事的可能性）； 深思熟虑，沉思，苦思冥想 | |
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72
delusions
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| n.欺骗( delusion的名词复数 )；谬见；错觉；妄想 | |
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73
tormenting
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| 使痛苦的，使苦恼的 | |
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74
demon
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| n.魔鬼，恶魔 | |
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75
binds
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| v.约束( bind的第三人称单数 )；装订；捆绑；（用长布条）缠绕 | |
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