Reuben had seen something dimly resembling this in New York once or twice at semi-public dinners. The thought that this higher marvel13 was in his honor intoxicated14 his reason. The other thought—that conceivably his future might lie all in this flower-strewn, daintily lighted path—was too heady, too full of threatened delirium15, to be even entertained. With an anxious hold upon himself, he felt his way forward to self-possession. It came sooner than he had imagined it would, and thereafter everything belonged to a dream of delight.
The ladies were all dressed more elaborately than he had observed them to be on any previous occasion, and, at the outset, there was something disconcerting in this. Speedily enough, though, there came the reflection that his clothes were those in which he had raced breathlessly from the farm, in which he had faced and won the crowd outside, and then, all at once, he was at perfect ease.
He told them—addressing his talk chiefly to Mrs. Minster, who sat at the head of the table, to his left—the story of Jessica’s ride, of her fainting on her arrival, and of the furious homeward drive. From this he drifted to the final proofs which had been procured16 at Cadmus—he had sent Gedney home with the horses, and was to see him early in the morning—and then to the steps toward a criminal prosecution17 which he would summarily take.
“So far as I can see, Mrs. Minster,” he concluded, when the servant had again left the room, “no real loss will result from this whole imbroglio18. It may even show a net gain, when everything is cleared up; for your big loan must really give you control of the Thessaly Manufacturing Company, in law. These fellows staked their majority interest in that concern to win your whole property in the game. They have lost, and the proceeds must go to you. Of course, it is not entirely19 clear how the matter will shape itself; but my notion is that you will come out winner.”
Mrs. Minster smiled complacently20. “My daughters thought that I knew nothing about business!” she said, with an air of easy triumph.
The daughters displayed great eagerness to leave this branch of the matter undiscussed.
“And will it really be necessary to prosecute21 these men?” asked Ethel, from Reuben’s right.
The lawyer realized, even before he spoke22, that not a little of his bitterness had evaporated. “Men ought to be punished for such a crime as they committed,” he said. “If only as a duty to the public, they should be prosecuted23.”
He was looking at Kate as he spoke, and in her glance, as their eyes met, he read something which prompted him hastily to add:
“Of course, I am in your hands in the matter. I have committed myself with the crowd outside to the statement that they should be punished. I was full, then, of angry feelings; and I still think that they ought to be punished. But it is really your question, not mine. And I may even tell you that there would probably be a considerable financial advantage in settling the thing with them, instead of taking it before the grand jury.”
“That is a consideration which we won’t discuss,” said Kate. “If my mind were clear as to the necessity of a prosecution, I would not alter the decision for any amount of money. But my sister and I have been talking a great deal about this matter, and we feel—You know that Mr. Boyce was, for a time, on quite a friendly footing in this house.”
“Yes; I know.” Reuben bowed his head gravely.
“Well, you yourself said that if one was prosecuted, they all must be.”
“No doubt. Wendover and Tenney were smart enough to put the credulous24 youngster in the very forefront of everything. Until these affidavits25 came to hand to-day, it would have been far easier to convict him than them.”
“Precisely26,” urged Kate. “Credulous is just the word. He was weak, foolish, vain—whatever you like. They led him into the thing. But I don’t believe that at the outset, or, indeed, till very recently, he had any idea of being a party to a plan to plunder27 us. There are reasons,” the girl blushed a little, and hesitated, “to be frank, there are reasons for my thinking so.”
Reuben, noting the faint flush of embarrassment28, catching29 the doubtful inflection of the words, felt that he comprehended everything, and mirrored that feeling in his glance.
“I quite follow you,” he said. “It is my notion that he was deceived, at the beginning.”
“Others deceived him, and still more he deceived himself,” responded Kate.
“And that is why,” put in Ethel, “we feel like asking you not to take the matter into the courts—I mean so as to put him in prison. It would be too dreadful to think of—to take a man who had dined at your house, and been boating with you, and had driven with you all over the Orange Mountains, picking wild-flowers for you and all that, and put him into prison, where he would have his hair shaved off, and tramp up and down on a treadmill30. No; we mustn’t do that, Mr. Tracy.”
Kate added musingly31: “He has lost so much, we can afford to be generous, can we not?”
Then Reuben felt that there could be no answer possible except “yes.” His heart pleaded with his brain for a lover’s interpretation32 of this speech; and his tongue, to evade33 the issue, framed some halting words about allowing him to go over the whole case to-morrow, and postponing34 a final decision until that had been done.
The consent of silence was accorded to this, and everybody at the table knew that there would be no prosecutions35. Upon the instant the atmosphere grew lighter36.
