These persons are never content to wait for the slow changes that are included in all orderly developments. Because a thing seems right to them in the abstract, it must be done now. They cannot wait for old things to pass away, as preliminary to the inauguration6 of what is new.
"If I had the power," we have heard one of this class say, "evil and sorrow and pain should cease from the earth in a moment." And in saying this the thought was not concealed7 that God had this power, but failed to exercise it. With them no questions of expediency8, no regard for time-endowed prejudices, no weak spirit of waiting, no looking for the fullness of time could have any influence. What they willed to be done must be done now; and they were impatient and angry at every one who stood in their way or opposed their theories.
In most cases, you will find these "reformers," as they generally style themselves, governed more by a love of ruling and influencing others than by a spirit of humanity. They are one-sided people, and can only see one side of a subject in clear light. It matters little to them what is destroyed, so that they can build. If they possess the gift of language, either as writers or talkers—have wit, brilliancy and sarcasm—they make disciples9 of the less gifted, and influence larger or smaller circles of men and women. Flattered by this homage10 to their talents, they grow more ardent in the cause which they have espoused11, and see, or affect to see, little else of any importance in the world. They do some good and much harm. Good, in drawing general attention to social evils that need reforming—evil, in causing weak people to forget common duties in their ambition to set the world right.
There is always danger in breaking suddenly away from the regular progression of things and taking the lead in some new and antagonistic12 movement. Such things must and will be; but they who set up for social reformers must be men and women of pure hearts, clear minds and the broadest human sympathies. They must be lovers of their kind, not lovers of themselves; brave as patriots13, not as soldiers of fortune who seek for booty and renown14.
Not many of these true reformers—all honor to them!—are found among the noisy coteries15 that infest16 the land and turn so many foolish people away from real duties.
One of the dangers attendant on association with the class to which we refer lies in the fact that they draw around them certain free-thinking, sensual personages, of no very stable morality, who are ready for anything that gives excitement to their morbid17 conditions of mind. Social disasters, of the saddest kind, are constantly occurring through this cause. Men and women become at first unsettled in their opinions, then unsettled in their conduct, and finally throw off all virtuous18 restraint.
Mrs. Talbot, the new friend of Mrs. Emerson, belonged to the better sort of reformers in one respect. She was a pure-minded woman; but this did not keep her out of the circle of those who were of freer thought and action. Being an extremist on the subject of woman's social position, she met and assimilated with others on the basis of a common sentiment. This threw her in contact with many from whom she would have shrunk with instinctive19 aversion had she known their true quality. Still, the evil to her was a gradual wearing away, by the power of steady attrition, of old, true, conservative ideas in regard to the binding20 force of marriage. There was always a great deal said on this subject, in a light way, by persons for whose opinions on other subjects she had the highest respect, and this had its influence. Insensibly her views and feelings changed, until she found herself, in some cases, the advocate of sentiments that once would have been rejected with instinctive repugnance21.
This was the woman who was about acquiring a strong influence over the undisciplined, self-willed and too self-reliant young wife of Hartley Emerson; and this was the class of personages among whom her dangerous friend was about introducing her. At the house of Mrs. Talbot, where Irene became a frequent visitor, she met a great many brilliant, talented and fascinating people, of whom she often spoke22 to her husband, for she was too independent to have any concealments. She knew that he did no like Mrs. Talbot, but this rather inclined her to a favorable estimation, and really led to a more frequent intercourse23 than would otherwise have been the case.
Once a week Mrs. Talbot held a kind of conversazione, at which brilliant people and people with hobbies met to hear themselves talk. Mr. and Mrs. Emerson had a standing24 invitation to be present at these reunions, and, as Irene wished to go, her husband saw it best not to interpose obstacles. Besides, as he knew that she went to Mrs. Talbot's often in the day-time, and met a good many people there, he wished to see for himself who they were, and judge for himself as to their quality. Of the men who frequented the parlors25 of Mrs. Talbot, the larger number had some prefix26 to their names, as Professor, Doctor, Major, or Colonel. Most of the ladies were of a decidedly literary turn—some had written books, some were magazine contributors, one was a physician, and one a public lecturer. Nothing against them in all this, but much to their honor if their talents and acquirements were used for the common good.
