“Has he gone?” whispered Ella, with a strange catching2 of the breath.
“Yes,” said Mrs Brandon, who watched her keenly; and then, as a half-suppressed sob3 forced itself from the wounded breast, Ella turned and began to walk slowly from the room.
“My child!” whispered Mrs Brandon, hurrying to her side, and once more passing a protecting arm around her.
Ella turned her sad gentle face towards Mrs Brandon with a smile.
“Let me go to my own room now,” she said. “You are very good. I am very sorry; but I could not help all this.”
Mrs Brandon kissed her tenderly, and watched her as she passed through the door, returning herself to sit thoughtfully gazing at the floor, till, taking pen, ink, and paper, she wrote three hurried notes, and addressed them to various friends residing in the neighbourhood of Blandfield Court. One will serve as an example of the character of the others. It was addressed to an old intimate and schoolfellow—Mrs Lingon; and ran as follows:
“My dear Mrs Lingon,—Will you kindly5, and in strict confidence, give me your opinion respecting the character and pursuits of a neighbour—Mr Charles Vining. I have a particular reason for wishing to know. With kind love, I am yours sincerely, Emily Brandon.”
The answers came by the mid-day post on the second afternoon, when, Ella being pale and unwell, one of the upper servants had been sent with the children for their afternoon walk.
Mrs Brandon was evidently expecting news; for, after sitting talking to Ella in a quiet affectionate way for some time, she rang the bell, and the hard footman appeared.
“Has not Thomas returned from Laneton with the letter-bag?”
“Just coming up the lane as you rang, ma’am,” said the man, who then hurried out, to return with several letters, three of which Mrs Brandon read with the greatest interest and a slight flush of colour in her cheeks, when, with a gratified sigh, she placed them in a desk, and closing her eyes, leaned back quiet and thoughtful, till her musing6 was interrupted by the reappearance of the footman, with salver and card.
“Gentleman wishes to see Miss Bedford,” said the man, handing the card.
“Not the same gentleman?” exclaimed Mrs Brandon excitedly, and as if annoyed at what she looked upon as a breach7 of faith.
“No, ’m; ’nother gentleman—a little one,” said the hard footman.
“That will do,” said Mrs Brandon quietly; and the man left the room, as, with the colour mounting to her cheeks, Ella handed the card just taken.
“Mr Maximilian Bray8,” said Mrs Brandon, glancing at the delicate slip of pasteboard, enamelled and scented9. “That is the Mr Bray you named?”
Ella bowed her head, and then, as if transformed into another, she said hastily,
“Mrs Brandon, I think you give me credit for trying to avoid this unpleasantly; you know I cannot help these calls. It will be better,” she said huskily, “that I leave here, and at once.”
“Give you credit? Of course, child!” said Mrs Brandon quietly. “Sit down, you foolish girl. So, this is the dandy—the exquisite10! I think we can arrange for his visiting here no more. That is,” she said playfully, “unless you wish to see him.”
Ella’s eyes quite flashed and her nostrils11 dilated12 as she recalled past insults; all of which was duly marked by Mrs Brandon, who smiled once more as she rose to leave the room.
“I need not spare his feelings, I presume?” she said.
“What excuses can I offer you?—what thanks can I give you?” cried Ella earnestly.
“Just as many as I ask you for,” said Mrs Brandon, smiling, and then kissing her affectionately. “I believe you are a little witch, my child, and that you are charming all our hearts away. Why, the cook has been civil ever since you have been here; and Mary the housemaid has not said a word about giving warning; and as for Edward, he has not let the great passage-door slam once. But, bless me, child!” she said merrily, as she glanced at the mirror in front, “am I in fit trim to present myself before the great Mr Maximilian Bray?”
But Ella could not smile: her heart beat fast, and she was troubled; and, in spite of Mrs Brandon’s affectionate behaviour, she feared that this persecution13 might tend to shorten her stay at Copse Hall. A sense of keen sorrow pervaded14 her at such a prospect—at a time too when it seemed that she had found a haven15 of peace, where she might bear the sorrows of the past; and as Mrs Brandon left the room, she sank down in her chair, and covered her face with her hands.
There was a smile upon Mrs Brandon’s countenance16 as she entered the breakfast-room, to find Max busy before a glass, battling with a recalcitrant17 stud.
Most men would have been slightly confused on being found in such a position; but not so Max. He turned round slowly, displaying the manifold perfections of his exquisite toilet, smiled, showed his fine white teeth and pearl-grey gloves, and then advanced and placed a chair for Mrs Brandon, taking the one to which he was waved by the lady of the house, who was still smiling.
“Charming weather, is it not?” said Max in his most fascinating tones, as he caressed18 one whisker, and placed boot number one a little farther out in front, so that the fit might be observed. “Pleasure of addressing Mrs Brandon, I presume?”
