The good Cardinal1 acted up to his promise in regard to Constance. An apartment was assigned her in a wing of the palace overlooking the garden, and that nothing might be wanting to her comfort, search was made for her old attendant, Dorcas, whose retreat being discovered, without much difficulty, by Rodomont, she was brought to the palace, and reinstated in her former position with her young mistress.
Ever since the night when Constance had been carried off to the Lollards’ Tower, the poor old woman had been inconsolable. Her joy, therefore, on finding her young mistress again, may be imagined. She strained her to her breast with all a mother’s affection, wept over her, and could scarcely cease her demonstrations2 of regard. The Cardinal, who witnessed the meeting, was much touched by it, but at last deemed it proper to moderate the old woman’s transports of delight. But this only turned the tide of her gratitude3 upon him. She fell down at his feet, embraced his knees, and prayed that his goodness might be rewarded.
Treated with paternal4 kindness and consideration by the Cardinal, Constance could not but feel profound gratitude towards him; and as the virtues5 of his character became more fully6 revealed to her, she began to regard him with feelings akin7 to veneration8.
They had frequent discourses9 together on points of faith, 244and, though Constance’s adherence10 to the new doctrines11 remained unshaken, she listened with attention to the Cardinal’s able and profound exposition of the tenets of the Church of Rome. The differences between their respective creeds12 appeared slighter than she had at first supposed, and if all Romish priests and prelates were like the Cardinal, lived as he lived, and taught as he taught, she felt that there might, indeed, be one universal Church.
The calmness of Pole’s manner, the clearness of his judgment13, his profound theological learning, contrasted strongly with the fanaticism14 and fiery15 zeal16 of Derrick Carver, who had as little toleration for the Romanists as they had for him. Her mind, over-excited by the stimulative17 discourses of the enthusiast18, acquired a healthier tone from the exhortations19 of the Cardinal, and she felt like one who had recovered from a fever.
Perfectly20 resigned to her position, strengthened in all her good resolutions by Pole, and allowed the free exercise of her own religious opinions, she became composed and cheerful, and, if not quite happy, was at least free from despondency. Her personal appearance improved in the same ratio, and, ere many weeks had flown, she had quite recovered her beauty. Her life might appear dull and monotonous21, but its very monotony was not without a charm to her, who from early years had meditated22 the seclusion23 of a convent. Caring little for the world, or its pleasures and vanities, she was well content with her present existence, and scarcely desired to change it. Not that the Cardinal’s palace, with its princely establishment, its numerous and important guests, was devoid24 of the stir and bustle25 of active life, but in this she took no part. She did not mingle26 with the household, and was never seen by the Cardinal’s numerous guests.
The garden was open to her, with its long terraces, its alleys27 and groves28, and therein she took her walks at morn. At such times she often met Pole and Priuli, and discoursed29 with them. In argument Priuli displayed the same moderation and clearness of judgment as his friend, though he did not equal him in profundity30 of intellect or learning. Perhaps Pole was disappointed that he did not produce a more sensible impression upon his pupil, and bring her to express contrition31 for her errors, and a desire for reconciliation32 with 245the Church of Rome, but he did not manifest any impatience33; still less did he employ harshness or threats. Attendance at the chapel34 at matins or evensong, or during the celebration of mass, was not compulsory35 on Constance, nor was she forced to assist at any of the rites36 or observances of the Church of Rome.
Not unfrequently the Cardinal spoke37 to her of Osbert Clinton, and held out to her, as he had done to her lover, the hope of a meeting at some future day.
Shortly after Constance’s partial restoration to freedom, the Cardinal dispatched Rodomont to Southampton to acquaint Master Tyrrell with the steps he had taken in his daughter’s behalf, and inviting38 him to come and see her.
Rodomont would fain have brought the old merchant back with him, but Tyrrell declined. His anger against Constance had not yet abated39. Unless she renounced40 her errors, she need not hope to see him again, he declared. He left her entirely41 in the Lord Cardinal’s hands, satisfied that if her conversion42 could be accomplished43 it would be by his Eminence44. The old merchant, it was clear, was so apprehensive45 of being implicated46 with his daughter, and suspected of heretical pravity himself, that he was resolved not to go near her.
Rodomont seized the opportunity of ascertaining47 his sentiments in regard to her union with Osbert Clinton. But on this point the old merchant was equally obstinate48. “I will not consent to her marriage—I will not give her my blessing—I will not see her till she recants, and returns to the faith of her forefathers,” he cried. “Then she shall be my daughter once more.”
“It is well for her that she has found a father in the Cardinal, since her own father deserts her in her need,” observed Rodomont.
“Why, what would you have me do?” cried Tyrrell.
“Go see her! comfort her! persuade her to conform,” rejoined Rodomont.
“And be suspected of heresy49, and cited before the ecclesiastical commissioners—mayhap burnt before my own door,” said Tyrrell. “No, I thank you. I mean to keep out of harm’s way.”