The themes of conversation at these weekly gatherings27 were varied28, but social relations and social reform were in most cases the leading topics. Two or three evenings at Mrs. Talbot's were enough to satisfy Mr. Emerson that the people who met there were not of a character to exercise a good influence upon his wife. But how was he to keep her from associations that evidently presented strong attractions? Direct opposition29 he feared to make, for the experience of a few months had been sufficient to show him that she would resist all attempts on his part to exercise a controlling influence.
He tried at first to keep her away by feigning30 slight indisposition, or weariness, or disinclination to go out, and so lead her to exercise some self-denial for his sake. But her mind was too firmly bent31 on going to be turned so easily from its purpose; she did not consider trifles like these of sufficient importance to interfere32 with the pleasures of an evening at one of Mrs. Talbot's conversaziones. Mr. Emerson felt hurt at his wife's plain disregard of his comfort and wishes, and said within himself, with bitterness of feeling, that she was heartless.
One day, at dinner-time, he said to her—
"I shall not be able to go to Mrs. Talbot's to-night."
"Why?" Irene looked at her husband in surprise, and with a shade of disappointment on her countenance33.
"I have business of importance with a gentleman who resides in Brooklyn, and have promised to meet him at his house this evening."
"You might call for me on your return," said Irene.
"The time of my return will be uncertain. I cannot now tell how late I may be detained in Brooklyn."
"I'm sorry." And Irene bent down her eyes in a thoughtful way. "I promised Mrs. Talbot to be there to-night," she added.
"Mrs. Talbot will excuse you when she knows why you were absent."
"I don't know about that," said Irene.
"She must be a very unreasonable34 woman," remarked Emerson.
"That doesn't follow. You could take me there, and Mrs. Talbot find me an escort home."
"Who?" Emerson knit his brows and glanced sharply at his wife. The suggestion struck him unpleasantly.
"Major Willard, for instance;" and she smiled in a half-amused, half-mischievous way.
"You cannot be in earnest, surely?" said Emerson.
"Why not?" queried35 his wife, looking at her husband with calm, searching eyes.
"You would not, in the first place, be present there, unaccompanied by your husband; and, in the second place, I hardly think my wife would be seen in the street, at night, on the arm of Major Willard."
Mr. Emerson spoke like a man who was in earnest.
"Do you know anything wrong of Major Willard?" asked Irene.
"I know nothing about him, right or wrong," was replied. "But, if I have any skill in reading men, he is very far from being a fine specimen36."
"Why, Hartley! You have let some prejudice come in to warp37 your estimation."
"No. I have mixed some with men, and, though my opportunity for observation has not been large, I have met two or three of your Major Willards. They are polished and attractive on the surface, but unprincipled and corrupt38."
"I cannot believe this of Major Willard," said Irene.
"It might be safer for you to believe it," replied Hartley.
"Safer! I don't understand you! You talk in riddles39? How safer?"
Irene showed some irritation40.
"Safer as to your good name," replied her husband.
"My good name is in my own keeping," said the young wife, proudly.
"Then, for Heaven's sake, remain its safe custodian," replied Emerson. "Don't let even the shadow of a man like Major Willard fall upon it."
"I am sorry to see you so prejudiced," said Irene, coldly; "and sorry, still further, that you have so poor an opinion of your wife."
"You misapprehend me," returned Hartley. "I am neither prejudiced nor suspicious. But seeing danger in your way, as a prudent41 man I lift a voice of warning. I am out in the world more than you are, and see more of its worst side. My profession naturally opens to me doors of observation that are shut to many. I see the inside of character, where others look only upon the fair outside."
"And so learn to be suspicious of everybody," said Irene.
"No; only to read indices that to many others are unintelligible42."
"I must learn to read them also."
"It would be well if your sex and place in the world gave the right opportunity," replied Hartley.
"Truly said. And that touches the main question. Women, immured43 as they now are, and never suffered to go out into the world unless guarded by husband, brother or discreet44 managing friend, will continue as weak and undiscriminating as the great mass of them now are. But, so far as I am concerned, this system is destined45 to change. I must be permitted a larger liberty, and opportunities for independent observation. I wish to read character for myself, and make up my own mind in regard to the people I meet."
"I am only sorry," rejoined her husband, "that your first effort at reading character and making up independent opinions in regard to men and principles had not found scope in another direction. I am afraid that, in trying to get close enough to the people you meet at Mrs. Talbot's for accurate observation, you will draw so near to dangerous fires as to scorch46 your garments."
"Complimentary47 to Mrs. Talbot!"
"The remark simply gives you my estimate of some of her favored visitors."