Mrs Brandon bowed.
“Ah! ya-as, bai Jove! mutual19 acquaintance, and all that. Heard the Lingons speak of you, and being riding this wa-a-ay, took the liberty—”
“Yes!” said Mrs Brandon rather sharply.
“Ya-as, just so, bai Jove!” said Max obtusely20. “Took the liberty of giving you a call. Country’s ra-ather dull just now: don’t you find it so?”
“Not at all,” said Mrs Brandon, who was evidently highly amused.
“Just so! ya-as, bai Jove!—of course!” said Max. “Miss Bedford be down soon, I suppose? Hope you like her—most amiable21 girl.”
“I quite agree with you,” said Mrs Brandon.
“Ya-as, just so—of course!” drawled Max, who either could not or would not see the half-amused, half-contemptuous way in which his remarks were received. “Thought I’d call and see her,” he continued. “We all thought a deal of her; but she would go.”
“Indeed!” said Mrs Brandon.
“Ya-as,” drawled Max. “Fancy it was some annoyance22 she met with from young Vining: not that I wish to say anything—bai Jove, no!”
“I’m sure Miss Bedford will be delighted to hear of the kind interest you take in her,” said Mrs Brandon.
“O, I don’t know so much about that!” said Max; “but we were always very good friends.”
“You puppy!” muttered Mrs Brandon.
“Always liked her because of the interest she took in a sister of mine. Down soon, I suppose?”
“Who—Miss Bedford?” said Mrs Brandon.
“Ya-as,” drawled Max; “should like to have a quiet chat with her;” and he directed one of his most taking glances at the lady, who, all smiles and good-humour, had been studying his manners and dress in a way that Max set down for admiration23, and presuming thereon, he grew every moment more confidential24. “You see, when she was at home, Mrs Brandon, I felt a natural diffidence.”
“I beg your pardon,” said Mrs Brandon.
“Natural diffidence—kind of drawing back, you know,” explained Max. “Didn’t seem the sort of thing, you see, to be too attentive25 to the governess; but—er—er—must own to a sort of weakness in that direction. Nature, you see—bai Jove!—and that sort of thing, for she is a dooced attractive girl.”
“Very,” said Mrs Brandon; and Max went on, for he was in his blind-rut mood—a rut in which he could run on for hours without ever seeing that he was being laughed at.
“Glad you think so—I am, bai Jove! Very kind of you too, to be so cordial and—”
“Pray do not imagine—” began Mrs Brandon.
“No, no. Don’t make any excuses, pray,” said Max, interrupting her. “You see, I’ve been candid26, and I’ve no doubt that you’ll give me your permission to call frequently.—But is Miss Bedford coming down?”
Mrs Brandon did not reply; but still smiling pleasantly, she rose, rang the bell, and then resumed her seat.
“Bai Jove! don’t trouble yourself—I can wait,” said Max. “Ladies’ toilets do take a long while sometimes.”
Mrs Brandon smiled, and then rose again, as the hard-faced footman opened the door.
“Edward,” she said in the coolest and most cutting manner, “do you see this gentleman?”
“Yes, ma’am, I see him,” said the astonished servant.
“He has made a mistake in coming here.”
“Yes, ma’am,” said the footman.
“Show him to the door; and if ever he has the impertinence to call here again, either to ask for Miss Bedford or me, order him off the premises27; and if he does not immediately go, send for the policeman.”
“Bai Jove!” drawled the astonished Max, “what does this mean?”
“You will show him out directly,” said Mrs Brandon, who would not turn her face in his direction, but continued to address the man; “and give him fully4 to understand what will be his fate if he should have the insolence28 to call any more.”
“Yes, ma’am,” said Edward, trying to keep back a grin.
“Bai Jove, she’s mad!” ejaculated Max.
“Now then, sir; this way, please,” said the hard-faced footman, whose countenance, if stony29 before, was now adamantine.
“Hyar, I say, you—Mrs Brandon!” ejaculated Max, “what does this mean?”
“Air you coming, sir, or airn’t you?” said the footman angrily. Then, opening the door to its widest extent, he placed a chair against it, and advanced so fiercely towards the unwelcome visitor, that, to give him his due, more from dread30 of a disarrangement of his attire31 than fear of the man, he retreated round the table, stumbling once over a chair as he did so, and then in his confusion halting in the doorway32. The next moment he was hurried into the great hall, and backed out by Edward, who, enjoying his task, proved himself to be the most uncompromising of footmen, and slightly exceeded his duty by slamming the hall-door after his discomfited33 guest with all his might, just as his mistress crossed and entered the drawing-room, where, pale and excited, Ella sat awaiting her.
