Every one said that it was an admirable match; and old ladies, who had set themselves up for prophets, laughed and nodded together, and reminded one another of how they had always said so. That croquet-party at the Court was not for nothing, they knew!
Then came a round of congratulatory calls, and a general disposition2 amongst the callers to declare that they had never heard of anything that had given them more pleasure.
“Really,” they said, “it was exquisite3, and just the thing that was wanted to make the Lexville circle complete. For, you see, Sir Philip was indeed most charming, but he gave so few dinner-parties!”
“But what Charles Vining could see in that great, tall, coarse woman, when there were my nice quiet gentle girls, I don’t know. But there, every eye forms its own beauty!”
So said Mrs Lingon; and, in fact, allowing for a little variety, so said every mother of marriageable daughters; but all the same, at the end of a fortnight Laura Bray was to be Mrs Charles, and in future Lady Vining, always allowing, of course, that nothing occurred to put off the wedding, that every one declared to be, on the whole, rather hurried.
There was certainly, too, a little disappointment felt by some of the marriageable young ladies; but that was soon mastered: for there was to be the wedding, after all, if they were not to be the principals in the thrilling ceremony; and also, after all, there was not one of them who might not be asked to act as bridesmaid.
It was the theme of discussion throughout the district. Even gentlemen had their say, as they hoped that Vining wouldn’t be so shabby as to cut off his subs. to the hounds, even if he had no more idea of hunting. While, as for the ladies, they knew to an inch how many yards of white gros-de-Naples there would be in Laura’s wedding-dress; how many breadths there would be in the skirt; and that Miss Bray had decided4 not to have it gored5.
“And quite right too,” said some with a titter, “with such a figure as she has!”
“Don’t you think Laura Bray looks quite yellow and thin?” said the elder Miss Lingon, who was certainly neither yellow nor thin, but very plump, fair, and dumplingy.
“O, decidedly!” said her sister. “She looks anxious and worried, too.”
“Well, no wonder,” said the elder Miss Lingon, with a sigh. “Any stupid would know that it is a most anxious and trying time for her. She is about to take a step which—”
“There’s not much fear of your taking, Miss Fan,” said her sister spitefully. “And how you should know anything about its being an anxious time, I’m sure I don’t know, without you read it in a book.”
The elder Miss Lingon tossed her head.
“But I know why she’s anxious,” said the second Miss Lingon. “Hugh told me. It’s because he will hunt so recklessly now.”
“I don’t believe that’s it. All gentlemen hunt,” said the other.
“You can believe what you like,” was the snappish answer. And there the matter dropped, as each lady waited anxiously for the request that should make her a bridesmaid.
But, all the same, Laura did look thin and anxious. Not that Charley Vining was wanting in attention, for he was constantly at the Elms; but there was a great dread6 always oppressing her, that the wedding would not take place. Each day that passed without adventure, she reckoned as so much gained; and though Miss l’Aiguille was engaged with her staff especially on Miss Bray’s account, and dresses for bride and bridesmaids were in rapid progress, yet would Laura start at the slightest sound, and tremble as every letter came to the house.
She counted the days and the hours that must intervene, and mentally checked them off as they passed away. She clung nervously7 to Charley as he left her at night, and seemed loth to let him leave her, though he smiled at her anxiety and tried to seem happy, but all the while there was an aching void in his heart, as he told himself that he was about to be guilty of a wrongful act.
And still the time glided8 on. A few more days, and Laura told herself that she could be at rest.
“At rest?” She shivered as she repeated the words, and then tried to look pleased at the rich presents sent by Sir Philip Vining, or brought to her by Charley himself to swell9 the bridal trousseau.
But she could not conceal10 the agitation11 she felt; for ever, by night and day, thrown athwart the light of her understanding was the dark shadow of a peril12 to come—a peril coming as surely as day would succeed unto night.