"And complimentary to your wife," added Irene.
"My wife," said Hartley, in a serious voice, "is, like myself, young and inexperienced, and should be particularly cautious in regard to all new acquaintances—men or women—particularly if they be some years her senior, and particularly if they show any marked desire to cultivate her acquaintance. People with a large worldly experience, like most of those we have met at Mrs. Talbot's, take you and I at disadvantage. They read us through at a single sitting, while it may take us months, even years, to penetrate48 the disguises they know so well how to assume."
"Nearly all of which, touching49 the pleasant people we meet at Mrs. Talbot's, is assumed," replied Irene, not at all moved by her husband's earnestness.
"You may learn to your sorrow, when the knowledge comes too late," he responded, "that even more than I have assumed is true."
"I am not in fear of the sorrow," was answered lightly.
As Irene, against all argument, persuasion50 and remonstrance51 on the part of her husband, persisted in her determination to go to Mrs. Talbot's, he engaged a carriage to take her there and to call for her at eleven o'clock.
"Come away alone," he said, with impressive earnestness, as he parted from her. "Don't let any courteous52 offer induce you to accept an attendant when you return home."
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1
peculiarities
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| n. 特质, 特性, 怪癖, 古怪 | |
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ardent
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，强烈的，烈性的 | |
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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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gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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inauguration
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| n.开幕、就职典礼 | |
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concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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expediency
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| n.适宜；方便；合算；利己 | |
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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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homage
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| n.尊敬，敬意，崇敬 | |
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espoused
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| v.（决定）支持，拥护（目标、主张等）( espouse的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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antagonistic
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| adj.敌对的 | |
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patriots
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| 爱国者，爱国主义者( patriot的名词复数 ) | |
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renown
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| n.声誉，名望 | |
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coteries
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| n.（有共同兴趣的）小集团( coterie的名词复数 ) | |
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infest
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| v.大批出没于；侵扰；寄生于 | |
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morbid
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| adj.病的；致病的；病态的；可怕的 | |
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virtuous
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| adj.有品德的，善良的，贞洁的，有效力的 | |
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instinctive
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| adj.(出于)本能的；直觉的；(出于)天性的 | |
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binding
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| 有约束力的，有效的，应遵守的 | |
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repugnance
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| n.嫌恶 | |
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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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intercourse
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| n.性交；交流，交往，交际 | |
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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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parlors
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| 客厅( parlor的名词复数 )； 起居室； （旅馆中的）休息室； （通常用来构成合成词）店 | |
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prefix
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| n.前缀；vt.加…作为前缀；置于前面 | |
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gatherings
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| 聚集( gathering的名词复数 )； 收集； 采集； 搜集 | |
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varied
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| adj.多样的，多变化的 | |
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opposition
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| n.反对，敌对 | |
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feigning
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| 假装，伪装( feign的现在分词 )； 捏造（借口、理由等） | |
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bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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interfere
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| v.(in)干涉，干预；(with)妨碍，打扰 | |
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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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unreasonable
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| adj.不讲道理的，不合情理的，过度的 | |
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queried
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| v.质疑，对…表示疑问( query的过去式和过去分词 )；询问 | |
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specimen
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| n.样本，标本 | |
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warp
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| vt.弄歪，使翘曲，使不正常，歪曲，使有偏见 | |
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corrupt
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| v.贿赂，收买；adj.腐败的，贪污的 | |
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riddles
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| n.谜（语）( riddle的名词复数 )；猜不透的难题，难解之谜 | |
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irritation
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| n.激怒，恼怒，生气 | |
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prudent
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| adj.谨慎的，有远见的，精打细算的 | |
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unintelligible
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| adj.无法了解的，难解的，莫明其妙的 | |
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immured
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| v.禁闭，监禁( immure的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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discreet
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| adj.(言行)谨慎的；慎重的；有判断力的 | |
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destined
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| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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46
scorch
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| v.烧焦，烤焦；高速疾驶；n.烧焦处，焦痕 | |
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47
complimentary
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| adj.赠送的，免费的，赞美的，恭维的 | |
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48
penetrate
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| v.透(渗)入；刺入，刺穿；洞察，了解 | |
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49
touching
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| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
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50
persuasion
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| n.劝说；说服；持有某种信仰的宗派 | |
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51
remonstrance
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| n抗议，抱怨 | |
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52
courteous
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| adj.彬彬有礼的，客气的 | |
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