“And now for the real thing,” said Kate, gayly. “I am commissioned on behalf of the entire family to formally thank you for coming to our rescue tonight. Mamma did not hear your speech—she resolutely37 sat in the library, pretending to read, during the whole rumpus, and we were in such a hurry to get up-stairs that we didn’t tell her when you began—but she couldn’t help hearing the horns, and she is as much obliged to you as we are; and that is very, very, very much indeed!”
“Yes, indeed,” assented38 Mrs. Minster. “I don’t know where the police were, at all.”
“The police could have done next to nothing, if they had been here,” said Reuben. “The visit of the crowd was annoying enough, and discreditable in its way, but I don’t really imagine there was ever any actual danger. The men felt disagreeable about the closing of the works and the importation of the French Canadians, and I don’t blame them; but as a body they never had any idea of molesting39 you. My own notion is that the mob was organized by outsiders—by men who had an end to serve in frightening you—and that after the crowd got here it didn’t know what to do with itself. The truth is, that the mob isn’t an American institution. Its component40 parts are too civilized41, too open to appeals to reason. As soon as I told these people the facts in the case, they were quite ready to go, and they even cheered for you before they went.”
“Ethel tells me that you promised them the furnaces should be opened promptly,” said the mother, with her calm, inquiring glance, which might mean sarcasm42, anger, approval, or nothing at all.
Reuben answered resolutely: “Yes, Mrs. Minster, I did. And so they must be opened, on Monday. Let us be frank about the matter. It is my dearest wish that I should be able to act for you all in this whole business. But I have gone too far now, the interests involved are too great, to make a pause here possible. The very essence of the situation is that we should defy the trust, and throw upon it the onus43 of stopping us if it can. We have such a grip upon the men who led you into that trust, and who can influence the decisions of its directors, that they will not dare to show fight. The force of circumstances has made me the custodian44 of your interests quite as much as of your daughters’. I am very proud and happy that it is so. It is true that I have not your warrant for acting45 in your behalf; but if you will permit me to say so, that cannot now be allowed to make the slightest difference in my action.”
“Yes, mamma, you are to be rescued in spite of yourself,” said Ethel, merrily.
The young people were all smiling at one another, and to their considerable relief Mrs. Minster concluded to smile also.
Nobody attempted to analyze46 the mental processes by which she had been brought around. It was enough that she had come to accept the situation. The black shadow of discord47, which had overhung the household so long, was gone, and mother and daughters joined in a sigh of grateful relief.
It must have been nearly midnight when Reuben rose finally to go. There had been so much to talk about, and time had flown so softly, buoyantly along, that the evening seemed to him only to have begun, and he felt that he fain would have had it go on forever. These delicious hours that were past had been one sweet sustained conspiracy48 to do him honor, to minister to his pleasure. No word or smile or deferential49 glance of attention had been wanting to make complete the homage50 with which the family had chosen to envelop51 him. The sense of tender domestic intimacy52 had surcharged the very air he breathed. It had not even been necessary to keep the ball of talk in motion: so well and truly did they know one another, that silences had come as natural rests—silences more eloquent53 than spoken words could be of mutual54 liking55 and trust. The outside world had shrunk to nothingness. Here within this charmed circle of softened light was home. All that the whole universe contained for him of beauty, of romance, of reverential desire, of happiness, here within touch it was centred. And it was all, all his!
The farewells that found their way into phrases left scarcely a mark upon his memory. There had been cordial, softly significant words of smiling leave-taking with Ethel and her mother, and then, divinely prompted by the spirit which ruled this blessed hour, they had gone away, and he stood alone in the hallway with the woman he worshipped. He held her hand in his, and there was no need for speech.
Slowly, devoutly56, he bowed his head over this white hand, and pressed his lips upon it. There were tears in his eyes when he stood erect57 again, and through them he saw with dim rapture58 the marvel of an angel’s face, pale, yet glowing in the half light, lovely beyond all mortal dreams; and on this face there shone a smile, tender, languorous59, trembling with the supreme60 ecstasy61 of a soul.
Were words spoken? Reuben could hardly have told as he walked away down the path to the street. “Bless you! bless you!” was what the song-birds carolled in his brain; but whether the music was an echo of what he had said, did not make itself clear.
He was scarcely conscious of the physical element of walking in his progress. Rather it seemed to him that his whole being was afloat in the ether, wafted62 forward by the halcyon63 winds of a beneficent destiny. Was there ever such unthinkable bliss64 before in all the vast span of the universe?
The snowfall had long since ceased, and the clouds were gone. The air was colder, and the broad sky was brilliant with the clear starlight of winter. To the lover’s eyes, the great planets were nearer, strangely nearer, than they had ever been before, and the undying fire with which they burned was the same that glowed in his own heart. His senses linked themselves to the grand procession of the skies. The triumphant65 onward66 glide67 of the earth itself within this colossal68 scheme of movement was apparent to him, and seemed but a part of his own resistless, glorified69 onward sweep. Oh, this—this was life!