“Well, if you can reconcile such conduct to your conscience, 246I have no more to say,” observed Rodomont; “except, that if you escape burning in this world, you stand a good chance of burning in the next. So you positively50 decline to go back with me to Lambeth Palace—eh?”
“Positively,” replied Tyrrell. “As a good Catholic, the Cardinal will applaud my conduct.”
“There you are mistaken,” rejoined Rodomont. “You little understand his Eminence, if you suppose him dead to the feelings of human nature, as you appear to be. He can but entertain one opinion of your conduct—disgust.” So saying he left him.
On his return to Lambeth Palace, Rodomont informed the Cardinal what had passed between himself and Master Tyrrell. Pole could scarcely credit the relation, so astounded51 was he at the old merchant’s extraordinary indifference52 to his daughter. However, the effect produced upon him by Tyrrell’s stoical conduct, was to increase the fatherly concern he already felt in Constance, and make him more anxious than ever for her conversion.
How he prospered53 in his efforts we have already seen.
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1
cardinal
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n.(天主教的)红衣主教;adj.首要的,基本的 | |
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2
demonstrations
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证明( demonstration的名词复数 ); 表明; 表达; 游行示威 | |
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3
gratitude
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adj.感激,感谢 | |
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4
paternal
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adj.父亲的,像父亲的,父系的,父方的 | |
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5
virtues
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美德( virtue的名词复数 ); 德行; 优点; 长处 | |
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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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akin
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adj.同族的,类似的 | |
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8
veneration
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n.尊敬,崇拜 | |
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9
discourses
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论文( discourse的名词复数 ); 演说; 讲道; 话语 | |
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10
adherence
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n.信奉,依附,坚持,固着 | |
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11
doctrines
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n.教条( doctrine的名词复数 );教义;学说;(政府政策的)正式声明 | |
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12
creeds
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(尤指宗教)信条,教条( creed的名词复数 ) | |
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13
judgment
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n.审判;判断力,识别力,看法,意见 | |
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14
fanaticism
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n.狂热,盲信 | |
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15
fiery
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adj.燃烧着的,火红的;暴躁的;激烈的 | |
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16
zeal
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n.热心,热情,热忱 | |
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17
stimulative
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n.刺激,促进因素adj.刺激的,激励的,促进的 | |
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18
enthusiast
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n.热心人,热衷者 | |
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19
exhortations
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n.敦促( exhortation的名词复数 );极力推荐;(正式的)演讲;(宗教仪式中的)劝诫 | |
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20
perfectly
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adv.完美地,无可非议地,彻底地 | |
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21
monotonous
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adj.单调的,一成不变的,使人厌倦的 | |
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22
meditated
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深思,沉思,冥想( meditate的过去式和过去分词 ); 内心策划,考虑 | |
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23
seclusion
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n.隐遁,隔离 | |
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24
devoid
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adj.全无的,缺乏的 | |
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25
bustle
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v.喧扰地忙乱,匆忙,奔忙;n.忙碌;喧闹 | |
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mingle
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vt.使混合,使相混;vi.混合起来;相交往 | |
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alleys
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胡同,小巷( alley的名词复数 ); 小径 | |
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groves
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树丛,小树林( grove的名词复数 ) | |
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29
discoursed
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演说(discourse的过去式与过去分词形式) | |
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30
profundity
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n.渊博;深奥,深刻 | |
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31
contrition
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n.悔罪,痛悔 | |
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32
reconciliation
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n.和解,和谐,一致 | |
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33
impatience
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n.不耐烦,急躁 | |
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34
chapel
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n.小教堂,殡仪馆 | |
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35
compulsory
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n.强制的,必修的;规定的,义务的 | |
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rites
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仪式,典礼( rite的名词复数 ) | |
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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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38
inviting
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adj.诱人的,引人注目的 | |
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39
abated
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减少( abate的过去式和过去分词 ); 减去; 降价; 撤消(诉讼) | |
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40
renounced
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v.声明放弃( renounce的过去式和过去分词 );宣布放弃;宣布与…决裂;宣布摒弃 | |
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41
entirely
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ad.全部地,完整地;完全地,彻底地 | |
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42
conversion
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n.转化,转换,转变 | |
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43
accomplished
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adj.有才艺的;有造诣的;达到了的 | |
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44
eminence
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n.卓越,显赫;高地,高处;名家 | |
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45
apprehensive
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adj.担心的,恐惧的,善于领会的 | |
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46
implicated
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adj.密切关联的;牵涉其中的 | |
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47
ascertaining
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v.弄清,确定,查明( ascertain的现在分词 ) | |
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48
obstinate
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adj.顽固的,倔强的,不易屈服的,较难治愈的 | |
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49
heresy
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n.异端邪说;异教 | |
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50
positively
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adv.明确地,断然,坚决地;实在,确实 | |
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51
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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52
indifference
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n.不感兴趣,不关心,冷淡,不在乎 | |
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53
prospered
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成功,兴旺( prosper的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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