“There, my child, that’s over!” exclaimed Mrs Brandon; and then, in spite of Ella’s troubled face, she leaned back in her chair, and burst into an uncontrolled fit of laughter, till, seeing how disturbed her companion looked, she sat up once more.
“I meant to have been angry, and given him a tremendous snubbing,” she said; “but, as he says, ‘bai Jove!’ it was impossible. Of all the consummate34 puppies I ever beheld35, I think he is the quintessence. And he is so dense36 too, he seems to have not the slightest idea when you are laughing at him. There, my dear Ella, never wear that troubled face about the donkey. He is not worthy37 of a moment’s thought; and besides, he will never show his face here again.”
“I cannot help feeling troubled about him,” said Ella slowly, and as if she were telling her thoughts. “I fear him; and, dear Mrs Brandon, you do not know his character. It seems to me that that artificial glaze38 covers much that is gross, and unprincipled, and relentless39. It has been my misfortune to have attracted his notice, and I never think of him without a shiver of dread. He seems to have cast a shadow across my path; and a dread of coming evil in some way connected with him—a strange undefined sense of peril—haunts me again and again.”
“There, there; what nonsense!” laughed Mrs Brandon merrily. “We’ll watch over you like dragons, and no one shall molest40 you; or, if it should come to the worst, we will set one chivalrous41 knight42 against the other—in plain English, Mr Charles Vining shall trounce, or call out and shoot, or do something to Mr Maximilian, the scented. Bah! he is in my nostrils now! But who is to be the next? Really, I am hard set to keep my little acquisition. How many more visitors of the masculine gender43 will there be, Miss Bedford?”
Ella looked at her so pitifully, that she directly ceased her light bantering44 tone, and changed the subject; while, perfectly45 astounded46 at the unexpected termination of his reception, Max Bray rode slowly home.
Volume Two—Chap
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1
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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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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sob
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| n.空间轨道的轰炸机；呜咽，哭泣 | |
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fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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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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6
musing
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| n. 沉思，冥想 adj. 沉思的, 冥想的 动词muse的现在分词形式 | |
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7
breach
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| n.违反，不履行；破裂；vt.冲破，攻破 | |
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bray
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| n.驴叫声, 喇叭声；v.驴叫 | |
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9
scented
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| adj.有香味的；洒香水的；有气味的v.嗅到(scent的过去分词) | |
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10
exquisite
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| adj.精美的；敏锐的；剧烈的，感觉强烈的 | |
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11
nostrils
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| 鼻孔( nostril的名词复数 ) | |
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12
dilated
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| adj.加宽的，扩大的v.（使某物）扩大，膨胀，张大( dilate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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persecution
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| n. 迫害,烦扰 | |
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14
pervaded
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| v.遍及，弥漫( pervade的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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15
haven
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| n.安全的地方，避难所，庇护所 | |
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16
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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recalcitrant
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| adj.倔强的 | |
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18
caressed
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| 爱抚或抚摸…( caress的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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mutual
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| adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的 | |
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obtusely
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| adv.钝地，圆头地 | |
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amiable
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| adj.和蔼可亲的，友善的，亲切的 | |
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annoyance
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| n.恼怒，生气，烦恼 | |
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admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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24
confidential
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| adj.秘（机）密的，表示信任的，担任机密工作的 | |
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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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candid
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| adj.公正的，正直的；坦率的 | |
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27
premises
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| n.建筑物，房屋 | |
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28
insolence
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| n.傲慢；无礼；厚颜；傲慢的态度 | |
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29
stony
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| adj.石头的，多石头的，冷酷的，无情的 | |
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30
dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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31
attire
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| v.穿衣，装扮[同]array；n.衣着；盛装 | |
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32
doorway
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| n.门口，(喻)入门；门路，途径 | |
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33
discomfited
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| v.使为难( discomfit的过去式和过去分词)；使狼狈；使挫折；挫败 | |
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consummate
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| adj.完美的；v.成婚；使完美 [反]baffle | |
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35
beheld
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| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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36
dense
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| a.密集的，稠密的，浓密的；密度大的 | |
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37
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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38
glaze
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| v.因疲倦、疲劳等指眼睛变得呆滞，毫无表情 | |
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39
relentless
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| adj.残酷的，不留情的，无怜悯心的 | |
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40
molest
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| vt.骚扰，干扰，调戏 | |
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41
chivalrous
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| adj.武士精神的；对女人彬彬有礼的 | |
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42
knight
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| n.骑士，武士；爵士 | |
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43
gender
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| n.（生理上的）性，（名词、代词等的）性 | |
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44
bantering
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| adj.嘲弄的v.开玩笑，说笑，逗乐( banter的现在分词 )；（善意地）取笑，逗弄 | |
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45
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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46
astounded
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| v.使震惊(astound的过去式和过去分词)；愕然；愕；惊讶 | |
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