For as he strolled onward6, sending light cloud after light cloud to the skies, there came to him a sense of sadness that he could not control: Laura, the wedding, passed away as that fair reproachful face floated before him, the soft grey eyes fixed7 on his, and the white lips seeming to quiver and tremble. He tried angrily to crush it out from his mental sight; but its gentle appealing look disarmed8 his anger, and back came gently all that he had seen of her, all he had heard, all that she had said to him; and now, for the first time, he asked himself whether his eyes had not deceived him, whether it was possible that she, Ella, so pure, so holy, could have been the woman who hurried by, leaning upon Max Bray9’s arm.
Sorrow, sorrow, a strange feeling of regret, almost of repentance10, seemed to come upon him, as for an instant he recalled the fact that this was his wedding-morn, that a great change was about to be made, and that henceforth even the right would not be his to dream upon the past. He felt then that he must dream upon it now by way of farewell; and again that soft, appealing, pleading face fleeted before him, so that a strange shiver, almost of fear, passed through his frame.
What did it mean? he asked himself. Was there such a thing among the hidden powers of nature as a means by which soul spake to soul, impressing it for good or bad, unless some more subtle power was brought to bear? If not, why did the past come before him as it did? for there again was that night when in the pleasant summer time he had told her of his love, and pressed upon her that rose.
Yes, but that was in the pleasant summer time, when there was a summer of hope and joy in his heart, when he believed that there was truth where he had found naught11 but falsity; while now it was winter, and all was cold and bleak12 and bare. He had been thoroughly13 awakened14 from his dream; but he would not blame her for what was but his own folly15.
Heedless of wet grass and fallen leaves, he struck off now across the park, walking swiftly, as if seeking in exertion16 to tame the wild flow of his thoughts; and at last calm came once more, and after making a long circuit he entered the park avenue, intending to return to the house.
His cigar was extinct, and it was time now to return to life and action. He must dream no more.
Time? He drew out his watch, and a flush of shame and vexation crossed his countenance17, as he saw that it was close upon the hour when he should be at the church.
“I must be mad!” he exclaimed; and then he started aside, as close behind came the sound of galloping19 hoofs20 from the direction of Lexville. “They are coming to seek the tardy21 bridegroom,” he said with a little laugh; “but she will forgive me.”
“Is this the way to the house—Mr Charles Vining’s?” cried a voice roughly.
“Yes; what do you want?” said Charley. “I am Mr Vining.”
“Letter, sir,” said the man hastily. “I was to ride for life or death; and I was afraid I should be too late.”
“Too late for what?” said Charley hastily.
“To catch you before you went to church, sir,” said the man. “I heard as I came through that there was a wedding.”
The next instant Charley had taken the letter, and was gazing at the direction; but he did not recognise the hand.
“Where do you come from?” he said. “Is it very important? I am engaged.”
And then he stopped; for he hardly knew what he was saying, and he dreaded22 to open the letter.
“Better read and see, sir,” said the man gruffly. “My horse is dead beat.”
Rousing himself, he tore open the envelope, and read a few lines, reeled back on to the sward by the road, struggled to regain23 his firmness, and then, with a countenance white as ashes, he read to the end, when a groan24 tore its way from his breast.
That, then, was the meaning of the strange forebodings, of that soft pleading face; and now it was too late, too late!
“Curses, the bitterest that ever fell, be on them!” he muttered, grinding his teeth, and in his clenched25 fists that letter was crushed up to a mere26 wisp. “And now it is too late! No, not yet;” and to the surprise of the messenger he turned and dashed off furiously towards the house, where upon the broad entrance steps stood Sir Philip and the two friends anxiously awaiting him, the former watch in hand. The chariot with its four fine horses, and postillions in their gay new liveries of blue and silver, was at the door, and another open carriage behind; while a couple of servants were running at a distance in the park, evidently in search of him.
“My dear Charley, we shall be late,” cried Sir Philip, as, wet and spattered with mud, his son dashed furiously up. “How you have excited yourself to get back! Pray make haste.”
“Stand back!” cried Charley hoarsely27, as, bounding up to the steps, he tore open the chariot-door and leaped in, dragging the door after him.
The next moment he had dashed down the front window, and shouted to the postillions to go on.
The men turned in their saddles, touched their caps, and before Sir Philip and his friends could recover from their surprise, the carriage was going down the avenue at a sharp trot28.
“Poor boy, he was excited at being so late. Ah, to be sure, here’s a messenger who has evidently come to seek him. It must be later than I thought, for our time must be slow. I must ride with you, gentlemen, instead of with him. Make haste, or we shall be too late.”
In less than a minute the barouche was in motion, and as they passed the messenger, Sir Philip leaned over the carriage side, and shouted a question to the man:
“Did you bring a message for Mr Charles Vining?”
“Yes, sir,” shouted the man in answer; and the next moment they were out of hearing.
“Good heavens, though,” exclaimed Sir Philip anxiously, “look at him!” And at a turn of the road Charley could be seen in the distance leaning out of the carriage window, fiercely gesticulating to the postillions, who, apparently29 in obedience30 to his orders, had broken into a smart gallop18, and the chariot was being borne through the lodge-gate at a rapid rate.
It was a two-mile ride to Lexville church, and as Sir Philip’s carriage passed the lodge-gate in turn, he caught one more glimpse of the chariot ascending31 a hill in front, not at a moderate rate, but at a furious gallop, the vehicle swaying from side to side, till it crowned the hill and disappeared.
“I suppose it is excusable,” said Sir Philip, turning pale with apprehension32; “but what a pity that he should have gone out!”