Costly13 preparations at Blandfield Court; painters and decorators busy; fresh carpets here, and fresh carpets there; Laura fetched over by Sir Philip to give her opinion upon this, her consent to that, or to choose something else. The old gentleman seemed never happy save when he was superintending some fresh arrangement that should add to the pleasure and comfort of his fixture14 daughter-in-law. He was almost angry at times on seeing how little interest was taken in such matters by his son; but ever ready with an excuse, he set it down to Charley’s renewed pleasure in the sports of the field.
Laura did not complain, although Nelly, but for her youth, might have been taken for the favoured one, since she was constantly Charley’s companion, to the great astonishment15 of Hugh Lingon. For the little well-broken mare16 had been purchased, and had come down to Blandfield, where, one day when Nelly was over with her sister, Charley proposed a ride, the horses were brought round, and Nelly’s rough black pony17 sent back, to her utter astonishment; while, when informed that the graceful18 little creature that stood arching its neck, and softly pawing at the gravel19, was her own, Nelly’s joy knew no bounds, as, in turns, she literally20 smothered21 Sir Philip and Charley with kisses.
It was not from mortification22 at being so unceremoniously left that Laura turned pale; but, in her nervous state, it seemed that the danger she apprehended—the peril that should stay the wedding—might come from any direction, and that a delay of a month, a fortnight, or even of a week, might be fatal to her prospects23; for might not Charley alter his mind? or—no, there was no fear of that now. But might not this prove a danger that should delay that which she so ardently25 prayed for? Nelly might meet with an accident, and be brought back half-killed.
There was certainly some foundation for Laura’s fears; for had Miss Nelly been left to herself, in her wild exhilaration she would most probably have come to grief; in fact she tried her best to get thrown; but there was ever a strong hand ready to be laid upon her rein26, so that, in spite of Laura’s forebodings, she was brought back in safety.
Laura counted: six days—five days—four days—three days before—two days before—one day before the wedding; and all this time Max Bray might have been forgotten, for his name was never once mentioned at the Elms. Hugh Lingon, though, on making an excuse for not having repaid Charley’s loan, mentioned having felt sure that he had seen Max in London, but that he had been unable to overtake him before he disappeared, but that, after all, he was not sure.
That news slightly disturbed Charley, and he winced27 as he thought upon the probable future fate of Ella Bedford; his brow contracted too, as he seemed to see a pale face appealing to him for help, and he shuddered28 slightly as he drove away the thoughts.
He spent the evening with Sir Philip at the Elms, and all seemed to be working to the one end.
Nelly was in a tremendous state of excitement, and displayed it as she darted29 about with brightened eye and flushed cheek; but now that the time was so near, Laura had so nerved herself that she was calm and composed in appearance, though her heart was agitated30 by varied31 emotions.
But what cause could there be for fear? Had not the woman who had been her rival fled, in, apparently32, a most discreditable manner, with her own brother? Was not Charles Vining, if not a warm and passionate33, at all events a most respectable lover as to his attentions? Surely she could wish for nothing more, if the proverb be true, that the hottest love the soonest cools.
And, besides, how gleefully were all the preparations being made! Gunters were providing the breakfast, and even then the men were in the house. The wedding garments were waiting, and Miss l’Aiguille was coming herself in the morning to superintend the dressing34, to the great disgust of Laura’s maid. The wedding was expected to be one of the grandest that had been in the neighbourhood for some years; and the weather had been for many days past so settled and bright, that there was every prospect24 of the bride being bathed in the sunshine of good fortune.
“Good-night, for the last parting!” said Charley, as he held Laura in his arms, previous to taking his departure; and she clung to him, for he was more tender and gentle to her.
He must love her, she felt, or he could not have spoken as he had.
Only a few more hours, then, and the suspense35 would be at an end. The wedding-breakfast over, dresses changed, the carriage would be in waiting to convey them to the station. They were to pass the first night in London, and depart by tidal boat the next morning for Paris, Marseilles, Hyères, Genoa, Rome—a month of pleasant touring in Southern Europe; and in that period old sorrows would be forgotten, and her husband’s heart would have warmed to her.