At the same hour a heavy and lumpish man made his way homeward by a neighboring street, tramping with difficulty through the hardening snow which lay thick upon the walks. There was nothing buoyant in his stride, and he never once lifted his eyes to observe the luminous70 panorama71 spread overhead. With his hands plunged72 deep into his pockets, and his cane73 under his arm, he trudged74 moodily75 along, his shoulders rounded and his brows bent76 in a frown.
An acquaintance going in the other direction called out cheerily as he passed, “Hello, General! Pretty tough walking, isn’t it?” and had only an inarticulate grunt77 for an answer.
There were evil hints abroad in the village below, this night—stories of impending78 revelations of fraud, hints of coming prosecutions—and General Boyce had heard enough of these to grow sick at heart. That Horace had been deeply mixed up in something scoundrelly, seemed only too evident. Since this foolish, ungrateful boy had left the paternal79 roof, his father had surrendered himself more than ever to drink; but indulgence now, instead of the old brightening merriment of song and quip and pleasantly reminiscent camp-fire sparkle, seemed to swing him like a pendulum80 between the extremes of sullen81 wrath82 and almost tearful weakness. Something of both these moods weighted his mind to-night, and to their burden was added a crushingly gloomy apprehension83 that naked disgrace was coming as well. Precisely what it was, he knew not; but winks84 and nods and unnatural85 efforts to shift the conversation when he came in had been in the air about him all the evening. The very vagueness of the fear lent it fresh terror.
His own gate was reached at last, and he turned wearily into the path which encircled the small yard to reach the front door. He cursorily86 noted87 the existence of some partially88 obliterated89 footprints in the snow, and took it for granted that one of the servants had been out late.
He had begun fumbling90 in his pocket for the key, and had his foot on the lower step, before he discovered in the dim light something which gave even his martial91 nerves a start. The dark-clad figure of a woman, obviously well dressed, apparently92 young, lay before him, the head and arms bent under against his very door.
The General was a man of swift decision and ready resource. In an instant he had lifted the figure up out of the snow which half enveloped93 it, and sustained it in one arm, while with the other he sent the reverberating94 clamor of the door-bell pealing95 through the house. Then, unlocking the door, he bore his burden lightly into the hall, turned up the gas, and disposed the inanimate form on a chair.
He did not know the woman, but it was evident that she was very ill—perhaps dying.
When the servant came down, he bade her run with all possible haste for Dr. Lester, who lived only a block or so away.
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1
vista
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| n.远景，深景，展望，回想 | |
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reticence
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| n.沉默，含蓄 | |
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splendor
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| n.光彩；壮丽，华丽；显赫，辉煌 | |
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ruby
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| n.红宝石，红宝石色 | |
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softened
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| （使）变软( soften的过去式和过去分词 )； 缓解打击； 缓和； 安慰 | |
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linen
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| n.亚麻布，亚麻线，亚麻制品；adj.亚麻布制的，亚麻的 | |
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mellowed
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| （使）成熟( mellow的过去式和过去分词 )； 使色彩更加柔和，使酒更加醇香 | |
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burnished
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| adj.抛光的，光亮的v.擦亮（金属等），磨光( burnish的过去式和过去分词 )；被擦亮，磨光 | |
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hues
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| 色彩( hue的名词复数 )； 色调； 信仰； 观点 | |
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facets
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| n.（宝石或首饰的）小平面( facet的名词复数 )；（事物的）面；方面 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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fragrance
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| n.芬芳，香味，香气 | |
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marvel
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| vi.(at)惊叹vt.感到惊异；n.令人惊异的事 | |
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intoxicated
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| 喝醉的，极其兴奋的 | |
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delirium
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| n. 神智昏迷,说胡话;极度兴奋 | |
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procured
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| 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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prosecution
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| n.起诉，告发，检举，执行，经营 | |
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imbroglio
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| n.纷乱，纠葛，纷扰，一团糟 | |
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entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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complacently
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| adv. 满足地, 自满地, 沾沾自喜地 | |
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prosecute
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| vt.告发；进行；vi.告发，起诉，作检察官 | |
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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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prosecuted
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| a.被起诉的 | |
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credulous
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| adj.轻信的，易信的 | |
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affidavits
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| n.宣誓书，（经陈述者宣誓在法律上可采作证据的）书面陈述( affidavit的名词复数 ) | |
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precisely
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| adv.恰好，正好，精确地，细致地 | |
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plunder
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| vt.劫掠财物，掠夺；n.劫掠物，赃物；劫掠 | |
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embarrassment
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| n.尴尬；使人为难的人(事物)；障碍；窘迫 | |
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catching
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| adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住 | |
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treadmill
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| n.踏车；单调的工作 | |
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musingly
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| adv.沉思地，冥想地 | |
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interpretation
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| n.解释，说明，描述；艺术处理 | |
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evade
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| vt.逃避，回避；避开，躲避 | |
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postponing
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| v.延期，推迟( postpone的现在分词 ) | |
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prosecutions
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| 起诉( prosecution的名词复数 )； 原告； 实施； 从事 | |
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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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resolutely
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| adj.坚决地，果断地 | |
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assented
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| 同意，赞成( assent的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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molesting