Directly after, though, the old gentleman smilingly observed to his friends that they would only be in at the death; and then speaking to the coachman, that functionary33 applied34 his whip, and the horses went along at a brisk canter.
“More behind even than I thought for,” said Sir Philip anxiously, as the carriage drew up to the churchyard gates, amidst a burst of cheering from the crowd, and then, smiling and raising his hat, Sir Philip walked up to the church, as there was a loud cry of “Here they are!” passed along the nave35, entered the chancel, and taking Laura’s hand in his, kissed it with a mingling36 of love and respect.
“But surely you have not got it over? Where is Charley?” exclaimed the old man.
It was Nelly who gave the sharp cry as he made the inquiry37, while Laura stood the image of despair as a rumour38 ran through the church.
“Was he—was he in the chariot?” whispered Mr Bray, catching39 his old friend by the arm.
“Yes, yes; where is he,” cried Sir Philip, trembling as he spoke40.
“They say the horses must have taken fright and galloped41 away. The chariot dashed by here a few minutes ago; but they said it was empty.”
“Mr Charles Vining in the carriage, and borne away at that mad rate!” was the whisper through the church, which soon did not contain a man who had not hurried down the road in the expectation of coming at every turn upon the wreck42 of Sir Philip Vining’s chariot, with horses and men in a tangle43 of harness and destruction.
But before those on foot had gone far, they were passed by Sir Philip Vining and Mr Bray in the barouche; for they had hurried away from the scene in the church, where Laura was seated, pale, despairing and stony44, Nelly sobbing45 violently, and a couple of bridesmaids had fainted.
“It all comes of having such horrible wild horses,” said Mrs Lingon, whose conveyance46 was a basket carriage, drawn47 by a punchy cob, given to meditation48 and genuflections. “But there, I hope the poor young man isn’t hurt; and on his wedding-morning, too!”
“Will you hold your tongue?” exclaimed Mrs Bray fiercely. “Do you think matters are not bad enough without prophesying49 ill? There, there, my darling, don’t cry,” she said softly the next moment to Nelly, who was sobbing convulsively, as she trembled for the fate of him whom she indeed loved as a dear brother. But at last the Reverend Mr Lingon and his aides appeared upon the scene, and pending50 the arrival of news, the wedding party were screened from curious eyes by the refuge offered to them in the vestry, till twelve o’clock striking, carriages were summoned, and, sad and disappointed, all returned to The Elms.
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1
upwards
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| adv.向上，在更高处...以上 | |
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disciples
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| n.信徒( disciple的名词复数 )；门徒；耶稣的信徒；（尤指）耶稣十二门徒之一 | |
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fragrant
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| adj.芬香的，馥郁的，愉快的 | |
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inhale
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| v.吸入(气体等)，吸(烟) | |
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gliding
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| v. 滑翔 adj. 滑动的 | |
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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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fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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8
disarmed
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| v.裁军( disarm的过去式和过去分词 )；使息怒 | |
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bray
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| n.驴叫声, 喇叭声；v.驴叫 | |
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repentance
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| n.懊悔 | |
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naught
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| n.无，零 [=nought] | |
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bleak
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| adj.(天气)阴冷的；凄凉的；暗淡的 | |
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thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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awakened
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| v.（使）醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）觉醒；弄醒；（使）意识到 | |
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15
folly
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| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
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exertion
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| n.尽力，努力 | |
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countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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gallop
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| v./n.(马或骑马等)飞奔；飞速发展 | |
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galloping
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| adj. 飞驰的, 急性的 动词gallop的现在分词形式 | |
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20
hoofs
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| n.（兽的）蹄，马蹄( hoof的名词复数 )v.（兽的）蹄，马蹄( hoof的第三人称单数 ) | |
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tardy
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| adj.缓慢的，迟缓的 | |
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dreaded
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| adj.令人畏惧的；害怕的v.害怕，恐惧，担心( dread的过去式和过去分词) | |
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regain
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| vt.重新获得，收复，恢复 | |
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groan
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| vi./n.呻吟，抱怨；(发出)呻吟般的声音 | |
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clenched
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| v.紧握，抓紧，咬紧( clench的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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hoarsely
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| adv.嘶哑地 | |
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28
trot
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| n.疾走，慢跑；n.老太婆；现成译本；(复数）trots:腹泻（与the 连用）；v.小跑，快步走，赶紧 | |
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29
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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obedience
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| n.服从，顺从 | |
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ascending
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| adj.上升的，向上的 | |
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apprehension
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| n.理解，领悟；逮捕，拘捕；忧虑 | |
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functionary
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| n.官员；公职人员 | |
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applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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nave
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| n.教堂的中部；本堂 | |
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mingling
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| adj.混合的 | |
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inquiry
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| n.打听，询问，调查，查问 | |
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rumour
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| n.谣言，谣传，传闻 | |
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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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40
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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41
galloped
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| （使马）飞奔，奔驰( gallop的过去式和过去分词 )； 快速做[说]某事 | |
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42
wreck
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| n.失事，遇难；沉船；vt.(船等)失事，遇难 | |
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43
tangle
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| n.纠缠；缠结；混乱；v.(使)缠绕；变乱 | |
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44
stony
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| adj.石头的，多石头的，冷酷的，无情的 | |
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45
sobbing
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| <主方>Ⅰ adj.湿透的 | |
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46
conveyance
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| n.(不动产等的)转让，让与；转让证书；传送；运送；表达；（正）运输工具 | |
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47
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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48
meditation
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| n.熟虑，（尤指宗教的）默想，沉思，（pl.）冥想录 | |
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49
prophesying
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| v.预告，预言( prophesy的现在分词 ) | |
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50
pending
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| prep.直到，等待…期间；adj.待定的；迫近的 | |
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