But still Laura trembled, for she had been gambling36 for a great stake.
Had she won?
It seemed so; for once more he repeated those words, “Good-night, for the last parting!” as they stood in the hall.
“But you’ll have to put up with me, my dear!” said Sir Philip, kissing Laura in his turn; “but I won’t bother you—I won’t interfere37 in any way—only let me have my study fire in the cold weather; and don’t stop away from home too long. I say so now, because I shall have no chance to-morrow. There, good-bye!”
They were gone; and, proud and elate, Laura returned to the drawing-room. The victory was nearly won, and the happy congratulatory looks of friends and those who were to act as her bridesmaids seemed to be mirrored in her face, as they clustered laughingly round her—Mrs Bray forbearing to shriek38, and little pudgy Mr Bray disregarding her evening dress as he caught her in his arms, to give her a sounding kiss on either cheek.
Meanwhile Sir Philip and Charley were returning in their carriage to Blandfield: the former light-hearted and chatty, the latter quiet, but apparently content. He had weighed all well, and pondered the matter again and again, and still his heart told him that it was his duty. The faint spark of his old passion, as he called it, that would still keep showing, in spite of his efforts to crush it out, he told himself would soon be extinct—hiding the fact that that spark was a consuming fire that was not even smouldering, but though concealed39, eating its way fiercely to the light.
“Good-night; heaven bless you, my dear boy!” said Sir Philip, as he stood, candle in hand, in the hall. “It will be hard work sparing you, Charley; for I’m an old man now, and growing feeble, and in want of humouring. You may have your month, but don’t exceed it.”
Charley did not answer; but shook his father’s hand warmly, and they parted.
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收听单词发音
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1
bray
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| n.驴叫声, 喇叭声；v.驴叫 | |
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disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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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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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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gored
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| v.（动物）用角撞伤，用牙刺破( gore的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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6
dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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7
nervously
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| adv.神情激动地，不安地 | |
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8
glided
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| v.滑动( glide的过去式和过去分词 )；掠过；（鸟或飞机 ） 滑翔 | |
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swell
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| vi.膨胀，肿胀；增长，增强 | |
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conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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agitation
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| n.搅动；搅拌；鼓动，煽动 | |
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peril
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| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
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13
costly
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| adj.昂贵的，价值高的，豪华的 | |
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14
fixture
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| n.固定设备；预定日期；比赛时间；定期存款 | |
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astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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mare
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| n.母马，母驴 | |
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pony
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| adj.小型的；n.小马 | |
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graceful
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| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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gravel
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| n.砂跞；砂砾层；结石 | |
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literally
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| adv.照字面意义，逐字地；确实 | |
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21
smothered
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| （使）窒息， （使）透不过气( smother的过去式和过去分词 )； 覆盖； 忍住； 抑制 | |
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mortification
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| n.耻辱，屈辱 | |
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prospects
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| n.希望，前途(恒为复数) | |
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prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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ardently
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| adv.热心地，热烈地 | |
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rein
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| n.疆绳，统治，支配；vt.以僵绳控制，统治 | |
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27
winced
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| 赶紧避开，畏缩( wince的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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28
shuddered
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| v.战栗( shudder的过去式和过去分词 )；发抖；（机器、车辆等）突然震动；颤动 | |
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29
darted
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的过去式和过去分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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30
agitated
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| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
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31
varied
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| adj.多样的，多变化的 | |
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32
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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33
passionate
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，激昂的，易动情的，易怒的，性情暴躁的 | |
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34
dressing
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| n.(食物)调料；包扎伤口的用品，敷料 | |
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35
suspense
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| n.（对可能发生的事）紧张感，担心，挂虑 | |
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36
gambling
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| n.赌博；投机 | |
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37
interfere
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| v.(in)干涉，干预；(with)妨碍，打扰 | |
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38
shriek
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| v./n.尖叫，叫喊 | |
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39
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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