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| v.骚扰( molest的现在分词 )；干扰；调戏；猥亵 | |
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component
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| n.组成部分，成分，元件；adj.组成的，合成的 | |
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civilized
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| a.有教养的，文雅的 | |
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sarcasm
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| n.讥讽，讽刺，嘲弄，反话 （adj.sarcastic） | |
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onus
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| n.负担；责任 | |
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custodian
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| n.保管人，监护人；公共建筑看守 | |
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acting
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| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
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46
analyze
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| vt.分析，解析 (=analyse) | |
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47
discord
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| n.不和，意见不合，争论，（音乐）不和谐 | |
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conspiracy
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| n.阴谋，密谋，共谋 | |
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deferential
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| adj. 敬意的，恭敬的 | |
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homage
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| n.尊敬，敬意，崇敬 | |
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envelop
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| vt.包，封，遮盖；包围 | |
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52
intimacy
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| n.熟悉，亲密，密切关系，亲昵的言行 | |
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53
eloquent
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| adj.雄辩的，口才流利的；明白显示出的 | |
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54
mutual
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| adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的 | |
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liking
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| n.爱好；嗜好；喜欢 | |
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devoutly
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| adv.虔诚地，虔敬地，衷心地 | |
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erect
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| n./v.树立，建立，使竖立；adj.直立的，垂直的 | |
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rapture
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| n.狂喜；全神贯注；着迷；v.使狂喜 | |
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languorous
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| adj.怠惰的，没精打采的 | |
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supreme
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| adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的 | |
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ecstasy
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| n.狂喜，心醉神怡，入迷 | |
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wafted
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| v.吹送，飘送，（使）浮动( waft的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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halcyon
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| n.平静的，愉快的 | |
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bliss
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| n.狂喜，福佑，天赐的福 | |
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triumphant
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| adj.胜利的，成功的；狂欢的，喜悦的 | |
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onward
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| adj.向前的，前进的；adv.向前，前进，在先 | |
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glide
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| n./v.溜，滑行；(时间)消逝 | |
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colossal
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| adj.异常的，庞大的 | |
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glorified
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| 美其名的，变荣耀的 | |
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luminous
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| adj.发光的，发亮的；光明的；明白易懂的；有启发的 | |
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panorama
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| n.全景，全景画，全景摄影，全景照片[装置] | |
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plunged
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| v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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cane
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| n.手杖，细长的茎，藤条；v.以杖击，以藤编制的 | |
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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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moodily
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| adv.喜怒无常地；情绪多变地；心情不稳地；易生气地 | |
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76
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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77
grunt
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| v.嘟哝；作呼噜声；n.呼噜声，嘟哝 | |
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impending
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| a.imminent, about to come or happen | |
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79
paternal
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| adj.父亲的，像父亲的，父系的，父方的 | |
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pendulum
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| n.摆，钟摆 | |
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81
sullen
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| adj.愠怒的，闷闷不乐的，(天气等)阴沉的 | |
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82
wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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83
apprehension
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| n.理解，领悟；逮捕，拘捕；忧虑 | |
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84
winks
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| v.使眼色( wink的第三人称单数 )；递眼色（表示友好或高兴等）；（指光）闪烁；闪亮 | |
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85
unnatural
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| adj.不自然的；反常的 | |
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86
cursorily
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| adv.粗糙地，疏忽地，马虎地 | |
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87
noted
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| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
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88
partially
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| adv.部分地，从某些方面讲 | |
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89
obliterated
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| v.除去( obliterate的过去式和过去分词 )；涂去；擦掉；彻底破坏或毁灭 | |
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90
fumbling
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| n. 摸索,漏接 v. 摸索,摸弄,笨拙的处理 | |
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martial
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| adj.战争的，军事的，尚武的，威武的 | |
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apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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93
enveloped
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| v.包围，笼罩，包住( envelop的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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94
reverberating
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| 回响，回荡( reverberate的现在分词 )； 使反响，使回荡，使反射 | |
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95
pealing
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| v.（使）（钟等）鸣响，（雷等）发出隆隆声( peal的现在分词 ) | |
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